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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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Basil, take care.
Let us know when you reach safety! |
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basiltherat
Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952
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Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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definitely.
colleague on oil facility in Jabu is being picked up by RAF right now.
Must be a great feeling.
Basil |
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Teacher in Rome
Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286
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Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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Hoping that means they'll rescue you next! |
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artemisia
Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 875 Location: the world
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:28 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, good luck getting out of there, it sounds like a desperate situation. Hopefully you're out by now and far away from that madman and his mercenaries. Your family must be frantic with worry. |
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basiltherat
Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 7:47 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
it sounds like a desperate situation |
More personally desperate if Colchester don't win today. I need some good news.
Best
Basil |
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Teacher in Rome
Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:34 am Post subject: |
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Are you still in contact with the FCO, Basil? This is from the Guardian today:
"With SAS troops and paratroopers on standby to rescue an estimated 150 Britons at workplaces in the Libyan desert, contingency measures were being drawn up to close the British embassy in Tripoli to pre-empt possible reprisals.
But the Foreign Office denied reports that the embassy would be closed as soon as this weekend. "We will react to the situation as it unfolds on the ground. If it gets too dangerous for our people to be there, of course we will pull them out of there. But are we planning to close the embassy down? No," a spokesman said. The US said it was closing its embassy in Tripoli as well as imposing limited unilateral sanctions on Libya.
The foreign secretary, William Hague, urged Britons still in Tripoli to board the last UK-sponsored chartered flight out of the capital at first light. He said HMS Cumberland would return to Benghazi on Sunday to pick up any remaining Britons there, but added that those in the desert remained Britain's biggest worry. All options were being considered, he said.
There were reports that two RAF helicopters had arrived in Malta in what may be the next stage of preparations to airlift some UK oil workers."
Keeping fingers crossed for a safe departure...
TIR |
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basiltherat
Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:46 am Post subject: |
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Actually, I sent our GPS to FCo yesterday as well as a google map of our precise location.
Predictably ...... nothing back yet.
By the way, Embassy is not answering the phone (not engaged) so if it hasn't closed, then they're probably just sipping tea.
As said previously, we would like to get to the airport or to a designated pick-up point but, still being in an area each side of which is still experiencing street battles, we are staying put.
It's a bit of a dilemma. I have told a colleague, tho, that if we do indeed decide to leave the facility, there is no coming back. It's either away and out or stay put.
Latter seems to be best at the moment.
Best
Basil |
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Teacher in Rome
Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:25 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Actually, I sent our GPS to FCo yesterday as well as a google map of our precise location.
Predictably ...... nothing back yet. |
So presumably they know where you are - and hopefully that means they'll be planning something.
Have you tried calling them direct? Do you want me to call them - or the UK embassy in Rome? |
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basiltherat
Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 12:00 pm Post subject: |
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Have you tried calling them direct? |
Yes. Twice. They can do no more than they are doing ...... so they say.
We also have an evac expert on our case and she is relaying any steps / movements the RAF/RN etc might make and which are heading in our direction.
Thanks again for offers of assistance. It really is appreciated. However, too many people on the case just might muddy the waters; if u see what i mean.
Best
Basil |
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Teacher in Rome
Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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No worries Basil! It sounds like things are happening for you, anyway. Please let us know when you reach safety. |
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ntropy
Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 671 Location: ghurba
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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Good luck to you, Basil.
Pity the poor Canadians. Their govt. chartered a plane which never got off the ground cuz the insurance company wouldn't cover it.
They sent another which arrived in Tripoli and took off again within an hour with no passengers. No one had informed the Canadians to be at the airport.
Military helicopters? Ha! No such beasts exist. The biggest strategic decision the Canadian military has to make is which of the three Canadian coastlines gets the ONE tank.
Good luck again. |
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basiltherat
Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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Well, it's showtime. Will let you know how the exit attempt went.
Best
Basil |
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posh
Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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Did the SAS get him out?
What about Bell in Libya? I'd have been there now if I'd taken up their offer last year. |
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artemisia
Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 875 Location: the world
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:57 pm Post subject: |
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Wonder if he's trying for the airport in Tripoli? I've read reports (from Telegraph Group Ltd ) that the roads from the west to Tripoli are awash with G's henchmen and merceneries. Pro-regime militias have set up checkpoints. Probably it's Libyans that are in most danger as they have to identify and then declare themselves in favour of their 'leader' .. and they'd better do a convincing job of it. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:30 am Post subject: |
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Holding breath for you, Basil. |
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