>Hi Dr.. Saine, My opinion on whether Gambia should become part of Senegal is a resounding no. However, I do support a partnership based on equality. If you recall the mechanics of the confederal agreement in 1981, the Presidency was always with Senegal and the agreement was generally flawed in favor of Senegal. Having said that, one can understand the circumstances in which the agreement was signed. I believe that if the Gambia is to enter into any form of union with Senegal the economic benefits should outweigh the cost. With hindsight one can ask what has the senegambia confederation from 1981-1989 contributed to the development of the Gambia. Has there been any economic benefits for the nation, apart from the privilege few who used to jet off to Senegal as confederal parliamentarians and ministers with their enhanced allowances. Looking at it from Senegal's side, making the Gambia part of Senegal will increase access to the cassamance region especially in terms of reduced transportation costs. The Gambia borders Senegal on three sides and there are bound to be economic spillovers. Historically, the attraction of the Gambian economy has been its liberal import policy, as a result it has acted an entrepot for the subregion. The efficiency of the port system and the turn around time of imported goods is much quicker in Gambia than in the surrounding countries. Hence the growth of the reexport trade. To Senegal, the growth in the reexport trade is generally considered as a fraud (smuggling) because it is not channeled through official sources. Whilst the government of the Gambia derives tax revenue accruing from the higher level of imports, across the border, traders are selling goods that the government realizes nothing from. (these are some of the issues which makes Senegal want the federation so badly). I also don't believe that force should be used to integrate Gambia and Senegal. The political instability of Cassamance is enough to put that proposition to rest and also people are very resilient, they cannot be forced to accept an agreement that has been imposed on them. The problems enumerated is an indication of the obstacles that African countries face in the quest for an African Economic Community. Of course there are various levels of cooperation, staring from the simplest level and gradually building it up to the total unification of African countries. Senegal have a greater advantage to squeeze the Gambian economy. When they closed their borders in 1993/94, the reexport trade suffered causing a loss of government revenue. My personal opinion is alternatives to the reexport trade should have been implemented long ago. Re-exports does not create long term employment except that it benefits the few traders with the market monopoly. There is an urgent need to invest for industrialization by creating cottage industries that will create jobs in the long run. I'm sure L'ers have an opinion on this issue. Basil On Fri, 17 Sep 1999 15:52:42 -0400 Abdoulaye Saine <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Mr. Jones & G-L Community: > > I have read with great interest many of the brilliant postings, > (including your own) on the subject regarding the need for both > continental and regional unity. The rationale for such schemes and > reservations raised have been compelling. My concern however, is closer > to home. That is, Gambia's relation to its larger neighbor, Senegal. > Should Gambia become part of Senegal? Should we resolve this enduring > political and geographic oddity or leave it as it is? How tenable is the > current situation? Would the use of force to integrate Gambia into > Senegal justifiable? I did like to know what you all think? Thanks. > > Abdoulaye > > > > ---------------------- > > B.M.Jones > > [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 unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L > Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------- B.M.Jones [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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------