NEWS  STDGP Urges President Bush to Intervene in Gambia's Political Crisis -As it Dispatches Protest Letter to Dr. Rice  BY PA NDERRY M'BAI

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December 3, 2005
Gambia's US based pro democracy group "Save The Gambia Democracy project", in a strongly worded letter addressed to the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, lamented the growing human rights and rule of law crisis in The Gambia. STDGP expresses the need for the Bush administration to intervene in Gambia's political crisis. It reminded the Secretary of State about President Bush's opposition to tyranny. "In his inaugural speech on January 20, 2005, President Bush re-affirmed the United States commitment to the eradication of tyranny and injustice in the world. In very strong terms, he affirmed America "will encourage reform in other governments by making clear that success in our relations will require the decent treatment of their own people. America's belief in human dignity will guide our policies, yet rights must be more than the grudging concessions of dictators; they are secured by free dissent and the participation of the governed. In the long run, there is no justice
 without freedom, and there can be no human rights without human liberty." said the STDGP letter to Dr. Rice.

Below is the full text of the STDGP letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Please read on....

Save the Gambia Democracy Project
P.O. Box 48321
Doraville, GA 30362

December 2, 2005.

The Honorable Dr. Condoleezza Rice
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Honorable Rice:

Save the Gambia Democracy Project (STGDP) is a non-profit organization of Gambians and friends of The Gambia, based in Atlanta, Georgia, with affiliates in the United States and Europe. STGDP urgently solicits your support in the campaign to secure the immediate and unconditional release of the three leaders of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD), to enfranchise Gambians resident abroad and to help ensure that The Gambia's 18, October 2006 presidential election is free and fair.

The importance of 2006 presidential balloting lies in its potential to avert the real threat of national collapse similar to what occurred in Sierra Leone. This is not an exaggeration because the internationally recognized journal, Foreign Policy, listed The Gambia as a potential candidate among sixty nations on the brink of collapse. And since the 1994 coup d'etat that overthrew a democratically elected government, The Gambia is run by a quasi-military regime and remains trapped in a vicious cycle of violence, human rights abuses and worsening poverty. STGDP is very concerned about The Gambia's current political climate and poor international image and believes that free and fair elections, with your assistance, offers the best hope for peaceful democratic change.

On November, 15, 2005, The Gambia government authorities arrested three opposition political leaders -Hon. Halifah Sallah, Mr. Hamat Bah, and Mr. Omar Jallow. This unfortunate event undoubtedly confirms the fears of many Gambians in and outside The Gambia and international observers of an attempt by President Yahya Jammeh to silence legitimate democratic voices of the political opposition.

In his inaugural speech on January 20, 2005, President Bush re-affirmed the United States commitment to the eradication of tyranny and injustice in the world. In very strong terms, he affirmed America "will encourage reform in other governments by making clear that success in our relations will require the decent treatment of their own people. America's belief in human dignity will guide our policies, yet rights must be more than the grudging concessions of dictators; they are secured by free dissent and the participation of the governed. In the long run, there is no justice without freedom, and there can be no human rights without human liberty."

Honorable Rice, America profoundly values democracy and the opportunity for people around the world to pursue freedom and self-determination. Your record as a foot-soldier for justice and human rights is recognized by all. This is leverage that STGDP would like you to use to assist us further the cause of democracy in The Gambia. We the sons and daughters of The Gambia strongly believe there is no better time for the United States of America to make it clear to the leader and perpetuator of tyranny in The Gambia that the people of Gambia deserve decent treatment. And in the spirit of the "belief in human dignity," President Yahya Jammeh must immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, including the three leaders of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development, and all prisoners of conscience.

In short, there is a lot still to be done by STGDP and its supporters. It would be well worth doing, because The Gambia has been badly neglected, and its sad condition does have much to say about broader issues of international indifference. We at STGDP count on your moral leadership and the universal respect you command to make a difference in the lives of The Gambia and Gambians. President Bush promised in his inaugural speech on January 20, 2005 that "all who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you."

We the sons and daughters of Gambia are standing for our liberty against tyranny and inhumane treatment by our self anointed leader. We ask that America stand by us today and forever.

Signed
Save The Gambia Democracy Project.
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