Too cold to care (2)

I had barely entered the taxi when I was greeted by a wonderful smile. As usual I plunged into conversation and asked the driver his nationality - "Belgian" (ask a stupid question.) I tried again, "Where you born here?" Another wonderful smile, "Do I look Belgian?" he quipped. "I come from Rwanda."

As we drove to the European Parliament we bypassed a row of film posters. One in particular caught my attention, Hotel Rwanda - "The story of a man who made a promise to protect the family he loved and ended up finding the courage to save more than 1,200 people". It was a time of madness when a section of the Rwandan population, extreme Hutu, tried to commit genocide of the Tutsis and moderate Hutu.

In three months, three-quarters of a million Rwandans were butchered while the rest of the world turned its back. Yet another indelible stain on humanity. The number would have been even higher had many not sought refuge elsewhere, overnight becoming either illegal immigrants or refugees depending on one's perception.

During Eastertide, while we were participating in Good Friday processions and Resurrection feasts, a group of immigrants were reliving these events. In the dead of night a number of Chinese immigrants were being transported to Sicily at breakneck speed.

The men ferrying the immigrants spotted some lights and ordered the bewildered Asians to swim the distance.

One woman who could not swim became hysterical. One of the men who was brandishing a sub-machine gun beat her to death. Only about half a dozen Chinese survived. The rest drowned or were never heard of again. The lights had been those of an oil rig.

Since then all hell broke loose between the Interior Ministries of Malta and Italy. We are being accused of being uncooperative with the Italian authorities and too complacent with those who for lust of money engage in human contraband. Refuting the allegations, Malta now finds itself at odds with its most generous partner, having received millions upon millions in aid by virtue of successive Italian protocols.

Perhaps before reacting to Italian accusations, it would have been wiser if Malta evaluated the issue in depth. Everyone knows that our islands are a stepping-stone for immigrants to mainland Europe. We are all aware that many powerboats in Malta serve another purpose besides pleasure.

The Maltese and Italian authorities would do well to substitute recrimination by cooperation so as to prevent an analogous atrocity in the future. Who knows how many similar stories have been concealed by the cruel sea?

It has now become clear that in Malta we have two types of immigrants - illegal and legal; or perhaps to be politically correct irregular or regular. The former, mostly from Africa, found themselves in Malta after being saved by our armed forces; the latter, mostly from Asia, are transitory having obtained a valid visa.

But both types have one thing in common, to abscond to Sicily and from there to mainland Europe. Surely in the case of regular immigrants visa applications have to be more adequately scrutinised, expertise enhanced and staff increased.

Probably our embassies are expecting precise parameters before granting visas. And this is where the Italians can collaborate. Needless to mention that Italy has the necessary weight to make Europe aware that the situation is steadily getting out of control.

On the other hand, the Italians have to show restraint before smearing Malta with half-hearted efforts to thwart these illicit operations. For years the rest of Europe has been reproving Italy with identical accusations. That is why Malta and Italy must work in tandem to urge the European Union to take immediate action.

We need help yesterday. It is only the institutions of the European Union that have the ability to focus attention and resources to alleviate the plight of both the immigrants and those countries absorbing them.

I hope that the European Union is not too cold to care. I am sure it will realise that it has a direct interest. Perhaps what is happening around us is what Nostradamus predicted when he foresaw an invasion of Europe from Africa through Malta.

Dr Attard Montalto is a Labour MEP.