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http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=countries&Area=egypt&ID=SP200408

Special Dispatch - No. 2004
July 28, 2008 No. 2004

“Investigation by Egyptian Daily Al-Ahram Finds Iranian Involvement, Shi’ization in Comoros Islands”

SNIPPET: “Recently, Iran has been showing increased interest in the Union of the Comoros, the island nation off Africa’s east coast. Historically, the inhabitants of this nation’s three component islands were mostly Shi’ite, until they were conquered by France in the mid-19th century; today, most residentsare Shafi’i Sunnis. Iran’s interest in the Union of the Comoros is supported by Comoros President Ahmad Abdallah Sambi, despite opposition from various elements in the country.

On May 1, 2008, the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram published an investigative article on Shi’ization in the Union of the Comoros. Following are translated excerpts from the investigation:”

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4203.html

Travel Alert

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
This information is current as of today, Tue May 05 2009 15:38:10 GMT-0700 (PDT).

Comoros

March 16, 2009

This Travel Alert is being issued to alert U.S. citizens of safety and security concerns in The Union of the Comoros because of the possibility of demonstrations in conjunction with a referendum in Mayotte from March 27 – 31, 2009. American citizens should consider carefully the risks of travel to Comoros during that time. This Travel Alert expires June 30, 2009.

On March 29, 2009, voters in Mayotte, a “Collective” in the Indian Ocean governed by France, will go to the polls to decide whether or not to become a “Department” of the Republic of France. French Departments are more integrated into French legal, institutional, and social structures than Collectives. Although Mayotte is currently administered by France, the Union of the Comoros also claims Mayotte. Comoran public opinion strongly favors the return of Mayotte to Comoros.

The potential reaction of Comorans is uncertain, but demonstrations are likely. Demonstrations on emotionally-charged issues have turned violent in the past. American visitors in the Comoros should exercise caution and vigilance, and avoid all large public gatherings before, during, and after the March 29 vote in Mayotte.

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas, to review emergency procedures and contingency plans, and to remain aware of their surroundings at all times.

American citizens considering travel to Comoros despite this Travel Alert are urged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar, through the State Department’s travel registration website. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy in Antananarivo to contact them in case of emergency. Please be sure to include your e-mail address and cellular phone number.

There is no American Embassy in the Union of the Comoros. The U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo has jurisdiction over the Union of the Comoros. The Embassy is located at 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo. The mailing address is B.P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivo, Madagascar; telephone [261] (20) 22-212-57 during regular business hours and for after hours emergencies; fax [261] (20) 22-345-39. Contact the Consular Section via e-mail. The Embassy’s web site is located here.

Updated information on travel and security in Comoros may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for the Comoros and the Worldwide Caution available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

Speaking of the Comoros Islands :

AUGUST 3, 2008 : (COMOROS ISLANDER F A MOHAMMED ESCAPES KENYAN POLICE--- See WARSAME {TWINCITIESCELL}, ZACARIAS MOUSSAOUI {NORMAN OK CELL, MN CELL}) MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) - One of Africa's most wanted al Qaeda operatives, sought for his role in the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, has narrowly escaped capture in Kenya, police said on Sunday. Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, high on Washington's list of terrorist suspects, left a home in the Indian Ocean resort of Malindi late on Saturday just minutes before officers crashed through the door, police said. "We sealed off the whole area and had sea and land patrols but unfortunately, Fazul got leakage of the intended raid and escaped," said one senior detective who asked not to be named. "We are still looking for him."
The United States has offered a $5 million reward for information leading to the capture of the Comorian, who speaks five languages and is said to be a master of disguise, forgery and bomb making. He is accused of playing a lead role in the 1998 embassy attacks in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, which killed 240 people.
Kenyan police said they found two passports believed to belong to Mohammed and arrested two people, including the owner of the home, which is near the Malindi district hospital. Another police source said more than 50 officers took part in the raid, and that Mohammed appeared to have been staying at the house for several days. "Our intelligence reports show that he came into the country from Somalia to seek medical attention because of a kidney condition," the source told Reuters.
Washington says several al Qaeda men involved in the embassy bombings have sought sanctuary in neighbouring Somalia, where Islamist insurgents are fighting a weak Western-backed administration. The U.S. military has launched several air strikes targeting them in the Horn of Africa since the start of last year.
(Excerpt) Read more at africa.reuters.com ...
-------- "Kenyan police say Al Qaeda's Fazul escapes raid ," reuters.com ^ | 3 Aug 2008 , Posted on Sunday, August 03, 2008 4:57:01 PM by Dog
********
Law enforcement officials suspect Warsame has ties to accused Sept. 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui and Fazul Mohammed, suspected of being a key planner of the 1998 attacks on U.S. embassies in Africa. Authorities believe Fazul Mohammed is still on the run.
...The FBI said Warsame told agents he once sat next to bin Laden at a meal, and found the al Qaeda leader to be "inspirational."
The affidavit said that "he [Warsame] was instructed by al Qaeda to return to North America and that al Qaeda paid the costs of his return." The group provided Warsame with $1,700 in travel money.
---- "Double Agent Plan : U.S. Attempt to Turn Al Qaeda Suspect Into U.S. Informant Soured by Press Leak ," By Pierre Thomas , abc ^ | 2/13/04, Posted on 02/13/2004 8:15:05 PM PST by knak