From FOROYAA Burning Issues NO: 1/2003 2 - 5 January, 2003 Interview With The New British High Commissioner, Mr. Eric Jenkinson On the 30th day of December 2002, our reporter had an interview with the New British High Commissioner, Mr. Eric Jenkinson in his office at 48 Atlantic Road, Fajara. The interview centred on the national relationship, African relationship and international relationship with the British government. And the interview goes thus: FOROYAA: Describe the relation between the Gambia Government and the British Government? Mr. Jenkinson: Very good. Because when I had a discussion with the President not long ago he was very open to me and on that day our discussion centred mainly on bilateral relationship of brotherly countries. FOROYAA: How are you going to foster the relationship between the two countries for the interest of their peoples? Mr. Jenkinson: Well, I will try to continue the support that I found here and work harder with government in the interest of the two countries during my tenure of office in The Gambia. FOROYAA: What assistance do you have for the Gambia? Mr. Jenkinson: Well I have a lot assistance for The Gambia, like in the area of education, health, agriculture, politically and especially in the area of trade, industry and employment. I have in fact discussed with the Foreign minister how to extend our trade, industry and employment relation with the Gambian people. And also during my discussion with the SoS for Foreign Affairs I did tell him that the Speaker of The National Assembly would be also invited for an official visit to the United Kingdom at the end of January 2003. FOROYAA: What is your relation with civil society? Mr. Jenkinson: Excellent. Because The Gambian societies are very kind, and we share the same political system. We do share some traditional culture too. And also we are looking at ways of how to help them to play an active role in the political arena. Because we belief in freedom of expression. I love the Gambian people. FOROYAA: How do you see NEPAD as a new initiative for Africa? Mr. Jenkinson: My contribution to NEPAD will be in many ways, like it's a political support and also it could be also through the European Union (EU). FOROYAA: Why is the British government behind America in supporting her in whatever she says or does? Mr. Jenkinson: No you are wrong, we don't support America in whatever she says or does. We only support her for the interest of all nations. And we, the British have many roles to play as well as the Americans and even in the Middle East we do tell them, let us try and resolve the problem, because we do tell to each other the truth when it comes to decision making for the interest of the International Community. That is why I don't see anything like someone is leading and the other follows. FOROYAA: Why don't you assist the UN weapons inspectors in Iraq to do their work effectively rather than pressurising them? Mr. Jenkinson: No we are not pressurising them, but supporting them so that they will give a concrete report to the UN. Because we all know that they are an independent body and also experts in their work. And furthermore, the team comprised the British, Americans and even the European Union not only states are involved. FOROYAA: Why are you insisting in eradicating Iraqi weapons of mass destruction? Mr. Jenkinson: We have clear evidence that Iraq is with weapons of mass destruction. To prove that even the report that comes from the Iraqis themselves was very clear manifestation that Iraq is with weapons of mass destruction. Furthermore, the preliminary report that the weapons inspectors reported some time ago was another manifestation. FOROYAA: Why can't you the British and the Americans regulate or control your own nuclear weapons to inspire others countries with weapons of mass destruction, especially the small countries to follow suit? Mr. Jenkinson: This one is not only the duty of the Americans or the British alone, because there are conventions that we the UN member countries signed to fight against this. And these countries include the Gambia which is also a small country like Britain. That is why we all have a role to play in this aspect. And let us bear in mind that accountability and transparency must prevail in all countries and continents that are involved. Background Information Mr. Jenkinson was born on 13 March 1950. He is a divorcee. He has two sons from his previous marriage. He entered the Foreign and Commonwealth Office(FCO) in 1969. He worked for the FCO successfully in Brussels, Islamabad, Jeddah, Riyadh, Bonn, Frankfurt, Bahrain and finally in Tehran where he was first Secretary/Commercial/Electronic, later (temporarily) as deputy head of mission. He left Tehran in 2002. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: FOROYAA (Freedom) NO: 1/2003 2 - 5 January, 2003 ISSN: 0796- 08573 Address: FOROYAA, P.O.Box 2306, Serrekunda, The Gambia, West Africa Telephone: (220) 393177 Fax: (220) 393177 Email address: [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] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~