Midi and the Royal Malta Yacht Club

The article entitled Yacht Club Move Sinks Deeper Into Discord (April 27) and the editorial of May 4 are both triggered off by an incorrect statement.

The statement that "Midi's lawyers and CEO wrote part of the wording in the government's proposed contract with the Royal Malta Yacht Club" is untrue. Midi's CEO and its lawyers have not been involved nor have they ever been shown any draft contract between the government and the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC).

They are involved in the drafting of a contract between the government and Midi (to which the RMYC is not a party) whereby Midi will return to the government immediately a site on Manoel Island which the government wishes to grant to the RMYC. We can, therefore, only conclude that the proposed contract shown to The Times by a source is, contrary to what was stated, a contract between the government and Midi.

Having started off with an incorrect statement, the article and editorial provide a one-sided picture of the negotiations which took place until today. We do not feel that we should respond to all the allegations made. It should be pointed out, however, that Midi has been involved because it was asked by the government to return, or relinquish its rights on, land or premises on Manoel Island which the government wishes to grant to the RMYC. If the RMYC moves to premises over which Midi has no rights, then it is up to the government or the owner of the premises and the RMYC to negotiate the conditions for the grant of the premises.

For the record, Midi has always offered its full cooperation to the organisers and participants of the annual Rolex Middlesea race, including using its facilities at the Manoel Island Marina free of charge.