Gambia-L:

One of my sources in the Gambia explaining why Yaya Jammeh's aircraft was
impounded in Gabon some time ago by President Patasse of CAR.

Ebrima Ceesay
___________________________________________________________________

>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Yahya's Presidential aircraft and President Patasse of >Central
>African Republic
>Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 21:14:57 GMT
>
>Ebrima,
>Yaya Jammeh's aircraft is registered in the CAR, flew the CAR flag >and
>carried the national emblem of CAR, until the plane was about to >be
>impounded had it not been for the direct intervention of President >Omar
>Bongo of Gabon.
>The plane was on loan to Isatou Njie-Saidy who travelled to Libreville to
>attend an official meeting. The meeting was also attended by President
>Patasse of CAR who travelled to the Libreville venue in a commercial
>flight.
>
>Upon arrival at Libreville airport and to his utter surprise, Patasse
>noticed this plane carrying his nation's flag at the tamac. Reaching the
>Presidential Palace in Libreville, he sought information on the aircraft
>which, as far he was concerned, was a CAR plane with his nation's flag and
>here he was travelling commercial( Air Cameroon, to be precise). He
>requested Bongo to order the plane impounded. Bongo eventually prevailed on
>his counterpart to allow the plane to be returned to Yahya. otherwise,
>"that woman" would be in hot waters with her boss.
>
>Isatou Njie-Saidy's delegation, meanwhile, were holed up at the VIP lounge
>while the negotiations progressed.  All this time, the Gabon gandemarie had
>the aircraft surrounded.  What Bongo finally agreed with Patasse is not
>clear.  However, what is clear is that the plane was released only because
>the VP was a woman and should not be embarrassed by impounding the plane.
>What would she say to Yahya when she returned to Banjul without Yahya's
>aircraft..
>
>Patasse's outrage at Yahya flying a plane with the CAR colours around the
>world was made known to members of the gambian delegation and the press in
>Libreville and Bangui.  What happens if the plane is engaged in illegal
>activities under the CAR insignia?  Why continue to have the aircraft
>registered in Bangui and not Banjul?  Had this incident occurred in
>Ouagadougou, Blaise Campaore-not on speaking terms with Yahya-would have
>made sure that the plane is flown to Bangui leaving "that woman" and her
>delegation to fly commercial and then explain to Yahya what ever became of
>his "abiong".
>
>Meanwhile, we Gambians continue to be embarrassed by the buffoon of Kanilai
>who is entangling the Gambia deeper into the underworld activities , and in
>the process further tarnish the image of our country.
>
>PS: By the way, the insurance on the aircraft has just expired.


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