Please can i have an OPINION!!!?

[gashbag]

Hello Guys,

I am desperately seeking advice from anyone who knows..I am due to leave for Bahrain next week to live and work there..obviously as you can imagine I am very worried about moving there because of the war..I just want an honest opinion from any person who has information as to whether or not i am making a wise move...I am seeing all sorts on the news etc right now and its putting me off..i dont have any friends in that area who i could get advice from so any help would be great. thankyou. Gashbag.:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Backwater]

In my opinion you'll be safer in Bahrain than London, or wherever you're from. The media are having a field day with this subject which among other things serves to panic people. If your reasons for accepting a job in the Gulf region were solid, then I see no reason to change your mind now. You'll probably never look back...

[squiffers]

Gashbag,

Couldn't agree more with Backwater. The media hype has always amazed me.

Have lived in Bahrain now for nearly 10 years complete with family. During that time there have been a number of local upsets, but have never felt threatened. Also know personally many expats who continued to live here throughout the last drama in 91 quite safely.

I feel sure you will see more replies with similar views

[ironbutt57]

Media hype is all it is, been her 12+ years myself..no major worries either:cool:

[CaptSnails]

Gashbag (Jesus what a name, did your parents not like you as a child?)

All the crap you hear on the news is so they make everyting sound serious and sell news. Bahrain is a great place, no problems here at all and frankley I doubt we will even know a war is going on.

What type of work will you be doing here in Bahrain?

[mutt]

I find it interesting that the US Gov are advising people to leave Israel, but not Bahrain......

March 17, 2003
Dear Citizen,

Please be advised that U.S. Missions in Kuwait, Syria and Israel have gone on Ordered Departure status. The Department of State has strongly urged American citizens currently in Kuwait, Syria, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, to depart immediately.

Your attention is drawn to the State Department's web-site, http://travel.state.gov, for information concerning the State Department's decision to go to Ordered Departure for Kuwait, Israel and Syria.

Sincerely,

Mark Marrano
Consular Chief
American Embassy Abu Dhabi

[newswatcher]

Mutt,

US Citizens in Bahrain, went on "voluntary departure" basis on 12th February.

the Department of State has authorized the departure of family members and non-emergency personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain on a voluntary basis. Private U.S. citizens in Bahrain should evaluate rigorously their own security situation and should consider departing.

The same warning was given for UAE on 10th March.

[gashbag]

Thankyou for taking time out to reply. I think the main reason i am so anxious is to do with the news,papers,media,everything...can i just ask you NEWSWATCHER? do u think it is a dangerous place to be? i would still really value any more comments.i am almost sure that i will go to Bahrain..it makes me feel better getting some real idea of life in Bahrain.thanks guys!:O

[swede-basher]

UK FO have updated and added both Bahrain and Jordan to the list of "consider leavings"

[thegypsy]

Gashbag Only you can decide ,No one elses opinion is worth a jot one way or the other.
If you stay in UK and you happen to be passing when a bomb goes off then you would have been better off going to Bahrain but if you go to Bahrain and a missile from Saddam lands near you then Ironbutts got it wrong!:p

Ironbutts . You should know that in your kind of volatile area you never can be that sure. I remember not so many years ago when there was big trouble in Bahrain between the two factions and many deaths in the centre of Bahrain. I remember hearing the exploding gas cylinders .

The Foreign Office has now advised all citizens to leave Bahrain and Jordan.Take it or leave it as you see it .

[gashbag]

Hi GYPSEY,
i know only i can decide what to do .however i just wanted some different opinions on this...like i said b4 i know nobody in Bahrain who i can ask..all i have is the news to watch to find out..its easy to say only i can decide.this i know!! its a tough decision....i just wanted some idea of how life is over there from people who actually are living there and know the truth! thats all.:confused:

[A300Man]

Perfectly safe Gashbag. And probably safer than in Europe. I wouldn't be here otherwise.

[ironbutt57]

Thanx Gypsy, I'll take that under advisement:rolleyes: anyway as far as probabilities go, it's probably as safe a place as any, more so than any inner city USA is for sure..sure a scud may make it here, happened last Gulf War..must have missed the part about the deaths caused by the gas cylinder explosions..was here and heard 'em though, even got mine one stolen! Anyway..It's dangerous to be born, you could die.:} :}

[newswatcher]

Gashbag, I am chuffed about your confidence in me, but my interest in the Middle East is limited. I suggest that mutt or A300man are worth listening to.

Good luck!

[A300Man]

Thanks Newswatcher.

Gashbag - as I said above, it's perfectly safe, in my opinion, to be in the region right now. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here.

[mutt]

it's perfectly safe

I wouldnt go that far, but i do think that the risk of living here is acceptable. There is still the risk of "individuals" venting their anger on the nearest westerner.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who are heading north tonight.

Mutt.