NSO officials 'never under pressure'

The National Statistics Office (NSO) management yesterday declared it had never been subjected to any pressure to manipulate the statistics they published.

In a short press release, issued in reaction to the resignation of Gordon Cordina as NSO director, the management said the office had always adhered to established methodologies which follow best statistical practices, observing the core values of confidentiality, integrity and impartiality.

"Under no circumstance have we been subjected to any pressure, political or otherwise, internal or external, to manipulate the official statistics that are published," the statement, signed by 12 management staff said.

"We would also like to state that we have always had confidence in the leadership, integrity and technical competence of the director generals of the NSO."

This reaction is the latest in the controversy that has erupted over statistics published by the office.

Earlier this month, the Labour Party issued a report following a series of questions it raised on statistical revisions made by the NSO, mainly concerning GDP figures.

The major contention was over a downward revision of GDP figures up to 1995 and an upward revision for the last three years, leading to allegations of statistical rigging.

The Malta Statistical Authority replied to Labour's report on Friday evening - and also announced the resignation of Dr Cordina.

Labour, however, reacted to the publication of the document with more criticism. Leader Alfred Sant on Sunday claimed the report raised more issues about the revisions than were first raised by the party.

Dr Sant also questioned why the report and Dr Cordina's resignation were not made public earlier than they were when the government had both in hand, in the first case two weeks earlier and in the second two days.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in his own Sunday address criticised Labour harshly for what he said were personal attacks against Dr Cordina that caused him to step down.

In his letter of resignation published yesterday, Dr Cordina, who has not been available for comment since his decision was announced, said he had concluded that he could not continue to carry out his duties.

"...the events of these last weeks, which went beyond a mature, technical discussion, have shown me that I cannot keep fulfilling my duties with the peace of mind required by this position," he wrote.

When Parliament met last night, Dr Sant asked the Prime Minister whether he intended making a statement on Dr Cordina's resignation.

Dr Gonzi said he did not intend making a statement in that sitting. He said he had been informed that Dr Cordina's resignation letter, addressed to the Malta Statistics Authority, would be published. One would then proceed as appropriate.

In a statement later the government, replying to Dr Sant's Sunday speech, said the resignation was not sent to the government but to the National Statistics Authority.

Therefore, the government could not have tried to hide such a resignation. It is clear, the statement noted, that the Leader of the Opposition was attempting to cover up the personal attacks on Dr Cordina which according to Dr Cordina himself had led to his resignation.

Opposition finance spokesman Charles Mangion, speaking in Parliament, said that the Opposition's comments and questions were technical, not personal.

It was the duty of the Opposition to question what the government, including the NSO, presented.

People holding public office should expect to be asked to explain their declarations. If Dr Cordina felt libelled by what had been said, he should sue for libel.

The way important government statistics, including those on the debt, employment and GDP were being revised, was unacceptable.