Lobby group launch "shortly"

The new anti-EU membership lobby Front Maltin Inqumu, the lobby group spearheaded by Dom Mintoff, is expected to be launched "within days", Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici said.

Contacted by The Times, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said the date would be announced shortly and that a document outlining the group's position would be published.

Mr Minoff has been meeting a number of people with a view to recruiting support for the movement. Former Cospicua mayor Paul Muscat is among those backing Mr Mintoff.

In a letter in Saturday's l-orizzont, Mr Muscat said those backing Mr Mintoff had made it clear to him that they would witdraw their participation if he attacked the MLP leadership or the party itself in his speeches on behalf of the front.

Mr Muscat said there were still many Labour supporters who despised Mr Mintoff for bringing down Alfred Sant's government in 1998 and through the new front he hoped these would soften their feelings and Mr Mintoff would again win their respect.

Last Tuesday, Dr Mifsud Bonnici, who up to then spearheaded the Campaign for National Independence, resigned to assume the role of coordinator of the new group.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said the lobby group would show its objection to the EU negotiations being carried out by the government.