Gambia-L, As the Chatroom engaged Mr. Darboe in a lively discussion I tried to record the questions and answers by a crude "copy and paste" method. In the process some things got lost. I apologise for that, and take full responsibility for any misinterpretation due to missing parts. Below is the essential part of what I managed to capture. Apart from the first question from me, everything else was copied as shown on the chat room screen (I only started after he started answering this question). In response to a question by Alpha Robinson: What lessons have been learnt from the Basse incident and what measures will the UDP take to promote a healthy and level political climate, the chat continued as follows: <Ousainu Darboe> We have not learnt any new lesson from the Basse incident. What took place at Basse was the worst that we Expected from our opponent. The APRC with its July 22nd. Movement members have been involved in all manner of thuggery against the UDP. <King Solomon> Hello Mr. Darboe, what do you think that the current gov't should do now to soften the tensions that seems to suround the whole country? <Ousainu Darboe> The Government has to respect the Rule of Law observe and........? missed the rest!! <Pakaramo> why is the presidential election scheduled for October, the peak of the farming season? <Ousainu Darboe> This question is better addressed to the Independent Electoral Commission which has the Constitutional prerogative of setting the date for elections <Fatima Darbo> If UDP wins the elections who will take up the Presidendcy, you or the newly appointed president of the Party? <Ousainu Darboe> on UDP winning the presidential elections. I want to make it abundantly clear that I am the leader of the party and that I will be seeking the party's Nomination for the next presidential elections. <musa> Are your lawyers( DREAM TEAM) offering their services PRO BONO ? <Ousainu Darboe> My lawyers are really the "dream team" . They constitute the...? missed! ....(cont.) They are offering their services pro bono publico <Bass> what is your relationship with other opposition parties ? <Ousainu Darboe> Our relationship with the other opposition parties is quite cordial. <Jabou Joh> is there anything under gambian law that can challenge the government's ability to charge 25 people with the murder of one person ( not to say that i call it murder, but self defense) <Ousainu Darboe> The issue of the charges against me and 25 other persons is a matter that our legal advisers will have to address. I will not deal with this issue without proper advise from the "Dream Team". <Magnolia> How does this recent incident with the APRC/july 22nd affect your political campaign? Do you have problems in securing permits to hold meetings since the incident? <Ousainu Darboe> We have been denied permit by the Inspector General of Police since the Basse incident. the denial has been based on state security. However the APRC is holding rallies in every part of the country without even applying for permit. We of the UDP believe that the Inspector General of Police SANKUNG BADJIE is in a conspiracy with his political masters to stiffle UDP in its freedom of assembly and expression. <Yus> Some of us do not believ that a free and fair election can be held. You were attacked viciously in what was clearly an intimidation tactic. What......? missed! <King Solomon> How fear do you think the coming elections will be? And do you think that you will win if it is fear, with these happenings/events popping up? It’s not clear which question Mr. Darboe answered below! <Ousainu Darboe> We will as a party be willing to go in for primaries in the selection of a presidential candidate provided that all the opposition parties are working on a common electoral platform. Something went missing here! <Yus> what are your plans to make sure that you are not disadvantaged? <Ousainu Darboe> The party is working on proposals for submission to the IEC and we hope to discuss these proposals with other parties with a view to presenting a common stand on the forthcoming elections. There is already initiated by the IEC and inter-party consultative forum through which parties can put forward for discussions proposals which will ensure a free and fair election. However the question of a free and fair elections should not be left to the political parties in The Gambia. Every Gambian irrespective of your political allegiance should mount a vigorous campaign for free and fair elections in The Gambia. <kalley> is there any means for gambians abroad to vote <Ousainu Darboe> Gambians abroad can agitate for International Observers from campaign to the counting and declaration of results). Gambians abroad should as we are doing from here press for those abroad to vote at all national elections. <ousman> with all due respect mr.darbo.this observation is easy said than done <Ousainu Darboe> I believe it is defeatist to say that it is easier said than done. You should never come to such a conclusion without trying. <Guest sidi sanneh> how does UDP plan to restructure the groundnut sector <Ousainu Darboe> the restructuring of the groundnut industry has to commence from the basics which are (1) revive the cooprative Union and the primary societies which serve as the medium for the provision of both inputs as well as the avenue for the marketing of the produce. 2) Make the inputs not only accessible but also affordable and available at the right time. The availability of inputs and market will serve as an incentive for production. Missed a question here it seems! <Ousainu Darboe> There was a question or comment on me being surrounded with ex- PPP officials (high ranking ones). This type of allegation has been bandied around by our opponents who have failed in their attempt to discredit our party. There is no member of the UDP executive or central committee who held a cabinet portfolio in the Jawara regime. On the contrary we see BUBA BALDEH a former Minister of Youths and Sports in the PPP Government and a PPP sponsored candidate being appointed by the APRC as the Assistant National Mobiliser. We also see FATOUMATTA JAHUMPA CEESAY the Secretary General of the PPP female wing as the President's Spokesperson. AJI FATOU SALLAH was the National President of the PPP Female Wing and now the National Mobiliser (Female) Section. E.K. SARR formerly Parliamentary Secretary in the Jawara regime and the Honourable Member for Kombo North now serving as an APRC Commissioner in Western Division. This is just to mention a few. The list is in-exhaustible. <Jabou Joh> what is the process Gambians outside need to follow in order to be able to vote in elections at home, and which international bodies do we need to be appealing to in or to have monitors in place in the upcoming elections? <Ousainu Darboe> Gambians abroad need to be organised to ensure equal participation in future elections. As an organised body they should approach the Independent Electoral Commission to accept their rights to vote even outside The Gambia. Gambian abroad should also mount pressure on this Government to respect the rights of the ordinary Gambian citizens and should therefore canvass International Organisations Human Organisations to place increasing pressure on the present Government to respect the Constitution and the Electoral Laws of the country. Here the question was missed! <Ousainu Darboe> excellent. However our relationship with that of the GRTS is not desirable in any true democracy. The GRTS shuns the broadcasting of our meetings when they attend the same and in virtually all cases they have just treated us with contempt. <alpha robinson> What measures will you take to avoid the Basse incident in future and how will you react should it happen again; do you see the need for restrain? <Ousainu Darboe> Avoidance of the Basse incident in the future is a matter that.... From this point on, Mr. Darboe went offline. Someone Logged in as „Name already in use“ and answered as if he was Mr. Darboe. It is still unknown whether this was a case of personification ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------