wow - just got the update from MacP1 - can't believe it.... still nothing on the website, short story on the BBC, more to follow I guess, nothing on Rally Radio either.

BBC saying

The 2008 Dakar Rally has been cancelled because of safety concerns in the African republic of Mauritania.
Four French tourists were murdered in Mauritania on 24 December, which led to the French government advising against any travel to the country.

Nine of the rally's stages were due to pass through Mauritania.

The annual car and motorcycle marathon had been due to start in Lisbon on 5 January with the finish coming in Dakar on 20 January.

The head of sport for France Televisions, the organisation that was due to broadcast the event, confirmed the cancellation.

"If the slightest incident had happened, it would have been the credibility of the Amaury Sport Organisation (organisers) that would have been at stake," said Daniel Bilalian.

Full story to follow.

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Rallying | Safety concerns end Dakar Rally

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The Health and Safety experts/professionals/jobworthies will rationalise it for us in due course; just give them time to get the press release sorted out!

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Dave

Euromilhões Lisboa - Dakar: homepage

Maybe it is time for someone else to organise the race: France has too much political baggage in the area.

Or, next year it could be run in:-
Pakistan
or Kenya
or Colombia
or Sri Lanka

........by the French, now that the Paris part of the name has been dropped.

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Dave

That's terrible news for all those involved in the race from the competitors, sponsors and supporters.
All that cost and preparation time for nothing.
Massive cost, massive preparation time.
Tim Cullis is on his way somewhere to watch the race as are some others from this site.
Very bad news indeed, big sympathies to anyone involved.

Islamtoday.com: Statement to the People of Mauritania
Mauris say they have nothing to do with it

And I, for one, believe them.

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Dave

I would surmise that this one does not go down the pan so easily:-

Budapest-Bamako - The Great African Run

In fact, from the organisers statement of today:-

"Dear Budapest-Bamako participant,

We were all shocked to read the news about the cancellation of this year’s Dakar amid terror threats. I’d like to assure each and every one of you that the Budapest-Bamako will not be cancelled. This has never even been a consideration. The reasons listed here are not to calm your nerves or to try convince you that everything is fine. They’re simply the arguments against canceling the event.

1. We can not bow down to terror. Terrorism is a nasty byproduct of the world that we live in. We must learn to accept it. If we give in to terrorists, we legitimize their objectives and give carte blanche to the spread of violence. We must not allow to terrorists to kidnap our vacations or dreams.
2. Mauritania is not Kenya. Mauritania is a peaceful and politically stabile country. There’s no civil war, unrest or violence. The local authorities are completely in charge of security. During the past 10 days, we have been repeatedly reassured that increased attention will be paid to participants of the Budapest-Bamako and the authorities will increase their efforts to protect us. This is a very important event for the country, which is trying to kick-start its tourism industry.
3. One of the earliest guiding principles of the Budapest-Bamako is to build bridges between the people of Europe and Africa. How can we say with a clear conscience that we’d like to strengthen ties, if we don’t dare visit our new friends? How can we assure others of our solidarity if we’re afraid to visit them at home? Now is the time to assure the people of Mauritania that they have friends in the world.
4. The organizers of the Dakar made a serious error by canceling the event. We shouldn’t imitate this mistake. I believe that each participant must evaluate the situation carefully. Participation in the event must be a personal decision. This has always been the case. Now it’s just more pressing than before.

I’m the father of three children. If I felt that threat was serious, I would not go myself. However, I’d like to urge you to carefully read the Mauritanian developments and make an educated decision about your participation in the 2008 Budapest-Bamako. The decision is always in yours and yours alone.

Best regards,

Andrew G Szabo
Budapest-Bamako Director

January 4th, 2007. "

Obviously the East Europeans are made of sterner stuff!!

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Dave

Is that so ? Another win for the violent ones ?

This is not good for the great majority of Mauritanians nor for the travelers who love the desert. This is only good for the tiny minorities in "both sides" who would prefer an even more violent world.
Are we gonna let them get away with it ?
Can really a bunch of idiots with A.K.'s terrorize us all ? Aren't we giving the terrorists (of any kind legal or illegal) too much importance ? Too much publicity ? Too much credit ? Is it not exactly what they want ?

Quite so.

This is one quote from the French Government:-

France's Sports Minister, Bernard Laporte, said the rally's cancellation would have "disastrous economic consequences" for country's where the rally passed through but added that security issues would have to come first.

"After a point you can't just talk about economics and you have to talk first about security," he told reporters during a visit to Guadeloupe.

This lesson will be taken on board by the bad guys who wish to influence future sporting events.

Those approached for sponsorship, advertising rights, TV rights and all the rest of the paraphenalia that is associated with the economics of sporting events such as the Dakar will think deeply about anything that the ASO organises in future.

"talk first about security" just 24 hours before the start!!

It has been reported, elsewhere, that the insurance underwriters withdrew their cover for the Dakar race; purely an economic consideration.

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Dave

It really is such a shame and bad news. It’s too bad so many people put so much into this, whether it be finances, work, time, dreams etc and have it all taken away. The worst part for anyone is that the reason for not being able to participate is completely out of their control, stripped away by ignorance.
I think it is very important to be aware and take into account everyone’s safety and well being when considering a race like this and cannot hold anyone other than the so called terrorists to blame. However, at the same time I agree that we only enable these groups to manipulate, control and even empower them by giving in at times. While someone’s safety is a real concern, there is also a real problem in caving in to rants, demands, threats, etc.
I feel that there is a dumbing down, a coddling, etc of at least western society. It’s truly remarkable, some of the things that I encounter or hear about through the news, etc. Possibly the world could have always been this way but when I think of the past it seems as if our ancestors were a lot tougher than we are today as a whole. No one wants anything bad to happen but we can’t back down. In order to move a head sometimes sacrifices need to be made for the benefit of man, other wise we will not grow and even ruin everything we have worked for.

Armadillo,

A bunch of idiots with A.K.'s is no worse than a a bunch of idiots with M16's. It all depends on who's side we are expected to be.

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Roman (UK)

rumors from Dakhla is today mauris close down border for tourist transport. Anybody can confirm this?

You can call to Mauritanian consul in Moscow after 9 jan and ask him.
I and my wife want go to Mauritania from Morocco 1 or 2 feb.
Also You can read "The field reports" at The Plymouth-Dakar Challenge - Official Web Site

It looks that Plymouth-Dakar run whiteout problems in the area!

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Nicky
LR Disco1
http://www.race-to-bamako.com