http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2008-08-07T18:10:00-05:00
Hi Daddy. It sounds like the events that transpired were excruciating and I don't know what I would have done if I was in the position. I'm just glad that you are safe and am always keeping you in my prayers while at the same time am sad that you had to experience that. I love and miss you.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/us_evacuates_embassy_in_chad/ Tue Feb 12, 2008
What about East Timor?]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/us_evacuates_embassy_in_chad/ Mon Feb 11, 2008
@ Bruce in California -- You write: "And it’s very suspicious that the RPG hit the building in the embassy compound where the staff were destroying the sensitive documents. Did any of the rebel groups aim specifically at it as an attempt to hurt Americans"?

Dear Bruce,

I am not sure about your query, but I see a little irony inside the question.

1. Do you mean that embassies around the world should not have classified documents? Of course they have the right to do so.
The "embassy" is the "home land" of The Embassy. Embassies can do whatever they want inside their territory. This is the first amendment of Diplomacy. And of course, the first thing you have to do when you have rebels outside your house is to destroy all classified information in order to protect innocents and of course the U.S. national security, in this case.

2. Have you ever been to the American embassy in Chad? Do you know the size of the building? I have not. I do not know. Maybe it's so small -- the building -- that any "RPG hit" attack against the building, would anyway hit the remained staff, the Marines (probable Navy Seals) and the ambassador. It's not a question of "focus." But:

Unquestioningly, this was a hit against U.S.A.

However, the most critical question is why you do not understand that any RPG terrorist attack against a USA embassy, is automatically an ATTEMPT TO HURT AMERICANS, the USA and of course global Diplomacy in general even if "miraculously the RPG sailed straight through the Ambassador's office, pierced both walls and exploded outside."

And that counts for all diplomatic missions, no matter where in the world.

Concerning the "essentials," I am sure that you understand that any person -- I am not a diplomat -- who would choose to work in an environment like Chad has the right to carry away some staff that will remind him of his normal life and home, keeping his mind far away from RPGs and rebels.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/us_evacuates_embassy_in_chad/ Sun Feb 10, 2008
Dear Sir,

Congratulations for your stance of life and the way you see things.

Unfortunately, none of us living in civilized, peaceful, democratic countries can understand how much difficult is for hundreds of western diplomats like you to serve in places like Chad -- like "Hell," I would say -- and how many sacrifices it takes to be on duty supporting the highest achievement of Western's World philosophy for FREEDOM: diplomacy!

Especially for U.S. diplomats who have to serve in places that many other nations do not have a diplomatic mission...

Besides, I think that we all owe a big, big THANKS to all those diplomats or embassy employees everywhere who have lost their lives in the past due to terrorist attacks.

Let's hope that we will not have any more victims in the future.

I would be very interested in learning from you how is the everyday, personal life in places like Chad (I mean before the rebels).

P.S. (I am joking) One more thing that you should do the same way, Sir, is that you MUST spend a fortune every time you have to serve in places like Chad. I imagine you cannot buy anything at all in such territories. So, be prepared from the West...]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/us_evacuates_embassy_in_chad/ Sat Feb 09, 2008
I'm glad to see you all were safe. Remarkably, I thought this type of thing only happened on TV.

In fact, on a recent episode of the American TV show called "The Unit" this same thing your embassy went thru was portrayed happening at the American Embassy in the Ivory Coast. Here's the link to that episode in case you wish to review it:
http://www.tv.com/the-unit/every-step-you-take/episode/1142690/summary.html?tag=ep_list;ep_title;3

Strange how life imitates TV sometimes.

I hope the State Department will give you all some rest time before starting back to work.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/us_evacuates_embassy_in_chad/ Sat Feb 09, 2008
It’s good to know that Solomon A. and the rest of the embassy staff got out safely. Sorry to hear about the loss of your family's belongings to the looters. I wonder if this means that embassy U.S. national staff should only bring essentials when you are posted to a country that could be even remotely unstable.

And it’s very suspicious that the RPG hit the building in the embassy compound where the staff were destroying the sensitive documents. Did any of the rebel groups aim specifically at it as an attempt to hurt Americans?]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/us_evacuates_embassy_in_chad/ Fri Feb 08, 2008