Folks, 

This is from The Daily Observer August 30. Ambassador Haley should be commended for putting it this way. I hope among his audience were "Those who have ears"  and ready to hear what has been said. 

Malanding

75th Birthday Celebration Speech By US Ambassador W Haley 

I thank everyone for taking the time to help celebrate my birthday. Many years -- three score and fifteen years to be exact -- have passed since I was born. A lot of living and experience has been squeezed into those 75 years. 

An important lesson learned during those years is not to forget your wife's birthday. I can say to you that in 46 years of marriage I have never forgotten my wife's birthday. I must confess, however, my task has been a bit easier than most husbands. You see, my wife Doris' birthday is also today. So as you wish me a happy birthday, please join me in wishing her the same. 

Being honoured by such an impressive and important assemblage as the one seated before me is a special gift. One that I will cherish and hold dear long after this evening is over. Thus, I would be remiss not to reciprocate this special gift. Consequently, I beg your indulgence for a few minutes. 

While there is no way that I can equal what you have given me, I ask your permission to offer you some observations based on my many years of living. Just as what you have given will live with me, I hope some of what I say will reside in your hearts and minds after this special night is through. I have seen many changes in my lifetime. 

When I was born, the world, although taking a break between two catastrophic wars, was inching close to a great economic depression. Almost all of Africa was colonised and most African Americans were subjected to racial discrimination. Now, with the demise of the Cold War... global conflict seems unimaginable... Africa is home to sovereign independent states, and African Americans represent the United States as Ambassadors. When I was born, automobiles were uncommon, radio was in its infancy and computers were the stuff of science fiction. 

Now there are too many cars, radio and television are ubiquitous and computers are the pistons driving the new post-industrial age. Truly, science and technology have changed the face of the world. While he has progressively mastered the natural world, man still struggles to master himself. While technology has recast how the world looks, the epic struggle of how man relates to his fellow man continues much the same as it has since the day long ago in history when two humans first realised they both wanted to own the same object at the same time. 

Much of the drama of human history can be reduced to how we have dealt with instances where people outnumbered the resources required to meet their needs. In every such situation, be it between two people, two families, two political parties or two nations, there is a decision to make. Either the two sides compromise or the two clash. One path leads to amity, the other to animus. The world has seen too many examples of the latter path. Africa, unfortunately, has had its share. Angola, The Congo, Somalia - and closer to home - Sierra Leone, a once stable and peaceful land is now plagued by convulsions of violence. 

Even proud Cote d'Ivoire, once the gem of French West Africa, is in danger of falling into a ditch because it has forgotten the way of compromise while becoming too comfortable with the etiquette of conflict. West Africa is staggering through a period of unrest and turmoil. Excessive competition in politics has led to chaos and failure in many places. The vestiges of colonialism, ethnic rivalries, economic stagnation, and the generational changing of the guard in national leadership have converged to form the storm hovering over the sub-region. 

As nations struggle to define themselves and their own brand of independence, they sometimes neglect the good and precious attributes they already possessed. The Gambia has rightfully prided itself on being an area of peace and quiet in an otherwise tumultuous neighbourhood. But, The Gambia must not mistake its good fortune as immunity from what has affected many of its neighbours. The present avoidance of trouble does not mean permanent insulation from it. Political unrest does not care about person or nationality. It will try every door. 

The question is not whether trouble or unrest will come but what will you do when you see them approach. Avoidance of political turmoil is the product of diligent, pragmatic statesmanship. Peace comes not because you wish for it but because you worked for it. It comes not because you speak its name, but because you seek its form. Peace can only reside in a culture of civility and dialogue, and this is difficult to achieve. Ironically, while such a culture is strenuously forged against the imperfect anvil of human endeavour, it remains such a fragile thing. 

Like most precious things, peace and social tranquillity are hard to attain but easy to lose. Let me tell you a brief story. While walking home one evening, two brothers noticed a rare bird. The small fowl was readying a nest to lay eggs. The brothers raced to catch the bird. The taller, stronger brother succeeded, holding the bird firmly in hand. As the third squirmed, he squeezed tightly. Making matters worse, the other boy did all he could to make his brother drop the bird so that he could get it. The more the little brother pressed, the more the older tightened his grip. By the time the two brothers reached home they were quarrelling. Finally, the older had enough. He put the bird down and began to fight his brother. They stopped wrestling long enough to notice the bird had moved neither foot nor wing. The boys had been so careless as to kill the object of their desires. You see, the bird was dead. If they had compromised, the bird would have lived and produced eggs that could be shared. 

Instead, they ended up fighting over a dead and now worthless thing... What would you say if someone told you the bird represents political power, its eggs represent what government should provide its citizens, and the two brothers represent political parties? Those who have ears, may they hear what has been said. I believe The Gambia stands on the threshold of a historic moment. What happens in the months to come will determine the shape The Gambia takes for years to come. Will it continue as a hand of calm or will tragedies like Basse become commonplace? Will The Gambia be safe harbour for democratic expression or does the attack on Radio One presage things to come? Will those in power and in the opposition have the political courage to work together or will they engage in unrestrained competition that squeezes life from the body politic? This gathering represents the best of the nation. You have important positions and roles. 

With your positions come many privileges but also certain sober responsibilities. Be as keen to fulfil those responsibilities as you are to benefit from the privileges. If the Country falters, history will not blame the man in the street, history's verdict will rest at your feet. While The Gambia remains basically peaceful, there is more tension in the air than need be. We all can see the disturbing signs of violence and rough behaviour creeping into the political discourse. Things that were once unthinkable under the Gambian code of conduct are beginning to happen with uncomfortable regularity. The fabric of civility has begun to fray at the edges. Those of you with power and influence should stem this dangerous tide so that it never engulfs your fine nation or its people. In the past several months, politics has degenerated into an incessant chorus of invectives and personal attacks that should never be given audience by people truly concerned about the national well-being. 

You who are the leaders of political parties must realise that your job is not only to arouse your partisans' emotions but to educate as well. True, a leader must meet his people where they are and take them as they are. But genuine leadership also seeks to elevate followers to a higher level. Courageous leaders peer beyond the momentary euphoria of igniting partisan fears, prejudices and ignorances. You must ultimately appeal to your peoples better selves not their baser parts. The Gambia is a good place, one with people who are generous in spirit and intellect. Yet, as with any collection of people, there will be some who only have their self-interest at heart. There are and will always be opportunists. 

Each political grouping has its people who enjoy conflict and confusion because they lack the creative imagination to build and construct. It is time that the well-meaning people give the opportunists an ultimatum to cease and desist their brinkmanship. I am not saying that legitimate political criticism should cease. Legitimate criticism is healthy and breathes fresh air into a democratic system. You see, democratic leadership requires both an open mind and a tough hide. Yet, instead of over zealous rivalry, political leaders should be focusing on the many objective challenges that face The Gambia. Health care, education, employment, democratisation and economic development should be the themes that dominate public discussion. Instead of informing the populace about programs and plans, too many public figures engage in personal attacks and the publication of rumours just for sensational effect. 

Too many public figures would rather utter something that grabs attention than something that is true. I raise these issues not to criticise but to give friendly counsel. I raise these issues because of my affinity for The Gambia. On this soil, I have found my past. And on this past, we build the future. The future I see for The Gambia is one that shines far and bright. It is future where people value those aspects of the national culture that foster dialogue and consensus. It is a future where every person believes theirs is a nation that safeguards human rights. A nation that stands on the trinity of justice, peace and opportunity. A nation that belongs as much to the humble as the powerful in society. 

You must work toward these goals because the other alternative is too grievous to bear. A nation that sows intolerance, reaps injustice. A nation that sows injustice, reaps hatred. A nation that sows hatred, reaps violence. And a nation that continually sows violence, invites a grave danger into its midst. Thus, at the risk of seeming greed, I ask that you give me another birthday present, I ask that you: -- Commit yourselves to bipartisan dialogue. Begin to talk more about what you will do for the nation and much less about what you will do to each other; -- Restrain the young party militants. 

Teach them the way of discourse and dialogue - don't encourage them to become political thugs; -- Respect opposing views. Do not condemn or demonise someone for believing differently. Seek to understand not to upset; -- Last, join together to build this nation and its youth. Develop creative ideas that promote education, development and employment. If you commit yourselves to these things, you will make The Gambia prosperous and well for years to come. You would have also made this day a most important and memorable birthday for me. I could not ask for more and I hope for no less. 
Thank you. 

 

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