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Date: | Wed, 4 Oct 2000 17:19:45 GMT |
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'In reaction to crude oil controversy
UDP THREATENS TO SUE
JAMMEH
The United Democratic Party campaign manager, Femi Peters
has
revealed his party's resolve to sue President Jammeh's
government
over the controversial crude oil affair if it fails to take
necessary
action on the matter.
Mr. Peters told The Independent recently that the UDP would
not
allow the issue to be 'down played or laid to rest' by the
government.
He claimed that all those who were involved in the affair
'cheated the
Gambian people by obtaining money the wrong way.' He said
the
UDP is 'seriously' keen to ensure that justice is applied
in the case
and would cause the APRC government to answer charges if it
doesn't clarify the issue and take decisive action.
He said it would not be enough for the government to make
'blank'
statements intended to exempt those allegedly involved from
any
blame. He said the government had kept silent over the
issue,
expecting Gambians to forget or 'brush the issue aside'. He
said
Gambians are as determined now to get to the 'bottom of the
truth' as
before.
He said that the UDP would 'tread carefully' before coming
out with
more revelations on the affair, 'knowing well what the
consequences
are for The Gambia.' He added that 'if Jammeh feels we are
wrong or
libelous to what we are saying, let him institute necessary
action
immediately and take us to court' he suggested. 'If
President Jammeh
will not take us to court, we shall take him to court', he
vowed.
The National Assembly had since debated the issue with the
APRC
majority there dismissing the motion on the grounds that it
lacked
merit. However, Mr. Peters sounding defiant urged Gambians
to be
steadfast behind the national interest and make a decision
in the
best interest of the country.
Mr. Peters noted that Sam Sarr's remarks in the past about
the crude
oil deal are contradictory to earlier statements he made on
the issue.
He said there are authentic documents and an affidavit
filed in court,
indicating that Sam Sarr reported directly to President
Jammeh
during the process of the deal. Mr. Peters claimed that Sam
was
instructed not to involve anybody in the process leading to
the
conclusion of the deal.
The UDP strongman asserted that Gambians cannot understand
why
Sam Sarr should contradict his previous statement. He also
raised
questions concerning Mr. Sarr's alleged possession of a
Gambian
diplomatic passport despite being a Senegalese national. He
said if
the crude oil were meant for an individual, and not for the
Republic
of The Gambia, 'then Sam Sarr should be in a position to
inform
Gambians who this individual was.'
He opined that Sam Sarr's alleged attempts to exonerate
President
Jammeh of blame is misleadingly and could only make matters
worse
for those 'with skeletons in their cupboard'. He maintained
that The
Gambia Government was taken to court over the issue, and
that its
officials also spent money, paid legal fees and also
received an
advance payment from crude oil transactions.
He also indicated that the affidavit of David Paul Ford of
Glencore
was convincing evidence, attesting to the APRC government's
alleged involvement. Mr. Peters also stressed that Sam
Sarr's
reported statements had driven home the urgency to set up a
commission to look into the affair.
He further claimed that Mr. Sarr who reportedly said that
account
number J3650-7C was not President Jammeh's 'was not only
trying to
cover-up but was also following the President's footsteps.'
Mr.
Peters believed that firm and serious action should be
taken if the
national interest is to be safeguarded.
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