Monday, 7th July 2008 - 19:30CET
Gonzi replies to Muscat with list of subjects for discussion
The Prime Minister told Labour leader Joseph Muscat this evening that the government was prepared to hold talks on any proposal to strengthen democracy, but he suggested that priority should be given to urgent items listed by the government in a letter to the Leader of the Opposition on April 21.
Dr Gonzi was replying to a letter by Dr Muscat earlier in the day (see separate story) in which the Labour leader listed various points which he said needed to be discussed to strengthen democracy. Among them were party financing, amendments to the electoral law, legislation to regulate the activities of a caretaker government, management and editorial board appointments at PBS and resources for MPs.
In his reply Dr Gonzi recalled that after he wrote to the leader of the opposition on April 21, the opposition had said it would reply in two months’ time, after the new Labour leadership was elected.
Yet now the opposition had only reacted to one of the points raised at the time (resources to MPs) Dr Gonzi said.
The other points raised on April 21 were a Parliamentary pairing arrangement, the appointment of the Speaker, the deputy speaker and the chairmen of House committees, the introduction of Prime Minister’s Question Time in Parliament, the scheduling of sittings, the quorum rule and funding for up to 10 research analysts for the parliamentary groups. He had also sought agreement on the nomination of an Auditor-General and a Deputy Auditor General.
Dr Gonzi said he had no problem discussing any suggestion to strengthen democracy, indeed, he would make several other suggestions, such as allowing the right to vote to Maltese people working, studying or doing voluntary work abroad and enabling sick people to vote in the hospital where they would be receiving treatment.
Other suggestions he wished to make, Dr Gonzi said, included legislation to have a single National Day, effective regulations governing political broadcasting stations, or, indeed, a revision of the role of political parties in the media. He was also proposing a reform of the Broadcasting Authority to end the dominance of the political parties; an updating of the Constitution to current realities; and the implementation of the second phase of the pension reform.
Dr Gonzi said he also wished to remind Dr Muscat that a year ago he had invited the Opposition to join the government in a House Committee to review and strengthen the Permanent Commission against Corruption. The Opposition never took a decision on this important matter.
The Prime Minister said that while he felt that the discussion should start from the most urgent subjects, listed in the April 21 letter, he was appealing to the Opposition to at least reply to suggestions he made a year ago on the nomination of the Auditor-General and the Deputy Auditor General.
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Comments
You really amaze me when you discuss Malta's Independece. If one had to continue with your arguments, one may say that Freedom Day is the most important from all others since it was the summit of Malta' success in gaining complete sovereignity. When you talk about Borg Olivier, I recollect the poor and miserable situation that the Maltese population were in even though they had Independence promised on paper. The same reasoning goes to that of Joe Vella who brilliantly enough is still believing that Smart City's success is attributed to the EU!!!!!
Contrary to what you erroneously stated, Lord Carrington didn't form part of the 1963 British Colonial Office team negotiating terms for granting independence to Malta. He was involved as UK Foreign Minister in negotiating the revision of the Defence Treaty Agreement with Mintoff in 1972.
The Colonial Office was obliged to hold negotiations with Borg Olivier because common sense and diplomacy stipulate that such talks be conducted with the colony's Prime Minister. Not, as you idiotically stated, because it suited the British to negotiate with Borg Olivier rather than with Mintoff (being a tougher nut). Mintoff, the leaders of the smaller parties (including the MWP - a splinter faction of ex-MLP Deputies) and Archbishop Gonzi were consulted during bilateral discussions. Negotiations leading to the finalisation of the Agreement were however conducted with PM Borg Olivier and his team.
Although Lord Carrington did acknowledge Mintoff as a tough negotiator during the 1973 Defence Treaty talks, it is worth recalling that the British did not increase their contribution by a single penny over their originally-agreed share amounting to 1.4 million Pounds. Some NATO member States pooled in contributions to make up the difference. About time you learn some History!
You are really out of touch with reality. if you truly believe that a Nation prosper by chance, you are one lost sheep.
Just some food for thaught; Smart City came a reality cause of Malta's joining the UE, like the Billions of direct and indirect investments that are being made in our country.
Having a Government that attracts national and international trust goes a long way as well.
Need say no more.
One doesn't choose whom to deal with. You deal with whom there is in office at the time.
The fact remains, as stated, if it was it for Independence Malta and Mintoff wouldn't have been in a strong position to deal with Britian.
Who knows we could have ended under Colonial Rule again if it wasn't for Independence. But again if it wasn't for Indipendence Malta and Mintoff were in no position to deal at all after all. So, which ever way you cut it, Independece empowerd Mintoff to deal.
How can anybody correctly evaluate a politician at the very beginning of his political career? How can you be certain that JM is a born politician, if he hasn't been given the chance to prove himself? Surely, a month's sitting on the fence casting suggestions without actually participating in discussions with the PM as invited, doesn't transform a leader overnight into a born politician.
The fact that one embarks on a career at a young age is no sure-proof guarantee for success. There are several real-life examples of such types who ended up as total failures. One has to withstand the test of time!
"Tra il dire e il fare c'e` di mezzo il mare". Saying loads of nice words to please everybody and actually getting things done are worlds apart. The former is relatively easy to accomplish; the latter involves dirtying your hands and sweating blood.
Regarding the single National Day, had Independence not been attained, neither the change of Malta's status to a republic nor the termination of leasing base facilities to NATO (Freedom Day) would have been politically attainable. Which goes to prove that Independence is the most significant of the three events
I strongly believe that the nationalists' victories are more attributed to the opposition's mistakes rather than the doubtful political talents which may have Gonzi. More than that all could have been made possible with some other filthy tactics like we have seen in the last general election. The Gonzi has merited ALL aspects of international conditions, good or worse, starting from SmartCity and continuing with international crisis as that regarding the price of oil.
So it would prove better if we continue to give Muscat his chance. I can't understand how somebody could expect Joseph to plan all national issues in the last few weeks he's been at the zenith of the labour party. Up to now he has proved right.
the rest is, as they say, history.
You couldn't have put a case forward better for Independnce. It was as a result of that instrument called independence that empowerd Malta to do what MIntoff did.
Mr. Marsh, Thanks for the case put forward. Before you shoot of I suggest you think first.
Can you tell who doesn't want Malta to be the best country in the EU. The benefits are already there for one to see, touch and feel. The record foreign investments in Malta is a direct result of Malta's membership in the EU. That is only the ice tip. Hold your breath and watch Malta flourishing in the years to come. I for one, cannot wait for Smart City to come on stream to demonstrate, not only to the EU , but the whole world the true Jewel that Malta is.
The only mentality that needs changing are those of the skeptics in the MLP. And for your information the BLACK DAYS of the 70's and 80's will not appear again on the Maltese Political landscape as a result of Malta joining the EU. Perhaps that was the largest benefit that we, as Maltese, got from joining the EU.
PS, It was the Alfred Sant, Joseph Muscat and most of the MLP heirachy that preached Doom and Gloom for Malta if it was to join the EU.
The above is a simple example of the on' brainwash leading to serious disrespect against the nation and the integrity of those reading. For Mr.Gatt and the other pn apologists with such reasoning there is surely no understanding of what it means to belong to a republic with all its rights and duties, and finally to be living in a free and a sovereign nation. Such a pity for you!!
I wonder what Lawrence Gonzi was doing at the same age of Dr.Muscat? Maybe he was still leader of the Azzjoni Kattolika very much beyond what was planned for him in the pn. Muscat is no new-found hero. He's just a born-politician leader, too much different from those who used to do other jobs in other sections of the society.
I also wonder which feast will become Gonzi's single National Day, whether it would be Republic Day or Freedom Day!!!
What stature of Dr. Gonzi is Dr. Muscat not a threat too?
The stature of a Politician that defended a cry baby when all he saw was winning an election?
A politician that used JPO to secure votes and now will not speak about incumbent JPO? A politician that hasn’t the power to stand up to incumbent JPO and tell him to resign?
A politician that cannot face his MPs and sends them an SMS to inform them of their Ministerial posts?
A Politician that is going back on his electoral promises once power is secured?
You call that stature? I call it just a Party Machine.
Joe Muscat comes out of all this as the presumptuous shallow politician he actually is. He went to a Labour club and talked about a letter he was going to send the Prime Minister about 'proposals' that were actually made nine weeks ago by the PM himself.
What actually happened is that the Labour parliamentary group on Saturday decided NO to pairing with the government so Joe Muscat came out with even more talk so that the issue can be obfuscated.
He's even worse than Sant. With Sant, at least, you knew where you stood. Joe Muscat, on the other hand, is a chap who's wearing a suit two sizes too large - and he wants us to believe it actually fits.
What I find ironic is the fact that PN who wanted EU membership with such a great entusiams, fail to welcome the "benefits" of such a memebrship with the same entusiasm. In fact, ironically enough, the government has to be reminded for a hundred times, and pushed all along to give us Maltese citizens what is due to us!!!! How ironic, Joe Vella!!!!
Hey Guys....... What`s this about JOE MUSCAT being young, inexperienced, no better than his predecessor, ecc.. ecc.....ecc..... ecc.....
A CLEAR CASE OF `SOUR GRAPES`...................!!!!!!!????!!!!!!????!!!!!!!!!????
Bye....
Read hereunder Joseph Muscat's explanation for what you find ironic:
“I believe that Malta should not be simply a member of the EU but the best country within the EU. ... Being European is a matter of mentality. Our country cannot be European on paper only. It must be European even in its attitude.”
Being European on paper is not enough, Mr. Vella!!!!! That is something that used to satisfy only PN supporters in the past. It is about time PN understands that in a new political season, Malta is waiting for facts & wants change!
To Joe Martinelli:
Hehehehe. Are you still waiting for Joseph Muscat to meet you personally maybe and repeat for another time his vision. Maybe you watch too much Net or TVM news, thus being too unbiased. (Hopefully this will not be a problem for you any more in the near furture).
If you want to update yourself, www.jospehmuscat.com includes his vision as well, apart from many other interesting things you could browse.
Enjoy!!!
to me dr gonzi will prove his worth in how he handles the JPO and MEPA shambles.
being young does not necessarily mean inexperienced same as being older does not mean being wiser. lately political parties in finland and poland have elected leaders same age as joseph. does that tell you something ???
First, the PAR IDEJN SODI , has to satisfy our needs ( eg Party Financing ) and after we`ll play BALL ( Pairing )
NOT BEFORE ........COMPRENDE ?!!!
Apparently , the KID , as some BLUE eyed wise guy is calling him , slowly , slowly , is moving towards a CHECK MATE !!
It is quite ironically that sight the EU as the guidance for our rights. My question to you is this something that Joseph Muscat, the MLP and bella company just discovered now.
re the picture with the news item....seems like the PM is saying that after the next election he too will take up piano playing like dr louis galea !!!
Only after agreement has been reached on the first item on the agenda will the next item be discussed... and eventually, before the end of September we will have a substantial number of items agreed upon. By mid October, everything agreed upon can be entrenched in the Constitution in a parliamentary marathon session.
Are you sure you really meant to say that Dr Muscat is soooo surprised by Gonzi's intelligence??? And you added that he will learn a lot by just listening to him???
Heqqhemm, excuse me Mr Saliba. Maybe you tend to forget some news from the past ... are you remembering how many times Dr Gonzi HAD to listen to Dr Muscat about the rights we were conveniently deprived of as EU citizens? If you do not remember, you could browse Dr Muscat's website. You will have a quick update then!!
Those are what I call ACTIONS!!!!
You said,......."Unlike others, I'm not seeing any signs that Gonzi is taking actions instead of talking. MLP made proposals and PN just changed the subject and gave other proposals"
My friend, if you know how to read.....the article starts with..... "but he (Gonzi) suggested that priority should be given to urgent items listed by the government in a letter to the Leader of the Opposition on April 21." Gonzi had already invited the opposition to discuss matters of national interest...to which the opposition answered that the MLP will only be able to do so once a leader is elected. Rightly so!......Muscat's letter to the Prime Minister should have been a reply not an invitation to talk. The invitation was already out.
Kapish?
Another point to Dr Gonzi ... you could STOP making references to the past ... you are now living in a new season with MLP, leaded by Dr Muscat. So it is useless reminding Joseph about the past ... in the past he was doing his duty as an MEP. Now he is delivering as a leader to MLP, and in 5 years' time, I am sure he will be governing Malta. Changes are needed Dr Gonzi!!
Nationalists are noticed to disappear from certain blogs when the sword turns at them. Unfortunately this happens regularly, each time we hear about another Gonzi mistake. The seem to rush backwards when they perceive another talking-action from their Lorry. Strangely enough, few amongst them recognized the basic fact that Gonzi was making a reply!!!!! Instead of considering such basic principles, they opt to be funny and ridiculous while jotting down silly mistakes even about the photos.
And what about one national day.....i bet you a hefty sum which day the government will push forward Independence Day....how about unity and choose a day agreeable for both parties if not AD and AN as well.......and what if the other days stop being considered as off days for workers........that will mean more productivity.....
How can TVM be impartial....not even if suggestions are taken up.....all the posts have been filled up by you know who!!!!!!
What substance/ He can't even use his firm hands to control the goings on at MEPA and at least voice his oppinion and act on the new developements on the JPO saga.
You call that substance? I just call it playing for time, like he handled his cabinet re-shuffle when the M.L.P. though exposing the goings on of his ex-cabinet and the electorate decided for him.
That nitro button can also blow him to bits.
So far - a lot of words but little action.
Could it be that he is already finding it difficult to open so many dusty old minds within his inherited party?
Nothing ever changes in the MLP.
C'mon Joseph show us your stuff and, whatever happened to your 15 year plan? Are you waiting another 5 years before you show us your vision? That's not too patriotic, you know. Before you go to your 15 year plan, why don't you get the advice of MP Joe Mizzi - he knows where the oil is.
Can you imagine how much of a hero you will become if you tell us where to get that expensive black gold out of the seabed?
So much hot air!
The opposition is not the government, and although agreements or discussion leading to agreements are augured, its the government that governs and has the final responsability. The opposition is there, mostly, to gain votes and become the alternative party in government.
Therefore the people hope the our opposition does not convert from "NO" to "Yes" bur simply keeps in mind that their decisions can hurt more than 48% of the population!
My advise to you is not to hold your breath my friend. The chances are the Joseph Muscat will let you wait so long, that you will turn BLUE.
That young engine is just idling, just imagine if you can when the Nitro button get a hit, your going to left so behind that you wouldn't know what hit you.
Keep him in sight, as when he runs you will be left breathless, sorry il loglia is still there but the anima, has dwindled.
Ciriew. Wenz
Well done Dr. Gonzi. The earthquake has started, young Joseph must be shaking
With regards to PBS reform, it is about time this is done! TVM news must not be a repetition of the 7.45 news on NET please!! Impartial comments would be much appreciated rather than biased ones. Finally some changes are due to be implemented!
About the need to strengthen the Permanent Commission against Corruption ... is this a joke Dr Gonzi????? Or should JPO handle this issue?