>From: Maila Touray <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Meeting with the new US Ambassador >Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2001 13:57:39 -0400 > >As we adamantly monitors events leading up to Gambia's Presidential >election, Concerned Gambian Residents in the USA, met with the new US >Ambassador to Gambia, Mr. Mcdonald, at the State Department. During the >almost, two hour briefing, a seven-page PETITION FOR HELP IN BUILDING A >BETTER GAMBIA, was handed to the Ambassador and after giving a brief >background and comparison on Gambian socio-political/economic history, a >quarter of >the time was spent on the lack of good governance, tolerance, >accountability, misuse of power and privilege, abrogation of law and >order, illegal detention and torture of citizens, constant intimidation >of the press and opposition parties and the upcoming presidential >election. > >Since the current US embargo on Gambia [508] imposed on the Gambia in >July 1994, is still in full force, the outcome of a free and fair >presidential election, determines whether 508 is lifted or kept in >force. This lies in the hands of local and international observers, >currently on the ground. > >The second topic was on the US-Gambia business/visitor/student visa >problems faced by applicants [duration of stay]. The Ambassador was >asked to consider changing of current system, short-term and >high/expensive application fee, to free and long validity/multiple entry >visas, thereby, eliminating the doubt of overstaying. The Ambassador was >very receptive to this idea and will make it a priority, pending >Banjul's reciprocity to US Citizens. > >Since the AFPRC/APRC with its authoritarian tendencies, continuously >violates its end of the mandate and violates the contractual >agreement/relationship of give and take, Gambians en-mass, began >questioning whether they are obligated to obey its, AFPRC/APRC's >rulings, decrees and indemnities or to pledge allegiance to such >government. We therefore pleaded with the US State Department and the >international community to >keep a watchful eye on events leading to and after the elections. > >On the economic developmental front, the past seven years vis-a-vis 508 >[limited development assistance to Gambia], we urged the Ambassador to >help secure technical assistance, grants and aid, to help avert the >alarming poverty, indebtedness and misery index, made worst by the >events of July 22, 1994. The issue of Debt reduction or elimination for >Gambia was discussed and the Ambassador raised some serious insights >into the HIPC [Highly Indebted Poor Countries] program in relation to >the US Treasury Department's fear of abuse and misuse of relief funds. > >Other issues discussed includes more access to US airspace, i.e. more >support to facilitate more direct flights to/from Gambia, Democracy and >Human Rights in The Gambia, Press freedom, Good governance and >corruption, Economic development (trade, investment, development >assistance) and US-Gambia Relations - how they can be improved, and how >ordinary Gambians and Americans can help. > >Thank you all for your continued support. > >Maila > ><>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<> > >To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface >at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html > ><>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>