Now, this is the hypocrisy with American Foreign policy. You had thought that Deyda was not murdered right in front of Mr. Stafford. Mr. Ambassador, you are just repeating the obvious here. Gambians knew long ago that your government is in bed with Jammeh, as long as he can frame you a few Arabs as "Al Quida" or "Taliban". Thus, our liberation is in our hands - Gambians. We know we cannot depend on your government, thus ours is a grassroots effort - self help - "tesito". We are way ahead. What has your government said or done when Koro was murdered? How about the April 10 massacre? the countless other assassinations, assassination attempts, torture and illegal detention of Gambians? And so, where is the surprise here? We knew where your loyalties are. Quoting Don Rumsvelt, "We work with the African Presidents we have, not the ones we wish we have". That sums it all. Chi Jaama Joe Ambassador Stafford harps on democracy Written by Bakare Muritala Thursday, 28 April 2005 Joseph Stfford, the American ambassador to The Gambia, has made it clear that his government will never impose democratic principles on the republic of The Gambia or indeed any other country. Mr Stafford who was speaking at the closing ceremony of the NGO human rights forum on Tuesday said: “The United States has no blueprint on democracy for The Gambia or any other country in the region. We will not impose any democratic blueprint on The Gambia. It has to adopt its own blue print of democracy and good governance.” He stated that The Gambia can count on the United States’ support on democracy and the strengthening of human rights. He said there is already an ongoing dialogue between the two for which he praised The Gambia government for its openness during the dialogue. The US ambassador further stated that his country has also started working with the National Assembly, the military and the media. He continued to say that The Gambia is fortunate to benefit from AGOA. Mr Stafford also said the US Millennium Challenge Account is already on course and countries eligible will get their share of it as required. Mr Stafford reiterated President Bush’s commitment and pledge to democracy and the rule of law. He finally commended the NGOs for their continuous struggle for human rights and democracy on the continent. Also speaking at the end of the forum, Hannah Forster, executive director of the ACDHRS, said pressing human rights issues have been discussed and she hoped that the recommendations and resolutions passed will go a long way in improving the status of human rights on the continent. Last Updated ( Friday, 29 April 2005 ) ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ 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 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] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤