DITTO Karamba.

>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <[log in to unmask]>

>Subject: Engaging the Government

>Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 15:47:25 EDT

>A couple years ago , a comprehensive document proposing a framework of

>engagement between the government and it's political opponents was circulated

>on the list. It was a moderate approach that encompassed a very basic set of

>requests to improve the overall political and governance environment. Fully

>implimented, the document envisoned a vibrant dialogue among all interested

>parties, from the established political parties, civil society to diaspora

>Gambians within the context of full and participatory democracy. The

>principal author (DR Saine) took the time to also incorporate into the

>document a roadmap to achieving the stipulated goals. While I agreed with

>everything the document espoused and was appreciative of the efforts of it's

>proponents, I did not believe the government of Yahya Jammeh could be

>constructively engaged on the very crucial issues of responsible governance,

>human rights and the rule of law. A government that is essentially composed

>of your garden variety thugs and murderers is by nature anathema to the very

>same things most list members would like to see addressed. I did not then

>nor do I now believe we can or should engage them. Their nature is in

>permanent conflict with the things we wish for our nation and it's people.

>These are the wrong people with the wrong temprement that would bring

>nothing but misery , abuse and disrepute to our people. Electoral politics as

>it is currently conifgured and practiced in our country will not bring about

>the necessary changes we want. All we will get from this regime will be lies

>, death and destruction. No nation has successfully rid itself of a ruthless

>tyranny by either cuddling them or attempting to reason with them . It just

>doesn't happen. My personal view is we must see this regime for what it

>really is and confront it as a mortal enemy that is determined to destroy

>our country.

> Karamba

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