By Admin1 (admin) on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 12:40 pm: Edit Post |
A Volunteer reports on the coup attempt in Mauritania
On our way to the bureau, the driver, Omar, pointed out the areas of contention and where the battle lines had been drawn -- much closer to my house than I had thought! The rebels had managed to shut down the radio and TV stations and the airport. The streets were empty, except for a few curious residents looking out from the entryways to their homes. When we arrived at the Peace Corps bureau, we were told the bureau would be our home until further notice. We helped ourselves to U.S. military meals ready to eat and watched films on one of the bureau's laptop computers in the country director's office. Her office is equipped with steel doors and heavy-duty deadbolt locks. Thank goodness we have yet to test them!Congratulations to the Peace Corps for handling the situation in Mauritania so well. Read the story at: