Comrades: May I begin by affirming my support for a united opposition? This strategy should not be at the expense of any opposition party in The Gambia. We must be willing to reach a compromise in selecting a single opposition candidate. I will remain neutral until SM Dibba's interview with Ebrima Sillah is made in its entirety. We do not know what happened at the meeting, and therefore it is not fair to blame Dibba for walking out of the meeting. Hon. Hamat's absence is a serious issue and a dangerous move by the organizers of the meeting to hold such a meeting in Hon. Bah's absence. Where were they when Hamat courageously fought for the rights they are benefiting from? I just also cannot understand why the UDP leadership after promising us in reaching a dialogue with NRP and PDOIS decided to share the same bed with the PPP at the expense of the leaders of NRP and PDOIS. This strategy is wrong and must be condemned by those who believe in independendent thought. Time flies very easy and some are easy to forget about characters who put us in this predicament. It is dangerously unfair to turn your back on the very people who fought a war with you. Why were PDOIS and NRP absent at this important sector of our struggle? I am afraid to say that the big winner is yahya jammeh. In a desire to select the leader of a united front, all the candidates from the entire opposition spectrum should be put in a party conference. It should not just be left in the hands of a selected few to select a candidate. This I believe will lead us to a defeat in October. The UDP should not and cannot be the sole benefactor in our struggle. The marriage of convenience between the PPP and UDP will short live. Come January after our defeat the likes of some of these people will contest in the same constituencies with the UDP candidates. Guess who will win? The APRC. If Dibba's narration is correct and that it was a conspiracy between the PPP and UDP, I will put my character to test and endorse Dibba. For those of us who grew up in the early 70s, we are aware of the split between Dibba and the same group of people who are christinening the new PPP. Another disturbing thing is the selection of a Purple colour as the new brand for the PPP. Are we aware that NRP has preemptive rights to this colour? Why bring confusing at a time when we are seeking unity? As a supporter of NCP, I reserve the right to hear from my leader. I have known Dibba to be a man of integrity and will not second guess his narration of facts. As politicians, we must be willing to take bold steps. Dibba has a right to be heard. Until we hear from him, please let us give him the benefit of the doubt. Naphiyo, Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh Greensboro, NC/Kombo East Constituency -------------------------------------------------------------------- Mail2Web - Check your email from the web at http://www.mail2web.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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------