AS THE WORLD WELCOMES 2009, PALESTINIANS CONTINUED TO FACE HELL ON EARTH.

By Emuran Saidy, New York City

As the year 2008 is getting to a close, the Middle East Crisis is in full gear.  Israel continues to hit Hamas with all its military lethal might for five days in a row.  This Israeli offensive has created untold human sufferings to the people of Gaza Strip.  They are denied of food and medical supplies for the sick and wounded.  Hundreds of Hamas militants died and many innocent civilians including women and children. Yet, the Israeli government promised to continue hammering Hamas despite a French government proposal for a truce.

NRP Reacts To Freedom Newspaper Story!!!!

…No Strong Financial Base, No Politics In Africa

Hamat Bah Needs To Work To Run The NRP- Buray Jawoh

The opposition National Reconciliation Party ( NRP), under the leadership of Hamat Bah, is denying press reports that its party leader “ is neglecting the party to the expense of his own private business errands.” In a statement issued on behalf of his party leader, former NRP Administrative Secretary Buray Jawoh, vehemently rejected such reports. Mr. Jawoh said every politician needs a sound economic footing in order to survive the challenging political dust in Africa. Jawoh argues that in the absence of economic independence, it would be very hard for politicians-most importantly those in opposition camp to command their rightful role in the political arena. He attributes the defection of opposition supporters to the Ruling party to economic challenges, noting that party leaders should be able to meet the needs and aspiration of their supporters in order to stay long in politics. Mr. Jawoh who is based in New York City says Hamat Bah’s involvement in hotel operations was not only necessary, but also an important milestone towards Bah’s future Presidential dream. “Pa, for the shake of those of you who are not in politics, be advised that if any politician wants to survive as an opposition, you better have a strong independent financial base. One of the main reason why politicians or their supporters defect to the ruling party is lack of  strong financial base. A person like Hon Bah, he has a family to support, pay the party’s  political Bureau on a monthly basis.”Jawoh noted.

Scales Not Satisfied With Groundnut Price Set For 2008/2009 Trade Season

….. “I acknowledge the statement from The President of The Gambia regarding the  alleged hindrance to its re-export trade through the Gateway Project, that Senegal has consistently presented to the economic expansion of The Gambia.”

Dear Mr.Editor,

The complex question of how The Gambia, reinforces the profitability of its groundnut operation remains a difficult situation to solve. The guaranteed price of 8000 dalais per ton this year, seems to me to be too small to do more than just about sustain the poverty of the farmers.....who will hardly break even. The fundamental question is the change in the Global market for groundnuts. The International reprocessing operations are increasingly reluctant to interrupt production to do "small runs" these days. The market is geared towards purchasing finished bi products as opposed to crushing and refining.

Fire Claims Goods Worth Seven Million Dalasi At Serre Kunda Market

Close to seven million dalasi worth of goods, were ravaged by an early morning fire Saturday, which  claimed part of the  Serre Kunda market, local municipal authorities told the Freedom Newspaper. The blaze, which lasted for hours, was described as one of the worst fire incidents that ever gripped the commercial town center. The circumstances surrounding the blaze, could not be established, as local fire fighters are working in tandem with the police with the view of determining the cause of the fire. The fire incident would no doubt impact negatively on the already ailing economy, as cost of living is getting higher by the day. A spokesman of the police say he suspects that the blaze was an act of sabotage, but had asked our reporter to give him time to gather more details on the incident.

Editorial:Jammeh Is Ten Times More Corrupt Than Jawara!!!

 “Journalism is an open profession; anyone can be a journalist without undergoing any training or gaining any credentials.” (Stovall Glen James 2005).

“… .The takeover in Guinea had serious security implications for the region. What is evident is that the same pattern is likely to take place in The Gambia in months ahead. Our analysis are  based on well founded security leakages coming from the office of the President. We are not making up stories here. We are merely alerting ECOWAS and other Developmental partners to keep their eyes on The Gambia. Things are not rosy and dandy as portrayed by the Ruling Government.”

When President Yahya Jammeh toppled the 30 year PPP rule, he accuses deposed President Jawara of mortgaging the country.  It was Jammeh’s contention that the PPP should not have privatized some of the Government Departments at the material time. Jammeh went as far as setting up a Commission of Enquiry to probe into the financial activities of former Public officials, under the First Republic. Today, Mr. Jammeh has deviated from the so called “revolution” undertones he used in 1994 to justify the coup. Perhaps, if ejected from office sooner or later, Gambians will know the true side of Jammeh’s corruption web. Jammeh is ten times more corrupt than deposed President Jawara. Jammeh has undermines almost all sectors of development in The Gambia.