One cannot simply be more direct and up-front in predicting the general outcome of the ALD talks, than Hamjatta has done in his last piece. I can totally relate and agree with him all the way. Great piece! From the onset, plans of the gathering were intended not only to bring the opposition together, but indeed, to unite them into one unit amalgamating all ideas and progs into one giant force that will ultimately contest in the October elections against the APRC. If this were the case, why are we witnessing the attendance of the APRC? Has it been the intent from the word go to involve the APRC and to finally come out with a united government? These are the questions we must ponder on. It makes no sense at all to involve a ruling party in the meetings of the opposition. Who then is the opposition? I have been among those who think the meetings will be fruitless unless the UDP is involved, and their participation by itself is not good enough, they must lead the way in convincing the others into unifying. Another position i held was the fact that there may not infact be a united opposition, simly because, a party like PDOIS may not want to rally behind the UDP, and as it is, the UDP is in a better position to lead any such union. If the APRC was invited by the organisers of the meeting, they have indeed taken the wrong direction and their efforts will not bear any fruits. If , on the other hand, APRC invited themselves, then, their political advisers are worth the money paid them. There will be demonstrations and its likes, but eventually, there can only be one winner, the APRC. Here is why: The opposition will not have any opportunity, or concentration on them. All efforts, bitterness, attention, frustration, disgust will be directed towards APRC representatives, this will inevitably lead to a shift of attention and an about-turn in the prog of events. The outcome total anarchy! No united opposition and no reconciliation, whatsoever. Good day, Harona _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------