In search of common ground

I hope that by the time this article is published, the social partners would have finally found a common position on the prolonged issue of the social pact, because my concern is that we are harming the country, rather than strengthening it. We cannot go on like this, seeing the social partners making the headlines every other day over an issue which should have been resolved before the budget announced in November.

In two days' time, we will be in the second month of 2005, and here we are, still quibbling over the very basic foundations needed to start putting our house in order. I am not pointing any fingers towards the unions, the government and the employers. However, we really cannot afford to put everything on hold while a never-ending debate goes on about what is good or bad for the country and for the workers. The national interest should be given the first priority.

Let us hope that this last-minute attempt by the unions, employers and the government will finally lead to a common ground between all social partners. We really need to put an end to this situation.

Lessons from Auschwitz

As the world marked the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the biggest Nazi death camp at Auschwitz, here in Malta we should seriously start tackling the increasing extreme right elements in our society and the various attempts to incite racism.

Malta is a very small country and, having a couple of hundred people attending meetings, inspired by racial hatred, is indeed very disturbing. Maybe the time is also ripe for journalists and the media in general to consider what coverage they give to the activities of such people.

So Norman Lowell believes he has the right to state that illegal immigrants not only threaten Malta's security but also pose a "sanitary, cultural and genetic" threat to the country. I am not worried by Mr Lowell's statements as by the fact that last week some 200 people did not hesitate to attend and listen to such insensitive assertions. It is shocking that a person making such absurd statements obtained over 1,600 first count votes in last year's European Parliament election.

Over the past days, we also read that the Nationalist Party has accepted the apology of a deputy mayor who admitted involvement in the 'radical right' Website www.uliedmalta.com promoting a right-wing activity, and does not seem to be planning any action against him.

Asked by The Times whether the PN was considering taking action against Alexis Callus, the Nationalist deputy mayor of Safi, party general secretary Joe Saliba said that Mr Callus was honest enough to admit his mistake and that that was enough for him. I do not believe that a deputy mayor who belongs to the party in government should involve himself in any 'radical right' initiative.

I also read with interest the comments made by Minister Dolores Cristina who said she too was bearing the brunt of certain individuals' criticism who believe Malta should adopt an ultra-tough stand against illegal immigrants.

One hopes that the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz should be enough of an eye-opener for everyone, including those attending extreme rightist meetings or voting for far right candidates.

Helicopter service and competitiveness

The resumption of the helicopter service between the two islands is definitely good news, as is the fact that the service will be offered by helicopters that meet international safety standards. Having said that, one has to say that the rates announced are exorbitant and will certainly not help the tourism industry in Gozo.

Obviously, looking at the situation from the Spanish company's point of view, the project has to be feasible and make financial sense for it but, on the other hand, I would really be surprised if it were to prove a success, if the rates remain as announced. I cannot imagine seeing many Gozo residents paying Lm26 for a return ticket and I certainly cannot see many tourists paying Lm50 for a service offered at half-price to the Maltese and Gozitan people, especially if they would have paid the same amount, or less, for their return air ticket to Malta.