CNi's stand 'gaining support'

The Campaign for National Independence believes it is drumming up support among Labour Party delegates in its drive to persuade them to vote against the European Constitution, despite the presence of a "clique" advocating otherwise.

CNi chairman Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici believes an increasing number of Labourites are realising that their party, by not opposing the Constitution, was contradicting its own arguments against the EU - even if the MLP have not given him a platform to air his views. Dr Mifsud Bonnici felt compelled to hold a press conference yesterday after the Labour Party released three reports on the effects of the new EU Constitution.

Pointing to flaws in the legal report, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said he had reliable information that it did not reflect Paul Lia's opinion, even if the party said he was the co-author alongside Joe Brincat.

He asked why George Vella, who concentrated on the political facet of the treaty, had recommended that the Constitution be approved "with certain reservations".

"The Labour Party cannot opt out of something it has approved. The least the Opposition can do is abstain from the vote," the former Labour Prime Minister charged.

The MLP is expected to take a stand on the EU Constitution by summer and the constitutional treaty should be ratified by Parliament shortly afterwards.

The CNi chairman, who had steered the 'no' campaign in the run-up to the EU referendum, argued that the EU Constitution took precedence over national laws and constitutions.

Whoever voted in favour of the Constitution would be endorsing the membership agreement the government had drawn up with the EU, Dr Mifsud Bonnici warned.

He expressed disappointment that certain exponents within the party were swallowing their words about the EU.

Equating it to a "chewing-gum advert", he claimed that Labour officials were orchestrating a campaign in the media in which they were practically echoing the Malta-EU Information Centre's defence of the Constitution.

Asked to identify the so-called "clique", Dr Mifsud Bonnici cited three individuals - party international secretary Joe Mifsud and MLP candidates Wenzu Mintoff and Reno Borg.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said it was only Smash TV and l-orizzont that were giving him the space to echo his views on the Constitution.

MLP general secretary Jason Micallef has informed local committees that no discussions about the European Constitution are to be held at the clubs and that any such discussion will only be organised by the party leadership.