Joe STDGP will always be relevant so long it measures when to advance it cause and when to halt and self-analyse. As you once said here, our mutual criticism of each other is not a bad thing. I strongly believe it will make us grow stronger in accepting the diverse views of others. I will contest for the Chairmanship in the next election in STDGP. I am banking on your vote. Sigga already assured me that she will vote for me. The election will be wide open to all those who intend to be a registered member. I win against Banka no question. I am not sure if Dindin Mansa is a member (Chongan), he will vote for me. On a serious note, dictatorship in Africa tend to bring the worst in people and our case is no different. I still hope our guys back there can just bury their hatchet and get along. Live is too temporal to continue bickering. Thanks any way. Suntou On Wed, Jan 5, 2011 at 6:54 PM, Joe Joe <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Suntou, thanks for your response. STGDP has done what it humanly can and > we are moving on. The parties know what Gambians demand. They give the > voters what they demand, the voter votes for them. They do other wise, the > voters stay at home to avoid going through a fruitless exercise. Goodluck > to you and the UDP. > > Joe > > ------------------------------ > Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2011 17:42:03 +0000 > > From: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Foday Samateh master piece on the Coalition stalemate. As > STDGP deflate, independent opinions matters > To: [log in to unmask] > > Joe > STDGP will be here to stay and that is a welcome news. However, Foday said > stuffs which we have been calling for. Unless you now require glasses, it is > the UDP that is knocking on the doors of the others. I guess that passed you > without your observation. The UDP outlined its approach to PDOIS's Sedia in > that, they have to sit down and discuss ways of bridging the gaps, and who > was it that turned the whole business into a media drama? > Foday's views are commendable because of visible PDOIS support, therefore > the limitations in his piece are not for me to highlight because he was > braver than many to recognise that, no sane person should tell us to go to > primaries with anyone. > Also the terms limits, positions to be offer are the least relevant in a > situtation where dialogue hasn't commence proper. The UDP have maintained > that, Ousainou is serving one term limit, the constitution will be amended > to stipulate two term limits, the spoils are irrelevant Joe when the crux of > the matter is to first accept in principle the lead role of the UDP. > The others can chose which post they wish to fill. The reason i ignore > those are simply because they are not a stumbling block. > > The stumbling block are calling for primaries, refusal to engage with > fellow party leaders. Foday exposed those facts. He must also as a PDOIS > sympathiser appease his brothers with his skepticism. > Now coming to Musa's material, it was me who first salute it a a brave > call, but that it is missing some ingredients and that, going back to NADD > is not an option because of the way the whole affairs was conducted. And the > STDGP will always have a soft spot for NADD because the project that brought > the organisation to prominence. If Musa openly says, I will recommend the > position to STDGP, and folks like you came on it like a tone of bricks, one > must ask, has STDGP endorsed the views of the Statesman (Father Mose?)... > Musa has always been sober with is approach and the way he deal with others. > He is an impecable gentleman and someone I observe can control his > frustration, all the ingredient suited to a Diplomat charged with end war. > My advise to Musa is (it may not be relevant) but is to go through his > material, tick off areas that are tantanmount to agreement of both sides. He > has read the reaction of readers, I hope he has taken stock. > Suntou > > On Wed, Jan 5, 2011 at 5:10 PM, Joe Joe <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Suntou, for starters, please do not worry about the viability of the > STGDP. We have been here in excess of a decade and you will come to find > out that we will be here long after you are gone. Now, if you are > interested in a united coalition to defeat Yaya, below is the cornerstone of > what Foday stated, as to what your party and party leader must do for that > to happen. Incidentally, the same thing that Gambians have been asking for, > for the last ten years. Foday outlined both the strengths and shortcomings > of the UDP, PDOIS, and NRP, yet, you only see that of your enemy. If you > agree with Foday below, how come we are still here dealing with an impasse > on our quest for a united coalition? What you and your camp have been doing > have been done by others before you and it got us zilch. That is the reason > why folks are not jumping in the discussion about a united opposition, for > everything that is being said now by sober minds have already been said by > many, including Foday's. You saw that Musa signed his name at the end of > his write up. If it was that of the STGDP, don't you think you will also > see the letters STGDP there? There is nothing baffling about that and there > is nothing confusing about that. Personally, I will table for the STGDP to > conclude discussion on a united coalition and to focus on finding an > alternative after 2011. If the parties or their leadership are interested > in a united coalition, our doors are open. However, we are done running and > chasing after folks. Below is Foday's thoughts about a coalition. > > > "In this election cycle, Mr. Darboe is refusing to entertain any suggestion > of a primary. By all means he should for reasons highlighted above. Given > the share of mass support each opposition leader enjoys in the country, he > is entitled to insist on being the flag bearer. Nothing is undemocratic > about it. The fact that even as he reaches out to the others he stands > firmly his ground on the question of leadership makes him the leader he > never proved to be." > > > "Beyond the solitary question of flag bearer, he must unconditionally put > all other cards on the table. He needs to make three major concessions to > demonstrate that he is willing to make real sacrifices for the nation in the > interest of alliance. He needs to unilaterally announce that if elected > president on the united opposition ticket, he will serve only one term of > five years to end our national nightmare. He needs to publicly give all the > assurances that the key positions in the transition government from vice > president, foreign minister, justice minister, finance minister, interior > minister and others will be given to alliance partners at a unity > conference. He needs to also publicly declare that the Shadow Cabinet of > the *A**lliance* will come up with a comprehensive bill of democratic > reforms as the campaign platform. These reforms must include: writing a new > Constitution to ensure full and proper*S**eparation of P**owers* and term > limit for the President, realigning the state institutions in conformity > with open and transparent government, and restructuring the economy. The > policy and institutional reform aspects of the 2006 MoU and Agenda 2011 are > great starting points and he needs to say so to reassure fellow opposition > leaders that he is reaching out in good faith and not taking them for a > ride. He also needs to caution his supporters to cease and desist from > using *crude and gratuitous language* in reference to his fellow > opposition leaders. If he will insist on being the leader he must act like > one both publicly and privately." > > > "Mr. Darboe’s own record of dealing with fellow opposition leaders has come > home to roost. In previous National Assembly elections, Mr. Sallah called > for *tactical alliance* among the opposition parties to win more seats for > a strong challenge to the ruling APRC in the legislature. In one instance at > least, UPD left Hon. Jatta to his own resources against the ruling APRC > opponent but kept throwing a spoiler at Mr. Sallah thus giving sense-defying > advantage to Yahya Jammeh’s candidate. Had Darboe made high-minded > investment in graciousness in the past, the opposition would have a bigger > voice with Mr. Sallah in the National Assembly and he would have much easier > time convincing PDOIS that he is a reliable national leader and not a petty > partisan. He has never condemned or renounced all the lies and fictitious > innuendoes that kept erupting out of UDP circles to discredit PDOIS and > particularly, Mr. Sallah." > > > Joe > ------------------------------ > Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2011 10:41:31 +0000 > From: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Foday Samateh master piece on the Coalition stalemate. As > STDGP deflate, independent opinions matters > > To: [log in to unmask] > > Oh Musa I have read the piece thoroughly. It is you who need to read what i > said and re-read what Foday said. You know he is a genuine open PDOIS > supporter who took some swipe at Ousainou yet he was honest in appreciating > what rival politics is all about. To us PDOIS is not ideal and to them we > are not ideal, this is why, there is partisanship. > Foday honestly critic the PDOIS position with an open declaration and > appreciation of its leaders. His critics were soften with his strong > skepticism of UDP. This is what a good partisan should do especially with > our level of democracy. > I read his article three times before sharing, like I did with yours. > Foday's honesty lies in saying loud and clear, *if it is PDOIS in UDP's > position, no one dare tell them to go through primaries and all the time > wasting and foot dragging. And only a frank commentator will do that.* > Where he has erred was his fear that, Halifa is singled out by us for > special treatment. I agree, we singled him out because he was until recently > the only mouth piece of PDOIS and he never hesitate to take a swipe at us, > therefore he placed himself at our critical lenses. Foday also appeased his > PDOIS brethren by avoiding to tell them that, they too should desist from > pouring scorn and lying against us. But do i expect a reputable PDOIS > supporter to toe the line that far, hell no. However, notwithstanding his > depiction of the UDP and Ousainou, he spoke eloquently and frankly without > any hidden dishonesty. > > Yours on the other hand seems favourable to the UDP, however, what you fail > to take into account is the fact that, NADD the pet project of your > organisation is a registered political party now. It is not the pristine > idea that, STDGP delicately sponsored. I in fact hailed your views, I am not > afraid to accept the sincere contribution of anyone. The irony is, some > PDOIS contributors are twisting your views to make it favourable to their > side. I wonder why? Musa, you guys have done your best and I agree with one > of your older statesman who said, it is time maybe to look for alternative > options with Demba Baldeh as the Presidential Candidate. God we need a > journalist to take the mantle, who should it be???? The Demba bit is a joke. > > One thing though, I thought your latest write up was your singular opinion > which you intend to recommend to STDGP or was it in fact STDGP's position > with your Chairman Banka, Secretary Chris, Sigga, Fatou Jaw, Demba and the > whole crews standpoint? This is the baffling bit. > Thanks > Suntou > > On Wed, Jan 5, 2011 at 1:45 AM, Musa Jeng <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Suntou: > > Please go back and read this masterful piece, I totally agree with Mr. > Samateh's points and in the final analysis I like what is really the > ultimate objective of the piece.... a deal for a coalition of opposition > parties to bring an end, to borrow his phrase - the Petty dicatator. > > Thank you > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "suntou touray" <[log in to unmask]> > To: [log in to unmask] > Sent: Tuesday, January 4, 2011 6:35:29 PM > Subject: Foday Samateh master piece on the Coalition stalemate. As STDGP > deflate, independent opinions matters > > > > http://www.thegambiaecho.com/Homepage/tabid/36/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2150/OpinionFor-The-Gambia-Our-Homeland.aspx > > Foday Samateh, I agree with you. I wasn't a UDP supporter either during the > NADD debacle, because Ousainou allowed himself to be taken for granted. Life > is about facing reality and handing undue concession is totally prone to > failures. Lamin Waa was used by those who knew they have no muscle to muster > yet allowed his non-existence principle to gallop to flag bearer position. I > concur with your criticism of Ousainou for his 2006 allowances and it this > allowances that Musa Jeng is pinning his compromise on. NADD is a political > party of its own, this is against the grains of what should have done, hence > NADD is not an option. An Excellent honest speaking. Imagine if we have more > PDOIS thinkers like you and Bailo. Thanks > Suntou > > -- > Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22 > "And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the > difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs > for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran > > www.suntoumana.blogspot.com > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To > unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web > interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search > in the Gambia-L archives, go to: > http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.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://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search > in the Gambia-L archives, go to: > http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the > List Management, please send an e-mail to: > [log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ > > > > > -- > Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22 > "And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the > difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs > for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran > > www.suntoumana.blogspot.com > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To > unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web > interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search > in the Gambia-L archives, go to: > http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.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://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search > in the Gambia-L archives, go to: > http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the > List Management, please send an e-mail to: > [log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ > > > > > -- > Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22 > "And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the > difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs > for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran > > www.suntoumana.blogspot.com > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To > unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web > interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search > in the Gambia-L archives, go to: > http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.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://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html > > To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: > http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the > List Management, please send an e-mail to: > [log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ > -- Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22 "And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran www.suntoumana.blogspot.com ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤