Thanks a bunch for sharing Sir Dawda's Atlanta speech with us. I had wanted to attend his meeting at Miami University, but preoccupation with the arrival of my new baby boy (born Nov. 02) deprived me of that chance.
What else can Sir Dawda prove to the Gambia and Her sons and daughters besides rhetoric? After 30 solid years at the very helm of our nation, Jawara is only claiming that most of the currently finished projects were in the pipeline. Just how long does it take to start those projects from scratch and deliver the finished product? 30 or more years?
The organizers of that meeting would have done the audience a great service had they allowed them to question Jawara about his "mere commentary". If Jawara is truly a human right champion as claimed by him and many others, I think he would have at least proved himself had he stayed and take questions from the audience even if the organizers did not include it in their agenda.
Gambia under Jawara was at no peace. Peace, according to Dr. King," is not just the absence of war; it is the absence of conditions that give rise to war". Implicitly, Jawara is trying to tell us that he wants to be given another chance to rule us (should I say exploit us?). Let us put behind this Jawara saga. Jawara has failed us and does not deserve another chance.
We should embark on concocting ways and means to make our very own Gambia a better place to live - live without fear or hunger - live with dignity, etc. as oppose to inviting Jawara here and there only to tell us what he "deliberately" failed to tell/do for over 30 years. We heard enough of his rhetoric.
The elections are coming (2001?). Please if you can, go home and vote for whoever you think is the right candidate. If you can't go, make sure you support your choice of candidates in any form; it might make a difference. We all owe it to our children and our children's children.
Just my thoughts on Sir Dawda's speech.
Once again, thanks a bunch Dr. Janneh. We will see you at MM's graduation.
God speed!
Pa Mambuna, KY
"Dr. Amadou Janneh" wrote:
(6) CHARACTER OF CURRENT REGIME
Mr. Jawara described the current regime as "military in civilian clothes." He said the government in fact became more repressive since its attempted civilianization.(7) CORRUPTION
Sir Dawda categorically denied allegations of corruption leveled against his administration by the AFPRC/APRC. He lamented the fact that many who should have known better (e.g. journalists, academics) believed "Jammeh's propaganda" that his government stole millions of dalasi worth of the country's resources.
He cited the APRC regime's alleged siphoning of a loan from Taiwan to private bank accounts as an example of the massive corruption the country is now experiencing. He noted that AFPRC leaders even rewarded themselves for the "danger" they faced in overthrowing his regime. Jawara added that it took the coup and subsequent amassing of wealth for AFPRC leaders to be able to find wives.(8) DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER PROJECTS
The former president claimed that many of the projects touted as successes of the APRC regime were actually initiated by his administration.
On the construction of schools by the APRC, Sir Dawda explained that there is more to educational development than simply putting up buildings everywhere. He said his administration's achievements are wellknown to the audience.(9) TRIBALISM
Sir Dawda expressed dismay at what he considered to be the rise of tribalism in The Gambia and appealed for an end to it. He said this phenomenon was unheard of during his tenure, and he blamed the APRC for its surge.(10) ATLANTA VISITS COMPARED
Mr. Jawara noted with satisfaction the differences between his 1995 Atlanta visit and the current reception. He said his first visit was in the wake of the coup, and as is usually the case with such events, there was a great deal of euphoria. Now reality has sunk in, which he said explains the better reception he got this time around.(11) CALL FOR CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
Gambian civil servants were challenegd by the former president to engage in civil disobedience as a show of their opposition to the APRC and its "repressive" policies.
He also urged the Gambian community in Atlanta to contribute toward ending military rule in The Gambia by organizing mass demonstrations (e.g. at the Carter Center) and lobbying influential figures such as former US president Jimmy Carter for support. This way, he added, the Gambian issue could be in the media spotlight.**G-L members who were in attendance may want to add to this. I didn't take notes, so I may have left somethings out.
**What is your reaction to Jawara's speech? I will share my assessment of the program later.
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