Kuwait NB

[whisper]

Does anyone have any advice on the safety of Kuwait at present.
No2 son is at university doing Politics and hopes to specialise next year on Middle Eastern politics.
The university has an arrangement with its counterpart in Kuwait whereby 2 students are able to go over there for a week-10 days to get an idea of their political organisation.
He doesn't know whether to go, as the Foreign Office are a bit ambivalent towards the place at the moment.
Any thoughts oh Wise Ones ?

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[BrendanS]

If he's level headed sort, encourage him to go, it's an opportunity not many get. Certainly no worse than visiting Columbia, Israel, Russia, or even parts of New Orleans, New York, London or Manchester, if sensible and take correct precautions.

It's not a long visit, so probably won't be allowed to wander off into dangerous areas.

Personal choice for him, and understand that, as we used to have US employees who wouldn't visit many countries when risk was perceived as high, so I used to be asked often if I would go instead. I'd happily go, and have never had any major problems

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[hlb]

Well it was safe enough in 1978. Have not been since. But like Brendan says, most places are safe enough if your sencible.

<hr width=100% size=1> No one can force me to come here. I'm a volunteer!!.

Haydn

 

[Gordonmc]

With the number of coalition troops 'n spooks in Kuwait at the moment its probably the safest country in the middle east... especially as the Kuwaities themselves have more reason than most to support the West.

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[Bergman]

Surprised it takes a week - 10 days to get an idea of Kuwaiti politics

I would have though half an hour would cover it

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[Its_Only_Money]

Foreign Office website has the official status and advice. Just noticed on Yahoo that they have a report that the British Embassy in Kuwait is reiterating its level of high alert to known UK citizens in the country. Might be worth checking on the advice for all the gulf states and comparing to get an idea of the relative risk.

Personally I'd be happy with travel to Kuwait but I'd turn down Saudi at the moment...
Our daughter went on a trip to Moscow in between the metro bombs, worrying for us but they all had a great time!

<hr width=100% size=1>Rgds

Simon
Its Only Money
Fairline Sprint
Solent-based

 

[Jim44]

I know some people that live in Kuwait and only come back to the UK for holidays or if it get risky, They have not been back becuase of risk for some time, so I would say it was safe at the moment. I believe they run the English school/museum out there.

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[whisper]

Thanks all for your thoughts.
He's had a long chat with the F.O. and with a friend out there in the RAF. Both scources state that he'd be daft to go unless it was absolutely necessary. Trip is therefore "on hold" for a year.

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