Posted on 07/18/2006 12:46:21 AM PDT by rebel_yell2
BEIRUT — Thousands of Americans whose vacations and business trips to Lebanon have degenerated with sickening speed into stints in a battle zone remained stranded here under Israeli bombardment Monday, their frustration and anger mounting because the U.S. government hasn't gotten them out faster.
Waiting around Beirut with bags packed and fingers crossed, U.S. citizens derided the embassy for busy phone lines, a lack of information and gnawing uncertainty over when and whether they will get out. Hundreds were expected to be shipped to Cyprus today, but how long the full evacuation will take remains uncertain.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Yes, I see we are assessing similar issues from different perspectives.
Let me add another relevant issue. Israel has already publicly pointed the finger at Tehran as providing advanced arms used in an attack on its people.
In the international arena, that is no small announcement.
As for Syria, Israel has also publicly stated, it foresees no "need" to consider any action directed against Syria at this time. In the international arena, that too is no small announcement.
FWIW
Sorry, although you seem to recognize the eventual result (Damascus is dust), you don't see the possibility for Syria acting in an unwise manner, primarily because it is Iran that's the big dog.
Israel wants Lebanon to stop protecting Hezbollah..I think stranding others was not the aim..Israel has been once again pushed into taking action..I am truly sorry for your being caught in this and pray you get out soon.
I am impatient at times with the blame the US for my predicament cries..I do not want the US to ask Israel to just"take it".
I am staying in a fully operational hotel with broadband internet access in central Beirut, along with about ten other Westerners awaiting evacuation. Unless the situation here deteriorates to where I feel my personal safety is at risk, I'm staying put. Plus, it is an easy spot from which to evacuate and the one where the State Dept expects to find me.
I appreciate your point on mutual acceptable conduct among nations. But sadly Lebanon can not even protect itself from an entity making war on a neighbor.
It is in fact a hostage to a foreign sponsored army.
That's a sad reality for the people of Lebanon.
I noticed you haven't been here very long. Oh, also that you're really stupid.
Excellent post.
I'm not precluding a foolish mistep by Syria at all. I'm just pointing out the current situation and statments that suggest Israel is not looking at Syria right now but is in fact looking to make some use of the fact that Iran has provided advanced missile systems to its foreign based army in south Lebanon.
Where it goes is still an open question. But I think Israel wishes to decouple the threat as much as possible and marshall international recrimination toward Iran for orchestrating, funding and supplying this type of advanced missile technology to attack civilians in Israel.
Of course, we could simply prohibit travel to such places, as we do with Cuba.
If it gets really hairy there, do not count on the impending help of the State Dept. which is not going to come looking for one or two people at a Western target.
Try to find an alternative means of escape from the obvious terror targets.
Suggest you find an underground railroad via a Christian Church.
Seek them out now for an alternative plan if needed.
If you are speaking of the cruise ship, it can hold 1400 persons for the nearly six hour trip.
Maybe.
I think some of us Americans are perfectly knowledgeable, thank you very much.
Out of curiosity, how long have you been in the area? There have been numerous terrorists attacks against Americans by Hezbollah for years in many cities, including Beirut. (And numerous travel advisories and warnings have been issued, so no one can claim ignorance of that fact.) No, that doesn't make it a war zone in the sense that you are experiencing now, but given the proximity to Israel and Hezbollah's history (as well as the freaking history of just a few years ago), it's not exactly Mayberry either.
Really-that's better.I read over 700.That would be 3 trips.
Thanks for your post. I guess my only point is that, assuming ry2 is a tourist, if the US had seen this coming, the State Dept. could have restricted all except diplomatic travel to Lebanon. Since that hadn't been done (also assuming), we have an implied responsibility to our citizens.
Obviously, the Lebanese embassy is swamped and is a victim of the Lebanese telephone system.
But I find it inexcusable that the State Department was unprepared for the call volume an incident like this would generate.
It did not help having the MSM publicize the number to 300 MILLION Americans.
I can't imagine why anyone going to that part of the world doesn't make prior arrangements for an extraction?
LOL!!! What qualifies as "that part of the world?" As for making arrangement for an extraction, exactly what would someone as wise as you have done? The U.S. Embassy couldn't get its own staff out until yesterday.
Please enlighten me, O Great Wise One of International Travel!
< chants follow . . .>
Cristian Amanpour, now on CNN, looks like a man. I forget, who did she marry?
rebel, I realize you are in a bad situation there and I'm praying for your safety. I have questions that I hope to ask you after you are safe and out of the war zone. I don't want to appear to be kicking you when you are down and I realize you just don't need any more crap right now.
I forget.I can't put her on.I didn't have my coffee yet:)
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