'Freedom Cruise' calls at Grand Harbour

A number of high-profile Republicans and former US military officials yesterday called at Grand Harbour on board the impressive ms Noordam while on a cruise in the Mediterranean, according to the website of the Freedom Alliance.

The alliance is a pro-militarist educational and charitable foundation with a mission to "advance the American heritage of freedom by honoring and encouraging military service, defending the sovereignty of the United States and promoting a strong national defence".

It was founded in 1990 by Lt Col Oliver North, a key Reagan official in the Iran-Contra affair that involved the illegal sale of weapons to Iran to finance the Contras in Nicaragua.

Other well-known figures on board the cruise, most known for their hard-line views, are Wayne LaPierre, executive vice-president of the National Rifle Association, former US attorney general and Reagan advisor Edwin Meese, and David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union.

Besides numerous social activities, the cruise consists of a number scheduled discussions in different ports. According to the events sheet posted on the alliance's website, some of the topics discussed include Taming Iran; The United Nations: Reform or Withdraw?; A Winning Formula for Iraq; Solving the Immigration Crisis; and The Republican Congress: What happened to the Revolution?

Malta was the seventh port of call in the 10-day "Freedom Cruise" which left Civitavecchia on August 19 for Dubrovnik, Croatia and proceeded to Corfu, Katakolon and Santorini Greece before sailing to Kusadasi, Turkey and reaching Malta yesterday.

The cruise left for Messina yesterday evening and will return to Rome tomorrow.