I would like to apologize for offending anyone on the list.  That was not my
intention at all.  I have done extensive research on the situation, and read
the news every day, as well as keeping daily correspondance with people in
The Gambia.  In fact, I spend about three hours every day trying to make
sense of it all, and this is solely because I was deeply touched by my
experience in The Gambia.  Yes, I am cynical and from what I read, most of
you are too.  (Mind you, I am also terribly cynical about Canada, but this
is not the forum to discuss such issues).  But I should also remind you that
in my impressions of your country, what moved me the most was the kindness
and generosity of the people I met.  So, I am also an idealist.  I am
convinced that with joint efforts, The Gambia will be free one day.  And I
have committed myself to doing what little I can from my humble home to
inform organizations about the issues that have come to my attention.  I
send regular updates to all the international NGOs and advocacy groups for
journalists.  The only problem is that I feel quite lonely in this effort,
which is why I thought that joining the "L" would help.  Instead, I am
feeling rather overwhelmed by all the comments I read, and am finding it
even more difficult to synthesize it so that I can educate my fellow
Canadians to the issues, without oversimplifying matters.  For a newcomer,
and an outsider, you must understand that it is difficult to decipher the
way you all communicate, given that you know each other and have a shared
history, if only in cyberspace.  I am asking that you please be patient with
me.  I am trying to help, not antagonize anyone.  Thanks.

Maria
----- Original Message -----
From: "Hamadi Banna" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 1:09 PM
Subject: Re: More on the G-Lers' talkback - Att'n Maria


> Maria,
>
> I would concur with Yus.  I think some list members did discern a tone of
> cynicism in your recent postings. For instance, I cannot understand why
you
> would keep pointing out that only women on this list have responded to
your
> request for information on The Gambia.  Don't you think it may sound
> somewhat feminist to point out the sexes of the members who responded to
> your request?
>
> If I well recall, the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in The
> Gambia (New York) did forward some web links to you.  It is my believe
that
> there is so much information on the internet that no one, especially those
> who have access to computers, has any excuse any longer for staying in the
> dark about any country.  Typing a single keyword, e.g. "Gambia", on any
> search engine could pull up so many references that one could easily be
> swamped.  You may also visit the web pages of human rights organizations
> such as Amnesty International, the official site of the US government, the
> Canada Immigration and Refugee Board, the European Commission for Human
> Rights, the United Nations, etc.   You will certainly find ample
information
> on the current socio-political situation in The Gambia.
>
> I commend you for your concerns and urge you to keep up the fight against
> injustice and poverty.
>
> Hamadi.
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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>
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