Darboe Describes Repeal Of Decree 89 As A Victory For Democracy - As Juwara Brands Jammeh Unfit The leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, has said that the lifting of Decree 89 is a victory for democracy for the Gambia and would unite Opposition parties, especially the unbanned former politicians, in a bid to flush out the Jammeh administration in the October elections. Addressing several thousands of party supporters on Saturday at Kanifing South, the UDP leader, who was chanting the slogan 'Sopi, Sopi,' meaning 'change, change,' informed his audience that the international pressure compelled President Jammeh to repeal Decree 89. While commending all pro democracy activists for their move in ensuring the repeal of Decree 89, Darboe told his jubilant supporters that the ban imposed on the first Republic's politicians was grossly unfair and was aimed at denying Gambians the freedom to elect the representatives of their choice. "So the lifting of Decree 89 is a victory for Gambians. It is also a victory for democracy for The Gambia. It shows that lies and injustice don't last," Darboe told UDP's most crowded political rally. The UDP leader, who strongly criticised the ban, said: "We have seen that Gambia's return to democracy is very imminent and there is no going back." Darboe dismissed a notion held by the ruling APRC that lifting of the ban would create division among the Opposition, charging that they, the vanguard of the opposition, are not hungry for power. "I must point out that they are the ones hungry for power and not us. Both the unbanned and the current opposition politicians are not hungry for power. We are committed to the Gambia and we will make sure that the country's image is promoted to higher heights as anticipated by Gambians," said Mr. Darboe, while deploring the current hardship which hit Gambians. He assured his supporters that there is a high degree of unity among the opposition. The UDP leader also congratulated Gambians abroad, especially those in America, England and Norway, for what he called their tireless efforts in ensuring that the bad decree is scrapped. "We also want to congratulate the unbanned politicians, because they are not selfish. We have seen their colleagues who were also banned, running errands for these people. They went to the extent of addressing political platforms with effrontery. They are selfish and are only interested in lining their pockets. They lacked principles," charged the UDP leader. Mr. Darboe therefore commended former president, Sir. Dawda Kairaba Jawara, Sheriff Mustapha Dibba, former leader of NCP, Assan Musa Camara, OJ Jallow and others for having the country's interest at heart by not associating themselves with the APRC. "They have the country's interest at heart. They have principles and they have never believed in military regime. They have never supported unconstitutional change of government. They have never supported corrupt military regimes anywhere. That's was why they could not go with them," said Darboe. Darboe added that former Vice president Saihou Sabally, Lamin Kiti Jabang, and OJ Jallow, whom he described as influential in some areas in the Greater Banjul Area, could have joined the APRC but had never ventured to compromise their principles. "We congratulate them for standing by their principles, for rejecting anything that had resemblance of military administration. We congratulate them for standing by all pro- democracy movements in this country. We congratulate them for their steadfast beliefs in constitutionalism," said Darboe who was applauded by jubilant supporters. He also highlighted his party's plans when voted into office. Meanwhile, the UDP National Secretary, Lamin Waa Juwara, has said that he had described President Yahya Jammeh as a non- credible leader after his promise to electrify 98% of the Gambia before July 22nd, 2001 bit the dust. "It is now ripe for me to respond to Jammeh on the issue. It is not possible for him to electrify 98% of The Gambia but he went ahead by making blanket promises. Then why did he celebrate the day because he said if his promise has not been fulfilled there would not be any. Yahya Jammeh is definitely incredible," he said. The UDP vocalist told the mass rally that people are enjoying Yahya Jammeh and his aide, Yankuba Touray as they issue conflicting statements to the public. "Let President Jammeh resign because his revolution is meaningless. The real revolution took place in Cuba, Iran and Libya," Juwara blurted. In all these countries, Juwara said, heads of states, cabinet ministers and their offspring have been massacred. "Let him go to Cuba. Where is Battista and his cabinet ministers. In Libya where is King Idriss and family," he said. Turning to decree 89 which was lifted on July 22nd, Juwara lamented: "Decree 89 is dead on July 22 and MPs are going to lay it in state on Tuesday. Let me inform you that APRC also is dead because ask Jammeh why he had banned PPP, NCP and GPP. It all boils down to fear and it is due to the same fear that I was jailed." "Following the promulgation of Decree 89, you have made a wise decision by putting in your lead Ousainou Darboe, the leader of UDP. I heard it in prison but I was there for the restoration of democracy, The Gambia and Ousainou. Through concerted efforts you have mounted a war against Decree 89 under the banner of UDP until you gained victory. This is the major victory towards the restoration of democracy to the Gambia. Gambia is worth a lot to us," Juwara said. Email [log in to unmask] Beran S. Jeng _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------