The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Amadou Jallow
29 June 2009
The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh has announced that The Gambia will cooperate with Taiwan, even without their (Taiwan's) assistance.
The relationship between Banjul and Taipei, the Gambian leader added, is not only based on humanity but it is also a matter of two small states defending each other. The Gambian leader made these statements last Friday at the Cabinet Room at State House in Banjul, during a meeting with the Taiwanese deputy Foreign minister, Andrew Shia.
The top Taiwanese official was in the country to preside over the official handing over of four patrol boats, donated by Taiwan, to the government of The Gambia. According to the president, it will be difficult for one to talk about The Gambia's development spheres without commending the Taiwanese government. "Today we are able to give free education to girls because of Taiwan," President Jammeh said, and added "but unfortunately, must of the Gambian families do not still realise the importance of education, which has give us an uphill task."
According to President Jammeh, The Gambia is today cited as an example to Third World countries in terms of education. "In fact, I cannot mention any development in The Gambia which the Taiwanese government has not contributed to," he added. The Gambian leader further elaborated on the Taiwanese government's donation of four patrol boats to The Gambaia, describing it as the biggest assistance the country has received since its independence. According to the president, The Gambia was trying frantically to purchase two patrol boats but that was not possible due to the challenges faced.
President Jammeh then thanked the Taiwanese government through its deputy foreign minister and assured him that The Gambia will continue the struggle with them. President Jammeh then commended the Taiwanese government for their continued assistance. Andrew Shia, the Taiwanese deputy foreign minister expressed his congratulations to President Jammeh on his achievements to take The Gambia forward. This, he said, has even accorded Gambia the ability to support international and financial strategies, making reference to President Jammeh's human right declarations at the international level.
Lieutenant General Yen Ming, deputy chief of General Staff of the Taiwanese Army, said The Gambia and Taiwan have many things in common, and expressed hope that the relationship between Banjul and Taipei will continue to bear more fruit. General Ming thanked President Jammeh for the magnanimous welcome he had accorded them during their stay in the country. He also commended The Gambian leader for the numerous developments he has registered.
According to Dr Omar Touray, The Gambia's minister for Foreign Affairs, Taiwan is a true friend of The Gambia. He added that they have demonstrated their friendship in many ways. "The Gambia is happy to say, even at international levels, that its cooperation with Taiwan is continuing to bear fruit," Dr Touray said. He thanked the Taiwanese government for its unflinching support to The Gambia and assured them of The Gambia government's readiness to cooperate with them.
Fatou Lamin Faye, minister for Basic and Secondary Education, also commended the Taiwanese government for their asistance. According to her, it is President Jammeh's wish to make bring education to the doorsteps of every Gambian child. She added that the best gift one can give to a person is education, food and health, and all these the Taiwanese government had done for The Gambia. The Basic and Secondary Education minister used the occasion to commend President Jammeh for his visionary leadership. She also thanked the Taiwanese government for the donation of the four patrol boats.
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