Beran,
Thanks, for your posting below. The newspaper has really spoken for me. I hope, if we could make the
breakdown of the meaning of democracy, then certainly we should learn to accept people`s views. The paper is
exactly on the same line, that i have been arguing all these days, and this is not about sitting infront of
my computer in Sweden preventing the PPP their constitutional rights to contest the elections on the ground.
It is very unfortunate in this forum, that people rush to judgement without analysing. I have nothing against
Sir Dawda, and many of you would be surprise to know that he is my grandfather on the side of my mother. My
grandmother ( Jainaba Jawara ) is a sister to Sir Dawda. Ebrima Ceesay can confirm this with Mam pole Jawara
in Birmingham, or even Jawara himself. I was very often at late Basadi`s home, but i have never met Jawara,
because i hate to " DOGOH  DOGOH ".  We all know that Jawara did not harm people, but his cronies did all the
dirty things to people, and then betrayed him. This is why i always stressed, that the opposition should
scrutinize the old PPP politicians they should present to the people. If some people think that i am against
Ousainou Darbo leading the opposition, then they got me wrong. I have never been involved in politics, and no
political party has promised me an appointment. I was just contributing my views to the political situation
today.
Sisawo Barrow said it right! As we are at crossroads today, we need to open our arms, for a united opposition
to drive the evil facing us. But no matter what, we have our rights in a democratic society / forum to speak
our minds. This will help us solve similar issues in the future. I have no regret what so ever, for speaking
my mind. I wish the opposition with Osainou Darbo as the leader good luck to win the Octocber elections.
Elhajj.

Beran jeng skrev:

> Jawara's Lost Opportunity
>
> The Independent (Banjul)
>
> EDITORIAL
> August 6, 2001
> Posted to the web August 6, 2001
>
> Banjul, the Gambia
>
> Sir Dawda's impending return has raised blinding dust in our political
> landscape. The eddy of confusion that his proclamation to return has
> propelled has drawn confusing and contradictory remarks from secretaries of
> state Sedat Jobe and Yankuba Touray. Sedat says yes, he's welcome and free
> to return. Yankuba says the ex-president should face a commission of inquiry
> for some past deeds.
>
> The Gambian people, who in reality should decide who takes control of their
> political lives, are equally and naturally divided over the merits and
> demerits of Sir Dawda's return. Some, like Sedat Jobe, say Sir Dawda should
> indeed come back to The Gambia. Others, like Yankuba Touray, would have none
> of the ancient 'Jawara diko'. The Gambia, they argue, should and could move
> forward without Jawara. As we had indicated before, the repeal of Decree 89
> is a long overdue step in the right direction. We know that like all unjust
> laws, the decree had always been a law of the iron grid, imposed not because
> of its moral and essential qualities, but to satisfy the whims and caprices
> of a regime that came to power through unconstitutional means and that was
> confidence-starved. We know also, that the decree was repealed not because
> the president has suddenly seen the light and grew an angel's heart, but
> because first, he was forced to; and second, he feels confident that he had
> bought enough Gambians' favours that he had nothing to fear from an old and
> spent guard of politicians.
>
> Certainly, Sir Dawda Jawara, apart from his nurturing of the democratic
> spirit in The Gambia, which is by no means a mean achievement, has little
> else to show for his thirty years in power. We know that he had allowed
> himself to be mystified and almost worshipped by his cronies. We know that
> he had nurtured the shameful and harmful mansa mentality that continues to
> be a bane of our national politics. We know that he refused to put in place
> the constitutional framework required to make possible smooth, peaceful and
> periodic change of leadership with the result that the equally power-hungry
> soldiers found an acceptable excuse to step in. We know that his extremely
> sweet tooth for power rendered him blind to reality and believe in the fatal
> illusion that he could be president for life. We know, ultimately that Sir
> Dawda had a chance, an excellent opportunity to set this country firmly on
> the path to eternal bliss and he blew it.
>
> We certainly are dead opposed and shall remain opposed to the wanton
> 'powertics' of the Jammeh regime. But at the same time, we do not sympathise
> with the excesses of the Jawara regime. The fact that he told the BBC that
> he had no alternative but to accept the invitation to lead the PPP shows
> that the Pa had learnt little in exile. Why could he not say 'no, look we
> need to revamp the party. Let's recruit a new young membership. Let's inject
> new blood into the party. We old guards should be active members and
> advisers, but should not seek leadership roles or political office again.'
> But no, Sir Dawda is still hungry for leadership. He still wants to be the
> great leader who did us more harm than good. He still feels and is made to
> feel indispensable. He is still out of touch with political realities.
>
> We truly wonder why our African politicians never learn.
>
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