Muscat 'hints' helped PN prepare for JPO attack

C. Farrugia

Jun 18th 2008, 07:49

The case here is trying to put throw mud on a person who is corruption free because as Joe Saliba said it was he that hinted out about JPO SCANDAL. Obviously this is because they (the PN) has no other means yet to discredit Dr.Muscat.

On the other hand Joe Saliba and friends are trying to cover up the SCANDAL of JPO. It is noting New here, it is done continuously since corruption is with its roots within the PN and therefore Government. In Malta instead of making Justice even with everyone, especially the ones that are there to give example, we try to cover u[p for them. Than we find a person who erected a room in his Garden without a MEPA permit and and try to make a show with him. This is the Justice we can expect form such people. There are people who are able to think for themselves and people who are just sheep and follow the leader, that is why we cannot make MALTA a better place because of these ignorant people.

James Sultana

Jun 17th 2008, 21:52

Since I have been again approached and asked whether I was posting comments on the articles regarding the JPO MIstra saga I am writing here that I, James Sultana of Valeltta residing in Birkirkara am not the same James Sultana who is taking part in the discussions relating to the JPO Mistra saga.

I want to make it clear that I do not write in any blog, newspaper or forum on issues of a political nature or of political controversy.

David Gatt

Jun 17th 2008, 18:31

@PJ Mifsud

Let me illuminate 1 small fact for you.. do you honestly believe a man who declares he dosen't know that he'll soon become 2,000,000 euros richer because of a development that is going to happen on his own land?

Joe Vella

Jun 17th 2008, 16:29

@ James Sultana

I am afraid that you are mixing things up. What you have pictured is an unscrammbel jigsaw puzzle. If you put things in chronogical order you might be able to understant the chain of events as they happen.

Unlike what you are claiming, many of us stated to let the investigation to be completed and then comment on the whole issue.

Joe Micallef

Jun 17th 2008, 15:35

For convenience sake many are confusing three aspects surrounding the whole issue to justify Dr. Sant and his strategists (including Dr. Muscat).
- Corruption, that is when an individual pays a monetary or in-kind value to obtain something for which he has no absolute right aggravated by the fact that the receiving end has no right to the money in the first place. This is what Sant alleged for political mileage. The fact that he cowarded out of confrontation on a number of times, quantifies his credibility.
- Political Implications, that is when a politician promotes legislation which in one way or another produces personal gain at the expense of the rest. This is now being vented by Dottor Muscat to pick up any fragments of credibility the MLP might still have.
- Political Consistency, that is when someone preaches something but does another. This is what JPO could be accused of. Had he contested on my district I would have found it difficult to vote for him (even though the conveniently misplaced attack of Sant might have convinced me to do so). But judgment on this aspect falls within the realm of the electorate and no one else.

James Sultana

Jun 17th 2008, 15:12

@ Joe Micallef

Your explanation to Joe Saliba`s words of wisdom (are they Joe Saliba`s words, or those of the foreign passed string puller by the way ?) is that "....... in which Dottor Muscat (seated near Simon Busutill), spoke of breaking corruption news that would corner the PN. "

Now, since all JPO`s devotees are applauding his innocence, something which they believed from day 1, and claiming that JPO was always clean ,etc etc etc ... can they explain how the mention of "BREAKING CORRUPTION NEWS" led Joe Saliba to FIGURE OUT STRAIGHT AWAY THAT IT WAS A REFERENCE TO JPO AND MISTRA ????????

If there was nothing corrupt in it, if JPO was insisting "X`progett hu Dr. Sant jahasra ? M`hemm l-ebda progett !!", if Lawrence Gonzi indicated he didn`t know all the story and if Joe Saliba had said that the JPO story nearly cost them the election .... how come the talk of corruption led him straight to this story and even though he had prepared for the attack, he still claims it was going to cost the election ???

Somebody is mixing things up ... for one reason or another !!

David Battistino

Jun 17th 2008, 12:36

The bottom line is one: The PN won the election because it had people within it with 'superior qualities' that outwitted the strategists at the mile end glass house. If it was JPO or JS, who knew beforehand, makes little difference, as it was the whole team that knew beforehand. Like it or not it is part of the ‘game’. In this particular game, there are only losers and winners (no draws) the ones with the best team, overall, won it. Pity for the losers that they can only have a replay only in 5 years time!

Alan Picco

Jun 17th 2008, 11:57

For the sake of credibility, just watch Monday's Bondi+ and observe the contradictory behaviour and statements of JPO. If using objective judgement, anyone can conclude who was right from the beginning!!

Joe Vella

Jun 17th 2008, 11:37

@ Pauline Barbara

it only came out out cause it was raised in the extensive interview that The times had with Joe Saliba. Unlike you are suggesting Joe Saliba only mentioned it as a result. Iwonder what you and others would be saying if Joe Saliba said soemthing during the leadership race. So, it easy to conclude that there was no malice on behalf of Joe Saliba.

It is obvious after they got the wind of it, JPo or someone else confirmed it with thier source within the MLP, As Joe Micallef suggested below go and review the tapes.

Joe Vella

Jun 17th 2008, 11:32

@ Abel Abela

Actually, Joe Saliba is going to promote the canonization fo Alfred Sant, Martyr of la Divina Verita

PJ Mifsud

Jun 17th 2008, 11:19

I can't fathom why elves are getting so hot under the collar due to Joe Saliba's revelations. Joe and JPO's statements are in complete accordance and public instances have been quoted as to when and where Joseph Muscat let the cat out of the bag. He must have done so wittingly or unwittingly. Had he behaved unwittingly, he'd have displayed naivety, tactlessness and lack of foresight - qualities not usually associated with good leaders, let alone leaders of the Opposition. Had he acted wittingly, he's more Machiavellian than ever suspected of being. The outcome of this episode contributed in some way to Labour's defeat at the last Polls.

Now why should JM wilfully contribute to a Labour defeat, albeit on a minor scale? Your turn elves to have a go; your guess is as good as mine!!

Abel Abela

Jun 17th 2008, 09:32

All Maltese Catholics please note: having outwitted all his adversaries as PN Sec General, the great Saliba will now embark on a new career as promoter of the canonization of the living Maltese saint to be known as Saint Jeffrey Pullicino de Mistra Minestrone.

Joe Micallef

Jun 17th 2008, 09:16

For all those who are calling Joe Saliba a liar I suggest you go to the PBS archives and ask for the BA conference, broadcast a week or two before Alfred Sant cowarded out, in which Dottor Muscat (seated near Simon Busutill), spoke of breaking corruption news that would corner the PN. This wanna-be prime minister not only gave his cards away but withheld information which might have been valauble for the police investigations had they been reported instantly.

David Gatt

Jun 17th 2008, 01:49

@Daphne Caruana Galizia

You and Adrew Borg Cardona need to come up with some better jokes cause nobody's laughing at them anymore. We're ctually laughing at you instead these days.

And by the way, you needn't repeat every word Joe Saliba says. We've already heard it all. Ok Polly?

Pauline Barbara

Jun 16th 2008, 22:28

@ Joe Vella

Why wasn't Joseph Muscats' name mentioned before, we only heard from JPO that someone within the Labour Party had decided to inform him personally. As I said and will say again, a bit too convenient and typical PN.

Also Joe Saliba didn't say what you are saying that PN deduced what was going to happen from what JM said and then had it confirmed from JPO's source; PN must have known about the situation beforehand and if anything got the info.from JPO prior to deducing what JM was referring to. Hence there was no reason to mention JM other then a political jibe.

@ DCG

You may vote PN, but you're not entirely asinine despite your vitriolic tripe.

Joe Vella

Jun 16th 2008, 18:40

@ Abel Abela & Pauline Barbara

Simply put it. The PN got the dhads ont from Joseph Muscat by his comments on TVM, and then it was cnfirmed from by a source within the MLP.
Hard to understand.

Pauline, one doesn't have to ba a Miachavelli or have a high I.Q.

Daphne Caruana Galizia

Jun 16th 2008, 17:28

labour elves, instead of raging against Joe Saliba and calling him a liar, why don't you suggest to Joseph-with-the-laurel-wreath that he engages his services for the Labour Party? He's a lot better than Jason Micallef. But you know that, don't you? You may vote Labour, but you're not entirely asinine.

Joe Vella

Jun 16th 2008, 14:43

@ Maria Dolores Fenech

JPO and Joe Saliba are saying the same thing. JPO didn't say how he was informed or the medium that he got the information. Joseph Muscat was an integral part of the MLP Campaign.

Also, while you are at it you might want remind us all the untruths that Alfred Sant said about this issue. OOPS, be careful you might be held for libel to.

Pauline Barbara

Jun 16th 2008, 14:28

@ Joe Vella

One can have the highest I.Q. in the world - however you still need to know what you're looking for inorder to be able to identify the object. If PN deduced what was afoot from what Joseph Muscat said, then PN did know about it beforehand.

Personally I just think this is fabricated nonsense from the PN camp, yes PN did know about MLP's impending disclosure on JPO, but only because someone from inside the MLP camp chose to inform JPO (this is what JPO said, so how can you come to the conclusion that JPO & Saliba are saying the same thing?), and then JPO informed PN of the storm that was brewing.

A bit too convenient wouldn't you say that PN never happened to mention this brilliant piece of code breaking, when the JPO story broke out? I've only got 2 words to say - Sad & Pathetic.

Maria Dolores Fenech

Jun 16th 2008, 13:00

Quote:In the final days of February, I was informed by sources within the Malta Labour Party ....... JPO explains his position - The Timesof Malta
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080614/local/pullicino-orlando-explains-his-position
Quote: Indirect hints given by Joseph Muscat during the election campaign enabled the Nationalist Party to deduce that the MLP was about to launch an attack on Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.......Joe Saliba The Sunday Times of Malta (above)
AND the PM said he knew nothing about it prior to the election!!!!!

Abel Abela

Jun 16th 2008, 12:30

@ Joe Vella, who wrote: "Both Joe Saliba and JPO are saying the same thing".
No they aren't, and the people at Pieta know that well enough.
JPO said he was "informed by sources within the Malta Labour Party who were appalled by the negative campaigning which typified Dr. Alfred Sant’s approach to the 2008 Elections, that I was to be the focus of a concerted attack in the last week before the General Elections".
Saliba is saying the PN forecast a coming attack on JPO from vague comments which happened to be made by Joseph Muscat.

A A Vella

Jun 16th 2008, 11:19

If the new Labour Leader was Dr Abela, then Joe Saliba would have said that Dr Abela gave hints. And what where these indirect hints? Because by the sound of them they were pretty direct since the PN concluded that JPO would be a target? CONTRADICTION!!

Here again I say that journalism is seriously becoming a joke.

To post such a header based on speculations that cannot be proved is irresponsible. The AIM of such headers and articles is very clear. CHARACTER ASSASINATION of the new labour leader. It has already started. It is better if the new labour leader is criticized (constructively) by what he says and does rather than trying to build a story out of allegations which are almost impossible to prove.

Joe Vella

Jun 16th 2008, 10:34

Both Joe Saliba and JPO are saying the same thing. JPO never stated that any specific individual within the MLP told him either directly or indirectly. It is now that Joe Saliba is expanding on the issue.

Joseph Muscat was an integral part of the MLP campaign. Whether, Joseph Muscat did it intentionally or not it is another matter. I think when Joseph Muscat spoke out he showed a lack of Political maturity. Joseph Muscat said enough that the PN concluded that the MLP were about to raise a certain issue and had the intelligence to identify what the issue was going to be.

A political leader who is astute will never jeopardise the Campaign Strategy of his party like Joseph Muscat did

C. Farrugia

Jun 16th 2008, 09:05

So if Joe Saliba could pinpoint to Dr.Pullicino from the Hint that Joseph Muscat, the PN KNEW about the scandal and did NOTHING about it (as Usual). This is a very SERIOUS thing, how can the PN be credible anymore. The PN will actually do anything in order to remain in power and the funny thing is most of them actually believe they are CHRISTIANS.

Ben Grech

Jun 16th 2008, 08:54

Well I m confused. As soon as this issue was brought to light the nationalist party machine and JPO himself were denying any knowledge of the whole affair. Now JPO is stating that he knew some details such as the fact that a toilet was going to be erected on sight and Saliba is claiming that Muscat somehow indirectly alerted the nationalist party. If the nationalist party members had no idea about the said project how could they possibly piece together the said clues????? I hope that PN takes a note from the Labour party and moves towards becoming more credible themselves as conjuring up silly stories in an attempt to discredit your rival isn t what I would have expected of them.

Joe Galea

Jun 16th 2008, 08:00

Joe, you're just another case of BAD OLD HABITS NEVER DIE. Pathetically Joe Saliba is hinting that Joseph Muscat is a GonziPN spy!!...this is hilarious. GonziPN redused politics to a mere sitcom.
@Leonard Gauci, I wouldn't give abyting for Joe Saliba. His campaign was successful because the Labour had Jason micallef as gen. sec. putting up a disastrous campaign. Even if the GonziPN had a 4-year old to put up a campaign, they could have got away with it. So don't glorify Joe Saliba and the GonziPN win in the last election. Remember that MLP lost so GonziPN won by default (other than making promises galore and giving out hefty sums, and other pre-electoral vote hunting giveaways).

Joseph Caruana

Jun 15th 2008, 22:43

so it was Joseph Muscat that gave the PN the victory!

mark tanti

Jun 15th 2008, 21:51

What a bunch of jealous people you MLP supporters are. Whatever you call Joe Saliba whether builder or contractor or what ever you like Joe won two General Election and a referendum. I like it when you call him the builder because he is a real builder. Just take a look at the new Dar Centrali and you see what a professional builder Joe is. Your Dar tal Hgieg just opposite now looks like a supermarket when compared to the new Dar Centrali.
Joe, I would like to thank you for all you have done for our country even for these MLP supporters who like their general secretary J.Micallef the only think they know is being sarcastic.

M. Camilleri

Jun 15th 2008, 20:06

Very simple all Saliba's supporters....

either JPO or your Highness Joe the builder is not saying the truth.

He was present at this week's meeting between Gonzi & Muscat. From this interview it seems that during this meeting his mind was elsewhere, cause he is not following what both leaders promised to each other....

Dr. Noel Calleja

Jun 15th 2008, 19:58

When the time came to have a professional advise from Joe, his advice to act upon was unbiased. I do believe that all his decisions taken were the same and this lead the Nationalist Party to victory after victory. Well done Joe and for sure that your work is going to be missed. May I wish you all the very best in your endeavours.

V. Cauchi

Jun 15th 2008, 18:10

OK. The Nationalist stealth bombers are airborne, loaded and fired the first shots at Joseph Muscat. We know the trick now and it will not work anymore. Try another one Joe Saliba!

Abel Abela

Jun 15th 2008, 17:24

JPO says that he was tipped by internal sources in the MLP who could not longer stand Alfred Sant's negative campaigning.
Joe Saliba insists the PN detected from Joseph Muscat's vague comments that Labour was about to disclose the whole Mistra scandal.
Who is going to believe both gentlemen are saying the truth?
Joe Saliba waqqajt il-gebla fuq sieqek. What a pathetic attempt at undermining Joseph Muscat.

Joe Caruana

Jun 15th 2008, 16:52

This Joe Saliba man is a winner

Leonard Gauci

Jun 15th 2008, 16:46

the grapes are indeed very very sour ... and I wonder how many of those knocking Joe Saliba would have given their right (or left?) arm to have him manage the MLP's election campaign

David Gatt

Jun 15th 2008, 13:22

This Joe Saliba guy is a funny man, I'm gonna miss him.

Mark Pisani

Jun 15th 2008, 12:31

Joe Saliba - Thank you for everything. Your work within the PN was excellent and we thank you for the victories that you helped bring about.

The rest of the bloggers - more sour grapes HAHAHA

Gloating is soooo much fun

jesmond zammit

Jun 15th 2008, 12:06

so what? its better than going for a holiday with a main building contractor . please dont reduce politics to this level. joe ,another politition in another coutry , should have resigned or never took part in the election.

Keith Grech

Jun 15th 2008, 11:57

When will we grow up....
Malta needs a conflict of ideas and will to move foprward not these absurd Sunday comments. Thankful that Joe Saliba will be moving on. At the end he is a liability to the party. We youth voted PN thanks to Gonzi and no one else but as the saying goes this may happen only once! (Keith Grech, Attard)

J. Mifsud

Jun 15th 2008, 11:51

Joe, dear Joe,

Go tell it to the marines!!!! The Maltese deserve better, much better. This is again character assassination galore!!!! We, the electorate, are learning at our own expense. Do not keep taking us for a ride. I am one of many thousands who are waiting patiently for the 300 plus promises to materialise. This time no excuses are permitted. The PN knew beforehand about the global problems.

R. Pace

Jun 15th 2008, 11:40

It's a case of "min ihawwad l-izjed".... nothing more and nothing less!

davidmagro

Jun 15th 2008, 10:40

Joe,

You will never change. You will take every occassion to kill the image of Joseph, same would have applied if George would have been elected. You think that you are living in the period of 1789 in France ? Do you have the " Divine right " to rule ? Your party has a history of manipulation, corruption and character assisination. Once the left is united ( and it will be ), PN will resemble the "ancieme regime " of France.

Joe, you have over 300 promise to keep.....START WORKING ON THEM !

Alfred Vella

Jun 15th 2008, 10:13

If Michael Falzon, Evarist, MLC, or George Abela were elected leaders of the MLP, rest assured that Joe Saliba would have indicted the selected one, claiming that he/she brought to the PN's attention such information. It's the same old story, baptism of fire on whoever is elected Labour leader and a weak attempt to undermine his credibility.

Adrian Camilleri

Jun 15th 2008, 10:01

Joe, Dr. Muscat wants a new political season, and you're doing the contrary! You remained the same, even if you're leaving. The character assassination on ANY MLP Leader is your party's DNA.

Sorry to tell you, bue "wara kulhadd bravu". You should have said this thing on JPO even 24hrs after the election, like you did when you mentioned that you had to do EVERYTHING to win the election.

I hope that your successor will do the change that this country needs in terms of a "new political season" for both parties.

It takes two the tango, they say.

Time up Joe, England is waiting for you.

Abel Abela

Jun 15th 2008, 09:56

Who is not saying the truth? Joe Saliba or JPO?
Joe Saliba is claiming that, following comments made by Joseph Muscat on TV, PN strategists detected that Labour was about to disclose JPO's role in the Mistra project, and that Muscat did not name JPO directly.

(1) Joe Saliba is directly contradicting JPO, who yesterday stated the following: " I was informed by SOURCES WITHIN the Malta Labour Party who were appalled by the negative campaigning which typified Dr. Alfred Sant’s approach to the 2008 Elections, that I was to be the focus of a concerted attack in the last week before the General Elections."

(2) If Joe Saliba is telling the truth, ie that the PN was only acting on vague comments made in public by Joseph Muscat, then the PN knew about the whole story of JPO and Mistra PRIOR to its disclosure by Alfred Sant.
If Saliba speaks the truth, he knew all along it was the likeliest scandal to come out, and led a carefully orchestrated damage limitation campaign to boomerang Mistra back on Alfred Sant .
Now he is trying to undermine Joseph Muscat. Some strategy!