Diplomatic Briefing
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Newsline: U.S. Consular Officer Rubbishes Fake Visa Dealers in Gambia
The consular officer at the United States Embassy in The Gambia has rubbished and described as ‘fake’ the conception by certain individuals and businesses operating in the country, that are allegedly misleading visa applicants that they can secure them visa without their personal presence at the embassy for the normal procedure. US Embassy said there are lots of businesses around town trying to help people with visas, and made it clear that these businesses are not officially connected to the embassy and they don’t have any relationship with them. “If they are telling you that they are officially connected to the embassy or they have business relations with the embassy, it is not true. If someone is asking anyone a lot more money for a visa, it may be a scam. The legitimate businesses will only charge a fee to help applicants complete their visa applications but getting a visa is up to the applicant. Therefore, securing a visa is up to the applicant and not through such businesses,” according to the embassy. Asked if the application fee has been increased, the US consular officer replied in the negative, saying the application fee is US$140 for most visa applications and it does go up and down slightly due to the exchange rate but has always been the same for the past years. He said that despite the sum, the same number of applicants is being received on daily basis. “The number of applications has been very steady over the past few years. We haven’t seen large increase or large decrease, though in 2011 we did see slightly few applicants than in 2010,” he further stated.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201202271471.html
Newsline: Gambia expels pro-Gadhafi Libyan ambassador
The government of tiny Gambia says it wants the Libyan ambassador loyal to Moammar Gadhafi to leave and is declaring its support for the Benghazi-based rebel council. A government statement gave the Libyan ambassador and embassy staff 72 hours to leaveGambia. The government also says it’s freezing or closing all assets held inGambiaby Gadhafi’s government. Those include two five-star hotels and an amusement park, and represent a large investment in the West African nation that is surrounded bySenegal.Gambiasays its decision was prompted by “the heinous atrocities that are being carried out by the Gadhafi regime against innocent citizens.”Libya’s embassy inBanjuldeclined comment.
http://world.foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=26264&external=869170.proteus.fma
Newsline: Gambia’s court sentences French embassy thief to 3 years imprisonment
Senior magistrate Abdoulie Mbacke of the Kanifing Magistrates Court convicted and sentenced one Jaja Faal to three years at old Jeshwang prison. The accused person broke and entered into French Embassy house in Cape Point, and stole one mobile phone Nokia 3100.
