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Members of Team 3C0V are in excellent health and
safe at their respective homes. The group has always operated with all
necessary legal documents to carry out an expedition to the Island
of Annob�n (Pagalu) 2003. We have: Licences of individual radio
operators for each member of the group. Written authorization from the
Minister of Transportation and Communications to visit the Island of
Annob�n for two weeks. Authorization from Malabo's Director General
of Customs to carry out a Special Temporary Importation for the import and
export of the equipment necessary for our expedition. All this information,
and the authorizations given by the Equatorial Guiney authorities to carry out
our expedition, can be seen at our website http://www.tabarca.es.mn
During our stay on the island the military
authorities interrupted our mission frequenctly in spite of the fact that we had
in our possession all neccesary permits. During our first week there, we
negotiated several times with the Military Authorities without success. On
October 3, at 10:00 GMT the Military Authorities ordered us to stop all
transmissions and dissasemble all antennas, and we were expelled from the island
in a Russian cargo plane. We were sent to Malabo with four hours notice.
Unfortunately, we could not save most of our photographic material. We only
managed to salvage a few photos. On October 6, two of our operators obtained
authorization to leave Malabo. The rest had to remain in the capital to resolve
bureaucratic formalities. On October 10, EA5BYP and EA5YN left the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. We deeply regret not having been able to fulfill the objectives of this expedition, and are very grateful for the help given us by the Associations, Clubs and individuals, as well as the kindness and friendship always given us by the people of Annob�n. We do not feel free to share any additional details about what happened in order to keep open the possiblility of future expeditions to Annobon. We hope you understand the difficult and delicate situation we went through. Nevertheless, we do not abandon hope of reactivating 3C0 when circumstances improve. A heartfelt thanks for your support. 73, ELMO team leader 3C0V--2003 |
