Conteh,

You have spoken for me when you outline why we may fail. We have to stop
patting people on the back and continuing with business as usual when issues that
need to be addressed arise and still expect things to turn out great. It is
unrealistic to think that one can run a country and take care of the people's
business properly if one adopts that attitude.

Jabou Joh

In a message dated 4/7/04 6:58:14 AM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
>
> Comrades:
>
> Yesterday's exchange of words and explicits used by Mr. Joe Sambou have
> indicated that we may fail because there are some who just will not accept
> mistakes they have committed.  We may fail because we are unable to
> read between the lines relative to issues that face us.
>
> Over the years, some are unwilling to work with others for some unknown
> reasons.  The presidential fund drive failed because it was poorly planned.
>
> I had mentioned the fact that decentralization of fund collection would be
> the best.
> Why?  Because people know their communities and that they can easily ask
> those
> that they know to contribute.  After talking to numerous Gambians, I was
> informed that they were unwilling to send their contributions because they
> were
> excluded from decision-making.
>
> In any organization, those that freely join should be given the opportunity
> to provide input.  You just cannot ask people to contribute to a fund when
> they are excluded from decision-making.
>
> I was also informed that since the opposition met in Atlanta in July 2003,
> they
> had not met in the Gambia to discuss forming a coalition.  This is
> disturbing.
> Why?  Well, for some unknown reasons, people just talk the talk but they are
> unwilling to forego their personal feelings.
>
> We will fail because we shy away from talking about tribalism.  Tribalism
> is a cancer that must be cured.  We can condemn yahya, but when the
> word jola is used we get offended.  If a president favors only his tribe,
> what is
> wrong if we condemn that?  This does not mean that all jolas are bad.  Mr.
> Shyngle
> Nyassi is a perfect example.
>
> I affirm that if we continue this trend, we will fail.  I want to apologize
> to those
> that I offended.  I would rather be disliked by some rather than shy away
> from
> talking about discrimination.
>
> I also want to state that Joe cannot have it both ways.  He cannot
> condemn yaha, but then defends him as a jola.  What is wrong if we
> condemn the favors given to some jolas?  Does this mean that all jolas
> are favored?  I don't thing so.
>
> We should rise up.  We should have the guts to say the truth.  We should not
> be afraid to condemn anyone in our midst who thinks that his or her
> opinion is supreme.  We must indicate with certainty that our journey for
> a democratic Gambia cannot prevail if we shy away from the truth.
>
> My decision to seek the presidency Will be A CONTRACT WITH THE
> GAMBIA.  This contract will be a duration of two years and it will not be
> renewable.  The purpose of this, is to establish an interim government.
> During the two years, we will frame our nation's constitution.  No Gambian
> will
> be excluded.  Those that will serve with me will also sign a contract.  By
> doing
> this, we will ensure that elections are free and fair.  All candidates will
> equal
> time slots of advertising.
>
> I will withdraw from the race if my candidacy will dilute a vote for the
> other
> presidential candidate.  This is to state categorically that I will not run
> if
> there is another opposition candidate, who may have a chance of defeating
> jammeh.
>
> Naphiyo,
> Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh
>
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