Al-Qaeda Threats Kill 2008 Dakar Rally
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Al-Qaeda Threats Kill 2008 Dakar Rally
This marks the first time in the rally's 30 years that it's been called off.
Part of the races 5,000 plus-mile route was to pass through the North-West African country of Mauritania - officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. A December 24, 2007 attack on a French family living in Nouakchott, the Atlantic coastal capital of Mauritania, as well prior bombings in the region and confirmation from the French government that the race was threatened influenced the rally's French-based organizers to stop altogether the annual race.
A criticism against Mauritania's government for fostering an environment suitable for "infidels" involved in the rally was posted December 29, 2007 on an Internet site often used by al-Qaeda, though nothing specific was spelled out for the rally itself.
Mohamed El Moustapha Ould Cheibani, head of a tour agency in Atar, a city 270 miles north of Nouakchott, echoed Mauritania's foreign minister sentiments saying that Frances fears are "unfounded." In an effort to quell fears, the Mauritaniain government was willing to provide a 3,000-man security force to ensure safety for the race. Eight of the rallys stages were to take place in Mauritania.
Without wanting to reflect ill-will toward Mauritania, Amaury Sport Organization, the races organizers, heeded French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchners warning that the region is "dangerous."
Thinking only of all those involved, from race teams to spectators, ASO said that they had "no other decision but to cancel..."
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