Potholers

**Maggy** · 26-03-2004, 08:46

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3570269.stm

Why is the Mexican President so concerned and raising a stink?Because half of thhe 'team' are members of the British Armed Forces.

So now soldiers,sailors and flyboys aren't allowed to have interesting hobbies in their own time and conduct them in foriegn climates as citizens?

I've not heard of one potholing expedition that has been undertaken as part of ANY miltary strategy.It's an unreliable method of invading a government anyway especially as so many potholers end up having to get help to extricate themselves alive.

Anyway just what could anybody be hiding in a underwater cave with the inherent dangers of underground rivers flooding.

I wonder what political kudos the president is seeking out of this?

Incog.

Well I've had my say.What's your take?

Matuka · 26-03-2004, 09:07

Its a massive cave system & I wish I ws there (but without the getting stuck bit!)

Julian · 26-03-2004, 09:18

I think if all is revealed you will find they were all military personnel on " adventure training "

The team sent out to "rescue" them were also military.

**Maggy** · 26-03-2004, 09:21

SO? What possible significence has that?

Just what is getting the Mexican's Presidents knickers in such a twist?Surely there are other issues that he should be dealing with that have much more importance?

Julian · 26-03-2004, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

SO? What possible significence has that?

Just what is getting the Mexican's Presidents knickers in such a twist?Surely there are other issues that he should be dealing with that have much more importance?

He's probably grizzly that his permission wasn't sought before another country performed a military training exercise in his country.

As you rightly say Incog, there must be far more important things he should be dealing with. Still, we all know his name now don't we.

**Maggy** · 26-03-2004, 09:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julian

He's probably grizzly that his permission wasn't sought before another country performed a military training exercise in his country.

As you rightly say Incog, there must be far more important things he should be dealing with. Still, we all know his name now don't we.

I still can't see how potholing comes under the heading of a military maneuver.

Ramrod · 26-03-2004, 09:58

I think they were up to something, the military people weren't even on leave...

Julian · 26-03-2004, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

I think they were up to something, the military people weren't even on leave...

And...

Quote:

The cavers declined local offers of rescue, instead preferring to wait for two specialist British divers who flew to Mexico to escort them out.

**Maggy** · 26-03-2004, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

I think they were up to something, the military people weren't even on leave...

What were they up to?Drowning?

Mind I am fascinated by the underground radio they used but as that is no secret and the blue prints are available freely to anyone to develop I can't see that as the reason to claim any secrecy?

Anyway if they were UP to summat why Mexico?Hardly the spy country of the world is it?I can think of lots of different countries where it might be an idea to be spying but NOT Mexico.

Julian · 26-03-2004, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognitas

What were they up to?Drowning?

Mind I am fascinated by the underground radio they used but as that is no secret and the blue prints are available freely to anyone to develop I can't see that as the reason to claim any secrecy?

Anyway if they were UP to summat why Mexico?Hardly the spy country of the world is it?I can think of lots of different countries where it might be an idea to be spying but NOT Mexico.

I don't think they were spying Incog, just using the cave systems there for training.

Maybe it is a bit like when they go to Norway or whereever for skiing training.

26-03-2004, 11:14

What did they declare as being their reason for entering to country?

Why didnt anyone know they were there potholeing?

Julian · 26-03-2004, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary_580

What did they declare as being their reason for entering to country?

Why didnt anyone know they were there potholeing?

They all entered the country on tourist visas.

I guess there were certain people who did know they were potholing m8.

26-03-2004, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julian

They all entered the country on tourist visas.

I guess there were certain people who did know they were potholing m8.

exactly my point

peachey · 26-03-2004, 11:45

by chance I am reading this book at the moment

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...261852-4609452

I think that's the same place!

danielf · 26-03-2004, 12:02

If this exercise was part of their military training (however trivial), they are on dodgy grounds. The British military can't just go and train in another nation without declaring it/asking permission. If this is just a case of people pursuing their hobbies it's another matter, but if the whole team were military who were not on leave, and the rescuers were as well it does look like military training on a tourist visa and the Mexicans have every right to complain.