Detention of immigrants

How right was Bill Andrews when he stated that "on no account should illegal clandestine immigrants be allowed to roam the streets of tiny Malta". This would be cultural, social and political suicide, he said. They should therefore be kept in detention to discourage several thousands coming illegally to Malta which has about 8,000 locals unemployed and a large budget deficit. Why should the Maltese taxpayer give free lodgings, breakfast and two full meals plus an allowance of Lm60 per month plus free medical treatment. As most of the illegals are Muslims, why shouldn't the billion oil-rich Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Libya take them back?

The idea of certain NGOs and the Jesuit Refugee Commission to integrate them is naïve. Look at what happened in France where they set fire to thousands of cars and pillaged several shops. Some incidents happened in Holland and Austria. The Jesuits should help to repatriate them and not bring their families here.

Many Muslim Africans are not real refugees but adventurers seeking a better life. How right Minister Tonio Borg was when he stated that on no account must illegal immigrants be allowed to roam the streets. Although the EU has promised to help Malta, tangible help has not come. As soon as good weather starts, thousands will travel towards Malta. Naval frigates should patrol areas around Malta's territorial waters and force them to turn back and if necessary give them fuel and water for their return to their departure ports. This is what Australia is doing despite its enormous size and not a tiny over-populated island like Malta. Enough is enough. We want real action and not fine promises and words. Detention centres should remain to discourage clandestines coming to Malta.

Moreover, the Lm60 allowance should be stopped as the amendment to the Dublin Convention will not be approved and Malta will again be flooded with thousands of clandestine immigrants as soon as good weather starts. We shall be on our own after having listened to nice "words and words" from the European Parliament.

What we need is a couple of naval frigates which should patrol the areas for which Malta is responsible, turning back the boat people to their ports of departure.