Interesting Article!!!! By PK Jarju – Daily Observer Welcoming Gambian Ambassador Dodou Bammy Jagne as he presented his credentials at the White House recently, President George Bush expressed his appreciation for The Gambia's 'steadfast support' for the ongoing war against terrorism and also commended the country's human rights record "which has significantly improved" President Bush said, "I had the honour to represent the United States at The Gambia's Silver Jubilee in 1990 and I am pleased to once again renew our ties. Let me also take this opportunity to express my appreciation for The Gambia's steadfast support for the ongoing war against terrorism. President Jammeh has sent a powerful message that the fight against terrorism is a cause embraced by all freedom-loving people around the world. Let me also take this occasion to recognise The Gambia's contribution to West African efforts to restore peace and security in Liberia." According to President Bush, The Gambia during the past two years has taken important steps to build a vibrant democracy and combat poverty and economic stagnation which has made it eligible for African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) benefits. "The Gambia has taken vital steps to create a hospitable environment for increased trade and investment. We note The Gambia's improved human rights record, and hope that it continues on the path of protecting the rights of its citizens. The Gambia has also focussed during the past year on fighting corruption and improving governance," he added. President Bush further said the US recognises the enormous challenges facing The Gambia and urged the authorities to make every effort to restore public faith in the country's key economic institutions. "We look forward to working closely with you and your Embassy on expanded trade, regional stability, democracy and human rights, and other aspects of US-Gambian relations," he said. On his part, Ambassador Jagne said the people of The Gambia hold President Bush and the US in the highest esteem. "Mr President, your 1990 visit to The Gambia during our Silver Jubilee independence celebrations, is still fresh in our memories and makes us feel proud and privileged to have had such an important association with you, Mr President. And I must say, the Gambian people are eagerly looking forward to welcoming you back to our beautiful country. A little more than a year ago, you made the observation to my predecessor that a lot of good had taken place in The Gambia but important work remains to be done." Ambassador Jagne further said the Jammeh regime is on course to build a better Gambia - a Gambia whose people can stand tall and show the rest of the world what it means to be a small country with a vision, and one that puts her people first. He added that The Gambia's relationship with the US continues to be strengthened, and as a country, it underlines "enthusiastically its appreciation of the current US Ambassador in The Gambia, Jackson Macdonald, for his positive role and support over the years". On the bilateral front, Ambassador Jagne said, "The Gambia continues to be a beneficiary of US' assistance in various forms. The recent renewal of our eligibility for AGOA, the provision of financial assistance for the Fajara Barracks Clinic, the restoration of training assistance to the Gambian military, financial assistance to the National Assembly, and the pledge of US$2 million for research into malaria, are all laudable examples of your keen and sincere interest in our growth and development." He said the country continues to consolidate its gains made over the past few years on the economic front which was made possible by President Bush's generous assistance in paying for the country's first-ever sovereign credit rating, which gave it an encouraging rating of B-. "We have started seeing the benefits of being rated as private financial institutions, such as Exim Bank, have started making investments in The Gambia. I hope that over time, we will be able to broaden and deepen American investments in The Gambia, given also our strategic location and the efficiency of our banking sector. We believe strongly that our efforts to sustain good governance, backed by your support, will indeed ensure that we not only can win the fight against poverty, but in the process, also build a strong and lasting foundation for economic development and growth," he said. Ambassador Jagne said "no one these days shies away from the reality of the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001. In line with the whole world, we condemn these acts of barbarism in the strongest language and stand alongside America in the fight against terror and against those who promote and harbour terrorists. The Gambia has passed new laws on anti-terrorism and money laundering. We continue to be vigilant to prevent such activities. Our security and intelligence agencies continue to have good relationships with their American counterparts and other agencies around the world in the global quest to eradicate all forms of terrorism," he said. Ambassador Jagne requested for further US assistance in the areas of education, health care, agriculture, and the promotion of a sustainable practice in the fisheries sector to enhance the elimination of illegal and unregulated fishing in Gambian Waters. According to him, assistance in these areas will enhance and solidify the country's endeavour to meet the Millennium Goals. He appealed to the Bush Administration to stay engaged with The Gambia to further enhance growth, economic stability and it's comprehensive socio-economic plan - Vision 2020. _________________________________________________________________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar – get it now! http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~