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Date: | Sun, 25 Feb 2001 21:34:53 EST |
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Banjul, Gambia,
The Commonwealth secretariat has indicated it would readily send observers to
monitor general elections in the Gambia if the government in Banjul so
desired.
Commonwealth secretary general Don Mackinnon dropped the hint Friday, at the
end of a three-day visit to Gambia.
Mackinnon, who described his discussions with Gambian authorities as
fruitful, said he was gladdened by government assurance that all political
parties would be granted equal access and opportunities on state media at the
next general elections.
The assurance came against the backdrop of accusations of biased and
monopolised reporting levelled on the state media by the country's three main
opposition parties.
Mackinnon also said that President Jammeh had promised to repeal, as soon as
possible, a decree that places restriction on some politicians.
At the level of cooperation, an aide of Mackinnon's said that the
Commonwealth was assisting Gambia in its educational, agricultural and other
programmes directed at improving life in the country.
It was disclosed that Gambia has contributed 7,500 pounds sterling to the
Commonwealth in the last five years.
In return, the country received 1.2 million pounds (£1=22dollars) in
assistance and technical cooperation from the Commonwealth.
Copyright © 2001 Panafrican News Agency. Distributed by <A HREF="http://allafrica.com/">allAfrica.com</A>. For
information about the content or for permission to redistribute, publish or
use for broadcast, contact the publisher.
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