Monday, 31st March 2008

Pros and cons of PfP membership (2)

Michael Briguglio, public relations officer, Żminijietna - Voice of the Left, Valletta.

The government's decision to reactivate Malta's application to join Nato's Partnership for Peace (PfP) project was rash, undemocratic and contrary to the spirit of neutrality. Parliament was not consulted, and there is no mention of the Partnership for Peace in the electoral programme of the Nationalist Party.

The Partnership for Peace is a branch and structure of Nato, whose aggressiveness was shown in recent cases such as Yugoslavia, and which, in the last instance, acts for imperialist interests rather than world peace and social justice. Partnership for Peace Member states are obliged to send their national military planning, programmes and budgets to Nato, which will thus have more geo-political influence. Nato will have more influence on Malta, thus going against Malta's constitutional neutrality. Żminijietna - Voice of the Left believes that instead of having a stronger imperialist structure like Nato, there should be a reformed and more democratic United Nations which could take on necessary missions such as the timely prevention of genocide. Within this context, Malta and the European Union should emphasise the values of peace, equality, social justice and ecological sustainability.

As a small neutral state in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta has much to offer for world peace. Through PfP membership Malta shall lose this positive characteristic.

Previous article • Pros and cons of PfP membership (1)
Next article • Hunters were heard

Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Saturday, November 21, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Joe Vella (on 31/3/08)

Michael Briguglio, is Switzerland less neautral today then it was prior to joining PFP. If not mistaken, isn't Russia as well a member of PFP?

Charles Camilleri (on 31/3/08)

You still live in the time of the cold war when your leftist allies used to occupy half of Europe. Now things have changed and you still want to remain behind. Thank heaven your a voice in the wilderness.

H. Farrugia (on 31/3/08)

Briguglio You seem to be an expert in all things under the sun. And who are you, after all? Spare us more humbug. Your advice is not requested. Let the people eat cake.

TONY FORMOSA (on 31/3/08)

Where is Yugoslavia today Briguglio? Are there any super powers these days?
The 'cold' war ended decades ago,so what is the neutrality that is mentioned in the Constitution?
What positive characteristic is Malta losing because of its joining the PfP? Do we have to endure the same old tunes and patterns from big headed nonentities ?