Karamba,

Why does Mr. Blair's itinerary not include The Gambia -- the only
english-speaking and former British colony in West Africa he will not be
visiting, while Senegal, which does not have as strong historical and
political ties as those between The Gambia and Britain stands to benefit
from this visit?

The answer lies in this piece.  You couldn't have said it better.

Lamin Jeng


>From: [log in to unmask]
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Senegal
>Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 21:56:44 EST
>
>When President Wade receives British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the next
>few days, it would neither be a surprise nor a coincidence. It is
>emblematic
>of the evolving relationships between G8 member countries and the few
>African
>heads of governments who genuinely care about their people and are on a
>demonstrable path of democracy. Mr Blair would pay similar visits to Ghana,
>Seirra Leone and Nigeria. By the time the G8 meets in Canada in June, both
>President Chirac of France and Prime Minister Chretien are expected to make
>similar rounds on the African continent. Mr Wade who has emerged as a major
>player on this whole concept of new thinking between Africa and the
>development partners it needs to grow like the rest of the world , has
>successfully cultivated key leaders and is expected to poise Senegal as a
>primary beneficiary of any initiative that emerges from the G8 summit. Mr
>Wade understands that for him to begin to address the major socio-economic
>problems faced by Senegal , he has  to persuade potential donors that debt
>relief and additional aid on their part would be complimented  by tangible
>and verifiable steps on the part of the Senegalese government that
>resources
>would be targeted to identified needs. With already strong democratic
>credentials and a burning desire to make a difference , it is safe to
>predict
>the G8 will find in him a worthy partner. Another important dimension in Mr
>Wade's strategy is the very able team he has put together to pitch his
>agenda
>in the capitals of the countries he is courting. They are first rate
>diplomats who are smooth , serious , sophisticated and understand the
>societies in which they operate. They are often well informed and well
>connected with significant access to their counterparts in the countries
>they
>serve.
>        Now what about us The Gambia. Our case is tragic in that we are not
>in
>the running for any of these initiatives even as our people need perhaps
>tenfold more help. The development partners will shun our country because
>the
>leadership is unworthy of engagement even by a simple test of decency.What
>breaks my heart is the fact that it needn't be that way. With the right
>kind
>of leadership we should be at the forefront with a clean outstretched hand
>of
>cooperation to all who wish to help us be a productive member of the family
>of nations.
>
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