Lebanon UPDATE: US Dept of State REVIEWING OPTIONS for evacuations

[Bluebear]

This information is current as of today, Tue Jul 18 2006 00:53:52 (Eastern Daylight Time).

This Warden Message is to update Americans to the ongoing security concerns in Lebanon. The Embassy is monitoring the situation in Lebanon closely and is reviewing all options for assisting Americans who wish to depart Lebanon. The U.S. Department of State continues to work with the U.S. Department of Defense on a plan to help American citizens safely depart Lebanon. Additional information on departure plans, as it becomes available, will be released via the media, Embassy warden announcements, and on the Embassy website. The Department of State continues to work around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.

Beirut International Airport, which is severely damaged by bombings, remains closed. Americans who wish to depart Lebanon should prepare important travel documents such as a valid U.S. passport, birth certificates, and other civil documents such as marriage certificates, and medical records.

Once U.S.-sponsored travel arrangements are in place, travelers will each be allowed only one small suitcase. We give priority to U.S. citizens but will consider departure assistance to Legal Permanent Residents accompanying a U.S. citizen immediate family member. ONE guardian may accompany an American citizen minor, even if that guardian is not an American. The guardian must have a valid passport and a U.S. visa, if traveling to the U.S. We understand that neither Lebanese nor Americans need a visa to enter Cyprus. Pets will not be allowed to travel.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/lebanon_update.html

[CoffeeCat]

1. If we're announcing all of this info...

...then we need to get them out ASAP.

There has been SO MUCH information released--via the media--about US citizens in Lebanon. We've piqued the interest of people who want to kill Americans. We have to get these people out NOW--before bin Laden followers decide they want to cause some trouble.

I feel like our citizens are sitting ducks over there, now. I worry more about what terrorists might try to do--than I do about the incoming rocket attacks.

We've announced to the world--that we have 25,000 citizens trapped in Lebanon--and that we lack the resources to get them out. This is not good.

We need to get these people out of there NOW!

[Bluebear]

2. Quiet, they're REVIEWING.

:eyes:

So far I have heard of 50, count them, American evacuations. I don't think "W" cares anymore about these people than he did about Hurricane Corrina victims.

[CoffeeCat]

3. Remember when Bush got bin Laden's...

...family out of the United States as fast as lightning?

Maybe he could reach back, recall the motivational spark he had for the bin Ladens--and put that same effort into getting Americans home safe.

[RB TexLa]

6. They are not all "trapped," there are some that are not going to leave

[Bluebear]

7. Oh, good, that's a relief. nt

[longship]

4. Just like they reviewed the evacuation of New Orleans.

...and reviewed
...and reviewed
...and reviewed
...and reviewed

Until thousands died, many of whose decomposed bodies are still there.

[longship]

5. Just like they reviewed the evacuation of New Orleans.

...and reviewed
...and reviewed
...and reviewed
...and reviewed

Until thousands died, many of whose decomposed bodies are still there.

[Norquist Nemesis]

8. The dusted off the Katrina evac procedures

Too bad they didn't update them.

[Fleshdancer]

9. Today's PR from the Embassy regarding evacuations:

http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/lebanon/PR_07_17_06_AmCit_UpdateII.html

press releases
U.S. Embassy Plan to Transport American Citizens from Lebanon
July 17, 2006

The U.S. Embassy is finalizing details to assist American citizens who wish to leave Lebanon. Americans who wish to leave should ready themselves immediately and await further instructions. Americans who wish to depart Lebanon should prepare important travel documents such as a valid U.S. passport, birth certificates, and other civil documents such as marriage. Each traveler will each be allowed one suitcase only—not to exceed 15 kilos (30 pounds). Pets will not be allowed to travel. Further instructions will be disseminated via the media, the Embassy warden system and the U.S. Embassy website: http://lebanon.usembassy.gov Two U.S. helicopters arrived at the U.S. Embassy in Awkar at 16:00 today, July 17, bringing additional staff to assist with the American citizen departure, including U.S. Department of State consular officers. The helicopters took out of Lebanon a number of Americans with urgent medical needs, children to be re-united with their parents, and elderly family members. The U.S. Department of State continues to coordinate with the U.S. Department of Defense to ensure that the departure of American citizens is safe and carried out in an orderly fashion. The U.S. Embassy is particularly concerned about American citizens in the south and is working through the Warden System to reach them. The Department of State continues to work around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. The U.S. Embassy encourages Americans who have not yet registered to phone the Department of State at 202-501-4444 from overseas, or at 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. Embassy reaffirms the firm, enduring and non-negotiable commitment of the United States to Lebanon and the Lebanese people.

____________

*bold highlight is my emphasis

I'm trying to do a little digging to figure out exactly HOW MUCH the US is charging Americans for evacuations, comparing that with (if any) charges other countries charge their citizens for evacuation and to see if there's a possible way to set up a fund for those who can not afford to pay the entire loan back. If anyone has any information on this or can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it.

On the small evacuation footage I watched on CNN earlier, there was a family consisting of two adults and two children getting off of the helicopter. Does this mean they had to take out 4 loans? Are children included in the cost of evacuating an adult? I have no idea. Again, any help and/or answers is appreciated. I'll check back here periodically...I'm currently in a Google dig to find the answers.

[Bluebear]

10. "Pets will not be allowed to travel."

A la Hurricane Corrina.