Are Marines guarding U.S. embassies expected to stand down while thugs firebomb the place?

Question

I guess I'm trying to understand why Marines guard U.S. embassies when they aren't allowed to ward off thugs who are trying to kill them, as in Serbia the other day.

Answer 1

We protect all the Embassies that are on our soil It is International Law. The government of Serbia should be protecting, all the Embassies that are in Belgrade. They chose to say that it was just a minor disturbance, and that it was a peaceful demonstration. then after the break in and torching was in full force, the Police protection was sent... rather late.  There were no Marine or other personnel in the US embassy in Belgrade. Other Embassies were attacked, Canadian Croatian and Turkish,and more. We should be hearing about the damage to these Embassies, and why the Serbs did not protect them?  As they are expected to do, by International Law.

Answer 2

We dont want another hostage situation again.

Answer 3

the embassy  had no diplomats   corps personnel   just an empty  bldg   with no sensitive files  or data of any kind    they were not firing weapons,  were not taking hostages  its the host country to protect  the outer perimeter   the marines are charged   with internal compound   7 diplomats  security should thet had fired   how long could have they lasted " ?  and what fire into the innocent crowd  they acted very professional and followed protocol

Answer 4

Trust me.  If someone tries to mess with a group of marines, they're NOT going to just stand there and do nothing - I don't care what the "rules" say.

Answer 5

It would appear that they have orders to not defend our Embassies, but only protect the occupants at some secured part of the Embassies.

This is a ridicules procedure! When our Embassies are Attacked, the USA is Attacked. We have the right, and the mandate to Protect our People, and Our Property.

The attacker should be dropped as then enter upon the Property of the USA. That will stop these senseless Atrocities!

Answer 6

I couldnt figure why we didnt hear about Marines repelling the attackers. The more I watched the news reports I could only gather that the embassy had been evacuated.

An embassy is located on foreign soil. However the agreements made by host countries is that the soil wherever the embassy is located is given to the foriegn country, thereby making it foriegn soil. i.e. the Russian embassy in New York is actually Russian land, American law does not apply beyond the gate and a someone, even an American, inside the perimeter is subject to Russian law.

Answer 7

Embassies are under rules of engagement that protect their status of being an embassy.  Embassy power ends at the gate.  Firing into a crowd could be an act of war.  The marines are capable of using any measure they deem proper if someone is on their property...an embassy is like a tiny piece of the US in a foreign land.  Foreign countries respect that land in exchange for us respecting their embassies here in the US.  If someone invades the emabssy, it's like someone attacking the US, and so they can start shooting then if they deem it necessary...but they can't, and should NOT, do a thing if people are outside the gate.  that's why it's perilous duty in places where were don't hve good relations with the populace.  

Also, every embassy has it's own set of rules of engagement for this kind of thing.  The diplomats decide how the rules will work, based on the relationship they have with the country they are in...

Answer 8

Those are the basic ROE, yes.  The Marines at US Embassies and Consulates are there more for decoration than anything else.  It's been that way for decades.

It would be one thing to fire upon someone who had breeched the perimeter, however firing into a crowd outside the permieter is an act of war.  The ROE are such than any fire that could pass the perimeter is forbidden absent a formal declaration of war against the host country.

Answer 9

This Mob mentality is damaging the town they live in. If they could only see themselves on TV, they might think twice.

Answer 10

Yes, it's part of the new "Can't we just all get along?" policy.

Answer 11

Did you expect them to call in an air-strike, or mow them down indiscriminately with a .50 cal?

Answer 12

When I was  on Embassy duty in Morocco we had a number of riots at the Embassy. Our only weapons were .38 revolvers and only five of us. Our responsibilities was to make sure that any classified material was protected or destroyed at the command of the State Departments Security Officer. Any embassy is considered that countries property. Total protection of the Embassy against mobs is the responsibility of the host country.

Five  of us against a mob of thousands or even hundreds would not prove useful except to incite the crowd even more.

One must pick their battles and five against a  mob is foolhardy and really does not accomplish anything.

The Marines are there to provide internal security and to assist the Embassy personnel.

Take a look at the videos again of the incident in Belgrade and tell me what a few Marines could do. Your advice would be interesting and informative.

Answer 13

poor leaders interested only in their own image.

Answer 14

cause their ****

Answer 15

remember, embassies are on other people's property.  ie: international territory.  you don't just start firing on a crowd when you're on their turf.

Answer 16

I am baffled by this episode as well.  I do not understand why it occured without resistance.  Perhaps the force there was too small?  Perhaps they had to ask for permission from Washington before they can fire?  Perhaps they never felt they were in direct danger or they were vastly outnumbered and if they resisted or pushed back, it would only incite more violence?  

To me, the embassy is a US territory and to let thugs treat it with that kind of disrespect is deplorable.  I know this, I will not travel to or spend a dime in Belgrade.