Eppur si muove

Not to end up a handful of ash of yet another "heretic" burnt at the stake on a public square, Galileo Galilei formally recanted on his scientific conclusions that the world rotated around the sun instead of being fixed at the centre of the universe with the sun rotating around it.

Galileo saved himself to be able to continue his research and while the Inquisitor celebrated Galileo's last-minute conversion, Galileo still muttered under his breath: "Eppur si muove". These three words capture Galileo's stand that despite the Inquisitor's decree that the world does not move, the fact is that "it does move".

The Nationalist Party (PN) has cast itself in the role of the Inquisitor decreeing from on high that the only European Union (EU) option available for Malta is full membership, that if Malta does not join on the PN's terms, we wlll be left outside in utter darkness as Labour's partnership policy does not exist.

The PN is doing its utmost to convince people that there is no alternative to full EU membership. According to Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Borg (PQ 35,893 tabled by Labour MP Adrian Vassallo) Government spent Lm125,715 on advertising spots of the Malta-EU Information Centre (MIC) in local media between January and October this year.

These spots market the glittering stardust associated with full EU membership. After all, MIC is run by Dr Simon Busuttil, who is on record as saying that the Labour Party policy is not viable. MIC is staffed by PN sympathisers, all pro-full EU membership crusaders and several of them have a proven track record in the PN propaganda machine.

The PN and its pom-pom girls in the media have all been following the line that the Labour Party's option of EU partnership does not exist. The pro-PNP media have blacked out of their news and features any reference to the partnership policy included in official documents published by former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, the European People's Party (EPP) and the Party of European Socialists (PES).

Partnership does exist

Article 42 of the draft constitution tabled by the chairman of the Convention on the Future of Europe, Giscard d'Estaing states: "This article could contain provisions defining a privileged relationship between the EU and its neighbouring states, in the event of a decision on the creation of such a relationship."

The two major political parties in the EU - the EPP and the PES - are both in favour of creating such a relationship.

In the final version of its document on "A Constitution for a Strong Europe" released at Estoril on October 18, the EPP Congress Document proposes "the creation of a 'European Partnership' open both to Eastern Europe and to Mediterranean countries".

The full relevant extract reads as follows: "The geographic expansion of the Union must not outweigh its ability to integrate. EU should offer institutionalised co-operation to States which can not become members for the time being. The EPP proposes the creation of a 'European Partnership', open both to Eastern Europe and to Mediterranean countries - similar to the European Economic Area - but including a political component. This would enable Europe to strengthen its institutionalised relations with countries neighbouring the Union and consequently promote peace and stability throughout the continent."

In its document "Priorities for Europe", published on October 3, the PES states: "It would be wise to create a new status for countries that are neighbours of the EU but that do not seek membership. This would allow us to develop stronger political, economic and cultural links with them."

The president of the European Socialists and vice-chairman of the Convention on the Future of Europe, Giuliano Amato, had made it clear that such a partnership option "would apply also to Malta, should Malta become a non-applicant country".

In Birmingham Amato had already said that Malta would be able to take up the partnership option "if our Labour comrades win the next election, which looks likely and probable".

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