FREEDOM NEWSPAPER AT STATE DEPARTMENT

STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SPEAKS!!!

US Calls For Free, And Fair Elections In Gambia’s 2011 Elections

Private Internet Cafés Blocked The Freedom Newspaper-Said US Official

By Pa Nderry M’Bai, Raleigh, NC

“We have a good bilateral relationship with The Gambia and enjoy access to government officials at all levels. US foreign policy priorities  in the Gambia include the promotion of democracy, good governance, and human rights, with a focus on free speech and a free press as cornerstones of any democracy. Our program priorities include support for education, particularly girls education, public health and agricultural development.  We have about 100 Peace Corps Volunteers in country working in these program areas,” said a senior official of the US State Department during an interview with the Freedom Newspaper. The interview was facilitated by the State Department’s Media Officer Raphael Cook.  

 The State Department official said Washington is following developments in The Gambia with keen interest—especially Gambia’s pending Presidential elections scheduled for 2011.  The official tells the Freedom Newspaper that the US wants to see a free, and fair elections in The Gambia come the next elections.

“With presidential elections scheduled for late 2011,we along with the rest of the international community in The Gambia, are working with government and civil society to ensure a free and fair electoral process,” said the State Department official.

Regarding reports of Internet censorship in The Gambia, the official said the US Government embraces Internet freedom, and is aware of the blockage of the Freedom Newspaper by some private Internet cafes in The Gambia. The official said there was no evidence of Government involvement in the blockage of the Freedom Newspaper.

 “Our support for freedom of the press includes open access to online media. We have been advised that some privately owned internet cafes have reportedly denied access to some online news outlets such as Freedom Newspaper.  To our knowledge, there is no government involvement in decisions to deny access to any online media sites, and we would see any such interference as counter to our commitment to press freedom,"said the official.