Speakers object to warship visits

Labour MP Anglu Farrugia yesterday said that Malta wanted visits from cruiseships and not warships, adding that allowing any warships in went against the constitution.

He was speaking at the end of the second day of the Labour Party's annual conference, which approved motions on measures to assist SMEs, give youths opportunities, and promote health and prevent disease.

The motions were largely uncontroversial, and more than half of the delegates had already left by the time a motion presented by the Zejtun local committee was brought up, calling for prudence when allowing warships to visit.

It called for Malta to keep a balance between its relationships of friendship and peace with other countries and with the interests of the economic sectors in the country.

However, Dr Farrugia went much further, virtually calling for a ban on all warships, saying that these were never on missions of peace.

Joe Abela also expounded on the dangers of having the crews of warships here, which could make Malta vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

"Hundreds died in the Bali bombings. How do you know that your children are safe in Paceville when thousands of American crewmen are out enjoying themselves there?"

During the discussions on SMEs and youths, the theme of EU membership was brought up repeatedly, with EU commissioner Günter Verheugen made the butt of repeated jokes.

"We will have to remove the George Cross if we join the EU, as we won it for fighting against Verheugen's father and grandfather," deputy leader for party affairs Joe Brincat said, refering to Verheugen's German nationality.

The conference continues today with a motion on partnership. An extra session is scheduled for Sunday morning.