Gambia-L:

I came to read my e-mails and found two private e-mails in my inbox where I
was being attacked for views expressed by one of my sources. Therefore it is
imperative that I make this clarification: the views contained in my
sources' e-mails are those of my sources and not necessarily mine. I have my
views on political events in The Gambia and outside The Gambia and would
never hesitate to express them in this forum or any other. I should not be
castigated for views expressed by my sources. Again, I am the messenger and
not the message.

As usual, the unedited e-mail below came from a source in The Gambia.

Ebrima Ceesay

___________________________________________________________________


>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: "Civil servants in 'Asobi'
>Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2001
>
>Coach,
>
>We thank Jabou for expressing her appreciation of the insights that your
>sources bring to the debate. We have been providing information to the
>Gambia-L for the past two years or so with the sole intention of providing
>the forum the other side of the story; granted with the biased inherent in
>being in the Opposition. Had it not been for the insights, many subscribers
>would have gone to bed a long while back thinking that the APRC had the
>entire elections wrapped-up.  We may be wrong, but we believe that this is
>the first time that Jabou expressed concern about statements attributed to
>Ousainou Darboe and she has every right to do so. Jabou  can refer to the
>archives as far back as she cares to, to ascertain that your sources are
>usually a step ahead of the papers.  For instance, the Local Government and
>Tourism fires are yet to be reported in the Radio and Television, much less
>the newspapers which appear twice or thrice weekly, with the exception of
>the Observer which everyboby knows is now the mouth piece of the ruling
>party.  We live and practice democracy.  Now to the specific questions
>raised concerning Ousainou's statement on civil servants who are not only
>wearing "asobis" and attending APRC rallies - well, those cited in
>Ousainou's statement are those who are unashamedly using 'state resources'
>to campaign openly for the APRC not because they believe in the policies of
>the Jammeh regime but to save their own positions. Some of these Managing
>Directors and a few Permanent Secretaries are using government vehicles,
>fuelled with tax-payers' petrol, absenting themselves from their officials
>duties for which tax payers are paying, providing other logistical support
>to a political party, denying public services to legitimate Opposition
>parties by claiming that ferries are dys-functional to ferry Hamat Bah and
>Ousainou to Sandu.
>
>The due process referred to in our report specifically deals with the
>provisions of the General Orders and the Service Rules governing the
>behavior of civil servants and Managing Directors respectively.  As a
>former civil servant, albeit briefly, Jabou should know these rules; at
>least those governing civil servants. The rules allow every Gambian civil
>servant or otherwise to support any party of his or her own choosing
>without the fear of being victimized.  That is the right of every Gambian.
>The rules are almost exactly the same as those that obtain in the United
>States and every civilized country. The civil servants that Ousainou is
>referring to, are those that have contravened every rule in the book.  For
>Jabou to equate Ousainou's statement with what Yahya would say is really
>pushing the envelop a bit too far.  Ousainou has never been and will never
>be a vindictive person.
>
>The Public Service Commission reduced to zero under Jammeh will be
>revitalized under Ousainou's Government and any one found wanting for
>whatever reason will be considered by the PSC.  Under Ousainou's
>administration, the post of the Secretary General and Head of the Civil
>Service will be 're-activated' together with the associated terms of
>reference to effectively guide the civil service.  Under Jammeh, this
>position exists only on paper.
>
>While we assure Jabou and all and saundry that Ousainou Darboe and his new
>team will not be out on a witch-hunt, they will not also tolerate or
>encourage civil servants to act as party militants, organizing, financing
>political campaigns, speaking in political platforms (be it the Alliance,
>APRC or any other political party for that matter) or actively campaigning
>on company time for the party of their choice.
>
>The UDP/PPP/GPP Alliance is a democratic party with democratic values with
>the strong conviction that the civil service should be insulated from the
>partisan politics that is currently being displayed by the most senior of
>civil servants.
>
>I hope that the above elaboration has shed more light on the issue and also
>allay the fears of Jabou in the process.
>


_________________________________________________________________
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