As we adamantly monitors events leading up to Gambia's Presidential
election, Concerned Gambian Residents in the USA, met with the new US
Ambassador to Gambia, Mr. Mcdonald, at the State Department. During the
almost, two hour briefing, a seven-page PETITION FOR HELP IN BUILDING A
BETTER GAMBIA, was handed to the Ambassador and after giving a brief
background and comparison on Gambian socio-political/economic history, a
quarter of
the time was spent on the lack of good governance, tolerance,
accountability, misuse of power and privilege, abrogation of law and
order, illegal detention and torture of citizens, constant intimidation
of the press and opposition parties and the upcoming presidential
election.

Since the current US embargo on Gambia [508] imposed on the Gambia in
July 1994, is still in full force, the outcome of a free and fair
presidential election, determines whether 508 is lifted or kept in
force. This lies in the hands of local and international observers,
currently on the ground.

The second topic was on the US-Gambia business/visitor/student  visa
problems faced by applicants [duration of stay]. The Ambassador was
asked to consider changing of current system, short-term and
high/expensive application fee, to free and long validity/multiple entry
visas, thereby, eliminating the doubt of overstaying. The Ambassador was
very receptive to this idea and will make it a priority, pending
Banjul's reciprocity to US Citizens.

Since the AFPRC/APRC with its authoritarian tendencies, continuously
violates its end of the mandate and violates the contractual
agreement/relationship of give and take, Gambians en-mass, began
questioning whether they are obligated to obey its, AFPRC/APRC's
rulings, decrees and indemnities or to pledge allegiance to such
government. We therefore pleaded with the US State Department and the
international community to
keep a watchful eye on events leading to and after the elections.

On the economic developmental front, the past seven years vis-a-vis 508
[limited development assistance to Gambia], we urged the Ambassador to
help secure technical assistance, grants and aid, to help avert the
alarming poverty, indebtedness and misery index, made worst by the
events of July 22, 1994. The issue of Debt reduction or elimination for
Gambia was discussed and the Ambassador raised some serious insights
into the HIPC [Highly Indebted Poor Countries] program in relation to
the US Treasury Department's fear of abuse and misuse of relief funds.

Other issues discussed includes more access to US airspace, i.e. more
support to facilitate more direct flights to/from Gambia, Democracy and
Human Rights in The Gambia, Press freedom, Good governance and
corruption, Economic development (trade, investment, development
assistance) and US-Gambia Relations - how they can be improved, and how
ordinary Gambians and Americans can help.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Maila

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