A bit of a stupid question re the Red Sea

[Phoenix]

[quote=Scubanut]<snip>What you have to wait for is the Foreign Office to issue a warning, if they haven't then don't worry. </snip>

How hilarious, the US warns all it's people to get out of Saudi, the UK advises against non-essential travel. I suspect the difference here has rather more to do with the 32% increase in UK trade in the last year than a difference in Intelligence.

Ian

[Snash]

Have to agree with Ian on that one.

When I were a lad, my folks lived and worked in Uganda during some pretty unstable times

My dad always had the view that he ignored what the FCO were saying as they were, in his opinion too caught up with succesive regimes, and he took advice from the French (SNCF had the contracts to do the railways). If they stayed, things were okay; if they were issuing advice to pull out it really was time to go.

Regards

Simon

[John Holmes]

Without wanting to start an argument with anyone over this, I think we're getting a pity poor service from FCO in this respect. My brother in law works for an engineering firm in the Manchester area and is sent all over the world on rigs,pipelines etc...

Over the last eighteen months he has been almost constantly in Saudi Arabia. The FCO advice has always been "woolly" to say the least. "You are advised to take precautions", "avoid places where westerners, tourists gather etc..etc.." What condescending crap!! What? like residential compounds for example. If terrorists can burst through so called security at these compounds, killing dozens in the process, then surely a grave emergency does exist.

I don't like the idea of giving in to terrorism, but when faced with the current situation in Saudi, then surely FCO should adopt the US embassy position and just say "Leave now". Sometimes I think they're afraid of upsetting other countries or are putting trade considerations above citizens personal safety.

Whenever the question is raised about security and measures being increased, firms justify their presence by saying "well the FCO hasn't told us to leave, has it?"

When you consider Bali, Saudi and everything else thats happening at the moment, I think the FCO has to stand up and be counted, stop mincing words and advise people that they are in danger even if they're nowhere near bars, restaurants and clubs frequented by westerners....after all these people don't flinch at killing their own do they?.

So, if FCO warns you that that there is grave danger and you should leave, then at least you have the choice and cant say later that you weren't warned. Me, and many others I know, would probably still elect to go to the country involved / stay in the country involved and be grateful for the clear warning given.

Have to say the Red Sea has come through all this pretty well, and long may that be the case. Neither the Egyptians nor the Jordanians are going to want any of this shite occuring on the Red Sea shores. I wouldn't be rushing to dive in Sudanese waters at the moment though with all thats going on internally. Thats a shame cause lots of people have told me that diving off the Sudan rates as some of the best in the world.

Dive safe wherever you decide to go!!

[KimH]

Rob, don't let the hostilities bother you, you're probably safer there than you are here. We were out there for 9/11 and although airport security was understandably increased you'd never really have noticed any change. It did go quiet for a while when people understandably became cautious and they weren't travelling but there really was no reason for the concern - in this region at least. One time we flew back to the UK on the Sunday Kabul was bombed and didn't really know anything about it until after we got home.

The Egyptian people are very charming and friendly and love the Brits. We have just got back from a liveaboard and everything is back to normal. Will be returning to Sharm in August and can't wait to get back.

[Simon TW]

Hi Rob, just to stick my 25 piastas in, I live in Hurghada (most of the time) and the Egyptian government are so scared that any trouble could cause a collapse in tourism that strict security is imposed. I can travel anywhere in the country with my car but if I have a non Egyptian passenger then I have to travel with a police escort.

Any Nationals who voice any anti western feelings are imprisioned, this happend recently when the police and army arrested most of a villige who were being indoctrinated by the head of the local mosque.

On the funny side.....You will not see any Egyptian with a Bin Laden type beard why? cos they believe that any man who has this type of beard is a terrorist and they arrest them. It is very rare to see any Egyptian with a beard at all which is a little difficult for those who have had a death in the family because whilst your in mourning (3 months) you do not shave.

[Smeagol]

We had no problem in Hurghada stayed in a hotel on the outskirts of the town and stolled down the road most nights. We got on really well with the locals who stood selling stuff on the corners most nights.
When you go out of the town and look around you can see they really do depend on the tourism, there are no crops/fields industry or anything just large hotel complexes being built.. oh yes and sand!! lots of sand as far as the eye can see. As most people have said just go their really is no problem, they are very welcoming especially if your spending!!

Cheers Preciousss!!!