Posted on 01/06/2006 9:33:30 PM PST by SmithL
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice canceled a six-day trip to Indonesia and Australia on Friday, amid uncertainty over the condition of ailing Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
"She decided because of the situation in the Middle East, it was the right decision to stay here in Washington," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack. Rice had planned to leave Saturday.
If Sharon were to die, Rice would probably attend the funeral in Jerusalem, although McCormack did not mention that possibility.
US officials have been careful not to publicly predict that Sharon will not return to power. Rice's travel decision is the clearest sign yet that US officials consider his recovery unlikely.
Rice spoke by phone Friday morning with Israel's acting prime minister, Ehud Olmert, McCormack said. It was their first conversation since Sharon's health crisis.
Boy...I bet the Clintoons are clearing their schedules as well...blech.
No Rice in Asia? This IS news!
If you were my relative, I'd bitch slap you for that cynical nasty remark. BTW, Did you graduate from pre-school? Or do you just drizzle down your pants, and ask Mommy to empty your shoes?
Lighten up, Francis.
I feel there is a fairly good chance either Israel or the USA bombs the Iranian nuke facilities in 2006. You can bet Rice will be in DC when this happens. So, I will be watching her schedule carefully just for these types of cancellations. Google news alerts are fantastic for this specific type of notification.
LOL!
Quick. Obvious but still clever.
Ditto on the "lighten up Francis" sentiment.
But NOT this time - she's just hanging around in case there's a "funeral".
I'm sure she'll tell us in advance.
Darkwolf...I agree with Thickman....funny.
Darkwolf377
Did you tell me yesterday to "Lighten up, Francis?"
If so you are performing a useful function around here.
I really do not like people putting down the Sec. of State of the United States of America.
Again--lighten the heck up.
II do not take national security as an easy issue. Maybe you can go re-program your cell phone for another hip-hop tune when you drive a rice rocket.
Lighten up.
Keep waving your arms like that, it'll make it harder for 'em to throw the net over you. ;)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.