Posted on 11/30/2002 1:45:28 PM PST by TLBSHOW
U.S. Warns of Possible Terror Strike in Djibouti, Tells Americans to Beware
William C. Mann AP Writer Nov 30, 2002
WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department on Saturday warned Americans in the East African nation of Djibouti, where U.S. troops are posted, that terrorists may be planning attacks similar to those last week in Kenya. The government had not confirmed the credibility of information concerning the threats, which also were thought to cover other countries in the region, according to a State Department statement.
"Due to the preponderance of threat information, the department believes it prudent to share this information with American citizens so they can make an informed decision in deciding whether to travel to or remain in East Africa," the statement said.
Thousands of U.S. troops are in Djibouti, a former French colony at the tip of the Horn of Africa across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen. Gen. Tommy Franks, who is overseeing the fight against terrorism, has said they are there to help in that effort.
The State Department statement did not mention that military presence in Djibouti. Calls to Pentagon spokesmen were not immediately returned Saturday.
The statement mentioned Thursday's attacks at Mombasa, Kenya. Three suicide bombers killed 10 Kenyans and three Israelis in an attack against an Israeli-owned hotel. Two surface-to-air missiles just missed an Israeli Arika Airlines jetliner after it took off for Israel with 261 passengers and 10 crew members.
"The U.S. government has received information, the credibility of which has not yet been confirmed, that similar attacks may also occur in Djibouti," according to the statement. Djibouti is "one of a number of countries in East Africa where there may be an increased terrorist threat."
Americans should "remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and exercise caution," the statement said.
"Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led terrorists to seek softer targets" such as residential areas, hotel, schools, resorts, beach areas, the statement said.
In a separate travel warning, the department reaffirmed its advice of March 18 for Americans to put off travel to Yemen. It noted "credible reports that terrorists have planned attacks against U.S. interests in Yemen. The security threat to all American citizens in Yemen remains high."
Yemen was the site of an attack in October 2000 against the destroyer USS Cole, which killed 17 sailors and caused tens of millions of dollars damage to the ship. A pilotless CIA drone rocketed a car Nov. 3 in Yemen, killing six people including an alleged leader of the al-Qaida terror network.
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On the Net: State Department announcement: http://travel.state.gov/eafrica-announce.html
AREAS OF INSTABILITY: Djibouti enjoys a stable political climate, thanks in part to the large French military presence based in country. However, Djibouti's international borders are very porous and lightly patrolled. In particular, Somalia, Djibouti's neighbor to the south, is believed to be a haven for terrorists and other insurgent elements. Continuing instability in Somalia and Yemen present the potential for internal unrest in Djibouti, which has large ethnic Somali and Yemeni populations. In addition, neighboring Ethiopia and Eritrea recently concluded a settlement to a long-running border dispute, and nearby Yemen is pursuing a struggle against potential terrorists. Civil unrest or armed conflict in neighboring countries could disrupt air travel to and from Djibouti or otherwise negatively affect its security situation.
Djibouti might be a good place for an earthquake or explosion, remember the old song "Shake, shake, shake...shake shake shake...shake Djibouti, shake Djibouti!"
Maybe that should be spelled "sheik" in this case.
On 1 January 1890, Italy set the boundaries of Eritrea and ruled it as a colony until 1941, when the British defeated the Italians in Africa and took over the administration. After the Italian defeat in World War II, Britain administered Eritrea. Following a decision by the United Nations, Eritrea was federated to Ethiopia in 1952, with a certain amount of autonomy.
However, during the federation with Ethiopia, Emperor Haile Selassie's government systematically violated the rights granted by the UN. The oppression culminated with the dissolution of the Eritrean parliament and the annexation of Eritrea as Ethiopia's fourteenth province in 1962.
In 1961, an armed struggle for independence began. The thirty years of fighting ended in May 1991, when the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) liberated Asmara and established the Provisional Government of Eritrea (PGE). In an internationally supervised referendum in April 1993, 99.8 per cent of the Eritreans voted for independence, which was officially declared on 24 May 1993
At least someone else on this thread has a cents of humor. This is series. LOL
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