I will still vote for PDOIS if we had a level playing field. I like the message. Mboge Nyang, sorry for sending the earlier message to your private mail box, thought i was responding to the Gambia-L list. On Sat, Jan 5, 2013 at 2:07 PM, Modou Mboge <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > I will still vote for PDOIS if we had a level playing field. I like the > message. > > > On Sat, Jan 5, 2013 at 11:06 AM, Modou Nyang <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > >> *PDOIS’ NEWYEAR MESSAGE* >> *ISSUED BY HALIFA SALLAH 1 JANUARY 2013* >> The year 2012 is behind us. The year 2013 has commenced its historical >> recordings. We have a right to act as we wish. History has the duty to >> record our actions and posterity shall be the judge. It is now time to take >> stock. 2012 has been a most dramatic year. It is full of complexities and >> uncertainties. Never in the history of the country since the coup days have >> Gambians been exposed to more unsettling and disturbing news than the ones >> which came to their notice in 2012. The reaction to the uncertainties had >> been varied. >> By mid-year many Gambians sat at the edge of their seat as operation Bull >> dozer was unleashed leading to raids that resulted in the arbitrary arrest, >> detention, and degrading treatment of many youths and non Gambians >> alike, from Banjul to Koina, provoking some to leave the Gambia for >> safer Haven elsewhere. Many poor people and non Gambians were outraged >> and we came to their aid by exposing the unconstitutionality of the >> operation and its potential to ignite the flight of investment. >> Interestingly enough at the very instance when Operation Bull Dozer was >> being promoted as a mechanism for fighting crime, on Tuesday 7 August, 2012 >> some armed men on board two military jeeps without number plates and >> dressed in combat gears and war style masks stormed the Village of >> Karunorr, in the FoniKansala District of Western Region, summoned villagers >> to a meeting, identified Wuyeh Colley and Enor Colley and immediately >> whisked them away towards the Casamance side of the border. After some time >> gun shots were heard and when the villagers crossed the border they were >> found dead in a pool of blood. We did not hesitate to expose such a heinous >> act but Operation Bull Dozer never caught the murderers. We questioned how >> much protection the people of Foni have, being situated just three >> kilometres from the Casamance border. We called for greater protection of >> the lives and security of the people near the border and the arrest of the >> murderers. >> One could also recall the dragging of company owners, lawyers, doctors, >> accountants and consultants before the tax commission and to police >> stations. We indicated that the country needed a tax review commission >> before the establishment of a tax recovery commission. We argued that many >> businesses are run on a hand to mouth basis and would go under water if >> forced to carry a heavy tax burden. We indicated that the absence of >> unemployment benefits and other state sponsored welfare services have >> compelled many poor family members to depend on the profits of enterprises >> for survival. Needless to say, many businesses are now closing down or >> reduced to one person operations to avoid overhead cost such as rent, >> secretarial services, watchmen, messengers, phone bills, electricity and >> water supply. There is evidence of divestiture of private enterprises >> and the relocation of some to Guinea Bissau. There is also flight of >> capital that had impacted on the economy in the form of the depreciation of >> the dalasi against the major currencies of the world and the concomitant >> increases in prices, reduction of charitable initiatives and the growth of >> poverty. >> The dust was yet to settle when the President swore to execute death row >> prisoners after a moratorium on the death penalty lasting for 31 years. >> Reports of execution of nine death row prisoners led to international >> inquiry and its confirmation outraged the sensibilities of many and gave >> rise to a thunderous international and National outcry. We did not hesitate >> to expose the lapses in procedure and the lack of adherence to the >> standards of best practice in the treatment of Death row prisoners. We >> visited the families and amplified the concerns expressed that they had no >> contact with the prisoners to get their last will and testament before >> their execution and had no opportunity to carry out traditional and >> religious rites associated with the burial and moaning of the dead. We >> argued that the outcome of the sufferance of punishment is the restoration >> of innocence. Hence those killed deserve respect and serenity in the >> conduct of their burials. >> We also explained why we were opposed to the death penalty. We made it >> very clear how inhumane we would make an individual by assigning him or her >> no other job but to be a killer for the state. We concluded that a humane >> society will have no one employed as a killer for an income. Hence the >> severest punishment for death row prisoners should be life imprisonment. >> We contributed our quota in amplifying the concerns of all human rights >> defenders regarding the executions. The general outcry, at home and abroad, >> compelled the government to engage in damage control by welcoming elders in >> turn to show solidarity as well request for suspension of the killings >> which was in line with the unequivocal demand of those opposed to the >> execution. The execution of two Senegalese Nationals despite the appeal of >> their government led to a diplomatic rift between the government of Senegal >> and The Gambia which culminated in the opening up of the Senegalese media >> to Gambian dissidents and political activists of all shades. This gave rise >> to a proclamation made by The National Transition Council of the Gambia led >> by ShiekhSidiaBayo aiming at overthrowing the government of the Gambia >> within weeks. Subsequently, the date to begin armed insurrection was pushed >> to 10th November 2012. This raised the political temperature in the Gambia >> as some people anticipated an armed insurrection. November 10th has passed >> and gone without any armed insurrection but a subtle security alert still >> remains. We did not become alarmed by the treat nor did we dismiss it. We >> took it seriously and examined it with realistic lenses. We examined >> whether NTCG was a government in exile with its Political, Diplomatic and >> Military wing and with international backers who are ready to break >> relation with the current Government and give full recognition, arms, >> ammunition, transports, uniforms, food and other logistical support to >> enable them to prosecute their threat or was a mere group of dissidents >> utilising a terrain supportive of Gambian dissidents to issue threats that >> had no international backing. We did our findings and concluded that the >> Senegalese Government was not poised to back an armed invasion of the >> Gambia but would not interfere with the activities of Gambian dissidents as >> retaliatory measures against the execution of the two Senegalese citizens. >> Hence it is not strange for DrSedatJobe and DrAmadouScattredJanneh to use >> Senegal as a staging ground to call for the security forces to arrest >> President Jammeh and hand him over to the people as if they have people in >> the security forces who would implement their call for them. >> In our view war requires fighters, weapons, food and logistics such as >> trucks to transport fighters and a safe Haven to retreat to when the going >> gets rough. We concluded that only Senegal and the International Community >> could provide such facilities to NTCG. Since such facilities were not >> available at the time of issuing the threat we cautioned against false >> expectation. The only option envisaged was an invasion without any support >> of any Government or the international community which would amount to >> adventurism. We cautioned against adventurism to avoid the scenario like >> the Farafenni and Kartong attacks which may lead to loss of life without >> effecting any change. History has again proven that we read the situation >> with accuracy. >> In the interim, three months before the end of the financial year >> Government introduced a Supplementary Appropriation Bill amounting to >> D470.7 million. The bill revealed expenditure of public funds prior to >> authorisation by the National Assembly. For example, Taiwan President’s >> visit approximately did cost 8 Million dalasi which the Government strove >> to recover through the Supplementary Appropriation Act. The bill allocated >> 101.6 Million dalasi to the office of President out of which 43 Million was >> allocated for maintenance cost of state Aircraft for the remaining three >> months of the year after a sum of 25 Million had already been allocated >> and consumed within 9 Months. 6 Million Dalasi was allocated for >> rehabilitation of the old office of the Governor of CRR instead of >> allocating it to build a new facility. Expenditures like these over the >> years have caused government to spend beyond its earnings thus leading to >> domestic borrowing through treasury bills. This is why the domestic debt >> rose to 10.2 Billion dalasi in 2012 while the external debt stock in 2011 >> rose to 400 Million dollars or 12 billion dalasi, giving a total debt >> burden of over 22 Billion dalasi. >> It is therefore no surprise that the debt service charges are almost >> equal to the total salaries and wages of personnel. The estimated budget >> for wages and Salaries in 2013 stands at One Billion, Eight Hundred and >> Fifty Million, Seven Hundred and Seven Thousand and Eighty Five Dalasi >> (D1,850,707,085) while National Debt Service charges amount to One Billion >> Seven Hundred and one Million four Hundred and thirty seven thousand, four >> hundred and thirty four dalasi (D1,701,437,434.). The debt burden is >> preventing any significant increase in wages, salaries and employment. >> Directors on grade 11 receive approximately 6000 dalasi monthly and the >> middle income earners receive less than 4000 dalasi monthly which would be >> consumed if they purchase a bag of rice monthly and are spending 100 dalasi >> daily for fish and other condiments. They would not be able to afford a >> kilo of meat. Cost of living is far below the earning capacity of most >> employees. >> The increase in the expenditure on imports without an equivalent increase >> in earnings from exports has given rise to a worsening of the trade >> deficits and the depreciation of the dalasi against other international >> currencies. >> Instead of acknowledging the contraction of the domestic economy and >> create the environment conducive to enlarged investment in the productive >> base the executive decided to issue an order to determine the value of the >> currency by executive design. This led to the freezing of the currency >> market as many foreign exchange dealers refused to buy or sell for fear of >> losing money. We indicated to the government that its attempt to interfere >> with the market will lead to the collapse of many enterprises, the >> contraction of remittances and investments, and the flight of foreign >> exchange dealers across the Senegalese border, the scarcity of foreign >> exchange, the reduction of importers, the scarcity of goods and rising in >> prices. The end result of the attempt of the office of the President to >> determine the exchange rate of the dalasi against foreign currencies led to >> an immediate freeze of the exchange market just as we predicted and the >> contraction of business activities. The IMF had to intervene to assert that >> the executive directive has been disruptive to the foreign exchange market >> and urged the Central Bank to implement a market determined foreign >> exchange policy. Three days before the IMF made its position known Imam >> Baba Leigh was arrested and driven to a detention centre. >> DEFENDING FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS >> PDOIS recognises that a Republic is inconceivable without a sovereign >> citizenry each of whom must have equal power and say in electing >> representatives and in deciding on major National issues through referendum >> and debates in the public space. This is why PDOIS considers rights of >> individuals as inviolable and inalienable. PDOIS has striven to be >> consistent and constant in combating abuse of authority and impunity. All >> Gambians have a duty to defend the constitution and the courts are to >> enforce its provisions. This is clearly stipulated in section 6 subsection >> (2) of the Constitution which states, among other things, that “All >> citizens of the Gambia have the right and the duty at all times to defend >> the Constitution….” >> In the case of Imam Baba Leigh section 19 of the constitution states that >> he should have access to a lawyer within three hours of detention; that he >> should be charged and taken before a court within 72 hours or be released; >> that he should be presumed innocent while in custody and by implication, >> should have access to visitors, food and clothing before being convicted of >> any crime. We have therefore been contributing our quota in exposing his >> plight and before that, the case of Alhaji Ismaila Manjang and Imam Ba >> KawsuFofana, so that the state authorities would come to realise that >> impunity erodes the integrity of a state and is counterproductive and >> adverse to the attainment of national self–esteem. Public outcry continues >> to grow and will intensify as long as Imam Baba Leigh is kept under >> detention without trial. The public and the government should be alert to >> the fact that violation of Human Rights has its economic cost. Accusing >> donors of double standards cannot be a substitute to the cancellation of >> grants meant to promote infrastructural or agricultural development. In >> 2013 project grants are anticipated to amount to approximately two billion >> dalasi. Bilateral grants amount to 162 Million Dalasi and Multilateral >> grants amount to 1.87 billion dalasi. The European Union should engage in >> its political dialogue with the Gambia Government in January 2013. What >> explanation will the Government give for Imam Baba Leigh’s disappearance >> even if he is later found to be in a good state of Health? Gambia therefore >> stands to lose a great deal if it has a government which is unwilling to >> adhere to fundamental rights and freedoms and standards of best practice in >> democratic governance. PDOIS certainly would not be found wanting in >> showing respect for fundamental rights and adhering to the standards of >> best practice if it were in a position of leadership. >> We therefore hope that the Government will release Imam Baba Leigh and >> abandon the practice of illegal detention without trial. It should be added >> that in a mature democracy government should listen to the people or be >> punished by the people during elections for honouring their concerns with >> gross disregard. This is the best way of teaching Political leaders the >> virtues of democratic governance. One could see how political leaders >> became mindful of the concerns of the people during the debate on the US >> budget in Congress. Any party which is seen to cause delay that increases >> the hardship of the people is likely to be punished by the people in >> subsequent elections. This is a lesson political parties and people in the >> Gambia should learn to further build participatory democracy. >> *DEFENDING THE REPUBLIC AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE* >> PDOIS recognises the importance of having a sovereign people who are >> empowered to become the architects of their own destiny. This is why it has >> always been willing to join alliances whose objective is to form a non >> partisan transitional government aiming to put a president in office who >> would serve for one term in order to build a democratic constitution, >> institutions and institutional practices that would free the people from >> all forms of oppression, coercion and intimidation and further create a >> level ground for multi party contest without taking sides. We are >> convinced that a Republic does not deserve a government that is not derived >> from the consent of an informed and free people ,who freely cast their >> votes without inducement or intimidation, on the basis of informed opinions >> and conscience to promote truth and justice; liberty and prosperity. >> This is why PDOIS did not accept to form a coalition government with the >> coup makers in 1994. This is why it gave up its National Assembly seats in >> 2005, instead of exploiting the political advantages it enjoyed in the 2002 >> National Assembly elections to form NADD and did forgo putting up a >> Presidential candidate to form the United Front in 2011. It is the same >> desire to have a National Assembly with more than 14 opposition members to >> be able to block any negative amendments of the constitution and even have >> an opposition majority to be able to contain the excesses of the executive >> and block any negative bill, that led us to join the group of six aimed at >> effecting electoral reform rather than struggle for few PDOIS seats. The >> fact that out of just approximately 154 000 voters who participated in the >> National Assembly elections the ruling party could only poll approximately >> 80, 000 votes against the 60000 plus polled by Independent candidates >> confirm that with the restoration of the second round of voting and a level >> ground for multi party contest free from the use of public resources and >> public servants and the security apparatus to support the ruling party >> change through the ballot box is inevitable. This is why PDOIS has joined a >> coalition of concerned persons comprising opposition parties and >> Independent candidates to invite Reverend Jesse Jackson to mediate to >> effect electoral reform. >> With the restoration of second round of voting and the elimination of all >> restriction to the right to elect and be elected a genuine multi party >> system would be restored and political parties could put up their own >> candidates without forming alliances until the people decide which two >> candidates could contest in the second round. This is the way forward and >> we call on the Government in particular and all other stakeholders in >> general to give full support to this initiative so that before the 18th of >> February the mediation efforts would be in full bloom. >> *TWO STATE ONE PEOPLE* >> PDOIS advocates for the policy of two states one people in our relation >> with Senegal. It subscribes to the policy of harmonization of civil, >> political, economic, social, cultural and ecological instruments, policies, >> Institutions, plans and programmes between two countries to promote the >> liberty and prosperity of the people. We have made it clear that cross >> border trade is already taking place at the formal and informal level >> through the weekly markets known as “lumo.” This trade and other economic >> activities should be complemented by the building of SeneGambian Air road, >> sea and ports networks and infrastructure. In short, it is not strategic to >> merely builda bridge across the Gambia river. PDOIS has said that this >> should be linked to the transformation of the project into a bridge/ports >> project so that the Southern part of Senegal and beyond will be served by >> the main port in Banjul and another at YelliTenda/BambaTenda crossing. >> Casamance is rich in natural and mineral resources which are yet to be >> fully harnessed with international support and cooperation. The area should >> be transformed into a zone of peace, liberty and prosperity. >> We welcome the handing over of captured Senegalese soldiers by MFDC >> under MrSalifuSarjo and his call for “the international community to get >> together to assist them to find a definitive end to the suffering of their >> people rather than continuing to be silent on this matter.” >> We intend to play our role to see a definitive end to the conflict which >> has been blooming since 1982. >> We have listened Mr Salifu Sarjo very carefully and have come to the >> conclusion that the MFDC under him is yet to be a fully fledged National >> Liberation movement. MFDC is still functioning as an armed opposition >> rather than a Government waiting to be recognized. A liberation movement >> must have a cabinet and must start delivering services like a state in the >> areas they have liberated. It must have a Political Bureau that conducts >> political and diplomatic relations and a Military wing that is subjected to >> political control. The political bureau must serve like a Cabinet of >> Ministers aiming to render services to the people. >> In our view, African Countries have already agreed to accept the colonial >> borders as the borders of Independent African States. The argument of >> Reverend Diamacoune Senghore and the MFDC is that Casamance fell under a >> different colonial experience from Northern Senegal and therefore has a >> right to self determination and Independence. Some historians who have >> examined the issue maintain that the agreement between France and the UK >> which established the borders of the Gambia also established the boundaries >> of Senegal in relation to the Gambia. We will deal with this issue in a >> statement on Casamance. At this point, the Government of Senegal and Salifu >> Sarjo should agree on a peace and development plan which would lead to >> autonomous administration of Casamance for a period of ten years while >> historical records are properly consulted to get to the facts about the >> colonial history of the region. If after ten years of peace and development >> the historical facts favours Reverend Diamacoune’ s argument a federal >> system would be instituted. If research favours the current status quo that >> Casamance is an integral part of Senegal then the autonomous region concept >> would remain. This is the way forward. >> *PDOIS AS AN ALTERNATIVE* >> PDOIS has emphasised that the lack of development of the productive base >> of the Gambian economy and the lack of consolidation of the sovereignty of >> the people have resulted in the dwarfing of the civil, political, economic, >> social, cultural and ecological development of the country giving rise to >> deficits in liberty and prosperity. >> We have given convincing arguments that the starting point of reversing >> the downward trend is to accumulate sovereign National Wealth by harnessing >> the wealth that could be derived from mines like those in Sanyang and any >> natural gas or oil deposits to provide social services, infrastructural >> development and public sector investment. >> We have also shown that over 1.5 Billion dollars is traded annually in >> our foreign exchange market and over 1.7 Billion dalasi come in as >> remittances. Hence there is great potential for private sector and >> public/private investments. The same goes with cooperative micro-financial >> institutions and their potential for financial, producer and consumer >> cooperatives. Such institutions could help purchase the produce of the >> farmers at near world market price rates to eradicate rural poverty. The >> weekly cross border market activities could also be supported to address >> rural poverty. This is how we intend to win the battle against poverty to >> ensure prosperity. >> Unemployment is now a social menace. Remittances are not a substitute for >> self determined development. The 227,668 children in our lower basic >> schools, the 75000 students in our upper Basic Schools and the 36 000 >> students in our High Schools n add up to over 338000 young people who are >> put in the street for employment every 12 years . Many of them are getting >> desperate and are taking the back way in search of greener pastures. We >> recently had to publicise the plight of some of them who were tortured and >> subjected to ill treatment in Libya to draw the attention of Amnesty >> International and other right defenders to facilitate their protection and >> repatriation. Development is a priority to save our young people from death >> , degradation, dehumanization and privation. >> In the area of liberty, we stand for the creation of a Human Rights >> Commission and an Independent Electoral Commission whose members are >> appointed by a Special Service Commission on the basis of merit and >> subjected to confirmation by the National Assembly. Such people could only >> be removed by a tribunal headed by a retired Judge. >> We will empower Unions, Civic associations of the differently able, >> youth, women and other Associations of Human Right defenders to help shape >> public policy and defend rights. The state media shall be utilised to >> promote civic education. A term limit of two four year terms shall be >> introduced for the Presidency, Speaker of the National Assembly, Mayors of >> Municipalities, Members of Commissions and Councils and Board members to >> prevent any building of empires. >> We will introduce village Councils, District Councils and Regional >> Councils to be responsible for the development of each jurisdiction. >> Governors would be replaced by Regional Permanent Secretaries responsible >> for coordinating relation between central government and regional, district >> and village administration. The role of customary leadership would be >> restricted to alternative dispute resolution activities, recording of >> births and deaths and membership in advisory committees for the area. >> All service men and women would be loyal to the Republic and the >> Sovereign people and would be trained to be protectors of lives, rights and >> properties. >> *CONCLUSION* >> Since its birth in the first Republic PDOIS has at least succeeded in >> communicating a simple message to the Gambian people that the wellbeing of >> their homes and families, their liberty and prosperity are connected with, >> dependent on and determined by the ways and means the world outside >> their compound gates is managed and who is assigned the responsibility >> of managing it. We have also made it unequivocally clear that it is the >> sovereign right and authority of the people to decide who should manage the >> affairs of their country. Once this lesson is lost to any Gambian such a >> person should see himself or herself as an alien in his or her own country, >> instead of a free sovereign citizen of an Independent homeland. >> In short, we have spared no effort in repeating, like a broken record, >> that it is the world outside the homes which provides a source of income >> and the essential services and facilities which bring about liberty and >> prosperity to each. This world requires its policy makers, planners, >> managers, administrators and public trustees who are to be assigned the >> responsibility of mobilising the requisite resources to build the necessary >> instruments, institutions and infrastructure to bring about self determined >> development. This should be the fundamental objective of a state borne out >> of the struggle of African colonies for self determination and >> Independence. PDOIS has left no stone unturned in conducting civic >> education to explain the nature of the sovereign Republic which the >> struggle for self determination and Independence engendered comprising a >> community of sovereign citizens in whom the sovereignty of the state >> resides, to whom power belongs, from whom power is derived, in whose >> interest and for whose liberty and prosperity power is exercised by >> political trustees. The Gambia, therefore, should be in the hands of the >> Gambian people. A person or group could only usurp their power if thepeople >> abdicate their responsibilities as sovereign citizens. We could only be >> subjugated as a people if we are our own enemies, if we fail to unite as >> one people into a sovereign community of equal, free , conscious and >> indomitable citizens who know their rights and national and civic duties >> as citizens. >> Three decades of civic education should be enough enlightenment and >> people do tell us that now there is no need for civic education, arguing >> that that if the people still do not understand then they are deliberately >> unwilling to learn very simple and clear lessons in order to take charge of >> their destiny. >> Despite the temptation to accept such a premise and abandon the people to >> be strangulated by the arms of blind destiny we in PDOIS could hear the >> silent voices crying of powerlessness and helplessness. That is what >> continues to remind us that the right of our people to a dignified >> existence in liberty and prosperity, which we have struggled for all our >> lives and for which we have committed ourselves to go to prison and die >> for, has not been attained since the declaration of Independence. >> Hence as we enter a New year, we have the duty to take stock how far we >> have gone in building the sovereign Community of sovereign and empowered >> citizens whose rights are respected and whose prosperity is ensured. >> During 2012 PDOIS had tried to exercise its duty to scrutinise, >> criticise, restrain and rectify or reverse any abuse of power, on one hand >> and advance alternatives to the existing instruments, policies, plans >> and programmes, on the other hand, to convince the people that it could >> provide better leadership in managing the affairs of the country. We >> therefore hope that the Gambian people will take stock of what was done by >> the ruling party and those aiming to unseat it in 2012 and then lay bare >> demands and expectations for 2013. >> Another year of battle for liberty and prosperity has started. PDOIS will >> not rest on its laurels. We will be among the people at the forefront to >> clear the scrubs and thorns to facilitate the onward march for unrestrained >> liberty, unparalleled dignity and sustained prosperity. >> In this New Year PDOIS calls on all to Keep Hope Alive and give >> solidarity for ever to create an oppression and impunity free world. >> The end >> ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ 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] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤