Every four years, the world traditionally puts aside its disputes to cheer on its athletes during the uplifting quadrennial spectacle of the Olympic Games. During this Olympic year, however. we’ve been treated to a spectacle that has been anything but uplifting, as Russian tanks, troops and planes have swept across the border of one of its small neighbors. Although the neighbor was Georgia, not Czechoslovakia, and the tanks bore Russian, not Soviet Union markings, the scene was chillingly reminiscent of 1968.

The aftermath of these events has been equally disturbing. Russian troops have refused so far to leave, and have dug in to positions not only in Georgia’s disputed areas of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but also in Georgia proper, all in violation of Georgia’s territorial integrity.

On Tuesday. NATO foreign ministers issued a strong statement in support of Georgia’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty, as well as its democratically elected government. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the statement also “sent a message to Russia that NATO will not permit a new line to develop in Europe between those states that are a part of  the transatlantic structures and those states that still aspire.”

The world’s attention now is focused on two urgent objectives: Bringing a halt to all hostilities and abuses in the conflict area, including those committed by “irregulars” in Russian-controlled areas and helping the survivors of the conflict. Both Georgia and Russia have signed a cease fire agreement, but the world is still waiting for Russia to honor it. Meanwhile there is an urgent need to allow humanitarian workers in. The United States and other countries have  already begun delivering medical care and supplies, food, shelter, and other assistance to the survivors. While the exact number of dead and wounded is still unknown. it is clear that the people of Gcorgia are facing a humanitarian crisis in the swath of destruction left behind.

Georgia’s separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia have had a long history of tension. But anyone who takes a closer look at the events of the past year should not be surprised by the events of the last few weeks. Moscow has been steadily intensifying pressure on Georgia economically, politically and militarily, launching trade embargos and suspending air and ground transport links. In the spring, Russia issued a government order to increase its official ties  with the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, completely bypassing the Georgian authorities.

Russia’s challenges then became more ominous. Last April, a Russian fighter jet shot down a Georgian drone over Georgian airspace, and in that same month, Russian combat troops and artillery began moving into Abkhazia, all on the pretext of augmenting the peacekeeping force - but without any consultation with Georgia. In May, Russia sent railroad construction troops into Abkhazia — with no apparent legal mandate - to repair the railway leading south from Russia to the conflict zone, ostensibly for “humanitarian reasons.” By July, incidents of violence were occurring in South Ossetia, including attacks on Georgian police vehicles and an attempted assassination of a pro-Georgian South Ossetian leader.  

Throughout this period, U.S. officials urged the Russian and Georgian governments to exercise restraint and find a way to resolve their differences peacefully. On August 7, after Georgia responded to shelling of Georgian villages that came from Russian peacekeeper controlled territory in South Ossetia and moved to reclaim parts of South Ossetia, an overwhelming Russian force swarmed through South Ossetia and into Abkhazia and Georgia proper. Russia is now questioning Georgia’s territorial integrity and intimating that it may recognize the independence of both disputed areas, despite numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions aimed at resolving their status diplomatically.

The scenes of Russian aggression - and now the threats, both direct and indirect, against other countries such as Poland and Ukraine - have brought back frightening memories to the former captive states which have since chosen a Western model of freedom and democracy. But the world we live in today is different from 1968, when the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia. Since then, Europe, the transatlantic community, and the world have moved forward. Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic, and security structures of the 21st century, and the United States has strongly supported those efforts.

But through its actions Russia has now put its international reputation and aspirations at risk. The impact of its actions is already being felt as questions are being raised about Russia’s suitability for admission into the World Trade Organization, and the prestige of an eighth seat at the G-7 economic forum. Some critics are even questioning the appropriateness of Russia hosting the next Olympics in Sochi, which is only a marathon’s race away from the disputed territory of Abkhazia. The Russian people may learn that the cost of last week’s aggression will be measured in ways that their leaders never considered.

If Russia wants to repair the damage to its reputation - and to its relations with the rest of the world the first step it must take is to respect the cease fire its president has signed and stop all hostilities, including those committed by irregulars in the areas it is now occupying. In accordance with the terms of that cease fire, it must immediately remove from Georgia the troops it introduced after August 6. It must also permit international monitors and a more robust international presence in South Ossetia; allow humanitarian aid to be delivered; and adhere to Russia’s previously professed pol icy of supporting Georgia’ s territorial integrity.

Without those actions. Russia will further isolate itself. As Secretary Rice said alter the NATO meeting: “There can be no business as usual with Russia while this kind of activity is going on.”

The Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Richard Shih, has described education as an important pillar of development of any country.

The Taiwanese diplomat made these remarks last Wednesday at the University of The Gambia where he presented a cheque for $6,000 to the vice chancellor of the university.

He said that education is a very important pillar of development for any country including The Gambia. He stated that if people are educated they can fully contribute towards national development.

He spoke on the various intervention areas that his country is supporting in the area of education in the country. On basic education he said that they have build Majork and Sifoe Senior Secondary schools and are also building an academy in Kanilai. “We are pleased to be also supportive to the President’s Empowerment of Girls Education Policy (PEGEP).”

He revealed that in two weeks time, some 91 Gambian students would be studying in Taiwan thanks to a Taiwanese scholarship.

“It’s worth mentioning that Taiwanese embassy normally provides $6000 to UTG as scholarship for ten needy students annually. We are willing to do our best to maintain our relationship,” he said.

He made this assurance recently at The Gambia National Petroleum Company (GNPC) office’s in Kotu during an orientation ceremony for a group of 49 Gambian students who were about to leave for Taiwan for further studies.

Ambassador Shih noted that The Gambia and Taiwan share a lot in common. “There Gambians in Taiwan are as well Taiwanese in The Gambia,” he stated.

He said that his country appreciates the support and relations with The Gambia.He revealed that as of now there will be 97 Gambians studying in Taiwan as well as those on short term courses.

Mr. Momodou Badgie, Director of GNPC, said that capacity building is key to national development of any country. We cannot depend entirely on foreign expertise to develop our country. This is a good initiative in realising vision 20202,” he concluded.

The Taiwanese ambassador, recently, presented a cheque for US$70,000 to the Department of State for Basic and Secondary Education (DOSBSE) as part of his government’s support for the construction of a modern senior secondary school at Sifoe Village, Western Region.

Presenting the cheque, Ambassador Shih stressed the importance of education as an important pillar of development and reinforced his country’s desire to stand by The Gambia in this crucial area of national development.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of the contractor, Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI), Fatou Lamin Faye, the secretary of state for Basic and Secondary Education, thanked the government of Taiwan, through Ambassador Shih for its continued support to the project and The Gambia as a friend. She welcomed the gesture and expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project.

Fatou Mbye, the director of GTTI, thanked the Taiwanese Embassy for the trust and confidence bestowed on her institute to undertake the construction of the school and described the presentation of the cheque as timely.

Kunkung Jorbateh, the deputy permanent secretary at the Department of State for Basic and Secondary Education, who chaired the ceremony, also thanked the government for its continued support for The Gambia’s projects.

The Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Richards Shih, has once again said that the relationship between his country and The Gambia is friendly and cordial.

The Taiwanese diplomat made these remarks recently in an interview with the GRTS in Banjul after presenting a cheque for $300,000 to Department of State for Health and Social Welfare.

Ambassador Shih pledged to do his utmost in ensuring the excellent relationship between Taipei and Banjul is taken to a higher height.

He however used the opportunity to appeal to Gambians to give him the necessary support and co-operation to enable him achieve his mission. “My promise is that I will work with my colleagues to do our best but to our Gambian friends please do not hesitate to give us advice,” he stated.

Nigerian High Commissioner

The Nigerian High Commissioner to The Gambia, Her Excellency Mrs Esther John Audu, has reaffirmed her commitment and faith in the existing bilateral relations between The Gambia and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Speaking recently in Basse during a courtesy call on Mr Omar Alpha Khan, the Governor of Upper River Region (URR), Mrs Audu declared, “The Gambia is my second home”.

She observed that the bonds which unite The Gambia and Nigeria are deep and unbreakable. “Our bilateral co-operation includes agriculture, health, education and just name it. We are one people,” she said.

“President Yahya Jammeh calls me his sister,” she said, to rousing applause.

According to her, Africa remains the centre point of Nigeria’s foreign policy. “President Umaru Yar’Adua loves African countries. But he has a special love for The Gambia,” she said.

The Nigerian High Commissioner, who has served as Mayor of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria; as a member of the Nigerian National Assembly as well as a council chairman, is currently on a familiarisation tour of The Gambia. Already, she has visited North Bank Region (NBR), Western Region (WR) and Central River Region (CRR).

The Nigeria diplomat had visited The Gambia in 2001 during the World Summit of Mayors. “Then I told my brother, President Jammeh, that I would come back again. Little did I know then that I was making a prophetic statement,” she said.

Dwelling on the theme of bilateral co-operation, Mr. Omar Alpha Khan for his part reiterated the view that The Gambia and Nigeria are condemned to live together in brotherhood and oneness. “The Gambia and Nigeria are one,” he said.

He pointed out that Nigerians living in Upper River Region are law-abiding. “They don’t give us problems,” he said.

The National Assembly Member for Fulladu East, Honourable Momodou Salieu Bah, shared the same view and urged the Nigerian community in URR to work even harder to promote the image of Nigeria.

The Police Commissioner, Immigration Commissioner, Army Commander, Alkalolu, the Seyfolu, community leaders and councillors were all present during the courtesy call, which was held at the Governor’s ‘Bantaba’.

Mrs Audu had earlier stopped over in Janjanbureh and Bansang.

In Janjanbureh the Deputy Governor of CRR, Mr Lamin Darboe, received the Nigerian High Commissioner, as the Governor was unavoidably absent. While in Bansang, she met with the Police Commissioner, Immigration Commissioner, and the Deputy Police Commissioner at the Bansang Police Station.

She was told that Nigerians in CRR are not law-breakers, as there was no case of any Nigerian who has broken the law there. “They just mind their business,” the Police Commissioner Chief Superintendent Amadou Sabally said. 

During the tour, she also visited the Nigeria Technical Aid Corps volunteers in Kaur, Bansang and Basse. In all the places where the volunteers are serving,

the consensus of opinion was that they were rendering invaluable services to the communities.

Moved by these testimonies, Mrs Audu then urged the volunteers to exert themselves even more so that they would always remain worthy ambassadors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Saeid Zare, ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to The Gambia, has described the 14th anniversary of the July 22 Revolution as a turning point marking the march of the country’s developmental process. 

In an exclusive interview with Daily Observer, Saeid Zare disclosed that during his tour of duty, he has witnessed tremendous achievements in The Gambia. He added that President Jammeh deserves credit for propelling the country into the orbit of development.

On the issue of food self-sufficiency, he noted that the Gambian leader has demonstrated an outstanding leadership style by spending his vacation in Kanilai.

The new Iranian Ambassador to The Gambia, His Excellency Saeid Zare, yesterday paid a courtesy call on the offices of The Point Newspaper in Bakau.

Speaking during the visit the Iranian envoy said that the aim of his visit is to familiarise himself with the paper with a view to promoting good relations.

According to him, The Gambia and Iran have already established cordial relations as exemplified by the visit of both presidents to each other’s countries. The Iranian diplomat expressed his country’s desire to co-operate with The Gambia in the areas of fisheries, agriculture, mining and crude oil exploration.

He also told The Point that his country would also look into areas of constructing a car factory as they have already done in neighboring Senegal which is about to be inaugurated. “We are also looking at the possibility of constructing a mango factory in The Gambia so as to avoid the waste of mangoes,” he said. Ambassador Saeid also disclosed that in the near future, an Iranian delegation would visit The Gambia to look into other potential areas of economic activity that might be suitable for Iran to invest in. The Gambia, he said, has the manpower and land resource that could be exploited for the betterment of its citizens.

The head of the Iranian mission in the country cited the recent donation of a fishing trawler to The Gambia as testimony to their willingness to help The Gambia.

In his turn the Managing Editor of The Point, Pap Saine, assured Ambassador Saeid of the paper’s full support at all times.

The Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan, His Excellency Richard Shih, on Tuesday presented a cheque amounting to $70,000.00 to the Department of State for Basic and Secondary Education (DOSBSE).

The money, presented at the offices of the said department in Banjul, is part of the Taiwanese government’s support for the construction of a Senior Secondary School in the village of Sifoe in Western Region.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Shih said that education is an important pillar of development- hence the need to support it. He expressed his country’s delight in supporting the Gambia’s education sector.

Mrs. Fatou Lamin Faye, Secretary of State for Basic and Secondary Education, who received the cheque on behalf of the contractor, GTTI, commended Taiwan through Ambassador Shih for their continued support to The Gambia. She expressed her satisfaction with the standard of work done by the contractor at the site.

Mrs. Fatou Mbye, Director GTTI, thanked the government and Taiwanese embassy for the trust and confidence bestowed on her institute to execute the project. She described the presentation as timely.

Mr. Kunkung Jorbateh, deputy Permanent Secretary at the department, chaired the ceremony. He also praised the Taiwanese government for being very supportive of the Gambia’s development projects.