Heard in the Hive

The new Chinese Ambassador, Liu Zhengxiu, and Mme Chang Shuying, last Monday hosted their first Chinese National Day reception at the embassy in St Julian's a few weeks after their arrival here.

The reception, held ten days after the inauguration of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Valletta, marked the 54th anniversary of the proclamation of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.

President Guido de Marco, Cabinet ministers, ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps, senior government officials and various other guests attended the reception at which, as usual, they could help themselves to a variety of Chinese food.

Libyan ambassador hosts reception

Well over 1,000 guests, led by President Guido de Marco and the Prime Minister, Dr Fenech Adami, attended last Tuesday's reception at the Corinthia San Gorg hosted by the Secretary of the Libyan People's Bureau in Malta, Ali Mohammed Nagem.

The reception marked the 34th anniversary of the Great September 1 Revolution which in 1969 brought Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to power and overthrew the monarchy. It was also originally intended to mark Mr Nagem's farewell on the end of his assignment in Malta but it seems this has now been postponed.

On arrival at the hotel, guests were greeted by a magnificent photographic exhibition in colour and black and white, entitled "The Treasures of the Great Jamahiriya" showing Libya's rich landscapes and cultural sights, and sponsored by Casapinta Design Group Ltd.

It featured scores of stunning photographs by three photographers - the Maltese Mario Cutajar, and Libyans Fawzi Lutfi Naas and Fadel S. Almegresi.

Mario, who joined the Malta Photographic Society in 1983, is essentially a monochrome print worker. His bias towards this medium has won him several awards at club and national level and made him participate in collective international exhibitions as well. However, recently he became drawn into the digital world of computer techniques.

Mario held a number of public exhibitions of his work and participated in other collective exhibitions of monochrome photography. His ambition is to promote this medium further.

Earlier this year he participated in an exhibition of photos organised by the Maltese Embassy in Tripoli under the auspices of the Malta Photographic Society. In June, as a guest of the embassy, Mario visited several places of interest in Libya and the results of his visit could be seen at this exhibition.

Fadel Almegrisi, who was born in Tripoli, obtained a diploma from the Oil Research Institute in Tripoli and worked in oil fields. This gave him the chance to experience life in the desert, and this period is documented in the exhibition, showing his collection of photos reflecting the beauty of desert life and its marvellous nature.

Half-way through the reception, Ambassador Ali Nagem, addressing the guests in fluent Maltese, said the strength of Libyan-Maltese relations throughout the 34 years since the revolution could be seen in the fact that people from all walks of Maltese life were present at the reception, besides a large number of foreign ambassadors and other guests.

Then, speaking in Arabic to the large number of Libyan nationals at the reception, Mr Nagem said that the close relations between Malta and Libya could also be gauged by the fact that in September alone, a number of Maltese delegations, including one led by the Finance Minister, John Dalli, visited Libya, while senior Libyan officials visited Malta. The Libyans Minister of the Interior visited Malta to take part in the 5+4 Ministerial meeting and also had bilateral talks with Interior Minister Tonio Borg. Further exchanges of Libyan and Maltese delegations are planned for later this year.

Mr Nagem referred to the recent inauguration of the Corinthia Group's five-star Bab Africa Hotel in Tripoli.

He said that Malta's membership of the European Union and Libya's membership of the African Union should serve not only to strengthen further the excellent relations between them, but to bring the two groupings, North and South, closer together.

Mr Nagem expressed his thanks, on behalf of the Libyan diplomatic mission and the Libyan community in Malta, to all Maltese officials, from the President and the Prime Minister down, for the co-operation they had shown them.

In his response, President de Marco said that throughout these 34 years, friendship and co-operation between Libya and Malta were a constant of Maltese foreign policy. Since 1969 many things had changed, however, and Malta was now on the verge of an important change - its membership of the European Union next May. Yet Maltese-Libyan friendship will continue to grow.

Indeed, Malta's EU membership does not mean that Malta will turn its back on the Mediterranean; rather the opposite, for the Mediterranean will gain in importance with Malta inside the EU. Malta will help to build bridges between North and South.

President de Marco concluded by auguring Ambassador Nagem a good future and said the well attended reception underlined the strength of the relations between the Maltese and Libyan peoples.

After the speeches the guests spilled onto the terraces and swimming pool area of the hotel, where a lavish buffet dinner was served.

The evening was concluded with the cutting of a 34th anniversary cake by President de Marco, Ambassador Nagem and Dr Fenech Adami.

Labour MP in Far East

During a recent visit in the Far East, Dr Stefan Buontempo, MP, Opposition spokesman on housing, met various politicians, including members of the South Korean and Malaysian parliaments, and the vice-president of the Cambodian party Funcinpec, Prince Norodom Sirivudh.

Prince Norodom, a former deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cambodian ambassador to the United Nations, discussed various topics of common interest with Dr Buontempo. He said that at the end of the cold war, Southeast Asia became a single regional unit since the states of the area joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Dr Buontempo and the parliamentary members talked about the current conflicts between North and South Korea, and the possibilities for reconciliation.

During the meetings, Dr Buontempo explained the role of the Labour Party in the European Union and the challenges which Malta will be facing through EU membership

D'Amato - Borg

Married recently at St Philip parish church, Zebbug, were Lucienne D'Amato, daughter of Mr and Mrs Angelo D'Amato of Zebbug, and Edric Borg, son of Mr and Mrs John Borg of Birkirkara.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Charles Attard. Kenneth D'Amato, the bride's brother, and Nadine Borg Govè witnessed the ceremony, while Charles Schembri carried out the duties of best man.

The bride was attended by Maria D'Amato, and by Felicia-Marie Brincat, the groom's cousin, who was flower girl. Meldon Borg, the groom's cousin, acted as ring-bearer.

A reception was later held at Villa Mdina, Naxxar.

The couple spent their honeymoon in Florida and the Caribbean.

People

MARK FORMOSA was recently elected to the Fellowship of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists during the admission ceremony held at the College of London.

Mr Formosa is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at St Luke's Hospital and lecturer in the discipline at the University of Malta.

He is married to Gabriella née Carbonaro and they have two children, Philip and Antonia.

DR STEPHEN FAVA, MD, MRCP (UK), M.Phil., FACP, has recently been awarded the Fellowship of the European Federation of Internal Medicine.

This is awarded to doctors who have distinguished themselves in the clinical, educational or professional aspects of internal medicine.

Dr Fava graduated MD from the University of Malta in 1985. He continued his postgraduate training in Malta and in London and Exeter, UK; his name appears on the specialist register of the UK.

He has written numerous original articles on diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease in leading British, European and American journals.

He is an expert reviewer for a number of international journals including, Diabetes Care, Diabetic Medicine and Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. He has presented a number of papers at international conferences.

Dr Fava is a member of the European Diabetic Nephropathy Study Group and of the Continuing Medical Education working group of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS).

Dr Fava is a consultant physician, diabetologist and endocrinologist at St Luke's Hospital, and is the president of the Medical Association of Malta. He is married to Dorianne and has two daughters.

Mass for Mercedes Busuttil in Paris

The dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Apostolic Nuncio to France, Archbishop Fortunato Baldelli, yesterday week said Mass on the sexagesima die since the demise of Mrs Mercedes Busuttil, wife of Professor Salvino Busuttil, Malta's Ambassador to France, at the Old Church of Notre Dame de Passy, parish church of the Busuttil family.

Concelebrating with Mgr Baldelli was Fr Charles Delia, SJ, who is currently doing pastoral work in the French capital. The church organist played Mrs Busuttil's favourite music from Bach, Mozart and Messiaen (which she herself had chosen for her funeral Mass at Mgarr parish church two months ago), while at the foot of the main lectern there was a large photo of the deceased.

Very popular with the Maltese community in Paris, where she lived for many years when the Ambassador was a director of UNESCO, Mercedes Busuttil was equally admired by many French friends.

Present at the Mass were practically all the Maltese working in Paris, most of the EU and Commonwealth ambassadors as well as her doctors from the American Hospital, the director-general of Eutelsat and a delegation from CIHEAM.

In the funeral eulogy, Fr Delia, who knew her, focussed on the love of beauty which characterised her life and which had been the theme of the homily delivered by Rev. Professor Peter Serracino Inglott at her funeral.

At the end of the ceremony, Professor Busuttil read to the congregation Lino Spiteri's moving tribute to her in his column "Wide Angle" in The Sunday Times of September 21.

Maltapost bill payment lottery winners

Twenty-four lucky winners in a Maltapost lottery for clients settling their bills at Maltapost branches during the month of August, were today presented with their prizes by Maltapost chief executive officer Robert Lake.

The prizes in this lottery, the second one organised by Maltapost as part of its Bill Payment promotion, were drawn earlier this month at the Department of Public Lotto in Floriana.

Prizes for this lottery included two European destination return air tickets, each for two persons, kindly donated by Air Malta, two Sagem MMS mobile phones complete with line connection and Lm5 talk time, and ten top-up vouchers of Lm10 each, all donated by Go Mobile, and ten Philatelic Year Packs for 2002 donated by Maltapost.

Before the presentation, Mr Lake said the Bill Payment lottery had been intended to draw the attention of the public to the advantages of paying one's bills at any of the 30 Maltapost branches in Malta and Gozo.

Bills accepted at Maltapost branches included water and electricity, telephone, cable television, On-Vol and VAT, where applicable.

Clients paying one or more of these bills at Malta branches during August were given a ticket for each bill, for participation in this lottery. A total of over 54,000 bills were paid during August at the various Maltapost branches, testifying to the public's appreciation of this very convenient method of settling bills.

"This bill payment system seems to be here to stay, but we still intend organising similar lotteries for our clients. Besides serving as reminders, they are also a way of showing our appreciation for the public's custom," Mr Lake said.

The presentation was also attended by Go Mobile marketing executive Maria Jourdan and John Vella from Maltapost's marketing department.

St Julian's Choral Group gathering

The Social Activity Team of the recently formed St Julian's Choral Group recently organised a barbecue for choir members and their guests at Ir-Razzett ta' Sant'Antnin in St Julian's valley.

Henry Gauci, who besides being an active member of the choir is one of the owners of this unique farmhouse, offered this place as a setting for this special event.

The members took all preparations in hand and the event took the form of similar events once organised in past years, for members of the now dissolved St Julian's Choir, to which many of the members used to belong.

The choir's musical director, Mro Joe Gatt, generously provided all the wine for the evening from his own personal cellars. Fr Martin Cardona, parish priest of St Julian's, who was a special guest for the evening, in a short address, thanked all those present for their participation in most of the liturgical functions held at the parish church so far.

Ronnie Galea, the choir's founder, also addressed the gathering and thanked everyone for their fervent support. A special mention was also given to Joe Caruana after recently accepting the post of the choir's accompanying organist.

For your diary

Caritas co-operators are organising a day of activities at the Victoria Hotel, Borg Olivier Street, Sliema, on Wednesday. There will be a welcoming coffee at 10.30 a.m., followed by a talk by Lucienne Pace on nutrition and healthy eating, Mass at noon and lunch at 1 p.m.

For more information and bookings phone Marilouise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Mary Darmanin Demajo on 2131-3486, Josephine Farrugia on 2132-0016 or Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910.

Ward u Zghar is organising a dinner at Peplows, on Wednesday at 7.30 p.m. The group will meet near McDonald's in Birkirkara. For tickets, at Lm2.50 each, phone Doreen or Paul on 2141-8174.

The group is also organising a karaoke night at the Carolina Hotel in Bugibba, on Friday at 8.15 p.m.

The Maria Regina Teachers' Group will be organising Mass at Our Lady of Victories Church, Valletta, on Friday at 6 p.m. for the repose of all past members especially for the soul of the group's founder, Helen Fenech, who died recently.

YANA is organising a bowling activity at the Eden Super Bowl, St Julian's, on Friday at 8.30 p.m.

The Former Students' Association is also holding an extraordinary general meeting with a seminar entitled "Lasallian with a Commitment", at the college, on Sunday at 9.30 a.m. Those interested in contesting the new committee election should contact the secretary on 2138-7430 or 9940-8071 (e-mail: carlogalea@ onvol.net) by today.

A bazaar in aid of the missions is being held at Kings, Tower Road, Sliema, on October 13, from 9.30 a.m.

The Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Handicapped at Corradino, Paola, will be organising a coffee morning and tombola, on October 16 at the Hotel Les Lapins, Ta' Xbiex. For tickets, at Lm1.20 each, may be obtained by phoning 2169-3863 or 2143-6421.

An autumn pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, is being organised by the Padre Pio Information Centre from October 18-22.

The group will also attend the beatification ceremony of Mother Theresa of Calcutta at the Vatican. For more information phone 2123-1446.

The biennial general meeting of the St Joseph School Past Pupils Association (Sliema) will be held at St Joseph School, Sliema, on October 24 at 6 p.m.

Past pupils wishing to contest the elections for the new committee must submit their names to the secretary - Dorothy Galea (tel. 2144-4616) or Moira Tabone (tel. 2133-0592), by not later than October 13.

The President and Mrs de Marco's engagements - October 6-12

Tomorrow
10.30 The President receives Netherlands Prime Minister Dr Jan Peter Balkenende, at the Palace, Valletta.

11 The President receives the Malta Association of Physiotherapists.

11.30 The President receives Dr Edward de Bono, president of the Edward de Bono Foundation (Malta).

12.30 p.m. The President receives Commonwealth Telecom Organisation CEO Dr Ekhow Spio-Garbrah.

6 The President delivers the opening address at the commencement of the new academic year of the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies at Le Meridien Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana.

Tuesday
10 a.m. The President receives former French ambassador Didier Destremau at the Palace, Valletta.

11 The President addresses the GWU general conference at the New Dolmen Hotel.

Noon to 1.30 p.m. The President pays an official visit to the Malta Tourism Authority, Auberge d'Italie, Valletta.

Wednesday
11 a.m. The President receives Pakistan High Commissioner Mohammed Farooq Qari at the Palace, Valletta.

Noon The President receives the president of the Malta Institute of Taxation and council members.

12.30 p.m. The President receives a group of students from Anhalt University, Germany.

6.30 The President presides over a Commission for the Administration of Justice meeting.

Thursday
9.15 a.m. The President receives the Prime Minister at the Palace, Valletta.

10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. The President pays an official visit to Sliema.

Friday
10 a.m. The President receives Dr Ray Bondin, executive co-ordinator of the Cottonera Rehabilitation Project, at the Palace, Valletta.

11 a.m. The President is presented with a cheque in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund from proceeds of L-Istrina by PBS chairman Michael Mallia.

6.30 p.m. The President presides over the launching of a book entitled Kelinu Vella Haber, Hidmietu u l-Moviment tal-Malti, by Paul P. Borg, at St James Cavalier, Valletta.

Sunday
11 a.m. The President presides over an activity organised by the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment, on World Food Day at the Salesian Theatre, Guzé Howard Street, Sliema.