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 ...
Sorry but none of the countries with nationals there have gotten many of their people out.
Let's take a poll. How many Freepers have EVER registered with the U.S. State Dept when traveling abroad?
Aren't these two statements contradictory? How is the US government supposed to know you're there if you don't register? You're blaming the State Dept. for not registering or communicating with you, but how can they do that if they don't know *who* or *where* you are?
I'm way behind in the latest news about your plight, but I'm also just a little confused about your words.
On this I agree.
People who travel to other countries really need to be realistic, and I personally do believe US obligation ends when a citizen leaves here, other than those in military or other gov't capacity.
My brother was arrested and put in prison in another country once (not drugs- wrong place, wrong time for US citizen to be there) my father went into that country, hired a translator and negotiated his release. He did not notify SD, or expect US gov't to help or ask for their help. Maybe he should have and I do know what he did was very dangerous for both of them. Fact is my dad had my brother and another US citizen that was traveling with my brother released and headed back to US within hours of his arrival. My father, nor my brother felt it was the obligation of the US gov't to solve the problem.
During the Iranian hostage crisis a good friend of mine was working in Iran, his company arranged for him to get out safely after a tense period of time. He never expected or depended on the US gov't to get him out. As it turns out he would likely have stayed quite a while if he had. The US gov't always tries to help citizens in trouble in other countries, but fact is they are not always able to help, one should never depend on them. I guess I see things differently.
Would your response be the same?
Dang! Do they send you to all kinds of dangerous places?
But the short answer is that Israel isn't a place where they hate Americans. Arab countries (muslims) DO.
In your case I would expect your company to get you the heck out of there (as I would expect my company to do).
My point is that it is still an assigned risk -- and a significant one. But if it is a risk taken willingly, don't ask the USA to step in.
I will keep praying for your safe extraction. I hope we hear from you in Chicago. But you will have some great stories to tell. Sorry for my earler strong reaction -- I don't like being called a racist, since I am not one (and I think you know that).
We can only hope it's free.
I'm here visiting my sister who is a Freeper. She has been posting recently and I've been looking over her shoulder. I kicked her off because your latest post made my jaw drop.
I've followed your saga. I've been here since the Fourth of July weekend. I don't post much, because I live overseas. My husband works for a major multinational and his work often takes him to some very unsavory locales. I sometimes accompany him and sometimes I remain at our home in a relatively civilized foreign country. We don't have children and our way of life suits us. We had hoped to be able to return to the US and I in fact did move back about a year ago, but this fell through.
With this background, I must weigh in: your personal feelings about Israel are yours and I frankly don't care what they are. It's a free country (at least ours is) and you can think what you want. I'm not a rabid Israel supporter who thinks they can do no wrong, but I do know they are our ally and the presence of at least one sensible non-Muslim country in the Middle East is to our benefit.
But to blame Israel for your current plight is outrageous.
This is not about YOU, nor is it about the other 99,999 foreign nationals who are trapped in Lebanon. You are understandably worried and upset about your plight. But quit navel gazing and grow up. You're probably exhausted seeing as it's the wee hours of the morning there. It's the exact same time at my home overseas right now, so I know of what I speak.
I am sure my dear sister would post a prayer request for me, should the terrorists living in my adopted home town get restless and try to overthrow the government or if they were involved in a conflict such as this. I would be hoping to escape as well. But I would realize that I could just as easily make my home in the US if I wanted to play it safe and I am obviously choosing to live there. My husband chooses to work where and how he does. We are adults and we know the risks.
I wish you the best, but you are embarassing yourself with your hysterical, selfish rants against Israel. I repeat, IT"S NOT ABOUT YOU!!!
I'm not from the Israeli lobby, but if you consider yourself held hostage, and American has made it quite clear that we do not negotiate with hostage takers, then you're ticket out is a free pass. Isn't that lovely?!
Good advice about the ATMs.
Unfortunately for my only trip out of the country on our honeymoon our bank told us we'd be able to use our ATM card, but the system wasn't up and running yet when we arrived in Nassau! (They were supposed to be able to take our card there, but the implementation schedule was somehow delayed, and my bank had no clue?!?). We were going to be stuck in Nassau, with next to nothing as far as cash for the next 5 days... We spent two days in our hotel room on the phone with our bank until we worked out a way to completely pay off our visa card with money in our checking account via the phone. It is unbelievably difficult to get cash in a foreign country, and that was just the Bahamas, and WITHOUT an emergency situation!!! I don't know if things have changed, but that was a scary lesson for my husband and I...
I've tried to help you by talking to people who know and I told you what was said, but you don't respond to my posts anymore.
Best of luck to you.
Well, Israel will only wait so long for the area to be evacuated of U.S. citizens before they level the place. They are calling the 3 week war because they know it will only take that much time to destroy the towelheads once and for all. If I were there, I'd start thinking of a survival plan, becuase you are in a place full of people who hate you and if Israel turns up the heat while you are there, the Ishmalites may just turn the heat on you.
r_y2 obviously feels that all Embassy personnel should be equipped with a crystal ball so that they are aware of each and every American citizen visiting their country so that they can contact that citizen if anything happens which might necessitate contact.
Either that or he is advocating for a global surveillance system which would immediately index your passport number the minute you clear customs in your chosen destination and forward it and all your personal information, including local contact information, to the Embassy.
Frankly, I don't normally visit the Embassy or Consulate when I am in Europe or Asia but when I go to Africa or Jordan or Lebanon or Cyprus or Dubai (particularly since 9/11), I do usually register. As a former military dependent, I appreciate having the United States know where I am under those circumstances.
Hang tough. The political condemnations of the US and Israel are inflammatory. If your employer or contract holder screwed you, un@ss the place and deal with it later. Best wishes.
Only the French, with 2,000 out so far.
But who is keeping score . . . .
We should all be more french. /sarcasm
One, people don't register.
Two, when they try, State screws it up.
Please read the whole thread. It has been a long week.
What do you want?
Did I misunderstand the following post?
MiniCooperChick: Frankly, I don't normally visit the Embassy or Consulate when I am in Europe or Asia but when I go to Africa or Jordan or Lebanon or Cyprus or Dubai (particularly since 9/11), I do usually register. As a former military dependent, I appreciate having the United States know where I am under those circumstances.
"Registration at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate (in the country you are visiting) makes your presence and whereabouts known, in case it is necessary for a consular officer to contact you in an emergency. During a disaster overseas, American consular officers can assist in evacuation were that to become necessary. But they cannot assist you if they do not know where you are.
Registration is particularly important for those who plan to stay in a country longer than one month, or who will travel to:
*A country that is experiencing civil unrest, has an unstable political climate, or is undergoing a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or a hurricane.
*A country where there are no U.S. officials. In such cases, you should register at the U.S. embassy or consulate in an adjacent country, leave an itinerary with the Consular Section, ask about conditions in the country that you will visit and ask about the third country that may represent U.S. interests there."
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_1186.html
I sympathise with your claimed situation, yet when you claim "people don't register" the bullshit meter is pegging. Sorry if you are in a bad situation.
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