We had a circular from the FCO at work saying the terror threat has been raised to high in the UAE. Anyone else get anything similar? Their website is down so I can't read the detail but imagine it is fairly bland.

From FCO:

Still current at: 15 June 2008
Updated: 14 June 2008


Travel Summary

* The vast majority of visits to the UAE are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in the UAE in 2007 was for dealing with arrests or detentions, mostly related to alcohol or drugs. There is a zero tolerance policy towards such offences and the penalties can be severe: for example, driving after consuming even the tiniest amount of alcohol or drugs can result in imprisonment. See the Local Laws and Customs section of this advice for more details.

* There is a high threat from terrorism. We believe terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks in the UAE. Attacks could be indescriminate and could happen at any time, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests. You should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places.

* The penalties for drug trafficking, drug smuggling and drug possession of even residual amounts of drugs are severe. There is a zero tolerance policy towards drugs, including any found in the system. Care should also be taken about the import of prescription drugs and some over-the-counter drugs. See the Local Laws and Customs section of this advice for more details.

* We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a high threat from terrorism. We believe terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks in the UAE. Attacks could be indescriminate and could happen at any time, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests. You should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Has the terrorism threat just been raised, can't remember it being at that level before??

There were some non-specific threats made recently against Western interests in the Gulf by some AQ-affiliated bunch in Yemen, IIRC.

That said, the FCO advice mentions the threat of terrorism on almost every country you care to check.

For example: Belgium.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-...europe/belgium

Not quite as specific, but still mentioned.

Covering their arses then.

There goes the Jumeriah Beach Hotel summer bookings...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...cle1296852.ece

Hmm. Wonder what it's based on? Mind you, you're more likely to die on the roads here than in a random bomb blast. Unless they're planning on the scale of 9-11.....

page 3 is blocked....

Outrageous. Get yourself a vpn and spend the day lookin at porn.....

as if...

A man can dream, can't he?

No page 3 on this one I'm afraid.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7456547.stm

so does this want to make you leave...will you tell friends not to come visit...does it affect your life...will you do things differently from now on...

Working in the UAE equivalent of the twin towers, I feel slightly nervous. Particularly as security here is so slack. Or more or less nonexistent.

it's not like it's any more dangerous than london...and no one is shitting their knickers there as far as i can see...talk about double standards...

MM, xx

oh let's hope so, might have the place to myself for a change...

MM, xx