Morocco affected by war in Iraq???

There may be a few of us out there with an eye on the Iraq war and wondering how this will affect safe travel in Morocco over the next couple of months.

Below is the latest statement from the Foreign Office.

Will deep sand, warm beer and camels still be the main safety hazards for GS'rs by May/June?

Tim




Still Current at: 30 March 2003
Updated: 26 March 2003


Morocco


SUMMARY


The conflict in Iraq has increased the possibility of public disturbances in Morocco, as in other countries in the region; some of these could become unruly. Morocco is also one of a number of countries where there is an increased threat from international terrorism. You should keep a low profile, avoid crowds and be vigilant in public places frequented by foreigners. You should also take sensible precautions to avoid street crime. British nationals travelling to Western Sahara should be guided by separate travel advice about this disputed territory.




SAFETY AND SECURITY


Terrorism


There have been no terrorist attacks in Morocco in the recent past. In June 2002, the Moroccan Authorities acted quickly to arrest a group of people planning terrorist attacks in Morocco and the Straits of Gibraltar.


However, we judge that the threat from international terrorism in Morocco, including to British nationals and British interests, has increased. You should therefore maintain a high level of vigilance in public places such as hotels, restaurants and shopping malls and exercise good security practice (see our Security Tips for Travellers).


Regional Political Developments


Travellers to Morocco should be aware of the impact that the conflict in Iraq, as well as the violence between the Israelis and Palestinians, has had across the Arab world and the risk of public disturbance in response. You should follow news reports and be alert to developments in the Middle East that might trigger public disturbances. A national demonstration is planned in Rabat for Sunday, 30 March, starting at Bab El Had at 9am and continuing through central Rabat. Some other towns and cities have planned local-level demonstrations over coming weeks, usually on the weekend. You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations. Any increase in regional tension might affect travel advice.

Tim

The risk in all countries has increased, but this is to be balanced by the 'nanny state'. For example, this is what the FCO says about Ireland:

"The vast Majority of visits to Ireland are trouble-free. Take sensible precautions in big cities. Ireland shares with the rest of the world, including the UK, an increased threat from terrorist incidents of international origin."

I wouldn't hesitate to have a pint in Belfast or Dublin - downtown Fes or Marakesh should be no riskier! Do what the locals do!

Greg

Greg, I was actually going to PM you with that thread, so am grateful that you saw it and have replied quickly to it.

Your thoughts concur with mine. And possibly like you, will keep a watchful eye on any 'developments'.

Cheers Tim

just saw this on aol and thought I would share with you'all

A DUTCHMAN missing in the Algerian desert with 30 other tourists has been kidnapped, the Netherlands said Tuesday, raising fears the entire group is being held captive.

The tourists have vanished in recent weeks while heading into the vast deserts of southern Algeria, an area known for its archaeological sites and as a haven for arms smugglers and drugs traffickers.

The missing include 15 Germans, 10 Austrians, four Swiss, a Swede and the Dutchman.

They had been travelling in seven separate groups.

In Austria, the head of a crisis group dealing with the disappearances, told the national news agency APA that Algerian authorities had informed him they had found a written message from the missing Europeans, but did not give more details.

Until now, European governments have refused to say what they think has happened to the tourists.

"We can confirm Arjen Hilbers has been kidnapped, but we cannot say whether he's been abducted by political activists or a criminal group," Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesman Hendrik Dek told Reuters.

He could not say if the kidnappers had made any demands and did not disclose what the source of his information was.

Asked about the Dutch comment, a German Foreign Ministry spokesman said: "We cannot rule anything out. We are following all leads and remain in close contact with the Algerians."

Austria and Germany have sent police to Algeria to work with local officials searching for the tourists.

European media have speculated the tourists may have been kidnapped by Islamic militants who waged a bloody war against Algerian authorities in the 1990s, or possibly even by an arm of Osama bin Laden's militant al-Qaida network.

A German Interior Ministry spokeswoman said there was hope the tourists were still alive.

"According to the information that we have received there is cause for hope that the missing people are alive," she said, but did not say what information they had.

Algeria has been racked by violence since early 1992, when military-backed authorities cancelled a general election that radical Islamists were poised to win.

More than 100,000 people have been killed in this violence, the government says. Independent sources estimate the death toll to be as high as 150,000.