Bush Sees the Gambia As a 'Growing Democracy'

The Daily Observer (Banjul)
NEWS
October 8, 2002
Posted to the web October 9, 2002


The United States has "seen progress in building a growing democracy in The
Gambia, but important work remains to be done", President Bush told The
Gambia's ambassador September 25.

While accepting the credentials of Ambassador Essa Bokarr Sey at the White
House, Bush urged the ambassador's government, "maintain a steady course to
improved the life of your people and to integrate your country into the
global economy".

President Bush who represented the United States at The Gambia's Silver
Jubilee in 1990, said, "We look forward to working closely with you and your
embassy on expanded trade, regional stability, democracy and human rights,
and other aspects of US - Gambia relations." President Bush also expressed
his hope that The Gambia will "do what is necessary to qualify for the
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)".

In his remarks, Ambassador Sey told President Bush that the historical link
between the two countries dates back many years .. "from the era of Kunta
Kinteh to our Independence Silver Jubilee in 1990," When Bush, not yet
president, visited the country.

Ambassador Sey also condemned the September 11 terrorist attacks on the
United States. "The Gambia continues to be in the forefront in sub-Saharan
West Africa in the fight against terror and those who promote it," he told
President Bush.

Ninety per cent of the Gambian population are Muslims, yet we lost two of
our sons on September 11-this is a clear indication that terrorism is
inhuman and un-Islamic," he added.

"The historical link between our two countries dates back to 10 centuries or
beyond, from the era of Kunta Kinteh to our Independence Silver Jubilee in
1990 when George Walker Bush was invited as a good son of former President
George Herbert Walker Bush to attend that auspicious ceremony. History has
repeated itself, Sir and today we are proud to witness the same Bush, a
friend of The Gambia, being the President of the greatest nation on earth.

On development, Ambassador Sey said: "We, in The Gambia, believe that our
struggle for economic development, improvement, improved education, and
managing a great health care system will help us to prevent terrorism and
violence and promote peaceful growth to other countries in Africa".




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Copyright © 2002 The Daily Observer. All rights reserved. Distributed by
AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
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