Gambia-L: One of my sources in the Gambia explaining why Yaya Jammeh's aircraft was impounded in Gabon some time ago by President Patasse of CAR. Ebrima Ceesay ___________________________________________________________________ >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Yahya's Presidential aircraft and President Patasse of >Central >African Republic >Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 21:14:57 GMT > >Ebrima, >Yaya Jammeh's aircraft is registered in the CAR, flew the CAR flag >and >carried the national emblem of CAR, until the plane was about to >be >impounded had it not been for the direct intervention of President >Omar >Bongo of Gabon. >The plane was on loan to Isatou Njie-Saidy who travelled to Libreville to >attend an official meeting. The meeting was also attended by President >Patasse of CAR who travelled to the Libreville venue in a commercial >flight. > >Upon arrival at Libreville airport and to his utter surprise, Patasse >noticed this plane carrying his nation's flag at the tamac. Reaching the >Presidential Palace in Libreville, he sought information on the aircraft >which, as far he was concerned, was a CAR plane with his nation's flag and >here he was travelling commercial( Air Cameroon, to be precise). He >requested Bongo to order the plane impounded. Bongo eventually prevailed on >his counterpart to allow the plane to be returned to Yahya. otherwise, >"that woman" would be in hot waters with her boss. > >Isatou Njie-Saidy's delegation, meanwhile, were holed up at the VIP lounge >while the negotiations progressed. All this time, the Gabon gandemarie had >the aircraft surrounded. What Bongo finally agreed with Patasse is not >clear. However, what is clear is that the plane was released only because >the VP was a woman and should not be embarrassed by impounding the plane. >What would she say to Yahya when she returned to Banjul without Yahya's >aircraft.. > >Patasse's outrage at Yahya flying a plane with the CAR colours around the >world was made known to members of the gambian delegation and the press in >Libreville and Bangui. What happens if the plane is engaged in illegal >activities under the CAR insignia? Why continue to have the aircraft >registered in Bangui and not Banjul? Had this incident occurred in >Ouagadougou, Blaise Campaore-not on speaking terms with Yahya-would have >made sure that the plane is flown to Bangui leaving "that woman" and her >delegation to fly commercial and then explain to Yahya what ever became of >his "abiong". > >Meanwhile, we Gambians continue to be embarrassed by the buffoon of Kanilai >who is entangling the Gambia deeper into the underworld activities , and in >the process further tarnish the image of our country. > >PS: By the way, the insurance on the aircraft has just expired. ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------