[s-cars] No '08 Dakar AW article

[David Kase]

The organizer of the annual Dakar Rally has canceled this year's 
event--planned to start on Saturday and run to Jan. 20--due to fears 
regarding safety after terrorist actions and threats against the rally.

Three men believed to be linked to Al Qaeda killed four French tourists 
in Mauritania in Africa on Dec. 24. The rally was set to spend eight 
days in Mauritania, and organizer ASO feared it would be unable to 
guarantee the safety of participants and others involved in the nearly 
6000-mile trek.

The cancellation is the first in the rally's 30 years. The ASO says 
future Dakar events are not at risk.

"Based on the current international political tension and the murder of 
four French tourists [on] Dec. 24 linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in 
Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched 
directly against the race by terrorist organizations," the ASO said in a 
statement. "No other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event 
could be taken by A.S.O.

"A.S.O.'s first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that 
of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and 
professional competitors, of the technical-assistance personnel, of the 
journalists, partners and rally collaborators. A.S.O. therefore 
reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will 
never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally.

"A.S.O. condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard 
work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different 
actors of the world's biggest off-road rally. Aware of the huge 
frustration, especially in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, 
and beyond the general disappointment and the huge economical 
consequences in terms of direct and indirect repercussions for the 
countries visited, A.S.O. will continue to defend the major values of 
great sporting events and will carry on its engagement for a durable 
development through the Actions Dakar, started five years ago in 
sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.

"The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation 
of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. To offer 
for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally [participants] is a 
challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to 
its engagement and its passion for sports."