Daws  Asbjoorn,
 The cabinets press release on the all-inclusive  reads as follows < The
cabinet at its meeting last thursday 15th April 1999,  held the view that the
country was not yet in a position to grapple with the complexities of the
phenomenon as it has seriously threatened  the livelihood of many entrepreneurs
who rely fully on the patronage of international tourist with unrestricted
movements. Its therefore directed that the package be discontinued at the end
of this tourist season...>  So this was the release  from govement. I am sure
that  we all have the understanding that  end of current  season is in october
1999. and we are all waiting to see if the sales by spies or any other tour
operator will continue  despite the announcement  by government. There has been
strong lobby by F.T.I  on the newspapers highlighting what they are doing in
this country in terms of  sponsorship.of rap groups, sports clubs ,bonus to
staff, investment etc.
 Let  me assure you all on the list that theall inclusive concept has a long
morning period before its laid to rest. The Government is striving with its
poverty alleviation programme and we do not expect it to be turn to  poverty
aggravation programme.  Whatever happens we shall continue to fight for the
survival of the Gambian people. The Gambian people have  never  cried foul
before in the tourism sector despite the huge unfair trading that exist. This
is the time and we will fight to the end .

The struggle continues.
Chi Jamma Tejan

Asbjørn Nordam wrote:

> Friends,
> I have just received the Newsletter from the "Gambia Friends"-organisation
> in Denmark.For your information I will render some of the newsletter.
>
> 1. Mr. Henrik Specht (who is both manager in Spies Travel Agency and danish
> Consul-general of The Gambia) present news for danish tourist going with
> Spies and Ving the comming tourist season, which will start 27.th october
> and every wednesday. From 15. th december not only from Copenhagen but also
> from Billund.
> But what is interesting, he says that Sunwing Resort will change name to
> Siva Sunbeach Resort and the hotel will continue the
> "all-inclusive-concept",(quote) "which was introduced last season with
> succes. It means that included in the tour-price is  free food and drinks
> etc from the fine restaurants in Siva Sunbeach Resort."
>
> My comment:
> One month ago we got the information on Gambia-L that after studying the
> situation the Gambian authorities has decided that the "all inclusive
> package" was whiped out. Maybe it´s not ? Can we get some comments from The
> Gambia please.
>
> 2. Mr. Henrik Specht has received information from the danish authorities
> (The "Udlændinge Styrelsen ") about the practice concerning gambian
> citizens who apply for Visa for visiting Denmark.
> The danish authorities will only give visa for gambians who has a legal
> claim to obtain residence permit, or can substantiate/prove that they need
> to come to Denmark for business-, cultural-, or scientific- purpose
> and/(or) is engaged to someone  allready living here in Denmark.
> Visa can be given in special circumstances such as life-threatening
> diseases (himself or a relative living in Denmark), and if the applicant
> has residence permit in another Western-European country, Australia, Canada
> or USA, or the applicant allready has visa to another nordic/EU- or
> EØS-country.
> Those who has legal clame are: spouse, children under 18 years and parents
> over 60 year, if the references are danish, refugee or nordic citizen.
>
> A result of this practise is that gambians in general can not get
> tourist-visa for Denmark, even invited by danes and a guarantees for all
> costs in connection with the visit.
>
> Mr. Henrik Specht has according to the news-letter promissed to work on
> this, so it maybe could be easier to get visitors from The Gambia.
>
> My comment:
> As you can see we (Denmark) try to close boarders for gambians even to come
> and visit us. What will the Gambian state think of such a practice. I find
> it embarrassing and humiliating and will react. You can only guess what has
> caused such a practice.
>
> 3. The Gambia Friends - organisation has since jan 1998 shipped 14
> 40-feet-containers with school-, hospital-equipments to the gambia, where
> the gambian - part of the organisation take over. The gambian branch of the
> organisation has been given D 5000 from the gambian government to run the
> organisation in The Gambia. The organisation has a depot in Kanifing where
> they sort and store the materials till it is spread to the schools.
>
> Asbjørn Nordam