Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Missing tourists in Algeria - Latest Missing tourists in Algeria - Latest
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
Page 11 of 13 12345678910 11 1213
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #151  
Old 19 Aug 2003
ctc ctc is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 249
BAMAKO (Reuters) - Algerian militants have handed over all 14 European hostages held in the Sahara desert for over five months, bringing relief to families and negotiators who hope to bring the group to Mali's capital Bamako on Tuesday.

Confirmation from Malian and German officials that the group members were safe and in the care of Mali authorities ended a tense 24 hours of conflicting reports on the hostages' release.

"This was great negotiating skill by the Mali president (Amadou Toumani Toure)," Germany's Deputy Foreign Minister Juergen Chrobog told a German television station from Bamako.

"The president confirmed to me that all the hostages are well. So that is also a relief, it seems that no one has been hurt," added Chrobog.

It was not clear whether any ransom had been paid.

Reply With Quote
  #152  
Old 20 Aug 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
And so ends the first summer time crossing of the Sahara via Algeria, Mali and the Tanezrouft by European tourists for some time! Timely for a new route in the second edition of Sahara Overland.......
Reply With Quote
  #153  
Old 20 Aug 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: F
Posts: 856
OK for the new route , but it seems a little too expensive ( this kind of guide is not very cheap , and not very kind ) and little too dangerous ( one dead person ..... )
Reply With Quote
  #154  
Old 20 Aug 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Vienna, Austria
Posts: 51
Dangerous yes, but expensive? Several sources raise doubts if any ransom has been paid. Seems that the Touareg were quite unhappy with the attention for northern Mali - we'll see if the kidnappers can get away...and probably German support for the Mali government and/or locals will do the rest.

Regards,
Peter
Reply With Quote
  #155  
Old 22 Aug 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
2 wheelers on the take....

Arjen Hilbers, one of 14 Europeans released in Mali this week after being held captive by Algerian militants in the desert, said he and his traveling companions were in dunes looking for a place to sleep when a column of motorcycles and some cars drew up.

"To our incredible shock, we saw armed men on motorbikes... My companion said: 'Those are holy warriors -- they've all got beards' and I realized this was no ordinary hold-up," he said.

The tourists were made to put their belongings in the militants' cars and then to drive off on their own motorbikes, each with a kidnapper on the back, Hilbers told a news conference.

Reply With Quote
  #156  
Old 22 Aug 2003
ctc ctc is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 249
Gulf News: "Libya paid a ransom of $5.5 million (BD2.7m) "on its own initiative" to the abductors of 14 European hostages who were released this week after being held for months in the Sahara desert, diplomats said here yesterday.

The money passed "neither through Malian nor German hands," the diplomat told AFP after the freed hostages returned home safely Wednes-day in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Another diplomat confirmed the assertion.

The money was paid to the abductors' leader through an intermediary chosen by Tripoli, the diplomats said, without naming the go-between or stating where or when the transaction took place."

Reply With Quote
  #157  
Old 24 Aug 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 921
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3177071.stm

Sam.
Reply With Quote
  #158  
Old 28 Aug 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
Rainer Bracht is featuring some articles on the second group....
needs babelfishing unless you speak german:

http://www.nw-news.de/info/sonderthemen/to/index.html

so far just the lead up and the night they got nailed....
Reply With Quote
  #159  
Old 20 Oct 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
German nationals will be expected to pay for the costs of the rescue...
An overlooked reason for travel insurance?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3208138.stm

and

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click...1B265&set_id=1

[This message has been edited by Richard Washington (edited 21 October 2003).]
Reply With Quote
  #160  
Old 22 Oct 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: F
Posts: 856
And about this payment I have heard on french TV that some of the ex-hostages have been entered in Algeria without visa ; via Tunisia : I supposed they have crossed the border in the middle of the grand erg .
Reply With Quote
  #161  
Old 23 Oct 2003
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Libia
Posts: 205


News soon disavowed !

The ex hostages (but not all) eluded controls and several others current formalities, this yes! -as many are still seeking to do - but all got the regular entrance visa.

Releasing this kind of news does not help anybody and more the travels in the Sahara !
__________________
Budrinna Co.
Reply With Quote
  #162  
Old 25 Oct 2003
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Vienna, Austria
Posts: 51
All of the hostages entered Algeria with valid visa, no one avoided formalities at any of the checkpoints they passed.

Please do not believe all the propaganda, the chairman of an APN (Algerian national assembly) committee, quoting "jewish dominated Tunisian tourist mafia trying to crush Algerian tourism", published May 14, is enough.

Regards,
Peter
Reply With Quote
  #163  
Old 8 Nov 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Francisco, USA
Posts: 5
I just got back from Djanet. It is clear that the Algerian military is everywhere now. There were 5 jet fighters in Djanet.... They ar epatrolling all the borders areas even smugglers are not daring to go in the forbideen areas. We felt very safe in the Tassili, there were a lot of tourists (French and Spanish Mainly) who arrived by plane. Not too many came by car, but we saw some French and Italian groups in the Tadrart. The French group had gone to Oued Semane ontheir way to DJanet!!!! The pace of the kidnapping of last spring. The border with Lybia is closed.
__________________
Tiout
Reply With Quote
  #164  
Old 30 Nov 2003
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,895
Interesting report about American base in Tam, etc: (5th heading down)

http://lincolnplawg.blogspot.com/200...g_archive.html
Reply With Quote
  #165  
Old 2 Dec 2003
Jon Jon is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Posts: 11
re US base, in February of this year, a few locals told me rumours about the impending construction of a base in Tam. It is true that at the airport in Tam, you will see signs for Brown&Root - this is the logistics company that supports the US military. It's a subsidiary of Halliburton, Dick Cheney's old gang.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 11 of 13 12345678910 11 1213

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 3 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 3 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:22.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top