Trooper TK409
Sr Member
*Update 7/11/09*
Austrian tourists released after being held six months
http://goafrica.about.com/od/tunisia/a/tunisiatips.htm
"In 2008 two Austrian tourists were kidnapped by an Algerian Al-Qaeda organization. The couple were on their own and driving close to the Algerian border deep in the Sahara desert. They were released 6 months later in Bamako, Mali. Apart from these two incidents, Tunisia has been free from terrorist attacks and is probably the safest destination in North Africa. "
*Update 3/31*
I've kept this part quiet, but it's probably ok to share this now, I had recommended to the hosts that they bring one an additional character - one particular RPFer who makes an amazing appearance, and they enthusiastically agreed. Many of you know The Wook. He decided not to back out of the trip when we heard the news about the Al Queda warning to westerners. I've never met The Wook in person, but having seen pics of him in his Chewie costume and knowing about his jobs with LFL as the official tour Chewbacca, I was really looking forward to trooping with him for the first time at this event in Tunisia. That'll have to wait for another day.
The Wook's been having a great time over there, despite the fact that he has pretty much stayed in his hotel, entertaining his hosts and their guests. He had been checking in with me via email from his Blackberry each day to let me know he's okay, but three days ago, the emails stopped. And he's not scheduled to fly back until next week. I'm sure he's fine, but what has me somewhat concerned is that his last email said he was feeling brave and was going to venture out to the various Original Trilogy sites in the desert. I looked at a map and these places are very far from his hotel. The Mos Eisley cantina, where he said he wanted to visit first, is a 6 hour drive from his hotel. Like I said, I'm sure he's fine, but I just thought I'd let you all know. Hope we hear something soon!
- Chris
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*Update 3/28*
Al Qaeda still has the tourists who are reportedly in good health. Andrea Kloiber, 43, and Wolfgang Ebner, 51 were kidnapped by Al Qaeda while visiting Matama on vacation. The terrorists have extended the deadline now twice, with the new deadline being April 6. If Tunisia does not release Al Qaeda prisoners, Al Qaeda says Kloiber & Ebner will be killed.
Militants extend deadline for Austrians to April 6
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Al Qaeda has said it seized the two hostages on February 22 and warned Western tourists not to visit Tunisia.
Fortunately, or fortunately, as of yesterday, the Tunisia trip has been canceled. This past Thursday, Al-Qaeda issued a warning to western travelers to stay out of Tunisia since they kidnapped two Austrian tourists at Matmata (Lars Courtyard Location) and plan to kill them. The US State Department issued a warning to all Americans traveling to Tunisia to exercise “extreme caution”. It’s a horrible situation for the two Austrians and unfortunate timing for the trip. Here are the news releases from yesterday:
Al-Qaeda claims Austrian hostages
Austria Says Won't Bow to Al Qaeda Tunisia Demands
Al-Qaeda Thursday Warns Western Tourists Not To Visit Tunisia
The people in charge of the event are going through with it with tons of security, but R2’s owner and I have pulled out. No Star Wars adventure is worth this risk. Oh well, maybe we’ll get the chance another time.
- Chris
Austrian tourists released after being held six months
http://goafrica.about.com/od/tunisia/a/tunisiatips.htm
"In 2008 two Austrian tourists were kidnapped by an Algerian Al-Qaeda organization. The couple were on their own and driving close to the Algerian border deep in the Sahara desert. They were released 6 months later in Bamako, Mali. Apart from these two incidents, Tunisia has been free from terrorist attacks and is probably the safest destination in North Africa. "
*Update 3/31*
I've kept this part quiet, but it's probably ok to share this now, I had recommended to the hosts that they bring one an additional character - one particular RPFer who makes an amazing appearance, and they enthusiastically agreed. Many of you know The Wook. He decided not to back out of the trip when we heard the news about the Al Queda warning to westerners. I've never met The Wook in person, but having seen pics of him in his Chewie costume and knowing about his jobs with LFL as the official tour Chewbacca, I was really looking forward to trooping with him for the first time at this event in Tunisia. That'll have to wait for another day.
The Wook's been having a great time over there, despite the fact that he has pretty much stayed in his hotel, entertaining his hosts and their guests. He had been checking in with me via email from his Blackberry each day to let me know he's okay, but three days ago, the emails stopped. And he's not scheduled to fly back until next week. I'm sure he's fine, but what has me somewhat concerned is that his last email said he was feeling brave and was going to venture out to the various Original Trilogy sites in the desert. I looked at a map and these places are very far from his hotel. The Mos Eisley cantina, where he said he wanted to visit first, is a 6 hour drive from his hotel. Like I said, I'm sure he's fine, but I just thought I'd let you all know. Hope we hear something soon!
- Chris
----------------------------------------------------
*Update 3/28*
Al Qaeda still has the tourists who are reportedly in good health. Andrea Kloiber, 43, and Wolfgang Ebner, 51 were kidnapped by Al Qaeda while visiting Matama on vacation. The terrorists have extended the deadline now twice, with the new deadline being April 6. If Tunisia does not release Al Qaeda prisoners, Al Qaeda says Kloiber & Ebner will be killed.
Militants extend deadline for Austrians to April 6
---------------------------------------------------
Al Qaeda has said it seized the two hostages on February 22 and warned Western tourists not to visit Tunisia.
Fortunately, or fortunately, as of yesterday, the Tunisia trip has been canceled. This past Thursday, Al-Qaeda issued a warning to western travelers to stay out of Tunisia since they kidnapped two Austrian tourists at Matmata (Lars Courtyard Location) and plan to kill them. The US State Department issued a warning to all Americans traveling to Tunisia to exercise “extreme caution”. It’s a horrible situation for the two Austrians and unfortunate timing for the trip. Here are the news releases from yesterday:
Al-Qaeda claims Austrian hostages
Austria Says Won't Bow to Al Qaeda Tunisia Demands
Al-Qaeda Thursday Warns Western Tourists Not To Visit Tunisia
The people in charge of the event are going through with it with tons of security, but R2’s owner and I have pulled out. No Star Wars adventure is worth this risk. Oh well, maybe we’ll get the chance another time.
- Chris
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