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 Proprietor of Boto Construction, Momodou Lamin Sonko, yesterday walked out of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court a free man.

The State has on Tuesday filed a notice for the discontinuation of his case over two counts of stealing.

Momodou Lamin Sonko was earlier arraigned before Principal Magistrate B.Y. Camara for allegedly stealing D1,593.307, being proceeds realised from the leasing of construction equipment to Kharafi & Sons but had failed to render the money to the owner.

He was also alleged to have stolen the sum of $ 121,665.35, being proceeds realised from the leasing of construction equipment to Kharafi & Sons but failed to render the same to the owner.

In applying for the discontinuation of the case, Emmanuel Fagbenle, the Director of Public Prosecution, informed the court that the State had an intention to discontinue the case and his application was granted.

Meanwhile, the alleged offences were said to have taken place between 2001 and 2007.

In a bid to ensure the free movement of goods and people across borders, customs administrators from The Gambia and Senegal recently took part in the 6th bilateral meeting between the two countries.

The meeting, held at the Paradise Suites Hotel, is a periodic consultative session in which issues pertaining to road transport, customs border posts and exchange of information between the customs departments of the two countries were discussed.

Being a follow-up to a previous bilateral meeting held in Dakar two years ago, the meeting, among other things, sought to strengthen the cordial relationship that exists between the two countries and provide a conducive environment for the enhancement of bilateral trade activities. 

Declaring the meeting open, Mousa Bala Gaye, Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, in a statement read on his behalf, expressed concerns about the issue of smuggling. He said that the practice not only undermines the economic policies of the two countries but also makes the two countries an unfavourable investment destination.

“The challenge currently facing developing countries generally and our two countries in particular is how to minimise, if not to eliminate entirely, all and any tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade in order to ensure that our two peoples benefit from this cordial relationship between our two nations,” he added.

According to Secy. Bala Gaye, some of the issues earmarked for discussion could not wait long to be resolved since they adversely affect the trade and therefore act as a disincentive to investment and business.

Also speaking earlier, Mr. Momodou K. Tambajang, Commissioner General of Gambia Revenue Authority, expressed the view that having a bilateral meeting with is of utmost importance to The Gambia as it gives the country the opportunity to deal with specific issues and concerns that are peculiar to our two countries.

“Economic growth, development and integration cannot take place in the absence of free trade and the movement of goods and people.

“Our role as customs institutions of both countries is merely to serve as facilitators of this interaction so as to ensure movement of goods and people,” Mr. Tambajang added.

For the Gambia Revenue Authority boss, The Gambia and Senegal cannot afford to allow mere administrative bottlenecks and unreasonable competition to dilute the potential that trade can earn the people and governments of the two countries.

Both favorable and adverse reactions have attended our choice of President Jammeh as Man of the year 2007.Not surprisingly , the criticisms from abroad especially on the internet and online newspapers, have tended to be more strident than those at home which , for the most part, are more muted. We find a great deal of what is being said against us and against the Editor of this magazine especially with regard motives to be ill-informed not only about the Editor and this magazine but also about the traditions and the reasons for naming man of the year . This award the world over is simply a journalistic tradition, not based on any moral judgments or on merit but rather on impact or influence events of the preceding year.
This is what Sajar Taal, for instance, did not know when he stopped the publication of our news release which named Pa Sallah Jeng, ex-mayor of Banjul , as our man of the year in 2005. This is what our critics for our choice of Jammeh as man of the year 2007 also do not know.
In Jammeh’s case, who can actually dispute the fact that his HIV/AIDS cure has made him have the most influence events of 2007? Who else in this country has done, said or achieved as much as him, to influence events in the country? And in addition to his HIV /AIDS cure, there are various development projects which have taken place or are underway, in education, health and other fields of national Endeavour.
Now let us remind ourselves that our constitution states at section 25 (1)(a) that “Every person shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression which shall include freedom of the press and other media” In section 207(1), our constitution further states that The freedom and independence of the press and other information media are hereby guaranteed, subject to laws which are reasonably required in a democratic society, in the interest of national security, public order, public mortality and for the purpose of protecting the reputations, rights and freedom of others.
Therefore, it can be seen that naming man of the year by a magazine does not fall under the qualified list of what our constitution prohibits. Therefore, this leaves the matter as an open ended question which a paper or magazine can deal with as it deems fit and proper. We have published in this edition at pages 15-16, the Time magazine complete list of man of the year to help throw more light on why our choice of president Jammeh as our man of the year 2007 should not be seen as a wrong choice, as our various detractors would make one believe.
The Time list is relevant, for it places the choice in a journalistic context rather than a general context. It was this US magazine which first started to publish man of the year, as far back as 1927. The practice has continued to date so that since then some 80 man of the year have been named by the magazine. The latest to be named by the Time magazine is Vladimir Putin, the Russian President.
Putins choice, which is made for better or worse, is that of a person who is considered, despite other failings, to have the most influence on the events of the year preceding. This makes it clear that unlike awards for sports, scholarship, entertainment education or the arts, some other factors besides merit, are taken into account to determine his choice as man of the year. It is this fact which puts the award in a journalistic context. It makes the award unique for; in no other context is man of the years used except in the practice of magazines and newspaper editors.

In making the choice, magazines and newspaper can make different decisions and there can actually be as many man of the year as there are publications. However, most newspapers and magazine do not engage in the practice.
Those which do, have the whole force of the law to back them since their making the choice is an aspect of freedom of expression. In other worlds, magazines and journalists must be free and should in no way be hindered or deterred by the likelihood of adverse public or interest group reactions, or fear of these reactions, to make their choices. For those seeing themselves as fighters for freedom of and human rights, they should know that there is inherent in their opposition and criticisms a dangerous inclinations to the very dictatorial tendencies and practices, in respect of the press right to publish as guaranteed by our constitution and international law, which they are fighting against.
The right of the press to express views and opinion, or the public right to do so, is sacrosanct. It is often stated, I disagree with what you say, but I will give my life to defend you right to say it. This right of freedom of expression is what gives fuel to the engine for human progress and development. Mankind would not have progressed as much. As it did if there were no dissident views or standpoints at some crucial time in our history. We can say it is because we differed in views, opinion and ideas that progress was made possible in this world.
It is this point which all should know and accept in the choice of a magazine man of the year. For better or worse, the choice is made, but it is not based on value judgments or on morality. Rather, the choice is more in line with journalistic concepts and practices regarding the impact or the most influence, the person or persons have on events of the past years.
It is in this way that New swatch magazine could name Babangida their man of the year in 1986. Subsequently. Of course, fingers were pointed to the Babangide regime when the editor of New swatch. Dele Giwa, was killed by letter bomb, and deferred to him by a motor cycle rider. Indeed, though it does not include Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Mother Theresa or Che Guevara, the list of Time Magazine man of the year has included such unlikely grouping of names as those of Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin-twice (the soviet un ion well know dictator). Charles de Gaulle and yes, Adolf Hitler, the murderous leader of Nazi Germany Anwar Sadat and Bill Clinton.
So really, at the back of our minds when we chose President Jammeh as our 2007 man of the year , is the kind of impact his break through in the use of traditional herbs as a cure for HIV/AIDS and for other hitherto incurable ailment his putting to an end in The Gambia, the fears arising from the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS; the great deal of time and effort he, despite being the country’s president, put into the whole programme as well as the plans he has made to create physical and managerial structures. In parallel with the practice of modem medicine, to make use of traditional herbal medicine at an HIV/AIDS centre-and how all these have influenced events in this country in 2007- are what made our choice so compelling and so appropriate. In addition, despite many other failing, especially in the fields do human rights with the various other atrocities and wrongs committed during his time as head of government, and to all of which we still stand opposed, we also note and accept that there had at the same time been development. Thus our choice was made in terms of professional journalistic practice, without any direction or expectation from any quarter. .

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Magistrate EF M’bai of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court, on Tuesday discharged Duta Drammeh and thirteen other youths from Pirang village, who were standing trial for trespass and sowing corn on the farm of one MG Fielder, at Pirang Village Kombo East.
Handing down his verdict, Magistrate M’bai, told the court that the case has witnessed many adjournments, due to the fact that the prosecution has taken excuse that his witnesses were not available.

He went on to say that, “not only the absence of the witnesses delayed the case, but the prosecution has not made any proof in the case. 

“All the accused persons are present in the court, except one and have been attending the court regularly. The prosecution is still unable to proceed with its case against the accused persons who are supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty,” he told the court.

He then discharged all the accused persons on all the counts.

The Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG), a newly formed association, on Sunday elected its new executive member that will run the day-to-day affairs of the association for a two year-term, at a meeting held at the Media Agenda building in Churchill’s Town.

Abba Gibba, a reporter at the Point newspaper, who presided over the election, announced the results as follows.

Nfamara Jawneh of the Point Newspaper was elected as the President of YJAG, Musa Ndow, a reporter at the Daily Observer, as 1st Vice-President, Isatou Baldeh, also a reporter at the Daily Observer as second Vice-President, Demba Kandeh, a reporter at Today Newspaper as Secretary-General. Also elected are Saihou Cesay from Media Agenda as Assistant Secretary-General, Aminata Sanneh, a reporter at Today Newspaper as Treasurer, Assan Sallah, a reporter at the Daily Observer, as the Public Relations Officer (PRO). At the same time, Abdourahman Sallah and Baboucarr Senghore of the Point newspaper were elected as Auditor, and co-opted member respectively.  Two other co-opted members were supposed to be elected in the next meeting.

At the end of the election, Nfamara Jawneh, President of the YJAG, described the election as free and fair. He commended Abba Gibba for his efforts during the election.