Jan 14, 2008

Just Another Reason to Hate Terrorists

Like most of you, we never had much use for terrorists in the first place. Oh, they make convenient bad guys in action films, but other than that, they have never been too popular. You might, in fact, say they get very bad press. And now we have another reason to put terrorists on the don't-invite-to-dinner list. Their actions and threats led to the cancellation of one of the best motorsports events on the planet -- the Dakar Rally. If things had gone as per plan, racers would right now be flying across the dunes of Northern Africa on their way from Lisbon to Dakar, which is, of course, the capital of strife-torn Senegal.

We don't mean to make light of the situation either, because it is one of those unhappy and unhealthy instances when the serious problems of the real world impinges on the largely toy-store atmosphere of motorsports. 

One of the incidents that led to the cancellation was the Christmas Eve murder of four French tourists that has been linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, as the regional of Northwest Africa is known. As if that wasn't bad enough, direct threats were also made against the rally participants themselves.

This led to race organizers -- the A.S.O. -- to enter into dialogue with the French government, in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and based on the firm recommendations of the French government, which still holds some sway over what was long known as the Paris-Dakar Rally, the organizers of the event felt forced to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally the day before it was to begin. Spokespeople for the A.S.O. said it had no other choice but to cancel the rally, though it was obvious that they were both angry and heartbroken about the decision.

"A.S.O.'s first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators," the organization said in a release. "A.S.O. therefore reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally."

The organization condemned "the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants," and it vowed to return. "The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar," it said. "To offer, for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally passionate is a challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports."