After a week at the RAN Hotel, the Gambia National Team still maintain a
certain degree of calm and optimism in the face of uncertainty regarding
their fate. Although they are safe and unmolested, frustration and
impatience is beginning to take its toll.  As a team member told me this
morning over the phone: 'we just want out' and who would disagree.

Living conditions at the Hotel, I am told, is beginning to deteriorate.
Running water has been cut since the start of the stand-off between
Government troops and rebels mutineers. Food is now in short supply, at
least at the hotel food and beverage department. The team relies on daily
ration comprising of bread and sardines purchased by Team officials
according to a team member. I am afraid that the team may be deprived
of
this luxury if the stand-off continues for any length of time.  Thus the
need to evacuate the team-including the Senegalese and Sierra Leones-as
soon as possible and preferably while the French and American troops are
still in the area.  Should they (French and American troops) leave Boauke
and Yammoussoukro without assisting the stranded players, the task will be
more difficult for obvious reasons.

The above notwithstanding, Gambia Government is reported to have on stand-
by the Presidential jet ready to be despatched at moments notice to
evacuate the team. This is indeed welcome news to the team members and
Gambians everywhere.

During my telephone conversation with Sidi Kinteh and 'Parko'on Thursday 26
September at around 9:30 AM, local authorities in control of the city of
Bouake and officials of the International Red Cross have put the team on
alert for possible evacuation from Bouake by road t
o Yammoussokro where
they hope to be transported to Abidjan for their homeward journey to Banjul.
We look forward to the local aouthorities putting this plan into concrete
action, and soon.

Developments will continue to be monitored

Sidi Sanneh
Abidjan

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