Now, this is the hypocrisy with American Foreign policy.  You had thought
that Deyda was not murdered right in front of Mr. Stafford.  Mr. Ambassador,
you are just repeating the obvious here.  Gambians knew long ago that your
government is in bed with Jammeh, as long as he can frame you a few Arabs as
"Al Quida" or "Taliban".  Thus, our liberation is in our hands - Gambians.
We know we cannot depend on your government, thus ours is a grassroots
effort - self help - "tesito".  We are way ahead.  What has your government
said or done when Koro was murdered?  How about the April 10 massacre? the
countless other assassinations, assassination attempts, torture and illegal
detention of Gambians?  And so, where is the surprise here?  We knew where
your loyalties are.  Quoting Don Rumsvelt, "We work with the African
Presidents we have, not the ones we wish we have".  That sums it all.

Chi Jaama

Joe


Ambassador Stafford harps on democracy
Written by Bakare Muritala
Thursday, 28 April 2005
Joseph Stfford, the American ambassador to The Gambia, has made it clear
that his government will never impose democratic principles on the republic
of The Gambia or indeed any other country.


Mr Stafford who was speaking at the closing ceremony of the NGO human rights
forum on Tuesday said: “The United States has no blueprint on democracy for
The Gambia or any other country in the region. We will not impose any
democratic blueprint on The Gambia. It has to adopt its own blue print of
democracy and good governance.”


He stated that The Gambia can count on the United States’ support on
democracy and the strengthening of human rights. He said there is already an
ongoing dialogue between the two for which he praised The Gambia government
for its openness during the dialogue.


The US ambassador further stated that his country has also started working
with the National Assembly,  the military and the media.


He continued to say that The Gambia is fortunate to benefit from AGOA. Mr
Stafford also said the US Millennium Challenge Account is already on course
and countries eligible will get their share of it as required.


Mr Stafford reiterated President Bush’s commitment and pledge to democracy
and the rule of law. He finally commended the NGOs for their continuous
struggle for human rights and democracy on the continent.


Also speaking at the end of the forum, Hannah Forster, executive director of
the ACDHRS, said pressing human rights issues have been discussed and she
hoped that the recommendations and resolutions passed will go a long way in
improving the status of human rights on the continent.
Last Updated ( Friday, 29 April 2005 )

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html

To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤