G-L Community:
The concerns many of you raised about the election fund are important
and I humbly accept whatever reason(s) you gave for contributing to the
fund or otherwise, without prejudice.

My thinking behind an election fund was driven by the speed at which the
elections were approaching, limited individual opposition party funds
against those of the APRC and their liberal use of state funds to
support their bid for "re-election."  Also, like most of you, I believe
that a united opposition party stands a better chance of winning under
conditions that are relatively free and fair.  I recognize that these
two latter issues are daunting.

Must we wait until there is a united opposition party before we start
raising funds?  I think not.

There may not be enough time to raise funds by October if we do not
begin now.  And it is also conceivable that our desire to see a united
opposition party may not materialize, in which case we could
collectively decide to what party or parties the funds go.

The important thing whether there is a united opposition or not, is that
funds for the elections (to support an opposition and possible winner)
are urgently needed.  We must not be caught off guard, thus the need to
plan early and begin to raise the funds for whatever eventuality may
arise.

In fact, the issue of fund raising and a united opposition could be seen
as two separate issues, even though related.  In the end, we need an
election fund whether there is a united opposition or not.

Regards,

Abdoulaye



MLJ Conteh wrote:
>
> Brother Joe:
>
> I want to take this time in thanking you on the weekly
> update for the election fund drive.  Your persistence
> will pay off one day.
>
> I must admit that this week has been interesting on the
> L.  We have spent valuable time debating about the
> Touray debacle.  I just cannot believe most of the
> comrades in support of the UDP expulsion of Hon. Touray
> have not yet contributed to the fund drive.  I wonder
> why all the talk and no action.
>
> We just cannot exhibit intellectual know how without
> sacrificing few dollars to our struggle.  These actions
> my some of the comrades clearly indicate an agency
> theory.  We are determined to maximize the profits (win)
> of the opposition, but some of us are bent of the desire
> of individualism.
>
> Dr. Saine indicated that he would call friends who still
> have not contributed to our fund drive.  I therefore want
> to borrow a page from him and call on the following
> people to send in their contributions: Messrs Lamin Manneh,
> Kebba Dampha, Sanusi Owens, Bamba Laye Jallow, Yahya
> Darboe, Momodou Olly Mboge, Hamjatta Kanteh and the rest
> of the gang.  We must match our intellectual zeal with
> our pockets.  We just cannot do the talk and don't
> do the walk.  I therefore urge the above to send in their
> contributions.  We can only be serious about our
> opposition to the dictatorship in The Gambia when we are
> willing to contribute.
>
> Please leave your address on the next weekly update.  I
> will be sending in my monthly unspent miscellaneous
> expense.  I am budgeting to deduct a $10 weekly personal
> expense for the fund drive initiative.
>
> Naphiyo,
>
> Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh
>
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