Ms. Darbo, You're totally right about the UDP top echelon makeup, and what and why I asked the question concerning the NY meeting. I was waiting for Karamba, or one of the organizers to give people feedback before commenting on the meeting. The blame is rightfully that of the organizers of the NY meeting. The UDP people apparently asked SPECIFICALLY what the MEDIUM of communication was to be. They were told that it's a 100% Gambian gathering, and that our Local languages will do. I know for a fact that some of those organizers are on this List, but for whatever reasons, have decided not to clarify this issue. I don't think it's right to stand by and let some innocent person get blamed for something that's not his fault. That's behavior that's simply un-cool. So, the shame is on the NY UDP meeting organizers. First, having met, spoken to, and listened to the UDP delegation, I'm a lot more at peace than I was when I went to that meeting. I am really impressed by the quality of leadership they have. All the three Executive Members were very articulate, and their resolve to see the back of Yaya Jammeh is obvious. Both Mr. Peters and Mr. Manneh are a lot sharper than they look. I find Mr. Peter's sense of humor, and Mr. Manneh's dedication to the struggle very endearing. Mr. Darbo himself is so cool-headed that it's really re-assuring. There's something paternalistic about the man -maybe it's his small stature. Even after I lashed them for all the small mistakes they keep making (sorry to be so blunt,) he kept his cool. But more importantly, when he responded to my question and issues, he wasn't defensive at all. I found his response to be very sincere. I still have some lingering doubts about whether Darbo has it in him to go after people close to him if he has to, but other than that, I'm quite comfortable with him. But then after all these years of Yaya and the attendant trauma he has caused (hire, fire, arrest here, torture there, murder here, rape there, etc,) maybe what we need is another really cool headed leader, who stands and look at things before jumping. It can't hurt that the man is a good lawyer. Mr. Darbo's narration of the case against former UDP MP Almamy Touray is very encouraging. Though the party had some evidence for a few years that Almamy isn't what he claims, they didn't just act and remove him pronto. They confronted him with the facts twice, he denied it. They gave him the benefit of the doubt, while their Intelligence people worked diligently to lay hands on incontrovertible evidence. It took some time. With that in hand, they acted against the MP, and kicked him out of the party. With this type of mentality, we'll NEVER have the Dumo Saho, Lalo Jaiteh, etc situation, because these people have committed themselves NOT to victimize anyone unless they have SOLID evidence against one. I find that very re-assuring. If they behave like that as a govt., we'll all have a lot more freedom as Gambians. This was just one issue they clarified adequately. I was really impressed. Thanks. Saul. --- Kanja Darboe <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Sanusi, > I suggest you wisit the party's website at > www.udpgambia.org and see for > yourself. Mr. Darboe the party leader is Mandinka > who if anyone knows his > background and his family will not accuse him of > tibalism. Mr. Jallow the > deputy is Fulla. Mr. Ebou Manneh the senior __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------