Courtesy of Daily Observer-
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/gambia-gives-us700000-to-taiwan
Gambia gives US$700,000 to Taiwan
<http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/gambia-gives-us700000-to-taiwan#map>Africa
<http://observer.gm/africa/news> » Gambia
<http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/news>
Monday, August 31, 2009
In a great move and show of solidarity, the vice president and minister
of Women’s Affairs, Her Excellency, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, on behalf
of President Jammeh, last Friday, presented a cheque for US$700,000 to
the Republic of China on Taiwan, as part of The Gambia government’s
contribution in mitigating effects of the recent typhoon disaster in the
island nation.
The gesture, which is said to have been directed by The Gambian leader,
His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, was received on
behalf of the Taiwanese government and the typhoon victims by HE Richard
Shih, the Taiwanese ambassador to The Gambia.
The Gambia’s humanitarian move came at a time when Taiwan is on the
verge of reconstruction, following the typhoon disaster that devastated
the country.
Presenting the cheque, Vice President Njie-Saidy described the situation
as not a happy moment, noting that the government of The Gambia does not
have the pleasure to make such presentation. The vice president
described the ties existing between the two nations as one that goes
beyond bilateral relations, noting that the two nations share a lot in
common. “You are a small country out there in the Pacific, and we are
also a small country in Africa. So we share a lot of things in common,
and therefore small countries also tend to come together and support
each other,” remarked Dr Njie-Saidy, while indicating that the two
presidents and their governments have similar visions.
She observed that the two countries always stand by each other in a lot
of forums and assist each other in the areas of development. At a time
when the island nation is recovering from the effects of such a
disaster, Vice President Njie-Saidy said, all that The Gambia as a true
friend of Taiwan can do is to reciprocate their numerous assistance
rendered to the country. “We had disasters here and you assisted us. We
also had refugees in the country and you assisted us, and lot of other
humanitarian assistance not to speak of development. So the president
also deemed it to also reciprocate as Taiwan is in a very sad moment,”
she said.
She stated that The Gambian people are very much appreciative of
Taiwan’s numerous assistance and further informed the Taiwanese diplomat
that President Jammeh has felt what happened in Taiwan. “Since we cannot
stop nature, all we can do is to give out our assistance in tokens. We
know that Taiwan has all the resources to do this, but just out of
tokenism that we are doing this just to show our appreciation and
sympathy to the government and people of Taiwan,” Vice President
Njie-Saidy concluded.
Momodou Kotu Cham, the minister of Forestry and Environment, joined Vice
President Njie-Saidy in expressing The Gambia government’s sadness over
the devastating effects of the typhoon that has claimed several lives in
Taiwan. Minister Cham noted that genuine friends always stand by each
other in moments of sadness and joy, noting that The Gambia’s move is
not only based on bilateral ties but also on humanitarian grounds. For
his part, the Taiwanese ambassador to The Gambia, His Excellency Richard
Shih, on behalf of his government and victims of the disaster, expressed
profound gratitude and appreciation to President Jammeh, the government
and the entire people of The Gambia for the humanitarian move. He noted
that a friend in need is a friend in deed.
The recent typhoon, he indicated, has caused an unprecedented
devastation in Taiwan, noting that the first two days of the disaster,
the rainfall in Taiwan was about 2000 millimeters, which exceeded the
total rainfall in his country last year. Ambassador Shih noted that
Taiwan is deeply moved by the show of solidarity extended by President
Jammeh and his cabinet, as well as the Gambian people at large. The
Taiwanese chief diplomat to The Gambia assured The Gambian authorities
of a quick reciprocation of the gesture. Noting that they are mobilizing
resources for post disaster reconstruction, Ambassador Shih expressed
his country’s commitment to bring back normalcy in Taiwan as soon as
possible. The presentation ceremony that was attended by ministers and
other senior government officials was moderated by Modou Saidy, press
officer at State House.
Author: *by Hatab Fadera*
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