>From: "Amie Sillah" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
>Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2006 18:37:05 +0000
>
>
>
>
>
>Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
>
>Issue No. 61/2006, 4-6 August, 2006
>
>Editorial
>
>THE PRESIDENT, IEC AND THE OPPOSITION
>
>The person appointed Chairman of the IEC has been sworn in. In our last 
>issue we published a letter from the NADD flagbearer indicating that the 
>IEC could not make any valid decision until it had a sworn Chairman. A 
>constitutional amendment would also be necessary to create the post of 
>Deputy Chairperson to act in the absence of the Chairperson. During the 
>swearing in ceremony the President made remarks touching on the conduct of 
>the IEC and the opposition.
>
>It is important to point out that the motto of the IEC is fair play, 
>integrity and transparency. The IEC however has disenfranchised Gambians 
>who have a right to vote because of the shortage of films. It has been 
>categorically stated by an IEC official that those people will not be 
>allowed to be registered. Is this fair play? It is not. If anybody makes 
>this an issue could that person be accused of dictating to the IEC. No! The 
>IEC should abide by its motto, then it will not make the type of mistakes 
>that would warrant any criticism from the camp of the government or the 
>opposition. What is rather strange in the Presidents’ speech is the mention 
>of money given to the IEC to buy films. He told the IEC “You cannot take my 
>money that is meant for public interest and think that I will not ask how 
>it is
>spent. I did it so that it could be used by IEC for films to be bought.” 
>The Chairman of the IEC needs to call a press conference and explain what 
>this money is all about. The IEC should have access to the 120 million 
>dalasis reserved for electoral purposes. We need explanation why the 
>President had to finance the IEC in his personal capacity.
>
>Furthermore, the President indicated that the if the minority wants to 
>provoke the majority he will give them more than enough, that the minority 
>will not dictate how elections are to be held in this country. He claimed 
>that an SoS was stoned during the Kombo East by election and the 
>provocation was not condemned by the foreign embassies. He warned that if 
>provocations happen in the coming election he will set an example that the 
>whole world will live to remember in the next 1000 years. He said the IEC 
>should not receive instructions from foreign embassies.
>
>Foroyaa’s advice to the President is that there is an inter- party 
>committee set up by the MOU which should be utilized to resolve inter party 
>differences. A nation that is heading towards election within two months 
>does not need words of antagonism.
>
>We are convinced that The Gambian people will go through this election to 
>cast their votes without fear to make their choice.
>
>The opposition are also expected to elevate themselves to the level of 
>statesmen and women who tell the people what they intend to do to change 
>their conditions rather than trade antagonistic words with their opponents. 
>Gambia has changed for good. We expect this year’s campaign will be unique 
>in African history.
>
> 
>
> 
>
>THE NADD AND UDP/NRP VIEWS ON UNITY
>
>Even though the views of the two Alliances are different, forces are at 
>work to influence the two sides to work to reconcile their differences.
>
>Will they succeed or will they not?
>
>That is the question.
>
>Below are three letters in the issue.
>
>UDP/NRP ALLIANCE PROPOSAL FOR A COMMON FRONT BY ALL OPPOSITION PARTIES IN 
>THE SEPTEMBER 2006PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
>
>It is within the spirit of our common objective to bring about a change of 
>the present status quo in The Gambia and restore genuine democracy, 
>freedom, rule of law and real economic development that we take this 
>initiative to invite you to discuss and agree on a proposal to establish a 
>common front in order to contest and hopefully win the 2006 presidential 
>elections.
>
>You will recall that Mr. Ousainou Darboe and Amadou Taal had met with Hon. 
>Halifa Sallah of NADD to discuss acceptable arrangements towards a united 
>front of the opposition in the 2006 presidential elections and the 2007 
>National Assembly Elections. These discussions were supposed to continue 
>after each side had consulted with its Executive Committee for endorsement.
>
>We in the UDP/NRP Alliance have since had a meeting of our joint National 
>Executive Committee. The joint Executive Committee has mandated Mr. Darboe 
>to pursue the discussions with NADD as quickly as possible. We have since 
>been waiting to hear from Hon. Halifa Sallah so that discussions could 
>resume.
>
>The membership of UDP/NRP Alliance and NADD are well conscious of the fact 
>that the elections are just around the corner and there is not much time at 
>our disposal. In view of the time constraint the UDP/NRP Alliance formally 
>invites you to consider the following proposals for a united front of 
>opposition parties and these are:
>
>1) The UDP/NRP Alliance be expanded to include NADD
>
>2) ‘That the new Alliance adopts a single flag bearer to contest the
>
>2006 presidential elections.
>
>3) That the whole activities of the elections be governed by the dictates 
>of the present Constitutions.
>
>4) That the issue of allocating portfolios and responsibilities be shelved 
>and that the Alliance concentrates on the principles of regime change which 
>will ultimately lead to a system change.
>
>5) That after the elections and provided that the expanded Alliance wins 
>the elections arrangements be made for organizing a National Constitutional 
>Review Conference within a period of three months after the National 
>Assembly Elections.
>
>6) The recommendations of the Conference will be the subject of a 
>referendum and thereafter be submitted to the National Assembly for 
>adoption and ratification.
>
>It is our belief that only the Gambian people can determine how the affairs 
>of this country should be administered and all other actors are to abide by 
>the dictates and the will of the people.
>
>It is in this regard that we take serious cognizance of the efforts and the 
>initiatives of the Gambians in the diaspora as well as groups of concerned 
>Gambians resident within the country. Both have been making tremendous 
>efforts to ensure that the opposition remains a united front and to contest 
>the presidential elections under one umbrella.
>
>Mr. Hamat Bah who was on a recent visit to the USA met with Gambians who 
>emphasized and reiterated their concern to foster unity within the 
>opposition. The same trend is currently being pursued by a group of 
>concerned Gambians representing all works of life within the country. This 
>group has met Hon.  Halifa Sallah, Mr. Hamat Bah and the undersigned and 
>all promised to make all efforts for the creation of a united front against 
>the present regime.
>
>Finally, we believe that we should meet at your earliest convenience so 
>that our agreement can be reached as soon as possible given that we have 
>very limited time for the September 2006 elections.
>
>(OUSAINOU DARBOE FOR UDP/NRP ALLIANCE)
>
>Halifa’s letter to Darboe
>
>OBSERVATIONS BEFORE NADD’S RESPONSE
>
>I write to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 27th July 2006.
>
>History has placed on our shoulders exceptional responsibilities which we 
>have to carry with honesty, sincerity and objectivity.  During our informal 
>discussion I had indicated to you that if we fail to do what is demanded by 
>our times and circumstances history will indict all of us; that I, Halifa 
>Sallah, have no ambition to seek political office for its sake; that I 
>accepted to be flag bearer in answer to the call of duty; that I will not 
>hesitate to relinquish the responsibility if it is demanded by the call of 
>destiny.
>
>It is therefore necessary to convey my personal opinion to you before 
>transmitting the position of the Executive Committee of NADD.  First and 
>foremost, it is important to recall that our discussion started as an 
>informal one.  Viewpoints were expressed, confidentiality sought and a plan 
>of action proposed.
>
>A summation of my views is necessary to put the record straight.  I 
>indicated that, when we first met to discuss about unity among the 
>opposition we had the option to unite around one party and its leader to 
>contest the 2006 presidential election or create an umbrella party and 
>select a flagbearer to serve as a unifying factor.  I emphasized that we 
>created NADD because no party or leader at the time could have served as 
>our unifying factor, on the basis of his/her personal and party’s strength.
>
>I stressed that the equality advocated by NADD provided the basis for its 
>collective ownership by all parties.  It was envisaged that such collective 
>ownership will motivate all the supporters of the various parties to 
>support NADD candidates.  NADD therefore provided the basis for support 
>irrespective of gender, party, tribe or other affiliations.  I added that 
>NADD has been tested and what may be the problem is the person selected as 
>flagbearer.  I emphasized that if any body could be found who could better 
>serve as a unifying factor I will be willing to step aside for the
>person to be a flag bearer. You also expressed your opinion. 
>
>After hearing your opinion we decided to move into some concrete issues.  
>Here again, I reiterated that unlike NADD the UDP/NRP Alliance has not 
>elaborated on a Memorandum of Understanding that spells out its strategic 
>objectives and basis of unity.  On the other hand NADD makes it very clear 
>that a transitional arrangement should follow the ousting of the APRC 
>regime characterized by collective leadership, a five year transitional 
>mandate for the president, constitutional, administrative and legal reform 
>and the creation of a level ground for the subsequent presidential 
>election.  I indicated to you that the NADD
>Memorandum explains how a flagbearer can be selected by consensus or a 
>primary.  On the other hand I pointed out that the UDP/NRP alliance has not 
>worked out these details.
>
>We finally agreed that your alliance will seek to formulate a proposal to 
>be placed side by side to the NADD arrangement for discussion by the 
>Executive of the two alliances.  Immediately after our meeting, I came 
>across a report on what Mr. Hamat Bah had said in the US and forwarded it 
>to you for clarification as a matter of urgency.
>
>Mr. Bah stated the following: “We made serious mistakes in our 
>negotiations. We should not have in the first place accepted equal 
>representation.  That was our mistake.  And it was this mistake that led to 
>the fall out.”
>
>Mr. Bah added: “I will not disclose the discussions going on at the moment 
>between the two alliances.  But I will tell you we will agree on a 
>flagbearer.  What complicated the negotiations is that NADD wanted 
>positions, they wanted the cake that is not yet baked.
>
>“This is the problem. I have made it very clear.  I will not endorse anyone 
>for the flagbearer except Darboe.  The president has the mandate of who 
>will be the vice president and whatever Ousainou will exercise that right.  
>For now, let’s just file one candidate.  We are not going to make any 
>agreement as to who is to occupy which position.  The president will do 
>that.”
>
>After the assertion of this uncompromising statement by your partner what 
>was there to negotiate? Let me ask you these basic questions which the 
>Executive Committee of NADD wanted me to convey to you for clarification. 
>Before Mr. Bah went to the US was any negotiation between the Alliances in 
>progress? The answer must definitely be in the negative.
>
>Secondly, did we discuss anything dealing with the sharing of positions 
>which complicated negotiations? Obviously, if no negotiation was in 
>progress it is equally obvious that nothing dealing with positions, that 
>could complicate negotiation, could have been a subject of discussion.
>
>The Executive Committee of NADD wanted me to convey to you that after a 
>flag bearer was selected by NADD no meeting had ever been convened even by 
>NADD to talk about the sharing of position.  This concept is just part of 
>spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding. Hence they could not understand 
>Mr. Bah’s motive for making the unfounded remarks that NADD wanted the 
>sharing of a cake that is not baked. I decided to withhold the letter that 
>I should have conveyed to you to request for clarification as to whether 
>our personal and informal discussion is what was being misconstrued by Mr. 
>Bah as a negotiation. I decided to withhold the letter until I could give 
>further information to the NADD Executive
>Committee because of a call I received from Mr. Musa Sanneh indicating that 
>Mr. Bah had assured them that he would pioneer the necessary momentum to 
>put an end to any misunderstanding and facilitate a conducive environment 
>for negotiation. Of course we have not heard from Mr. Bah since he came 
>back.
>
>Mr Darboe, you will agree with me that given the categorical remarks made 
>by your partner that your Alliance will not enter into any alliance that 
>guarantees equal representation during negotiations I was right to stop all 
>discussions to avoid giving any legitimacy to incorrect notions propagated 
>by your him in the USA.
>
>We therefore hope that you will now agree for all the correspondence 
>between the two Alliances to be done in public so that no person will ever 
>claim to have privileged knowledge and confuse our supporters at home and 
>abroad.
>
>The NADD Executive Committee asked me to convey to you that it is not 
>interested in any alliance that will not guarantee the sovereign equality 
>of all member parties.
>
>Now that you have written a proposal to the NADD Executive it will convey 
>an appropriate and timely response. I hope you will give a copy of your 
>letter to NADD to the group of Gambians who are currently serving as a 
>catalyst to the negotiation. I will give them a copy to start the process 
>of transparency and accountability for all our actions for posterity.
>
>Yours in the service of the Nation,
>
>Halifa Sallah.
>
> 
>
>NADD’s Letter to UDP/NRP Alliance
>
>ON THE PROPOSAL OF THE UDP/NRP ALLIANCE
>
>Your memorandum dated 27th July 2006 on the above mentioned subject has 
>been received.  The members of the Executive Committee of NADD are fully 
>conscious of the clarion call of the Gambian people for unity transcending 
>party, tribal, regional and other affiliations.
>
>Infact, NADD was founded precisely to make it impossible for the regime to 
>exploit such differences to win the Presidential election.  You would 
>recall that the discussion regarding the selection of a flag bearer started 
>in earnest a long time ago.  When the first method of reaching a consensus 
>failed a second method was put in place.  If this failed any party could 
>have recommended for the Chairmen, Chairwomen and Youth Leaders of the 
>parties in each village or ward to be consulted to do the selection.
>
>A congress of that nature could have been the starting point of NADD’s 
>campaign.  This would have undoubtedly been a very massive event following 
>the visit of President Obasanjo who came purposefully to mediate between 
>NADD and the APRC government.  Had such development taken place we would 
>not have been racing against time.
>
>Our present predicament therefore is a by product of our division.  
>Needless to say, your discussion with Halifa Sallah was designed to enable 
>you to share opinion on the state of the country and the way forward.  We 
>have gathered that the discussion eventually led to proposals to be 
>considered before negotiation could be initiated.
>
>The NADD Executive fully endorsed the confidentiality which characterized 
>the discussion but was later taken aback when Mr.  Hamat Bah stated in 
>categorical terms that the UDP/NRP Alliance will never negotiate on the 
>basis of equality with other political parties.  He claimed that 
>negotiation was on, that the only thing delaying the negotiation is NADD’s 
>insistence for the sharing of a cake that is not baked. This polluted the 
>atmosphere surrounding the discussion compelling Halifa Sallah to issue a 
>statement to dismiss Mr. Bah’s claim that negotiations were on and that it 
>was stalled because of differences on the issue of sharing posts. Now that 
>the necessary clarification is made NADD is willing to consider any 
>proposal.
>
>Evaluation Of Your Proposals
>
>Your first proposal is for the UDP/NRP Alliance to be expanded to include 
>NADD.  The position of the NADD Executive is unequivocal.  The executive 
>members are convinced that after the second round of voting was eliminated 
>no opposition party or its leader could be promoted to win an election on 
>the basis of its individual strength.  NADD wants the UDP/NRP Alliance to 
>take note of the current state of their parties.
>
>It wishes to go on record to affirm that NDAM, NRP, PDOIS, PPP and UDP are 
>still registered parties in the country; that the registration of NADD was 
>not designed to kill other political parties and it has not killed other 
>political parties.  That is why the UDP/NRP Executive members who were in 
>NADD could go back to their original parties as fast as they could write 
>their signatures.  The Executive Committee wishes to reiterate that all the 
>other Executive Committee members of NADD decided to create this umbrella 
>party and register it so as to galvanize the collective strength of the 
>opposition parties to remove the present regime and then give life to each
>party to contest the next following election on equal footing on the basis 
>of its own merit and that of its candidate.
>
>The creation of NADD cultivated a sense of common ownership that no 
>alliance around a single party can create.  The Executive Committee further 
>observes that a UDP/NRP/NADD Alliance will not be recognized in law.  Any 
>candidate would have to be under UDP NRP or NADD ticket.  Hence your 
>proposal is considered to take NADD back to square one when the opposition 
>parties were considering whether to contest the election under an umbrella 
>party or under the leadership of one of the existing parties.
>
>It is therefore maintained that the NADD arrangement provides the best 
>opportunity for collective ownership of the candidate and the campaign 
>process to guarantee victory.  This is the first point.
>
>Secondly, you propose that the new alliance adopts a single flagbearer to 
>contest the 2006 presidential election. The Executive Committee of NADD 
>considers the proposal to be incomplete.  It would like to know how the 
>selection is to be conducted.  NADD had established a selection process 
>based on consensus or voting by party chairmen, chairwomen and youth 
>leaders.  If no mechanism is proposed there is no way the NADD Executive 
>can make a decision on this matter.
>
>Thirdly, you propose that the activities of the election be governed by the 
>present constitution.  The Executive Committee does not understand what 
>this means. The constitution has been amended so many times that it gives 
>the president monarchical powers. A President now rules without term limit. 
>The President can appoint and dismiss the Chiefs; dismiss the members of 
>the IEC and can even dissolve the National Assembly. Are you implying that 
>the flagbearer should not give commitment on a political platform not to 
>seek a second mandate or support another candidate in the next following 
>election? Should we not have a transitional arrangement to curtail the 
>monarchical powers of the presidency which should
>be propagated on our political platforms? Should the flag bearer not be 
>urged to give commitment in public to combat and uproot such powers that 
>legitimize impunity?
>
>This is the corner stone of NADD’s attempt to put an end to self 
>perpetuating rule.  The NADD Executive strongly maintains that this 
>platform of putting an end to self perpetuating rule and impunity is the 
>best weapon the opposition has in winning popular support.  This is one 
>platform it has been propagating to the wide approval of the electorate.  
>How to reverse this process without being accused of being power hungry is 
>a dilemma we need to give careful consideration to.
>
>Your fourth proposal is for the alliance to limit itself to regime change 
>and that the issue of portfolios be shelved.  The NADD Executive wishes to 
>convey that the issue of creating a cabinet based on shared responsibility 
>by member parties should not be mistaken to be an attempt to share the cake 
>of power.  NADD aims to keep the opposition parties alive and facilitate a 
>healthy multiparty system after a five year transition by implementing the 
>policy of collective leadership.
>
>Nothing is explained why such a general undertaking to operate a government 
>based on the participation of all member parties and representatives of 
>civil society should be shelved. The NADD Executive maintains that the 
>first five years after Jammeh, should be a transition period to genuine 
>democratic and constitutional rule.  All the basic rectification programmes 
>that should be made should be known to the people, so that no leader will 
>be able to betray their aspirations without being challenged and removed in 
>the first five years.  It stands to reason that if a future president, 
>elected on the basis of merit is expected to accept a two term limit why 
>should
>the first president of a post Jammeh government not accept one term to 
>build the culture of establishing term limits for the presidency?
>
>The fifth point is for a National Constitutional Review Conference to be 
>the held within a period of three months after the National Assembly 
>elections.  In our view, the review of a constitution should be done 
>through civic education programmes designed to enable the people to know 
>what is in the constitution followed by a nation wide debate on the need 
>for amendments through the auspices of a constitutional review commission. 
>This is part of the NADD programme of action.
>
>Your sixth point is that the recommendations of a national constitutional 
>conference will be subjected to a referendum and then presented to the 
>National Assembly.  The Executive Committee of NADD considers such a 
>proposal to be of a general nature.  No issue has been raised.  It is not 
>clear whether the recommendations will be transformed into a bill that 
>would require the approval of the National Assembly before a referendum.  
>We don’t know what recommendations will touch on the entrenched clauses to 
>warrant a referendum.  Hence there is no point to make a decision on.
>
>To conclude, allow us to indicate that the best way forward for any party 
>which thinks that it has the might to remove the APRC regime is to proceed 
>to do so and ask other parties to support its programme.  However if all 
>opposition parties are convinced that an alliance is the best instrument to 
>remove the present regime then the NADD arrangement appears to have earned 
>popular appeal. The flagbearer of NADD has stated in no uncertain term that 
>he will be ready to vacate the seat in favour of anyone who can be a 
>unifying factor of all those who are dissatisfied with the existing regime.
>
>The NADD Executive therefore calls on the UDP/NRP Alliance to do a critique 
>of the NADD MOU and make recommendations on what to delete to make it 
>acceptable to them. The NADD Executive will review any recommendation with 
>objectivity.
>
>While anticipating a swift and practical response,
>
>We remain
>
>Yours in the service of the Nation.
>
>Halifa Sallah
>
>For the NADD Executive.
>
> 
>
> 
>
>GPTC STAFF PENALISED
>
>By Bubacarr K. Sowe
>
>The Management of The Gambia Public Transport Corporation (GPTC) have 
>decided to penalize the Staff who did not participate in the last 
>nationwide cleansing exercise.
>
>A memo from the Managing Director to the Personnel Officer reads: “I am by 
>virtue of the services rule (607) 1, 2 and 3 withdrawing all the 
>responsibility allowances paid to all those who were absent and are earning 
>it for not acting in a responsible manner and a day deduction for the rest 
>of staff in Kanifing as a first measure while I wait for further 
>instruction.”
>
>The Managing Director of the GPTC, Momodou A.B Jagne has confirmed the 
>disciplinary measure taken by the Management. In an interview with Foroyaa 
>on Thursday, Jagne said it is in accordance with GPTC service rules that 
>the measure is taken.
>
>He added that a general circular was issued to inform all workers that 
>there will be a cleansing exercise at GPTC premises on the 29th of July.
>
>“This was a call from the highest office for everybody to participate 
>effectively. Now we have a circular passed, and some of them don’t just 
>care about the circular. And this is the repercussion,” Mr. Jagne said.
>
> 
>
> 
>
>DARBOE REBUTS MAJA KO SAMUSAN
>
>By Fabakary B Ceesay
>
>Lawyer Ousainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has reacted to 
>claims made by Majanko Samusa at a recent APRC meeting held in Wellingara.  
>Below we produce Majanko’s claims and Darboe’s reaction.
>
>Mr Majanko Samusa, the NCP bigwig has said that the majority of UDP 
>supporters were drawn from the NCP.
>
>Mr. Samusa made this remark at a political rally held in Wellingara on 
>Saturday, 29th July, 2006.  He said, the role the NCP played in forming the 
>majority of UDP supporters could never be questioned.  “Kemeseng Jammeh, 
>Badara Sidibeh and Dembo Bojang all know that it is because of the NCP that 
>UDP became what it is today,” he told the rally. He pointed out that during 
>the 1996 and 2001 pools, the vast majority of NCP supporters cast their 
>votes for Ousainou Darboe and the UDP Party.  He challenged the
>UDP leader for saying on the papers that the people who defected to the 
>APRC in Bundung were infact NCP supporters and not U.D.P members. He said 
>this is an unfortunate statement from Mr. Darboe.  Mr Samusa advised Darboe 
>to withdraw that statement.  He also called on all NCP supporters in UDP to 
>join the APRC, since their party is now in an alliance with APRC.  “It was 
>the NCP supporters who made Ousainou Darboe what he is today in Gambian 
>politics.  “Nobody knows Darboe before 1996 but the NCP made him what he is 
>today,” he lamented.  He cautioned Darboe not to humiliate himself by 
>contesting the elections, because the NCP supporters are no more behind him 
>and his
>party.  The recently nominated member, Majanko Samusa, was a National 
>Assembly member for the NCP party during the first Republic and has joined 
>the UDP when his former party was banned from participating in the 1996 
>pools.
>
>In an exclusive interview with this reporter in his office, Ousainou Darboe 
>refuted the claims made by Majanko Samusa, that NCP supporters constitute 
>the majority of supporters in his party, the United Democratic Party.
>
>According to Darboe, Majanko is on a campaign to make statements that will 
>please the APRC leadership.  He said if the majority of the people in the 
>UDP are NCP supporters, then the last elections would have shown quite 
>clearly that the UDP would have had a reduced number of votes, when NCP 
>supporters including Majanko himself decided to go back to their party.  
>“So I think Majanko’s statement is a false statement and a very misleading 
>one.”  He said Mr. Samusa should be dealing with issues that are affecting 
>the livelihood of the Gambian People, but not what made Ousainou Darboe to 
>be popular in Politics. “My
>popularity was due to my professional activities, but not my Political 
>Career. My popularity is not the concern of Gambians, but the quality of 
>education they want for their Children and the quality of Medical Care that 
>they received. The issue is not about my popularity or unpopularity, ”Mr. 
>Darboe pointed out that the people who claimed to defect from UDP to APRC 
>in Bundung were probably UDP supporters in 1996 but they were surely NCP 
>supporters. “In 2001 when Sheriff Dibba decided to go on his own, those 
>people went back to NCP including Majanko himself and I stand by my words,” 
>Darboe said. Darboe narrated that he did not know of any alliance between 
>NCP and APRC. He quoted the Majority Leader, Churchill Baldeh as saying 
>that APRC will not go into an alliance with any party for the coming 
>Presidential Elections. “May be Samusa is creating an alliance for NCP and 
>APRC. Samusa should
>know that he has been convinced to abandon NCP for APRC. He has been 
>shifting from one Party to another. He was in NCP then UDP, went back to 
>NCP and now to APRC. I don’t know what he is advocating for NCP now,” says 
>Darboe.  
>
> 
>
>FARMERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF D30 MILLION
>
> 
>
>By Yaya Dampha and Surakata Danso
>
> Mr. Kaba Jallow of GAMCO has informed this paper that farmers will be paid 
>by his company, and the amount involved is 30 million dalasis.
>
>He however refuted claims that the Government has given directives to his 
>company, asking them to pay farmers. He said GAMCO has sold it’s nuts and 
>have decided to pay the farmers, noting this is what had delayed the 
>payment.
>
>Mr. Jallow further informed Foroyaa that this year, GAMCO bought 27, 000 
>tons of nuts which is valued at 130 million dalasis.
>
>He called on all stakeholders to workout solutions that will increase 
>groundnut production in the country. He said groundnut production has 
>dropped from 140, 000 tons to 27, 000 tons. He said the sharp decline in 
>production is due to the barrenness of the soil. He said fertilizer and 
>other essential inputs are lacking.
>
> 
>
> 
>
>“NADD IS UNIQUE”
>
>Says Waa Juwara
>
>As the 2006 presidential elections draws closer, Mr. Lamin Waa Juwara, a 
>veteran Gambian politician, has described NADD as a genuine and a unique 
>political force in the country, capable of remedying the Socio-economic 
>ills of the Gambian people, witnessed under this present Government.
>
>Mr Juwara, an executive member of The National Alliance for Democracy and 
>Development made this statement during a political rally in Kani Kunda 
>Tendala, in the North Bank Division. 
>
>Mr Juwara urged the electorate of Kani Kunda Tendala to vote massively for 
>Halifa Sallah (NADD’S presidential flag bearer) whom he regards as a person 
>of stable character and of high recognition both in the African continent 
>and outside.
>
> The end of the well-attended political rally was marked by the 
>distribution of information leaflets/ booklets on NADD and the MOU that 
>established NADD to the people, particularly the youths, who were eager to 
>grap a copy.  
>
> 
>
>GAF PRO DECLINE TO COMMENT ON BAJINKA’S ABSCONDENCE
>
>By Yaya Dampha
>
>Major Kalifa Bajinka, the former ADC to President Jammeh, who is reported 
>to be on the run after the Security Officers failed in their attempts to 
>arrest him, is still at large. When this reporter contacted the Gambia 
>Armed Forces Public Relations Officer, Captain Lamin Gano, on why they want 
>to arrest Major Bajinka and why his two other brothers from the army and 
>another from the NIA were arrested, PRO Gano said he could not talk with 
>the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS). He later told our reporter that he had 
>contacted the CDS and told him what Foroyaa was asking. He said the CDS 
>told him that they have more important issues to deal with, that they 
>cannot throw light on a minor issue such as Bajinka’s abscondence. Our 
>reporter further told him the
>importance of his comments on the issue, hence it concerned the lives of 
>Soldiers. He told our reporter to write whatever his information is and 
>that he will make his comments any time when they are less busy.
>
> 
>
>COMPOUNDS FLOODED IN SERREKUNDA
>
> 
>
>BY Sarjo Camara-Singhateh
>
>Last Tuesday nights’ rain caused serious destructions in Churchill’s Town 
>and Serrekunda. The effect was very serious on some living around the 
>Churchill’s Town high way and on Papa Sarr’s Street close to the taxi park 
>at Ebony
>
>This reporter conducted a tour of these inundated areas and took snaps 
>shots from various points to show the impact on people living within these 
>areas.
>
>Speaking to this reporter, a security officer resident in one of the 
>compounds in the area said that at the start of every rain season, they 
>have to spend the whole day cleaning the mud and draining the water from 
>their compounds. The residents of Sanyang Kunda along Papa Sarr Street 
>expressed similar sentiments. Speaking to this reporter, one Ousman Bah who 
>said that the compound he lives in belongs to his late sister pointed out 
>that they do not sleep for the rest of the night after every rainfall, 
>since the rains started.
>
>He said that there are three apartments in the compound but each of them 
>was completely filled with water up to window level and that they have to 
>find means to get rid of the water. He told this reporter that the newly 
>constructed road has created a negative impact on their lives, particularly 
>during their night rests. He said that now their compound is flooded after 
>every rainfall and there is no adequate draining system in the area. 
>Speaking to this reporter one Fatou Sarr who also lives on this street; 
>said that whenever they see cloud forming they have the fear that they will 
>not sleep well.
>
>We sit on our beds to wait for the rains to stop, in order for us to empty 
>our rooms. “Our compound grounds are always filled with water giving us no 
>place to pass,” she stated. One tailor, who also spoke to this reporter, 
>indicated that they cannot even pass through their veranda to enter of 
>their workshop, which is often filled with water.
>
> 
>
>BCC LABOURERS DEMAND WAGE INCREASE
>
> 
>
>By Sarjo Camara Singateh
>
>Labourers working for the BCC have threatened to lay down their tools if 
>their demands are not met. The demands of the workers are contained in a 
>petition handed over to the authorities of the council. The said workers 
>are demanding wage increase and improve working conditions.
>
>The petition was submitted during a sit-down strike which was caused by a 
>series of problems that the worker alleged is affecting them.  The 
>Labourers are calling on the Authorise to reinstate the ex-mayor, Pa Sallah 
>Jeng.  The workers alleged that they have been treated badly following the 
>suspension of Pa Sallah Jeng.
>
>The spokesperson of the labourers, Mr Lamin Sanyang, said they are faced 
>with numerous problems; notable among them is their health status.  He said 
>they wrote a letter to Mr Jallow, the cleansing service Manager, for on 
>ward transmission to the chief Executive officer and the Acting 
>mayor.        
>
>They said that they are family heads and that their plight needs to be 
>seriously considered.  They said each of them receive six hundred dalasis 
>as basic salary, noting this amount is pittance compared to the type of job 
>they are doing for the council.
>
>One of the workers said he lost one of his eyes when they were constructing 
>the Gambia High School Mosque, and sustained a cut on his finger, but the 
>council did not give him anything as compensation.
>
>They also alleged that they sometimes engaged in jobs that have negative 
>effect on their health. The angry labourers expressed that the council 
>gives less attention to their plight.  They pointed out that they have been 
>in the council for a long time, without being staffed.
>
>Below we produce the petition written by the labourers.
>
>We the labourers at the cleansing Services of Banjul City Council here by 
>put our collective concerns of the following conditions, to the council.
>
>1. The poor wages of D600.00 per month for ten years without any increment.
>
>2. The poor transport condition that is transporting us to and from Banjul 
>in a truck that is already used for collecting waste.
>
>3. That for the last ten years none of us have been staffed; thus working 
>as daily paid.
>
>4. That due to the nature of our job our health conditions are not 
>adequately taken care off.  Sir we have now agreed that if the above 
>condition is not fully addressed by the first of August 2006, we will lay 
>down tools until such time that they are fully addressed.
>
>We therefore hope that you will kindly consider the above sad conditions of 
>ours as family heads.
>When contacted the Chief Executive Officer of the said Council, Mr. 
>Batchilly, told this reporter that what brought about the strike was lack 
>of communication between the cleansing Service Management and the 
>labourers. 
>
>He indicated that the Council had already made some adjustments well before 
>this sit down strike and that it was already approved by the financial 
>Director.
>
>He noted that by the end of this month; a 50% increment will be added on 
>the salary of the affected workers and that all their demands will be put 
>into consideration.
>
>He remarked that the sit down strike was illegal because the labourers have 
>not informed Management 14 days before the strike according to law and that 
>they did not inform the labour Department.
>
> 
>
>INDEPENDENT REPORTER’S CRIMINAL CASE
>
> 
>
>By Fabakary B Ceesay
>
>The criminal case involving the Independent Newsp
>
>aper reporter, Lamin M Fatty and the state, continued at the Kanifing 
>Magistrate Court. Testifying before Principal Magistrate, Kebba Sanyang and 
>Corporal Lamin Cham, 1838, attached to the Major Crime Unit at the Police 
>Headquarters said he recognized the accused person. He recalled on the 
>28th April, 2006, when he went to the NIA office to caution the accused 
>person in connection to a false publication. He said at the NIA Office, he 
>introduced himself as a Police Office. He said he then read the cautionary 
>words to the accused in the presence of other officers in the office.
>Officer Cham pointed out that he also read the voluntary statement to the 
>accused in the presence of an Independent witness by the name Bakary 
>Ceesay, who lives in Kotu. He said the witness appended his signature on 
>the statement. According to Cham, he read the statement to the accused and 
>the witness in English even though he does not know whether the witness is 
>literate or illiterate, but noted that the witness speaks Mandinka. The 
>state prosecutor Mballow asked the court for adjournment for the third 
>prosecution witness to testify.      
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