27 migrants landed

Joseph Sammut

Jul 2nd 2008, 20:36

@Corinne Vella: I should have taken Mr. William Carr's advise: you are unreachable!

Corinne Vella

Jul 1st 2008, 21:57

Joseph Sammut: Thank you for your kind wishes. I am reading your comment 6 days later. You do not have to give any names to *me*, of course. What you should do is give names to the police and to the ETC who can investigate any wrong doing and exploitation. You see, you're so tangled up in convolutions of your own making, that you don't realise there is something you can do. If you do know of any wrong doing here in Malta, then you are in a position to do something about it. If you do not know anything, then your opinion is unfounded and is merely suspicion, not fact.

M.Mercieca

Jun 26th 2008, 00:59

F, Camilleri
You said good suggestion.
(…, convincing the EU to help the African continent (even at the cost of EU members receiving proportionally less funds).

I think the EU is offering us (Euro 850 Million) to also include what you are suggesting. Not to mention the money we are already receiving specifically for the illegal immigrant.
…………………

Please let us forget about the illegal immigrants and Malta for few.
I will just put this example for the sake of the conversation. If you don’t mind?
Your home is at blaze (God forbid) and you have no means of communications to get police help? Will you hesitate a second to jump into your next door wash room?

Another example: You and your kids are starving of hunger, and you also know that your food, wealth and resources are either damaged or were ripped-off by your next door peoples. How will you react? What will you do?
Please before you answer I would like you to read the following article. Again remember we are not talking about illegal immigrants.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/search/keywords:rosanne%20zammit/method:all

Thank you and God bless you too

Joseph Sammut

Jun 25th 2008, 21:23

@Corinne Vella: froth, what froth? You have no idea how calm I am about you and this issue: sorry you are wrong again; you cannot help it, can you!!!??? You jump too quickly into conclusions, namely that I targetted Malta, when I have told you that my comment was on a global context (that however does not exclude Malta, after all we do form part of the world).

What names do I have to give you: just look around you (and just in case you are getting upset - I mean this in a global sense) and see what is happening; you should start to understand fat cat. Now if you see a fat cat roaming the street where you live, don't you go kicking it on account of me:)

Have a nice night or day; I don't know when you would be reading this!

Corinne Vella

Jun 25th 2008, 17:44

Joe Sammut: There is no anger - just amusement at seeing someone work themselves into a froth just because a person they do not know questions their unsubstantiated hypothesis. You, not I, first floated the idea of (unnamed) fat cats controlling policy-making in Malta so that they can have access to cheap labour at the expense of the Maltese worker. I questioned that hypothesis. You did not provide an answer. Your thinking on this matter, such as it is, suffers from a lack of evidence. Consider providing some when you make such claims. It would do much for your credibility.

Kamal Awad

Jun 25th 2008, 12:50

@Raymond Sammut
Sir,
Could you answer the following questions please?
"If you were the minister in charge what would you do for solving this problem?

Why you think Libya should act as a safety-valve between illegal immigrants and or refugee producing countries and Europe?

Thanks and good day.

F, Camilleri

Jun 25th 2008, 11:09

@ M. Mercieca
Loving your wife/children does not imply ‘hating’ the rest of the other women/children.
It means that your wife and children are special to you; ALWAYS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF FAIRNESS AND UNSELFISHNESS.
The same applies for loving one's country.

As far as I know I answered SINCERELY all your questions in all your comments.

Admittedly, I was sharp on your comments sometimes; your stance that ILLEGAL immigration is 'an issue of no issue' went a bit too far.

A tendency of human nature is that we expect more especially from those in whom we place a lot of trust.

We have different ideas of how to tackle problems. This results from the fact that we are not stereotypes. If I were PM I would probably act differently precisely because of this.

I expect tougher stand from our Government, (admittedly, an uphill job) challenging existing treaties and bringing about the necessary amendments, convincing the EU to help the African continent (even at the cost of EU members receiving proportionally less funds).

This makes ILLEGAL immigration a worthless risk and at the same time avoiding extra problems to all countries especially the smaller ones.

Take care and God Bless.

Raymond Sammut

Jun 24th 2008, 23:59

@ Luciano Mule Stagno

Thank you Mr Mule Stagno. I could have scarcely said it better myself. I would only add that human trafficking is endangering lives on the one hand, while on the other hand, the number of sporadic arrivals has now become overwhelming and is putting the Maltese people in general under a great deal of stress and anxiety. This fact is not always being acknowledged and is not being given the attention it deserves. Simply abiding by the 1951 Convention, the Valletta government is not going to solve anything. I personally hold the view that while the Tripoli government continues to refuse to become a party to this instrument, abiding will only continue to exacerbate the situation. Tonio Borg had not been able to secure proportionate sharing with Brussels, and hence the Maltese people have every reason to be deeply worried.

William Carr

Jun 24th 2008, 23:52

@Joseph Sammut :To tell you the truth at first I didn’t get your point.
Imma somebody with a bit ‘foreign name’ posted a very provoking comment in connection with the hike of oil prices. In fact from there I got to understand what you meant by the fat-cat.business. Yes, fat-cats are living and kicking among us.

Luciano Mule Stagno

Jun 24th 2008, 21:46

No insult intended - but boat people, legal or otherwise, are people in need of help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Catholics are supposed to help anyone in need - even if inconvenient.
no one is arguing that this is not a stress to our economy but the global reality we are living in will see people from areas of lower opportunity move to ones of higher opportunity. We are lucky enough to be part of the latter with all the baggage that entails.
Though we are strategically placed in the unfortunate situation that many of these people end up in our custody we are not alone having this problem - many countries have a much higher burden of illegal immigrants no matter which way you look at it (per capita, as a percentage of GDP etc..)
I agree that this is a European problem and our European cousins should step up to the plate and give their fair share to help us and other southern states cope with the problem but till that is resolved our main concern should be the well-being of these people even if it means some sacrifice on our part.

M.Mercieca

Jun 24th 2008, 20:02

@F. Camilleri

Although you didn’t answer my question but I still thank you for you answer. I guess you agree with me that for us to love our country does not mean we should hate others?

Now- I have a ‘claim against’ you.

I say it publicly - if today we have F. Camilleri the PM of Malta most probably he would act the same way like Dr. Gonzi and the government. Can you rebut my claim within the following considerations please:
Malta is a country forms part of the international community and not (isolated Bocca-Club in Hamrun)
Malta is sovereign UN member (therefore bound with international treaties)
Malta is EU member state (receives money from EU. (If I am not mistaken we have about Euros 850 on the way) Why you think the EU pays money to us? Is it because we have a sunny Island?
Libya too, is a sovereign UN member state and should not be employed as 24/7/365 security guard for Europe (or do you see Libya should?. If yes…why should they?)
I would welcome your rebut within the frame of all the above mentioned. (Not selectively please)

Joseph Sammut

Jun 24th 2008, 18:51

@ William Carr: Thank you; I am glad you share my thinking.

@ Corinne Vella: Hello Corinne, I sense much anger in your person; I am afraid it contributes to your dismissal of my thinking and your quality of response to it. I can assure you that your attitude does in no way lead to any degree of inferiority complex on my part; actually it had an effect to the contrary! Thank you!

The 'fat cats that rule the world' theory is as old as you would care to take it and I repeat that no matter how much anyone shuns it aside, it has always been there, it is with us and will outlive us, so there you are. Fat Cats is big corporate business: now do you get an inklink of what I am trying to say?????? Just in case by 'us' you understand 'in Malta', that's your problem.

F. Camilleri

Jun 24th 2008, 15:51

@ M. Mercieca

I am DEEPLY WORRIED about the situation; a reality whose negative implications on our country, young parents and children you cannot accept or perceive.

I could sit tight-lipped and cross-legged. I have a good job (thanks to the Lord and to my diligence in my work and to NOBODY else).

Unfortunately, I have no children since I never married. Yet, I feel it is my duty to defend them even at the cost of making enemies.

I did not vote for the AN; the team probably did not inspire the required political trust.

I am a PN voter. However, I am NOT PLEASED with the way the PN is tackling the situation.

My comments are SINCERELY intended to make you realise the reality of the situation against a background of indoctrination (conscious or unconscious) by individuals who mean well.

The EU is bound to help the African continent. Malta did not contribute towards the African poverty and lack of education; yet Malta is being punished for these crimes she did not commit.

Love your own country. Keep in mind our adolescents and our innocent youngsters. Let us work harder together as a UNITED Maltese Nation .

Corinne Vella

Jun 24th 2008, 15:38

William Carr: You do not know me from Adam, so I feel that I should point this out to you: It's not fair to pressure Joseph Sammut into taking our differing intellectual levels into consideration as he may develop an inferiority complex. The man is troubled enough, so why do you wish to add to his burden?

You say you agree with Mr Sammut's fat cat 'theory', so you must be aware of the names that he prefers to keep close to his chest. Really, if you have any hard evidence at all, you should both put your money where your mouth is and go to the police instead of hatching conspiracy theories here. Then again, there is probably no hard evidence at all - merely a personal conviction based on suspicion rather than fact.

William Carr

Jun 24th 2008, 00:26

@Joseph Sammut, I agree with your fat cat theory.
Please take ‘intellectual levels’ into consideration when talking with:
Corinne Vella-@Joanne Micallef

M.Mercieca

Jun 24th 2008, 00:01

@F. Camilleri
I am glad that your key board could defuse your tension. Keep yourself limited to the keyboard. This is safer.

One question please, can I?
Why AN didn’t even fill one ballot box last election?

Corinne Vella

Jun 23rd 2008, 23:51

Joseph Sammut: Here's what you said: "the fat cats have it better these days as they do not have to pay for the slaves". I didn't put those words in your mouth, so to speak.

You mention fat cats again, but you do not say who they are. Do you have names or just suspicions?

F. Camilleri

Jun 23rd 2008, 18:35

@ M. Mercieca.
I am always very consistent in my comments.

Probably the problem lies in the fact that you do not understand them even though I take care to key them in plain simple correct English.

Anybody, NO MATTER WHO, is shamelessly afraid of defending his country, does not work hard for its well-being, and is afraid to face the stark realities which are looming on our horizon, threatening our sovereignty and the security of our children, will always get the necessary consistent reaction from my keyboard.

Nobody dictates my ideas and values where the love of my country is concerned. My values and ideas are guided by the TRUTH which you seem either reluctant to accept or too naïve to understand.

Joseph Sammut

Jun 23rd 2008, 18:28

Corinne Vella: you have a way of interpreting what you read! Please do not put words in my mouth, so to speak.

As for who are the fat cats: I think I said it in my letter - they are those who really run the world; they have been, they are and they will always be.

M. Mercieca

Jun 23rd 2008, 16:18

@Joanne Micallef
Are you worried about a song? Or celebrating a feast?
If you would like to know what all of us should be worried about , I kindly ask you to read my comment (Islam in Europe in the following site).

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080615/local/migrants-reported-hanging-to-tuna-pen

Also on today’s paper please read the following

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080623/local/children-are-heavy-drinkers-but-no-drunks

Joe Sammut

Jun 23rd 2008, 11:09

Hey all: wake up! What Government and the AFM aren't saying is that this may well be another very bad case of migrants recovered in the Libyan Search-and-Rescue region of responsibility, and poor small Malta once again got suckered into taking on these migrants as well, as the Libyans failed again to fulfill their SAR-obligations as per international obligations.
Oh FRONTEX, where forth art thou? Big joke from Warsaw, and when we're already a 34-36% up,on local migrant arrival figures over last year.
Enough of this velvet glove treatment with the issue, use the iron fist. Where's the Mintoff no-nonsense politics I was brought up with in this day and age of lap-dog appeasement to Brussels. EU partner member states my foot, they are simply deliberately looking the other way, and Malta sinks in the mire of a silent African migration onslought, at taxpayers expense!

Raymond Sammut

Jun 23rd 2008, 04:52

A disturbing allegation that is being made here is that Italian fishermen could be complicit with human traffickers. We have to keep in mind that safety of life at sea always takes precedence, and those who are nearest are required to assist. Whether there is in fact any complicity is up to the police immigration section to investigate and to inform the public accordingly

@Luciano Mule Stagno

Malta is assisting for humanitarian reasons and not because it is Roman Catholic. At the same time, Maltese people have every right to express their concerns and do not deserve to be insulted. If you disagree with any of us, then have the courtesy to explain as to why you disagree rather than merely hurtling insults.

John Azzopardi

Jun 22nd 2008, 23:59

Someone said who is running the country. It's the EU, that's who. This thing seems to be out of our hands. It's a shame that we are getting 2000 illegal individuals, besides all the other ones that land in Malta by air and stay here. Malta is turning into a camp site, and the faster we wake up and see what's happen to our country, the better. Malta, a country of it's size cannot take this influx. It's time, the government, the opposition and other organizations get serious on this situation.

Joanne Micallef

Jun 22nd 2008, 22:24

@William- I got my facts alright, and that is exactly why I wrote what I wrote. Only a minority from the illegal immigrants are Catholic.

Besides never in my post did I imply that a religion is superior to another. And nowhere did I mention that our kids should not mix or play with other children of different beliefs. I simply stated a fact, if you bother to watch foreign news you would know that in England amongst other things most stores as not to upset the immigrants during the festive season started saying happy winter fest rather than merry Christmas. In Italy for the same reason certain schools did not put up their usual Nativity Play.
These are only two examples of the many little things other Europeans had to change and give up in order not to offend the immigrants they so kindly accepted. The way I see it, if the immigrants really want to integrate they are the ones that have to accept and adapt and not the other way around. If they feel that our religious feasts, symbols and statues offend them, than they should move to a country with their same religious belief.

M.Mercieca

Jun 22nd 2008, 21:54

@ Joanne Micallef

This is our problem as the Pope perfectly said it:

Western society is suffering a "deficit of hope" where many people seek shallow of sexual gratification instead of faith and family values, Pope Benedict said in a New Year's Eve sermon.

@F. Camilleri
I see that you are talking different. Have you changed your robe today?

Corinne Vella

Jun 22nd 2008, 21:53

Joseph Sammut: You seem to be annoyed that "fat cats" don't need to pay for slaves. You don't seem at all annoyed that people are not paid their dues. Who are these fat cats that you mention? A few names and figures would substantiate your argument.

Raymond Sammut

Jun 22nd 2008, 21:42

Luciano Mule Stagno, having expressed your admonishment, are we now supposed to feel ashamed and ask for forgiveness?

William Carr

Jun 22nd 2008, 21:22

@Joanne Micallef
You are similar to Another Louis Vella, just jump into conclusions and state unbased statements. Although the issue here is not of illegal immigrants from a certain religion- but many still would love to make it sound like this.
Whatever, why should I be worried if my Christian kids would be playing with others belong to different religion? I should only worry if my kids are not aware of their religion or are not brought up wrongly. If I opt to keep my kids only mix with kids from same religion this is ignorance.
Do you think our kids are superior? Immigrants too, may think not to let their kids mix with others.
From where you state that most illegal immigrants are Muslim? Get your fact right about the religion map of Africa before you post a message please.

F. Camilleri

Jun 22nd 2008, 20:30

Christianity has nothing to do with the present issue.

Charity begins at home. Charity must be a responsible Charity. Taking food from one's children to give it to others is not Christian charity. It is an act of irresponsibility.

A minority of Maltese citizens claim to be SAINTLY on the grounds of accepting ILLEGAL immigrants indiscriminately. This is an act of irresponsibility and not an act of saintliness.

It seems that these individuals cannot or do not want to grasp the negative implications of ILLEGAL immigration. These negative implications do not concern them. Most of them have no children to care for. They do not give a euro cent to the sufferings and insults endured by the personnel at the detention centres.

Moreover, these self-appointed saints should know better and abide by the Truth accepting the fact that the issue here is about ILLEGAL immigrants, not 'irregular' immigrants or simply 'migrants.' This applies to the certain sections of the media too.

Sometimes I wonder who is really running the country: the Government democratically elected by the Maltese citizens, or a handful of these self-appointed saints who pretend to the models of Christianity.

Joanne micallef

Jun 22nd 2008, 20:14

@ Mule Stagno - In case you dont know most of these illegal immigrants are Muslims, keeping in mind that we Maltese are having less children whilst on the other hand one cannot say the same thing for the local African population, if I were you I'd worry if in the future our children will be free to practice our faith and celebrate our religous fests. Does 'Winterfest' ring a bell for you!!!!

Salvatore Aquilina

Jun 22nd 2008, 19:18

Guarantee next week more immigrants are coming in to Malta

Kamal Awad

Jun 22nd 2008, 19:08

The issue in few points

Illegal immigrants needs Europe
Europe needs MILLIONS OF IMMIGRANTS FROM Africa-China and India). Immigrants from China and India are needed to fill the Technology-gap in Europe).

Africa export many qualities of illegal immigrants while Europe insists on the quality of the immigrants. (EU is issuing directive in this regard)
Africa will not allow ‘brain drain’ to happen again (similar to what happened post WWII)

Malta is victimized between Europe and Africa (because of location)
Malta’s prime role in this thorny issue is:
• Receiving irregular immigrants
• Legalize them and (resend some and when necessary)
• Train them and eventually ‘on selective bases’ export them as skilled man power to other European Union member states.

The funds which Malta is getting right now from EU are not covering the costs involved. The government must press the European Union for more funds to cover this business process. The government is rightly doing so anyway.
Here we are not talking spaghetti. The bigger picture is not exactly what we think.
The above is my (view), if you don’t like just trash.

Ian Galea

Jun 22nd 2008, 18:54

Does this mean that if oil is found 98 miles south of Malta it will be ours?

A.Attard

Jun 22nd 2008, 18:42

welcome to malta - your heaven starts here!

paul smith

Jun 22nd 2008, 18:35

Italy must be loving this. Using Malta as the dumping ground for all the imigrants trying to get to their country.

Joseph Sammut

Jun 22nd 2008, 17:34

I have said it recently and I will say it again today: Frontex and any other effort put up by our government and the EU is a front to appease our protests.

Reality is that the EU wants/allows these illegal immigrants so as to satisfy the greed of the business fat cats who control government. You see, in these times one cannot buy slaves from Africa like the fat cats used to do a few hundred years ago: so the fat cats have it better these days as they do not have to pay for the slaves!!!!

On a smaller scale, though significant to us, it is also happening in Malta: remember from a few years ago, construction contractors used to tell government that they cannot find workers to meet the demand: what they meant was that they want cheap labour displacing our maltese worker.

R.Curmi

Jun 22nd 2008, 17:11

@luciano mule stagno
give us a break please. If you happen to check, you will see that a high percentage of these ILLEGAL immigrants arrive in good health,well dressed and sometimes armed with mobiles.Did you care to notice that they arrive in the same number always?.We are being invaded and some people are getting filthy rich through this trade , dropping them on our doorstep. it has nothing to do with being a catholic country or not.Your comments seems to imply that there is not one illegal immigrant in Malta.We had people like you a couple of years back calling the majority of the maltese ,racist and suffering from Xenophobia,however they have toned down now as reality is creeping in. why did they leave there country,? It is written in histroy and Malta sure did not have a say in it. we are being lumped for something we had no control over.
There is a limit that this tiny rock can sustain. Now it has become a silent invasion

Brian

Jun 22nd 2008, 16:54

What does religion have to do with this? What about my children? What about Malta future? What about our employment?.... You have to think about the Maltese people and our children before you start making charity to other countries!... you must be joking!!!

v. pulis

Jun 22nd 2008, 16:37

You see? that's the problem. our reputation for being hospitable is working against us. we should help people in need but others should not use our good intentions to shirk their responsibilities. we can only do so much and the number of people coming over is simply too much for such a tiny island. the situation is getting out of control and everybody aknowledges this. why isn't more pressure being put on libya in this case? because they know that malta will continue to receive these migrants.this last group was nearer to libya than malta. why were they brought here? because we are a catholic country that's why!!!!

PAtrick Attard

Jun 22nd 2008, 16:24

These landings are not of news value any longer

Ivan Attard

Jun 22nd 2008, 16:23

Forget your 'Catholic' sentiments Mule Stagno. We are being barefacedly invaded by ILLEGAL immigrants and it is the people of these islands who are accountable (forget the EU solidarity babble) for our own existence and no-one else. It is National and Cultural sentiments that are being emotionally let out in the absence of anything tangible from the government responsible for this country! To hell with your holier-than-thou attitude - it is OUR small patch of rock in this world and we need to DEFEND it!

A Farrugia

Jun 22nd 2008, 16:08

to luciano dobloue barrel, what if all of africa comes to roost in Malta .. where will it put you ? insulting us with 'catholic Malta'. even catholics have their rights as you have. Shall we put you and your family up for sale to accomodate all of africa, so as to be super catholic? Insulting our religion.

Luciano Mule Stagno

Jun 22nd 2008, 15:42

Seems like the comments are more concerned about how we could have avoided these poor souls from landing on our shores than why they left or their health conditions.
So much for a Catholic Country....

C Buttigieg

Jun 22nd 2008, 15:18

Can someone please explain what we are gaining from the Frontex operations? Before we had to help the immigrants that sailed into our waters. Now we have to go fetch them from international waters whenever anyone reports a sighting.
It seems to make that we are not making enough noise for anyone to take any notice of little Malta...... and please, do not turn this into a political issue, it effects all of us.

Joe Scerri

Jun 22nd 2008, 11:19

Frontex, government, EU. Totally incompetent, one big joke. What a farce.

Joanne Micallef

Jun 22nd 2008, 11:09

Could it be that with all the EU fishing regulations, and the high price they have to pay for fuel the Italian fishermen have found a way to 'make ends meet' ?

anthony

Jun 22nd 2008, 10:21

98 miles ??? isn't it closer to libya ? why don't we organize trips from libya to malta it would avoid the hassel for the AFM. and by the way what about FRONTEX ????

v.pulis

Jun 22nd 2008, 10:20

incredibly as it may sound the migrants of late are comng in in groups of 27 and they are almost always being found by italian fishing trawlers who then call the AFM who in their turn go out and bring them back to Malta. Since we are talking about fishermen here I don't find it too difficult to smell something fishy!

I. M. Dingli

Jun 22nd 2008, 09:51

98 miles!!!! No need to comment i guess