Saul, again you hit the nail right on the head. I share your views that our
people have more political maturity than they are often given credit for. I
have no doubt whatsoever that left to the Gambians alone (no tampering from
Yaya and his thugs), APRC will be routed at the polls.
I am also totally in support of your reiteration of the urgency with which
we need to work to support the Opposition back home. We should all be
prepared to contribute in terms of both cash and ideas to support the
Opposition. There is a tremendous amount of work being done by the folks in
the Diaspora, but we need to do more.
As I told Jassey-Conteh, I applaud the Atlanta idea; especially the
fundraising aspects. It complements the great job the people in London are
doing. But I hope people are not underestimating the task ahead. We have to
be vigilant and devote all our energies to this problem. So long as Yaya
remains in power, our children's lives are in jeopardy.
I hope that once the by-elections is out of the way, the genuine Opposition
back home will liaise with organizations such as MRDG(UK) and MRDG(NY) and
the Atlanta folks and speak with a united voice and tell us what needs to be
done. I am not a rich man, but I would certainly contribute more than the
$100 you mentioned.
Thanks again for stepping to the plate with your brilliant contributions.
KB
>From: saul khan <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Opposition UDP Candidates Rout APRC at the Polls.
>Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2001 19:13:31 -0000
>
>Kb,
>
>I hear you! But rest assured that the criminals WILL BE routed in both
>Kiang
>and Baddibu on Saturday. What some of us fail to realize is that though our
>rural folks may not be as "sophisticated" as urban dwellers, they're
>generally speaking more reliable in terms of their promises, or patronage.
>In other words, they're very honorable people by and large. If truth be
>told, outside of the Fonis, Yaya has more support in Banjul and Serrekunda
>than anywhere else in that country. These are the areas we NEED to worry
>about. If they would shun Yaya's money or other material enticements, we'll
>have another Kenneth Kaunda-Fred Chiluba scenario in October(incumbent prez
>20%, challenger 70%+.) But we still have too many "funny" characters
>concentrated in our urban areas. If you've been to/stayed in various parts
>of the country, you know exactly what I'm talking about. For the Baddibus,
>Kiangs, Jarras, Niumis, Saloums, Fulladus, etc, Yaya simply doesn't stand a
>chance. And he knows it! You just watch Saturday's results: Yaya Jammeh's
>Boys would not just be defeated, they'll be resoundingly HUMILIATED in both
>Baddibu and Kiang. No doubts there...
>
>On a related issue, we ought to START devising concrete ways of helping a
>United Opposition effort come October. Particularly as that relates to Vote
>Protection and Vote Counting. What really helped Wadda in Senegal is the
>use
>of Cell Phones by his agents at polling stations. As soon as votes were
>counted at a particular polling station, these agents
>would call predetermined Radio Stations, and give them the results. The
>Radio stations relayed the results to the public. So that people were
>waiting for the IEC's announcements ONLY as a formality. Everyone was
>keeping tab on what was happening all over Senegal. This was why Wadda
>actually declared himself the winner after results were received from the
>biggest 700 polling stations in Senegal! There simply wasn't a chance for
>Joof's thugs to mess with people's votes. We can duplicate that scenario in
>the Gambia. We have private radio stations, who have as much an interest in
>seeing the back of this rogue regime as we do. But, it's going to take
>money!
>
>Which is where WE come in. We HAVE TO pool our resources together and put
>it
>at the disposal of the opposition. Knowing the criminal govt we have,
>they'll try something to frustrate our efforts, but we can find ways of
>circumventing any snags they may put in our way -if we start early. The
>proposed July meeting in Atlanta is a great idea. We shouldn't let it slip.
>People like you and I, who don't hesitate to criticize any opposition party
>should either put up or shut up. Also, those who are on record here as
>being
>totally opposed to any other means of dislodging this criminal govt, order
>than the ballot box, should step forward and do their part to prevent that
>possibility. If Yaya rigs the election, and tries to hold on, some people
>will be forced to consider other means of taking him on. It's time we walk
>the walk. As hard as times are, I don't see why any non-Full Time Gambian
>student in America, can't donate AT LEAST a hundred dollars ($100.00)
>towards an effort to stop facism and tyranny at home. Yaya has deeper
>pockets than our people (the opposition,) so the more we give them, the
>better their chance of countering his evil machinery. This is something to
>broach with any adult Gambian you bump into next time. We've got to do
>better than just talk...
>
>Saul.
>
>>When I hear this headline from the wires on April 1, 2001, the last thing
>>that will cross my mind is that we are on April Fools' Day. In other
>>words,
>>victory is almost in the bag for the UDP candidates. What would be a
>>
>
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