110 Vehicle Convoy to Gaza via North Africa - route seems impossbile

[Caminando]

Originally Posted by Chris Scott

"...The convoy will travel 5,000 miles through France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia..."

My instinct would be it's the usual case we see here on HU that people think it's a cool route but don't realise Mk/Alg is closed, but we'll find out soon I guess.



Ch

Hi Ch

It's evident that nearly all who posted were fully aware of border problems, and not only with Morocco/Algeria. Karim certainly stated his awareness clearly, as did others. Some expressed their hopes that the convoy would overcome such problems. The possible difficulty of Mubarak was also raised, and the associated problems of entering Egypt and leaving it for Gaza. IMO it's clear there was no "cool route " thinking.

[Chris Scott]

Many here know the Mk/Alg problem - that is why the thread was raised here - but I suggested in the rush to get going the organisers of VP may not be aware of it, assuming (as many unfamiliar with the region do; they crop up here regularly) that it is a good overland route with short (inexpensive) ferry crossings. It will put Algeria govt on the spot and so is quite provocative, even if the people right across the Maghreb and beyond are with VP. IMO Roman made a good point.

Sorry if this was not clear.

Ch

[Caminando]

Hi Chris

If you go to http://www.Viva Palestina and then click "For Drivers" you can see the major work they have already done in opening borders. There is no mention of Algeria- yet- but let's see. That absence speaks volumes.

IMO these borders will immediately close again, so any poster who may have thought they could soon follow on bikes can forget it.

PS I look forward to your new book.

[Roman]

Originally Posted by Caminando

IMO these borders will immediately close again, so any poster who may have thought they could soon follow on bikes can forget it.

That would be a shame, indeed, to exploit it. But what about carnets for Egypt? I can't find any mention about these on the VP website. Are the Egyptians going to let 100 vehicles in without carnets, then close the gap again?

[Chris Scott]

Hi Cam, yes I read that page and noted the absence of Algeria which IMO is the crux. Other stuff I read there made me think VP were not so clued up for the journey, even if the motives are right. For better or worse it is a high profile event and GG is a bright guy, but other convoys are quietly getting on with it too.
I was asked privately to respond to the question which I did publicly.

IMO these borders will immediately close again....
For sure, and that really is the end of it.

Nevertheless, I think this is an interesting discussion and look forward to following it's progress, even if it strays a little off "information about travel in the Sahara...".
But as has been noted, take it easy on the politics - or at least don't rise to any baiting that does not get zapped. I'm offline for a couple of days.

Ch

[Linzi]

Sorry, don't regard it as baiting. I just feel it very wrong to be able to arm one side while disarming the other especially, when they are so vulnerable, to put it mildly. It says so much that a volunteer convoy goes in rather than direct government help. Linzi.

[Linzi]

Yeh, but to see on TV how the Palestinians were thumped by aggresive military might makes me not only sad but angry. We watched in Kosovo and we watch here. I'd help if I could but I can't. Linzi.

[Linzi]

Good point Darren. I am very interested to follow the progress of the convoy but can't see any mention in any UK papers or with them online. I conclude that the British Government have censored this or is it really just that they don't think anyone is interested? I can't read Arabic so can only follow the convoy's own website. Hm, Linzi.

[Linzi]

Probably not censorship after all as it's not reported online in the English version of Al Jazeera either. I'm surprised. Linzi.

[CornishDaddy]

Linzi - I read about it on the bbc website before here ...... so I don't think the government are censoring it! Or if they are the cheif censor should be sacked!

BBC NEWS | UK | Gaza-bound aid convoy leaving UK

Try google news (or similar) and you will find 100s of stories about it. I think rather than censorship as you say it is more that it is not on our generally right wing press's agenda........a completely different story.

[Linzi]

Hi Ollie, thanks. I see they're mostly in Fes now. I am very interested to see what happens at the next border. On Radio 2 today I heard Piers Morgan talking of how much freer to speak out our press are than in US, so it is simply odd how little exposure they're getting. I'll check German and Swiss press next but the omission on AL Jazeera really surprised me. Linzi.

[Tim Cullis]

Conspiracy theories apart, the reality is that it's not exacty exciting news at the moment, it's just a pile of trucks driving along.

BBC UK Newsgathering covered the departure, now it's down to the Foreign Newsdesk and I expect there won't be any more BBC coverage until either the convoy reaches Gaza or something newsworthy happens.

This page on the Viva Palestina website lists the media reports and there is practically no mainsteam coverage.

It's worthwhile viewing the video of Gorgeous George speaking in Morocco (Press TV 18/02). The Moroccan authorities didn't exactly welcome a bunch of Islamic extremists (as they undoubtedly viewed them) entering the country and had the cheek to check the vehicles with sniffer dogs and a drive-through X-ray machine.

And the Moroccan authorities decided not to hold the expected welcome in Casa. Not surprising in retrospect. The Moroccans have enough problems with vocal local extremists and wouldn't want to give a platform.

[This is not meant to be a political statement, it's my interpretation of how the authorites would likely feel.]

Anyway I wish them well and have made a paypal donation.

Tim

[Linzi]

Thanks Tim. I am genuinely interested. You're right it's not mainstream interesting--not in Die Welt or Zurich Zeitung. Linzi.

[Caminando]

Those interested in how the Western media operates might care to look at the writings of Noam Chomsky. "Manufacturing Consent" springs to mind.

[coolkarim]

morocco - algeria border opens for convoy



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