TALIPAO, Philippines (2 Oct 2000) -- The Malaysian navy has deployed more than 20 ships and over 2,000 soldiers to the Borneo Sabah region in an effort to guard Sipadan, Pandanan and other dive resorts against more kidnappings by Al-Qaeda-linked Muslim terrorists. Troops and police have been stationed on the Sabah coast and on resort islands where Abu Sayyaf rebels have twice abducted dive tourists and dive resort staff in the past few months. Damed If You Do - Damned If You Don't With most dive resorts empty or close to it and some considering shutting down permanently, the Malaysian government has finally decided to act decisively to increase security in the region. But the cure may be worse than the disease. | | Sipadan hostages No matter how good the diving is, dive resorts that have been transformed into fortified military posts surrounded by heavily armed patrol vessels are images certain to turn away most dive travelers. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
