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T O P I C R E V I E W |
Momodou |
Posted - 18 Jun 2021 : 20:00:38 GAMBIA-L Digest 38
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Re: Help info... by momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) 2) Re: elections and after by TSaidy1050@aol.com 3) Subscription of a new member. by Lamin Camara <yudris@ica.net> 4) Thanks by CHERNO <C_JAGNE@HUSKY1.STMARYS.CA> 5) Re: TRIVILIAZATION AND NEOCOLONIALISM by "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> 6) Re: FW: FW: Election (fwd) by "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> 7) Re: TRIVILIAZATION AND NEOCOLONIALISM by "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> 8) Re: Membership list by ABALM@aol.com 9) new members by ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> 10) INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) by ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> 11) Re: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) by bf299@freenet.carleton.ca (Bocar Ndiaye) 12) Education Restructuring by KTouray@aol.com 13) Re: FW: FW: Election (fwd) by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA> 14) List Traffic by Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us> 15) Re: List Traffic by binta@iuj.ac.jp 16) Re: UN Secretary-General by TSaidy1050@aol.com 17) Re: FW: FW: Election (fwd) by ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> 18) Re: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) by "Adama Kah" <Vptaak@vpt.gwu.edu> 19) New member by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 20) Fw: Re: Elections and after by mmjeng@image.dk (Matarr M. Jeng) 21) Re: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) by ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> 22) Forwarded posting of Francis Njie by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 23) mailer daemon by sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum) 24) Re: mailer daemon by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 25) Att: TSaidy by KTouray@aol.com 26) Re: List Traffic by MJawara@aol.com 27) Re: List Traffic by binta@iuj.ac.jp 28) Re: Computers and Internet in the Gambia. by binta@iuj.ac.jp 29) Re: UN Secretary-General by binta@iuj.ac.jp 30) Re: Fw: Re: Elections and after by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA> 31) Introduction by "Jobarteh, Momodou" <Momodou.Jobarteh@hordaland.vegvesen.no> 32) Re: Att: TSaidy by mmjeng@image.dk (Matarr M. Jeng) 33) The Question of New Members by Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us> 34) Re: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) by mjallow@st6000.sct.edu (Modou Jallow) 35) Re: Att: TSaidy by TSaidy1050@aol.com 36) Re: mailer daemon by sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum) 37) Re: List Traffic by sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum) 38) Re: List Traffic by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 39) The "alternative"? by "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> 40) Re: List Traffic by "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> 41) Re: List Traffic by ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> 42) Re: Att: TSaidy by KTouray@aol.com 43) foreign policy by ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> 44) New member by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 45) Re: List Traffic by binta@iuj.ac.jp 46) Re: Att: TSaidy by BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA> 47) IPS-News by momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) 48) IPS News by momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) 49) Re: foreign policy by Ylva Hernlund <yher@u.washington.edu> 50) Forwarded message of Musa Kebba Jawara by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 51) Forwarded message of Pa Lamin Beyai by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 52) Re: List Traffic by MJawara@aol.com 53) Response by Yaya Jallow <yj0001@jove.acs.unt.edu> 54) Re: List Traffic by Sulayman Nyang <nyang@cldc.howard.edu> 55) Re: Response by "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> 56) Re: List Traffic by "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> 57) by "BOJANG,BUBA" <BBOJANG@MUSIC.TRANSY.EDU> 58) Re: Att: TSaidy by <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US> 59) Forwarded introduction of Mariama Darboe by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 60) Leaving . . . by <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US> 61) Fatou Khan added by Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us> 62) Re: Response by Yaya Jallow <yj0001@jove.acs.unt.edu> 63) thanks by "Jobarteh, Momodou" <Momodou.Jobarteh@hordaland.vegvesen.no> 64) Diplomat by "Jobarteh, Momodou" <Momodou.Jobarteh@hordaland.vegvesen.no> 65) COST OF I_NET ACCESS IN GAMBIA by Sankung Sawo <101573.1703@CompuServe.COM> 66) Re: Response by "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> 67) Re: Att: TSaidy by "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> 68) List management by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> 69) Re: Att: TSaidy by KTouray@aol.com 70) Re: COST OF I_NET ACCESS IN GAMBIA by bf299@freenet.carleton.ca (Bocar Ndiaye) 71) Re: Response by binta@iuj.ac.jp 72) Re: Att: TSaidy by "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> 73) Re: Att: TSaidy by <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US> 74) Re: Att: TSaidy by TSaidy1050@aol.com 75) Re: Att: TSaidy by <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US> 76) cnet clip, Gambia coup leader sworn in as civilia [ 28] Reuters by at137@columbia.edu 77) cnet clip, New party seeks Mauritania opposition [ 63] Reuter / Nicholas Ph by at137@columbia.edu
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Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 11:12:37 +0000 From: momodou.camara@post3.tele.dk (Camara, Momodou) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Help info... Message-ID: <19961013100736.AAA21442@LOCALNAME>
> > Abdou, anyone, > > What address do I write to for help info on the Listprocessor program > that runs this list? I had the address, but I accidentally deleted it. > > Many thanks in advance. > > Cho > > c_jagne@husky1.stmarys.ca > cherno.jagne@sid.net > Dear Cherno, The address is:- listproc@u.washington.edu You should not write any subject just write HELP in the message box and then send it.
regards Momodou Camara
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Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 07:18:18 -0400 From: TSaidy1050@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: elections and after Message-ID: <961013071816_1279471954@emout05.mail.aol.com>
President-elect, Jammeh, will be sworn in after the parlaimentary elections, December 11, 1997. Since he has to be sworn in by the National Assembly according to the constitution, he can only be sworn in after the National Assembly elections, which is scheduled to take plce December 11, 1996.
He will however, be inaugurated next Friday, October 18, 1996.
Peace. Tombong
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Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 10:58:58 +0500 From: Lamin Camara <yudris@ica.net> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Subscription of a new member. Message-ID: <32608522.6C1@ica.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Hi Abdou,
Will you please subscribe Karafa Badjie to the list. He is a friend of mine, and a student at the University of British Columbia. This is his e-mail address: badjiek@unixg.ubc.ca.
Thanks in advance.
Lamin Camara.
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Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 17:37:01 -0400 (AST) From: CHERNO <C_JAGNE@HUSKY1.STMARYS.CA> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Thanks Message-ID: <01IALP5R5ELY000VB6@HUSKY1.STMARYS.CA> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Thanks a lot Abdou and Momodou.
I tried out the address and it works just fine.
By the way, I checked out both your homepages and they're a really great job. The information provided on our beloved nation is just mind-boggling. I think everyone should check them out!
Cho
c_jagne@husky1.stmarys.ca
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ///// Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration ///// /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
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Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 22:42:25 GMT+1 From: "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: TRIVILIAZATION AND NEOCOLONIALISM Message-ID: <71636430663@amadeus.cmi.no>
Morro, I cannot remember agreeing more with you since I joined this group. I can put my signature under most of your analysis of neo-colonialism. I am one of the believers of the conspiration theory, that is, the everlasting aim of the North to subdue the South. However I have problems in seeing Jammeh as one who gives in for the "neocolonialists". If you recall I once reacted to a posting where I tried to provoke the list members on the issue of development aid. The question I asked then was "WHO IS HELPING WHO". And this was in reaction to the boycotting of The Gambia by the donor agencies. I think in the past 30 years development aid with all its minor and major conditionalities have a "pillow" for The Gambia. One last think, Morro, if the UDP had made use of some its sympathizes like you, and refrain from the backward politics of TRIBALISM, they might have done better. Shalom, Famara.
> Date: Thu, 10 Oct 96 14:31:53 CDT > Reply-to: gambia-l@u.washington.edu > From: <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US> > To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > Subject: TRIVILIAZATION AND NEOCOLONIALISM
> Mr. Connors: > > Though this is a response to some of the questions you posed, > I hope it is an adequate response to all who have had questions. > > 1_ HOW DO YOU TRIVIALIZE THE REAL > DANGERS WE FACE > > First let me say this. I do not know you; I have never met > you; I couldn't tell you apart from a leaf on a tree. I can't read > your mind; in responding to you, I am confined to what you write. > > I have no problem whatsoever that you INTENDED to bite > your fellow Americans. (Well done for that; indeed critical > reflection keeps democracy healthy.) Unfortunately that's not the > only thing you did. You went too far in analogizing to The > Gambia. You were furious and chastised your fellow non- > Gambians for being shocked and dismayed by the conduct of the > elections in The Gambia, in light of what goes on here in the US. > These are your words: > > ******AESURE, JAMMEH UTILIZED HIS MILITARY MIGHT TO GIVE HIMSELF THE > MOST COVERAGE BUT, WHY ARE PEOPLE SO SHOCKED? IN FACT, THE > MORE I THINK ABOUT IT THE MORE I AM FURIOUS. Look at what is happening > in the US...Ross Perot has been denied the opportunity to debate with Dole and > what the hell is the difference here? C'MON, WHY ARE YOU ALL ACTING SO HIGH > AND MIGHTY AND PROJECTING THIS FEELING OF SORROW FOR THE > GAMBIA AND JAMMEH BEING ELECTED? > > I GUARANTEE ELECTION FUNDING AND FINANCING IN THE > GAMBIA IS MUCH MORE FAIR AND OPEN THAN HERE IN THE U.S. OF A. > AEMorro's question: How? You don't know what you're talking about._ > > Enough of the shock over elections in The Gambia. Especially from those of > us who have lived there. Jammeh has done some tremendous things for the > country. I'd bet a hell of a lot of money that he has the countries > interests in mind more so than 75% of the Congressmen we have so fairly > elected._AEMorro's Question: Really?_AEEmphasis added_******* > > Sure the US democracy suffers from faults. I can supply you with > my own personal collection of colorful descriptions. But equating > the quirks in your democracy to the problems we face is like > comparing a broken nail to a bullet in the head. > > 2_ HOW YOU SUPPORT THE NEOCOLONIALIST > POSITION > > The statements above inspire us to accept manifest and devastating > injustice by accepting Jammeh. Jammeh compounds our difficulties > not solve them. Our problems are not limited to the havoc he reeks > and will continue to reek with increasing magnitude, but the fact > that the havoc compounds our disarray as a developing nation and > invites (in my view cements) the control of the West on Africa in > general, and The Gambia in particular. > > Africa has suffered 400 years of slave trade (100 million dead or > carried away), and another century or so of colonialism. At the end > of these devastating experiences the perpetrators, primarily the > Western countries, have done very little to address the > consequences of their rape and plunder. (The laceration of the > continent into countries with groups of little or not affinity, and the > consequent ethnic and border conflicts; the corruption of the > colonial successors and the bloodiness and corruption of their > military deposers etc.) Indeed these consequences enable them (the > colonialists) to transform their tactics and continue the exploitation > of the continent. The neocolonialist agenda is to keep Africa just > organized enough to conduct good business (acquisition of > cheap raw materials). The so-called Band-Aid approach. > Increasingly, even this Band-Aid is being offered in ways that > make neocolonialist control even more complete. > > Before I get into that let me say that an awful lot of individuals > around the world spend a great deal of time in Africa at incredible > personal expense. Indeed I agree we cannot live without them. It > is the nature of our dependence on them that is so disturbing. > > The donors (with their neocolonialist agenda always in mind) > must deliver aid carefully. The instruments of delivery too often > become, wittingly or unwittingly (unwittingly in an awful lot of > casse) the new colonial agents. > > The donors choose the projects to fund. The projects are often > managed by donor/lender citizens/NGOs or contractors > The funds, never enough to provide a competitive base , > recycle right back to where they came from. I hope you're following. > > > Donors agents have incredible flex in Africa (e.g. IMF, contractors > and NGOs). The fact that they can up and go (and they do) at a > moment's notice, is a debilitating compromise of the effectiveness of > these countries to make decisions in the best interest of their > citizens. (Now particular individuals from donor countries are not > necessarily knowing partners in the neocolonialist agenda, but they > serve the purpose--staff a mechanism which makes it easy for > donors to maximize their leverage with the developing nations with > the threat of fund and STAFF withdrawals. > > Analogously, I do not think that every catholic priest who landed > on the shores of Africa between 1400 and 1900 was a knowing > slaver or colonialist agent, but they certainly were the harbingers.) > > I will not embarrass myself by attempting to quote the exact figures > but Africa's debt load is of no burden to anyone else but the > Africans. The lenders can wipe their books clean and not even feel > a pinch. On the other hand we stagger under the load and continue > to answer to donor/lenders, and therefore continue to be > neocolonialist subjects. > > Now, contrast America's response to Europe after W.W.II > (Marshall Plan) and the Wests response to Africa after 400 years > of slave trade and over a century of colonialism (NGOs, IMF, and > recycled capital). (Still, compare Japan (US) and Hong Kong (UK) with Africa.) > > We are trying to catch up with the rest of the world. Africans have > to be smart enough to aspire to the highest standards. We cannot > catch up to nations of space shuttles in used chariots. Jammeh is the > used chariot, a phenomenon that perpetuates the neocolonialist > agenda because he bars us from a speedy progress to freedom and > democracy. Yet you insist he ain't so bad. BY SAYING THAT YOU BOUGHT IN > THE NEOCOLONIALIST AGENDA (Gambians too) Can you see why this is so sheering? > > Just the other day I received a call from home. A friend was > reporting the detention of her brother to me. She wanted me to > contact Amnesty International to see if they could do anything. Her > brother was beaten up at Denton Bridge on Sept. 25. Apparently > he suffered at least a broken arm. She feared he was dead. On > September 26, her other brother went to deliver some food and > medicine ,and to inquire about the welfare of the one detained. He > too never returned home. I wonder if any of you can look her in > the eye and tell her Jammeh ain't so bad. > > Those people who are eager to overlook Jammeh's flaws in the > name of "baby" democracy, also argued for the acceptance of the > flaws of the Jawara government in earlier times in the name of the > same. How quickly they turn. Their loyalty to freedom and > democracy is as constant as a mercenary's. The test of courage is > not measured in the lives we discount but in our > willingness to sacrifice our own in defense of others. > > I know I will probably end up with a bullet in my head soon enough > because of my views about my government as I have expressed > them in this forum. Can you, today, say the same about the US > government and your views. Don't expect me to apologize because > I told you you've got a jumbo foot in your mouth. > I can't be any simpler than this. > > Morro. > (PS: Mr. Hubbard, you wrote this about Mr. Connors: > "I think if you sat around a bowl of > benechin and had conversation you would find yourself wanting to > take back several of your comments." I will be glad to cook that > benachin, all those who are interested may come. But until we are > all a little more sensitive, I will continue to will my word like a > sword with no apologies whatsoever.) >
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Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 23:04:56 GMT+1 From: "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: FW: FW: Election (fwd) Message-ID: <716969A0F94@amadeus.cmi.no>
Dr. Nyang,
Thank you very much for your piece. I am now enlighten about the P. S. Njie issue. But, don't you think that the Gambians have proved that this kind of politics is "over and out" by voting for Jammeh even in Mandinka dominated areas. As far as I recall it the Mandinkas UDP was appealing to. I would like to appeal to all list members to condemn tribalism, especially the sympathisers of UDP. I am afraid that if the UDP, ever come to power they will sponsor a research programme "which proofs that one tribe is more capable of another to do certain things". Some might say that "This Famara is so obsessed with this tribal thing". Yes I am, and it because of what I have seen in other parts of the world. And secondly, I am an active "anti-racist", I give lectures about the inhumanity of racism, and now am seeing parallels in my country. I do not think we should tolerate such nonsense. Shalom, Famara.
> Date: Wed, 9 Oct 1996 06:09:25 -0400 (EDT) > Reply-to: gambia-l@u.washington.edu > From: Sulayman Nyang <nyang@cldc.howard.edu> > To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > Subject: Re: FW: FW: Election (fwd) > X-To: Brian Hubbard <Babanding@msn.com>
> This is a brief response to the points raised about the letter forwarded > by Mr. Hubbard.First of all, let me state categorically that I will be the > last man to argue that international friends of the Gambia do not have a > role in the on-going debate about the political future of the country.All > the members of the list who are not Gambians or persons of Gambian descent > certainly have all the right to participate in the discussion. They do > enrich the discussion and they bring to the table a perspective that is > different from those of us who are culturally affected by certain > realities in that part of the world. In other words, we are now living in > a global system that makes it easier for us to communicate with others in > the world who have Gambian experiences and are sympathetic to the people > because of their stay in the country.Now let me go to the next point . > When we talk about democracy in the global system we must > recognise four questions that are critical to the political and economic > wellbeing of modern human beings.The first question is that of food > security;the second is freedom of conscience;the third is the enjoyment of > human rights that are now universally accepted by all international > organisations and peoples.The fourth question is the right to elect one's > leaders periodically without fear.An alien being from a distant galaxy is > likely to be fascinated by the conflicting human definitions and practices > of democracy.What may not puzzle him is the economic and cultural gap > between the peoples of the northern hemisphere and those living in the > South.Democracy in the North is no longer specifically focused on the > politics of the belly.The successful exploitation of the material and > human resources of the U.S. and beyond has enabled those of us in the U.S. > to enjoy a standard of living unavailable to others elsewhere in the > globe.Because of this state of affairs the phenomenon of food deficit and > the lack of daily intake of adequate calories have together made the > politics of the belly paramount.In a society where the individual members > are faced with the urgent task of feeding themselves three times a day, > the politics of the head (concern with the environment and other issues > peculiar to the North) receives lesser attention from the ordinary man and > woman in the developing areas of the world.In the specific case of the > Gambia, those of us who oppose the military and its attempt to civilianise > itself, recognise the realities in Africa today.We oppose not because we > are hell bent on opposing the order of the day, but because we do not want > the deprivation resulting from the politics of the belly to cloud the > politics of the head.It is one thing to be poor, but it is another to be > brutalised and impoverished at the same time.The record of the military in > Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Latin America leave much to be > desired.The call for the opposition to organise itself and contest the > parliamentary elections is commendable.However, it is politically naive to > think that the party that used undemocratic methods and means to outpoll > its rivalries in the presidential elections is suddenly going to chnge > tactics and let the opposition win the parliamentary elections.It is > dangerous and unwise to assume such a possibility.If rigging was used to > get a presidential goose elected, be rest assured that the parliamentary > ganders would also use rigging to follow their leader down the road to > parliamentary victory.I certainly appreciate the words of caution and > optimism given to us by international friend, but in order for the > Gambians to construct a viable and effective democratic society, fear must > be replaced by a sense of trust among the Gambian people.What has happened > over the last two years is the creeping sense of fear.The creation of the > NIA and the killings that took the lives of many Gambians have conspired > to tell the Gambians that a Republic of Fear is beginning to take hold of > their lives and their daily routines.If some of us are vocal at this time, > please note that we feel that not many Gambians spoke out when their > relatives,friends and fellow citizens were looting the treasury.Much of > what I wrote on the politics of the Gambia went unread by the political > class. They were apparently allergic to scholarly discourse.We do not want > to see a repeat performance under the new order. > With respect to my allusion to P.S. Njie, I wish to inform my > questioner (Famara) that the deceased Banjul politician was a minority who > was the first Chief Minister in the country and his political fate was > largely determined by the fact that he was not from a majority ethnic > group and,to some Gambians at the time (1962), he was a Muslim renegade > who embraced Catholicism.People like myself were teenagers then.Later, > during my doctoral research on the history of political parties in the > Gambia,I collected enough evidence to prove that > ethnicity and religion > were used against him. Colonel Jammeh has to recog} sl > >
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Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 23:23:36 GMT+1 From: "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: TRIVILIAZATION AND NEOCOLONIALISM Message-ID: <716E61367EA@amadeus.cmi.no>
TO THE "WESTERNERS" ON THE LIST,
I know you are all smart enough to understand that my supporting of Morro's points on the conspiracy theory, is not in anyway a "finger pointing" at you. When am talking of the North I mean the systems and not the individuals. I know many idealistic westerners, who believe in what they are doing for the betterment of Africa and the "developing" world in general. So please continue to contribute. (This should be obvious, but I felt the need to clarify it) Shalom, Famara.
> Date: Thu, 10 Oct 96 14:31:53 CDT > Reply-to: gambia-l@u.washington.edu > From: <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US> > To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > Subject: TRIVILIAZATION AND NEOCOLONIALISM
> Mr. Connors: > > Though this is a response to some of the questions you posed, > I hope it is an adequate response to all who have had questions. > > 1_ HOW DO YOU TRIVIALIZE THE REAL > DANGERS WE FACE > > First let me say this. I do not know you; I have never met > you; I couldn't tell you apart from a leaf on a tree. I can't read > your mind; in responding to you, I am confined to what you write. > > I have no problem whatsoever that you INTENDED to bite > your fellow Americans. (Well done for that; indeed critical > reflection keeps democracy healthy.) Unfortunately that's not the > only thing you did. You went too far in analogizing to The > Gambia. You were furious and chastised your fellow non- > Gambians for being shocked and dismayed by the conduct of the > elections in The Gambia, in light of what goes on here in the US. > These are your words: > > ******AESURE, JAMMEH UTILIZED HIS MILITARY MIGHT TO GIVE HIMSELF THE > MOST COVERAGE BUT, WHY ARE PEOPLE SO SHOCKED? IN FACT, THE > MORE I THINK ABOUT IT THE MORE I AM FURIOUS. Look at what is happening > in the US...Ross Perot has been denied the opportunity to debate with Dole and > what the hell is the difference here? C'MON, WHY ARE YOU ALL ACTING SO HIGH > AND MIGHTY AND PROJECTING THIS FEELING OF SORROW FOR THE > GAMBIA AND JAMMEH BEING ELECTED? > > I GUARANTEE ELECTION FUNDING AND FINANCING IN THE > GAMBIA IS MUCH MORE FAIR AND OPEN THAN HERE IN THE U.S. OF A. > AEMorro's question: How? You don't know what you're talking about._ > > Enough of the shock over elections in The Gambia. Especially from those of > us who have lived there. Jammeh has done some tremendous things for the > country. I'd bet a hell of a lot of money that he has the countries > interests in mind more so than 75% of the Congressmen we have so fairly > elected._AEMorro's Question: Really?_AEEmphasis added_******* > > Sure the US democracy suffers from faults. I can supply you with > my own personal collection of colorful descriptions. But equating > the quirks in your democracy to the problems we face is like > comparing a broken nail to a bullet in the head. > > 2_ HOW YOU SUPPORT THE NEOCOLONIALIST > POSITION > > The statements above inspire us to accept manifest and devastating > injustice by accepting Jammeh. Jammeh compounds our difficulties > not solve them. Our problems are not limited to the havoc he reeks > and will continue to reek with increasing magnitude, but the fact > that the havoc compounds our disarray as a developing nation and > invites (in my view cements) the control of the West on Africa in > general, and The Gambia in particular. > > Africa has suffered 400 years of slave trade (100 million dead or > carried away), and another century or so of colonialism. At the end > of these devastating experiences the perpetrators, primarily the > Western countries, have done very little to address the > consequences of their rape and plunder. (The laceration of the > continent into countries with groups of little or not affinity, and the > consequent ethnic and border conflicts; the corruption of the > colonial successors and the bloodiness and corruption of their > military deposers etc.) Indeed these consequences enable them (the > colonialists) to transform their tactics and continue the exploitation > of the continent. The neocolonialist agenda is to keep Africa just > organized enough to conduct good business (acquisition of > cheap raw materials). The so-called Band-Aid approach. > Increasingly, even this Band-Aid is being offered in ways that > make neocolonialist control even more complete. > > Before I get into that let me say that an awful lot of individuals > around the world spend a great deal of time in Africa at incredible > personal expense. Indeed I agree we cannot live without them. It > is the nature of our dependence on them that is so disturbing. > > The donors (with their neocolonialist agenda always in mind) > must deliver aid carefully. The instruments of delivery too often > become, wittingly or unwittingly (unwittingly in an awful lot of > casse) the new colonial agents. > > The donors choose the projects to fund. The projects are often > managed by donor/lender citizens/NGOs or contractors > The funds, never enough to provide a competitive base , > recycle right back to where they came from. I hope you're following. > > > Donors agents have incredible flex in Africa (e.g. IMF, contractors > and NGOs). The fact that they can up and go (and they do) at a > moment's notice, is a debilitating compromise of the effectiveness of > these countries to make decisions in the best interest of their > citizens. (Now particular individuals from donor countries are not > necessarily knowing partners in the neocolonialist agenda, but they > serve the purpose--staff a mechanism which makes it easy for > donors to maximize their leverage with the developing nations with > the threat of fund and STAFF withdrawals. > > Analogously, I do not think that every catholic priest who landed > on the shores of Africa between 1400 and 1900 was a knowing > slaver or colonialist agent, but they certainly were the harbingers.) > > I will not embarrass myself by attempting to quote the exact figures > but Africa's debt load is of no burden to anyone else but the > Africans. The lenders can wipe their books clean and not even feel > a pinch. On the other hand we stagger under the load and continue > to answer to donor/lenders, and therefore continue to be > neocolonialist subjects. > > Now, contrast America's response to Europe after W.W.II > (Marshall Plan) and the Wests response to Africa after 400 years > of slave trade and over a century of colonialism (NGOs, IMF, and > recycled capital). (Still, compare Japan (US) and Hong Kong (UK) with Africa.) > > We are trying to catch up with the rest of the world. Africans have > to be smart enough to aspire to the highest standards. We cannot > catch up to nations of space shuttles in used chariots. Jammeh is the > used chariot, a phenomenon that perpetuates the neocolonialist > agenda because he bars us from a speedy progress to freedom and > democracy. Yet you insist he ain't so bad. BY SAYING THAT YOU BOUGHT IN > THE NEOCOLONIALIST AGENDA (Gambians too) Can you see why this is so sheering? > > Just the other day I received a call from home. A friend was > reporting the detention of her brother to me. She wanted me to > contact Amnesty International to see if they could do anything. Her > brother was beaten up at Denton Bridge on Sept. 25. Apparently > he suffered at least a broken arm. She feared he was dead. On > September 26, her other brother went to deliver some food and > medicine ,and to inquire about the welfare of the one detained. He > too never returned home. I wonder if any of you can look her in > the eye and tell her Jammeh ain't so bad. > > Those people who are eager to overlook Jammeh's flaws in the > name of "baby" democracy, also argued for the acceptance of the > flaws of the Jawara government in earlier times in the name of the > same. How quickly they turn. Their loyalty to freedom and > democracy is as constant as a mercenary's. The test of courage is > not measured in the lives we discount but in our > willingness to sacrifice our own in defense of others. > > I know I will probably end up with a bullet in my head soon enough > because of my views about my government as I have expressed > them in this forum. Can you, today, say the same about the US > government and your views. Don't expect me to apologize because > I told you you've got a jumbo foot in your mouth. > I can't be any simpler than this. > > Morro. > (PS: Mr. Hubbard, you wrote this about Mr. Connors: > "I think if you sat around a bowl of > benechin and had conversation you would find yourself wanting to > take back several of your comments." I will be glad to cook that > benachin, all those who are interested may come. But until we are > all a little more sensitive, I will continue to will my word like a > sword with no apologies whatsoever.) >
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 17:53:44 -0400 From: ABALM@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Membership list Message-ID: <961013175343_542351798@emout15.mail.aol.com>
Tony&Abdou, would you please add Ansu Sonko to the gambia-l.His e-mail address is Asonko@aol.com Abba sanneh
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 18:14:21 -0400 (EDT) From: ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: new members Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.95L.961013181257.27041D-100000@ciao.cc.columbia.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Hi folks, Ansu Sonko and Karafa Badjie have joined the list. We have lost Benoit Dumolin and Sammy Bruce Olive.
******************************************************************************* A. TOURAY. at137@columbia.edu abdou@cs.columbia.edu abdou@touchscreen.com (212) 749-7971 MY URL's ON THE WWW= http://www.cc.columbia.edu/~at137 http://www.psl.cs.columbia.edu/~abdou
A FINITE IN A LAND OF INFINITY. SEEKING BUT THE REACHABLE. I WANDER AND I WONDER. ALL RESPITE IS FINAL. *******************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 18:20:47 -0400 (EDT) From: ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.95L.961013181858.27041E-100000@ciao.cc.columbia.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
/* THE FOLLOWING IS FROM SANKUNG SAWO */ Hi Abdou,
I have been following discussions in the list and especially the recent comments by some members for information about INTERNET access in the Gambia.
May I inform you and the list that GAMTEL still offers INTERNET access through COMPUSERVE online services, and in fact it is the only online service available in the country now. I am not aware of any service provider here apart from store- and- forward access services provided by MRC and NEA.
GAMTEL's tariff ( charges) are as follows:
i) Refundable Deposit: D250.00 for Gambian private individual user (one time payment) D500.00 for foreign private individual user D700.00 for institutions (companies, etc) D60.00 for address creation. ii) Monthly (fixed) subscription fee: D200.00
iii) Network Connection Usage charge: D3.50 per Minute (ie D210 per Hour).
iv) Compuserve Usage Charges: D100.00 fixed for 1st 5 hours of usage. about D20.00 per hour beyond 5 hrs.
Currently there are about 70 users online but most of them are foreign expatriates. We are hopeful that with the emergence of ROC International company and its pioneering INTERNET CAFFEE service more Gambians may be able to sign on as you don't have to worry about geting a PC etc.
I guess this would be useful to those who wish to assist friends, relatives or other professional friends to sign on the net.
I must say that GAMTEL continually revise downwards the stated tariffs as the net community increases in number and sophistication. Some of the charges are merely to enable the company to recover unpaid bills and thus maintain the service. But you are indeed aware that we have also launched an INTERNET pilot project in which the main objective is to build a network backbone along the length of the country, from Serekunda to Basse. We are currently having discussions with various institutions, especially those in research, in order to come up with a service that would meet their requirement(s). This definitely is not easy especially with the Government. We would have to make some presumptions in our project analysis.
Finaly, I would like to pursue a short course on INTERNET networking and technology preferably somewhere in USA. Can somebody help me with contact addresses. The training would have to be mainly engineering and management of an Internet network. The objective is to expose couple of people to the technology before we kick off with it.
Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself to you earlier. I am computer engineer in GAMTEL and also chairman of the INTERNET ENGINEERING WORKING COMMITTEE (GIEWC) recently formed in GAMTEL. I have basic knowledge of TCP/IP networking as Gamtel's major computer networks are based on it (Unix systems). For the past 3/4 years I have been busy building up a GAMTEL enterprise network using the same technology.
Best regards, Sankung
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 18:41:48 -0400 From: bf299@freenet.carleton.ca (Bocar Ndiaye) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) Message-ID: <199610132241.SAA08561@freenet3.carleton.ca>
Sankung write: Finaly, I would like to pursue a short course on INTERNET networking and
>technology preferably somewhere in USA. Can somebody help me with contact
>addresses. The training would have to be mainly engineering and management of $
>Internet network. The objective is to expose couple of people to the technology
>before we kick off with it.
------------------------------ I suggeste you to check this internet address: www.zdu.com They offer internet course for $4 a month. Thanks for the valuable information about ISP in Gambia.
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 19:38:53 -0400 From: KTouray@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Education Restructuring Message-ID: <961013193851_542401544@emout16.mail.aol.com>
The suggeestion I am henceforth putting forward is at best an untested theory and at worst an ill conceived policy concoction.I nonetheless concluded that the idea deserves at the very least a swing at our evolving discussion group. I'll further say that i do not have any specific training or experience in education as a subject area. In the same vein i do not posses specific statistical data governmental or otherwise that would enable me to make highly accurate projections.
Having seen so many people fall into the cracks of our educational system i have concluded that central government total management of primary and secondary education has not worked in the past and would continue to undermine the future of the country by ensuring that the majority of the population get systematically squeezed out of the impossibly competitive road to higher education. The constantly cited reason for this abysmal state of our system is financial, with most people contending that the gov't simply has not built enough schools to accomodate an ever increasing student roll. Having tens of thousands of primary school kids take secondarylevel entrance exams when only a few thousand of that number can be admitted is a terrible shortcoming that if not addressed would only set us aback.I would go as far as to say that atleast half the students get marks that qualify them for high school entry. Another serious impediment toward progress in our primary to secondary education is the fact that our system is designed to let only gov't run all aspects of the schools from hiring teachers, buying stationery and books, feeding programs etc without any active participation at the local level. it would have been execellent if gov't can execute such an enermous undertaking all by itself in an efficient manner, but as with gov't all over the world delivering services at the local level becomes too unweildy to be properly handled by central administration. Judging by the adversity of the problem i propose that our gov't recognise and declare the current state of education a crisis. As a result it would be the highest priority in terms of the national agenda. The gov't should embark on finding resources aimed at aportioning as much as 20% of GDP for the next 20 years. I know this sounds draconian but the consequences of anything less would be far worse. The expenditures would require the gov't to cut spending in other areas or perhaps even go into debt but every butut would have been worth it by the time we take stock a few years down the road. Another important reform initiative we need to make is to redefine the role of central gov't in the way schools are run in local jurisdictions. To this end the gov't can begin by running a pilot program say in Kombo St Mary's as follows: 1-Appoint a school board of 12 people spanning a broad section of the population from business men to civil servants to community activist(they must all be able to read and write) 2- Enthrust the board the authority to hire and fire all school personnel 3- Give the board the projected Dalasi amount the gov't would have spent if they were running it. 4-Issue guidelines in terms the educational standards the gov't requires. 5-Dispatch one bereaucrat from the ministry of education to serve the central gov't's interest on the board and monitor progress. With this the local community and their immediate representatives would be very much obligated to ensure that they have the best schools . They would realise they have a stake in what happens and hence would do what ever it takes to be successful.Teachers would be monitored so that the bad ones would be ferreted out and the good ones would be given incentives to stay.Even the vendors who supply the schools with everything from stationery to food items would find themselvesin the midst of a very competetive enviroment where only those who deliver the better product efficiently would survive. Consequently you would have better run schools run by a few efficient local people who would in time develop ever increasing innovative ways of having thier monies worth. Sure problems may emerge as a result of this new found autonomy including the possibility of abuse , but overall it has a good chance of succeeding and for the first time the nation would be on the road to strenghtening local communities, instilling a sense involvement in people that they are better managers of their affairs. If the pilot succeeds and the proposal tried natinwide i believe we would be in a better shape.The current system is definately not an option.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 14 Oct 1995 07:14:37 +0300 From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: FW: FW: Election (fwd) Message-ID: <307F392D.387A@QATAR.NET.QA> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Famara A. Sanyang wrote: > > Dr. Nyang, > > Thank you very much for your piece. I am now enlighten about the P. > S. Njie issue. But, don't you think that the Gambians have proved > that this kind of politics is "over and out" by voting for Jammeh > even in Mandinka dominated areas. As far as I recall it the > Mandinkas UDP was appealing to. I would like to appeal to all list > members to condemn tribalism, especially the sympathisers of UDP. > I am afraid that if the UDP, ever come to power they will sponsor a research > programme "which proofs that one tribe is more capable of another to > do certain things". Some might say that "This Famara is so obsessed > with this tribal thing". Yes I am, and it because of what I have seen > in other parts of the world. And secondly, I am an active > "anti-racist", I give lectures about the inhumanity of racism, and > now am seeing parallels in my country. I do not think we should > tolerate such nonsense. > Shalom, > Famara. > > > > Date: Wed, 9 Oct 1996 06:09:25 -0400 (EDT) > > Reply-to: gambia-l@u.washington.edu > > From: Sulayman Nyang <nyang@cldc.howard.edu> > > To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > > Subject: Re: FW: FW: Election (fwd) > > X-To: Brian Hubbard <Babanding@msn.com> > > > This is a brief response to the points raised about the letter forwarded > > by Mr. Hubbard.First of all, let me state categorically that I will be the > > last man to argue that international friends of the Gambia do not have a > > role in the on-going debate about the political future of the country.All > > the members of the list who are not Gambians or persons of Gambian descent > > certainly have all the right to participate in the discussion. They do > > enrich the discussion and they bring to the table a perspective that is > > different from those of us who are culturally affected by certain > > realities in that part of the world. In other words, we are now living in > > a global system that makes it easier for us to communicate with others in > > the world who have Gambian experiences and are sympathetic to the people > > because of their stay in the country.Now let me go to the next point . > > When we talk about democracy in the global system we must > > recognise four questions that are critical to the political and economic > > wellbeing of modern human beings.The first question is that of food > > security;the second is freedom of conscience;the third is the enjoyment of > > human rights that are now universally accepted by all international > > organisations and peoples.The fourth question is the right to elect one's > > leaders periodically without fear.An alien being from a distant galaxy is > > likely to be fascinated by the conflicting human definitions and practices > > of democracy.What may not puzzle him is the economic and cultural gap > > between the peoples of the northern hemisphere and those living in the > > South.Democracy in the North is no longer specifically focused on the > > politics of the belly.The successful exploitation of the material and > > human resources of the U.S. and beyond has enabled those of us in the U.S. > > to enjoy a standard of living unavailable to others elsewhere in the > > globe.Because of this state of affairs the phenomenon of food deficit and > > the lack of daily intake of adequate calories have together made the > > politics of the belly paramount.In a society where the individual members > > are faced with the urgent task of feeding themselves three times a day, > > the politics of the head (concern with the environment and other issues > > peculiar to the North) receives lesser attention from the ordinary man and > > woman in the developing areas of the world.In the specific case of the > > Gambia, those of us who oppose the military and its attempt to civilianise > > itself, recognise the realities in Africa today.We oppose not because we > > are hell bent on opposing the order of the day, but because we do not want > > the deprivation resulting from the politics of the belly to cloud the > > politics of the head.It is one thing to be poor, but it is another to be > > brutalised and impoverished at the same time.The record of the military in > > Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Latin America leave much to be > > desired.The call for the opposition to organise itself and contest the > > parliamentary elections is commendable.However, it is politically naive to > > think that the party that used undemocratic methods and means to outpoll > > its rivalries in the presidential elections is suddenly going to chnge > > tactics and let the opposition win the parliamentary elections.It is > > dangerous and unwise to assume such a possibility.If rigging was used to > > get a presidential goose elected, be rest assured that the parliamentary > > ganders would also use rigging to follow their leader down the road to > > parliamentary victory.I certainly appreciate the words of caution and > > optimism given to us by international friend, but in order for the > > Gambians to construct a viable and effective democratic society, fear must > > be replaced by a sense of trust among the Gambian people.What has happened > > over the last two years is the creeping sense of fear.The creation of the > > NIA and the killings that took the lives of many Gambians have conspired > > to tell the Gambians that a Republic of Fear is beginning to take hold of > > their lives and their daily routines.If some of us are vocal at this time, > > please note that we feel that not many Gambians spoke out when their > > relatives,friends and fellow citizens were looting the treasury.Much of > > what I wrote on the politics of the Gambia went unread by the political > > class. They were apparently allergic to scholarly discourse.We do not want > > to see a repeat performance under the new order. > > With respect to my allusion to P.S. Njie, I wish to inform my > > questioner (Famara) that the deceased Banjul politician was a minority who > > was the first Chief Minister in the country and his political fate was > > largely determined by the fact that he was not from a majority ethnic > > group and,to some Gambians at the time (1962), he was a Muslim renegade > > who embraced Catholicism.People like myself were teenagers then.Later, > > during my doctoral research on the history of political parties in the > > Gambia,I collected enough evidence to prove that > > ethnicity and religion > > were used against him. Colonel Jammeh has to recog} sl > > > >
Famara, Tribalism,like its mother,racism is the theology the inadequate.But the fact that what both the tribalist and the racist have to say is morally abhorrent can not be used to deny them their right to express themselves.That is why when we say Freedom Of Speech is guaranteed,it means for everyone including those whose speeches are revolting.So, if someone says something that you don't particularly like,for whatever reason that may be,you must then bring a counter argument that would prove that what that person said was false.But it cannot be democratic to deny him the medium to express himself simply because we hate what he is saying.
Regards Bassss!!
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 10:06:26 -0500 (EST) From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: List Traffic Message-ID: <01IAMNWYBO5O0016F8@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Gambia-l:
It may be helpful for the List if members cut down on messages that add nothing to previous contributions (e.g. "good job," "thanks," etc). Just my addition to the already heavy traffic.
Amadou Scattred-Janneh
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 23:34:22 JST +900 From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: List Traffic Message-ID: <199610141424.XAA25766@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Amadou,
I second your sugestion.
Lamin Drammeh.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 12:29:38 -0400 From: TSaidy1050@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: UN Secretary-General Message-ID: <961014122937_1513710976@emout05.mail.aol.com>
This is one of the most difficult issues African leaders have to deal with in the next coming months. The OAU backs Moutros-Ghali, however for him to serve a second term, he has to have the blessing of the US. As we all know, whether we accept it or not, the UN is contolled by the US and the way things are going, African leaders have to agree with a compromise candidate. I am sure some of us can recall what happened with Mr. Ahmadou Mahtarr Mbowe, the former Secretary General of UNESCO when America wanted him out.
If the OAU decides to take the confrontational choice of sticking with Boutros-Ghali, then the UN will be without funds from the US, and this can mean trouble not only for Africa in particular, but for all UN related programmes- from peace keeping forces to releif programmes.
Sometimes it is best to compromise one's principle for "a larger good".It is true that almost all developing countries are supporting Boutors-Ghali's candidature, but they are powerless when the US is on the opposite side to the fence. China and Russia, will not do much in this case because they have their own problems and Africa is not worth the risk. By this i mean they will not risk upsetting the Clinton administration, especially China with the Taiwan membership to the UN out there and also the "Favourable trading nation" issue in congress coming up again next year.Russia is a a me duck, no need to elaborate on their fears.
A strong compromise candidate from Sub-Saharan Africa is the best solution.
Peace. Tombong Saidy
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 12:33:18 -0400 (EDT) From: ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: FW: FW: Election (fwd) Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.95L.961014123222.28210A-100000@hejsan.cc.columbia.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
/*THE FOLLOWING IS FROM MALANDING JAITEH. */
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 10:06:52 -0400 From: "Malanding S. Jaiteh" <msjaiteh@u.washington.edu> Message-Id: <199610141406.KAA00531@oak.ffr.mtu.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu, KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA Subject: Re: FW: FW: Election (fwd) Cc: msjaiteh@mtu.edu X-Sun-Charset: US-ASCII
I hope my this contribution does not result to another wave of counter-productive discussion, but this issue of tribalism is one of real puzzle to me. Can someone tell me what is or had been in both the UDP or AFPRC to indicate that they are of some tribalist movement? Perhaps I was not following the election rethoric but the composition of the two groups are well as what the news media reported never showed the picture Famara may be suggesting.
Malanding Jaiteh
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 13:49:17 +500 From: "Adama Kah" <Vptaak@vpt.gwu.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) Message-ID: <43DD3A00604@vpt.gwu.edu>
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 18:20:47 -0400 (EDT) Reply-to: gambia-l@u.washington.edu From: ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd)
Hi Abdou and Sankung,
Thank you for the information on internet access in The Gambia.
Adama Kah
/* THE FOLLOWING IS FROM SANKUNG SAWO */ Hi Abdou,
I have been following discussions in the list and especially the recent comments by some members for information about INTERNET access in the Gambia.
May I inform you and the list that GAMTEL still offers INTERNET access through COMPUSERVE online services, and in fact it is the only online service available in the country now. I am not aware of any service provider here apart from store- and- forward access services provided by MRC and NEA.
GAMTEL's tariff ( charges) are as follows:
i) Refundable Deposit: D250.00 for Gambian private individual user (one time payment) D500.00 for foreign private individual user D700.00 for institutions (companies, etc) D60.00 for address creation. ii) Monthly (fixed) subscription fee: D200.00
iii) Network Connection Usage charge: D3.50 per Minute (ie D210 per Hour).
iv) Compuserve Usage Charges: D100.00 fixed for 1st 5 hours of usage. about D20.00 per hour beyond 5 hrs.
Currently there are about 70 users online but most of them are foreign expatriates. We are hopeful that with the emergence of ROC International company and its pioneering INTERNET CAFFEE service more Gambians may be able to sign on as you don't have to worry about geting a PC etc.
I guess this would be useful to those who wish to assist friends, relatives or other professional friends to sign on the net.
I must say that GAMTEL continually revise downwards the stated tariffs as the net community increases in number and sophistication. Some of the charges are merely to enable the company to recover unpaid bills and thus maintain the service. But you are indeed aware that we have also launched an INTERNET pilot project in which the main objective is to build a network backbone along the length of the country, from Serekunda to Basse. We are currently having discussions with various institutions, especially those in research, in order to come up with a service that would meet their requirement(s). This definitely is not easy especially with the Government. We would have to make some presumptions in our project analysis.
Finaly, I would like to pursue a short course on INTERNET networking and technology preferably somewhere in USA. Can somebody help me with contact addresses. The training would have to be mainly engineering and management of an Internet network. The objective is to expose couple of people to the technology before we kick off with it.
Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself to you earlier. I am computer engineer in GAMTEL and also chairman of the INTERNET ENGINEERING WORKING COMMITTEE (GIEWC) recently formed in GAMTEL. I have basic knowledge of TCP/IP networking as Gamtel's major computer networks are based on it (Unix systems). For the past 3/4 years I have been busy building up a GAMTEL enterprise network using the same technology.
Best regards, Sankung
Adama Kah The George Washington University Office of The Vice President and Treasurer 2121 I St., NW Rice Hall, Suite 707 Washington, D.C. 20052
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Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 11:16:34 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: New member Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961014111459.7013B-100000@saul4.u.washington.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Alhagie Marong ( Canada ) has been added to the list. We welcome him and will be looking forward to his introduction and contributions to the list. Thanks Tony
========================================================================
Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice 100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax University of Washington Box 353200 Seattle, Wa.98195-3200 =========================================================================
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 96 20:07:46 GMT From: mmjeng@image.dk (Matarr M. Jeng) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu (The Gambia And Related Issues Mailing List) Subject: Fw: Re: Elections and after Message-ID: <M.101496.220746.18@ip88.image.dk>
> > > > > Lots of thoughts and analyses have already been offered on the recently > > held elections in The Gambia. I am taking this opportunity to share mine > > with you. The elections have been held and the inevitable results are now > > known to everyone. Whether we like Jammmeh or not, he is the President > > elect and nothing will change that fact. If you can recall before the > > elections Malanding ( hope I am stating your position correctly ) and > > myself were among the few who supported a boycott of the elections. My > > rationale was that elections in Africa including the The Gambia are always > > accompanied by fraudulent practices where Incumbents never loose. The only > > exceptions to the norm that I can remember were the 1967 Sierra > > Leonean elections when Siaka Stevens defeated incumbent prime minister > > Albert Margai. Few years ago Chiluba ousted Kaunda in Zambia. I also > > remembered Lebua Jonathan, then Prime Minister of Lesotha, lost an > > election in the 70's but refused to step down to give up power. I forgot > > the outcome of that incident. Finally, the first legitimate elections in > > South Africa that brought Mandela and the ANC falls outside the category > > of the typical unfair elections taking place in Africa. > > We all knew that the opposition candidates had insurmountale > > hurdles to overcome > > coupled with the abuse of government power and resources to benefit Jammeh > > and APRC. This is nothing new in Gambian politics. Jammeh was simply being > > a copycat to his deposed predessesor. Remember the Wollof proverb " Ku > > boka cha geta ga, nan cha mew ma" , meaning that any member of the herd > > will drink > > some of the milk. This is the standard practice going on throughout the > > continent. Besides, didn't his great mentor Jerry Rawlings pay a state > > visit to The Gambia and probably lectured him on tricks of the trade. This > > might be a bitter pill to swallow by some of the list members but the > > fact of the matter is that Jammeh had wide spread support among the > > Gambian electorate. I was not at all suprised by the results in Banjul > > particularly in my Banjul South constituency. Most of the people that I > > had spoken to supported Jammeh. You have to understand that lots of people > > were very alienated and disillusioned by the 32 years of Jawara's rule. > > The kleptocracy ( borrowing from Dr Amadou Janneh ) and economic decadence > > increased the gap between the few wealthy and the majority of poor > > citizens, which was reflective of one of Jimmy Cliff's song entitled " > > Suffering in the land" with the famous line " The rich gets richer and the > > poor gets poorer, suffering in the land ". Those factors coupled together > > with the ostentatious display of illegally acquired wealth from the ruling > > elite gave Jammeh more leverage in the eyes of the majority of Gambians > > who benefited nothing or had relatives in the positions of power during > > Jawara's reign. > > Some of the developments undergone by Jammeh during the last two > > years, whether they are cosmetic or substantive also appealed to a lot of > > The Gambians who felt that within 2 years, the kid had achieved what the > > much older politician could not accomplish in more than 30 years. > > I know that the majority of the population does not have the > > level of education that the average Gambia-l netter enjoys, and thus > > reasons and sees things differently that we do. > > I like the idea offered by Dr Kamara regarding the strategic > > planning for social and economic development ideas to be submitted to the > > government in the hopes that they will be implemented. Some of you have > > already mentioned about the strong need and representation of the > > opposition in parliament. I strongly believe that it is quite vital to > > prevent the defacto one party system that we had for so long. We have to > > prevent history from repeating itself. A strong opposition consisting of > > dynamic, well informed members of parliament unlike the typical MP's that > > used to fill up parliament can bring about checks and balances, putting > > the ruling party under the microscope and heavy scrutiny. Therefore, > > it is imperative that the three unsucessful Presidential candidates > > Darboe, Jatta and Bah to > > run ( stand ) and gain parliamentary seats in December. > > I am also proposing that we follow the Sierra Leonean list model > > where opposition leader Dr Karefa Smart is a member of Leonenet and > > frequently contributes to the list about his positions and developments in > > Sierra Leone. Personally, I would like Darboe, Jatta and Bah to join > > Gambia-l and make similar contributions. I am not sure about their > > internet accessibility. We can entertain > > some reactions and discussions to that my proposal. > > Thanks > > Tony > > > > > > ======================================================================== > > > > Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu > > Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice > > 100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax > > University of Washington > > Box 353200 > > Seattle, Wa.98195-3200 > > > > ========================================================================= > > > > I think your proposal to follow the Sierra Leonean List model is a very > good > > idea. > I think it would be a very good idea to have Darboe, Jatta, and Bah in the > Gambia List and of course Mr. Tombong Saidy on the other side for(APRC).This > will bering some very intresting debates and enlightenments from all sides > and > I am sure, we can debate and understand better what each has to offer,or > stand > for. > It is always good with debates which berings understanding, for without > understanding we dont know where we stand, but with understanding we stand > solid like a rock. > I dont know how the other list members think about it but I think it is a > very > good idea to have the opposition leaders in the list, as there shall be no > second hand information or no "radio kangkang" but direct contact through the > e-mail with the opposition leaders. > Greetings. > > > > > > > > ---- > Matarr M. Jeng mmjeng@image.dk
---- Matarr M. Jeng mmjeng@image.dk
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 16:13:40 -0400 (EDT) From: ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.95L.961014161114.23110B-100000@ciao.cc.columbia.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
/* THE FOLLOWING IS FROM FRANCIS NJIE. OUR BELOVED SERVER IS GONE MAD ! IT IS REJECTING EVERYTHING IT DOES NOT LIKE. ANYWAY, IT WOULD BE LOOKED INTO. */ From: Francis Njie <francis_njie@il.us.swissbank.com> Date: Mon, 14 Oct 96 14:38:32 -0500 To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) References: <43DD3A00604@vpt.gwu.edu>
We should note that the rate at which computers become outdated in the US is rapid enough that there are probably thousands of computers that are effectively junk at present. 386's would easily satisfy a Gambian school's needs as far as the Internet and basic computer proficiency courses.
We could go "computer begging" in the US if we had some legitimate Gambian organization as an umbrella. Perhaps GaSTech could provide this legitimacy once we are properly set up. I would be inclined to think that large corporations would regard such donations as good PR.
My thoughts here are that schools and the public library system could have modest computer labs hooked up to the Internet. The bottom-line is information... The Gambia could become more information-rich than it currently is.
The network backbone mentioned below will certainly be necessary for this to be feasible. The rates for Internet access via Compuserve are horrific. GAMTEL needs something like a T1 connection to the Internet and needs to run its own Internet access provision effort. I would be rather surprised if GAMTEL could not afford this. In any case, we could always get help from American sources to lease a T1 and to provide a few (2-3) GAMTEL employees the training needed to run the Internet provision effort.
Please excuse me if someone has brought these ideas up before-- I have not had a chance to look at my mail lately...
Adama, could you please enlighten me about the ROC International Company and its INTERNET CAFFEE service? Sounds promising... I would also be interested in getting Sankung Sawo's e-mail address. Thanks a lot...
I would very much appreciate the list's feedback... Thanks...
- Francis
******************************************************************************* * The Standard Disclaimers: * * * * The opinions/ideas expressed here are mine alone. They do not reflect the * * policies of my employer in any way whatsoever. * * * * Furthermore, because I have no political affiliation, political figures and * * parties mentioned here are necessarily incidental to my opinions. * * * * francis_njie@swissbank.com * *******************************************************************************
Begin forwarded message:
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 13:49:17 +500 Reply-To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Sender: GAMBIA-L-owner@u.washington.edu From: "Adama Kah" <Vptaak@vpt.gwu.edu> To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail for Windows (v2.40) X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 18:20:47 -0400 (EDT) Reply-to: gambia-l@u.washington.edu From: ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd)
Hi Abdou and Sankung,
Thank you for the information on internet access in The Gambia.
Adama Kah
/* THE FOLLOWING IS FROM SANKUNG SAWO */ Hi Abdou,
I have been following discussions in the list and especially the recent comments by some members for information about INTERNET access in the Gambia.
May I inform you and the list that GAMTEL still offers INTERNET access through COMPUSERVE online services, and in fact it is the only online service available in the country now. I am not aware of any service provider here apart from store- and- forward access services provided by MRC and NEA.
GAMTEL's tariff ( charges) are as follows:
i) Refundable Deposit: D250.00 for Gambian private individual user (one time payment) D500.00 for foreign private individual user D700.00 for institutions (companies, etc) D60.00 for address creation.
ii) Monthly (fixed) subscription fee: D200.00
iii) Network Connection Usage charge: D3.50 per Minute (ie D210 per Hour).
iv) Compuserve Usage Charges: D100.00 fixed for 1st 5 hours of usage. about D20.00 per hour beyond 5 hrs.
Currently there are about 70 users online but most of them are foreign expatriates. We are hopeful that with the emergence of ROC International company and its pioneering INTERNET CAFFEE service more Gambians may be able to sign on as you don't have to worry about geting a PC etc.
I guess this would be useful to those who wish to assist friends, relatives or other professional friends to sign on the net.
I must say that GAMTEL continually revise downwards the stated tariffs as the net community increases in number and sophistication. Some of the charges are merely to enable the company to recover unpaid bills and thus maintain the service. But you are indeed aware that we have also launched an INTERNET pilot project in which the main objective is to build a network backbone along the length of the country, from Serekunda to Basse. We are currently having discussions with various institutions, especially those in research, in order to come up with a service that would meet their requirement(s). This definitely is not easy especially with the Government. We would have to make some presumptions in our project analysis.
Finaly, I would like to pursue a short course on INTERNET networking and technology preferably somewhere in USA. Can somebody help me with contact addresses. The training would have to be mainly engineering and management of an Internet network. The objective is to expose couple of people to the technology before we kick off with it.
Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself to you earlier. I am computer engineer in GAMTEL and also chairman of the INTERNET ENGINEERING WORKING COMMITTEE (GIEWC) recently formed in GAMTEL. I have basic knowledge of TCP/IP networking as Gamtel's major computer networks are based on it (Unix systems). For the past 3/4 years I have been busy building up a GAMTEL enterprise network using the same technology.
Best regards, Sankung
Adama Kah The George Washington University Office of The Vice President and Treasurer 2121 I St., NW Rice Hall, Suite 707 Washington, D.C. 20052
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 13:22:35 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Forwarded posting of Francis Njie Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961014131859.13248A-100000@saul4.u.washington.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
We should note that the rate at which computers become outdated in the US is rapid enough that there are probably thousands of computers that are effectively junk at present. 386's would easily satisfy a Gambian school's needs as far as the Internet and basic computer proficiency courses.
We could go "computer begging" in the US if we had some legitimate Gambian organization as an umbrella. Perhaps GaSTech could provide this legitimacy once we are properly set up. I would be inclined to think that large corporations would regard such donations as good PR.
My thoughts here are that schools and the public library system could have modest computer labs hooked up to the Internet. The bottom-line is information... The Gambia could become more information-rich than it currently is.
The network backbone mentioned below will certainly be necessary for this to be feasible. The rates for Internet access via Compuserve are horrific. GAMTEL needs something like a T1 connection to the Internet and needs to run its own Internet access provision effort. I would be rather surprised if GAMTEL could not afford this. In any case, we could always get help from American sources to lease a T1 and to provide a few (2-3) GAMTEL employees the training needed to run the Internet provision effort.
Please excuse me if someone has brought these ideas up before-- I have not had a chance to look at my mail lately...
Adama, could you please enlighten me about the ROC International Company and its INTERNET CAFFEE service? Sounds promising... I would also be interested in getting Sankung Sawo's e-mail address. Thanks a lot...
I would very much appreciate the list's feedback... Thanks...
- Francis
******************************************************************************* * The Standard Disclaimers: * * * * The opinions/ideas expressed here are mine alone. They do not reflect the * * policies of my employer in any way whatsoever. * * * * Furthermore, because I have no political affiliation, political figures and * * parties mentioned here are necessarily incidental to my opinions. * * * * francis_njie@swissbank.com * *******************************************************************************
Begin forwarded message:
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 13:49:17 +500 Reply-To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Sender: GAMBIA-L-owner@u.washington.edu From: "Adama Kah" <Vptaak@vpt.gwu.edu> To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail for Windows (v2.40) X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN
Date: Sun, 13 Oct 1996 18:20:47 -0400 (EDT) Reply-to: gambia-l@u.washington.edu From: ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd)
Hi Abdou and Sankung,
Thank you for the information on internet access in The Gambia.
Adama Kah
/* THE FOLLOWING IS FROM SANKUNG SAWO */ Hi Abdou,
I have been following discussions in the list and especially the recent comments by some members for information about INTERNET access in the Gambia.
May I inform you and the list that GAMTEL still offers INTERNET access through COMPUSERVE online services, and in fact it is the only online service available in the country now. I am not aware of any service provider here apart from store- and- forward access services provided by MRC and NEA.
GAMTEL's tariff ( charges) are as follows:
i) Refundable Deposit: D250.00 for Gambian private individual user (one time payment) D500.00 for foreign private individual user D700.00 for institutions (companies, etc) D60.00 for address creation.
ii) Monthly (fixed) subscription fee: D200.00
iii) Network Connection Usage charge: D3.50 per Minute (ie D210 per Hour).
iv) Compuserve Usage Charges: D100.00 fixed for 1st 5 hours of usage. about D20.00 per hour beyond 5 hrs.
Currently there are about 70 users online but most of them are foreign expatriates. We are hopeful that with the emergence of ROC International company and its pioneering INTERNET CAFFEE service more Gambians may be able to sign on as you don't have to worry about geting a PC etc.
I guess this would be useful to those who wish to assist friends, relatives or other professional friends to sign on the net.
I must say that GAMTEL continually revise downwards the stated tariffs as the net community increases in number and sophistication. Some of the charges are merely to enable the company to recover unpaid bills and thus maintain the service. But you are indeed aware that we have also launched an INTERNET pilot project in which the main objective is to build a network backbone along the length of the country, from Serekunda to Basse. We are currently having discussions with various institutions, especially those in research, in order to come up with a service that would meet their requirement(s). This definitely is not easy especially with the Government. We would have to make some presumptions in our project analysis.
Finaly, I would like to pursue a short course on INTERNET networking and technology preferably somewhere in USA. Can somebody help me with contact addresses. The training would have to be mainly engineering and management of an Internet network. The objective is to expose couple of people to the technology before we kick off with it.
Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself to you earlier. I am computer engineer in GAMTEL and also chairman of the INTERNET ENGINEERING WORKING COMMITTEE (GIEWC) recently formed in GAMTEL. I have basic knowledge of TCP/IP networking as Gamtel's major computer networks are based on it (Unix systems). For the past 3/4 years I have been busy building up a GAMTEL enterprise network using the same technology.
Best regards, Sankung
Adama Kah The George Washington University Office of The Vice President and Treasurer 2121 I St., NW Rice Hall, Suite 707 Washington, D.C. 20052
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 16:51:02 -0700 From: sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: mailer daemon Message-ID: <199610142351.QAA28776@thesky.incog.com>
Hi subscription mgrs. I tried to add Jean Roberts a cousin of mine to the list but I keep getting an error. Will Tony/Abdou or anyone of the sub. mgrs. please add mamarie@ix.netcom.com Jean Roberts to the list?
thanks,
Sarian
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 18:08:23 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: mailer daemon Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961014180615.14368E-100000@saul1.u.washington.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Jean Roberts has been added to the list. We welcome her and will be looking forward to her introduction and contributions to the list. Thanks Tony
========================================================================
Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice 100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax University of Washington Box 353200 Seattle, Wa.98195-3200 =========================================================================
On Mon, 14 Oct 1996, Sarian Loum wrote:
> Hi subscription mgrs. I tried to add Jean Roberts a cousin of mine to the list but I keep getting an error. Will Tony/Abdou or anyone of the sub. mgrs. please add mamarie@ix.netcom.com Jean Roberts to the list? > > thanks, > > Sarian >
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 22:54:23 -0400 From: KTouray@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Att: TSaidy Message-ID: <961014225421_1547326509@emout01.mail.aol.com>
I would like to ask you to give a synopsis of the overall foreign policy initiatives of the Jammeh administration both current and in the near future.If you may i am particularly interested in the rationale behind our Taiwan , Libya policies. I do realise that nations don't have permanent friends but rather they have permanent interests; but in the case of Taiwan i am not sure i twas wise on our part to sever a 30 year relationship with a rapidly growing country that has been helpful to us only to be used as public relations pawn by a country no one expects to be nothing other than an autonomous province. It seems to me doing business with a powerful and growing partner serves our interest more than attempting to trumpet what is essentially an untenable position.I simply don't know why we should do business with colonel Ghadafi. I think we are seriously risking at the very least costly isolation. Who we chose as our allies does matter a great deal. I think it would be terrible for the nations leadership to suscribe to recalceterant behavior in deciding the nations foreign policies. Unless you convince me otherwise i think there ought to be a significant reversal in direction.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 23:41:07 -0400 From: MJawara@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: List Traffic Message-ID: <961014234107_126919575@emout01.mail.aol.com>
Since we're not required to debate and / or vote on the admission of a new member, it would also be helpful if members write directly to List Managers each time they want to introduce a new member. Just a thought... Musa K.Jawara.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 14:26:37 JST +900 From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: List Traffic Message-ID: <199610150515.OAA02655@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
I think Musa has a point there. While no-one is denied membership to our enviable `Penche or bantaba', we have delegated the addition of new members to List Managers. We ought to know who is joining our ranks.
Regards!
Lamin Drammeh.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 14:30:47 JST +900 From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Computers and Internet in the Gambia. Message-ID: <199610150519.OAA02684@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Gambia-l,
The idea put forward by Francis is worth considering. Let us explore this avenue and see what comes out of it. The success of such an endeavour will make all of us proud of being one family.
Lamin Drammeh.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 14:41:59 JST +900 From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: UN Secretary-General Message-ID: <199610150530.OAA02799@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Gambia-l,
At least once I share most of Tombong's views. The OAU is pitted against the USA. BBG may not have a second chance unless US changes its position which is not likely before Nov. 5, and according to Whitehouse sources, that may not change even thereafter. Africa and Ghali's other supporters need to do a lot of lobbying if they want to win. In the event everything fails and the world is united in having a second African as the TITULAR head of the UN, the process of making that choice will not be any simpler.
All said and done, what much extra does Africa gain from having its son/daughter at the helm of the UN? Or, is this whole issue a question pride?
Lamin Drammeh.
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 1995 09:12:30 +0300 From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Fw: Re: Elections and after Message-ID: <3080A64E.210E@QATAR.NET.QA> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Matarr M. Jeng wrote: > > > > > > > > > Lots of thoughts and analyses have already been offered on the recently > > > held elections in The Gambia. I am taking this opportunity to share mine > > > with you. The elections have been held and the inevitable results are now > > > known to everyone. Whether we like Jammmeh or not, he is the President > > > elect and nothing will change that fact. If you can recall before the > > > elections Malanding ( hope I am stating your position correctly ) and > > > myself were among the few who supported a boycott of the elections. My > > > rationale was that elections in Africa including the The Gambia are always > > > accompanied by fraudulent practices where Incumbents never loose. The only > > > exceptions to the norm that I can remember were the 1967 Sierra > > > Leonean elections when Siaka Stevens defeated incumbent prime minister > > > Albert Margai. Few years ago Chiluba ousted Kaunda in Zambia. I also > > > remembered Lebua Jonathan, then Prime Minister of Lesotha, lost an > > > election in the 70's but refused to step down to give up power. I forgot > > > the outcome of that incident. Finally, the first legitimate elections in > > > South Africa that brought Mandela and the ANC falls outside the category > > > of the typical unfair elections taking place in Africa. > > > We all knew that the opposition candidates had insurmountale > > > hurdles to overcome > > > coupled with the abuse of government power and resources to benefit Jammeh > > > and APRC. This is nothing new in Gambian politics. Jammeh was simply being > > > a copycat to his deposed predessesor. Remember the Wollof proverb " Ku > > > boka cha geta ga, nan cha mew ma" , meaning that any member of the herd > > > will drink > > > some of the milk. This is the standard practice going on throughout the > > > continent. Besides, didn't his great mentor Jerry Rawlings pay a state > > > visit to The Gambia and probably lectured him on tricks of the trade. This > > > might be a bitter pill to swallow by some of the list members but the > > > fact of the matter is that Jammeh had wide spread support among the > > > Gambian electorate. I was not at all suprised by the results in Banjul > > > particularly in my Banjul South constituency. Most of the people that I > > > had spoken to supported Jammeh. You have to understand that lots of people > > > were very alienated and disillusioned by the 32 years of Jawara's rule. > > > The kleptocracy ( borrowing from Dr Amadou Janneh ) and economic decadence > > > increased the gap between the few wealthy and the majority of poor > > > citizens, which was reflective of one of Jimmy Cliff's song entitled " > > > Suffering in the land" with the famous line " The rich gets richer and the > > > poor gets poorer, suffering in the land ". Those factors coupled together > > > with the ostentatious display of illegally acquired wealth from the ruling > > > elite gave Jammeh more leverage in the eyes of the majority of Gambians > > > who benefited nothing or had relatives in the positions of power during > > > Jawara's reign. > > > Some of the developments undergone by Jammeh during the last two > > > years, whether they are cosmetic or substantive also appealed to a lot of > > > The Gambians who felt that within 2 years, the kid had achieved what the > > > much older politician could not accomplish in more than 30 years. > > > I know that the majority of the population does not have the > > > level of education that the average Gambia-l netter enjoys, and thus > > > reasons and sees things differently that we do. > > > I like the idea offered by Dr Kamara regarding the strategic > > > planning for social and economic development ideas to be submitted to the > > > government in the hopes that they will be implemented. Some of you have > > > already mentioned about the strong need and representation of the > > > opposition in parliament. I strongly believe that it is quite vital to > > > prevent the defacto one party system that we had for so long. We have to > > > prevent history from repeating itself. A strong opposition consisting of > > > dynamic, well informed members of parliament unlike the typical MP's that > > > used to fill up parliament can bring about checks and balances, putting > > > the ruling party under the microscope and heavy scrutiny. Therefore, > > > it is imperative that the three unsucessful Presidential candidates > > > Darboe, Jatta and Bah to > > > run ( stand ) and gain parliamentary seats in December. > > > I am also proposing that we follow the Sierra Leonean list model > > > where opposition leader Dr Karefa Smart is a member of Leonenet and > > > frequently contributes to the list about his positions and developments in > > > Sierra Leone. Personally, I would like Darboe, Jatta and Bah to join > > > Gambia-l and make similar contributions. I am not sure about their > > > internet accessibility. We can entertain > > > some reactions and discussions to that my proposal. > > > Thanks > > > Tony > > > > > > > > > ======================================================================== > > > > > > Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu > > > Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice > > > 100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax > > > University of Washington > > > Box 353200 > > > Seattle, Wa.98195-3200 > > > > > > ========================================================================= > > > > > > I think your proposal to follow the Sierra Leonean List model is a very > > good > > > idea. > > I think it would be a very good idea to have Darboe, Jatta, and Bah in the > > Gambia List and of course Mr. Tombong Saidy on the other side for(APRC).This > > will bering some very intresting debates and enlightenments from all sides > > and > > I am sure, we can debate and understand better what each has to offer,or > > stand > > for. > > It is always good with debates which berings understanding, for without > > understanding we dont know where we stand, but with understanding we stand > > solid like a rock. > > I dont know how the other list members think about it but I think it is a > > very > > good idea to have the opposition leaders in the list, as there shall be no > > second hand information or no "radio kangkang" but direct contact through the > > e-mail with the opposition leaders. > > Greetings. > > > > > > > > > > > > > ---- > > Matarr M. Jeng mmjeng@image.dk > > ---- > Matarr M. Jeng mmjeng@image.dk
Matarr! Yes, that would be very, very interesting indeed. And thanks for your contribution.
Regards Basss!!!
------------------------------
Date: 15 Oct 1996 09:51:39 +0100 From: "Jobarteh, Momodou" <Momodou.Jobarteh@hordaland.vegvesen.no> To: "Gambia-L -Internet... ." <Gambia-l@u.washington.edu> (Return requested) Subject: Introduction Message-ID: <00A113263509B003*/c=no/admd=telemax/prmd=vegvesen/o=hordaland/s=Jobarteh/g=Momodou/@MHS> Content-Identifier: 00A113263509B003 Content-Return: Allowed Mime-Version: 1.0
Hello Gambia-L. members
I wish to seize this opportunity to give you a brief backgrond about myself.
I finished primary and secondary shcool in 1972, and started working as road forman under the Civil Engineering Section of the Public Works Department.
I left The Gambia in 1978 heading to Norway to further my studies. During the period of my studies I attended the Telemark Polytechnic where I obtained a (HND) Higher National Dilopma in Civil Engineering. After I attended the Engineering College in Grimstad for three years, coming out as a gratudute in engineering and specialising in road and building construction.
Since 1987 I have been working as an Engineer at the State Public Road Administration, I`m the first and the only black African working at the S.P.R.A.
I am very active in Gambian and World politics as a whole. At Banjul South where I was living, I was, and still known as Alhagi Jobarteh.
Alhagi
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Date: Tue, 15 Oct 96 09:01:16 GMT From: mmjeng@image.dk (Matarr M. Jeng) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu, KTouray@aol.com Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy Message-ID: <M.101596.110116.30@ip108.image.dk>
> I would like to ask you to give a synopsis of the overall foreign policy > initiatives of the Jammeh administration both current and in the near > future.If you may i am particularly interested in the rationale behind our > Taiwan , Libya policies. I do realise that nations don't have permanent > friends but rather they have permanent interests; but in the case of Taiwan i > am not sure i twas wise on our part to sever a 30 year relationship with a > rapidly growing country that has been helpful to us only to be used as public > relations pawn by a country no one expects to be nothing other than an > autonomous province. It seems to me doing business with a powerful and > growing partner serves our interest more than attempting to trumpet what is > essentially an untenable position.I simply don't know why we should do > business with colonel Ghadafi. > I think we are seriously risking at the very least costly isolation. Who > we chose as our allies does matter a great deal. I think it would be terrible > for the nations leadership to suscribe to recalceterant behavior in deciding > the nations foreign policies. Unless you convince me otherwise i think there > ought to be a significant reversal in direction. >
I would like to add a question to T. Saidy (Which countries are affected by the new entry visa to the Gambia?). We are told that there are a mumber of countries affected by this new law. I ask this because some of the list members are holders of foreign passports and it would be very helpful for them to know whether or not they are affected.
Is this new law promoting tourism which is already badly hit by the sanctions? Greetings. ---- Matarr M. Jeng mmjeng@image.dk
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Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 09:47:15 -0500 (EST) From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: The Question of New Members Message-ID: <01IAO1J7TFXE002HBO@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Gambia-l:
I see nothing wrong with formally sending the names and addresses of potential members to the list instead of forwarding the info to an individual list/subscription manager. An advantage of the current procedure is that when Abdou is too busy and Toni is out of town, we can atleast count on Sarian or myself getting the message and taking action.
Salaam! Amadou
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Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 10:08:38 -0400 (EDT) From: mjallow@st6000.sct.edu (Modou Jallow) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: INTERNET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA (fwd) Message-ID: <9610151408.AA53682@st6000.sct.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Sankung wrote:
> Currently there are about 70 users online but most of them are foreign > expatriates. We are hopeful that with the emergence of ROC International company > and its pioneering INTERNET CAFFEE service more Gambians may be able to sign > on as you don't have to worry about geting a PC etc. > > I guess this would be useful to those who wish to assist friends, relatives or > other professional friends to sign on the net. > > I must say that GAMTEL continually revise downwards the stated tariffs as the > net community increases in number and sophistication. Some of the charges are > merely to enable the company to recover unpaid bills and thus maintain the > service. But you are indeed aware that we have also launched an INTERNET pilot > project in which the main objective is to build a network backbone along the > length of the country, from Serekunda to Basse. We are currently having > discussions with various institutions, especially those in research, in order to > come up with a service that would meet their requirement(s). This definitely is > not easy especially with the Government. We would have to make some > presumptions in our project analysis. > > Finaly, I would like to pursue a short course on INTERNET networking and > technology preferably somewhere in USA. Can somebody help me with contact > addresses. The training would have to be mainly engineering and management of an > Internet network. The objective is to expose couple of people to the technology > before we kick off with it. > > Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself to you earlier. I am computer engineer in > GAMTEL and also chairman of the INTERNET ENGINEERING WORKING COMMITTEE (GIEWC) > recently formed in GAMTEL. I have basic knowledge of TCP/IP networking as > Gamtel's major computer networks are based on it (Unix systems). For the past > 3/4 years I have been busy building up a GAMTEL enterprise network using the > same technology. > > Best regards, > Sankung > A great idea indeed! With the outrageous fees and costs listed above, the average Gambian is a long way from being connected to the net. Gamtel must react to this demand by integrating its PSTN (public switched telephone networks) to accomodate this need.
In the US for example, PSTN are owned and operated by many different organisations such as Bellsouth and AT&T. Before the evolution of the net, most PSTN were not designed to handle data transmissions, but now most have media such as T1/E1 circuits and dial-up connections that private organisations can rent or lease in the form of dedicated lease lines.
As one list member mentioned before, I believe that it would be a wise move to create the Wide Area Networks using T1 connections as the back bone. This will require a very creative investment since it involves Leasing a dedicated line from the major telecommunications companies.
In considering what transport protocols to use, I would agree that TCP/IP protocol is the way to go since it is the Industry Standard. In addition, it is the most commonly used routable protocol to access the world-wide internet. Beware, however, that network operating systems such as NT servers are growing rapidly in the US. These servers have the flexibilty to use different transport protocols (e.g IPX/SPX, Netbeui...etc), unlike the Unix system which only uses TCP/IP. Therefore, it would be very important to be familiar with other network operating systems as well as the newer transport protocols.
I certainly hope that Gamtel is headed in the right direction...so keep it up!
Regards,
Moe S. Jallow Hayes MicroComputer Norcross, Ga 30092 ______________________________________________________________________________ mjallow@st600.sct.edu ______________________________________________________________________________
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Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 12:29:40 -0400 From: TSaidy1050@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy Message-ID: <961015122939_1480262920@emout19.mail.aol.com>
Gambia-l,
The foreign policy of The Gambia is dictated by our principle of friendship and peaceful co-existence with all countries irrespective of religious, ideological and ethnic differences. I would like to remind fellow Gambia-l that the present Government has never severed diplomatic relations with any country.
As you rightly stated there are no permanent friends, but permanent interest when it comes to foreign policy. The diplomatic relation between Peoples Republic of China(Communist China) and The Gambia did not last 30 years. I know this is besides the point, however for the benefit of students of political history I am trying to set the records straight. The Gambia, upon attaining independence, developed a very health relationship with the Republic of China(Taiwan), until 1977 when they severed relations because The Gambia recognised Communist China.
The Government did the same thing again this time, and Taiwan became back while communist China withdrew. Communist China was the one who severed diplomatic relations with The Gambia because we established relations with Taiwan. The Gambia stands to benefit by maintaining good relationship with both Chinas, but this seems to be impossible and the best choice is to stay with Taiwan. Communist China would not accept the concept of two Chinas in The Gambia, but they are dealing with it in South Africa because it is in their interest for both to remain friends with South Africa.
As far as Libya, Iran, Cuba, etc. are concerned, we need to remember that The Gambia has no enemies and thus regards all countries as friends. We will thus have relations with any country as long as our interests are served and our sovereignty is not compromised in the process. Libya is an African country and we will have good relations with all African countries in the spirit of Pan-Africanism. Our policy towards Libya and other country should not be dictated by whatever problems these countries have the West.
We also need to remember that these diplomatic relations The Gambia is establishing with these so-called renegade countries are not based on the relationship between President Jammeh and Ghaddafi, Castro, or Rafsanjani, but between the two people.
An analysis of foreign policy of different countries will reveal that what is happening with The Gambia is not an anomaly. Let us take the case of the US for example. The US would not maintain a diplomatic relation with Cuba because it is a communist country, but it establishes relations with Communist China. The US claims to be the champion of democracy but would not have a diplomatic relation with Taiwan, which is a democratic country but embraces Communist China. Look at the case of Kuwait. They just held legislative elections last week and only 10% of the population was eligible to vote, women are not allowed to vote. I can assure you that the US will not question the fairness of that elections because it is in the best interest of the US to ignore what ever is going on in Kuwait as long as the NATIONAL INTEREST of the US is not affected.
The thrust of the foreign policy of The Gambia as state in the manifesto of the APRC, will be to increase South-South co-operation and improve collaboration among sub-regional groupings. Except in absolutely necessary situations, The Gambia shall continue to pursue dialogue as a mechanism for resolving all national and international conflicts. The Gambia will continue to cherish and maintain good and friendly relations with all countries, and to continue to be a member of the UN, OAU, ECOWAS, The Commonwealth etc., for the supreme interest of all Gambians.
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Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 09:37:06 -0700 From: sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: mailer daemon Message-ID: <199610151637.JAA29109@thesky.incog.com>
BTW - Jean is a he (French name for John). Tony thats Pipo & his wife MamMarie.
thanks,
Sarian
> From tloum@u.washington.edu Mon Oct 14 18:09:24 1996 > Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 18:08:23 -0700 (PDT) > From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> > To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > Subject: Re: mailer daemon > Mime-Version: 1.0 > X-To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN > > > > Jean Roberts has been added to the list. We welcome her and will be > looking forward to her introduction and contributions to the list. > Thanks > Tony > > > ======================================================================== > > Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu > Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice > 100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax > University of Washington > Box 353200 > Seattle, Wa.98195-3200 > > ========================================================================= > > > > > > On Mon, 14 Oct 1996, Sarian Loum wrote: > > > Hi subscription mgrs. I tried to add Jean Roberts a cousin of mine to the list but I keep getting an error. Will Tony/Abdou or anyone of the sub. mgrs. please add mamarie@ix.netcom.com Jean Roberts to the list? > > > > thanks, > > > > Sarian > > > >
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Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 12:09:32 -0700 From: sarian@osmosys.incog.com (Sarian Loum) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: List Traffic Message-ID: <199610151909.MAA29314@thesky.incog.com>
Hi,
It was my understanding that not only list managers can add/introduce members but also subscription managers. If the rules have change enlighten me so I can fully comply. The subscription managers are Amadou, Latjorr & myself if this has changed please let me know. That's why I took the initiative to add Jean Roberts to the list.
Good day!
Sarian
> From MJawara@aol.com Mon Oct 14 20:42:55 1996 > Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 23:41:07 -0400 > From: MJawara@aol.com > To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > Subject: Re: List Traffic > X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN > > Since we're not required to debate and / or vote on the admission of a new > member, it would also be helpful if members write directly to List Managers > each time they want to introduce a new member. > Just a thought... > Musa K.Jawara. >
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Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 12:59:51 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: List Traffic Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961015122521.24450C-100000@saul7.u.washington.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
As far as I know, the rules are the same. The subscription managers who are currently Sarian, Latjorr and Amadou have the capability to add and delete members from the list. The reason that I can think of for the rejection of Sarian's attempt to add newest member Jean Roberts is that Sarian has two different email addresses registered in the list and only one of those addresses is designated the role of a subscription manager. A possibility is that she used the non registered one for the add command and the list failed to recognize that one. So I think that it will be a good idea to add her other address in that function, so that regardless of whichever used, they will go through. So Abdou, can you please go ahead and add her other email address as a subscription manager. Not only list managers ( Abdou and myself ) can add and delete members. The above three managers can also, and I encourage you to take more active role in doing that. The reason that I have been adding and announcing new members is that sometimes names are sent directly to me and also from recruiting efforts of some of my friends. That is why, Amadou's idea of sending the request to the entire list is a good suggestion, so that whoever receives the request first carries it out. In that way the process gets expedited. Another thing to consider is that Abdou and myself can leave all the additions and annoucements from the list to the subscription managers, while we carry out the ones only sent directly to us. What do you think Gambia-l ? We need your input. Thanks Tony ========================================================================
Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice 100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax University of Washington Box 353200 Seattle, Wa.98195-3200 =========================================================================
On Tue, 15 Oct 1996, Sarian Loum wrote:
> Hi, > > It was my understanding that not only list managers can add/introduce members but also subscription managers. If the rules have change enlighten me so I can fully comply. The subscription managers are Amadou, Latjorr & myself if this has changed please let me know. That's why I took the initiative to add Jean Roberts to the list. > > Good day! > > Sarian > > > > From MJawara@aol.com Mon Oct 14 20:42:55 1996 > > Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 23:41:07 -0400 > > From: MJawara@aol.com > > To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > > Subject: Re: List Traffic > > X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN > > > > Since we're not required to debate and / or vote on the admission of a new > > member, it would also be helpful if members write directly to List Managers > > each time they want to introduce a new member.. > > Just a thought... > > Musa K.Jawara. > > >
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Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 22:50:27 GMT+1 From: "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: The "alternative"? Message-ID: <74659E20F4D@amadeus.cmi.no>
Brothers & Sisters,
Welcome to all the new members, and especially my friend from Bergen Alhajie Jobarteh. We are looking forward to your contributions.
Mustafa and Yahya challenged me to come with an alternative system, after I made a posting from Abdou's address while I was in NY. I apologise for this late reply, it is because I tried to updated myself with the postings while I was away, and there are always current issues to spend the available time on.
As Mustafa said, Gambia--l is blessed with highly educated people who can help in this "search" for an alternative. My aim here is just to stimulate for more discussion, to learn more, and not to present the absolute remedy. My assertion that "the market has not and will never reduce poverty", is influence by the facts coming out from serious institutions like OECD, UNDP, grassroot organisations and so on. It was stated in the latest OECD report that the world has experienced economic growth, but there was no decrease in poverty. In a nutshell the difference between rich and poor has increased. The UNDPs Human Development Report 1996 asserted that, the world's 358 Billioniers assets are more than the total income of countries which represent 45% of the world's population, or 2,3 billion human beings. The world's poorest share of the global income has sunken from 2,3 to 1,4 % in the last 30 years. The richest 20 percents share has increased from 70 to 80 percent. I don't want to bore you with figures, this is just to give some of us an idea of the developments. The World Bank (WB) with its economic conditionalities recommended economic liberalisation and "blind privatisation (influenced mainly by Reagan & Thatherism in the early 80s), which is suppose to be followed by economic growth and then THE MAGIC: REDUCTION IN POVERTY. This trickled -down effect the economists (many of them) beleive so much in is now a myth. Economic growth by itself does not necessarily lead to more welfare. One can say that growth and social justice are moving in opposite directions, and to match this two one has to get a strong state to interfere. In the absence of state interference to prevent the polarisation tendencies of capitalism, the rich will continue to rich and the poor poorer. These state interferences can be in the form of taxations, tax exemptions for specified activities and so on. When I talk of "well thought redistributive systems" am thinking in this lines. I totally disagree with Yahya that the state should not do business. If the state don't do business, then where do you except it to get its funds from? It will then have to excessively tax both corporations and individuals, which Yahya and his Libratarian friends don't like either. I belong to the "school" which advocates for the "bringing of the state back in". Without a strong State then economic growth combined with social justice has no chance. What an assertion? I think I will stop here for now. The contribution was a bit too global, but, I think it is still relevant, since globalisation has never been stronger. Thanks for your patience. Shalom, Famara.
> On Tue, 24 Sep 1996, mostafa jersey marong wrote: > > > At 09:05 PM 9/23/96 -0400, you wrote: > > > > > >Hello brothers & sisters, > > > > > >This is Famara again from Abdou's address. > > > > > >It is very said to learn about the episodes reported by reuter and others > > >on the net. I am one of the "neverconvertible" anti-PPP, but as far as I > > >remember, there was mainly dancing and singing and partying during > > >election times, (those older can correct me) in addition to the > > >personality attacks of course. I strongly believe that, that type of > > >"politikking" was very backward, but it always took place in a peaceful > > >atmosphere. We are not yet sure who is responsible for the violences, but > > >we should all strongly condemn this barbaric form of "politikking". I hope > > >Jammeh will put this to an absolute end, and if he himself is giving the > > >green light for such activities (which I hope not) "SHAME ON HIM". > > > > > >Regarding the political detainees I agree with the list members appealing > > >for the release of all political detainees. Whether it a "bunch" or many. > > >If the detainees are just a bunch then they should not pose any > > >security threats to the regime. As one of the list members said we should > > >remember that the detaineees are brothers, sisters, fathers, uncles, > > >mothers and so on. > > > > > >Lastly, I will like to say to those who believe PDOIS to be the REAL > > >alternative, who at the same time talk about "they know they cannot win". > > >The programme of UDP (thanks Morro for posting it) clearly shows that they > > >are following Jawara's footsteps. > > >The Market has never and will never eradicate poverty. We should have well > > >thought redistributive systems which cater for social justice and which > > >will not at the same time discourage personal initiatives or should I say > > >innovation. > > >If we all are thinking in that way that is PDOIS cannot win then we will > > >never have a real change. > > >I think it is time for us to start saying"THEY CAN WIN". It may be a > > >bit too late to mobilise for more support, for the 1996 Presidential > > >elections, but the parliamentary elections are coming, INSALLAH" I guess > > >Musa likes that word. > > >Have a nice elction day everyone. > > >Shalom, > > >Famara. > > > > > >******************************************************************************* > > >A. TOURAY. > > >at137@columbia.edu > > >abdou@cs.columbia.edu > > >abdou@touchscreen.com > > >(212) 749-7971 > > >MY URL's ON THE WWW= http://www.cc.columbia.edu/~at137 > > > http://www.psl.cs.columbia.edu/~abdou > > > > > >A FINITE IN A LAND OF INFINITY. > > >SEEKING BUT THE REACHABLE. > > >I WANDER AND I WONDER. > > >ALL RESPITE IS FINAL. > > >******************************************************************************* > > > > > FAMARA; > > Thanks for your posting. I am really interested in discussing further two > > issues you raised and they are: > > > > 1) You said "the market has never and will never eradicate poverty". I would > > like you to elaborate on this more. Specifically, could provide a better > > alternative to market/s or a system that is better suited to eradicating > > poverty (with realistically attainable objectives and one that will be > > sustainable in the long term); > > > > 11) that "we should have well thought redistributive system" is another area > > i want us to talk about more. Could you please tell me what type of system > > you have in mind or would sugest. > > > > Gambia-l is now blessed with highly educated people and I think discussions > > like this could help us put ideas together to determine the best approach/es > > to eradicating poverty and speeding development in Africa. This is a topic > > that is being hotly debated in the last couple of years in light of the > > controversial outcomes of economic reforms undertaken in many African > > countries. > > > > Mostafa > > > > Famara, > > I join Mostafa in pursuing further your line of thought in the kind of > "redistributive" system that you believe will eradicate poverty in the > Gmabian context. Remembering that Gambia is blessed with limited > resources with which the government can exploit and help the poor, are > you insinuating that a massive tax system be imposed on other hard working > Gambians to help alleviate the poverty of other Gambians some of whom I > believe are sometimes not simply willing to step up to the plate. Even if > the Gambia is blessed with natural resources I do not believe that it is > the role of government to get into the business of exploiting them. The > record of the Gambia's public agencies speaks for themselves. > > Having said the above though, I certainly do believe that government can > provide the right kind of environment for businesses to flourish and > survive, e.g security. Creating opportunities for Gambians is the key and > not a bereucratic system of handouts. > > Yaya > >
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|
1 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
Momodou |
Posted - 18 Jun 2021 : 20:00:58 Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 22:58:22 GMT+1 From: "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: List Traffic Message-ID: <7467BA41175@amadeus.cmi.no>
Administrators & Subscription Managers,
I do not think the old system is controversial in anyway. I assume that must of the members were not famliar with the system. I do not think any member will be against the existing system, after reading Amadou and Tonys reasons for the system. I would say : Thank you all and CONTINUE YOUR GOOD WORK!!! Shalom, Famara.
> Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 12:59:51 -0700 (PDT) > Reply-to: gambia-l@u.washington.edu > From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> > To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > Subject: Re: List Traffic > X-To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
> > > As far as I know, the rules are the same. The subscription managers who > are currently Sarian, Latjorr and Amadou have the capability to add and > delete members from the list. The reason that I can think of for the > rejection of Sarian's attempt to add newest member Jean Roberts is that > Sarian has two different email addresses registered in the list and only > one of those addresses is designated the role of a subscription manager. > A possibility is that she used the non registered one for the add > command and the list failed to recognize that one. So I think that it will > be a good idea to add her other address in that function, so that > regardless of whichever used, they will go through. So Abdou, can you > please go ahead and add her other email address as a subscription manager. > Not only list managers ( Abdou and myself ) can add and delete > members. The above three managers can also, and I encourage you to take > more active role in doing that. The reason that I have been adding and > announcing new members is that sometimes names are sent directly to me > and also from recruiting efforts of some of my friends. That is why, > Amadou's idea of sending the request to the entire list is a good > suggestion, so that whoever receives the request first carries it out. In > that way the process gets expedited. Another thing to consider is that > Abdou and myself can leave all the additions and annoucements from the > list to the subscription managers, while we carry out the ones only sent > directly to us. What do you think Gambia-l ? We need your input. > Thanks > Tony > > ======================================================================== > > Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu > Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice > 100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax > University of Washington > Box 353200 > Seattle, Wa.98195-3200 > > ========================================================================= > > > > > On Tue, 15 Oct 1996, Sarian Loum wrote: > > > Hi, > > > > It was my understanding that not only list managers can add/introduce members but also subscription managers. If the rules have change enlighten me so I can fully comply. The subscription manage > s are Amadou, Latjorr & myself if this has changed please let me know. That's why I took the initiative to add Jean Roberts to the list. > > > > Good day! > > > > Sarian > > > > > > > From MJawara@aol.com Mon Oct 14 20:42:55 1996 > > > Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 23:41:07 -0400 > > > From: MJawara@aol.com > > > To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > > > Subject: Re: List Traffic > > > X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN > > > > > > Since we're not required to debate and / or vote on the admission of a new > > > member, it would also be helpful if members write directly to List Managers > > > each time they want to introduce a new member.. > > > Just a thought... > > > Musa K.Jawara. > > > > > > >
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Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 17:40:29 -0400 (EDT) From: ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: List Traffic Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.95L.961015173658.18371A-100000@ciao.cc.columbia.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
HI, I think Tony and Sarian are right in that subscription should still be handled by Sarian, Amadou, and LatJorr. I think we could have done a more effective job of communicating this to the newer members. Sarian, just pass me your other address. Thanks and bye for now, -Abdou. > Hi, > > It was my understanding that not only list managers can add/introduce members but also subscription managers. If the rules have change enlighten me so I can fully comply. The subscription managers are Amadou, Latjorr & myself if this has changed please let me know. That's why I took the initiative to add Jean Roberts to the list. > > Good day! > > Sarian > > > > From MJawara@aol.com Mon Oct 14 20:42:55 1996 > > Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 23:41:07 -0400 > > From: MJawara@aol.com > > To: "GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List" <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > > Subject: Re: List Traffic > > X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN > > > > Since we're not required to debate and / or vote on the admission of a new > > member, it would also be helpful if members write directly to List Managers > > each time they want to introduce a new member. > > Just a thought... > > Musa K.Jawara. > > > > >
******************************************************************************* A. TOURAY. at137@columbia.edu abdou@cs.columbia.edu abdou@touchscreen.com (212) 749-7971 MY URL's ON THE WWW= http://www.cc.columbia.edu/~at137 http://www.psl.cs.columbia.edu/~abdou
A FINITE IN A LAND OF INFINITY. SEEKING BUT THE REACHABLE. I WANDER AND I WONDER. ALL RESPITE IS FINAL. *******************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 19:55:09 -0400 From: KTouray@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy Message-ID: <961015195509_211847171@emout17.mail.aol.com>
Thank you for your response. If I read you correctly you seem to be saying that the cornerstone of our foreign policyis one that is predicated on the pursuance of freindship,mutual interests and cooperation amongst nations of the world indepedent of prevailing views most of which you regard unjustified. That in itself looks laudable on the surface but rather shallow if you put it in the context of our overall foreign policy.From what i have heard diplomacy is primarily about consensus building aimed at advancing differing positions on various issues. As a result the position any sovereign nation takes relative to international issues becomes a tricky balancing act since the impact of such positions is felt elsewhere.Consequently diplomatic decisions would inadvertently make you friends and foes alike even though any nation would much prefer being just friends to all nations.The fact of the matter is the interests of nations collide and those of us with the less significant political leverage are called uponto build a consensus through our support.In exercising our sovereign right i think it is prudent that we vote both our consience as a friendly and justice loving nation and where our strategic national interest lie. As an example i'd like to recall our vote when the Commonwealth tabled a motion to condemn the execution of Ken Sera Wiwa and his fellow activists. I believe we either abstained or voted against the motion. I don't believe our vote adds upto to your assertion that our f/policy is based on friendship,cooperation and the pursuit of regionalism.It is clear that what the Nigerian gov't did was cold and muderous and at the very least we should have said so by supporting the resolution.Instead the leadership did what they saw as being politically the most expedient thing to do , and that was to collude with a powerful regional ally and rationalise the execution of innocent people.
To say we don't have to pick and choose our friends in the conduct of our foreign policy is self defeating because our actions in terms of who we court ultimately determines who our friends would be . Our choices ought not to be embelished in Pan -Africanism or someother reactionary type reasoning. Right now we have alienated nations that in my opinion are worthwhile friends. I realise a nation cannot abruptly make a reversal in it's foreign policy but a gradual reoreintation is something we need to begin. The national interest of a nation must not be subjugated so that it's angry leadership can make political statements. It is wrong.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 20:22:40 -0400 (EDT) From: ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: foreign policy Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.95L.961015201813.4500A-100000@konichiwa.cc.columbia.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Hi, Karamba, a quick rejoinder to what you have said. To really understand Gambian foreign policy, I suggest you listen to one of Jammeh's speeches. He insults "white people" and "the west" with regularity and passion. Secondly, according to Reuters, The Gambia received 80 million dollars from Taiwan. Ask yourslef much more it has lost by being so opposed to Security Council members (the US and China). -Abdou.
******************************************************************************* A. TOURAY. at137@columbia.edu abdou@cs.columbia.edu abdou@touchscreen.com (212) 749-7971 MY URL's ON THE WWW= http://www.cc.columbia.edu/~at137 http://www.psl.cs.columbia.edu/~abdou
A FINITE IN A LAND OF INFINITY. SEEKING BUT THE REACHABLE. I WANDER AND I WONDER. ALL RESPITE IS FINAL. *******************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 18:55:44 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: New member Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961015185124.7712C-100000@saul7.u.washington.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Alagie Mballow of Seattle has been added to the list. We welcome him and will be looking forward to his introduction and contributions to the list. In the future, I will only be adding members whose requests are sent directly to me and those for whom I have recruited. All the requests, sent to the list will be handled by listmanagers, Sarian, Latjorr or Amadou. Thanks Tony
========================================================================
Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice 100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax University of Washington Box 353200 Seattle, Wa.98195-3200 =========================================================================
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 13:09:26 JST +900 From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: List Traffic Message-ID: <199610160411.NAA14242@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Gambia-l,
The messages on the above subject are clearer to me now than before. I apologise for my posting on this issue. Furthermore, I would suggest that all List managers and subscription managers may continue to add new members. Sarian, my apology but please continue to add members. It will even be easier if both your addresses can perform this role. Continue your good work!
Lamin Drammeh.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 1995 07:31:04 +0300 From: BASS KOLLEH DRAMMEH <KOLLS567@QATAR.NET.QA> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy Message-ID: <3081E008.1705@QATAR.NET.QA> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
KTouray@aol.com wrote: > > Thank you for your response. If I read you correctly you seem to be saying > that the cornerstone of our foreign policyis one that is predicated on the > pursuance of freindship,mutual interests and cooperation amongst nations of > the world indepedent of prevailing views most of which you regard > unjustified. That in itself looks laudable on the surface but rather shallow > if you put it in the context of our overall foreign policy.From what i have > heard diplomacy is primarily about consensus building aimed at advancing > differing positions on various issues. As a result the position any sovereign > nation takes relative to international issues becomes a tricky balancing act > since the impact of such positions is felt elsewhere.Consequently diplomatic > decisions would inadvertently make you friends and foes alike even though any > nation would much prefer being just friends to all nations.The fact of the > matter is the interests of nations collide and those of us with the less > significant political leverage are called uponto build a consensus through > our support.In exercising our sovereign right i think it is prudent that we > vote both our consience as a friendly and justice loving nation and where > our strategic national interest lie. As an example i'd like to recall our > vote when the Commonwealth tabled a motion to condemn the execution of Ken > Sera Wiwa and his fellow activists. I believe we either abstained or voted > against the motion. I don't believe our vote adds upto to your assertion that > our f/policy is based on friendship,cooperation and the pursuit of > regionalism.It is clear that what the Nigerian gov't did was cold and > muderous and at the very least we should have said so by supporting the > resolution.Instead the leadership did what they saw as being politically the > most expedient thing to do , and that was to collude with a powerful regional > ally and rationalise the execution of innocent people. > > To say we don't have to pick and choose our friends in the conduct of our > foreign policy is self defeating because our actions in terms of who we court > ultimately determines who our friends would be . Our choices ought not to be > embelished in Pan -Africanism or someother reactionary type reasoning. Right > now we have alienated nations that in my opinion are worthwhile friends. I > realise a nation cannot abruptly make a reversal in it's foreign policy but a > gradual reoreintation is something we need to begin. The national interest of > a nation must not be subjugated so that it's angry leadership can make > political statements. It is wrong.
Mr.Touray! I tend to agree with you on this one.We do understand that most of the time a country's foreign policy must be based on its national interest,but, like an individual, a country does not live by bread alone.Our moral worth as a nation depends on how we react internationally when a universal human value is at stake.That is why our country, quite frankly, failed the test of decency when it decided to side with the senseless killers in Lagos.Ken Saro Wiwa's murder was cold,brutal and indefensible; and no amount of dollars should have been big enough to persuade us to side with its perpetrators.As for Taiwan, i am not sure that should be a big deal; and if our friendship is that much important to china, perhaps they should start considering giving us more than we currently get from Taiwan.And even then, they cannot impose on us the rule of mutual exclusivity between them and Taiwan.
Regards Bassss!!! more than we currently get from Taiwan.
------------------------------
Date: 16 Oct 1996 10:03:31 GMT From: momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: IPS-News Message-ID: <65534.71975804@inform-bbs.dk>
Forwarded by Momodou Camara.
---forwarded mail START--- Date: 16/10/96 10:44 Subject: Fwd: GAMBIA-POPULATION: Migrants' Dreams Turn Sour - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Copyright 1996 Inter Press Service. All rights reserved. Distribution via MISANET.
*** 15-Oct-96 ***
GAMBIA-POPULATION: Migrants' Dreams Turn Sour
By Lansana Fofana
BANJUL, Oct 15 (IPS) - People from other West African nations used to consider Gambia the gateway to Europe and the Unit ed States, but many who arrived here with the hope of moving on have seen their dream gradually fade away.
The majority of the immigrants came to Gambia thanks to the open-door policy the small West African nation has had fo r years towards professionals from the sub-region.
The relatively higher salaries here have attracted medical doctors, lawyers and accountants, but most of the Ghanaian s, Nigerians, Guineans, Sierra Leoneans and Liberians in Gambia are teachers who fled the poor wages paid in their home countries.
Teachers in Nigeria, for example, earn the equivalent of about 30 to 40 U.S. dollars a month, less than a fifth of th e salaries paid in Gambia's schools.
The majority of the immigrants came with the idea of using Gambia as a stepping stone -- a place where they could ear n more, save more and then buy an air ticket to a developed nation -- but ended up staying.
Tunde, a Nigerian teacher who doubles as a barber is one of those who failed to make it further than Banjul. ''I have been teaching here in the Gambia for six years because my American dream has not come true,'' he told IPS in his barber shop in Serrekunda, 16 km outside the capital.
''I am now stuck here in the Gambia, teaching,'' he lamented. ''The salary can't take me anywhere so I opened the bar ber shop to supplement my regular salary and, if I am able to get a U.S. visa, I shall then leave.''
The immigrants were encouraged to leave home by the many stories of West African professionals, especially teachers, who ended up in Europe, Canada or the United States after working for a year or two in Gambia.
However, for every one that makes it, many more are left behind. Saquee, a Sierra Leonean, is bitter. He has all but lost hope of moving on. ''I don't see this happening now,'' he says. ''After you pay your rent and take out food and tra nsportation, there is virtually nothing left to save from your salary.''
Kweku, a Ghanaian teacher, also has little hope. He has been working in the Gambia for three years. ''Two of my frien ds are now in Canada where their families have joined them,'' he says. He tried to get a Canadian visa but was turned do wn. Returning home with next-to-no money makes little sense but, at the same time, he is fed up.
''I am getting tired with the Gambia,'' he says. ''Cost of living is high and the 1500 dalasis (150 U.S. dollars) I g et monthly is never enough to get me going.''
The falling value of the dalasi and the attendant rise in costs has hit the migrants hard. When the government introd uced a floating exchange rate in 1986, one British pound was equivalent to about three dalasis. Now the rate is 1:15.5.
Moreover, with the industrialised nations tightening up their immigration laws, visas are increasingly hard to get. F or those who have had enough of the Gambia, only two options are left.
One is returning home. Bisi, a Nigerian teacher in Banjul, says she has been thinking of doing so for a long time. '' It's only that I'm skeptical about the political developments in Nigeria,'' she told IPS. ''Otherwise I can buy my ticke t and leave. I know now that I can't go to the U.S.''
The other option is trying your luck in Dakar, capital of neighbouring Senegal, where there are a number of consultan cies that specialise in visa and immigration issues. However, the bona fide ones are few and far between, says Ismael, a graduate from a university in northern Nigeria.
''I spent 1,500 U.S. dollars trying to secure a visa in Dakar in April,'' he explained. ''The company was a fake and all they wanted was my money. Here I am still stuck in Banjul.
The more adventurous try to reach Spain from Senegal via Mauritania and Morocco with the help of networks that specia lise in getting migrants to Europe. But many are intercepted by coastguard patrol boats on the Meditterranean.
Things are likely to get even tougher for the West African immigrants here since there are signs that the open-doors policy is coming to an end.
For starters, Gambia's government has set up a training college to replace the teachers from neighbouring nations who are said to be in the majority in its schools although there are no reliable statistics that prove this.
''We hope to train many teachers to take over the schools,'' an Education Ministry official told IPS. ''Because we re alise Gambians frown on the job, we want to create incentives to make conditions in the classroom even better.'' (END/IP S/LF/KB/96)
**************************************************************** [c] 1996, Inter Press Seervice Third World News Agency (IPS) All rights reserved
May not be reproduced, reprinted or posted to any system or service outside of the MISANET without permission from IPS or MISA. For MISA information, send a message to dlush@ingrid.misa.org.na and for information about IPS, send a message to Lynette Muringi-Matimba at ipshre@harare.iafrica.com *****************************************************************
---forwarded mail END---
--- OffRoad 1.9o registered to Momodou Camara
------------------------------
Date: 16 Oct 1996 10:03:43 GMT From: momodou@inform-bbs.dk (Momodou Camara) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: IPS News Message-ID: <65534.71975926@inform-bbs.dk>
Forwarded by Momodou Camara.
---forwarded mail START--- Date: 16/10/96 10:45 Subject: Fwd: GAMBIA-ENVIRONMENT: Campaign To Save Dwindling Resources - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Copyright 1996 Inter Press Service. All rights reserved. Distribution via MISANET.
*** 11-Oct-96 ***
GAMBIA-ENVIRONMENT: Campaign To Save Dwindling Resources
by Lansana Fofana
BANJUL, Oct 11 (IPS) - The September polls to end two-years of military-rule was the first in a series of hurdles before this tiny West African country.
According to environmentalists here, the next challenge for the country, which is merely a sliver of land engulfed by neighbouring Senegal, is to save its natural resources which are being depleted at an alarming rate.
Gambia's government has put in place a National Environmental Action Plan to the year 2002. Implemented through the N ational Environment Agency (NEA), the plan includes an environmental literacy campaign, now underway in schools, institu tes of higher education and in local communities.
The NEA also has organised an environmental award scheme to encourage local communities to manage their environment. Over 200 institutions - schools, women's groups, communities and industries - are encouraged to take part in the competi tion.
''This award has encouraged communities, schools, individuals and NGOs to actively organise themselves and improve th e environment,'' said Nyada Yoba Baldeh, the coordinator of the NEA's Inter-Sectoral Network.
Gambia is endowed with cropland, flora, fauna, forests, fresh and sea water and beaches which attract hundreds of tou rists yearly.
But these resources are being degraded throughout the country ''with alarming signs of complete depletion in some are as,'' said the NEA in a report on the state of the environment.
''It is a serious problem that affects both the capital and the rural areas,'' said Baldeh.
''Constant erosion, waste management and sand mining have been the major problems in the capital...,'' he added. ''In the rural areas, bushfires, poor natural resources management and agricultural practices have all led to serious deplet ion of the soil.''
A programme to rehabilitate deforested areas is run by the NEA. It entails the management of trees in farmlands throu gh community forestry management, soil conservation and measures to treat the soil with compost.
The NEA also noted in its report that there has been an increase in solid waste and pollution of water sources from b oth industrial and domestic sources.
The tiny country of about 11,000 square kilometres of land is slowly watching its coastline being eaten away. Accordi ng to the United Nations Environment Programme, Gambia is one of the world's 10 most vulnerable countries for a rise in sea levels.
This could lead to anywhere from a three percent loss of land (if the sea level rises 50 cm) to a seven percent loss of land (if it rises 150 cm) over the next 15 years.
One of the biggest threats to the environment has been the pervasive mining of sand on the country's beaches.
Sand mining in the Gambia was banned soon after the military came to power in July 1994. The illegal mining of sand h ad been going on in the country for more than 20 years.
Many Gambians illegally mine the sand on the country's beaches for sell to the construction industry. But the practic e has led to serious coastal erosion affecting the lucrative tourism industry, which is the biggest single source of for eign exchange earnings. The sector also contributes around 10 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
''We believe that continuous sand mining will make the beaches unattractive and this will affect our tourist industry a good deal,'' a ministry of tourism official told IPS.(end/ips/lf/pm/96)
**************************************************************** [c] 1996, Inter Press Seervice Third World News Agency (IPS) All rights reserved
May not be reproduced, reprinted or posted to any system or service outside of the MISANET without permission from IPS or MISA. For MISA information, send a message to dlush@ingrid.misa.org.na and for information about IPS, send a message to Lynette Muringi-Matimba at ipshre@harare.iafrica.com *****************************************************************
---forwarded mail END---
--- OffRoad 1.9o registered to Momodou Camara
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 08:47:52 -0700 (PDT) From: Ylva Hernlund <yher@u.washington.edu> To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: foreign policy Message-ID: <Pine.A32.3.95.961016084604.31712B-100000@homer07.u.washington.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
On the topic of Jammeh's insults of "white people," can anyone enlighten me as to how this squares with the intensified courting of (largely European) mass tourism? Ylva
On Tue, 15 Oct 1996, ABDOU wrote:
> Hi, > Karamba, a quick rejoinder to what you have said. > To really understand Gambian foreign policy, I suggest you listen > to one of Jammeh's speeches. He insults "white people" and "the west" > with regularity and passion. > Secondly, according to Reuters, The Gambia received 80 million > dollars from Taiwan. Ask yourslef much more it has lost by being so > opposed to Security Council members (the US and China). > -Abdou. > > ******************************************************************************* > A. TOURAY. > at137@columbia.edu > abdou@cs.columbia.edu > abdou@touchscreen.com > (212) 749-7971 > MY URL's ON THE WWW= http://www.cc.columbia.edu/~at137 > http://www.psl.cs.columbia.edu/~abdou > > A FINITE IN A LAND OF INFINITY. > SEEKING BUT THE REACHABLE. > I WANDER AND I WONDER. > ALL RESPITE IS FINAL. > ******************************************************************************* > >
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 09:27:48 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Forwarded message of Musa Kebba Jawara Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961016092435.2756A-100000@saul1.u.washington.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
I think I've been misunderstood by some and my position / comment on the subject has been taken out of context.I've no problem with any particular List manager / Subscription manager executing his / her responsibilities.(Allow me to thank you all for taking time to do the job).Some time ago, if you'd recall members complained about personal messages sent thru. the List and one member also commented on lenghty postings-----both were adequately addressed by the List Management.When Mr.Janneh suggested for members to cut down on messages that don't add anything to previous discussions(he gave examples such as " Good job", " Thanks", ), my guess is, he's expressing his frustrations with " unnecessary " postings.( I stand corrected ) I concurred in that at some point it becomes monotonous.
I've introduced four people to the List since becoming a member in july ' 96 thanks to Ms Binta Njie, and if I may add they are all happy to be part of the family.But, may I also tell you that rather than make a request thru. the List, I wrote to Tony directly each time I introduced a would - be member and he acted promptly on all my requests.It's my understanding that our consent ( List members) is not required for the admission or inclusion of potential or would be members.Hence, I suggested in my earlier posting for members to write directly to those responsible for subscribing would be members.It would be helpful, if management provide the membership with the names and addresses of those charged with this responsibility. I guess the majority is satisfied with the status quo.After reading the responses from Tony and Amadou, I've since changed my position on this subject.
Musa Kebba Jawara. --------------------- Forwarded message: From: AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us (Amadou Scattred Janneh) Sender: GAMBIA-L-owner@u.washington.edu Reply-to: gambia-l@u.washington.edu To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu (GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List) Date: 96-10-15 10:05:33 EDT
Gambia-l:
I see nothing wrong with formally sending the names and addresses of potential members to the list instead of forwarding the info to an individual list/subscription manager. An advantage of the current procedure is that when Abdou is too busy and Toni is out of town, we can atleast count on Sarian or myself getting the message and taking action.
Salaam! Amadou
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 09:36:59 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Forwarded message of Pa Lamin Beyai Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961016093555.2756C-100000@saul1.u.washington.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Hello Amadou, I am very much glad to be part of the membership of the Gambia-I. Although I may not be in a position to assess the way the discussions have been going on, but the few contributions I have so far read revealed the openness and tolerance of the members.
I was born 27 years ago in a Kombo South Village called Jambur. After my elementary education at Jambur Primary school, I proceeded to St. Peter's Technical High (1982-1987) and Gambia High (1987-1989) Schools for my fifth and sixth forms.
I briefly worked at the Accountant General's Department in 1989 before going to Sierra Leone for a four year B.Sc degree in Economics at FBC. I returned home in June 1994 and later picked up a job with the Gambia Public Transport Corporation. I am currently on study-leave pursuing a one year MBA course at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
I really love the fast rate at which members are prepared to share information and views on issues affecting us all. I hope that spirit of mutual understanding and respect for each other's opinion would continue.
Pa Lamin Beyai
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 12:44:53 -0400 From: MJawara@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: List Traffic Message-ID: <961016124452_212508575@emout13.mail.aol.com>
I think I've been misunderstood by some and my position / comment on the subject has been taken out of context by one or two people.I've no problem with any particular List manager / Subscription manager executing his / her responsibilities.( Allow me to thank you all for taking time to do the job ).Some time ago, if you'd recall members complained about personal messages sent thru. the List and one member also commented on lenghty postings------both were adequately addressed by the List Management.When Mr.Janneh suggested for members to cut down on messages that don't add anything to previous discussions ( he gave examples such as " Good job ", " Thanks " ), my guess is, he's expressing his frustrations with " unnecessary " postings. ( I stand corrected ) I concur in that at some point it becomes monotonous.
I've introduced four people to the List since becoming a member in july ' 96 thanks to Ms Binta Njie, and if I may add they are all happy to be part of the family.But, may I also tell you that rather than make a request thru. the List, I wrote to Tony directly each time I introduced a would - be member and he acted promptly on all my requests.It's my understanding that our consent ( List members ) is not required for the admission or inclusion of potential or would be members.Hence, I suggested in my earlier posting for members to write directly to those responsible for subscribing would be members.It would be helpful, if management provide the membership with the names and addresses of those charged with this responsibility. I guess the majority is satisfied with the status quo.After reading the responses from Tony and Amadou, I've since changed my position on this subject.
Musa Kebba Jawara
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 12:20:21 -0500 (CDT) From: Yaya Jallow <yj0001@jove.acs.unt.edu> To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Response Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.95.961016114434.16473B-100000@jove.acs.unt.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Fellas,
Before I begin, I wanna extend a personal welcome to Pa Lamin Beyai, an old pal of mine. Pa could you send me a brief personal message?
Now to Famara, while I concede that poverty is still prevalent in the Gambia and in many other Economically Disadvantaged nations, I don't believe that having our government directly running businesses is going to resolve the poverty problem. Aside from bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption, which we have seen with the GPMB, GPA and others, government run businesses are inept with inferior product quality, creates monopolies, stifle competition and have very little regard for its customers. But more importantly, proceeds from Govn't agencies go to benefit those who run them and not the poor and needy.
The alternative to the above, otherwise known as Social Engineering, is for the government to provide capital to those needing private enterprises, ensure that these enterprises pay their fair share of the tax burden (this would require weeding out corruption from our revenue collecting dept.), developing key infrastructure, strengthening our education system.
The overall strategy should be to give people the opportunity to get themselves out of poverty and self development, not creating a trail of dependency.
Yaya
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 16:13:46 -0400 (EDT) From: Sulayman Nyang <nyang@cldc.howard.edu> To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: List Traffic Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.93.961016161101.2749A-100000@brenton.cldc.howard.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
From: Sulayman S. Nyang (nyang@cldc.howard.edu) I agree with the proposal that all persons responding to previous messages avoid repeating old messages in their replies.This would save space.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 22:29:42 GMT+1 From: "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Response Message-ID: <75E02536800@amadeus.cmi.no>
Yahya,
Thank you very much for your response. I think some points I made need to be clarified. When I said government should also run business, I don't mean, petty trading, like the corner shops "Boutique i Narr", or super markets. I mean big corporations like Gamtel. There should also be room for individuals who want run similar businesses as long as they comply with the existing rules which are suppose to be adopted in Parliament. I don't think you are identifying the right problem. You are right when you refered to corruption and lack of discipline in our public sector, this also applies to our revenue collecting institutions. As I said earlier if the government is not doing business, then it has to tax heavily, and heavy taxation to provide public services, can discourage investors who would probably move their activities to countries with less tax, and we all know what the consequencies will be. I love your sentence "this would require weeding out corruption from our revenue collecting dept." I think our problem lies here, and not that the corporations are public. Since we have to weed corruption in the our revenue collecting dept., the same thing could be tried to solve some of the problems in the public sector. I talked to several friends while I was in The Gambia, and they told me that their corporations, and institutions (public) never made so much money. I am sorry to say, but this has to do with the anti-corruption signals from the military junta (it was usual to hear people who meant to be unjustly treated saying "I will follow this up to Yahya Jammeh). The anti-corruption signals of the junta are in contrast with the PPPs pro-corruption. Jawara either promote corrupt officials or relieve them from service to invest or consume the stolen money. In the PPP era, does who wanted to leave "clean" lifestyles" i.e. not being corrupt, were said to be foolish "NYa kaak Faidah" or the popular word was "Keey Ndeyam Seehyuut", "I Baa Maa man Futu" that means one's mother was not a good wife (for the non-Gambians am sorry for the poor explanation of this term). I can tell you that this a serious insult to most (if not all) Gambians.
A part from curbing corruption, the state should create the right atmosphere for individual development, since individual development leads to collective development. The first step is, to eradicate food poverty, followed by education, health care, in other words the basic needs (Maslows hierarchy of needs). If we have an educated, healthy and well feed population, then I do not think the government will need to spend time in telling them what to do. As Gambia is not blessed with so much natural resources like Gold. diamonds, oil, and so on, our main focus should be develop our human resources. My Libertarian friends will tell me, "but all this cost money". Yes, I know that is why a state need to do some business to earn its own money to reduce the burden on the tax payers, whether they are individuals or corporations. We all know about the high dependency ratio in The Gambia, if there is a general social uplift, this ratio will decrease, and hence reduce the pressure on some officials who are sometimes "forced" by the situations at home to be corrupt. I will stop here for now. Thanks for your patience. Shalom, Famara. > Fellas, > > Before I begin, I wanna extend a personal welcome to Pa Lamin Beyai, an > old pal of mine. Pa could you send me a brief personal message? > > Now to Famara, while I concede that poverty is still prevalent in the > Gambia and in many other Economically Disadvantaged nations, I don't > believe that having our government directly running businesses is going to > resolve the poverty problem. Aside from bureaucratic inefficiencies and > corruption, which we have seen with the GPMB, GPA and others, government > run businesses are inept with inferior product quality, creates > monopolies, stifle competition and have very little regard for its > customers. But more importantly, proceeds from Govn't agencies go to > benefit those who run them and not the poor and needy. > > The alternative to the above, otherwise known as Social Engineering, is > for the government to provide capital to those needing private > enterprises, ensure that these enterprises pay their fair share of the tax > burden (this would require weeding out corruption from our revenue > collecting dept.), developing key infrastructure, strengthening our education > system. > > The overall strategy should be to give people the opportunity to > get themselves out of poverty and self development, not creating a trail > of dependency. > > Yaya > > >
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Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 22:33:05 GMT+1 From: "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: List Traffic Message-ID: <75E10642E1D@amadeus.cmi.no>
I agree with you Dr. Nyang, but an exception should be made for people replying to "old" messages. This does not happen so often, so I don't think that will be a problem. Shalom, Famara. > Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 16:13:46 -0400 (EDT) > Reply-to: gambia-l@u.washington.edu > From: Sulayman Nyang <nyang@cldc.howard.edu> > To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> > Subject: Re: List Traffic > X-To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
> From: Sulayman S. Nyang (nyang@cldc.howard.edu) > I agree with the proposal that all persons responding to previous messages > avoid repeating old messages in their replies.This would save space. > >
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1996 11:40:32 EST From: "BOJANG,BUBA" <BBOJANG@MUSIC.TRANSY.EDU> To: <Gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Message-ID: <17OCT96.12609875.0025.MUSIC@MUSIC.TRANSY.EDU>
In the name of God, the beneficient, the merciful Fellas, Can somebody please answer these questions for me? What is the GDP and GDP per capita of the Gambia? what is the life expectancyfor both sexes and the infant mortality rate? what is the literacy rate? what is Gambia's position in the HDI ranking of the world? THANKS (REMEMBER Aleaf that was blown aloof by the wind will definitely come back to mother earth). Buba Bojang (Bada)
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 96 12:07:03 CDT From: <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy Message-ID: <199610171607.JAA07031@mx4.u.washington.edu>
K. Touray:
I don't mean to spin-off a major debate on this, (I don't believe this reference was central to your arguments), but am I to understand that you believe Pan-Africanism is "reactionary"? If so, please elaborate.
Morro. (PS: Managers please add Fatou Khan to the group. Address: "0702fk@jtp.brock.dk" --------------------------( Forwarded letter follows )-----------------------
Received: from gatekeeper.co.hennepin.mn.us by IBM.CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US (IBM MVS SMTP V3R1) with TCP; Tue, 15 Oct 96 18:56:40 CST Received: by gatekeeper.co.hennepin.mn.us (AIX 3.2/UCB 5.64/4.03) id AA19537; Tue, 15 Oct 1996 18:58:29 -0500 Received: from lists2.u.washington.edu(140.142.56.1) by gatekeeper.co.hennepin.mn.us via smap (V1.3) id sma020815; Tue Oct 15 18:58:28 1996 Received: from lists.u.washington.edu by lists2.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW96.04/UW-NDC Revision: 2.33 ) id AA14398; Tue, 15 Oct 96 16:55:29 -0700 Received: from mx4.u.washington.edu by lists.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW96.08/UW-NDC Revision: 2.33 ) id AA24268; Tue, 15 Oct 96 16:55:13 -0700 Received: from emout17.mail.aol.com (emout17.mx.aol.com [198.81.11.43]) by mx4.u.washington.edu (8.7.5+UW96.10/8.7.3+UW96.10) with SMTP id QAA28862 for <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>; Tue, 15 Oct 1996 16:55:10 -0700 Received: by emout17.mail.aol.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) id TAA21580 for gambia-l@u.washington.edu; Tue, 15 Oct 1996 19:55:09 -0400 Message-Id: <961015195509_211847171@emout17.mail.aol.com> Date: Tue, 15 Oct 1996 19:55:09 -0400 Reply-To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Sender: GAMBIA-L-owner@u.washington.edu Precedence: bulk From: KTouray@aol.com To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN
Thank you for your response. If I read you correctly you seem to be saying that the cornerstone of our foreign policyis one that is predicated on the pursuance of freindship,mutual interests and cooperation amongst nations of the world indepedent of prevailing views most of which you regard unjustified. That in itself looks laudable on the surface but rather shallow if you put it in the context of our overall foreign policy.From what i have heard diplomacy is primarily about consensus building aimed at advancing differing positions on various issues. As a result the position any sovereign nation takes relative to international issues becomes a tricky balancing act since the impact of such positions is felt elsewhere.Consequently diplomatic decisions would inadvertently make you friends and foes alike even though any nation would much prefer being just friends to all nations.The fact of the matter is the interests of nations collide and those of us with the less significant political leverage are called uponto build a consensus through our support.In exercising our sovereign right i think it is prudent that we vote both our consience as a friendly and justice loving nation and where our strategic national interest lie. As an example i'd like to recall our vote when the Commonwealth tabled a motion to condemn the execution of Ken Sera Wiwa and his fellow activists. I believe we either abstained or voted against the motion. I don't believe our vote adds upto to your assertion that our f/policy is based on friendship,cooperation and the pursuit of regionalism.It is clear that what the Nigerian gov't did was cold and muderous and at the very least we should have said so by supporting the resolution.Instead the leadership did what they saw as being politically the most expedient thing to do , and that was to collude with a powerful regional ally and rationalise the execution of innocent people.
To say we don't have to pick and choose our friends in the conduct of our foreign policy is self defeating because our actions in terms of who we court ultimately determines who our friends would be . Our choices ought not to be embelished in Pan -Africanism or someother reactionary type reasoning. Right now we have alienated nations that in my opinion are worthwhile friends. I realise a nation cannot abruptly make a reversal in it's foreign policy but a gradual reoreintation is something we need to begin. The national interest of a nation must not be subjugated so that it's angry leadership can make political statements. It is wrong.
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1996 09:21:35 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Forwarded introduction of Mariama Darboe Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961017092058.10834E-100000@saul4.u.washington.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
hello list members, i apologise for not sending in my intro sooner. my name is mariama darboe aka yama. i'm a junior at shepherd college majoring in biology. i graduated from thomas johnson high schhol in frederick, md in 1994. i look forward to learning from all the list members and to making my contributions to the "bantaba" !!!!!!!!!
sincerely, yama
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 96 12:27:34 CDT From: <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Leaving . . . Message-ID: <199610171627.JAA09558@mx4.u.washington.edu>
Gambia-l:
I shall be absent from the group once again, for an extended period of time to attend to some other matters. I will be promptly back as soon as I am able.
The list managers are on notice to unsubscribe me at the close of business (4:30 p.m. Central), on Monday October 21, 1996. My system, I am told overloads, when not frequently attended to. That will not be done while I am away.
I will repeat this notice on Monday to remind managers.
Morro.
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1996 15:16:17 -0500 (EST) From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Fatou Khan added Message-ID: <01IAR5M3M7IM003E7A@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Fatou Khan has just been added; a formal intro is expected from her.
Peace! Amadou
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1996 14:55:40 -0500 (CDT) From: Yaya Jallow <yj0001@jove.acs.unt.edu> To: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Response Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.95.961017143950.5227B-100000@jove.acs.unt.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Fellas,
Famara, with due respect, but you and I have a fundamental difference as to government running businesses, large or small. You cited Gamtel as an example. But I think Gamtel is a parastatal. In any case, assuming that someone was to come in to the Gambia and want to start a another new telecommunication firm, he would probably not be able to do so because government legislation shelters Gamtel from any other major competitor. This is what I mean by stifling competition. This is bad for Gambian consumers and bad for economic development.
Gambians in general have a lot of entrepreneurial zeal; farmers, artisans, petty traders, etc. The key for our government is assist these activities and not muddle itshelf into directly running businesses.
Yaya
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Date: 17 Oct 1996 22:17:42 +0100 From: "Jobarteh, Momodou" <Momodou.Jobarteh@hordaland.vegvesen.no> To: "Gambia-L -Internet... ." <Gambia-l@u.washington.edu> (Return requested) Subject: thanks Message-ID: <048783266A276003*/c=no/admd=telemax/prmd=vegvesen/o=hordaland/s=Jobarteh/g=Momodou/@MHS> Content-Identifier: 048783266A276003 Content-Return: Allowed Mime-Version: 1.0
Hello G-List members, I want to thank everybody on the list for welcoming me on the G-L. I wish especially to thank Famara, Dr. S. Nyang and Sal. I hope we will have interesting discussions.
Tony, are you related to Mamma and Hector? You said that you are from Banjul south and your name is familiar. I am from Banjul south myself.
Thanks Alhagi
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Date: 17 Oct 1996 22:17:42 +0100 From: "Jobarteh, Momodou" <Momodou.Jobarteh@hordaland.vegvesen.no> To: "Gambia-L -Internet... ." <Gambia-l@u.washington.edu> (Return requested) Subject: Diplomat Message-ID: <048783266A276004*/c=no/admd=telemax/prmd=vegvesen/o=hordaland/s=Jobarteh/g=Momodou/@MHS> Content-Identifier: 048783266A276004 Content-Return: Allowed Mime-Version: 1.0
Hello G-List members,
Tony and Matarr`s idea of putting Darboe, Jatta, Bah and Saidy on the Gambia-L. is a good idea. Of course Saidy is on the list allready. To have intresting debates and enlightenment you have to have all the parties, not only the oppsition.
As I understand it Tonbong Saidy is a diplomat. we have two kinds of diplomats, career diplomats and political diplomats. A career diplomat is a civil servant. he/she speaks for the government of the day. A political diplomat is a party member, who speaks for the government and the party. If Saidy is a political diplomat and party member, he should have carte blanche to debate on the party`s behalf.
This question goes to Mr. Saidy. Are you a career or a political diplomat? If you are a career diplomat, how long have you been in the service, where are you stationed and what is your status? I ask because I keep informed about what is happening in Europe and have not come across your name.
Thanks Alhagi
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Date: 17 Oct 96 16:42:25 EDT From: Sankung Sawo <101573.1703@CompuServe.COM> To: "\"GAMBIA-L: The Gambia an" <GAMBIA-L@U.WASHINGTON.EDU> Subject: COST OF I_NET ACCESS IN GAMBIA Message-ID: <961017204225_101573.1703_IHK59-1@CompuServe.COM>
FROM: Sankung Sawo, 101573,1703 TO: Francis Njie, INTERNET:francis_njie@swissbank.com CC: ABDOU, INTERNET:at137@columbia.edu DATE: 10/14/96 10:54 PM Re: Copy of: COST OF I_NET ACCESS IN THE GAMBIA Hi Francis,
I noted your comment on the cost of Internet access in the Gambia. Yes, you are right but only if you compare the rates with those of ISPs in US and Europe. I am not sure whether you have any idea about world telecom tariff structures and how they are worked out.
I am surprised you suggested GAMTEL lease a T1 link for connection to the global Internet backbone. You would not believe the cost of such a line from the Gambia at the moment. Just imagine a single voice circuit , 9.6 to 64Kbps, costing close to US$45,000 to maintain! A T1 is equivalent to a whole PCM of 32 channels. No one, not even GAMTEL or GAMBIA government can lease a T1 link in the Gambia for data only traffic at the moment.
What we are considering is to have a single VSAT link, of 64Kbps, and backed up by a single 64Kbps switched circuit -- for redundancy. This might still cost close to US$100,000 to implement and a maintenance cost of close to US$70,000 to maintain -- mind you, that is only for the link; not including access charges on traffic. Now if you consider the fact that the market here is less than 500 users ( at the most ) it is almost impossible for any commercial company to invest in this venture.
However, Gamtel is venturing into it and with a different kind of approach. We want to see a national information society borne in the Gambia with more emphasis on developing local information resources rather than access to international information sources. Of course this is not to say that the latter is less important. NO. It is just that most Gambians, even the business community, cannot afford to spend even few US dolars, which translate into many Gambian Dalasis, to access information banks in USA. Rather, people want to access information locally ; and with a good and reliable information source in the Gambia, Gamtel can provide up to T1 rate access at the same cost as in USA! You should appreciate that Gamtel has full control over telecom facilities in the Gambia and can charge any amount for local connection. This is not the same for international connection whereby Gamtel has to negotiate transit charges.
For you to understand the latter issue, just consider the amount we charge now for local data links : 4W leased circuit within Banjul cost less than US$1,000 per annum!!. Local PSDN connection charge = <15b per minute, flat !! (compared to D3.50 per minute for international connection).
The figures for POT service is quite similar. A local call from Banjul to Basse cost about D1.50 per minute (<US$0.15) whereas a call to USA cost about US$2.00 per minute.
I hope to discuss this further with you if possible.
Thanks for your interest.
Sankung Sawo
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1996 22:50:58 GMT+1 From: "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Response Message-ID: <7765DCD6DA4@amadeus.cmi.no>
Yahya,
I hope this would not be counter productive. Whether you call Gamtel a parastatal, public corporation or (whatever term) is not the point here. If what Gamtel is doing today cannot be called BUSINESS, then tell me what it is. You should try to convince me and the rest of the list following, to accept the fact that the government do not need to invest its money to earn profit, which goes to the general population in the form of public investments. Remember our point of departure was the eradication of poverty in The Gambia, or (the whole world). By the way today (17 Oct. is The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty). With all the information we are getting about poverty, and economic growth, Yahya still believes in the "market magic". When serious institutions like the UNDP with all their competent people are saying that "the market alone cannot eradicate poverty", then I think this is beyond "socialist propaganda", this is the fact. My dear friend, EVEN, USA, the very good example of capitalism, realises how imperfect the market is and interferes to make SOME corrections. The World bank too is beginning to realise that the market alone cannot solve our problems. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 20 countries in the region have a per capita income lower than they had 20 years ago. This is after they introduced the World Bank / IMF structural adjustment programmes, which in a nutshell are saying "LESS STATE MORE MARKET". And this was suppose to bring us into the global village where there is REAL COMPETITION. Is it not a contradiction, in this ideal market, when they are allowing the free flow of goods and services, mainly from North to South, and restrict another important production factor LABOUR. We all know how restrictive they are when it comes to immigration from South to North. It is suppose to be a global village, they should allow people to compet. Yahya, please wake up from the illusion of "free market". All countries are protecting or have been protecting their industries. If a tiny country like the Gambia don't protect its industries, then all our local companies, could end up being competed out of business by the multiple nationals, who can afford to loose in the short run to compete out their competitors, and then as monopolists gain back their looses. I know we will never agree Mr. Jallow, but it would have been very interesting for me to know how your market will eradicate poverty, in a young state like The Gambia. My respect your view points and I think we can agree to disagree once more. Shalom, Famara.
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1996 23:16:10 GMT+1 From: "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy Message-ID: <776C8B40211@amadeus.cmi.no>
K. Touray, Thanks for your contribution. Just like Morro, I would like to be enlighten on why you said that Pan -Africanism is reactionary. I know that Morro, will be leaving us very soon (unfortunately, it's good that it is temporary), that is why I am posing, the same question, in case you don't have time to respond until Morro leaves us, just to show my interest for the issue. Shalom, Famara.
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1996 15:47:58 -0700 (PDT) From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu> To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: List management Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.95.961017153850.3177C-100000@saul4.u.washington.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
As was suggested by Musa, I am sending out the names and addresses of the list management, so that the information will now be accessible to everybody, to direct mails and requests to whomever.
Subscription managers Amadou Janneh ajanneh@pstcc.cc.tn.us Sarian Loum sarian@osmosys.incog.com sarian.loum@eng.sun.com Latjorr Ndow gndow@spelman.edu
Listmanagers
Abdou Touray at137@columbia.edu Tony Loum tloum@u.washington.edu
Thanks Tony
========================================================================
Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice 100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax University of Washington Box 353200 Seattle, Wa.98195-3200 =========================================================================
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1996 19:46:28 -0400 From: KTouray@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy Message-ID: <961017194627_213602919@emout12.mail.aol.com>
Pan -Africanism in itself is certainly a noble objective and as a result any progressive thinking African should see it as such. I do however veiw Colonel Jammeh's version of it as deceitful in that he cloaks himself in the banner of Pan-Africanism when his only reason is to portray an aura of defiance. Foreign policy is much too important for any leadership to subject it to shallow idealism that would get you a few friends and bring you much malign.My whole point is our nation needs more friends and our foreign policy should reflect that by forging relationships that would compliment our desire as a nation to meet the rigours of lifefor the citizenry. I am not convinced our current posture would achieve that.
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1996 20:40:59 -0400 From: bf299@freenet.carleton.ca (Bocar Ndiaye) To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: COST OF I_NET ACCESS IN GAMBIA Message-ID: <199610180040.UAA25526@freenet3.carleton.ca>
I am very interested about the debate on how to connecte Gambia in particular and Africa in general,to the internet. I don't have much informations about the financial or technical situation of Gamtel to offer a cost effective solution for internet connection. But I would like to say that any country did not wake up one day and created the internet. The internet community was build from people you wanted a new way of communication and a vision of the world as a global village. I beleive that if the Gamtel, NGO, individual and private organisation work on this ideal, they will find pratical and less costly solution to connect Gambians to the global information age. Actually I am using the internet for free because lo locally people have find a way to use governement or others sources to connect our community on the net.
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Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 16:52:59 JST +900 From: binta@iuj.ac.jp To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Response Message-ID: <199610180750.QAA09417@mlsv.iuj.ac.jp> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Yahya,
Perhaps you are drawing private sector-led growth too far. I do agree with the essence of governments acting more as facilitators, however, the degree of government participation in national development depends a lot on an economy's stage of development. I think we in the Gambia are not even on the brink of `take-off'and until then, some amount of govt. involvement is inevitable.
Lamin Drammeh.
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Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 15:25:03 GMT+1 From: "Famara A. Sanyang" <FAMARAAS@amadeus.cmi.no> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy Message-ID: <786EF3D139E@amadeus.cmi.no>
KTouray,
Thanks once more, and thanks to all the other contributors. I think, if you want to criticise Jammeh's foreign policy, do that alone and don't label such a noble cause as Pan Africanism as reactionary. This will be an insult to the intelligent sons and daugthers of Africa who sacrificed so much for the betterment of our continent. The embracing of the cause by certain individuals or governments, does not change the ideal of the movement. Thanks. Shalom, Famara.
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Date: Fri, 18 Oct 96 09:57:41 CDT From: <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy Message-ID: <199610181357.GAA29082@mx3.u.washington.edu>
K. Touray:
I appreciate the explanation. But like Famara, I do think that just because Jammeh calls himself Pan-African does not make him so. Calling myself K. Touray does not make me you. I lack certain of your basic characteristics.
Morro. --------------------------( Forwarded letter follows )-----------------------
Received: from gatekeeper.co.hennepin.mn.us by IBM.CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US (IBM MVS SMTP V3R1) with TCP; Thu, 17 Oct 96 18:49:10 CST Received: by gatekeeper.co.hennepin.mn.us (AIX 3.2/UCB 5.64/4.03) id AA20432; Thu, 17 Oct 1996 18:51:02 -0500 Received: from lists2.u.washington.edu(140.142.56.1) by gatekeeper.co.hennepin.mn.us via smap (V1.3) id sma005582; Thu Oct 17 18:51:00 1996 Received: from lists.u.washington.edu by lists2.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW96.04/UW-NDC Revision: 2.33 ) id AA21696; Thu, 17 Oct 96 16:46:52 -0700 Received: from mx3.u.washington.edu by lists.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW96.08/UW-NDC Revision: 2.33 ) id AA21756; Thu, 17 Oct 96 16:46:31 -0700 Received: from emout12.mail.aol.com (emout12.mx.aol.com [198.81.11.38]) by mx3.u.washington.edu (8.7.5+UW96.10/8.7.3+UW96.09) with SMTP id QAA09404 for <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>; Thu, 17 Oct 1996 16:46:29 -0700 Received: by emout12.mail.aol.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) id TAA01766 for gambia-l@u.washington.edu; Thu, 17 Oct 1996 19:46:28 -0400 Message-Id: <961017194627_213602919@emout12.mail.aol.com> Date: Thu, 17 Oct 1996 19:46:28 -0400 Reply-To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Sender: GAMBIA-L-owner@u.washington.edu Precedence: bulk From: KTouray@aol.com To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN
Pan -Africanism in itself is certainly a noble objective and as a result any progressive thinking African should see it as such. I do however veiw Colonel Jammeh's version of it as deceitful in that he cloaks himself in the banner of Pan-Africanism when his only reason is to portray an aura of defiance. Foreign policy is much too important for any leadership to subject it to shallow idealism that would get you a few friends and bring you much malign.My whole point is our nation needs more friends and our foreign policy should reflect that by forging relationships that would compliment our desire as a nation to meet the rigours of lifefor the citizenry. I am not convinced our current posture would achieve that.
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Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 13:36:20 -0400 From: TSaidy1050@aol.com To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy Message-ID: <961018133620_1280077103@emout13.mail.aol.com>
Gambia-L,
Ktouray most know something I do not know or may be he has a crystal ball for him to say that "I do however view Colonel Jammeh’s version of it as deceitful in that he cloaks himself in the banner of Pan-Africanism when his only reason is to portray an aura of defiance." For some of us who knew Jammeh since school days, will have no doubt that he is a Pan-Africanist. Can Mr. Touray show me one example of our foreign policy or action that is against the principles of Pan-Africanism. What can any one bring forward to show that Jammeh is not a Pan-Africanist, or he is being deceitful.
The Gambia’s foreign policy will always be highly influenced by interest, and this does not only apply to The Gambia but to all nations. As Hans J. Morgenthau rightly state "The idea of interest is indeed of the essence of politics and is unaffected by the circumstances of time and place." The same idea was also echoed by Thucydide of ancient Greece who said "identity of interest is the surest of bonds whether between states or individuals". Interest is the governing principle of not only foreign policies but domestic policies as well. When interests of two nations clash, then a problem arises. Every action or policy of the government in the international arena is carefully studied and all the advantages and disadvantages reviewed before embarking on it.
Students of politics will notice the similarities in policies of the government to those of the US, Britain, Canada, France, to name a few, in their early years. Even this current debate on privatisation was going on in most western countries in the fifties and sixties, and in some is still going on. The economic policy of the government is to have a private sector led growth. This government recognises that the private sector should lead the way in developing The Gambia, and that government should facilitate activities of the private sector. This does not mean, however, that every thing in The Gambia should be privatised now. GAMTEL, and all the other parastatals will be eventually privatised when enough confidence and credibility are built in the private sector. Some of us have seen the consequences of the hasty privatisation of the GPMB and GUC.
The Gambia and all African countries for that matter are at a different evolutionary period compared to the West. Some of us tend to easily compare the Western countries we are living in to The Gambia, and this is wrong. For instance while The Gambia farmer is worried about how to feed his/her family tomorrow, the American farmer might be thinking of why should government sensor the Internet.
We are building a foundation in The Gambia, and I think we should all contribute by strengthening the foundation before erecting the pillars. As Jammeh stated in his acceptance speech, that he invites all opposition candidates to come and join the government and work for the common good of The Gambia.
Peace Tombong
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 96 17:35:15 CDT From: <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US> To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy Message-ID: <199610182135.OAA22998@mx3.u.washington.edu>
Gambia-l
Tom. is one of those people most persuasive when silent. Jammeh seems to be a lot of things to Tombong, all of them mutually exclusive. A few days ago, Jammeh was Franco (Nazi/Facist), today he he is a Pan-Africanist.
I don't think Tom. meant to dare us (e.g to show Jammeh is not a Pan-Africanist). If he is serious, he's got to be kidding.
Morro. --------------------------( Forwarded letter follows )-----------------------
Received: from gatekeeper.co.hennepin.mn.us by IBM.CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US (IBM MVS SMTP V3R1) with TCP; Fri, 18 Oct 96 12:39:49 CST Received: by gatekeeper.co.hennepin.mn.us (AIX 3.2/UCB 5.64/4.03) id AA15149; Fri, 18 Oct 1996 12:41:42 -0500 Received: from lists3.u.washington.edu(140.142.56.3) by gatekeeper.co.hennepin.mn.us via smap (V1.3) id sma019215; Fri Oct 18 12:41:25 1996 Received: from lists.u.washington.edu by lists3.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW96.04/UW-NDC Revision: 2.33 ) id AA21297; Fri, 18 Oct 96 10:37:27 -0700 Received: from mx5.u.washington.edu by lists.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW96.08/UW-NDC Revision: 2.33 ) id AA22504; Fri, 18 Oct 96 10:36:24 -0700 Received: from emout13.mail.aol.com (emout13.mx.aol.com [198.81.11.39]) by mx5.u.washington.edu (8.7.5+UW96.10/8.7.3+UW96.09) with SMTP id KAA13045 for <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>; Fri, 18 Oct 1996 10:36:21 -0700 Received: by emout13.mail.aol.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) id NAA05232 for gambia-l@u.washington.edu; Fri, 18 Oct 1996 13:36:20 -0400 Message-Id: <961018133620_1280077103@emout13.mail.aol.com> Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 13:36:20 -0400 Reply-To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Sender: GAMBIA-L-owner@u.washington.edu Precedence: bulk From: TSaidy1050@aol.com To: GAMBIA-L: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu> Subject: Re: Att: TSaidy X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.0 -- ListProcessor(tm) by CREN
Gambia-L,
Ktouray most know something I do not know or may be he has a crystal ball for him to say that "I do however view Colonel Jammehs version of it as deceitful in that he cloaks himself in the banner of Pan-Africanism when his only reason is to portray an aura of defiance." For some of us who knew Jammeh since school days, will have no doubt that he is a Pan-Africanist. Can Mr. Touray show me one example of our foreign policy or action that is against the principles of Pan-Africanism. What can any one bring forward to show that Jammeh is not a Pan-Africanist, or he is being deceitful.
The Gambias foreign policy will always be highly influenced by interest, and this does not only apply to The Gambia but to all nations. As Hans J. Morgenthau rightly state "The idea of interest is indeed of the essence of politics and is unaffected by the circumstances of time and place." The same idea was also echoed by Thucydide of ancient Greece who said "identity of interest is the surest of bonds whether between states or individuals". Interest is the governing principle of not only foreign policies but domestic policies as well. When interests of two nations clash, then a problem arises. Every action or policy of the government in the international arena is carefully studied and all the advantages and disadvantages reviewed before embarking on it.
Students of politics will notice the similarities in policies of the government to those of the US, Britain, Canada, France, to name a few, in their early years. Even this current debate on privatisation was going on in most western countries in the fifties and sixties, and in some is still going on. The economic policy of the government is to have a private sector led growth. This government recognises that the private sector should lead the way in developing The Gambia, and that government should facilitate activities of the private sector. This does not mean, however, that every thing in The Gambia should be privatised now. GAMTEL, and all the other parastatals will be eventually privatised when enough confidence and credibility are built in the private sector. Some of us have seen the consequences of the hasty privatisation of the GPMB and GUC.
The Gambia and all African countries for that matter are at a different evolutionary period compared to the West. Some of us tend to easily compare the Western countries we are living in to The Gambia, and this is wrong. For instance while The Gambia farmer is worried about how to feed his/her family tomorrow, the American farmer might be thinking of why should government sensor the Internet.
We are building a foundation in The Gambia, and I think we should all contribute by strengthening the foundation before erecting the pillars. As Jammeh stated in his acceptance speech, that he invites all opposition candidates to come and join the government and work for the common good of The Gambia.
Peace Tombong
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 20:10:44 -0400 (EDT) From: at137@columbia.edu To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: cnet clip, Gambia coup leader sworn in as civilia [ 28] Reuters Message-ID: <199610190010.UAA25501@salaam.cc.columbia.edu>
Path: news.columbia.edu!news.columbia.edu!baroque.clari.net!bass.clari.net!soprano.clari.net!e.news Comment: O:4.0H; X-Fn: cp/Rgambia.RYxe_6OI Distribution: cl-3,cl-edu,cl-4 Approved: editor@clarinet.com From: C-reuters@clari.net (Reuters) Newsgroups: clari.world.africa.western,clari.world.gov.politics Subject: Gambia coup leader sworn in as civilian president Organization: Copyright 1996 by Reuters Message-ID: <RgambiaURYxe_6OI@clari.net> Lines: 28 Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 13:01:31 PDT Expires: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 9:10:31 PDT ACategory: international Slugword: GAMBIA Threadword: gambia Priority: regular ANPA: Wc: 234/0; Id: a1074; Src: reut; Sel: reute; Adate: 10-18-N.A Xref: news.columbia.edu clari.world.africa.western:3119 clari.world.gov.politics:15616
BANJUL, Gambia (Reuter) - Military coup leader Yahya Jammeh was sworn in as Gambia's new civilian president Friday before a crowd of 20,000 people, including dignitaries from neighbors and allies and Western diplomats. Jammeh, who toppled independence president Sir Dawda Jawara in July 1994 accusing him of corruption, urged the mainly Muslim West African nation's ``old and new'' development partners to continue to help it develop. He also expressed support for a U.S. plan for a rapid deployment peacekeeping force in Africa. Jammeh said his coup was a response to political and economic frustration and corruption. ``It was not a surprise or a matter of regret to the people,'' he said. ``It was preceded by silent underground movements, as well as tremors.'' Gambia, a finger of territory fronting the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by Senegal, relies on tourism and groundnut exports. Relations with its traditional Western partners cooled after the coup. It has since strengthened ties with Taiwan, Libya and Cuba, all have whom have provided aid in one form or another. Friday's ceremony, in Banjul's independence stadium, was attended by Guinea Bissau President Joao Bernando Vieira and senior representatives from Niger, Nigeria, Mauritania, Libya, Senegal and Taiwan. Gambia, a nation of just over one million people, became independent from Britain in 1965.
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Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996 20:18:48 -0400 (EDT) From: at137@columbia.edu To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu Subject: cnet clip, New party seeks Mauritania opposition [ 63] Reuter / Nicholas Ph Message-ID: <199610190018.UAA25924@salaam.cc.columbia.edu>
Path: news.columbia.edu!news.columbia.edu!bass.clari.net!soprano.clari.net!e.news X-Fn: an/Rmauritania.RSH1_6OG Distribution: cl-3,cl-edu,cl-4 Approved: editor@clarinet.com From: C-reuters@clari.net (Reuter / Nicholas Phythian) Newsgroups: clari.world.africa.western,clari.news.issues.human_rights,clari.world.gov.politics,clari.news.issues.misc Subject: New party seeks Mauritania opposition breakthrough Organization: Copyright 1996 by Reuters Message-ID: <RmauritaniaURSH1_6OG@clari.net> Lines: 63 Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 11:11:20 PDT Expires: Wed, 23 Oct 1996 9:10:15 PDT ACategory: international Slugword: MAURITANIA Threadword: mauritania Priority: regular ANPA: Wc: 567/0; Id: a1092; Src: reut; Sel: reute; Adate: 10-16-N.A; Ver: 4/0 Xref: news.columbia.edu clari.world.africa.western:3109 clari.news.issues.human_rights:4574 clari.world.gov.politics:15353 clari.news.issues.misc:5582
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (Reuter) - A new party championing the rights of Mauritania's free blacks and ex-slaves or their descendants carries the hopes of a disenchanted opposition into Friday's legislative election runoff in the Muslim West African nation. Mauritania, a nation of 2.2 million people on the Atlantic fringe of the Sahara Desert, straddles Arab and black Africa. Light-skinned Moors of Arab stock and free blacks each make up a third of the population, Arabic-speaking ex-slaves or Harratin the remainder. Mauritania formally banned slavery in 1980. Politicians say for the first time the Harratin, who historically consider themselves part of the Arab community and support the Moors, have joined the more aggressive blacks from the south. A week after the ruling Democratic and Social Republican Party cruised to an overwhelming majority in the 79-seat National Assembly, the party Action for Change of former slave Messoud Ould Boulkheir will try to become the first opposition party to win a seat when the last 16 positions are decided. ``We are going into the second round. We would even go into a third round if there was one,'' Action for Change secretary-general Ibrahima Sarr, whose party will fight the ruling party for five seats, told Reuters Tuesday. The Union of Democratic Forces-New Era of veteran opposition heavyweight Ahmed Ould Daddah, who denounced massive fraud in last Friday's first round, decided to boycott the runoff in which it was in the running for two seats. The main opposition had been hoping to make its mark ahead of a presidential election due by January 1998. ``We have pulled out of the second round. It's a boycott,'' Ould Daddah said, adding that the party would contest the results of the first round of what was Mauritania's first truly multi-party legislative election. The opposition boycotted the 1992 legislative election, alleging widespread irregularities after President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya, who seized power in a bloodless 1984 coup, won a six-year term. International observers spoke of ``imperfections'' in Friday's first round, in which the ruling party won 61 out of the 63 seats decided. Rivalry between Moors and black Mauritanians spilled over into tension with neighbor Senegal and bloodshed in 1989, with migrant Moors and Harratins killed in race riots in Senegal and reprisal killings in Mauritania. The rise of Action for Change has put the racial divide, which has plagued the former French colony since independence in 1960, firmly back on the agenda. The party, formed a year ago, made a last-minute decision to contest the election but emerged as the most successful opposition party in Friday's first round. However, officials of the ruling party were delighted with their victory, citing it as evidence they alone have a national following. But they acknowledged the scale of their win looked excessive. ``The absence of the opposition in the assembly is not good for democracy,'' former Prime Minister Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar, general-secretary of the ruling party, said. His party contests nine seats against independents, mostly ruling party members denied the party ticket. Ould Daddah's boycott gives it two more seats. The remaining two seats went in round one to an independent and a small party supporting Taya.
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End of GAMBIA-L Digest 38 *************************
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