It gave be a great sense of relief to read on the Observer the following paragraph copied from the opposition's statement --------------------------------------------------------------- > >The most crucial point that the Gambian public wanted to hear is who gave >the order to shoot. If it was not the president, did he condone it and if >he >did not, what is he going to do about this grave misjudgment. His statement >that he was 'constantly working with (his) government on the evolution of >the situation on the ground" is not helpful at all because this means that >he was aware all along of what was happening to the children ---------------------------------------------------------------- Atleast there are some people who are trying to pose the right questions and trying to resolve this situation in a logical manner ...rather than hurling insults at each other and being led by our hearts and not our heads. >From: Dampha Kebba <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: On The Way Forward (Attn. Hamjatta) >Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 13:21:29 EDT > >Some good observations from people on the ground. However, I was a bit >puzzled by your articulation of the students' demands ... > >"They want to know whether live bullets were utilised which led to the >death >of students. They want a fair and speedy trial in connection with Ebrima >Barry's case. They want a commission of enquiry to know what actually >happened." > >.....I thought it was abundantly clear from eyewitness accounts that live >bullets were used. True, we need a proper forum to bring this out in the >open. But I would not stay neutral and give the perpetrators of these acts >benefit of the doubt. I think the main question is who was responsible for >giving out orders to shoot and kill school children..... Aren't people also >demanding to know what transpired between the Govt. negotiators and the >students ....lastly, to get the ball rolling, have people started taking up >the Attorney General on his promise and giving him names of people who can >serve as prosecutors when these criminals who shot and ordered the shooting >of our children are brought to trial. > > > > >>From: foroyaa <[log in to unmask]> >>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list >><[log in to unmask]> >>To: [log in to unmask] >>Subject: On The Way Forward (Attn. Hamjatta) >>Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 15:28:47 +0100 >> >>Hamjatta, >> >>The points you raised in your memorandum of 16 April have been noted. Feel >>free to send me personal mails to raise any question for further >>clarification. This is a time to share. All views need to be taken on >>board. >> >>It is, however, necessary to explain certain things to you that may enable >>you to understand our position better. >> >>You would agree with me that in order to be the guardians of our own >>destiny, we must address the exigencies of the passing moment and the >>demands of the emerging future. We have a responsibility to address both >>demands. This is precisely the reason why we operate at both levels. We do >>take measures to address concerns that are of immediate consideration, and >>we do operate at the level of a political party aimed at ensuring the >>complete transformation of the society. >> >>The students demonstration was beyond partisan politics and it gave birth >>to >>a coalition of students who are moved and bound by their outrage for the >>killing of Ebrima Barry and the raping of Binta Manneh. The delay in the >>criminal justice system led them to take action in unison. In that >>respect, >>they put the criminal justice system on trial. Their lack of faith in the >>system is what compelled them to call for a demonstration in order to give >>sharp focus to the issue so that its negligence will be inconceivable. The >>students were, therefore, struggling for standards and values. They were >>willing to give their lives for those standards and values. They were >>determined to have a voice and be heard. They were determined to be seen. >>They were not willing to compromise their position. The authorities who >>were >>dealing with them did not realise how far the students were ready to >>ensure >>that they were not ignored. >> >>What we have been doing is simply to explain this reality. >>All Gambians now know that the right to peaceful demonstrate is a >>democratic >>right which should be respected. That failure to recognise such rights can >>lead to national upheaval. This national upheaval did take place as the >>authorities tried to restrict the demands of the students. >> >>Now, we are confronted with the demands arising from the catastrophe. >>Students are arrested and they need to be released. Some are tortured and >>they redress. Properties are destroyed and there is need for >>reconstruction. >> >>People have been demanding for a public enquiry. They want >>to know whether live bullets were utilised which led to the death of >>students. They want a fair and speedy trial in connection with Ebrima >>Barry's case. They want a commission of enquiry to know what actually >>happened. These are their demands. >> >>It is left to the government to ignore these demands or address them. It >>is >>not for us to indicate whether we are sure that this time anything would >>be >>different. It is for us to amplify the immediate demands of the people. >>Whether the response of the Attorney General is simply meant to be a mere >>bait to shift attentions from what is really wrong with the country and >>that >>the investigations would be half-hearted or not, is left to their >>practice. >> >>What is abundantly clear is that the will of the people has been asserted >>and a government ignores that will at its own peril; no government can >>ignore the people's concerns with impunity when the people are determined >>to >>matter. >> >>You have mentioned the strategic objective of not only demanding for >>justice >>in dealing with this particular incident, but to ensure a change of >>leadership. Of course you know that we also operate an opposition party in >>order to address >>the demands of the emerging future; that is the demand for total political >>change. As far as we are concerned, even if the demands of the passing >>moments are addressed, that does not negate the major demands of the >>people >>for economic prosperity and fullest empowerment. >> >>Hence, we are committed to amplifying the demands of the moment and giving >>suggestions regarding the means to address them, as well as the total >>transformation of the society. >> >>What we have been trying to do is to explain that this is not a law and >>order issue, opposition and ruling party; it is a struggle to expand the >>democratic space. It is a refusal to live the old way and a demand for a >>new >>way. No government, which is refuses to acknowledge this, can govern this >>country in peace. This is the fundamental lesson that should be gathered. >> >>Suffice it to say, it is the duty of the opposition parties to express >>these >>demands of the people clearly and offer them a political alternative. The >>party in office also has its prerogative to do whatever it desires to try >>to >>address the concerns of the people. >> >>What is important is for the standards required for addressing the >>grievances of the moment to be set and weigh practice against the >>standards. >>I hope our position is clear. >> >>As for the question of a coalition, this is a tactical instrument. >>Political >>parties, whether in Senegal or Gambia, can establish coalitions. That is >>also dictated by circumstances. Your suggestion is noted. >> >>Keep in touch. >> >> >>Greetings. >> >>Halifa Sallah. >> >>---------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >>To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L >>Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html >> >>---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >______________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L >Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------