Posted on 11/29/2004 12:34:16 PM PST by yonif
The Israeli-owned Paradise Hotel in Indian Ocean port of Mombassa, Kenya reopened Sunday exactly two years after hotel was the target of a suicide car bombing attack.
Three suicide bombers rammed their car into the Israeli-owned Paradise Hotel in November 2002, killing Noy and Dvir Anter, 12 and 13, Albert DeHaville, 60, and nine others, and wounding 80.
At about the same time, terrorists fired at least two missiles at an Arkia airliner carrying 261 passengers as it took off from Mombassa's airport for Israel. The missiles narrowly missed, and the plane landed safely at Ben-Gurion Airport approximately five hours later.
A previously unknown terrorist group, 'The Army of Palestine,' issued a statement in Beirut claiming responsibility. However, the complexity of the attacks cast suspicion on Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network, which bombed two US embassies in east Africa and killed 231 people four years ago.
Local government official Chelimo Cheboi said, "I am proud to inform you that the Paradise hotel was reopened today.
"This is a great to pleasure to the Government and the people who live around the facility," AFP reported.
The Kilifi district commissioner added, "I would like to inform you that the Government has tightened security around the facility and we hope it will be efficient."
The hotel's reconstruction cost Israeli investors NIS 160 million, The Sunday Nation, a leading Kenyan newspaper reported.
The 350-guest capacity hotel has two wings. One wing is complete and ready to accommodate 180 visitors while the other wing, for 186 guests, will be ready in the next few weeks.
According to the Sunday Nation, a representative of the Israeli investor group, Mr Hanan Adin, said the reconstruction of the hotel has been going on for the last one-and-a-half years, offering employment to area residents.
The hotel has set out the front offices, which were bombed and heavily damaged, as a monument and all the names of those who perished in the blast will be put there complete with their brief history.
Mr Adin also revealed that the Israeli community in the country would convert one of the unused buildings into a charity medical clinic for residents.
Stalked by Roland and Warren, I'm sure.
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