Whilest it is clear what Yaya wants its unclear what the opposition intends to do. You will think that this will be simple given what they are up against.But when one assumes that the opposition will make their decisions entirely based on what is good for the people one is sometimes dissappointed. You will think that individual ambitions and goals will not matter much and a quick consession will be arrived at for the betterment of the general population. You will think that the restoration of democracy will be so crucial that an alliance force will emerge naturally.You will think that Sir Dawda ,SM ,Mr. Darboe, and all leaders concerned would agree immediately to join hands and remove  Yaya from office . An undertake they all know is  best for their nations integrity. But even at this juncture some personal issues have to be considered. Whilest its true that no two people see exactly alike it will speak volumes if the opposition cannot agree that they need to work hand in hand to offset Yaya for the sack of the Gambian people.Does it matter who the driver is if we can get to our destination savely and peacefully? One maybe tempted to ask. Sometimes what works must dictate the decision making process. At this point the opposition should bury old hatches and work out power sharing structure that will utilise all their individual qualities for advancement of Gambia. It is either this or none of their brilliant ideas will ever marterialise. Their vision should lead them far into the future and their conviction compell them to tolerate and work together. If our efforts are considered as sacrifice for the larger purpose it becomes easier to compromise. What we as a people cannot compromise on is to allow ourselves to be herded into submission in the face of injustice intimidation and utter disrecard for human wellbeing. if the opposition really want to work for the Gambian people there should be hardly any reason not to find a common ground.The opposition should come together and refuse Yaya to dictate the process of the election. They should accept no compromise on the question of 'on the spot counting' if Yaya refuses then they will have the impetus of the masses behind them to launch a massive demonstration to force his resignition.

                                                                kalilu

>From: Beran jeng <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: FWD:Questions for Jammeh
>Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2001 08:53:24 -0400
>
>Questions for Jammeh
>
>
>
>The Independent (Banjul)
>
>EDITORIAL
>August 13, 2001
>Posted to the web August 14, 2001
>
>Banjul, the Gambia
>
>Our democracy is under the most acidic test as we prepare ourselves
>for
>October's election show-down. People across the acrimonious
>political divide
>are mud-slinging each other hoping to win the people's favour. The
>ruling
>party accuses the opposition of exaggerating wrongs committed by the
>APRC.
>The opposition on the other hand say the ruling party is intolerant
>and
>forment a climate of hate against its adversaries. All these though
>do not
>take anybody anywhere not least Gambians who over the last couple of
>years
>have rekindled interest in political matters perhaps more that ever
>before
>in our political history.
>
>However, one of the more salient political misgivings entertained in
>many
>quarters have been linked to President Jammeh's dogged refusal to
>bestow his
>blessings on the idea of on-the spot counting of ballots once the
>polls
>close. His curt stance on the issues could very well explain the
>level of
>intolerance for the opposition's view on matters that definitely
>affect all
>Gambians. Jammeh's lame assertion that on-the- spot counting is not
>anywhere
>mandated by our constitution left us all cold and shivering over the
>dreariness of our democratic future. It is weird that although the
>constitution is loudly silent over the process of vote-counting
>during
>election, the Sami chieftaincy election and the bye-elections
>results came
>after a successful on-the-spot counting of votes was conducted and
>concluded
>without incident. Gambians who have been divided politically all
>agreed that
>the elections were free, fair and transparent. Our democracy
>received thumbs
>up gesture of appreciation internationally.
>
>Another points, which President Jammeh clutched at was that
>on-the-spot
>counting was practised nowhere except Uganda and The Gambia would
>not second
>this so-called exception. While this assertion is incorrect we are
>left to
>wonder whether the President of the Republic has been very
>conversant with
>events around the world. He knows how his "next door brother"
>Abdoulaye Wade
>came to power.
>
>All political pundits agree that one of the more important things
>ever to
>happen in Senegal's elections was the counting of the votes there
>and then
>after the last votes were cast. The same worked well for Ghana,
>Guinea-
>Bissau and Uganda due to its transparent, quick and
>security-insulated ways
>of determining who wins where without the likelihood for the usual
>post-election anthem of riggings and irregularly claimed by the
>opposition.
>
>We would not want the opposition to cry foul over the popular vote.
>So in
>the best interest of reconciliation President Jammeh should consider
>the
>views of the opposition who are important stakeholders in the
>election
>process. It should not cost anything to entertain the opposition,
>who in all
>fairness argued convincingly for on-the -spot counting, which would
>make
>them more trustful of the election process.
>
>Although the security question in polling stations could be a
>logistical
>equation it is not sufficient to stamp a "presidential no" to the
>idea,
>which has proven to be the best bet for everyone in the political
>game not
>least incumbents. It worked in other countries so why can't it work
>here?
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
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