Mr. Jawara, I also think that it was a very good piece. However, I need to clarify that I did not write the article. Like most people, I will send my observation of the Symposium which the report is addressing. Best Regards, Abdoul Njie >From: "SS.Jawara" <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: FWD: PRESS RELEASE FROM THE APRC BRANCH ATLANTA >Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2002 23:39:19 +0200 > >Mr. Njie: > > >This was a well written piece. I indeed wish to read more from you with >great expectation. Thanks for the piece and may God bless us all. Take >Care! > >Thanks for sharing! > >SS.Jawara >Stockholm, Sweden. > > > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Abdoul Njie" <[log in to unmask]> >To: <[log in to unmask]> >Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2002 10:32 PM >Subject: FWD: PRESS RELEASE FROM THE APRC BRANCH ATLANTA > > > > Culled From > > > > The Observer (Banjul) > > > > August 6, 2002 Posted to the web August 6, 2002 > > > > Banjul > > > > Gambians in America speak out. > > > > > > Gambians resident in America have voiced out their concerns on the >country's > > democratic process. > > The press release from Gambians in Atlanta was signed by their president > > Salifu Jallow, chairman of the APRC Atlanta organisation. > > Below we reproduce the full text of the release: > > We want to take this opportunity to thank the leadership and supporters >of > > the United Gambian Organisation of Atlanta (UGOA) for holding such a > > historically significant event. We support any initiative to promote > > constructive dialogue throughout the diaspora among the Gambian people. >We > > listened very carefully to the other presenters, Dr Abdoulaye Saine and >Mr. > > Waa Juwara aka Mbarodi. We also appreciated the input of many of the > > audience participants many of them members of the local APRC chapter and > > others who voiced their support and commitment. Dr Saine attempted to > > present an intelligent and sensitive analysis of the conditions of The > > Gambia. > > > > > > However, his concerns, although they may have been well intended, led >him >to > > many contradictions. His failure to take into account the historical > > realities of colonialism in his summarisation resulted in his seeking to > > place blame for what he perceived as shortcomings and failures of APRC. > > Thus, what has been accepted by some Gambians as a legitimate and >critical > > analysis misses the mark by far. A first year student of International > > Economics and Development might find a number of significant points to > > criticise his paper. > > > > > > However, he was very respectful and sincere in his presentation and to >his > > credit, he sought to encourage the audience to conduct critical thinking > > about such issues as infrastructure development, medical and health >care, > > education, and family relationships. We encourage our intellectuals to >move > > beyond analysis and invest their time and talent in meaningful >development > > strategies that will help produce businesses and institutions that will > > expand opportunities for our people. Intellectuals often spend so much >time > > demanding that the government do this and that, yet fail to recognise >that > > in the free market economies of the west, the individual, the >organisation, > > and teams of entrepreneurs are the driving forces for creating >opportunity. > > > > > > The argument that a large number of' "Jolas" are in significant roles in >the > > government despite their being a minority simply serves to fuel the >culture > > of ethnic rivalry and tribalism that threatens the long term stability >of > > The Gambia. How do we profess to be a progressive nation yet look down >on > > each other because of our tribal affiliations? We cannot afford to >promote > > one group as being superior to another. > > Ethnic superiority is merely the false illusion of superiority based on > > tribal affiliation. The leadership of any country reserves the right to > > select key people for various positions. The fact is that employment in >the > > military sector is one of the smallest sectors in our country. > > > > Finally, Dr. Saine can be assured that the government of President >Jammeh > > understands how critical the agricultural sector is to our economy. We >will > > preserve our farmers, our youth, our women, our families and our future. >The > > APRC government is moving beyond doing a cursory analysis of our >problems >as > > a nation to structuring sustainable growth and development strategies >that > > will enable us to become a world-class society and a world-class >economy. > > > > Perhaps we should consider these comments: "The Gambian authorities are >to > > be commended for The Gambia's generally encouraging economic performance > > since 1998 under the PRGF arrangement. During this period. > > > > > > The Gambia experienced sustained per capita GDP growth and low inflation >and > > an improvement in the fiscal balance. The authorities took corrective > > measures, including the adoption of an appropriate macroeconomic >framework > > and supporting policies for 2002-2004 in response to pressures on the >budget > > that emerged earlier this year. On the basis of the corrective measures, >the > > Board granted a waiver for the non-observance of the quantitative > > performance criterion with respect to net bank credit to the Central > > Government, and the second review was completed." > > IMF report 12/2001 > > > > > > Speaking on the occasion of the commemoration of his country's National >Day > > (4"' of July) at his Fajara residence yesterday, Mr McDonald said: "The > > United States recognises that The Gambia has made significant progress > > towards democracy, the rule of law and respect for basic human rights". > > U.S. Ambassador Jackson McDonald, > > 5 July 2002 > > > > "Mr. Chambas who was attending a recent meeting in Ghana of Central Bank > > Governors whose countries are working stridently towards abolishing >their > > individual currencies for a single West African currency told >journalists >in > > Accra that The Gambia's rate of inflation, which is somewhat slower than >its > > much larger neighbours, stands a good chance of meeting the required > > 'minimum inflation', before the deadline, which may not be met by the >other > > countries due to their seemingly irreversible rate of inflation." > > The Independent (Banjul) July 1, 2002 > > > > There is undoubtedly a place in The Gambia for intellectuals who >contribute > > to the growth and development of the lives of our people. APRC and our > > leader President Yahya Jammeh, will continue to provide the kind of > > leadership that will build infrastructure, viable institutions, reduce > > infant mortality, improve education, healthcare and the quality of life >of > > our people. It is questionable whether there is a place in The Gambia >for > > sterile unproductive intellectuals who believe that criticism and > > unqualified scholarship should be masqueraded as a contribution to our > > future! > > > > > > Clearly, the Gambian people wherever you find them in the world, all >share >a > > deep and common love for The Gambia and wish to return home. We can hear >and > > feel the concerns of the Gambia people. We want to point out that a > > "constructive dialogue" can indeed be an effective tool for nation >building. > > The first reality we must face is that President Jammeh is the elected > > leader of the people of Gambia, he has not only received that honour >once > > but for a second term. The promotion of emotional rhetoric and fiery >words > > from those who lost the election must be tolerated. However, one has to > > challenge their sense of patriotism and their clarity on Gambia's role >on > > the World scene. We have to stop conducting our affairs like a bunch of > > quarrelling children in a neighbourhood backyard and realise that we are > > rapidly seeking to become a more significant leader on the continent of > > Africa and indeed on the world scene. We need a moratorium on this "war >of > > words". The Gambian people do not benefit from abusing each other. We >cannot > > fix our problems or effectively address our social dilemmas across a >void >of > > meaningless rhetoric, hatred, anger and a cycle of vengeance. > > > > > > The leadership of the APRC both here and in The Gambia has much larger > > concerns than fiery rhetoric and emotional speeches that do not provide > > constructive solutions to our problems. We are reminded of the words of > > former Ambassador George W. Haley on the occasion of his 75th birthday: > > "Instead of informing the populace about programs and plans, too many >public > > figures engage in personal attacks and the publication of rumours just >for > > sensational effect." > > > > > > Because Mr. Waa Juwara is an elder and member of a political party in >The > > Gambia none of the members of the Atlanta APRC wished to disrespect him, >or > > criticise him in an open forum. But, frankly many of his remarks were > > designed to fan the flames of anger and emotion. He launched a number of > > claims and charges without putting forth any real substantial evidence. > > Slander and defamation of the character and reputation of the leadership >of > > the Gambia does nothing to move us forward as a people. It is a >disservice > > to democracy and certainly not a means to facilitate peace, progress, > > productivity and prosperity. > > > > > > Perhaps, he failed to recognise that there was a large number of APRC > > supporters and members at this event. Perhaps because no one was rude >enough > > to get up and shout him down by voicing disagreement with the majority >of > > sentiments he fostered. > > > > Many persons in attendance viewed his presentation with a quiet disdain > > because it was so negative. His effort to discredit the recent elections >and > > his unwillingness to acknowledge the gesture of reconciliation by >President > > Jammeh in facilitating a peaceful and dignified return of Sir Dawda >Jawara > > to his homeland was unquestionable. Instead he chose to cheapen that > > important symbolic effort. > > > > > > We will succeed as a nation with the help of Almighty God, despite the > > criticism of the blamers. We have a small but vocal and angry group of > > partisans who seem unable to move toward productive contributions to our > > peace, productivity, progress, and prosperity. Threats of frustrating >the > > APRC Government's capacity to achieve its goals are both empty and >foolish. > > Our leadership, our government, our people are woven together in a >delicate > > tapestry. APRC seeks to preserve that tapestry and our future. The >sacrifice > > of patriots will require the elimination of angry, emotional and >meaningless > > rhetoric. We must move forward, we must stand together. > > > > > > No nation is without its tragedies and social ills. The leadership of >the > > APRC is deeply committed to moving us forward as a nation. However, we >do > > not have the luxury of making ourselves look like a nation of buffoons >to > > the rest of the world. The tragedy of April 2000 touched the lives of >all > > Gambians. The authorities on the ground made a serious error in >judgment. > > The students made a serious error in judgment when they sought to take >the > > law into their own hands and defy the legally constituted authority. A > > tragedy was the end result. A tragedy that we will all live with and >regret > > for a long, long, time. However, it is unethical and immoral to lay the > > blame for this tragedy at the feet of the President. Those persons who > > continue to blame him personally -the head of state-in this tragedy fail >to > > recognise the realities of the situation. > > > > > > It does not make sense anywhere in the world for people to redress their > > grievances legitimate or otherwise by confronting armed security >personnel. > > Certainly, we as Gambians do not have to resort to stone throwing and > > rioting to solve our problems. The person or persons accused of >committing > > the crimes that triggered this incident should have been brought to the > > proper authority. Whatever legitimate legal and political means to do so > > should have been utilised. . The fact is those persons who instigated >the > > students by fanning their emotions and pushing them into the melee - >must > > share the blame for this tragedy. > > > > > > We encourage those individuals who want to provide financial support to >the > > children in need of medical assistance to do so. Dissent should be >peaceful > > and constructive. We need to sit at the table together as a "Gambian >family" > > and work through our future as a nation of civilized and intelligent >people. > > We should understand from this experience that rock throwing and >emotional > > confrontations in our streets will not bring about justice nor peaceful > > resolution to our problems. When people commit crimes, there must be a > > process governed by the rule of law to bring them to justice. We are >praying > > for these families and we are praying for the healing of the nation. > > > > > > The leading nations of the International community: The so-called G-8 > > nations are looking at Africa. The Council of Foreign Relations, The > > Tri-lateral commission, the Bilderberg Group, The World Bank, The > > International Monetary Fund, The World Trade Organisation and other > > International strategic think tanks and intelligence agencies are >assessing > > "their long term interest in the critical resources of the continent. We >are > > a major gateway to the continent. There is a serious debate raging in > > political circles around the globe concerning the future of Africans. >Some > > are advocating the so-called "benevolent colonialism". > > > > Still others are simply writing Africa off as a continent of primitive > > savages incapable of self-government or of rising to world-class >leadership. > > Even more terrifying are those who would let the continent be ravaged by > > aids, Ebola smallpox, malaria and even more terrifying diseases. We are > > burdened with politicians who should be asked: "What did you do during >your > > term in offices? What substantive legacy and benefit have you left our > > people in the many positions that you held?" We have the right to know >and > > the responsibility to ask. However, those who do not wish to see a >stable > > African continent, a stable African nation, and a stable Gambia must be > > amused at our petty child-like squabbles. We have had some tragedies, we > > have had some shocks. But, the Almighty has protected us from the crises >in > > the Sudan or Rwanda or South Africa. We have emerged in the 21st century >as > > one of the nations with great potential for a bright and meaningful >future. > > > > > > We have our enemies. Our enemies will revel in our so-called freedom to > > castigate ourselves on the world's stage. Those people who love to >humiliate > > and degrade the reputation of our leader, and our country fail to >recognise > > that the ultimate victim of their tirades and harangues are our own >people. > > They give our enemies fuel to undermine our future. We must wonder how >far > > they will go. The vast majority of Gambians want desperately to have a > > peaceful, productive and prosperous future. The APRC of Atlanta joins >the > > APRC of Gambia under the leadership of our President H E Yahya AJJ >Jammeh >in > > a call for peace, productivity, progress and prosperity. The time is at >hand > > and the future is bright before us. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. > > http://www.hotmail.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 > > To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: > > [log in to unmask] > > > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > > >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > >To unsubscribe/subscribe or 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] > >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.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 To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~