Comrades: If I were asked to assessed Gambia's political history and judge the people admired most, I would not hesitate to name the late Hon. Fa Kebba Nyama Leigh, Hon. MC Jallow, Hon Muhammad Garba Jahumpa, Hon. Famara Wassa Touray, Hon. O. Jallow, Hon. Yaya Ceesay, Hon. Sabally, and Hon. Krubally of Basse. Why? I chose these people because I personally met them even though I was anti-PPP. I fondly remember their willingness to listen and appropriate diplomatic voices in responding to my queries. These folks were respectful. Do you know that my own MP refused to sign a declaration for me to get a passport? Who came to my rescue? Hon. Fa Kebba Nyama Leigh. During Sir Dawda's tenure, many politicians came and went. Some capitalized their political opportunity at the expense of the Gambian people. Some mortgaged their future and turned their backs on the very principles that they stood for. Under the APRC government a few Gambians were quick to embrace the young soldiers. Some of our current comrades danced with the APRC at its infancy. Some realized that their days with the APRC government were things of the past. They are now part of our struggle. Do we have the right to pass judgment on these people? Can we conclude with certainty that these folks are not sincere? How can we make the Gambia democratic? We have to adjust our attitudes. It is okay to disagree in principle. But it is immature to curse people that you disagree with. How can you captivate the audience when you are insensitive to their needs? How can the audience trust you when you are indifferent? Respect is not given but it is earned. I stand here today to evoke my political moderation. I have no problem with those who disagree with me. I will be quick to condemn any Gambian who resorts to insults because they disagree with what is said. My candidacy asks that the journey be inclusive. My candidacy advocates that we are one Gambia and one tribe. My candidacy condemns tribalism. My candidacy will openly address the sins of tribalism. My candidacy is approachable. As we approach summer, I will be going to visit the Gambia after summer school. I will be holding meetings with opposition members. I will request permission from the APRC government to holding a meeting in Brikama. So as we debate issues relative to the Gambia, I appeal that we remain calm and respectful. If accusations are made against any Gambian, I request that you be fair in analyzing the situation before concluding with insults. My source tells me not to cut the hand that feeds me. I replied in a nice Gambia voice in affirming that request. Naphiyo, Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~