Dawda, Great points. Personally, I am speechless at the moment considering the current political trend in our country. I am very worried and scared about the final outcome of the various and numerous illicit activities of the NIA and the July 22 Thugs. It is indeed very clear that the whole country is being held at hostage. The freedom of movement and association, which are considered as fundamental human rights, have been rampantly violated sine the inception of the AFPRC/APRC regime. So how much longer does the helpless Gambia has to wait in order to be rescued from this barbaric and brutal regime? I think, this is a question that we as Gambians, especially those living abroad, have to pose to the International Community. This is absolutely getting out of our hands. I am now convinced that one will be foolish enough to assume that this regime will be removed by a ballot box. The indications are abundantly clear. Civil servants are been fired for doing their jobs right. If a government lawyer and judge are sacked for their rulings contrary to the desires of the APRC, then why will the members of the Independent Electoral Commission be an exception? The Gambia is on the verge of going to a civil unrest unless the International Community steps in. The political parties can do very little under the current sociopolitical climate in the country. Can anyone imagine what would have happened if APRC was successful in putting the UDP officials and militants behind bars? Is this going to be the end? No, not at all. Wait until the campaigns are in earnest come 2001 (if the regime is sustained that long ). The whole idea is to interrupt the electoral process. The APRC considers this a political strategy. That's the only way they can win; for they are ware that they have no massive support. I think, it is less costly to prevent a war than to sponsor peace keeping. So, I therefore call on the United Nations(UN), Organization of African Unity(OAU), Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS), especially Senegal, to come up with a framework, either individually or collectively, in order to prevent The Gambia from experiencing any civil unrest. One must realize that there are many different political elements in The Gambia as being reported by a member earlier. Yes, left to Gambians alone from a traditional perspective, don't even think about it. But, with the presence of the elements of the Cassamance rebels, Guinea Bissau, and of course, the remnants of the "Libya Camp," anything is possible. All the above-mentioned groups are trying to find a base in The Gambia, which could be devastating. Nevertheless, that's the way Sierraleone got destabilized. Charles Taylor provided homage to these insurgents whose aim is to suck human blood daily. Thus, this should be an ultimate concern for all Gambians and Senegalese for that matter. May God Save The Gambia. Seedy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------