Mintoff writes to Bush

The Front Maltin Inqumu, led by Dom Mintoff, who at 86 shows he has lost none of his legendary fiery spirit, yesterday wrote to US President George W. Bush warning about the devastating repercussions of a possible military attack on Iraq.

The letter, unanimously approved by a motion during a public meeting in Zejtun, called upon the US government to stop the attacks which would trigger off "worldwide destruction".

"Those that caused the fearful events of September 11 were fervent religious people that chose martyrdom to reach everlasting glory. With this war in Iraq, the martyrs will increase by the thousand," the letter, which was handed to US Ambassador Anthony Gioia last night, states.

As Malta heads towards the referendum on European Union membership early next year, Mr Mintoff is trying to win support for his group, which is opposing the way Government is conducting its negotiations with the EU.

The mostly elderly crowd of about 300 was made up of ardent Mintoff supporters who frequently applauded the former Labour leader.

Mr Mintoff typically took long pauses, and cracked jokes, sometimes quite coarse, to the amusement and loud laughter of those present.

He constantly delved back into history to prove his point, and cited events such as the Vietnam war and the MLP's dispute with the Church.

The meeting was meant to focus specifically on the recent meetings which Mr Mintoff and FMI coordinator (and another former Labour leader and prime minister) Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici had in Belgium, the UK and Italy, where they met, among others, European Commission President Romano Prodi.

But Mr Mintoff said he was keeping his cards close to his chest, and refused to give specific details about the meetings "for the time being".

Instead, the two-hour meeting focused more on what the two former prime ministers claimed to be the imminent threat of war, spearheaded primarily by the US.

Mr Mintoff started the meeting by saying that there were many who accused the FMI of being run by "expired and crazy" individuals and that the group would be ignored by all and sundry.

But the crowds had turned up in droves to listen to him, he said, and even top European Commission officials had granted him a meeting, for which he thanked them.

Following the meeting earlier this month, Mr Prodi reassured Mr Mintoff that the Nice Treaty did not jeopardise Malta's neutrality and said enlargement was an opportunity not to be missed.

But Mr Mintoff yesterday said it was the council ministers, and not Mr Prodi, who dictated EU policies.

He said he could not understand the government's rush to be represented in the European Parliament when during his visit to Brussels, MEPs had expressed their frustration at their lack of power.

He accused Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami of wanting to "put Malta somewhere" before he retired, but at this rate he was simply driving the country into a cul-de-sac.

In a speech often highlighted by oblique references, Mr Mintoff urged Labourites first and foremost to protect what they had achieved in the past.

He shot down comments that the FMI's intention was to betray the country in any manner, as "someone" had accused him in the past.

Accusing the US of wanting to wage war against the Iraqi people at all costs, Dr Mifsud Bonnici urged the people to wake up in the light of a threat on the country's freedom "and to our lives".

While the leaders of EU countries were divided on this issue, the Maltese prime minister ignored the threat and instead went to Australia to meet emigrants, Dr Mifsud Bonnici charged.

Referring to the Irish referendum on the Nice Treaty, Dr Mifusd Bonnici poured cold water over the electorate's decision to ratify it, and insisted that two-thirds of the Irish electorate had still not voted in its favour.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici concluded by saying that the Maltese cannot ignore the man who had brought so much progress to the country - and that was why Mr Mintoff was enticed back into the scene, a comment greeted with loud applause.