Gentlemen,

It is unfortunate that the very people in the Diaspora—specifically on these cyber forums, who have on occasion accused the opposition party leaders as selfish, and not responsive to the plight of the Gambians, are now mired in pettiness, self righteousness and defending their own egos. We can keep trying to find all the self-justification in the world, but at the end of the day, we have to practice what we preach to other people.

When the idea was first unveiled in April, with a preamble and work in- progress guidelines, one thing was very clear, the unspoken ultimate objective: to equip us—Diasporeans, with the financial muscle, so that we can bring about an effective political change in the Gambia. Clearly, we recognized our different partisan leanings and some of the other complex issues that we would eventually have to deal with, How to bring about a coalition? who is going to be the leader of the coalition ? And a variety of other land mines that we will have to confront head on. But the reality at this juncture is that, the financial muscle will give us access to have a voice, and with this voice we can pursue the very issues that we would like to see. In the US—a bastion of democracy, you are only considered a serious presidential candidate if you can demonstrate the ability to raise funds. It is important to support the people that have already undertaken the fundraising function. We can continue the debate without impeding the process that has already begun.

Finally, let us all be part of the process with our financial contributions, giving out constructive feedbacks and avoid the tone and temperament of the recent exchanges. It will only destroy the important work ahead.

Musa Jeng

>
> From: Omar Gaye <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 2003/08/22 Fri PM 12:18:53 EDT
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: A CLEAN SLATE
>
> Joe,
>
>
>
> Because you have always seen this effort bigger than you, your yielding really shows your character. If there was a false start or starting with crap as said by others, this is an opportunity to start on a CLEAN SLATE. In that case, here are my suggestions:
>
>
>
>    Separate the Coalition Management Committee from the Save the Gambia Fund, but still leaving the Committee under the umbrella of the Fund.
>    Nominate committee members of 12 from GambiaPost and Gambia_L. Committee members should not be limited to contributors to the Fund only. (This selection process will be the messiest part since every Tm, Dick, and Harry will feel he/she deserves to be part of it.)
>    Create a new temporary listserv for the Committee so that they can conduct the deliberations privately.
>    Let the Committee develop the already existing skeleton Coalition document.
>    Have the Committee present its tentative final document to GambiaPost and Gambia_L for additional suggestions and comments.
>    Maintain the SFGA listserv for members only so that contributors can be updated and discuss their direction. Additionally, the Coalition Management Committee can then transfer to this listserv to share strategies and planning. At this time, the leadership of the parties will be on and making their input.
>
>
>
> If we take these steps, we will avoid all these talks of dictatorship and exclusion.
>
>
>
> By the way, my suggestions are not written in stone and is subject to be improved on by all.
>
>
>
> Omar
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Joe Sambou <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> [ This e-mail is posted to Gambia|Post e-Gathering by "Joe Sambou" ]
>
>
> Amat, thanks for your response. Amat, I did not get the facts wrong, I did
> ask you to join in the efforts of the Accountant, and that Accountant is
> Saloum Njie, right there in Atlanta, please check the archives. But we do
> not have to attempt to scoop an already spilled milk. Now, since you have
> been making all these demands and your list lengthening, it's been about a
> month or two since July 5, has Amat done anything about his concerns, as a
> Gambian? Since Amat knows better what needs to be done and how it needs to
> be done, has Amat implemented his wonderful ideas, its been 4 months, since
> April. Now, please do not say I or Yus hindered you, for I do not even know
> you or could stop you from anything. If you have not put your good wisdom
> to practice, can you please start now. You have George, Bai, and others on
> your side and I have no doubt that you guys could do everything better and
> you have my support. So folks, please let us join Amat, George, Bai, and
> others on their wisdom for a better Gambia. I think this should work fine
> and Gambia will benefit from their able stewardship. So, Amat, I have
> yielded to your demands and I am willing to join you and others in your
> efforts. I yielded to George the custody of the funds and it seem to be
> working and he is happy. I also believe that you are very capable of
> volunteering your services for your people. Folks, I am not going anywhere.
> I can serve in any capacity, as long as we work towards our goal. This is
> bigger than anyone individual. This fighting is really draining our
> energies and there is no sense in it. To be able to get the business of
> Gambia going, I am putting a motion for the contributors to decide if the
> continuous attacks on the group is necessary. We cannot get anything
> accomplished when folks are determined to disrupt and drag us into a tog of
> war each step of the way. This is my suggestion and I yield to hear your
> counsel.
>
> Chi Jaama
>
> Joe Sambou
>
>
> >From: [log in to unmask]
> >Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Re: [>-<] Amat/Yus/Joe
> >Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2003 23:37:45 +0000
> >
> >[ This e-mail is posted to Gambia|Post e-Gathering by [log in to unmask] ]
> >
> >
> >Yus,
> > Are you being serious here? You really think I have to explain anything
> >to
> >you or anybody for that matter? I am not responsible for your memory cells,
> >I
> >don't care what you recall. It's becoming even more obvious that you people
> >just don't get it. So your gloried history of speaking out against Jammeh
> >and
> >his decrees are your only qualifications to be a leader of this Fund
> >thingy?
> >I guess everybody else without the war stories similar to yours should just
> >shut up and do as they told by the 'veterans.'
> >
> >Joe, my concerns have not changed at all. Rather, my list of concerns is
> >just
> >getting longer. I am not angry but disturbed that you people interpret some
> >rhetorical questions about the Fund as distractions. There has been a lot
> >of
> >back and forth on this issue and that will probably explain why you might
> >have the facts a little muddled up. You have never said a thing to me about
> >Saloum Njie and his efforts. By the way, I'm after a democratic and
> >inclusive
> >process that will give birth to a Fund and ultimately, a coalition that
> >will
> >rid Gambia of Yahya Jammeh. A process that will not only solicit funds from
> >Gambians but also their input and participation in this noble venture.
> >
> >Amat
> >
> >
> > > [ This e-mail is posted to Gambia|Post e-Gathering by [log in to unmask] ]
> > >
> > >
> > > Amat:
> > > I will not ignore you. This is an open listserv so unless where anyone
> >can
> > > respond to any topic.
> > >
> > > One of the issues I have with this whole brouhaha from you is that I
> >don't
> > > recall you ever speaking out against Jammeh. Where were you when the
> >kids got
> > > massacred a few years ago? Where was your voice/keyboard when Jammeh
> > > implemented the decrees that subjugated the IEC and chief justices?
> >Where were
> > > you on election night of a few years ago?
> > >
> > > This is not to imply that you are apathetic to the plight of The Gambia
> >but
> > > since you have made all this noise about Save The Gambia Fund, I would
> >assume
> > > that you would at least publicly show some interest in the political
> >going-ons.
> > > Are you challenging the set up of the fund because you care about
> >political
> > > change in The Gambia or are you doing it simply because you can?
> > >
> > > I eagerly await your response!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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