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 ...
I see your problem now. Proofreading while looking through the bottom of a shot glass just doesn't work.
a lot of the missiles are being launched at Haifa from the coast.i believe that creates urgency.
Man, I'll say. I can't get over the ugliness of some freepers.
Skin through the blog http://www.michaeltotten.com (you might need to look back about a month or so in the archives). He has traveled there quite a bit and taken a lot of photos and talked to a lot of people. It's very interesting. Christians and Muslims living together peacefully - a model for the rest of the mideast to emulate. Very modern, very clean, very safe area, lots of beautiful sights.
If I were a tourist in Lebanon, I would not be too upset. Israel poses as much of a threat to noncombatants as the US does. They are professionals.
Real smart people....calling into Fox, "I'm a student at the university....we were told to stay in our dorms".
Announce where you are to terrorists on Fox news. Bright!
IDF might very well have been stopping some Hez from slipping out. We only hear what the media reports, not (and rightfully so) IDF intelligence. At least they let the one shipload out and gave fair warning before firing.
Well, he's been a Freeper a lot longer than you have, so I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt. I think he's got good reason to be a little cranky at the moment, given his situation. What's your excuse?
That's a good point.
According to this Wiki entry, he works for SKY news. ( Part time ? )
Whine whine whine whine....and then more Bush bashing.
The others that are there by choice or chance, business or pleasure, will have to wait until the evacuation is organized and completed.
Ranting accomplishes nothing. You can be sure that the government knows exactly who is in country and for what purpose.
Some people react well in an emergency and others have that katrina victim mentality.
No doubt. I'm certain that a lot of State Department employees are going without sleep, in Beirut, in neighboring countries and even back at Foggy Bottom. Folks who sure as hell didn't go into it for fast money or quick fame.
Most diplomats at the sub-ambassador level are like engineers -- they want to be obscure, because the only way to become famous is to be accused of fouling things up in spectacular, career-ending fashion. April Glasspie can tell you all about that.
The only party that clearly deserves blame here is Hizbollah. If other folks can't act as quickly as we'd like, despite their best efforts, or aren't giving their best efforts, there will be time for that reckoning after we get our people out.
As with the Katrina response, the focus now should be on getting the job done; later, on fixing the system for next time, because there will assuredly be a next time sooner than later; and when that's done, at leisure, we can start to think about pointing fingers.
While I'm sure they're working night and day, one would have expected the State and embassy should have had better contingency plans. They knew the dicy situation there. While calm a week ago, things do and can change quickly. Take a firestation - firemen can sit around with their feet propped up watching cartoons but when the alarm sounds they snap to rather than form a committee to discuss where they last put the hose. I'm not saying the US should butt in and demand Israel stop (hey, the more IDF takes out, the less we have to worry about) but I do wish we could get folks out - yeah, if wishes were horses and what do I know.
Real geniuses we have there..... *shaking head*
I agree with you. He is trying to do the best under difficult circumstances. Hang in there Rebel yell 2. And go ahead and "whine" or complain....we need to hear what is going on from your perspective.
those sitting safe in America need to cut you a LOT of slack.
Wonder why they can't simply bus them into Israel and then out through Tel Aviv?
Vacation Zone?!...Colonel Higgins must be rolling over in his grave!
The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs issued the following updated Travel Warning on May 2, 2006:
This Travel Warning updates information on threats to American citizens and interests in Lebanon. It supersedes the Travel Warning for Lebanon issued November 7, 2005.
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to carefully weigh the necessity of their travel to Lebanon in light of the risks noted below. U.S. citizens in Lebanon are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Beirut where they may also obtain updated information on travel and security in Lebanon. See registration details below.
Recent events in Lebanon underscore the need for caution and sound personal security precautions. Former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri was assassinated on February 14, 2005 in a car bomb attack in which at least 22 other people were killed and many others seriously wounded; the potential for violence remains. Since March 2005, there have been 13 separate bombings in Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 people and injuries to more than 100 others.
Historically, Americans have been the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon. The perpetrators of many of these attacks are still present and retain the ability to act. American citizens should thus keep a low profile, varying times and routes for all required travel. Americans should also pay close attention to their personal security at locations where Westerners are generally known to congregate, and should avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.
In January 2006, Lebanese authorities arrested suspected members of an al-Qaeda group in Beirut. The presence of al-Qaeda in Lebanon raises the potential threat to U.S. citizens and interests.
In February 2006, demonstrations against newspaper cartoons that satirized the Prophet resulted in damage to the building housing the Danish consulate, as well as surrounding homes, commercial enterprises, a church, and vehicles.
The U.S. Government considers the potential threat to U.S. Government personnel assigned to Beirut sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under a strict security regime. This limits, and may occasionally prevent, the movement of U.S. Embassy officials in certain areas of the country. These factors, plus limited staffing, may hinder timely assistance to Americans in Lebanon. Unofficial travel to Lebanon by U.S. Government employees and their family members requires prior approval by the Department of State.
U.S. citizens who travel to Lebanon despite this Travel Warning should exercise heightened caution when traveling in parts of the southern suburbs of Beirut, portions of the Bekaa Valley and South Lebanon, and the cities of Sidon and Tripoli. Hizballah has not been disarmed, it maintains a strong presence in many of these areas, and there is the potential for action by other extremist groups in Tripoli.
American air carriers are prohibited from using Beirut International Airport (BIA) due to continuing concern about airport and aircraft security arrangements. For similar reasons, the Lebanese carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) is not permitted to operate service into the United States. Official U.S. government travelers exercise additional security measures when using Beirut International Airport.
Palestinian groups hostile to both the Lebanese government and the U.S. operate largely autonomously inside refugee camps in different areas of the country. Intra-communal violence within the camps has resulted in violent incidents such as shootings and explosions. Occasionally this violence spills over into neighboring cities and towns. Travel by U.S. citizens to Palestinian camps should be avoided. Asbat al-Ansar, a terrorist group with apparent links to al-Qaeda, has targeted Lebanese, U.S. and other foreign government interests. It has been outlawed by the Lebanese government but continues to maintain a presence in the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp.
Dangers posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance throughout south Lebanon are significant and also exist in other areas where civil war fighting was intense. Travelers should be aware of posted landmine warnings and strictly avoid all areas where landmines and unexploded ordnance may be present. Tensions remain in Lebanon's southern border with the possibility of Hizballah and Palestinian militant activity at any time.
The Embassy is located in Awkar, near Antelias, Beirut, Lebanon. Public access hours for American citizens are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. However, American citizens who require emergency services outside of these hours may contact the Embassy by telephone at any time. The telephone numbers are (961-4) 542-600, 543-600, and fax 544-209. American citizens may register with the Embassy online by visiting https://travelregistration
I believe RY has done all he can for himself - registered, making calls to the State and embassy, made contact with the warden, made contacts with others in the same situation, has an in with the French evacuation, gathered a stash of supplies of food and water, attempted exits including by private boat, was wise enough to turn down the Syrians' invitation and certainly isn't whining like that idiot US priest that he can't wander willy nilly around the streets. That's a heck of a lot more than those Katrina ninnies did for themselves. What more do you suggest he do?
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.