Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said Friday that it will have to force some diplomats to work in the U.S. embassy in Iraq to fill a growing number of vacant positions there.

    By mid-2008, there will be a total of 250 positions to fill in and the State Department has not received applications for about 50 of them, said Harry Thomas, director of the State Department's human resources.

    The State Department has listed 200-300 candidate diplomats and Monday they will receive a letter ordering them to apply for the 50 vacant position in the U.S. embassy in Iraq, Thomas said.

    The identified diplomats have 10 days to consider. After that, if there are still not enough people willing to go to Iraq, the State Department will order some to go to Iraq to work. Those who refuse will face dismissal, Thomas said.

    Local media said U.S. diplomats who work in Iraq will enjoy extra pay, vacation and choice of future assignments. However, because of the serious security situation in Iraq, it remains unpopular to work in Iraq.

    Earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ordered the State Department to give the U.S. embassy in Iraq staffing priority.