Forwarded from the pages of  the Freedom Newspaper:
 
U.S. suspends Gambia from  key development fund
16 June  2006 18:43:15 GMT
Source:  Reuters

By Sue Pleming 
 
WASHINGTON, June 16 (Reuters) - The United States on Friday  suspended Gambia 
from a key U.S. development fund because of concerns about a  slide in 
democracy and the slow pace of economic reform in the tiny West African  country.  
The Millennium Challenge Corporation  announced Gambia's suspension, citing a 
pattern of behavior inconsistent with  the MCC's selection criterion after 
Gambia was chosen last November as eligible  for funds. A decision had not yet 
been made about how much money to grant  Gambia.  
The MCC is a U.S. development fund which  is dedicated to poor nations that 
undertake political and economic reforms.  
MCC's board said it based its decision  on evidence of human rights abuses 
and increased restrictions on political  rights, civil liberties, and press 
freedom by the government, as well as  worsening economic policies and declining 
anti-corruption efforts by Gambia.  
"The board's decision was necessary  given the disturbing pattern of 
deteriorating conditions in eight of the 16  policy categories used to evaluate all 
candidate countries including The  Gambia," said MCC chief, John Danilovich.  
Danilovich said the United States would  consider reinstating Gambia only 
after the government had taken "tangible and  significant" actions to embrace 
political and economic reforms.  
The U.S. ambassador to Gambia informed  the government of the decision on 
Friday and the U.S. Congress was also notified  and provided with documents 
backing up the move.  
Gambia's government has launched a  crackdown against journalists critical of 
its policies and of President Yahya  Jammeh, who has ruled the former British 
colony since a coup in 1994.  
A local reporter from the British  Broadcasting Corporation was released 
earlier this month after being detained as  part of a general crackdown on 
critics.  
Political tensions have increased in the  run up to presidential elections 
due in October. Nine army officers and eight  civilians are on trial for treason 
after being accused of taking part in an  attempted coup in March.  
While announcing Gambia's suspension  from the program, the MCC said it would 
fund anti-corruption initiatives in both  the Philippines and Ukraine.  
The Philippines was given $21 million  while Ukraine got $45 million to 
monitor and expose corruption and for judicial  reform and other issues.



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