Sudan coup

[Boac]

The final phase will surely be when the media lead with how every other country did it better than the British.

Err - 'when'??

I suspect dear James was 'too busy' keeping himself (unsuccessfully) in line for DPM to 'notice' the situation developing in Sudan.

[Pinky the pilot]

Here in Australia it has been reported on the 'meedja' that .."Australian Citizens are demanding that Prime Minister Albanese get them out of Sudan....."

I noted from some TV News reports that the people concerned are all youngish and obviously came from that area in the first place. From the accents of those interviewed I'd hazard a guess that they were mostly all born there as well.

[Mrs Ex-Ascot]

This is a well written comment IMO: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/columnists/ ... blown.html

[tango15]

This is a well written comment IMO: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/columnists/ ... blown.html

I agree. That, for once, is a refreshingly accurate article in the Mail. The ever-increasing British sense of entitlement is well to the fore, it seems. I watched an RAF Atlas out of Akrotiri yesterday. It arrived about 15nm due north of the Sudan A/F base they are using and then did about eight circuits before continuing, with a further circuit en route. I imagine there is the threat of surface-to-air attack, coupled with considerable logistical difficulties on the airfield itself, so this is no easy undertaking.

Sadly, we live in a world where hostage-taking of Westerners is seen as a legitimate exercise in many countries and we do not know what intelligence the embassy might have picked up about the possibility of this. I was once working with an embassy when a member of the staff was murdered while on duty and it sent shockwaves through the whole diplomatic community, not just the UK. In this case, there was no warning, and no intelligence to suggest that the person who was murdered was at risk.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/782245.stm

[tango15]

I see that an RAF C-17 heading from Akrotiri to Port Sudan has diverted to Jeddah. Not squawking the emergency code, so I assume that they've been advised not to continue to Sudan for the moment.

[Pontius Navigator]

Shortly after Belize was threatened with invasion we met one of the Ops Officers responsible for getting the reinforcement under way. I think he was in Ascot Ops and got the call from Air Force Ops.

I think at the time AFO had contingency plans for just about everywhere and the same for Ascot no doubt. This chap said however "where?". Of course British Honduras might have been better.

I guess both those roles have been subsumed by Air Command or is Northwood the top neddy?

[Woody]

Sadly, we live in a world where hostage-taking of Westerners is seen as a legitimate exercise in many countries and we do not know what intelligence the embassy might have picked up about the possibility of this. I was once working with an embassy when a member of the staff was murdered while on duty and it sent shockwaves through the whole diplomatic community, not just the UK. In this case, there was no warning, and no intelligence to suggest that the person who was murdered was at risk.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/782245.stm

I was part of the team that met the arrival from Athens, when murdered Attache was returned to the UK on a BA flight into LGW, once all pax bags had been removed, the aircraft was towed to the cargo area and the coffin was removed with full Military Honours

[tango15]

Sadly, we live in a world where hostage-taking of Westerners is seen as a legitimate exercise in many countries and we do not know what intelligence the embassy might have picked up about the possibility of this. I was once working with an embassy when a member of the staff was murdered while on duty and it sent shockwaves through the whole diplomatic community, not just the UK. In this case, there was no warning, and no intelligence to suggest that the person who was murdered was at risk.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/782245.stm

I was part of the team that met the arrival from Athens, when murdered Attache was returned to the UK on a BA flight into LGW, once all pax bags had been removed, the aircraft was towed to the cargo area and the coffin was removed with full Military Honours

That's good to know, Woody. Hadn't heard that before. Stephen Saunders was a friend, and in fact, I was due to have lunch with him that day. A nicer family you could not wish to meet. We were told to get out of town for a few days while the whole thing settled down, which we were happy to do.

[John Hill]

Not really an ambassador but certainly representing HM at that location.

Mid '70's we sailed a small yacht across the Pacific and called in at Christmas Island, as one does.

We sailed into the lagoon, anchored and raised our 'Q' flag, and waited. Eventually a dinghy was seen coming our way with one chap manning the outboard (British Seagull no doubt) and another chap dressed in a yellowing white tropical outfit. He had a complexion indicating too much exposure to the sun, or something.

They came within hailing distance and he shouted to us "If you are yanks without papers you can far cough".

Quite a jovial chap and soon did his duty with the rubber stamp, then we had a drink or two.

[OneHungLow]

It would appear so Mr Lo but only because of the location, my bitch has nothing to do with colour ,creed or religion only behaviour. I get annoyed when I read about people who have acquired a British Passport many years ago, given it little value but put it safe 'just in case'. A situation like now comes along and the passport becomes worthwhile and the British are expected to perform.
If things don't happen as soon as wanted, people start complaining that they are being forgotten and feed their complaints to the media. I am sure the majority will eventually be rescued and then we will move on to phase two with the details of how it should have been done. The final phase will surely be when the media lead with how every other country did it better than the British.

AS an aside.. Up here on the Humber we are considered to be one of the poorest cum roughest parts off the UK but if you save up to go into the best fish and chip cafe, which many do, you will be given a fish knife and I am pleased to say that the locals are very good at handling the skinny little knives!

My heart breaks for you poor people!

Always use, a big knife, when eating or otherwise, or better a gun, in that kind of situation.

Having seen lilly white British arses pulled out of the mire in Africa, by "black" Africans, a little humility on your part might just be appropriate. But men of generation don't do that, do they?

You are British, or you are not? What are you sir?

I am proud to be British, and so you should you be, and we should respect and give equal value to every citizen in this fine Kingdom!

[John Hill]

You are British, or you are not? What are you sir?

I think my "Britishness" was cancelled in 1977 (New Zealand's Citizenship Act 1977). We continued to eat our fish and chips without utensils although posh folks are known to tear off a piece of the paper wrapper to use in lieu of.

[OneHungLow]

You are British, or you are not? What are you sir?

I think my "Britishness" was cancelled in 1977 (New Zealand's Citizenship Act 1977). We continued to eat our fish and chips without utensils although posh folks are known to tear off a piece of the paper wrapper to use in lieu of.

You bunch of New Zealand slackers are to be forgiven, lack of fish eating etiquette, notwithstanding, for your rugby and aircraft restoration skills.

For the rest, I prescribe a daily dose of "Once were Warriors!!

[OneHungLow]

Watch the Sikh gentleman. Is he not good enough for you?

If not, Christ, people with such opinions disgust me.

You bastards let these men down...

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/202 ... fghanistan

[John Hill]

We had Gurkhas guarding the building and keeping us safe in Baghdad in 2003. Nice chaps too!

[OneHungLow]

We had Gurkhas guarding the building and keeping us safe in Baghdad in 2003. Nice chaps too!

John you Kiwis treat people with respect.

This country has shoved its bigoted face into the arse of fascism.

[prospector]

"We had Gurkhas guarding the building and keeping us safe in Baghdad in 2003."
Who did you have to be kept safe from in 2003?

[John Hill]

"We had Gurkhas guarding the building and keeping us safe in Baghdad in 2003."
Who did you have to be kept safe from in 2003?

Baghdad 2003, how fast history fades.

[Rwy in Sight]

Sadly, we live in a world where hostage-taking of Westerners is seen as a legitimate exercise in many countries and we do not know what intelligence the embassy might have picked up about the possibility of this. I was once working with an embassy when a member of the staff was murdered while on duty and it sent shockwaves through the whole diplomatic community, not just the UK. In this case, there was no warning, and no intelligence to suggest that the person who was murdered was at risk.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/782245.stm

I was part of the team that met the arrival from Athens, when murdered Attache was returned to the UK on a BA flight into LGW, once all pax bags had been removed, the aircraft was towed to the cargo area and the coffin was removed with full Military Honours

That's good to know, Woody. Hadn't heard that before. Stephen Saunders was a friend, and in fact, I was due to have lunch with him that day. A nicer family you could not wish to meet. We were told to get out of town for a few days while the whole thing settled down, which we were happy to do.

A small change in the conversation here, but no doubt the murder of the Attache was one critical moment in modern (post 1974) history. The Greek government decided to ask for help to tracking down the main terrorist organization and in exchange the said organisation was practically delivered in the police headquarters. The incompetent minister responsible for the police back then still enjoys good ratings (if I may say so) for dismantling the gang.

T15 any plans to return as tourist to Athens?

[Dushan]

It would appear so Mr Lo but only because of the location, my bitch has nothing to do with colour ,creed or religion only behaviour. I get annoyed when I read about people who have acquired a British Passport many years ago, given it little value but put it safe 'just in case'. A situation like now comes along and the passport becomes worthwhile and the British are expected to perform.
If things don't happen as soon as wanted, people start complaining that they are being forgotten and feed their complaints to the media. I am sure the majority will eventually be rescued and then we will move on to phase two with the details of how it should have been done. The final phase will surely be when the media lead with how every other country did it better than the British.

AS an aside.. Up here on the Humber we are considered to be one of the poorest cum roughest parts off the UK but if you save up to go into the best fish and chip cafe, which many do, you will be given a fish knife and I am pleased to say that the locals are very good at handling the skinny little knives!

Agree with you 1DC. Which part of this did they not understand...

SUDAN - AVOID ALL TRAVEL
Avoid all travel to Sudan due to armed conflict, civil unrest and the volatile security situation.

[1DC]

I'm not quite sure what set Mr Lo off really, Dushan but I reckon he is a very nice man really. When I was last in New Zealand I had fish and chips at a little port on the South Island and I ate them with my fingers, it was just like eating them with your fingers on the Humber! you could eat inside in the chip shop in NZ but I don't know if they provided knives and forks if you did so.