FELLOW GAMBIANS: The state of our nation, The Gambia, is deplorable. The Gambia is now a fertile ground for drug traficking, prostitution, banditory, disease, corruption, state terrorism, intimidation, harassment and economic degradation. In a nutshell, it's Terra Incognito in The Gambia. What a shame! what an outrage! what a tragedy! Not too long ago that this very country we all call The Gambia (Homeland) was regarded as many in the international community the bastion for peace and the model for democracy in Africa under Dawda Kairaba Jawara. Sir Dawda is a man of great intellect, honour and integrity. The man who demanded from her majesty, the Queen of England, in 1965 the Magna Carter on behalf of the people of The Gambia. This document paved the way for the Gambia to take it's rightful place in the community of nations. Jawara's Gambia was very prosperous and peaceful. Jawara was an ardent believer of the rule of law, justice, and the custodian of human right all over the continent of Africa. Now my friends, let us review briefly, Jawara's policies sector by sector: Prior to the Economic Recovery Program in 1985, FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION was the order of the day, school feeding program implemented nation wide, free stationery in schools, free transportaion for provincial pupils during school breaks and a whole host of incentives accorded to the student population. More importantly, every student live in the environment of peace and tranquility. Jawara's mantra was that the sky is the limit for every Gambian regardless of profession or political affiliation. In economic jargon, it was laissez faire at it's best. The success of Jawara's education policy cannot be overemphasized and yielded the following impressive intellectual power house....to put it in human terms: The Halifa Sallahs, Malarfy Jarjus, Sidia Jattas, Sam Sarres, Alpha Robinsons, Waa Juwaras, Lawer Dabos, Dr.Nyangs, Dr. Tijan Sallahs, Lamin Leighs, Musa Bassadi Jawaras, Mariama Semega Jannehs, Idi Jobes, Madiba Saidys,Seedy Jammehs, Bakary Bunja Dabos, Yusupha Jows, Francis Njies, Sedi Sannehs, Tijan Sallahs, Ousou Jahs, Omar Jahs,Suwareh Dabos, Eliman Chams, Dr. Jacks, Dr. Dabos, Henry Baldehs, Abdoulie Saines, Katim Tourays..... and the list my friends, it's just too numerous to mention. This affirms the assertion by the late Justice Holmes of the United States that " the greatest loss of a nation is it's mineral resources, even a greater loss is it's human resources." Against this human backdrop, if you will, lies the elloquent testimony of Jawara's education policy triumps. In the area of health, prior to 1985, it was FREE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FOR ALL. My friends, this author removed his tooth in The Gambia under Jawara' s medical health services for 0 dalasi, and performed the same proceedure in the United States for $300. In general, operations that could cost people fortunes in Europe and America, mark you.. with the same quality, amounts to nothing in The Gambia. To speak of "real success". The Gambia had the best civil service, the best telecommunication system, the most independent judiciary, the healthiest economy and most important of all, the most stable and peaceful country in Africa. Folks, these were monumental achievements. What is happening now my friends, is the deconstruction of these giant pillars built by the illustrious son of The Gambia in the person of Dawda Kairaba Jawara. This is what is at stake and it's worth fighting for. As Lamin Waa Juwara elloquently put it after he was ignominiously assaulted, detained and released..."as long as democracy is not restored to The Gambia, prisons will be my second home; I am prepared to die for my beliefs..." Fellow Gambians, our country is burning, the time to rescue it is long over due. But better late than never! Let us avoid total ruination of our country and now is the time to support Ousainou Dabos and Waa Juwaras in their cause to free Our country from servitude. Let justice prevail! Readers please note, the author deliberately avoided making any contrast between the erstwhile and the current regimes because the two are not comparable for heaven sake! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------