Mr Sallah, I read your last memo to Musa with some inadvertent amusement. Although I submit to the current UDP initiatives for reconciliation, I have very serious reservations on your drive to paint a picture of 'nomalcy' in the political climate. If you at anytime believe that the UDP have returned to "politics as usual", don't you then think it is your DUTY to lead a better example instead of following them? Nevertheless, I sincerely appraise your party's stance to ensure a free and fair elections, even your willingness to boycott the elections if neccessary (which quite surprises me). If you are really committed to this principle, I am then really looking forward to your challenging Jammeh's decrees which evidently discriminate and bar very honest, competent and honourable politicians from participating in the electoral process. I strongly believe that you are a man of intergrity and you will not fail our hopes of even boycotting an "elections" that is fettered to a tyrannical statecraft. Also I cannot understand your that theory of civil disobedience as a means of the desparado! Honestly Mr. Sallah with due respect you need to revisit your history books unless you want to invite another of your legendary 'debates'. You are very very wrong on this one. Obviously, Coup d'etats, civil wars, revolutions and all kinds of civil strifes have an element of discontent. Therefore civil disobedience, even if it evolves from discontent and frustrations, can be the only thing that works (as you even asserted condescendingly) if the people choose to resist, with a prudent leadership, against an illegitimate authority. Otherwise if the people just resign to any form of organized domination, then TYRANNY shall be the only thing that works and this is exactly what you have in the Gambia. Finally Mr Sallah, on a personnal note, I have a lot of respect for you. I believe you choose to be a political leader out of a deep conviction and love of the Gambia. What is going on in the Gambia is terribly wrong. You have tried the road of the loyal opposition many many times no avail. If you believe that it is your duty to just follow what another political party is doing as you clearly stated in your last memo, your struggle although highly noble needs to be seriously revisited. You drew a very wrong analogy quoting Senegal and President Wade's case. Atleast Senegal has a long tradition of a semblance of democracy, rule of law and human rights record second to none in our sub-region. Wade was contesting a democratically elected President under a valid constitution that guarrantees the supremacy of the people's mandate. In your case, you are dealing with a tyranny which dominated the people through a coup d'etat, and to borrow your language, has reduced the people to mere 'spectators' and 'pawns'. Mr. Sallah, I think it is time to stand up for what we believe because our fellow Gambians definitely need a resolute leadership. Greetings. Ebou Jallow ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail 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 You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface ----------------------------------------------------------------------------