Jump to full article: The Washington Post, 2009-03-02
Author: Glenn Kessler - On The Plane
Intro: SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt . . .
Welcome to the reporters' prison camp.
The grandly titled "International Conference in Support of the Palestinian Economy for the Reconstruction of Gaza" is being held at this Red Sea resort town of beautiful beaches, soaring mountains and sparkling blue water. But we are stuck in a dreary, claustrophobic and unbelievably smoky room.
Such is the grand life of diplomatic correspondence. There are few things less glamorous than a bunch of European, Arab and Asian hacks working in stuffy rooms, puffing on no-filter cigarettes and chatting loudly.
Egypt is sponsoring this conference, with brings together 75 countries and organizations, some represented by heads of states. . . .
We get to go through another one of these international meetings when Clinton attends a NATO ministerial in Brussels on Thursday. But NATO, thankfully, has banned all smoking inside. Sitting 10 hours in a smoky room is punishment enough for one week.
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