al-Qaeda Holding Hostages in Mali

Lambdadragon · Mar 17th, 2008, 10:00

My family was considering taking our friends to Bangaram in the Laksawadeep Islands to obtain their scuba certification. Our itinerary would only allow for three days and five nights on the island, so I was very disappointed to learn that Bangaram Island Resort would not provide a certification class for less than six days and eight nights (at over $400 USD per night excluding scuba costs).

Then I came across a BBC article detailing that al-Qaeda is now operating in Mali. Mali is South of Bangaram where we were thinking of going scuba dving. Technically, the Laksawadeep Islands are the northern most tip of the Mali chain. If al-Qaeda is operating in Mali now this might be another reason why Laksawadeep is probably not a good idea for our vacation...or is this overestimating the danger?

Here is the article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7299953.stm

Austria says al-Qaeda militants holding two tourists have agreed to extend a deadline, set for midnight on Sunday, for their demands to be met. Al-Qaeda in North Africa is demanding Islamists held in Algeria and Tunisia be freed in exchange for Andrea Kloiber, 43, and Wolfgang Ebner, 51. The pair, who went missing while on holiday in Tunisia last month, are said to be being held in Mali. A senior Austrian diplomat is in Mali seeking their freedom.

brownboy66 · Mar 17th, 2008, 10:08

maybe my geography is a bit skewed here but reading the BBC article I get the distinct feeling they are talking about Mali in north africa (between Mauritania and Burkina Faso)? Especially since the hostages were taken in Tunisia?

the opoponax · Mar 17th, 2008, 10:17

Yes - I'm guessing they mean Mali the country in West Africa.

Though this is sad, considering Mali is the next country after India on my list of places I've always wanted to go.

dzibead · Mar 17th, 2008, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownboy66

maybe my geography is a bit skewed here but reading the BBC article I get the distinct feeling they are talking about Mali in north africa (between Mauritania and Burkina Faso)? Especially since the hostages were taken in Tunisia?

The fact that the URL for the article also contains the word "africa" would support your "distinct feeling", bb. The article is talking about the country Mali. Al-Qaeda is not operating anywhere in India as far as I know - there'd be big headlines everywhere if they were.

brownboy66 · Mar 17th, 2008, 10:28

thanks dzibead.....and while at this time of the morning here in Delhi my coffee deficient brain never once thought to look at the URL, just think how the op will be feeling!

dzibead · Mar 17th, 2008, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownboy66

thanks dzibead.....and while at this time of the morning here in Delhi my coffee deficient brain never once thought to look at the URL, just think how the op will be feeling!

Oh, well ...

Nick-H · Mar 17th, 2008, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownboy66

thanks dzibead.....and while at this time of the morning here in Delhi my coffee deficient brain never once thought to look at the URL, just think how the op will be feeling!

A but silly, probably; been there myself so many times we could start a support group

.

Above all, I should think they'd just be pleased they can get on with planning the trip

praks · Mar 17th, 2008, 14:29

You might perhaps be mistaking Male, capital of The Maldives, for Mali, a country in Africa. As far as I know, there are no hostages being held in Male.

Mar 17th, 2008, 10:00	#1
Lambdadragon Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 22	al-Qaeda Holding Hostages in Mali My family was considering taking our friends to Bangaram in the Laksawadeep Islands to obtain their scuba certification. Our itinerary would only allow for three days and five nights on the island, so I was very disappointed to learn that Bangaram Island Resort would not provide a certification class for less than six days and eight nights (at over $400 USD per night excluding scuba costs). Then I came across a BBC article detailing that al-Qaeda is now operating in Mali. Mali is South of Bangaram where we were thinking of going scuba dving. Technically, the Laksawadeep Islands are the northern most tip of the Mali chain. If al-Qaeda is operating in Mali now this might be another reason why Laksawadeep is probably not a good idea for our vacation...or is this overestimating the danger? Here is the article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7299953.stm Austria says al-Qaeda militants holding two tourists have agreed to extend a deadline, set for midnight on Sunday, for their demands to be met. Al-Qaeda in North Africa is demanding Islamists held in Algeria and Tunisia be freed in exchange for Andrea Kloiber, 43, and Wolfgang Ebner, 51. The pair, who went missing while on holiday in Tunisia last month, are said to be being held in Mali. A senior Austrian diplomat is in Mali seeking their freedom.

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Mar 17th, 2008, 10:08	#2
brownboy66 the riff raff.... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,873	maybe my geography is a bit skewed here but reading the BBC article I get the distinct feeling they are talking about Mali in north africa (between Mauritania and Burkina Faso)? Especially since the hostages were taken in Tunisia?

Mar 17th, 2008, 10:17	#3
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	Yes - I'm guessing they mean Mali the country in West Africa. Though this is sad, considering Mali is the next country after India on my list of places I've always wanted to go.

Mar 17th, 2008, 10:28	#5
brownboy66 the riff raff.... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,873	thanks dzibead.....and while at this time of the morning here in Delhi my coffee deficient brain never once thought to look at the URL, just think how the op will be feeling!

Mar 17th, 2008, 14:29	#8
praks Senile Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 287	You might perhaps be mistaking Male, capital of The Maldives, for Mali, a country in Africa. As far as I know, there are no hostages being held in Male.

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