Not enough information on EU Constitution

Christine Briffa asked "Where does Malta stand?" (June 29) regarding the EU Constitution.

I have at hand a special Eurobarometer survey No. 214 published in January. To a question "Have you personally heard about the draft European Constitution?" the response from Malta was very much above average. A total of 28 per cent of respondents replied in the negative, 60 per cent said yes but knew very little about it and 12 per cent replied in the affirmative and confirmed that overall they know its contents. Malta ranked in eighth position out of 25 member states - above Germany (in 14th position) and the United Kingdom (in 24th position).

The UK stood out as being the only member state where respondents against were higher than those in favour (30 per cent to 20 per cent) on the basis of what they knew about the Constitution. In this case Malta was below the EU average ranking in 21st position but with 31 per cent in favour and 13 per cent against.

The survey ranked the Netherlands with 63 per cent of respondents in favour and 11 per cent against, while France ranked with 48 per cent in favour to 17 per cent against. And this brings me to another letter by Michael Buttner, Promoting Europe (June 29). I subscribe to his theory that there is "a big lack of knowledge about the EU Constitution, the EU leaders and the EU itself".

I would dare add, and agree with Ms Briffa, that the electorate's decision in France and the Netherlands (as compared to the Eurobarometer survey) is clearly indicative of the feelings of the citizens in the respective states - not their feelings about the EU Constitution but their feelings about their national governments.

I strongly suggest a propaganda campaign in Malta. Need we have the two main political parties opposing each other on an issue to be inundated with propaganda? The Eurobarometer survey states that "the text (of the Constitution) approved in Rome enjoys a generally positive image, despite a level of information that remains broadly inadequate". The level of knowledge of the Constitution has a major impact on the level of support. How very true this is about Malta!

I have passed billboards and seen adverts in the local media saying "What do you want to know about the European Constitution? - We can help you. Contact Freephone...". Before the 2003 referendum, we went to the citizen everywhere to explain why a yes vote mattered, others explained why a no or an abstention vote was essential. All Malta was given abundant information. But now, as far as the EU Constitution is concerned, the Maltese are being asked to call on freephone for information. I just do not agree.

While assuring Ms Briffa that the Maltese would definitely form an opinion, much higher than other European citizens, if they were adequately informed, I agree with Mr Buttner that "it would be a shame if people reject them (the EU and the Constitution) because they do not know enough about it". A real shame and a pity!

According to the Eurobarometer survey "the correlation between the perception of knowledge and the level of support is stronger than the average rate of right answers (to the survey) and the support level, which means that the more citizens are informed, the more likely they are to support the Constitution".

Powers that be in Malta, please do your utmost for the Maltese citizen who always came out with an informed opinion, given adequate information about an issue. I have personally informed myself in this regard and am proud to declare that I am Maltese and European and cherish the European Constitution as much as I cherish the Maltese one.