Mr. Jawara,

I also think that it was  a very good piece.  However, I need to clarify
that I did not write the article.

Like most people, I will send my observation of the Symposium which the
report is addressing.




Best Regards,

Abdoul Njie


>From: "SS.Jawara" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: FWD: PRESS RELEASE FROM THE APRC  BRANCH ATLANTA
>Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2002 23:39:19 +0200
>
>Mr. Njie:
>
>
>This was a well written piece. I  indeed wish to read more from you with
>great expectation. Thanks  for the piece and may God bless us all. Take
>Care!
>
>Thanks for sharing!
>
>SS.Jawara
>Stockholm, Sweden.
>
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Abdoul Njie" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2002 10:32 PM
>Subject: FWD: PRESS RELEASE FROM THE APRC BRANCH ATLANTA
>
>
> > Culled From
> >
> > The Observer (Banjul)
> >
> > August 6, 2002 Posted to the web August 6, 2002
> >
> > Banjul
> >
> > Gambians in America speak out.
> >
> >
> > Gambians resident in America have voiced out their concerns on the
>country's
> > democratic process.
> > The press release from Gambians in Atlanta was signed by their president
> > Salifu Jallow, chairman of the APRC Atlanta organisation.
> > Below we reproduce the full text of the release:
> > We want to take this opportunity to thank the leadership and supporters
>of
> > the United Gambian Organisation of Atlanta (UGOA) for holding such a
> > historically significant event. We support any initiative to promote
> > constructive dialogue throughout the diaspora among the Gambian people.
>We
> > listened very carefully to the other presenters, Dr Abdoulaye Saine and
>Mr.
> > Waa Juwara aka Mbarodi. We also appreciated the input of many of the
> > audience participants many of them members of the local APRC chapter and
> > others who voiced their support and commitment. Dr Saine attempted to
> > present an intelligent and sensitive analysis of the conditions of The
> > Gambia.
> >
> >
> > However, his concerns, although they may have been well intended, led
>him
>to
> > many contradictions. His failure to take into account the historical
> > realities of colonialism in his summarisation resulted in his seeking to
> > place blame for what he perceived as shortcomings and failures of APRC.
> > Thus, what has been accepted by some Gambians as a legitimate and
>critical
> > analysis misses the mark by far. A first year student of International
> > Economics and Development might find a number of significant points to
> > criticise his paper.
> >
> >
> > However, he was very respectful and sincere in his presentation and to
>his
> > credit, he sought to encourage the audience to conduct critical thinking
> > about such issues as infrastructure development, medical and health
>care,
> > education, and family relationships. We encourage our intellectuals to
>move
> > beyond analysis and invest their time and talent in meaningful
>development
> > strategies that will help produce businesses and institutions that will
> > expand opportunities for our people. Intellectuals often spend so much
>time
> > demanding that the government do this and that, yet fail to recognise
>that
> > in the free market economies of the west, the individual, the
>organisation,
> > and teams of entrepreneurs are the driving forces for creating
>opportunity.
> >
> >
> > The argument that a large number of' "Jolas" are in significant roles in
>the
> > government despite their being a minority simply serves to fuel the
>culture
> > of ethnic rivalry and tribalism that threatens the long term stability
>of
> > The Gambia. How do we profess to be a progressive nation yet look down
>on
> > each other because of our tribal affiliations? We cannot afford to
>promote
> > one group as being superior to another.
> > Ethnic superiority is merely the false illusion of superiority based on
> > tribal affiliation. The leadership of any country reserves the right to
> > select key people for various positions. The fact is that employment in
>the
> > military sector is one of the smallest sectors in our country.
> >
> > Finally, Dr. Saine can be assured that the government of President
>Jammeh
> > understands how critical the agricultural sector is to our economy. We
>will
> > preserve our farmers, our youth, our women, our families and our future.
>The
> > APRC government is moving beyond doing a cursory analysis of our
>problems
>as
> > a nation to structuring sustainable growth and development strategies
>that
> > will enable us to become a world-class society and a world-class
>economy.
> >
> > Perhaps we should consider these comments: "The Gambian authorities are
>to
> > be commended for The Gambia's generally encouraging economic performance
> > since 1998 under the PRGF arrangement. During this period.
> >
> >
> > The Gambia experienced sustained per capita GDP growth and low inflation
>and
> > an improvement in the fiscal balance. The authorities took corrective
> > measures, including the adoption of an appropriate macroeconomic
>framework
> > and supporting policies for 2002-2004 in response to pressures on the
>budget
> > that emerged earlier this year. On the basis of the corrective measures,
>the
> > Board granted a waiver for the non-observance of the quantitative
> > performance criterion with respect to net bank credit to the Central
> > Government, and the second review was completed."
> > IMF report 12/2001
> >
> >
> > Speaking on the occasion of the commemoration of his country's National
>Day
> > (4"' of July) at his Fajara residence yesterday, Mr McDonald said: "The
> > United States recognises that The Gambia has made significant progress
> > towards democracy, the rule of law and respect for basic human rights".
> > U.S. Ambassador Jackson McDonald,
> > 5 July 2002
> >
> > "Mr. Chambas who was attending a recent meeting in Ghana of Central Bank
> > Governors whose countries are working stridently towards abolishing
>their
> > individual currencies for a single West African currency told
>journalists
>in
> > Accra that The Gambia's rate of inflation, which is somewhat slower than
>its
> > much larger neighbours, stands a good chance of meeting the required
> > 'minimum inflation', before the deadline, which may not be met by the
>other
> > countries due to their seemingly irreversible rate of inflation."
> > The Independent (Banjul) July 1, 2002
> >
> > There is undoubtedly a place in The Gambia for intellectuals who
>contribute
> > to the growth and development of the lives of our people. APRC and our
> > leader President Yahya Jammeh, will continue to provide the kind of
> > leadership that will build infrastructure, viable institutions, reduce
> > infant mortality, improve education, healthcare and the quality of life
>of
> > our people. It is questionable whether there is a place in The Gambia
>for
> > sterile unproductive intellectuals who believe that criticism and
> > unqualified scholarship should be masqueraded as a contribution to our
> > future!
> >
> >
> > Clearly, the Gambian people wherever you find them in the world, all
>share
>a
> > deep and common love for The Gambia and wish to return home. We can hear
>and
> > feel the concerns of the Gambia people. We want to point out that a
> > "constructive dialogue" can indeed be an effective tool for nation
>building.
> > The first reality we must face is that President Jammeh is the elected
> > leader of the people of Gambia, he has not only received that honour
>once
> > but for a second term. The promotion of emotional rhetoric and fiery
>words
> > from those who lost the election must be tolerated. However, one has to
> > challenge their sense of patriotism and their clarity on Gambia's role
>on
> > the World scene. We have to stop conducting our affairs like a bunch of
> > quarrelling children in a neighbourhood backyard and realise that we are
> > rapidly seeking to become a more significant leader on the continent of
> > Africa and indeed on the world scene. We need a moratorium on this "war
>of
> > words". The Gambian people do not benefit from abusing each other. We
>cannot
> > fix our problems or effectively address our social dilemmas across a
>void
>of
> > meaningless rhetoric, hatred, anger and a cycle of vengeance.
> >
> >
> > The leadership of the APRC both here and in The Gambia has much larger
> > concerns than fiery rhetoric and emotional speeches that do not provide
> > constructive solutions to our problems. We are reminded of the words of
> > former Ambassador George W. Haley on the occasion of his 75th birthday:
> > "Instead of informing the populace about programs and plans, too many
>public
> > figures engage in personal attacks and the publication of rumours just
>for
> > sensational effect."
> >
> >
> > Because Mr. Waa Juwara is an elder and member of a political party in
>The
> > Gambia none of the members of the Atlanta APRC wished to disrespect him,
>or
> > criticise him in an open forum. But, frankly many of his remarks were
> > designed to fan the flames of anger and emotion. He launched a number of
> > claims and charges without putting forth any real substantial evidence.
> > Slander and defamation of the character and reputation of the leadership
>of
> > the Gambia does nothing to move us forward as a people. It is a
>disservice
> > to democracy and certainly not a means to facilitate peace, progress,
> > productivity and prosperity.
> >
> >
> > Perhaps, he failed to recognise that there was a large number of APRC
> > supporters and members at this event. Perhaps because no one was rude
>enough
> > to get up and shout him down by voicing disagreement with the majority
>of
> > sentiments he fostered.
> >
> > Many persons in attendance viewed his presentation with a quiet disdain
> > because it was so negative. His effort to discredit the recent elections
>and
> > his unwillingness to acknowledge the gesture of reconciliation by
>President
> > Jammeh in facilitating a peaceful and dignified return of Sir Dawda
>Jawara
> > to his homeland was unquestionable. Instead he chose to cheapen that
> > important symbolic effort.
> >
> >
> > We will succeed as a nation with the help of Almighty God, despite the
> > criticism of the blamers. We have a small but vocal and angry group of
> > partisans who seem unable to move toward productive contributions to our
> > peace, productivity, progress, and prosperity. Threats of frustrating
>the
> > APRC Government's capacity to achieve its goals are both empty and
>foolish.
> > Our leadership, our government, our people are woven together in a
>delicate
> > tapestry. APRC seeks to preserve that tapestry and our future. The
>sacrifice
> > of patriots will require the elimination of angry, emotional and
>meaningless
> > rhetoric. We must move forward, we must stand together.
> >
> >
> > No nation is without its tragedies and social ills. The leadership of
>the
> > APRC is deeply committed to moving us forward as a nation. However, we
>do
> > not have the luxury of making ourselves look like a nation of buffoons
>to
> > the rest of the world. The tragedy of April 2000 touched the lives of
>all
> > Gambians. The authorities on the ground made a serious error in
>judgment.
> > The students made a serious error in judgment when they sought to take
>the
> > law into their own hands and defy the legally constituted authority. A
> > tragedy was the end result. A tragedy that we will all live with and
>regret
> > for a long, long, time. However, it is unethical and immoral to lay the
> > blame for this tragedy at the feet of the President. Those persons who
> > continue to blame him personally -the head of state-in this tragedy fail
>to
> > recognise the realities of the situation.
> >
> >
> > It does not make sense anywhere in the world for people to redress their
> > grievances legitimate or otherwise by confronting armed security
>personnel.
> > Certainly, we as Gambians do not have to resort to stone throwing and
> > rioting to solve our problems. The person or persons accused of
>committing
> > the crimes that triggered this incident should have been brought to the
> > proper authority. Whatever legitimate legal and political means to do so
> > should have been utilised. . The fact is those persons who instigated
>the
> > students by fanning their emotions and pushing them into the melee -
>must
> > share the blame for this tragedy.
> >
> >
> > We encourage those individuals who want to provide financial support to
>the
> > children in need of medical assistance to do so. Dissent should be
>peaceful
> > and constructive. We need to sit at the table together as a "Gambian
>family"
> > and work through our future as a nation of civilized and intelligent
>people.
> > We should understand from this experience that rock throwing and
>emotional
> > confrontations in our streets will not bring about justice nor peaceful
> > resolution to our problems. When people commit crimes, there must be a
> > process governed by the rule of law to bring them to justice. We are
>praying
> > for these families and we are praying for the healing of the nation.
> >
> >
> > The leading nations of the International community: The so-called G-8
> > nations are looking at Africa. The Council of Foreign Relations, The
> > Tri-lateral commission, the Bilderberg Group, The World Bank, The
> > International Monetary Fund, The World Trade Organisation and other
> > International strategic think tanks and intelligence agencies are
>assessing
> > "their long term interest in the critical resources of the continent. We
>are
> > a major gateway to the continent. There is a serious debate raging in
> > political circles around the globe concerning the future of Africans.
>Some
> > are advocating the so-called "benevolent colonialism".
> >
> > Still others are simply writing Africa off as a continent of primitive
> > savages incapable of self-government or of rising to world-class
>leadership.
> > Even more terrifying are those who would let the continent be ravaged by
> > aids, Ebola smallpox, malaria and even more terrifying diseases. We are
> > burdened with politicians who should be asked: "What did you do during
>your
> > term in offices? What substantive legacy and benefit have you left our
> > people in the many positions that you held?" We have the right to know
>and
> > the responsibility to ask. However, those who do not wish to see a
>stable
> > African continent, a stable African nation, and a stable Gambia must be
> > amused at our petty child-like squabbles. We have had some tragedies, we
> > have had some shocks. But, the Almighty has protected us from the crises
>in
> > the Sudan or Rwanda or South Africa. We have emerged in the 21st century
>as
> > one of the nations with great potential for a bright and meaningful
>future.
> >
> >
> > We have our enemies. Our enemies will revel in our so-called freedom to
> > castigate ourselves on the world's stage. Those people who love to
>humiliate
> > and degrade the reputation of our leader, and our country fail to
>recognise
> > that the ultimate victim of their tirades and harangues are our own
>people.
> > They give our enemies fuel to undermine our future. We must wonder how
>far
> > they will go. The vast majority of Gambians want desperately to have a
> > peaceful, productive and prosperous future. The APRC of Atlanta joins
>the
> > APRC of Gambia under the leadership of our President H E Yahya AJJ
>Jammeh
>in
> > a call for peace, productivity, progress and prosperity. The time is at
>hand
> > and the future is bright before us.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
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> >
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