OJ Challenges Jammeh Over Resolution 1343 The Independent (Banjul) June 25, 2001 Posted to the web June 25, 2001 Banjul, the Gambia Omar Jallow alias (OJ), former Agriculture Minister in the deposed PPP government and a strong critic of the government has challenged President Jammeh to come forth with what he called a position statement regarding Security Council Resolution 1343, which banned APRC stalwart Baba Jobe who is also a top government official on blood diamond and gun running allegations. OJ said the president should make a pronouncement on the issue to protect the integrity, respect and sovereignty of The Gambia. He told The Independent during an interview Friday that The Gambia is noted for respecting international law, which should cause President Jammeh to waste no time in taking a position or making a policy statement on Security Council Resolution 1343 - an issue which he said is of great concern to all Gambians. He said that it is sad and unfortunate that those entrusted with the responsibility of not only emancipating the people but giving them socio-economic development are engaged in blood diamond deals and gun trafficking in order to finance rebellions in African societies. He noted that the Security Council is not an ordinary body and that its resolutions have been effective. He said the APRC's rejection of the resolution is uncalled for and added that the Security Council has no vested interest or ulterior designs for The Gambia to oppose the government. He stressed that no one should try to down play the resolution and that the systematic violation of human rights, encouraging mayhem in Sierra Leone and Liberia disheartened for some money-making ventures is sinister and inimical to the development of humanity. OJ, who also expressed concerned over the visit of Liberia's President Charles Taylor immediately after the resolution, outlined that the report was explicit. He added that mentioning the New Millennium Airlines is an "indirect accusation to the owner of the aircraft." He stressed that the question now is whether or not the carrier is used to transport arms and blood diamonds, a question he believes Gambians have a right to ask. Regarding the forthcoming presidential and National Assembly elections, OJ said that it is now the responsibility of the opposition leaders to make their recommendations to the IEC and all stakeholders including the international community to give chance to a level political field. He emphasised that if such issues are not taken care of and rectified the best way is to "boycott the elections totally". Asked whether that will not give easy chance to the regime to stay longer in power, OJ intimated that sometimes boycotts were more effective than going to elections which are not properly conducted to give credibility to a government. He noted that a national boycott is necessary when election processes are flawed adding that in such situations civil actions such as peaceful demonstrations, disobedient campaigns and other actions will put pressure on the government to address their concerns. He said that the APRC does not own the country. He stressed that the unnecessary amendments to the constitution, especially the ones on the IEC and the Indemnity Act indicate clearly the intentions of the APRC. He said that the regime is now attacking the IEC because of the electoral body's uncompromising stance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.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 and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------