Mr. Jobe, I commend you for coming out plainly to state your case for supporting the APRC. This is simply the best case that anyone has advanced for the APRC here, as far as I know. I wish you were doing so under your real name -but that's your choice. On the facts you've stated, I don't have any major problems there. The record of the PPP in terms of overall national development is indeed shameful, and you're spot on about what obtained in the various sectors you've browsed through. I do have some suggestions, and questions though: 1. Please -if you can- provide some concrete stats that we can verify if needs be (pre-1994 v. now.) 2. Given that Finance SOS Famara Jatta has in his last Budget Speech admitted that poverty -despite all the developments you've cited- has been on the increase since '94, could you please take a stab at explaining to us why things continue on this downward spiral inspite of the APRC's "progressive" agenda. 3. How does the enormous brain drain (which is tied directly to the incessant flagrant violation of civic liberties) currently being experienced by the Gambia factor into the overall picture? In other words, how does your govt hope to develop the country when the smartest citizens are forced into exile because of autocracy? If you don't get what I'm driving at, I'll put it this way: Why is Hong Kong more advanced than mainland China? The people are all Chinese -same genetic material. What factors spur human creativity and inguinuity, and how does that correlate with the APRC's modus operandi? 4. Can you name me ONE nation/society in modern human history where people have been able to truly develop themselves and their society without freedom? Just one will do. 5. You wrote: "In short my allegiance is to “The Gambia and its diverse Peoples” and ANY PARTY THAT IS IN POWER... "(your words, my emphasis.) Do you mean to say that you don't have any personal principles or core values as thresholds for your support of a government? Will you jump on the band wagon should the APRC be kicked out in the next elections by say NRP without any compunction? 6. Because I'm out of time, I have to ask you this: Do you consider a govt that has murdered little boys and girls, blamed them for it, ignored the recommendations of Investigative bodies that it had setup itself, and formally indemnifies itself against prosecution, to be one that "puts the aspirations of our peoples first, ahead of self or party" which is worthy of your support? I look forward to your second part, which I'm sure will touch on public corruption in the PPP era V. corruption under the APRC -the magnitude, the players, the impact on our society. I once again thank you for stating your govt's position so clearly. I also commend you for sticking to a civil tone in your exchanges. It beats Mafy Jarju and Essa Bokarr Sey's view of our camp (though some of us are equally harsh in our take on y'all.) I hope other govt officials will follow your lead, just so we can all see where each camp is coming from. Who knows, we may yet come to a better understanding after all this. If that happens, this wouldn't have been in vain. We'll see. Thanks for your trouble. Good day! Saul. “ …We pledge our firm allegiance, our promise we renew, keep us great God of nations to the Gambia ever true”. I start my defense of supporting the APRC government by, first of all, quoting the above from our national anthem. In short my allegiance is to “The Gambia and its diverse Peoples” and any party that is in power and puts the aspirations of our peoples first, ahead of self or party will get my support. INTRO. One of the fundamental principles of democracy is the right of a people to _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------