Gambia-Lers,

Well, well. Here is our own Dr. Amadou Scattred Janneh reneging on all his
criticism of the Jammeh regime because he now is an S.O.S who never was even
for once bundled into an arrest cell by the NIA. Why the good doctor thinks
the Gambia government is "entirely democratic" because his own skin is
intact is a question I will put to him when I visit him later this year.

I say it is time we twist the ears of our intellectuals, who seem to be
waiting on Gambian peasants to show them the light. You can't help
remembering Okot P'Bitek's "Song Of Lawino" where the wife mourns that her
husband's house is "a dark forest of books...."

Momodou S Sidibeh

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 Gov't not behind arson attack
 By Omar Bah
 Apr 15, 2004, 11:05

 The secretary of state for Information, Communication and Technology, Dr
Amadou Scattred Janneh has described the arson attack on
 The Independent's printing press last Tuesday as "a cowardly act that
tarnishes the image of the country in press freedom".Speaking
 to Daily Observer yesterday in his first press interview since assuming
office last week, Dr Janneh condemned the act outright
 saying The Gambia Government "is dedicated to protecting press freedom in
the country" but said "it would be difficult for the
 Government to take appropriate action at the moment since investigations
are pending. The investigations are going on. What the
 Government could do is for the police to investigate and come out with the
necessary evidence and hopefully find the culprits.
 Unless that is done, it would be difficult for the Government to take
action. So we have to wait for the investigations to take due
 course," he said.
 SoS Janneh dispelled the notion that the government was behind the attack.
"It is no secret that Government is dedicated to press
 freedom in the country. I don't believe and I know the Government is not
behind it. It will not serve the Government any purpose to
 be involved in that type of activity. It's entirely a democratic
Government. This is a Government that is determined to see the
 further consolidation of democracy in this country," he said. Dr Janneh
revealed that he had written articles that were more
 critical of this regime than most people would ever write and that he was
able to come to this country during elections to do Voice
 of America's English-to-Africa service and wrote in the Internet. "I used
my name, I didn't use any pseudonym. My appointment also
 serves to show Government's determination to promote press freedom. We also
know that tolerance is an important element of any
 democratic system. The Government is determined to promote press freedom.
The investigations will take their due course and the
 culprits will be dealt with according to law. This is a nation of laws. So,
unless there is evidence, unless the legal system takes
 course, Government will not be able to take any action. We don't know who
is behind it," he added.SoS Janneh said press freedom is
 essential in any democratic system and called for media practitioners to
"manifest professionalism" in the exercise of their duties.
 "We encourage the media to do their job and we will do all we can to
enhance that professionalism.
 Our department of state will open its doors to The Gambia Press Union and
respond to concerns raised by them whenever necessary. I
 am a journalist myself. I've received my degree in journalism and I have
practised the profession both in The Gambia and in the
 United States. I'm dedicated to enhancing [media] professionalism here and
ensure that there is a smooth relationship between
 Government and the media. That's my agenda," he said.He also expressed
Government's intention to ensure a well trained and advanced
 journalism fraternity in the country. Meanwhile, the New York based
Committee to Protect Journalists have condemned the attack on
 The Independent and called on the authorities to do everything possible to
bring the perpetrators of the arson attack to justice.
 The deputy British High Commissioner to The Gambia, Ron Rimmer has also
condemned the attack and called on the authorities to
diligently probe the matter and allow the law to take its course.Editor's
note: Dr Janneh is our guest in Bantaba this Sunday.


 © Copyright 2003 by Observer Company

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