Persuasive politics

I have just finished reading President Emeritus Guido De Marco's memoires The Politics Of Persuasion. Besides appreciating his dedication to me, the contents of the book took me down memory lane in two aspects of my life - personally and politically.

In 1958, my late husband Arthur was elected secretary of the Nationalist Youth Movement (MŻPN) presided at the time by Albert Ganado, Herbert Ganado's cousin. A few years later, Arthur, Albert and Prof. de Marco formed part of the executive council of Herbert Ganado's newly-founded Democratic Nationalist Party.

I knew Herbert Ganado very well as, besides being neighbours at Floriana (where we both came from), he was my witness at my wedding on May 13, 1962.

The Politics Of Persuasion also brought to mind - not that they have ever been forgotten - the difficult years Malta went through - years which I do not augur to future generations.

However, for the sake of history, they have to be remembered. Having for 12 years occupied executive positions in the Nationalist Party Women's Movement, headed by the indefatigable Joyce Grech, Prof. De Marco's local and foreign political activities were quite familiar.

Prof. De Marco contributed a lot for what Malta is today. His strong personality, honesty, integrity, loyalty and determination to act in the best possible way during his political life and also during his five years of Presidency were evident to all. He drew the admiration of his opponents.

His love for his family and his country is outstanding as were his dealings in foreign affairs. His fiery nature and notorious rough dealings aside, he always managed to compromise where the interests of Malta were at stake.

The 350+ pages autobiography is a pleasure to read, as also the Forward by President Eddie Fenech Adami and the author's Introduction to the book.

It is subdivided into 59 chapters, which deal with the various aspects of Prof. de Marco's extremely active life. It is a book which I highly recommend I wish Prof. de Marco a healthy well-deserved retirement and time to enjoy the company of his much-loved family and circle of friends, now that he is a private citizen once again.