Going through The Times (September 20) I came across that extremely worrying report by George Cini entitled "Vandals lay siege to Fort St Elmo". Whatever could have been the ultimate motive, one wonders! Fancy destroying by fire documents and books collected by members of the War Museum Association! Drug-related vandalism? Could be, but then should this be tolerated?

The action by whoever was responsible was, to say the least, simply disgusting and shameful indeed. It calls for immediate action, firstly by the police, through whose action we all hope will result in the vandals being well and truly prosecuted, and not just "told off" by the legal authority appointed to deal with this.

The report naturally recalls the recent plea made by President Guido de Marco for the restoration of the historical Fort St Elmo. This is where government action is urgently called for. It goes without saying that any work would require money, lots of it too. But most of us are very aware that such money could be made available by international institutions.

But then such applications have to take their time and pass through the normal bureaucratic channels. I would here appreciate being informed if, at any stage in the not-too-distant past, this government, or some other earlier administration, made any request for funds to restore Fort St Elmo. If not, one wonders why this place was not among our so-called priorities for restoration over the years!

However, whatever was done or not done in the past is probably immaterial; Malta has to get this place restored.

Please, Prime Minister, do give this issue the early attention and priority it deserves!