In a message dated 8/3/2001 8:35:57 PM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> However,  in  our  quest  to  return
> our  country  to  sanity,  we  must  not  forget  that  Jawara  and  his
> compatriots  can  do  a  lot  to  help  us  get to  where  we  need  to
> be.  Its  still  many  Gambians  willing  to  listen  to  Jawara  or  OJ.
> If  thse  folks  come  to  help  the  opposition  back  home,  let  us
> welcome  them  with  open  arms.  Right  now,  the  situation  in  the
> Gambia  is  desperate  and  we  need  desperate  situations.  Whatever
> Jawara  and  his  folks  did  in  the  past,  posterity  shall  decide.
> Jawara  may  be  our  history  but  we  should  use  our  history  as  a
> yardstick  for  our  present  and  future.  Let  us  not  just  cast  the
> old  man  into  oblivion.  He  has  a  role  to  play.  If  the  man
> wants  to  come  back  to  help  the  opposition  unite  and  restore
> sanity  to  our  homeland,  lets  open  our  doors  to  him.  I  am  not
> Jawara  but  I  doubt  if  the  old  really  harbours  feelings  of
> leading  the  opposition.  Let  us  not  let  our  emotions  dictate  what
> is  reality  to  us.
>
>
> Alagie  Barrow
>
> Alagie,


I agree. In saying that we need to move on from the Jawara regime and give
the other opposition parties and candidates a chance, we must be cautious to
realize that this does not mean that Jawara and the old politicians of the
PPP cannot make a useful contribution. Infact, I would say it was imcumbent
upon them to do so simply because the yowe it to the Gambian people to do
whatever they can to help us get rid of this regime. The point is well
understood that Jawara probably cannot aspire to the presidency anymore for
various reasons, but there are also the other members of his former
government  they may aim for political office. These people have had their
chance for a longer time than was required, and the best thing all of them
can do for our country is to use their experience to advice and lend support
to the opposition parties and leave it at that.
Even the notion that Jawara may not be allowed to come home is a rather
stupid one because Jawara afterall is a Gambian. The issue is that the people
in the former government need to call it a day, and do some "community
service" for a change.

Jabou Joh

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