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Phincer · 12-11-2007, 10:06 PM

Travel Warning for Algeria, dated 9-14-2007....hmmm, sees the future the State Department does.

dcmdale · 12-11-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

Are there lots of fencing competitions in Algeria coming up..?

Several parents here have been concerned about an upcoming Grand Prix in Algiers.

oiuyt · 12-12-2007, 12:05 AM

Snippets (bold added):

Quote:

Originally Posted by US State Department Travel Warning for Algeria 9-14-07

This Travel Warning is being updated to alert U.S. citizens to recent terrorist attacks directed against foreigners in Algeria. The threat from terrorism in many areas of the country continues to pose a significant security risk. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on March 22, 2007.

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens who travel to Algeria to evaluate carefully the risk posed to their personal safety. Sustained small-scale terrorist attacks including bombings, false roadblocks, kidnappings, ambushes, and assassinations occur regularly. A roadside bomb targeted a bus transporting foreign workers of a U.S. company in the western part of Algiers in December 2006. In April 2007 three suicide bombers detonated vehicle-borne explosives outside of government buildings in Algiers. Three more suicide bomb attacks in July and September 2007 in Lakhdaria, Batna and Dellys killed more than 80 people.

The Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens avoid overland travel in the mountainous northern part of the country, and particularly in the area stretching from Algiers east to the Tunisian border.

The U.S. Government considers the potential threat to U.S. Embassy personnel assigned to Algiers sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under strict security restrictions. These practices limit, and may occasionally prevent, the movement of U.S. Embassy officials in certain areas of the country. The Government of Algeria requires U.S. Embassy personnel traveling outside the province of Algiers or to the Casbah within Algiers to seek permission and to have a security escort. Travel to the military zone established around the Hassi Messaoud oil center requires Government of Algeria authorization. U.S. Government personnel are permitted by the Embassy to move freely in many areas in the center of Algiers, but are required to maintain prudent security practices. Travel by personnel to areas of the city outside this zone requires prior coordination with the Embassy’s Regional Security Office. American visitors are encouraged to contact the Embassy’s Consular Section for the most recent safety and security information concerning travel in the city of Algiers.

The Department of State cautions Americans who reside or travel in Algeria to take prudent security measures while in the country, including making provisions for reliable and experienced logistical support. This support should include being met upon arrival and accompanied for the duration of the visit. Visitors should ensure that tour operators and host organizations perform all notifications and coordination with Algerian police and security officials during their stay. Visitors to Algeria are advised to stay only in hotels where adequate security is provided. All visitors to Algeria should remain alert and adhere to prudent security practices such as avoiding predicable travel patterns and maintaining a low profile.

Sounds like a fun place.

-B

Capt. Slo-mo · 12-12-2007, 02:08 AM

And yet, when you raise the issue with some coaches/fencing professionals, you get the same kind of blank, incredulous stare as if you had said: "I think I'll sew a tu-tu on my knickers and become the Queen of May!"

They just don't get it...not everyone is blithely willing to risk life and limb, just because it's double FIE points.

Phincer · 12-12-2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Slo-mo

And yet, when you raise the issue with some coaches/fencing professionals, you get the same kind of blank, incredulous stare as if you had said: "I think I'll sew a tu-tu on my knickers and become the Queen of May!"

They just don't get it...not everyone is blithely willing to risk life and limb, just because it's double FIE points.

I owe you a beer.

journalmom · 12-12-2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Slo-mo

They just don't get it...not everyone is blithely willing to risk life and limb, just because it's double FIE points.

I think it's triple FIE points if you can block a bomb with your weapon. Quadruple if it's a foil.

Capt. Slo-mo · 12-12-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phincer

I owe you a beer.

MMMMM....beer. If you're coming to the Div 1 champs in Portlandia this spring, we'll go to the Widmer Brothers brewpub and hoist one!

Phincer · 12-12-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Slo-mo

MMMMM....beer. If you're coming to the Div 1 champs in Portlandia this spring, we'll go to the Widmer Brothers brewpub and hoist one!

I smell a party....Mo, Journalmom...and a host of others...

Keep your fingers crossed!

VorpalCat · 12-12-2007, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Slo-mo

"I think I'll sew a tu-tu on my knickers and become the Queen of May!"

Pictures, please!

Mo · 12-14-2007, 01:37 AM

After talking to an ombudsman for the USOC, and officials from the USFA, we found out that no athlete in Fencing can be forced to go to a meet where they fear for their personal safety.
There are a lot of really good people in the USFA and the USOC. They are doing the best they can. Michael Massik and especially Nancy Anderson respond to serious requests in an amazingly fast manner.
I went to the USFA offices while we were in Colorado Springs. They are TINY!!! The work they put out of there especially with the 'puter they have, the one held together with duct tape, is quite an achievement.
Thanks USFA!!

There are some changes on the horizon.
The Momster

journalmom · 12-14-2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo

After talking to an ombudsman for the USOC, and officials from the USFA, we found out that no athlete in Fencing can be forced to go to a meet where they fear for their personal safety.
There are a lot of really good people in the USFA and the USOC. They are doing the best they can. Michael Massik and especially Nancy Anderson respond to serious requests in an amazingly fast manner.
I went to the USFA offices while we were in Colorado Springs. They are TINY!!! The work they put out of there especially with the 'puter they have, the one held together with duct tape, is quite an achievement.
Thanks USFA!!

There are some changes on the horizon.
The Momster

Whew! What a relief for you. No matter how important fencing is, I wouldn't think that risking your life was worth a tournament. I'm glad USFA sees it that way too.

And to think that I originally posted the question regarding international fencing, way back when, because I was just concerned with money spent, ego bruised, time spent traveling and possibly not getting anything out of the whole experience. Never mind about safety!

Thanks for shedding the light on the subject.

Should we pass a can around to collect money for a new puter for USFA? And I thought they collected enough money from me!

leftyboy · 12-20-2007, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Slo-mo

Go the the FIE website: www.fie.ch

Select EN at the upper right hand corner (unless you read French!)

Go the the bar menu at the top of the page, select competitions, and then calendar from the pull down menu.

In the criteria for search boxes, select Senior, your weapon, your gender, "individual" for event, and under type, select A candidacy or satellite (you may need to do both, one at a time) and see what comes up.

It'll give you a list of meets and places and dates. There may be a PDF icon or website icon at the end of the meet line that can send you to more information about the meet.

Then, if you're interested in one or more, contact Corinne Greenman at the USFA and see if you can register for the list of US fencers. There will be deadline issues, so inquire at least a couple months before the event.

How far ahead should you inquire? This intrigues me.

oiuyt · 12-20-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leftyboy

How far ahead should you inquire? This intrigues me.

A list of events with registration deadlines (for having notified USFencing) is available at http://www.usfencing.org/usfa/content/view/2143/143/

-B

leftyboy · 12-20-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oiuyt

A list of events with registration deadlines (for having notified USFencing) is available at http://www.usfencing.org/usfa/content/view/2143/143/

-B

Thanks!

OMCEPKEN · 02-10-2008, 11:07 PM

If you do decide to travel, write ahead to a good club in the area so that you can get lessons and fence at the club before and after the tournament. That will be far greater experience than a single tournament can provide...better to get the feel by taking a little time. Don't forget to tour around...the world is a big place. Fencing is a way to see it all, but keep your head on your shoulders.