Gambia-L:

The commentary below came from one of my sources in the Gambia.

Ndey Jobarteh: Good to have you back on the L. Your comments on the above
subject were very relevant. Anyway, I'll see what we can do from this end to
register (to Prime Minister Tony Blair) our disapproval of the resumption of
British military aid to the Gambia.

Ebrima

__________________________________________________________________

>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: British Military Aid Resumption Inappropriate and Untimely
>
>
>Ebrima,
>We represent a large constituency of Gambians who oppose Britain's decision
>to resume military cooperation with the Jammeh regime and we join those who
>have already expressed their disappointment at this unfortunate decision of
>the Blair Government.  A letter has already been sent to the Foreign Office
>and I hope that those in the UK, including your very self, will register
>their opposition to the military aid package to The Gambia.  As many of you
>have already said, what the Gambia needs is development aid oriented
>towards alleviating poverty as opposed to providing this regime with the
>military know-how to continue to britalise its population.  We deplore, in
>the strongest possible terms, the decision of the British Government and
>request that it be reviewed. How could such a decision be taken by Britain
>when barely a forthnight ago, Government released the most depressing
>Report on the level of poverty in The Gambia confirmimg what most of us
>have feared; that the level of poverty in The Gambia has increased
>significantly over the last six years.  We express our disappointment at
>the British High Commissioner in Banjul for this inappropriate and untimely
>aid which only contributes toward further repressive action against the
>Gambian population by a Government has has no regard for human rights and
>the dignity of man. We join those who would like to see a campaign mounted
>by Gambians in the UK against this type of aid to The Gambia. Ebrima, I do
>not have readily available the e-mail address of Tony Blair and the Foreign
>Office which I am sure you can get from that end and provide it to the L so
>that a letter writing campaign can get started at the earliest. Meanwhile,
>I will continue to search in my files for the e-mail addresses of both the
>Honourable Prime Minister and the Foreign Office.  Once more, I deplore the
>decision of the British Government and I hope that it will be reviewed in
>the interest of the welfare of the Gambian population. Thank you
>

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