I would like to apologize for offending anyone on the list. That was not my
intention at all. I have done extensive research on the situation, and read
the news every day, as well as keeping daily correspondance with people in
The Gambia. In fact, I spend about three hours every day trying to make
sense of it all, and this is solely because I was deeply touched by my
experience in The Gambia. Yes, I am cynical and from what I read, most of
you are too. (Mind you, I am also terribly cynical about Canada, but this
is not the forum to discuss such issues). But I should also remind you that
in my impressions of your country, what moved me the most was the kindness
and generosity of the people I met. So, I am also an idealist. I am
convinced that with joint efforts, The Gambia will be free one day. And I
have committed myself to doing what little I can from my humble home to
inform organizations about the issues that have come to my attention. I
send regular updates to all the international NGOs and advocacy groups for
journalists. The only problem is that I feel quite lonely in this effort,
which is why I thought that joining the "L" would help. Instead, I am
feeling rather overwhelmed by all the comments I read, and am finding it
even more difficult to synthesize it so that I can educate my fellow
Canadians to the issues, without oversimplifying matters. For a newcomer,
and an outsider, you must understand that it is difficult to decipher the
way you all communicate, given that you know each other and have a shared
history, if only in cyberspace. I am asking that you please be patient with
me. I am trying to help, not antagonize anyone. Thanks.
Maria
----- Original Message -----
From: "Hamadi Banna" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 1:09 PM
Subject: Re: More on the G-Lers' talkback - Att'n Maria
> Maria,
>
> I would concur with Yus. I think some list members did discern a tone of
> cynicism in your recent postings. For instance, I cannot understand why
you
> would keep pointing out that only women on this list have responded to
your
> request for information on The Gambia. Don't you think it may sound
> somewhat feminist to point out the sexes of the members who responded to
> your request?
>
> If I well recall, the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in The
> Gambia (New York) did forward some web links to you. It is my believe
that
> there is so much information on the internet that no one, especially those
> who have access to computers, has any excuse any longer for staying in the
> dark about any country. Typing a single keyword, e.g. "Gambia", on any
> search engine could pull up so many references that one could easily be
> swamped. You may also visit the web pages of human rights organizations
> such as Amnesty International, the official site of the US government, the
> Canada Immigration and Refugee Board, the European Commission for Human
> Rights, the United Nations, etc. You will certainly find ample
information
> on the current socio-political situation in The Gambia.
>
> I commend you for your concerns and urge you to keep up the fight against
> injustice and poverty.
>
> Hamadi.
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
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