Gambia-L: Why does the Gambia Government ENJOY telling unending LIES? Or better yet, why does the Gambia Government keep under-estimating our collective intelligence - thinking that we are fools? Just look at the Daily Observer lead story - on the Ebou Taal saga - which Tombong Saidy posted to the L, and which story quoted a statement from the Foreign Ministry, in connection with the Ebou Taal story. First of all, I have to say that I do know - very well - two of Ebou Taal's sons and, as such, I am definitely at pain to comment on the subject. In fact, I have to add that in November 1995, when I visited the Ivory Coast, where Mr Ebou Taal was then working for the African Development Bank, I had spoken to him on the phone. And, among other things, he had mentioned how he was "enjoying" my radio reports over the BBC, adding also that he knew my Dad very well. In fact, if I remember well, he added that my late Dad did teach him at school. And, being the gentleman/nice Dad he is, he invited me for a lunch at his Abidjan home which, unfortunately, I couldn't attend, because of a very busy schedule at the time. Anyway, Gambia L, one thing I can safely say - just based on that telephone conversation - is that it was very clear to me that Ebou Taal is/was well-read and sober. I found him to be intelligent, very articulate for that matter, warm and, of course, receptive!! And, needless to say, he has a very, very good command of the English language, just like the late Charles Jow of WAEC. So, sincerely speaking, and just for the record, I have to nothing against Ebou Taal and his family. By the way, I got a private e-mail from Fatou Taal, one of his daughters, in which she (Fatou Taal) was insulting/castigating me. In fact, I'll forward the e-mail to the L, after I finishing this piece! Anyway, having said that, I have to say that it was indeed a BLATANT LIE for the government to have said, through the Daily Observer, that Ebou Taal was "never convicted for embezzlement." Just for the record, and nothing else except to expose the Jammeh regime as a bunch of liars, I did go through the "Gambia archives" here at the University of Birmingham and discovered that Ebou Taal was indeed convicted, in connection with the "External Aid Commission" in the aftermath of the 1981 coup. Yes, at the end of his trial, the court could only find him guilty of "stealing" a minimal sum of D3000 (dalasis). But the truth of the matter is that he, Ebou Taal, was CONVICTED and jailed in that regard. So, let the Jammeh Government stop telling lies that Ebou Taal was never convicted for embezzlement. Who are they fooling? The record shows that Taal was indeed convicted for embezzlement or "stealing"! Whichever word you want to use! I honestly regret raising this issue publicly on the L, but had no choice except to set the record straight! Gambia L, I have to say that because of this Gambian struggle, I am losing ALL my friends and, certainly, this would now include Ebou Taal and his immediate family. But I am convinced that at someday, people will look back and say: "Oh! Oh! on the whole, Ebrima was right! He wasn't an 'enemy' at all. He just did what he did for the sake of his love for his country." Anyway, the e-mail below, as usual, came from one of my sources in the Gambia. Ebrima Ceesay Birmingham, UK _____________________________________________________________________ Hello Ebrima, The Daily Observer has retracted its lead story of Sunday concerning Ebou Taal. Tombong Saidy has in fact posted the whole story to the L. The Daily Observer's editors say the story contains several factual errors. Among others, they said: 1. Contrary to the report, Mr. Ebou Taal has not travelled to the United Kingdom recently. 2. Mr. Ebou Taal has not been declared persona non grata by the British authorities. 3. Mr. Ebou Taal has never been convicted for embezzlement. 4. Mr. Ebou Taal was ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and Guinea Conakry and not consul general. The Department of State for Foreign affairs, in turn, expressed dismay and indignation at the report. All said, it should be noted that although Mr Taal could not have been declared persona non grata while he has not set foot in the UK, he however does run the risk of being declared such should he venture to visit the United Kingdom. And, in fact, his appointment as Ambassador-designate to the Court of St James (UK) has been withdrawn by the Gambia Government at the request of Her Majesty's Government since March of this year, for reasons best known to all. For the sake of his family and friends and indeed for the sake of the credibility of Gambian diplomacy, Mr. Taal should just retire quietly and graciously to salvage his honour and those who love him dearly. A man who has enjoyed the best of times, and endured the worst of times, during his long and sometimes turbulent career should know when to call it a day. No one should tell him now that he has no place in the Government of Yahya Jamus Junkung Jammeh. He is smart enough to read between the lines. ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------