Stranded Aussies 'feel abandoned'

THOUSANDS of Australian citizens felt abandoned as the Australian Government's attempts to negotiate a safe passage out of Lebanon failed, Australian Arabic Council (AAC) chairman Roland Jabbour said.

Mr Jabbour, who arrived in Melbourne this morning after fleeing Lebanon, said while the Australian Government had done all it could to repatriate Australian citizens, Israel had not offered the same assurances to Australia that it had to other countries.

"There is a level of frustration expressed by many Australian citizens who remain in Lebanon that they are not getting the attention that the other countries seem to be receiving," Mr Jabbour said.

"Our Government's attempts to provide safe passage for Australian citizens was rejected by Israel.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19872455-1702,00.html

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He can call his bestest buddy George, and I'm SURE they'll whomp up an evac plan for you right away!!

Congratulations, Mr. Howard.

People are really upset here, that the embassy didn't have enough staff, and the Prime Minister's Office was trying to "keep everything quiet" and set up photo-ops instead of throwing all their efforts into making transportation arrangements. The PM's detour to Cyprus might have actually caused some problems (apparently conditions on the boat ride there from Lebanon were horrendous) -- especially given reports about how many people from other countries have already been picked up by their governments.

I hope that Canada pitches in to help out the Australians (the Commonwealth thing should be good for something, after all that!).

Last Update: Saturday, July 22, 2006. 2:35pm

The Federal Government will pay for the evacuation of Australian citizens and permanent residents out of Lebanon.

But Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says those who do not usually live in Australia will have to pay their own way.

Mr Downer says hundreds of Australians have been moved out of Lebanon and the evacuations will cost the Government about $25 million ...

"We've chartered aircraft, we're in the process of getting them out as well so they can go back to Australia ...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1693950.htm

The majority, if not all, of the Australians stranded, are Lebanese-
Australians, some Christian and some Muslim.

Can't help feeling that if they were all Anglo, Howard and Downer would
have moved more quickly.

z