Gambia-L,
I am sending these extracts below, as usual, from one of my sources.
Hamjatta, I got a call from Malick Kah in London last night and he had
informed me that the planned demonstration for those of us in the UK will
now take place at the Gambia High Commission in London, on May 2, at 11 am,
and not today, as originally intended.
They had a friutful meeting yesterday, he added, but I was unable to attend
it. However, I was told that some Gambia L memebers were there. The meeting
also appointed Malick Kah, James Bahoum and myself as spokespersons. But you
were right in your earlier posting, by saying that the demonstration is now
slated for May 2, 2000 at 11am.
***************************************************************
Ebrima,
The under-currents are still there despite the calmness on the surface. In
fact, yesterday, in and around Mansa Konko, the town people there resisted
officers trying to arrest school children.
They threatened to burn the whole town down if the police dare arrest their
children which resulted in their (Police) withdrawal without a single child
being taken into custody.
It appears that the people of LRD are also ready to defend their rights as
citizens. Karamba Touray's version of events on Jammeh arrival, which
article is in fact being photocopied and distributed here in our offices, is
the truth.
The president arrived early sunday morning around 02:00-3:00 as narrated by
Mr Touray. In fact, our mutual diplomat friend checked with the
International Civil Aviation Authority to get the manifest of aircraft
movements in Havana for the departure times of Mugabe's aircraft and that of
the president Jammeh.
The arrival time of Mugabe in Harare is known since he gave an airport press
conference yesterday morning on the Zimbabwe crisis. Please check with the
BBC as to the time of arrival of Mugabe in Harare and also with your press
friends who covered the G-77 meeting.
It is very easy to confirm the departure times. This way, you can
judge whether president Jammeh's pilot "gained time" which in our own
estimation would be around three-four hours from the suspected departure
time from Havana. The truth is that the president had to come earlier and
unannounced because they are all panicked and they are also aware that
things are not under control as yet.
The news at 13:00 hrs yesterday mentioned for the first time since the
events, the international condemnations of the events 10 April, including
statements from the EU, Turkey, some eastern European countries. The
decision to read the comdemnation on the news did not come as a surprise to
most of us anyway, considering the pressure being exerted from all quarters,
locally and internationally, on the Govt.
And while the entire population anxiously awaited the president's speech,
Sedat Jobe had announced his own news conference which, I learnt from some
members of the press, that they will not attend. They want to hear from the
president, and not Dr. Jobe. By the way, did you see President Jammeh thrash
statement on the events of 10 April? Thank God, I didn't have to write it.
By the way, today's Independent newpaper is very good. Andrew Jarju's
interview is also good, including Demda Jawo's piece. It should be posted on
the net later today. Be on the look out for it.
And try to get the full paper for your archives. I can send it to you. I
have just finished reading it. The pressure must continue to be applied on
them.
______________________________________________________
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