From The Observer Jammeh receives diplomats The State House for the past weeks been inundated with courtesy-calls in succession as diplomats and consular corps last Thursday moved to endorse President Jammeh following his victory in the last Presidential election . President Jammeh in brief statement, commended them for accepting the Gambian people’s verdict. "This is what democracy is all about. If you cannot accept the truth and the will of the people, you are not qualified to be called a democrat and I would want the Gambian people to see for themselves who are true friends of The Gambia because when you criticise me, it wouldn’t hurt me, knowing that it is from a friend and the criticism is genuine. But it hurts me and becomes unacceptable that you criticise me knowing that you are not a friend," he said. Commenting on the recent Presidential election, President Jammeh reiterated that since 1996, Gambian elections have always been free and fair. "In 1996, there were observers from all countries that are absent here today. But realising that the APRC have won and it was against their wish, they gave the international community the impression that the elections were not fair. The same voter pattern and system is used, but this time around, we made it very clear that we can no longer bank on the Commonwealth and the British. We invited everybody to come, French, American and Independent observers whose integrity cannot be questioned and we decided to open The Gambia to all media houses. As a result, you can hear from the comments that the elections were free and fair but we will help to improve. We don’t need anybody’s help. Our election is the best in the world, for it is very free, fair and transparent. They have nothing to teach or tell us," Jammeh noted. President Jammeh emphasised that the sovereignty and independence of The Gambia must be respected and also vowed that the peace and stability of the country could never be compromised under any circumstances. "If you hide behind political campaign to create felony, you will be arrested and the police will continue their investigation, for the laws of The Gambia are neither suspended nor abrogated. There were five political parties in this country and only one party wanted to bring about anarchy in this country. As the head of state, I will not accept that". Jammeh assured the diplomats that The Gambia would remain peaceful and stable, "because what we wish for mankind is peace, stability and love. The Gambia may be small but we have a big heart and if humanity should follow and listen to us, we will make this world a better place for mankind. Just like our election, if all countries follow Gambia’s pattern and system of voting, we cannot have controversy over elections. Gambians have proven and would always prove that big things come from small things". President Jammeh thanked the diplomats for accepting the Gambian people’s verdict and for standing by justice. "If we do wrong, criticise us and we will be very happy and if we do right, come back and tell us. We wouldn’t be surprised that those who were making big noise up to now never said anything about our election even though the whole world said it was free and fair" he said. Speaking earlier, the SoS for Interior, Ousman Badjie, who was overseeing Foreign Affairs, said The Gambia had demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt and also proved those sceptics wrong that though small, "we are mature people who can go through a very peaceful and transparent election". SoS Badjie called on the diplomats, especially those from European countries, to always confirm with government authorities certain ‘misinterpretations’ by the opposition parties concerning alleged harassment of their party militants in order to have the official version before sending their reports. "Find out to know exactly what went wrong and where. Anybody arrested within these period have infringed the Public Order Act and the police have the mandate and order to apprehend offenders and take them before the courts of law". Also speaking, SoS Singhateh said the Gambian people have spoken in a clear language and it was very obvious not only to the Gambian people but to "you in our country and to the whole world that not only was the election extremely transparent and well managed, but the choice of the people was Jammeh". SoS Singhateh said it had been difficult during the transition, not being fully accepted by some members of the international community. "Although it had been a frustration to some of us, we proved to ourselves that there is a new wind blowing across Africa with the new leadership and it is here to stay". SoS Singhateh appealed to the diplomats to assist Jammeh to build a better Gambia to serve as an example "so that the world would be able to appreciate your efforts," he said. For his part, the dean of the diplomatic and consular corps, Morikeh Fofanah, congratulated The Gambia for a peaceful and well organised election. "The Gambians have demonstrated once more that indeed they are also people with imagination, respect for rule of law and can do things that even bigger nations have failed to do and I am happy that the opposition have conceded defeat which is unusual in Africa". Ambassador Fofanah noted that contrary to stereotypical statements, democracy can be practiced in the smallest states in Africa. Other speakers included Mariano Lores of Cuba, Ndiougha Ndiage of Senegal, Abel Coeluo de Mendonca of Guinea Bissau and Ahmed Mohammed Ghadhi of Mauritiania. Present at the ceremony were secretaries of state and secretary general, Office of the President, Julia Joiner. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>> To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>