U.S. Rescue Bogs Down in Lebanon

LATimes ^ | July 18, 2006 | Megan K. Stack

[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.

[burzum]

I have never thought of Beirut as vacation destination but what do I know.

Beirut used to be an island of sanity inside of Lebanon. For the most part it was a decent city, especially in the last year with the reduced power of Syria over the affairs of Lebanon.

Part of the reason I think Hezbollah attacked Israel in the way that they did was to gain support to derail the democratic process that was taking place in Lebanon, especially in Beirut (which has over half the population of Lebanon). Hezbollah thinks that if they can force Israel to destroy enough of Beirut, then they will be able to either return to Syrian rule or form an equally repressive government.

[cardinal4]

Here it comes-Katrina Part II..

[rebel_yell2]

Try calling one of those numbers. You will be lucky if they answer in the next hour.

As for the large number of "citizens" in Beirut, the blame again lays at the feet of the State Dept., which has granted dual citizenship to thousands of Lebanese, many of whom are Hizbollah sympathizers.

I can see leaving those with Lebanese citizenship on their own to get out.

Canada has it worse; they estimate 40,000 "citizens" with Canadian passports. The number registered at their embassy has doubled from 10,000 to 20,000 in the past week.

How about getting out non-residents out first, then worry about the "dual-citizen" problem.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Nobody's complaining about marauders in the streets of Beirut, the only worry being voiced is about Israel's shelling.

[Southack]

"How quickly will this escalate if Hizbollah goes over to American University Beirut and takes 50 U.S. college students hostage? That will change your tune, I'm guessing."

Despicable acts of terrorism won't change the fact that the article for this thread is filled with editorial comments, with which you may agree, rather than with news.

One of the things that Free Republic does is to sort out opinions/bias from hard facts in news stories. In this case, your ox got gored because you are mad because you are stuck in a war zone....which, while understandable, hardly makes you objective.

Read the CNN news that I posted above. The first cruise ship arrives today to begin evacuating large numbers of Americans. Airliners are likewise being chartered, and U.S. naval vessels are en route to you.

Sure, our State Department sucks (I'd like for a Geraldo type of news show to sneak a video camera into such bureaucratic offices in order to film the utter contempt that State Department employees have for American citizens).

If you thought otherwise when you planned your trip, you were under a grave misimpression.

[rebel_yell2]

I'm beginning to think that Blanco and Nagin are in charge.

[Miss Marple]

What I would like to know is how long the State Department has taken in other evacuations. On Fox, they said the last big evacuation they did was after the tsunami in Indonesia. How long did that take?

Are we looking at a SNAFU or SOP for this type of operation?

[HiTech RedNeck]

Nothing in the article appeared to be obviously incorrect.

[RandallFlagg]

We could fit that many on 2-3 amphib carriers.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Some people have close family there, and the place has a rich history.

[Echo Talon]

would you feel safe leaving Labanon by ferry knowing that Hezbollah has the silkworm?

[Echo Talon]

We could fit that many on 2-3 amphib carriers.

would you feel safe leaving Labanon by ferry knowing that Hezbollah has the silkworm?

[rebel_yell2]

I'm here on the ground so I think I'm in a bit better position to ascertain what is "fact" from what is fiction.

Certainly, the Slimes is trying to editorialize, but I see a number of "facts" in the article. I'm sorry your partisanship has blinded you to what is "fact" and what is "editorial."

FWIW, I came here with State Dept. approval and under protection of the U.N. So much for both. The U.N. evacuated this morning by bus through Syria.

[HAL9000]

I have a friend who is trying to get IN to Beirut. He was already to planning to come there before all heck broke loose. He'll have to fly in through Damascus and get there somehow. A few years ago, he walked into the North Korean embassy in Hanoi and wandered around unescorted, poking around in their offices - a real adrenaline junkie.

I wore my "Hard Rock Cafe - Beirut" tee-shirt in your honor yesterday.

[A CA Guy]

Problem is that you are in a war zone and I am sure anything connected with the American or British government is closed down there right now.

You would think, OK send helicopters and ships, but they would be going to an unsecured area where there are terrorists with Iranian supplied stuff that could knock a helicopter in flight down or sink any number of ships they want to that come into rescue.

Outside of Jews going to Israel, I can't believe since we started in Afghanistan that any American would go to the Middle East.

You had to know it was risky?

I can't believe 25.000 are there unless they are mostly related by blood to citizens of Lebanon.

I would expect helicopters and ships will be too dangerous and the US military can't go in without it looking like an invasion.

I wouldn't know where to begin, the way I see it someone will have to try and march everyone out of there or something.

American government coming in looks like an invasion, all transportation going in for evacuation would be targeted for missiles by terrorist.

I think they will send people to march you folks out in the near future, but to where I don't know. I can't think of one secure way to move people out shy of invasion by the USA which won't happen.

[RandallFlagg]

would you feel safe leaving Labanon by ferry knowing that Hezbollah has the silkworm?

Amphib carriers have the CIWS which could easily hit silkworm.
We need to mobilize our Naval forces for this.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

Well hang in there...If worse comes to worse we will find a way to get you some MREs, powdered Gatorade, and sealed water pouches.

[RandallFlagg]

The UN ran off?!?!

Figures. Be damn careful there, FRiend.

[A CA Guy]

I agree, anything flying or floating will probably get taken out by forced connected to Iran who will blame Hezbollah or the Jews.

I can't think of a secure way out.

[Echo Talon]

if they sunk a ship with 1000's of Americans that would be a huge "Beirut"..