In Surprise, Rice's Trip to Mideast Begins in Beirut

[Rose Siding]

BEIRUT, July 24 — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise stop in the besieged Lebanese capital today to try to prop up the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and to reassure Arab allies who have become increasingly impatient with the Israeli bombardment, which has killed close to 400 people, mostly Lebanese civilians.

While there was some bombing of Beirut’s southern suburb of Haret Hreik earlier today, the capital was quiet after she arrived by helicopter, touching down at a helipad at the American embassy and then being whisked off in a motorcade at high speed.
...
During a refueling stop in Shannon, Ireland, Ms. Rice’s aides ran into a tired and angry group of Americans who had been evacuated from Lebanon and were trying to get home, but their plane, which stopped in Shannon, had broken down.

Some of the Americans recognized Karen Hughes, the assistant secretary of state for public diplomacy. Within minutes she was surrounded by the group, who said they had been traveling for five days and had been at the airport for 24 hours.

“I am so sorry,” she said, sitting at a bar drinking wine.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/24/world/middleeast/24cnd-mideast.html?ex=1311393600&en=2fd3d92a56b06199&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

[havocmom]

1. If Hezbolla stops lobbing things, & Israel suddenly stops the pounding

we know who the GOP is running in 08.

[smacky44]

2. But she will not call for a "cease fire." So what good her going?

She will not call on Israel to stop their murderous attacks so calling on Hizbollah to stop shelling is an empty and cheap propaganda move.

[Marie26]

4. It's a cheap PR move

But at least she's there. It's more than I expected.

[Demeter]

3. I'll Bet She Was Surprised

Wonder what lies they told her to get her on the plane at all.

[dave29]

5. she heard "everything must go"

and thought there was a sale on shoes

[electron_blue]

8. snicker

[Scurrilous]

6. Haaretz News Flash:

21:00 Lebanese parliament speaker Beri rejects Rice proposal for cease-fire package (AP)

[bemildred]

7. "Take your threats and shove 'em." nt

[bemildred]

10. Haaretz: Lebanese Parliament Speaker Rejects Rice Cease-fire Proposal

Beirut. Nabih Beri, Lebanon's parliament speaker and Hezbollah's de facto negotiator, rejected proposals brought by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday, inisisting a cease-fire must preceed any talks about resolving Hezbollah's presence in the south, an official close to the speaker said, Haaretz reported.

Earlier Lebanese sources said Rice had insisted in Beirut that, before any ceasefire, Hezbollah should pull back from the border and free two Israeli soldiers, whose abduction on July 12 triggered the crisis.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?catid=138&newsid=92857&ch=0&datte=2006-07-24

[IronLionZion]

9. They didn't let her enjoy her wine?

yeah a lot of good they'll do.

[cliss]

11. Run run run Condi.

Make your surprise visit QUICK. Bush visits Baghdad in a Quickie "surprise" visit last month. Stays a grand total of 5 hours then dashes off for home. Earlier in the year, Bush makes a Quickie "surprise" visit to Pakistan to visit old friend Pervez Musharraf. Quickly visits, makes a hasty speech and then takes off.

Last month: Rice and Rumsfeld make a Quickie unannounced surprise visit to Iraq to visit PM Al-Maliki. Survey the scene, hug the premier and take off.

Notice something?

[samsingh]

12. do they mean that its a surprise rice found the right country this time?