French Cancel Paris to Dakar Rally on Terrorist Threat

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » January 17th, 2008, 10:23 pm

Per Etienne Lavigne, Rally Organiser: "The decision to cancel the 2008 Euromilhoes Dakar was the only reasonable alternative based on the information that we had. The terrorist threats that weighed on the security of the rally failed to leave the slightest choice for responsible organisers. There was no hesitation and there is now no regret.

"Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th 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."

Story

Edited: Added appropriate quote attribution.

RTO · Post by **RTO** » January 17th, 2008, 10:53 pm

That's what they get for allowing those fuckers to roam freely around their country. Wasn't it about a year or so ago when they had a rash of car burnings and riots in Paris by Islamic terrorist wannabe's?

Chiron · Post by **Chiron** » January 18th, 2008, 2:48 am

There is a great loss of income for Morocco that's for sure. Maybe they'll get the idea that something is wrong and clamp down. But I don't believe they will.

Darksaga · Post by **Darksaga** » January 18th, 2008, 2:54 am

RTO wrote:That's what they get for allowing those fuckers to roam freely around their country. Wasn't it about a year or so ago when they had a rash of car burnings and riots in Paris by Islamic terrorist wannabe's?

It was more than that Ranger. A big part of it is that France's employment system, for all intents and purposes, is socialist in nature. It has been stagnant for a number of years so jobs for these imigrants from Islamic countries is non-existant. Many immigrated for the want of a better life only to find there were no jobs. So much for proper planning.

From what I understand they felt that the rioting was an appropriate response to their situation. I forget what triggered the riots specificly but would not be suprised if there was indeed radical or fundamental Islamic overtones associated with it.

Chiron · Post by **Chiron** » January 18th, 2008, 3:02 am

Darksaga wrote:It was more than that Ranger. A big part of it is that France's employment system, for all intents and purposes, is socialist in nature. It has been stagnant for a number of years so jobs for these imigrants from Islamic countries is non-existant. Many immigrated for the want of a better life only to find there were no jobs. So much for proper planning.

From what I understand they felt that the rioting was an appropriate response to their situation. I forget what triggered the riots specificly but would not be suprised if there was indeed radical or fundamental Islamic overtones associated with it.

It started when a Muslim kid was killed on his bike and they say that police would not help and prior to his death just watched. Then there is the unemployment issue. France is stuck after years of colonialism and because the require the resources that Algeria and Morocco provide they have a hard time. Only recently the new French president has clamped down on immigration to go as far as ejecting illegal immigrants.

Still that country is doomed in my view.

Horned Toad · Post by **Horned Toad** » January 18th, 2008, 8:48 am

They could have just given every contestant a mag 240 a 1000 rounds.

Combat racing

Death Race 2008

RTO · Post by **RTO** » January 18th, 2008, 8:55 am

CloakAndDagger · Post by **CloakAndDagger** » January 18th, 2008, 8:57 am

Chiron wrote:It started when a Muslim kid was killed on his bike and they say that police would not help and prior to his death just watched.

There was a damn good reason why the police stood and watched...the dumbass kid tried to hide in a power substation and got electrocuted. There's a reason why there's warning signs around places like that, because it only takes a few seconds to get killed by high voltage, and it takes much longer than that to get the power shutdown.

Black 6 · Post by **Black 6** » January 18th, 2008, 9:13 am

Horned Toad wrote:They could have just given every contestant a mag 240 a 1000 rounds.

Combat racing

Death Race 2008

If I had the money for the complete set up, I would do it.

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » January 18th, 2008, 9:45 am

Horned Toad wrote:They could have just given every contestant a mag 240 a 1000 rounds.

Combat racing

Death Race 2008

That's exactly what I was thinking.

Due to the current situation, for our race year of 2008, please sign the enclosed liability release acknowledging new rules for this year's rally:

In cooperation with the governments of Northern Africa, you will be permitted to carry arms, two weapons up to 7.62 NATO in caliber and 5000 rounds per race team. Motorcyclists may carry arms in 5.56 and/or 9mm pistols and 2500 rounds and are encouraged to ride in trail formation of no less than five riders per team.

Support teams are allowed 10,000 rounds per vehicle and four weapons up to 7.62 NATO, plus individual sidearms per member and 90 rounds of 9mm.

All teams are responsible for supplying their own ammunition. Bodies and brass are not required to be cleaned up as the race proceeds. Teams will be required to call + 33 1 41 33 15 67 via satellite telephone to report small arms engagements as the race proceeds so that appropriate scoring may be confirmed, per our new friendly terrorist body count scoring formula.

If you would prefer to not carry arms, we have engaged 18 corporations that you may contract with to provide security for your team. Please be aware that if your contracted security support team engages terrorists on the race course, your team will not be attributed with any body count points. Only teams which carry their own weapons, ammunition and engage terrorists on the race course themselves, without external support, will be attributed with terrorist body count kill points.

Thank you for your continued participation in Paris-Dakar 2008. Additional rules governing this years race and our new scoring formula will be posted at www.dakar.com .

Shit, they should just open up a new category of vehicles for 'military racing teams', then allow the PMCs to enter their teams also. That would probably be the most fair thing to do.

Chiron · Post by **Chiron** » January 18th, 2008, 1:00 pm

CloakAndDagger wrote:
Chiron wrote:It started when a Muslim kid was killed on his bike and they say that police would not help and prior to his death just watched.
There was a damn good reason why the police stood and watched...the dumbass kid tried to hide in a power substation and got electrocuted. There's a reason why there's warning signs around places like that, because it only takes a few seconds to get killed by high voltage, and it takes much longer than that to get the power shutdown.

This is true. It goes to show you that the level of people they are dealing with is mediocre to say the least. Sadâ€¦.