African Press International (API)

Strong feelings has risen due to the Michelle Obama tape and the Imam document on Mr Obama. The way the situation has been handled by API since the Michelle tape story broke out has made the readers to be divided in two groups. Those who believe the tape will be released and those who do not. All kinds of assurances by API has made no difference in the situation.

The two groups have different agendas. Those who would like to see Obama not getting inaugurated on the 20th of January 2009 as the US President and those who would like to ensure, by whatever means Obama takes the oath of office on that day.

API’s job is to bring news and stories to the readers and do not engage in activities that may be seen and concluded as taking sides. API’s tape is not supposed to raise tempers amongst the  American people, causing the people of  the only powerful nation in the world to hate one another.

API has a dilemma to deal with and will do so bravely for the sake of press freedom, after receiving 55,519 emails discussing the significance of the tape and what it might do to the country if the timing of the release of the tape is not well calculated.

As much as API wants to release the now “Golden Tape”, we do not wish to be connected with any riots, if any, after we tell the truth to the world and the Americans in Particular.

We are no longer struggling to convince people of the existence of the tape, – they have to believe or not believe. We are no longer using our energy to be concerned with API’s credibility or no-credibility. But we are concerned on what to do to get to the finishing line in what we started on the 15th of October, and yet we will not accept to be swayed by any party dictated by self interest or political gain in their efforts to make API do the regrettable – things that may connect us to civil disobedience of any kind.

API will now contact a number of people who have been actively involved in this from the start and agree with them on how to salvage the situation and come to a close.

We seek advise also from any one willing to give us advise today because we will sit down in the next few hours and make a final decision. Concerned readers may send to us advise by sending a direct mail to the Chief Editor using this personal mail address below, and while doing so, put yourself in our shoes concerning the security because we know things will change in our lives dramatically, after the tape is aired, an act that will definitely force us to re-sought to some underground safety measures.

korir@getmail.no

Tell the Chief Editor what you think must be done now. We seek for specific advise.

We will also be able to post comments later tonight and discus our way forward to the final countdown.

Appearing before a hearing in Congress.

The reason we come to the readers for advice is because word has come that it may become necessary to be summoned to appear before a Congress hearing. Our fear is to accept such a hearing in Washington and then we put our lives in direct danger. API will insist to be heard in a secret location, but we may face a problem if it is not accepted. We may stand weak because we do not know how the American laws are practised as concerns hearings by Non-America citizens.

We expect open-hearted advice from our readers who have so much shown interest in the developments of this Michelle Obama tape-situation.

Chief Editor Korir – API