Egypt - Is it safe? any thoughts?

Shivvv

Hi

Its looking like I'm going to have to go to Cairo for a couple of weeks for work. I work for a big American multi-national organisation and I'm wondering what anyone has heard about the safety or lack of it in Egypt at the moment.

This is what the Dept. Of Foreign Affairs has to say:
Irish citizens should be aware that there is a very serious threat of terrorism in Egypt. The bomb attacks in Sharm-al-Sheikh on 23 July follow three separate incidents in Cairo in April 2005 in which tourist areas were targeted. Notwithstanding the stringent measures taken by the Egyptian authorities to safeguard visitors, Irish citizens should exercise great caution and maintain a high level of vigilance, especially in commercial establishments and public areas, including tourist sites. They should also monitor local developments, avoid crowds and demonstrations, and follow the advice of their tour operators as well as the local authorities.

Any advice or comments would be welcome.

Thanks.

HelterSkelter

Well my bro was there on holiers just after the bombings and there were no problems. He felt safe there.

The thing I would be worried about is the fact you work for an American company. Got to be a higher risk for attack.

Lex_Diamonds

I think in the grand scheme of things you'd be fine. That passage you quoted seems to be erring on the side of scare the **** out of anyone reading this.

Dont forget there are hundreds if not thousands of contractors working daily in Iraq who never see any trouble. Egypt is an order of magnitude safer than Iraq.

Shivvv

Thanks to both of you for replying.... and for pretty much confirming what I was thinking myself. I think it'd be a great oportunity and I'm really looking forward to it... I just got a touch of the heebejeebies when I read that advice on the Dept. of Foreign Affairs website and when a few of my colleagues made "rather you than me"-type comments

Lex_Diamonds

Learn a few words of Arabic too maybe. Can't hurt.