7/16 Middle East Live Thread

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1666163/posts ^ | 7/16/06 | me

[cibco]

LOL

[BurbankKarl]

You can't have a Swedish joke without some meatballs...although I dont think those "new" Swedish citizens eat many, unless it comes in a falafel.

[TexKat]

Lebanon Situation Update
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

---

This information is current as of today, Sun Jul 16 13:06:26 2006.

A message to American citizens in Lebanon:

The US Department of State and the US Department of Defense continue working on a plan to help American citizens who wish to depart Lebanon to leave in a secure and orderly manner. To assist in the development of that operation, the U.S. Government is sending an assessment team to Beirut to facilitate the safe departure of Americans who wish to leave.

The Embassy is open and will remain open at this time in support of American citizens in Lebanon. American citizens may register by contacting the Embassy in Beirut directly, or through the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs registration site at https://travelregistration.state.gov.

Updated information on travel and security in Lebanon may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. Additional information, as it becomes available will be released via the media, Embassy warden announcements and on the Department and Embassy websites.

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/lebanon_update.html

[mtbopfuyn]

Does Rebel yell know that the State Dept just announced it's too dangerous to get them out now and to stay put? (not what he wants to hear, I am sure)

Hey, Reb! You probably knew this before we did, but State Dept. says it's too dangerous to get y'all out and to stay put. Take care and keep your head down. Remember, get that tub filled and empty the candy and coke machines. Your FRiends are with you.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I understood they hoped to bring in choppers to evacuate them to Cyprus, but basically would need a cease-fire to do so... think about this point, too... 25,000 American's all in one place would be like red meat to Hezbollah and then definitely pull the US into the war.

[RDTF]

they haven't updated their site yet-

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/lebanon_update.html

[bnelson44]

Sounds like they are asking for the same things Israel is asking for. Am I right?

- The return of the Israeli soldiers in Gaza and Lebanon unharmed;
- An end to the shelling of Israeli territory;

In return Israel will:
- An end to Israeli military operations and the early withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza;
- The release of the arrested Palestinian ministers and parliamentarians.

[cibco]

OK, think I need a nap. ;0)

[defconw]

That's where we come in. I put making government work, because Congress is broken. I think we can have a positive impact. If it turns out to be BS, we dump out. It is always a Opp Research opportunity as well.

[mtbopfuyn]

More info on this after "Apply directly to the forehead:" x3

Anyone else hate that commercial? Ugh.

[BurbankKarl]

The students from American University were on buses ready to go the Syria route, and the whole thing was cancelled yesterday.

The State Department remembers all too well how many American hostages we had in Lebanon 20 years ago.

[bnelson44]

Wasn't someone calling on her to do that this morning?

[mathluv]

I think it has more to do with the NUMBERS of Americans who are there. How do you evacuate 25,000 people from a war zone?

Fox - yesterday - had a young girl who called in, complaining that her government was not doing enough to get her to safety. Yet, she admitted that when she went to the embassey, many or the people there, claiming to be American, were not.

[cibco]

You forgot lutefisk.. :0)

[Arizona Carolyn]

I don't think Israel is as anxious to have the world see what they are doing as our military was in 2003.. our embeds were side-by-side with the forces from Kuwait to Baghdad and, if you remember, Geraldo gave away the position and where they were going one evening in a report.

[TexKat]

U.S. evacuation teams arrive in Beirut

BEURIT, Lebanon, July 16 (UPI) -- U.S. military teams arrived by helicopter at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut Sunday to begin evacuating Americans from war-torn Lebanon.

"The arrival of the teams is an important first step in facilitating the safe departure of Americans who want to leave Lebanon," the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

The evacuations, most likely to the neighboring island of Cyprus, will probably not begin for a few days, CNN reported.

An estimated 25,000 Americans live or work in Lebanon. U.S. officials said they assume about 15 percent, or about 3,800 people, will choose to leave.

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut will stay in operation after the evacuation, the network said. Officials said the ambassador's office will remain open, and political, security and consular services will continue, even if they are short-staffed.

About 350 Europeans were evacuated to Cyprus aboard Italian military flights Saturday night and early Sunday.

Israeli air strikes have shut Beirut's international airport and parts of the main highway to neighboring Syria. Israel is also blocking ship traffic.

http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/24993

[defconw]

That would make sense. I know they want people NOT to travel to Beirut. They want them to stay put. It would be safer for our guys to go to them, then for folks to go to the Marines.

[mtbopfuyn]

21:09 Rice says would come to Middle East to help reduce violence (News Agencies)

Please, please, please don't let Bubba tag along. He'll try anything to get in front of a camera.

[Peach]

The Pentagon notified Congress of plans to sell Israel jet fuel valued at up to $US210 million ($A280 million) "to keep peace and security in the region". "The proposed sale of the JP-8 aviation fuel will enable Israel to maintain the operational capability of its aircraft inventory," the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in notice required by law. It said Israel had requested the sale, but did not say when the request was made.

[Arizona Carolyn]

The State Department told all American's to stay put, it is too dangerous to try to evacuate.