Dakar Rally cancelled over security fears

LISBON—The 2008 Dakar Rally has been cancelled over security concerns, in particular direct “terrorist” threats to the race, organisers announced on Friday.
The gruelling car and motorcycle race had been due to start in Lisbon on Saturday but the murder of four French tourists in Mauritania on December 24 led to the French government advising against any travel to the country.
Eight of the rally’s stages were due to pass through the northern African country en route south for Dakar and the scheduled finish on January 20.
“Following several consultations with the French government - in particular the ministry of foreign affairs - and taking into account its firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally scheduled for January 5-20 between Lisbon and the Senegalese capital,” the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) said in a statement.
The ASO said there had been “direct threats against the race issued by terrorist groups.”
“ASO’s prime responsibility is to ensure the security of everyone involved, the statement said, adding that organisers would never take any risks with safety matters.
“The terrorist menace has wiped out a year’s hard work carried out with conviction and passion by the participants and all those involved,” it said.
It was the first time in its turbulent 30-year history that the controversial race has failed to go ahead and will cast doubts over future editions.
The Mauritanian embassy in Paris said it regretted the race cancellation insisting that there had been no threats to security in the country that could have warrented such a decision.
“It’s sad news for all fans of rally driving,” said embassy official Aderrahmane Habib.
“We took all the necessary precautions to allow the rally to go ahead under the best of conditions both from logistics and security viewpoints.”
Scores of competitors in cars, motorbikes and lorries had already arrived in Lisbon for the customary technical checks ahead of Saturday’s spectacular start.
But following the killing of the four French tourists in Mauritania on December 24, the French government advised all its nationals, including the Dakar participants, that the country was unsafe for travel.
The rally was due to pass through Mauritanian territory for nine days from January 11-19 before finishing in Dakar on January 20.
Rally organisers and competitors were initially defiant saying they were willing to take the risk, but the pressure increased early Friday with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner adding his voice of warning.
“We are warning them - it is dangerous,” Kouchner said.
“I hope that they have understood, but it’s their business, they are a private organisation.
Apart from the deaths of the four French tourists there have been concerns that an Al-Qaeda group is active in northern Africa and could target the high-profile race.
The Mauritanian government said the shooting of the French tourists and a separate attack on a military base that left three soldiers dead were isolated incidents and that claims of an Al-Qaeda plot had yet to be substantiated.
Mali had already been excluded from the race for security reasons.
The Dakar Rally has been held uninterrupted since 1979 although there have been regular calls for its cancellation over security fears and the danger the fast-travelling vehicles pose to local populations.
Despite the decision to cancel this year’s race, organisers insisted that future editions would go ahead.
“The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy such symbols,” the ASO statement said.
“The cancellation of the 2008 race does not threaten the future of the Dakar. To propose as off next year a new adventure for all those who are passionate about rally racing is a challenge that ASO can meet.”
Race director Etienne Lavigne said it had been a crushing blow but that it was not the end of the road for the rally.
“The Dakar is reeling, but the Dakar is still on its feet.” he told disappointed participants in Lisbon. “You are the legend of the Dakar. You have made history and that history is not over”.—Agencies