Conteh, I just found this email, and I must say I do agree wit hyour points. I need to clarify that I am not opposed to an election fund drive, I just want us to use it as a levarage to tell the opposition parties that in their unity lies our salvation from the Butcher of Kanilai. I admire your get up and get it done attitude, and if all of us jumped on things the way you do, we would definitley get things done. I think the same of Joe Sambou, and my comments on this fund drive were definitley not an avenue to criticize anyone. Again, I just want us to think about how the money will be spent, and I think all of us have touched on that one. There is also a possibility that they opposition will not unite, and then we have an even bigger task of how to handle the funds. I will send in my contribution, but i am not going to relent on the opposition uniting, and this is where I prefer my money to go into. I know you guys will take care to address this issue and make the politicians aware of our wishes. We Gambians have to start getting more demanding of those who step forward and tell us they want to lead us. Afterall, it is we they are aspiring to represent, and what is best for us is what should be pursued. Jabou Joh In a message dated 5/12/2001 9:06:25 PM Central Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: Comrades: It is interesting to know your concerns on the presidential fund drive initiative. Your concerns are well taken, but I must admit we have to reach a consensus in how we are going to distribute the funds. I am appealing that you send in your contributions to Brother Sambou. I hope Dr. Saine has time to respond to your inquiring. I am of the opinion that after we have substantial capital, we will engage each other as to how we will distribute the money. My position is that we should try and seek unity and urge the opposition parties to unite. I will appeal to the ALD Organizing Committee to allow me time to address the opposition leaders during the symposium. My position will clearly define the role of the opposition and our willingness to forego our own individual political aspirations for the interest of The Gambia. There is a saying that we all want to be Presidents of The Gambia, but there can be only one Opposition Presidential Candidate against the dictator of kaninlai. Our search for democracy and one Gambia should be the guiding principle for all. I am grateful that during the infancy of the struggle I have been fortunate to meet Gambians whose counsel I treasure. I remember been met by a rowdy individual in Miami who mistook me as a former Sir Dawda stalwart. The gentleman embarked in saying that some Mandinkas are upset with Sir Dawda's overthrow. I asked where he was from and his name. When he said Sarr, I said "Naphiyo," the gentleman froze and shook my hand. I said to him I am proud to call myself half Serre (Kasico in Mandinka). But today I am proud to call myself a Gambian, period. As we engage in substantive debates of our intended purpose and our ability to clearly define our role, I am force to advocate that we are one tribe and one Gambia. No political party should subject the electorate into tribal sentiments. No single opposition party in The Gambia can unilaterally claim to have a soul right to our struggle. If we fail to unite, we are doom to fail come October. Thus, comrades please send in your contributions. As a product of a Historically Black College (undergraduate) and a small Methodist private graduate school, I am proud to say to you "a mind is a terrible thing to waste. Naphiyo, Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------