THIS WAS CULLED FROM THE DAILY OBSERVER. Monday, October 2, 2000 FOLLOWING GAMBIA'S WITHDRAWAL WADE OPTS FOR DIRECT TALKS WITH MFDC Following the announcement of The Gambia's withdrawal from the Casamance peace process, Senegalese president, Abdoulaye Wade, has decided to talk directly with the Movement des Forces Démocratiques de la Casamance (MFDC), in the search for a solution to the Casamance crisis. This declaration was made Thursday, by the Senegalese minister of Urban Development and Housing, Amath Dansokho, who was acting on behalf of his colleague, the minister of Communications and Culture, Mamadou Diop Decroix, the government spokesman. Mr Dansokho said President Wade "will continue the work that he had started, which consists of looking for a peaceful solution to this crisis that is shaking the very foundations of the southern region of Senegal. All of us, members of the cabinet, believe that we have taken the right decision that will lead us to a peaceful solution." Mr Dansokho further stated that President Wade has put things under his control "because for a long time now, certain people have involved themselves in the search for solutions. But they have done nothing but further complicate the situation. That is the reason why the president has decided to talk directly with the MFDC. This, he will do without the help of any of Senegal's neighbouring counties or any person of goodwill." He revealed that President Wade has not said anything concerning the eventual re-invitation of The Gambia, as a peace-broker. But "the president reaffirmed Senegal's will to foster understanding between the two countries." _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.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 You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------