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Source: Observer, Feb 19 2002

Jammeh calls for economic independence as Gambia clocks 37

His Excellency the president, Yahya Jammeh, yesterday harped on the need for both political and economic independence as the country marked 37 years of what he called �political independence�.

Giving his usual presidential address at the end of the day�s ceremonious activities, characterised by the traditional march past of security forces, school children as well as cultural groups, the president said, �It is 37 years since the Gambia attained independence yet we have been importing matches, candles.... We import every thing.� We are still a backward country... The important thing is that 37 years ago, we asked to be independent. Political independence is nothing,it is meaningless as long as we do not have economic independence,� the president decried, noting that some would wonder why we�re celebrating political independence devoid of economic independence. Jammeh gave a similitude of water and tea in illustrating his view of how economic independence was indispensable to political independence.

The 21st century is a century of survival of the fittest. We have to work. We have to acquire skills,� the president emphasised. He said despite 37 years of independence, the country�s judiciary was dominated by foreigners. �Are we independent?,� Jammeh questioned, advising school children to become judges, engineers, doctors, amongst others for a better Gambia. �You must concentrate on your education. For you to be educated, you must be disciplined. For you to be disciplined, you must respect your teachers,� Jammeh told students. He also cautioned parents not to abandon their responsibility by living the welfare of their children to only their mothers. The president further question how we could be independent when local enterprises and key sectors of the national economy were dominated by foreigners. �How are we going to be independent? We need to change our attitude. If we look around, carpenters, tailors, drivers, are all foreigners. What are we Gambians waiting for?,� the president asked again. Jammeh further questioned school children whether they wanted The Gambia to continue importing everything from outside, the answer was a resounding �no.�

Senegal-Gambia bilateral relations With his Senegalese counterpart Maitre Abdoulie Wade and spouse listening, Jammeh said, �the Gambia can�t be economically independent in the absence of Senegal. So the two countries, are all one, adding that �those who divided us will not want us to be united. Unless we are united and stop killing each other, we will never benefit from our resources.

� �The world is threatened with intolerance. I don�t think we can perpetrate violence in the name of politics and religion. September 11th is a clear call to wake up. We will never accept terrorism and intolerance because intolerance breeds violence� Jammeh said, counselling school children to be tolerant. �Students, you have to be tolerant. If you can�t tolerate each other, you will grow up to be intolerant people... It is easier to destroy than to build,� Jammeh said, giving the example of the Twin Towers in the US which he said crumbled into ruins in a short time when it took years to build them.

Gambia�s first military jet on display

In a rare display of aerodynamic capabilities as the nation celebrates 37 years of independence and nationhood, a Gambia Armed Forces Airforce jet roared in the sky for the first time. Many watched in amusement as the presence of the fighter jet in our arsenal of weaponry was news and surprise to many.

However some analysts are of the view that the president had always emphasised the need for a flexible, sophisticated and decisive defence posture to guarantee national security. With a spectacular display of fire works as the jet made several overhead rounds, compelling people out of their houses into the streets to catch a glimpse of the airshow, one question many asked was whether it was the Gambian airforce personnel who were manning the jet fighter.

However, in the Kotu area, many were frightened at the initial stage before realising the classic show was part of the Independence anniversary celebration held in grand style. Efforts to talk to the army public relations officer for more information on the fighter jet, proved unsuccessful but an insider at the GNA told the Daily Observer that the jet belonged to the Gambia Airforce and was manned by Gambians who have been trained to that effect. Many said they were happy and proud that The Gambia was able to get a jet fighter to boost its defence capabilities. Buba Baldeh, APRC deputy national mobiliser said that Gambians feel very proud of the acquisition of the Jet by President Jammeh�s government. �This is an important landmark and the Jet represents a national symbol for The Gambia,� he said.

President Jammeh calls for discipline and attitudinal change

The president of the Republic of The Gambia, Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, during his Independence speech at the Independent Stadium yesterday, upheld the Gambia-Senegal bilateral relations, describing President Abdoulie Wade�s presence at the 37th Independence anniversary as a significant move which would go a long way to strengthen the relations between the two countries. �The Gambia�s relations with Senegal will never sink because the two governments will do everything possible to make sure that the brothers and sisters of the two countries have a common understanding and that when one country sinks, the other will be affected too.� President Jammeh buttressed the significance of Independence, noting that an independent country needed good lawyers, teachers, doctors and professionals.

In order to achieved that, students who are the future leaders should be law abiding, respectful to their teachers, parents and try by all means to reach their targets so that they will be proud Africans in future.� He therefore advised the teachers to inculcate good moral values into their students in order to become responsible citizens in the future. He thanked the teachers for a job well done and told them that �for education for the Gambian children, the sky is the limit.

President Jammeh implored Gambians to take charge of the destiny of the country, lamenting the apparent domination of several sectors of the national economic activity by foreigners, including trade, technical and vocational sectors, amongst others. The president emphasised the need for attitudinal change to overcome these problems. He said politically iIndependence without economic Independence was just like a cup of tea without sugar . � It is meaningless for an independent country to be ordering matches, soap, oil etc.� Jammeh therefore called on all Gambians to unite and work as one, irrespective of tribe, race or origin.

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