All peace corp. personnel in third world countries to be evacuated between Dec 15 and Jan 15.

-- Milly (ashestoashes@death.com), December 05, 1999

Answers

Thanks, Milly.

Links? Sources? Further details?

I have been waiting for this announcement. I'll snoop around for a source, too.

-- semper paratus (always@ready.now), December 05, 1999.

checked out www.peacecorps.gov and nothing listed under news... go figure.

Milly, can you give few details regarding your source?

Thanks,

Mike

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-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), December 05, 1999.

Good luck after 1/1/00.

-- Michael (mgentry@prodigy.net), December 05, 1999.

Source: a professor at Mt. St. Mary's College, Emmitsburg Maryland and also my next door neighboor. He has two young adults in the Corps.

-- Milly (ashestoashes@death.com), December 05, 1999.

Semper, I was intrigued when you posted that you have been waiting for this. Perhaps you have friends in the corps and so your anticipation was re: their wellbeing, but is there any history of prior pull-outs that might lend some insight into what the Peace Corps may anticipate the conditions abroad to be? Interesting window to 1/15.

Anyone else have any insight into what this possible Peace Corps action might indicate?

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 05, 1999.

Hokie,

No, I have no special information on Peace Corps members. But because they are government employees spread all over the world, news of their hasty return home has been on my personal list of indicators of what the government really knows. Also on my list were State Department members in Russia.

I have expected to hear of "holiday leave" being granted to peace corps members so they could -- you know - - spend the special holiday with family.

I am still snooping for a source, but so far.......nothing.

-- semper paratus (always@ready.now), December 05, 1999.

There is a Usenet discussion group alt.peace-corps.

If there is such an order surely it will be discussed there.

FYI,

-- cgbg jr (cgbgjr@webtv.net), December 05, 1999.

The only thing I can find (so far) is:

http://www.peacecorps.gov/about/policies/y2k.html

"...Although the Peace Corps has not imposed an international ban on Volunteer travel during late December 1999 and early January 2000, Volunteers have been instructed to think carefully about flying to destinations outside their host country during this peak travel period, including the United States. They have been reminded to use common sense in planning their itinerary, as travel logistics may be extremely difficult several days before and after January 1, 2000. All Volunteers who plan to take leave between December 20, 1999 and January 15, 2000 (whether at another site in their host country, at another Peace Corps post, in the U.S., or in another country) must submit a leave request, a detailed itinerary, and emergency contact numbers one month prior to their vacation."

"In some cases, Volunteers who plan to remain in their host country will be instructed to remain at their sites with host country friends and colleagues. Other Volunteers may congregate in small groups in a regional center or may be consolidated in one large group with Peace Corps staff to welcome the New Year. The agency is reviewing each country's plan and will monitor the situation to ensure that the most prudent plans are adopted. As always, the Peace Corps will consider the suspension of operations where the safety and security of staff and Volunteers are severely compromised or the program is no longer viable."

"Friends and family wishing to visit Peace Corps Volunteers during this time should consult with the Volunteer to learn of the specific plans for the Volunteers in-country and should consult the Department of State's travel advisories before finalizing any plans."

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), December 05, 1999.