Culled From the Observer US-based Gambian hails President Jammeh A prominent Gambian based in the US, Pa Mamady Njie, has called on fellow Gambians abroad to support President Jammeh in order to move and the country forward. “The New Gambia (as he called it) is on the move economically, socially and politically and young Gambians deserve a Gambia that is progressive and peaceful”, he said. Mr Njie, who is the executive director of the African Exchange Forum, a US based organisation promoting business and Tourism in Africa, said he returned to the county three weeks ago to give his support to the president and his party during the last parliamentary elections as he did during the Presidential election. “The elections were fair and transparent, those who wished to participate, participated and those who chose to boycott, boycotted but the will of the people was demonstrated democratically”, he noted. Mr Njie who claimed to be one of the APRC leaders in America, said he supported President Jammeh because of the great changes The Gambia had gone through since he came to power. “I have seen some appreciative changes in terms of economic and political progress. This is why I told Gambians abroad not be misled but instead to come and see for themselves,” he noted. He however called on the press to give balanced report concerning the country. “The press should take full responsibility and report positive things about The Gambia and President Jammeh for the good work he is doing”, he remarked. Mr Njie said he was honoured to meet the president while in America on two occasions. “I was the chairman of the Gambian community in the US that received him and Gambians there had the privilege of listening to him and the president invited them to come home and participate in the development of the country”,he confirmed. Roots Festival As chairman of the African Exchange Forum, Mr Njie claimed he was one of the initiators of the Roots Festival and would like to congratulate President Jammeh for having given to the event an added momentum. “It will borough The Gambia as well as the diaspora but it is time that its organisation be handed over to the private sector so that the Roots festival can pay for itself and not depend on government resources but instead bring more economic activities to the private sector in the country. Amnesty to Jawara Mr Njie opined that the unconditional pardon to former president, Sir Dawda Jawara was a good move for reconciliation. “ “I congratulate the president for this magnanimous gesture and for the statesmanship he has shown since he assumed office. I call on all Gambians, that the elections are over, the people have spoken democratically and the country should not be held hostage by anybody... The New Gambia is on the move, let us join hands and work for its development,” he stressed. Mr Buba Baldeh, the managing director of Daily Observer in his turn, thanked Mr Mamady Njie, describing him a patriotic citizen and an excellent ambassador for The Gambia, who is allegiant and loyal to the country. “Therefore it is the duty of any progressive Gambian to support His Excellency, President Jammeh to attain his goals and objectives for all Gambians. _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>> 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] <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>