Good Afternoon Mr. Editor, The Healing Process Revisited The Point (Banjul) January 2, 2001 Banjul This is a press statement from Mr. M. Sarjo Jallow, Gambia's Minister of sports and chairman of the Gambia Government's spokespersons committee. Welcome to our last Press Conference into the New year 2000. Please accept our best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous year, free from not only the harassment of journalists but also from the provocations of journalists, politicians or anybody else "who da cap fits!" Please allow me a toast of recent Editorials from the Point Newspaper of Monday, 4th December and Tuesday, 24th December, 2000. For us they exemplify biased opinion meant to discredit government's efforts in peace-building nationally and in the sub-region. The claim that "nothing was healed from either side" of the forces which clashed during the April 2000 demonstrations is simply unfounded. The fact that some of the wounded students were sent to Egypt for treatment speaks of concern, not neglect. It is worth pointing out that despite the loss of lives and injuries, not to mention the wanton destruction of properties, both sides of this tragic conflict continue to display good will and patience. This is absolutely necessary while solutions are actively being sought to heal the wounds through medical and judicial means, as well as through extended-family counselling. We are, therefore, reminded of the urgent need to honour the national call for a healing process, in the interest of peace justice and the families affected. All of us should try in our little ways to contribute, just as the Point Editorial (26/12/00) quoted from an Indian mentor, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru: "Every little thing counts in a crisis." Mr. Editor, your accusations in the Editorial "Gambia's Foreign Policy Failures" (4/12/00) provide yet another example of biased opinion. Unfortunately, it comes at a time of tragic events in Guinea Bissau, Casmance and other parts of the sub-region. Let us have the courage to give credit where it is due, and to rally as a nation behind government's untiring efforts in peace-building and re-conciliation. Peace and stability for Gambians, the sub- region and impoverished humanity is a national, professional and political responsibility. We need a healing process for peace an stability to achieve human development, especially for our disadvantaged women and youths. The conservative forces trying to restore the old order in this country are of course making use of the press corps. That is to be expected, but that is no excuse for turning a blind eye to the signs of progress. For example, The Gambia's farming families, which constitute the majority, have successfully responded to Government's "Back to the Land" campaign. Whereas the number of active farmers declined by 6% between 1991-94, the period 1994-1999 speaks of progress in job creation: an increase of 26% was registered! Mr. Jacques Diouf, Director-General of FAO, also reported during his recent visit that the Gambia is "one of the 10 countries to have achieved food security." We are grateful for the prayers and good rains, but it is only fair to acknowledge the significant role played by investments made into the sector by government and its development partners. Our ideological orientation and party affiliation aside, let us accept the facts of progress. IF not out of commitment to professional ethics, doing so would certainly be a "little thing" that counts in a healing process urgently needed to help improve upon the African condition. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------