US targets Sahara 'terrorist haven'

[Eugene]

Last Updated: Monday, 8 August, 2005, 07:20 GMT 08:20 UK

US targets Sahara 'terrorist haven'
By Catherine Fellows
BBC, Mauritania

The US military has just concluded a major training operation in the
Sahel region south of the Sahara desert, which it describes as its
biggest exercise in Africa since World War Two.

Washington believes the Sahara desert is a vast ungoverned wasteland
and, hence, a haven for terrorists.

But critics say the US is exaggerating the threat and fomenting
trouble.

Up to 1,000 US personnel and the armed forces of seven countries in
the region took part in Flintlock 2005, a counter-terrorism training
operation.

The exercise's fictional scenario involved a terrorist group being
chased across national borders from Mauritania in the west, through
to Mali, Niger and finally Chad.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4749357.stm

[jeff30997]

1. And what about Benny Laden ?

:shrug:

[Frederik]

2. CheneyCo have their sights set on Africa

There may be important unexplored oil reserves in countries like Mauretania. Africa is the next frontier in the resource grab, bet on it.

[rodeodance]

3. yes, aftrica as the new potenitial oil grab--already 'securing' it??