All, Here is a small story regarding the four Independent Newspaper journalists currently being harrassed at the DIRECT orders of His Excellency, Rtd. Lt. Col, Dr., Alhagi, Yaya Jemus Junkung Jammeh. What the Observer piece does not state is that, the three journalists located so far, were picked up by TEN police officers of the SERIOUS CRIMES UNIT, and hauled off to a police station. What "serious crime" have they committed? They've revealled a marriage that is public knowledge among a large segment of the Gambian population. According to first-hand accounts, the unit investigating their "serious crime" is at a loss as to how to proceed with the case. For that reason, the CO has to travel to Kanilai to ask the Boss what to do every step of the way. Libel, by the way, is not an arrestable offence. So, why the heavy handedness? The Gambian press generally has been at the receiving end of the repression that characterizes the APRC regime. The Independent, in particular, has been the subject of constant harrassment. From the petty -constantly switching off their energy/water supply, to the outrageous - stripping them naked, and throwing them into mosquito-infested cells for not having the "proper" legal papers, the govt. has been sticking it to them. And the reason is clear: the Independent team rebelled against the manipulative tactics that the govt. employed towards the Observer newspaper, for which all the Independent reporters worked. In my judgment, they're the most independent, and upfront newspaper in the Gambia today. They make no apologies when it comes to telling it like it is. And they hit all sides with equal force. So the govt. is doing all it can to put them out of business. Because of it's age, and the ridiculous legal bottlenecks that the govt. throws at them all the time, the Independent is not yet on sound financial footing from what I've gathered. For that reason, they need all the help they can get to fend off this frifolous law suit. These very gallant fighters: Babagalleh Jallow, Yorro Jallow, Mr. Daffeh, Mr. J. Wally, and the country's best reporter (my opinion) Demba Jawo, deserve our help.[Jawo was the gentlemant whose blunt representation of Gambian reality irked the president so much that he bought out the Observer through a proxy. Is it any wonder then that Mr. Jawo was the first to be shamelessly fired? Out of integrity, the rest of the Independent team followed Jawo.] So, for those of us who are always making noise about "sacrifice" back home, this is one group that exemplifies that sacrifice. They deserve our support! I intend to send the group some money to help with their legal defence by Saturday (1/1/2000.) Those willing and able to donate ANY amount at this time, can send me a private note, so we can set something up. Or you can send the money to the Independent directly through Tel: 494262. Anything in the next few weeks will be highly appreciated. Let's not fail these brothers in their stand against tyranny. Saul. Here is the article from the Observer: Managing editor Alagie Yorro Jallow, editor-in-chief Baba Galleh Jallow and reporters NB Daffeh and Jalali Wally of the Independent newspaper, were yesterday morning, charged with "libel against the president" under the criminal code of the Laws of The Gambia. The three (Jalali Wally was at large) were released on bail in the sum of 10,000 dalasis each with Gambian sureties. Speaking to our reporter following their release, Yorro Jallow explained that they have been asked to report to the police daily until they are taken before a court. He said they will put up a strong defence to the charge. The president, Yahya Jammeh, was yet to file his statement to the police. It is not yet clear how much damages the president is going to claim from the Independent newspaper for the report regarding his marital affairs. Meanwhile, the Gambia Press Union, after an emergency meeting yesterday, expressed its disappointment at the trend of relations between the press and the government. The union said the Independent newspaper, in this case, was simply carrying out its legitimate duty of reporting on the activities of public figures. "The case is not unique as this was exactly the situation with Jammeh's second wife. There were rumours, then denials only to be confirmed later. This is one reason why the union in particular and the press in general are calling for transparency and unfettered access to information. To punish the press for providing information which is of legitimate public interest, such as the activities of the president of the republic, is unfair, unjust and totally unjustifiable," the GPU message concluded.. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------