Mr.Ebou Jallow, I'm glad you've realised the connection with the on going problems in Africa and much more closer to home...Cassamance. I must confess that after reading the article, the Cassamance issue struck me. What is going on in Cassamance is a peculiar form of nationalism. I will not go into categorizing the Cassamance issue as Jola issue. It is more of a regional issue than you are trying to portray. Eventhough I will agree with you that there is enough evidence to support the insinuation that the Jola tribe constitutes the majority of the dissidents. We all know very well that Cassamce and Northern Guinea-Bissau is not inhabitted by Jolas alone. Ebou, you should realize that you are touching on a very sensitive issue here. In our social settings, tribal/ ethnic issues are very sensitive in nature. We tend to brush off any possible conflicts, be it political, social or economic. Our setting has always been characterized by harmonious interactions regardless of the number of constituent denominations. You will agree with me that the concept you are conveying in this whole Cassamance issue is a new one to us and will be difficult for us to understand. Unfortunately, as you have already noted, by the time we come to realize and accept what you seem to be so sure of, it may be too late. I hope you will understand why no one is taking you setriously when you make these insinuations: "I have been trying to warn Gambians about the same ethno-nationalist tendencies of the MFDC, and that Yaya Jammeh will unleash that "Jola syndrome" as a last resort to help carve out a Jola nation-state stretching from Foni to peripheral northern Guinea-Bissau." I'm not quite sure how positive you are on this, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt, since you've worked with the guy and seem to know more about him than most of us. Your task would have been much more easier if we had more than one other person like yourself sounding the same alarm through the proper channels. If you're sincere and factual about your call, which I cannot dismiss in it's entirety, I urge you to use the information you have to help those involved in the Cassamnce peace process and desist from the ethnic finger pointing. A much more effective approach to the issue is what is needed here. Enjoy your day Abdoulie A. Jallow Toll-free number: 1-888-392-4832(Excite2) Personal extension for v/mail/fax: 291-368-1519 _______________________________________________________ Say Bye to Slow Internet! http://www.home.com/xinbox/signup.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface ----------------------------------------------------------------------------