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 ...
The U.S. thus far has evacuated fewer citizens than the French took out on their ferry yesterday.
Why is the French bureaucracy more efficient than our own?
The call waiting time varies but the phones are being answered around teh clock. The Embassy is harder pressed to get to teh phones so stick to calling the Department. I will be there in about an hour. If I had your email I could link with you prrivately and make sure that you are registered.
Not accurate in fact the "list" is available to any Embassy in teh world to see on line.
When you go overseas, the first thing to do is register with the embassy and the second thing to do is find out who the consulate warden is where you will be staying in the country.
In a situation like this, it is usually information that is going out from the embassy and not a whole lot of information you can get by calling. To be tapped into that information, you have to have registered.
The State Dept. tells you this but very few Americans overseas do it.
The consulate warden will not be at the embassy, likely he is a businessman, hotel manager of someone there on a constant basis that is charged with communicating to Americans in a situation like this.
But, if he don't know you are there, you have to try and find him.
Not sure.. I just think they're looking for the safest way to get the people out.
I have heard no explosions thus far today. More encouraging is the traffic outside the hotel, at least ten times what was out yesterday. Businesses are re-opening. But the grocery store is just about picked clean. Food is going to become a problem quickly. Money is not an issue. The ATMs are operating, dispensing both LL and USD. I have a stash of food, water and cash that could last me for a week and buy my way out of town if necessary.
Again if you want me to check on your registration get me your email address so I can link with you in about an hour when I am in front of my office computer.
Are Americans required to notify the State Department that they ever went to Lebanon in the first place?
Smaller fast moving boats that take people off the shore to ships many miles out to sea that can't easily be hit by missiles.
That is the only solution I see.
I'm guessing it is because US citizens are a much more valuable target for terrorists and additional security precautions need to be put in place. Additionally, the State Department is incompetent. They should have transferred the evacuation operation to Central Command.
maybe you forget the muslim population in france and that we are the "great satan" ?
Your comment is very good advice for all travellers: register before or as soon as you depart. I won't make that mistake again.
If France has the same size staff as the USA has, but an order of magnitude fewer people in Lebanon, wouldn't you think the French departure would be a LITTLE quicker?
Evacuations will very likely be arranged between our US military and the IDF. Information on locating and notifying evacuees will be gathered in advance, but evacuees will also likely receive very short (if any) advance notice (security must arrive and gauntlets be in place first).
That's only guesswork from some experience.
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.