The Taiwanese diplomat made these remarks recently during celebrations marking Taiwan’s 97th national day.According to him, the new administration of Taiwan has pledged to render the Republic of China on Taiwan a respectable member of the global village, upholding equality, reciprocity, good neighbourliness, respect to treaties, advancement of international justice, and enhancement of world peace as its guiding principles in developing foreign relations.

On the issue of Democracy, Prosperity, Humanism, Rationalism and Pluralism, ambassador Shih said thatthe Republic of China on Taiwan has just had a new government in May 2008. Facing challenges from globalisation, the new administration has undertaken to better democracy, to open up and deregulate the economy, to satisfy the basic needs of the underprivileged, to restore political ethics, to pursue environmental sustainability, to ensure accountability in governance, and to abide by the principle of separation of powers, so as to revitalise both public and private sectors and lift the country up to a higher level of development. To achieve this goal, Taiwan has to secure an environment that is conducive to the intended developments

On Win-Win Solution to the Relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, he said that with a firm belief that the creation of peaceful relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait would be in the common interests of both sides and the international community, the new administration has committed to maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait under the principle of ‘no unification, no independence and no use of force’ as well as under the frame of the ROC Constitution. It also called upon the authorities of mainland China to resume, based on ‘1992 Consensus’ – ‘One China, Respective Interpretation’, cross-strait negotiations on firstly normalisation of economic and cultural relations. While emphasising that the cross-strait relations should be based on security, prosperity and dignity, the new administration has made it very clear that only when Taiwan is no longer being isolated in the international arena can cross-strait relations move forward with confidence.

We congratulate the police for their prompt action in relation to the raid on the so-called ‘Rasta Garden’ in Kololi. We also congratulate the Alkalo, community leaders and residents of the area for their responsible action in bringing this kind of activity to the attention of the police thus making their job easier. The whole operation is a glowing example of the kinds of results that can be achieved when the police and the community work together for the betterment of our nation.

An effective operation such as this one builds trust between the police and the community and will continue to yield great results for a long time to come. The blossoming of the relationship in this case is clear from the words of Abdoulie Joof, the Alkalo of Kololi, who wrote to the Inspector General of Police. He said, ”we promise that we are ready to collaborate with the entire police fraternity to have an effective police-community relationship in order to eliminate all unconstitutional vices within the Community.”

The world over, community policing and the encouragement of good relations between police and the communities they are protecting have been shown to be extremely effective in combating crime. Among the most positive aspects of the situation is that the relationship is mutually beneficial. The community gets a much more effective police service in their area and the police get the benefit of local knowledge and information which makes their job far easier.

Other communities in The Gambia should follow the example set by the community of Kololi and engage with their police force. The police must reciprocate and be seen to be fair, just and incorruptible in the dispensation of their duties. If this situation comes to pass then we will all enjoy the fruits and live in a safer, crime free Gambia.

The Department of State for Communication and Information Technology has called on numerous video halls operating in the country to regularise their status by registering at the Gambia Revenue Authority, Banjul.

There has been a proliferation of commercialised cinema halls in the country, owing to the lucrativeness of this small scale venture. With the advent of satellite channels, most of the cinema halls show live football matches, covering European leagues and major international football matches around the world. But some specialise in the movie and film business.

However, a press release from the state department, indicated that failure to pay a registration fee of D1,000 will compel the authorities to shut down the business of any defaulter.

Below is the full text of the press release.

The general public is hereby informed that all Video Hall Owners/Operators are requested to register with the Department of State for Communications and Information Technology with immediate effect.

Registration forms are available at the Department of State for Communications and Information Technology, and can be collected between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Thursday and 8:00 am to 12:30 pm on Friday.

The registration fee is D1,000 (one thousand dalasis) and should be paid to the Gambia Revenue Authorithy, (GRA)

Failure to register your Video Hall leads to a complete closure of your business

Your cooperation is highly solicited

President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, has left Banjul with a high powered delegation for Taipei, Taiwan, on a six-day working visit.

The Gambian leader was seen off at the Banjul International Airport, yesterday in the morning, by the Vice President Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, who was joined at the take-off by the speaker of the National Assembly, the chief justice, members of the Cabinet, and service chiefs, amongst other dignitaries.

The Taipei visit is seen as another brotherly visit that will deepen bilateral cooperation between The Gambia and the Asian-Pacific island state.

In September this year, the Taiwanese President Chen Sui-bien, was eager to receive his Gambian counterpart at the first-ever Taiwan-Africa Heads of State Summit in Taipei, at which President Jammeh could not be present due to pressing state matters. However, the Gambian leader was ably represented by the Vice President Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy on that occasion.

Convinced of the friendly ties between the two countries, President Chen warmly renewed his invitation through the vice president to receive President Jammeh on a working visit.
Si
nce the resumption of diplomatic relations in 1995, The Gambia and Taiwan have demonstrated strong commitment to broadened cooperation between the two countries and this has been yielding results at both fronts.

President Jammeh is expected to be received with impressive alacrity upon his arrival by President Chen himself and senior members of his government at Taipei airport.