Reply With Quotebugger.
I t really does appear as if Africa is imploding on itself, doesn't it.....
TopicToaster
They have cancelled the 2008 Dakar hours before the start
This is the offical bit
It's officially announced now from http://www.dakar.com/:
Lisbon, Friday the 4th of January 2008
A.S.O. cancels the 2008 edition of the Dakar rally
After different exchanges with the French government - in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs - , and based on their firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally, scheduled from the 5th to the 20th of January between Lisbon and Senegal’s capital.
Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 28th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.
A.S.O.’s first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators. A.S.O. therefore reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally.
A.S.O. condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the world’s biggest off-road rally. Aware of the huge frustration, especially in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, and beyond the general disappointment and the huge economical consequences in terms of direct and indirect repercussions for the countries visited, A.S.O. will continue to defend the major values of great sporting events and will carry on its engagement for a durable development through the Actions Dakar, started 5 years ago in sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.
The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. To offer, for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally passionate is a challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports.
Ali
95 300 Tdi Defender 90
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bugger.
I t really does appear as if Africa is imploding on itself, doesn't it.....
ChatterBox
I know its not the right thing to do but they should put a bloody big fence around it and let them fight it out once and for all with no financial help from the outside.
Justin
AT REST
Originally Posted by DRanged
Bugger that drop a few newtron bombs on the who;e lot end of problem, these buggers have been fighting a gorilla war for hundreds of years so theres no way to win with boots on the ground...bomb the lot of em an be done with it
T
Fossicker
Well that must have cost some money so far, and all dressed up and no where to go.
Master
Supporter
Damn it all,
I was so looking forward to seeing the Landies and the 'Bowler' vehicles do well.
and Especially the 'Bowler Nemisis'
The organizers have done the right thing though, imagine the fallout if they had have continued on with the race and there was a terrorist attack.
more news here
The Associated Press: Terror Threats Cancel Dakar Rally
1999 110 Defender 'Extreme' TD5
Master
Let's get some perspective - Africa is a fantastic, diverse continent with a lot of ordinary people who just want to get on with it and live their lives. A very small minority know how to manipulate the conditions that exist in parts of the continent to cause a huge amount of trouble.
The people looking to disrupt the Dakar rally may or may not exist. A lot of people in north Africa hate the French (they ruled and exploited several countries in the region) and people have always made threats. Bandits have also taken shots at some competitors in the past. But in the past that hasn't been much of a problem. The point is that today you can cancel nearly anything and justify nearly any action by playing the "terrorism" card.
Africa's problems run way too deep for any meaningful discussion here. The Dakar pours millions of dollars into the countries it passes through so the Africans involved will be just as disappointed as everyone else. The only people who are happy are a few lunatics who can now commit a few random murders, call it terrorism and watch the rest of us run around like scared children.
Wizard
There is a reason for the saying "Darkest Africa".
And there is a good example of the darkest of sides.
Threats, intimidations, implied or not. A huge number of people will suffer far more than we mere interested bystanders, or the competitors.
Anyway, I'm being selfish this year.
I lost an old racing mate in that race a year or so back.
Absolute desolate transits, bandits abounding. 80% rookie fields.
Crazy race to begin with I reckon.
Mind you, I love those trucks.
Master
Thats what the bomb was built for and its not used enough these days.
****ed off I saw it advertised last night and was very excited to watch it again this year.
Now these bloody RAG heads have stuffed another thing up.
Makes you want to rejoin the army again.
Major part of the heart and soul of AULRO.comDon't monkey around with the poor gorillas!Bugger that drop a few newtron bombs on the who;e lot end of problem, these buggers have been fighting a gorilla war for hundreds of years so theres no way to win with boots on the ground...bomb the lot of em an be done with it
Ron B.
VK2OTC
2003 L322 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA
RIP Bucko - Riding on Forever
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