Italian coast guard boat rescues 70 illegal migrants
The Italian Coast Guard vessel Fiorillo brought ashore 70 illegal immigrants at Haywharf, Pieta at about 8 yesterday evening.
At about 8.20 in the morning, the Armed Forces of Malta were informed by MRCC Rome that they were contacted by satellite phone by one of about 70 people who were on a boat at sea.
By 8.50 a.m., an AFM Air Wing Alouette rescue-helicopter was scrambled to search for the migrants' boat which was later sighted 37 nautical miles south west off Malta.
The AFM patrol boat P32 was dispatched and conducted a search for the migrants' boat without success. Contact via satellite phone was lost by then.
At 4.30 p.m., the Italian Military Mission's coast guard informed the AFM that the migrants' boat had been located by some fishing vessels, and that the Italian Coast Guard vessel Fiorillo was going to recover the migrants who were in fairly good health.
Earlier in the day, a boat carrying 27 illegal immigrants, all male Somalis, landed at the Malta Freeport, Birżebbuġa, at about 5 a.m., the police said.
In a separate statement the Armed Forces noted that, at about 3 a.m., the Marsaxlokk pilot boat informed the operations centre that a boat had been spotted near the harbour.
A search and rescue launch escorted the immigrants ashore where they were handed over to the police.
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F. Camilleri
Jun 29th 2008, 10:24
Dear M. Mercieca
I agree with you without any reservation on all counts, with one clarification:
You keyed in:
'… we should defend our rights but not on the account of others…’
We must be careful here. MALTA though a small island with limited resources should never accept to be shamelessly abused by certain member states of the EU, of our innate generosity and Christian principles.
Our political representatives (government and opposition) should strive to present a SOLID COMMON FRONT, at least in this key area, and show a greater sense of duty towards our country.
They must ARGUE firmly and without reservation for a:
i. REAL, IMMEDIATE and FAIR proportional sharing of the problem,
ii SERIOUS endeavour by ALL member states to help the African continent making
ILLEGAL immigration an unnecessary risk.
My friend, this is what I believe in, and I stand to be corrected.
Thanks for this friendly and mature discussion.
Take care and God Bless
M. Mercieca
Jun 29th 2008, 02:13
Dear friend,
You said (….. the problem of ILLEGAL immigration, which moreover, is historically mainly their fault.) Here, you have been credited full marks for this sentence.
So, shall I take what you said in principals that Africa was and actually ‘sill’ being ripped-off by many European countries?
In case we agree, are you in a position to REGULARLY and EQUALLY express your disapproval of this criminal act by many European governments as much as your dissatisfaction with ILLEGAL immigrants?
(If you agree, you will have a human right’s activist next to you)
…………………………..
Regarding those examples, in fact I was talking while Africa is in my mind, certainly not you my friend.
If you I am in danger and I jump into your neighbor’s roof.
Or
If I am starving, and I know that my next door neighbors are behind my hunger- First I eat, get protection , then, whether what I did is legal or illegal, this is another story.
………………………….
Malta is in between; we should defend our rights but not on the account of others (if we are agree that they are victims by our fellow EU Members)
F. Camilleri
Jun 28th 2008, 16:33
@ M. Mercieca
The EU has a hot potato, which is shamelessly dumping on our country.
Do not be blinded by the money. The main purpose of the EU was to help its member states achieve a higher standard of living rather than using them.
While it is true that we gained from the EU, we should never accept to be used by some of the larger members to rid them off the problem of ILLEGAL immigration, which moreover, is historically mainly their fault.
A fair proportional sharing of the problem and the serious endeavour by ALL member states to help the African continent should be our main role in the EU.
Re those dilemmas you put to me, I sincerely did not grasp their real purport.
To be honest I was going to answer in a rather sharp way but could not bring myself to do so to my friend M. Mercieca even though I do not personally know you.
The style of your comments implies that, you are a sincere kind person.
Have a great week-end.
Take care and God Bless.
F. Camilleri
Jun 28th 2008, 16:29
@ M. Mercieca
The EU has a hot potato, which is shamelessly dumping on our country.
Do not be blinded by the money. The main purpose of the EU was to help its member states achieve a higher standard of living rather than using them.
While it is true that we gained from the EU, we should never accept to be used by some of the larger members to rid them off the problem of ILLEGAL immigration, which moreover, is historically mainly their fault.
A fair proportional sharing of the problem and the serious endeavour by ALL member states to help the African continent should be our main role in the EU.
Re those dilemmas you put to me, I sincerely did not grasp their real purport.
To be honest I was going to answer in a rather sharp way but could not bring myself to do so to my friend M. Mercieca even though I do not personally know you.
The style of your comments implies that, you are a sincere kind person.
Have a great week-end.
Take care and God Bless.
F. Camilleri
Jun 28th 2008, 16:03
@ William Carr
Thanks for quoting me correctly this time.
Your answer has some serious implications:
i. Money has a moral value too depending on FOR WHAT rather than HOW MUCH.
I am sure, you would not accept the situation if EU decides to send women
against payment, for an abortion in our country.
Abortion in its very essence is wrong.
ii. I agree with you against the abuse of ALL workers.
Some Maltese workers may lose their job/have their wages reduced due to
employment of ILLEGAL immigrants.
Moreover, these can turn quite nasty sometimes EVEN WHEN TREATED WELL.
iii. Thank God that you are not on a waiting list for medical tests/interventions.
You would not give a cent whether or not the use of Mater Dei by ILLEGAL
immigrants is covered by the EU or not.
iv. Unfortunately, the number of inmates at Mt Carmel Hospital is increasing due to
drug abuse (nothing to do with ILLEGAL immigration – the missive was directed to
me in your anger because I reason differently from you).
v. The 'spicy composition' is the TRUTH. I HEARTILY PRAY, for the sake of OUR
country, that it will be so - a 'spicy composition.'
William Carr
Jun 27th 2008, 23:24
F, Camilleri
I will rebut all your claims:
i. food availability: ILLEGAL immigrants are provided with FREE three square meals a day,
ii. increase in food prices due to a greater increase in food demand,
The above 2 points are covered from the fund which Malta receive from EU. Not from tax payers money. Understood?
iii. the local work market,
Shame on local business that exploit and abuse them. Go and have a cold Caqnu beer and you will see things differently.
iv. the waiting lists at Mater Dei: (a state-of-the-art hospital paid for by the Maltese taxpayer) getting longer PARTLY due to more illegal immigrants needing and DEMANDING IMMEDIATE FREE medical assistance .
Again, this is covered by EU. If you don’t like it, (I assure you’re the list at Mt Carmel Hospital is very short).
WE ARE GRADUALLY BECOMING A COUNTRY IN WHICH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE SHORT OF BEING OUR MASTERS RATHER THAN OUR DANGEROUS INTRUDERS.
The above is a spicy composition not worthed a comment
M.mercieca
Jun 27th 2008, 21:55
F, Camilleri
Good evening. Are we still having a debate?
You said good suggestion. If you were Gonzi you will be:
(…, 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, 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?
Please before you answer I would like you to read the following article.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/search/keywords:rosanne%20zammit/method:all
God bless
F. Camilleri
Jun 27th 2008, 21:26
@ William Carr
Please quote me correctly.
I keyed in: 'the waiting lists at Mater Dei: (a state-of-the-art hospital paid for by the Maltese taxpayer) getting longer PARTLY due to more illegal immigrants needing and DEMANDING IMMEDIATE FREE medical assistance.'
i. I used the word 'PARTLY due ' and not ‘are behind' as you wrongly quote me.
‘are behind’ as you misquote, implies 'THE ONE AND ONLY REASON.'
I hope you are able to understand that a 'whole' is made up of 'parts.'
ii. Moreover, I referred correctly to 'ILLEGAL' immigrants not irregular immigrants as you
wrongly persist and misquote.
iii. Sorry to have wasted your valuable time 'to comment further'; the real reason being
quite obvious - at least for me. Endorsing even by implication, the selling or leasing of
one’s country as a dumping station, is an act of abhorrent irresonsibility.
Bernard Borg
Jun 27th 2008, 20:35
Once again, Frontex did not keep its promises of stemming illegal immigration.
Frontex has a history of consistently failing to deliver.
Frontex had its budget increased substantially for this financial year on the premise of delivering on its promises and reduce the influx of illegal immigration, and it was warned that it would have its budget allocation reduced next year if it does not deliver. It's crystal clear that all it's delivering is more illegal immigration, more difficulties and more unnecessary wastage of taxpayers' money.
I therefore demand that the authorities maintain the agreement with Frontex and action be taken to have the EU budget allocations for Frontex channelled into an EU programme whereby EU countries like Malta can fund the repatriation of illegal immigrants.
Alternatively, if repatriation is not possible, the programme should make funds available for a system like Australia's whereby illegal immigrantas are kept in cut off places far away from the mainland. May I remark that Australia is a vast, rich country, with a very low population density. Malta is small, densely populated, and even after the accession of Bulgaria and Romania into the EU, Malta's GDP per capita is only 77% of the EU average.
Louise Vella
Jun 27th 2008, 20:21
@ William Carr - PM Gonzi was reported to have said "This is an invasion" on the Independent on Sunday of 8 June in the article "Illegal immigrants continue to flood in".
William Carr
Jun 27th 2008, 20:03
@ F. Camilleri
Having read that irregular immigrants are behind the waiting list at Mater Dei hospital, no need I waste my time to comment further..
William Carr
Jun 27th 2008, 19:52
@ Louise Vella
You still didn’t answer my question in connection with your letter to the editor:
Parliamentary debate on illegal immigration - Thursday, 12 June, 2008
An answer will be appreciated.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080612/letters/parliamentary-debate-on-illegal-immigration/
Every body is free to opine. But again, we discussing serious issues not poultry. To distribute ‘self-made’ information is not accepted.
F. Camilleri
Jun 27th 2008, 19:34
@ William Carr
The issue is about ILLEGAL rather than irregular immigrants as you INACCURATELY state.
Malta deserves an economy based on sustainable working opportunities for our adolescents rather than an economy based on handouts by the EU BULLYING us to accept ILLEGAL immigrants.
Malta is NEITHER FOR SALE NOR FOR LEASE to the EU to act as its dumping station of ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
WE want to STOP ONCE AND FOR ALL this passive invasion of our country.
Malta though small, is a sovereign country with every right to determine its own destiny.
We are FULL MEMBERS of the EU and definitely NOT OWNED by the EU.
The negative impact of ILLEGAL immigration includes:
i. food availability: ILLEGAL immigrants are provided with FREE three square meals a day,
ii. increase in food prices due to a greater increase in food demand,
iii. the local work market,
iv. the waiting lists at Mater Dei: (a state-of-the-art hospital paid for by the Maltese taxpayer) getting longer PARTLY due to more illegal immigrants needing and DEMANDING IMMEDIATE FREE medical assistance .
WE ARE GRADUALLY BECOMING A COUNTRY IN WHICH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE SHORT OF BEING OUR MASTERS RATHER THAN OUR DANGEROUS INTRUDERS.
William Carr
Jun 27th 2008, 19:33
@Joanne Micallef
Nobody says we need extra population in Malta- even the irregular immigrants they don’t want to stay in Malta. They need to go to Europe where they are NEEDED.
If you have reservations about this FACT, I again request you and others to get the facts right before opine.
Strictly speaking, irregular immigrants don’t take a cent from tax payers money. Yes, EU gives funds to Malta specifically to cope with irregular immigrants. What about the millions of Euros Malta is expected to take from the EU within a period of two years? If you think The EU is giving us money only for development projects, please think again.
Libya - Knows that millions of immigrants or irregular immigrants are needed in Europe. We will be idiots to believe that Libya’ authorities would patrol the southern Mediterranean for Europe, after all why should they?
Joe Gatt
Jun 27th 2008, 17:16
Nobody should be surprised by the upsurge in the number of illegal immigrants this year. Because of the tough policies of the new Italian government, Malta has become much more attractive to the illegals and to the people traffickers.
In addition, the Frontex mission has been exposed for the sham it truly is. It isn't there to keep illegals away from Malta's shores, but merely to pick them up and ferry them here. The government is either a knowing accomplice in this, or else has been taken for a ride.
The accelerating flood of inassimilable immgrants is causing permanent social and economic damage to Malta. Surely even the liberal do-gooders running our immigration policy recognise this.
All our Members of Parliament should remember that they were elected by the Maltese people to defend THEIR interests and not those of illegal immigrants.
The government must abandon its naive, do-gooder approach and as a first step take immediate action to make Malta a less attractive destination for illegal immigrants than Italy. Otherwise, what is already a crisis will turn into a disaster.
Joanne Micallef
Jun 27th 2008, 16:46
@ William Carr - EU funds will not make our Island grow larger, Malta's main problem is our size and population density. We simply cannot take anymore on board.
I Abela
Jun 27th 2008, 14:46
Can someone please explain how these people are in possession of a satellite phone if we are being made to believe that they hail from poor countries or are politically persecuted, (which also usually means they are a minority in their country and with limited resources). LOL a satellite phone... I'm 29 years old and have been tech savvy for the past 29 years and still I never came across a satellite phone. I find it hard to imagine how these poor, defenseless, persecuted people, are getting so organised. I think they are also equipped with GPS with the exact coordinates of our tuna pens.
J. Micallef
Jun 27th 2008, 14:10
Come on in everyone is welcome. Now the Italians are bringing in the tourists. A little bit more finincial deficit is of no substance.
Joseph R Aquilina
Jun 27th 2008, 14:00
Without questioning Malta'shumanitarian duties to mariners in distress - but the numbers are unsustainable for small island Malta. The existing arrangements wherby any such hardy adventurers picked up by vessels of other European countries are delivered to Malta need to be re-negotiated urgently.
Also it appears that EU - Libya negotiations on re-patriation of illegal migrants are stalled, as the EU for some reason or other seem unable to accede to Libya's requests for assistance with frontier controls on their southern borders. In view of the current tremendous pressure of numbers, Malta should open independent bi-lateral discussions with Libya, in an effort to come to an agreeement with that country to accept to take these persons back, within a short time of their arrival in Malta. Perhaps, this could be an opportunity to test the new entente between Government and Opposition to work together for Malta's common good.
William Carr
Jun 27th 2008, 13:45
Malta government is doing it’s best to cope with the irregular immigrants and receiving funds from the EU. Could be the funds aren’t sufficient as the number of Irregular immigrants keep increases. But still the government is constantly asking for more funds from EU. Tax payer should understand this fact.
Posts by peoples that use ‘tax payers’ sentiments must understand we are not taking poultry. This is a serious issue.
Playing the ‘figures-game’, sticking and repeatedly distribute of un-accurate information in connection with illegal immigrants is not accepted. This create unnecessary tension.
JOHN PISANI
Jun 27th 2008, 13:00
Yes Ms Vella we at Union Press (l-orizzont and it-torca) we keep track. As a matter of fact this year alone we have already 872 illegal immigrants. Of these 578 in during this month alone and 698 since the Maltese islands were supposed to be patroled and protected by Frontex.....one big joke - Frontex that is.
Joe Camemzuli
Jun 27th 2008, 12:56
It seems Frontex is a waste of time and money. Rather than stemming the flow of illegal immigrants it is encouraging them knowing somehow they will arrive safely at their destination. We all know how Australia dealt with them and we should do likewise.
We are starting to see the repercussions: maltese workers being put on the unemployment scrap heap by building and cleaning contractors for cheap labour from the African Continent.
Most of these immigrants are picked up by contractors from collection points at Valletta and Marsa. Money earned is not declared while the contractors save on wage bills, no leave or sick problems and save also on bolla contributions. God help us .
Anthony Formosa
Jun 27th 2008, 12:53
@louise Vella, No Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici will not count anymore how many brothers will join EU but he will count how many Malteses citizens will leave this EU farce.
Louise Vella
Jun 27th 2008, 11:20
Is someone keeping a count? Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici informed us that from 2002 to 2007 Malta was the lucky recipient of 8800 illegal immigrants. I think that in less than 15 boats we shall reach the 10 000 mark. Can Dr Mifsud Bonnici please inform us when we do, so that we can all celebrate the greatness of Malta's charity? It seems that now we are picking them up even from outside Malta's search and rescue area.
Joanne Micallef
Jun 27th 2008, 11:11
From the 4 countires taking part in Frontex, Malta seems to be the one lumping the majority of illegal immigrants, nearly 900 in four months. How many have the Italians, the French and the Germans accepted so far??