Midi and the Royal Malta Yacht Club

The article entitled Royal Malta Yacht Club Finds New Berth At Last (May 30) requires some clarification since it seems to imply that Midi was responsible for the "eight-year saga of negotiations".

When Midi acquired the property at Manoel Island it was guaranteed vacant possession within certain time frames and was not obliged to provide any alternative premises to the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC). Midi's negotiations were conducted with its contractual counterparty namely the government and not with the RMYC. Midi's position on the issue has been consistent all throughout and was put forward by a negotiating team that has remained intact since 1996, that is before the conclusion of the deed of emphyteusis in the year 2000. It is government and the RMYC who have seen ministers, government officials, and last but not least, commodores and committees come and go, sometimes bringing new and conflicting agendas to the table.

It should be pointed out that today, nearly eight years later, we have not disturbed RMYC's occupation of that part of Fort Manoel which is used by them as their premises.

In fact, we had to reschedule our restoration works at Fort Manoel to accommodate RMYC, so much so, that looking at Fort Manoel from Valletta, all the repairs and restoration works on the south facing bastions are complete other than the Couvre Porte.

George Bonello du Puis is reported to have stated that Midi had "lost out" as a result of RMYC relocating their premises outside the boundaries of Manoel Island. Mr Bonello du Puis is of course entitled to his opinion and we congratulate RMYC on successfully concluding the matter.

We trust that with this "saga" now behind, all the parties concerned can get on with their everyday business.