An exaggerated sense of Teutonic order and a near-obsessive requirement for secrecy have been blamed for throwing German intelligence-service plans to build a Berlin headquarters into chaos.
When complete, the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) head office will be housed in a 25ha glass-and-concrete complex employing 4000 staff. but the €811 million ($1.46 billion) project is four years behind schedule and €90 million over budget. Construction is reported to be disrupted almost daily because of security checks.
The high number of foreign labourers on the site are kept under constant surveillance so that they do not take microfilm pictures of instalments or try to plant listening devices in walls.
Vehicle drivers are reported to have been turned away for failing to turn up exactly on time, while builders have complained of being handed up to 300 plan drawings containing 4000 mistakes.
- Independent
