Gambia-L: Below is the statement of the Vice President on the massacre of UNARMED students by her ARMED security forces. Reading this would only make you sick to the stomach. those of you who don't have a strong stomach for LIES should just DELETE. What does it profit you to gain Jammeh's favour only to lose your soul? What has happened to conscience? Dammit........... And now, as anticipated, the spin is that opposition parties were behind it all. See attached below already they have begun arresting opposition figures. But Gambia-L, this will be the story that is unspinnable as they are learning much to their chagrin. Hamjatta ******************************************************** VP Says Shooting Started From Demonstrators In her first public statement since the bloody student demonstrations, Monday and Tuesday, the vice president, Isatou Njie-Saidy, last night addressed the nation. The full text of her speech is reproduced below. Fellow Gambians,Following the unfortunate incident of last Monday in which our school children led by Gamsu and other unscrupulous people in the society decided to wreak havoc on the whole country, on behalf of His Excellency, The President, Government and people of the Gambia, I wish to express our deepest and heartfelt sympathy and condolence to the parents and families of the dead and wounded. It is indeed very sad and regrettable that within a period of three years, students have decided to go on the rampage for the fourth time causing untold damage and loss of property, and in this instance loss of lives. Contrary to the erroneous belief that the shooting started from the security forces on the ground, it is confirmed that in fact the shooting started from within the demonstrators, since the security forces only had blank ammunitions, tear gas, batons and shields at the time.I also wish to assure you of Government's concern and primary duty to maintain the peace and stability of the country in the interest and welfare of the entire population, and for the development of The Gambia as nation. It must be understood that a fundamental condition for development in any country is that an atmosphere of security and stability is maintained by the state. It is only when potential instability is checked and brought under firm control, and the security environment has become stable, that development programmes can be carried out and the general welfare of the people ensured.You are all aware that within the last five years, this government has invested substantially in education, health, agriculture and other sectors of the economy. We are all living witnesses to the massive expansion of educational infrastructure and services at all levels throughout the country, including the establishment of a university for the first time, where most of the students enjoy full scholarship. This has been made possible through the support of both public and private institutions and individuals, including the establishment of an Educational Trust Fund under the Office of The President. The parastatal institutions, in particular the Gambia Telecommunications Company Ltd. (Gamtel), have contributed immense resources towards the education of a significant number of students at all strata of the society. In fact the board of directors of Gamtel has recently approved an increase of 40% on their education fund.Despite all this sacrifice from Government and the parastatals, it is indeed very disheartening that the students led by Gamsu and other unscrupulous people have willfully carried out such massive destruction of useful facilities, thus depriving everyone of their essential services. Fellow Gambians,I wish to appeal to all, particularly community and religious leaders during this period of grief and sorrow, to offer prayers for the deceased and the speedy recovery of the injured. Let us also pray for peace and reconciliation, and embark on a healing process to enhance our cherished virtues of tolerance and peaceful co-existence that The Gambia has always been renowned for. In the same vein, we wish to urge the media to engage in objective reporting during this difficult and trying period.Finally, as mentioned in our previous press release of Tuesday, 11 April 2000, the unfortunate death of Ebrima Barry has been given all the attention and urgency it deserves, by the department of state for Justice. Let me reiterate that investigations have been completed, the suspects interrogated are presently remanded in custody. The case has been registered in court and the due process of the law will be observed.Once again, I wish to appeal to the general public and Gambians in particular, to re-orientate our thinking and behaviour towards patriotism and sense of belonging. I thank you all for your (readership). . National Assembly member arrested Buba Samura, the UDP National Assembly member for Kiang East, was arrested by the police early yesterday morning in Brikama.His arrest was said to have been in connection with the student riots Monday. Eyewitnesses said Mr Samura was arrested while on his way to Banjul. Our sources said the vehicle which he was on board was followed by a motor cyclist identified as a security agent around Gambia College. The driver of the vehicle was instructed to drive back to Brikama police station with the passengers. Upon their arrival at the station, Mr Samura was ordered by the police to alight.Sources close to the police intimated that Mr Samura was told by the police that he was overheard commending the students for their actions and saying that it was President Jammeh's misrule which had caused the riots. Family members pointed out that all their efforts to see or speak to Mr Samura bore nought. His younger brother, Omar Samura, told Daily Observer that few hours after his arrest, he was taken from Brikama police station "to where, we don't know." Meanwhile, about 30 students were arrested in Brikama on Tuesday. A group of parents told Daily Observer that they were denied access to see their children in custody. . hkanteh ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------