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 ...
Did you read the whole advisory? Just wonderin'
I simply love traveling and there are very few places on this Earth that I would not visit.
If Termini gets blown to smithereens and I'm in it, too bad for me ;-)
My sentiments exactly!
I didn't register with the embassy there when I went last year and wouldn't have if I had returned this spring, as I had planned.
georgia
It's not even current. They don't require a visa anymore.
Let's be nice to Rebel. He's in a tough spot. When you travel a lot overseas you don't expect to be caught in the midst of a war.
Classy
What about your next trip? LOL.
(Who mentioned Rebel?)
Cheers and safe travel - Dinah
It seems unlikely to me this would/could be a "scam"...he's been posting for help/information since day one.
Yes, he's made negative comments - about the US State Dept., this is not the same as being anti-US, or anti-Israel.
Once home & safe, I'm sure he'll have more measured comments to make. (I believe he's stated he's considering writing a book - that'd be interesting wouldn't it...?)
I'm not suggesting he's "so so so distraught". Frustrated, getting angry, tired,and stressed at the inept bureaucratic snafus, yes. (My comments about his being "fragile" were overly dramatic I'll admit.
As pointed out by others, those who travel frequently, rarely if ever register their presence in a foreign country. It's just a reality.
MarMema, your comments bear repeating, IMHO,
"How about some compassion and support for a fellow freeper in a tight place? Let's be nice to Rebel. He's in a tough spot. When you travel a lot overseas you don't expect to be caught in the midst of a war."
"That is simply a case of the French not caring who was going as long as they had their passport."
We do have a large Franco-Lebanese community. And as long as the person has a French (Or American, for that matter) passport and citizenship, isn't that person entitled to full protection by the nation who delivered the passport, regardless of race, creed, or funny-sounding accent ?
If the "dualies" ask to be evacuated, theyll HAVE to be evacuated.
"Anyone who goes into an Arab country deserves what happens to them."
Nice. Don't forget to pass that to the 1980 hostages that were held in Iran, oh, and to the 100,000+ troops and the contractors currently deployed in Iraq.
A citizen is a citizen. Resident, or non resident, he has a right to be repatriated, eh?
Meanwhile, the Indian navy has docked a Destroyer, two frigates, and a fleet oiler in Beirut, and is evacuating Indian citizens requesting it.
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=71311
Four Indian warships sail into Beirut
Press Trust of India
Posted online: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 1803 hours IST
Updated: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at 2011 hours IST
New Delhi, July 19: With the situation in Lebanon becoming increasingly dangerous, about 100 Indians have been evacuated out of the country and over 1,000 others gathered on Wednesday at Beirut jetty to be moved out by four Indian warships which sailed into the harbour.
Besides preparing to evacuate all its willing nationals, India will also be shifting out Sri Lankans and Nepalese on request from these countries. There are an estimated 1 lakh Sri Lankans and Nepalese nationals in Lebanon.
Of the estimated 12,000 Indians living in Lebanon, at least 100 people have reached Damascus by road, facilitated by the Indian embassy in Beirut, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here.
"It is an evolving situation. Hostilities are taking place and naturally it is a dangerous place," he said.
An advisory has been issued for all the Indians living in Lebanon asking them to be ready to leave.
The government is facilitating evacuation of those who want to move out, he pointed out. On the issue of others who may not prefer to leave Lebanon, Sarna said it depends on the perception of different people of the situation.
Over 1,000 Indians assembled at the jetty as four Indian warships -- INS Mumbai, INS Betwa, INS Brahmaputra and auxiliary tanker INS Shakti, anchored overnight off the Lebanese coast, moved into the port to pull out the anxious Indian nationals and shift them to camps in Larnaca in Cyprus, Navy sources said here.
"The Israelis, who have mounted a sea and air blockade of the Lebanese capital, have allowed the Indian warships to berth at the jetty to evacuate the stranded Indians", they said.
With tens of thousands of foreigners and Lebanese nationals escaping the war zone, the Beirut jetty, according to messages received from the naval warships, was teeming with people.
The Israelis are allowing rescue ships from a number of countries to berth in turns."We are likely to get our turn any time", the messages said.
Sarna said the government was in touch through diplomatic channels with both Israel and Lebanon to seek access to the coast.
The four ships have the total capacity of 1,000 people. If the number of people requesting evacuation is about 900 or so, the ships will bring them directly to India, he said.
However, if their number is more, the warships will ferry them to Larnaca or Damascus from where they can be airlifted.
Governments of Sri Lanka and Nepal have requested India to evacuate their nationals and this will be done depending on the space available on the ships, the MEA spokesman said.
Navy officials about 500 nationals from Sri Lanka and Nepal could be evacuated in the first ferry by the Indian ships.
The fleet commander Rear Admiral Anup Singh is in constant touch with Indian Ambassador to Lebanon Nengcha Lhouvum to coordinate evacuation of stranded Indian nationals.
False comparison. This isn't the 1980s -- we understand the evil of islam now.
And those contractors in Iraq are taking risks that are known to them.
Your situation is a lot different but last night I think the behavior of the Katrina victims was affecting some of our posts. We all handle stress in our own way. I hope when you read this you are on safe ground again. The best to you.
"And those contractors in Iraq are taking risks that are known to them."
And so, according to you, whatever happens to them is what they deserve for going to an Arab country. Man, that's just SO nice of you. You are a model of virtue and selflessness for us all.
People make decisions. Those decisions have consequences and risks. If someone enters a risky situation with their eyes open, they need to be responsible for that decision.
I am old fashioned -- I believe people should be allowed the freedom to make their own decisions and take the consequences therefrom.
But I guess we have a few of you Nanny Staters out there.
Well, some people like to make snide comments from the side, when they have no stake in the matter.
And there are those that take pleasure in the misfortunes of others. But these sorts usually get tripped up at some point or the other.
Well, I hope youre not one of those who howled for the state to intervene in the Terri Schiavo case... after all... she chose her husband, she got an eating disorder, and whatnot...
Ma. I just wanted to let you know that I pray for your son every night....
I pray that somehow I could take his place where ever he goes.
It appears that many of these people are tourists. It seems
that Lebanon has become a tourist destination just like years ago when Lebanon was the "jewel" of the Middle East.
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