Three dead, three babies among 180 immigrants

Amanda Mallia

Jul 15th 2008, 21:20

Joe Gatt - I hold no contempt for Malta and the Maltese. As for selfishnes, sheer ignorance and racism ... Well, that's another story.

V Pulis - Seeing that I don't know you from Adam, what would you know about my supposed lack of sense of humour? (Unless, of course "V Pulis" is not your real name ... )

I also see that the men commenting on this blog have also chosen to ignore one of my previous comments, so I am reproducing it hereunder. Any response, other than the usual racist comments?

"It's funny how the influx of other "illegals" a few years back (namely prostitutes from Eastern Europe) didn't even provoke a fraction of the reaction. The problem was big then, and apparently still is now (with the added "bonus" of Thai-brothels-disguised-as-massage-parlours), but do we hear anything about that? Obviously not, because most of the people commenting here are men.

CATHOLIC MALTA INDEED!"

Sandro Pace

Jul 13th 2008, 23:53

That there is no solution (you say so) is out of the question, and some time the government will have to face society about it. It can be electorally, protest wise, or worse. Not even 1% of Africa can fit in here, without disturbing us vitally. I hate to side with any major political party on this issue, cause they are one and the same, but the best words uttered were by Sant to Barroso. Pity. He should have been given the chance to prove himself. Eastern prostitutes, when caught, are deported. It is not an 'accumulated' problem. But for your own reasons, you mix both. We owe nothing to no one. That they are in a worse, or percieved worse situation than ours, does not mean that they should make our situation worse. We have worked hard for this state. At this stage, there is no reason why those rescued from tens of miles from here, by foreign boats, should be brought here. the government should simply REFUSE. And one should stop the 'We cant' litany.

v.pulis

Jul 13th 2008, 23:26

@Amanda Mallia.Do you give English lessons? I may decide to enroll! Maybe the reason I failed to see your sarcasism was because you 're not known to posess a great sense of humour. I have never come across anybody in these comments who mentioned church going except you that is. The trouble with you is that you speculate and reach the wrong conclusion about people you don't even know. As to how I feel about the whole problem, may I direct you to the comment I posted to Corinne Vella. Every problem has a solution and ours lies to the South in libya. that's where these poor souls are starting out on their voyages and that's where they must be stopped. Do you think we should keep them here indefinitely?

Joe Gatt

Jul 13th 2008, 23:14

@ Amanda Mallia I ran out of space, so I'll conclude here. There are no easy, pleasant or perfect solutions, but the problem is so serious that we cannot continue as we are. Palliative measures should include: a) Ending the Frontex farce, which is giving the Italians the opportunity to send illegals here b) Matching Italy's recent tough measures, so that Malta isn't more attractive c) Rigidly enforcing the eighteen month detention period on all illegals d) Reducing the percentage of illegals granted humanitarian status from our record-breaking 50%+ to something like Cyprus's rate, which is apparently in single figures e) Increasing deportations sharply; Cyprus deports a large majority of its illegals. However, these are palliatives. A stronger policy would be to tow immigrants' boats back to the edge of Libyan waters, resupply them and let them go. If they are genuinely in distress, rescue them, hold them offshore on a chartered ship, put them on one of the boats we have confiscated and then take them back to the edge of Libyan waters. Once it's clear that we're being very tough, the flow is bound to decrease sharply. Do you have any solutions, besides committing national suicide?

Corinne Vella

Jul 13th 2008, 22:40

Joe Gatt: It appears that you've never had to write a news headline. There were three babies in the group and there were three dead people too. Where would they have featured in your report, if not in the headline?

Denis Catania

Jul 13th 2008, 22:39

Yes we should pray for these people. But first we should pray for Malta. Because we are going to need it.

Joe Gatt

Jul 13th 2008, 22:38

@ Amanda Mallia Your contempt for Malta and the Maltese has been obvious all along. Now that you've revealed whose sister you are, it's perfectly understandable. I am against illegal immigration, whatever its source. ALL illegals should be deported. However, the problems posed by the presence of a few score Eastern European prostitutes are minimal, compared to the threat posed by the invasion of thousands and thousands of illiterate African Muslim peasants. The threat comes mainly (but not solely) from their numbers. Since 2002, there have been 10,000 of them, of which less than 3000 have been deported. Last year deportations were down to about 300. This year's influx will exceed 2,000 and is bound to accelerate further. Africa's economic and political failure and its demography make this inevitable. Even a liberal ought to see the implications of this. Another 20,000-30,000 illegals in the next ten years alone, with minimal deportations. Add the effect of family reunification programmes, once these kick in. Say two/three new immigrants for each eligible illegal. Are you so brainwashed and emotional that you can't see what a disaster this will be for YOUR nation? Look at what's happened in France, Britain and Spain.

Amanda Mallia

Jul 13th 2008, 21:44

V Pulis - You don't seem to understand English, do you? You couldn't even begin to sense the sarcastic tone of my comment which provoked such a reaction from you. Back to English classes, please ...

Amanda Mallia

Jul 13th 2008, 21:42

Ivan Attard - You had no reason to drag DCG into this here simply because she is my sister.

Oh, and I never claimed to be "holy" - That is entirely your assumption.

Amanda Mallia

Jul 13th 2008, 21:35

Ivan Attard and others - You seem to be worried how our "culture" (which I would rather refer to as "lack of") is being affected by these immigrants.

It's funny how the influx of other "illegals" a few years back (namely prostitutes from Eastern Europe) didn't even provoke a fraction of the reaction. The problem was big then, and apparently still is now (with the added "bonus" of Thai-brothels-disguised-as-massage-parlours), but do we hear anything about that? Obviously not, because most of the people commenting here are men.

CATHOLIC MALTA INDEED!

Amanda Mallia

Jul 13th 2008, 21:28

To Joe Gatt and all the holy cows from whom my latest comment seems to have provoked such a reaction, having obviously hit the nail on the head:

What is YOUR solution to the problem? Shooting them on the way in? Letting them drown? The truth is that there is no real solution to the problem, which I agree is a great one for Malta, but I do believe is a worse one for the immigrants themselves.



V Pulis - My "church" comment was directed at the many people commenting on this blog and many others whom I come across regularly, who purport to be "holier than thou" and never fail to miss mass or Holy Communion, but who are racist to the very core and who have no compassion for the others' suffering. And yet, they think that all is OK, as long as they say their prayers ... and yes, give their little donation for the village festa.

Joe Gatt

Jul 13th 2008, 20:11

@ Corinne Vella

Yes, I have seen the headline. I commented on it yesterday in my reply to DCG in this same thread.

The headline and the photo are good examples of the distortion of the news by the liberal dominated media. Another good example is the news item following this one, which is supposed to be about Frontex's failure, but is dominated by a picture of a beautiful little black girl crying.

On a day when the invasion by illegals set a new record, this dishonest journalism attempts to divert attention from the major tragedy affecting our small nation by focussing on a few individual tragedies affecting immigrants. It uses emotion to smother reason. Worst of all, it totally ignores the awful implications of this invasion for the Maltese people and is interested only in the sufferings of the illegals -- who, I remind you, have deliberately put themselves in harm's way, successfully exerting moral blackmail on our weak-kneed government.

I'm getting tired of repeating myself, so I won't ask you why your humanitarian feelings don't extend to your fellow Maltese. Neither will I ask you if there should be any limit to the influx of illegals.

a.agius

Jul 13th 2008, 18:34

@Amanda Mallia

Want a humane solution? send them back with the first flight. Call me insensible, heartless and stupid but Illegal Immigrants are taking a lot from Malta's funds. They are being given free food, shelter and so on. And what are they giving back? NOTHING... And what about Church? it's just a hypothetic rich organization.

v.pulis

Jul 13th 2008, 16:00

And so Ms.Corinne Vella has resigned Malta to its fate as there is nothing else to do but keep taking in every illegal found in the Mediterranean. That is indeed the attitude that will go down a treat with 1.those who are organising this obscenity. 2. The Libyan authorities who are encouraging these criminals by refusing to collaborate to end this criminal activity. 3. the illegal immigrants themselves who will keep on endangering their and their loved ones lives knowing that in malta they will always be welcome even though they are illegals.I never advocated that we should let them drown. what I suggested was that we give them what aid they require while in international waters, then we tow them to within 5 miles from Libya's territorial waters and tell them to go back from where they started in the first place. Then rest assured that gaddafi would send his navy to chase them out.Then we'll see if his claims that he's incapable of patrolling his vast coastline are true! Do you agree with this suggestion at least?

Ivan Attard

Jul 13th 2008, 15:23

@Amanda Mallia
Your 'holiness' really shines through Amanda. Just what has church going and chest-beating (two things which I do not normally subscribe to by the way) have to do with this issue? Or Festas for that matter?
We are here facing a national calamity and in other normal civilizations with a land mass and head-count to each kilometre as ours would have declared a state of emergency! Just why do you equate our situation with being hypocrites? Have you ever wondered if the maltese people are victims too? Or is the plight these unending hordes are causing to our way of life and culture as we know not an issue for you? Do people like you and Corinne Vella and DCG really give a damn about what the local inhabitants are being subjected to? And why should we maltese always be made to feel a heavy conscience for the plight these ILLEGALS put their life and their family's through knowingly?
If you feel you must always castigate the maltese who fear for their country than I pity we have pockets of people of your ilk in our midst and you are now all getting me hot under the collar!

Corinne Vella

Jul 13th 2008, 14:49

Joe Gatt: Did you read the headline to this story?

v.pulis

Jul 13th 2008, 14:32

@ Amanda Mallia. What does going to church and donating to the village festa have to do with this problem? are you insinuating that those who do not go to church are incapable of compassion?You seem to be one of those who do go to church. Is it helping you to find a HUMANE solution or are you just offering up prayers? if you have a solution please share it with us and be pro active. On the other hand if you don't have a solution don't try to pontificate to those who are worried about the situation. I have often written that the solution is in Libya. Somehow, gaddafi must be made to collaborate with the rest of the Med countries. I'm sure there's a way. He is not god almighty.

Corinne Vella

Jul 13th 2008, 13:37

Sandro Pace: Why should anyone 'offer a solution to Malta'? Stop wallowing in self-pity and take a broader look around you. Malta is not the only country taking in immigrants.

v.pulis: Malta can make as many proposals as it likes about whether boatloads of immigrants should set out or not. It's all very well to moralise about what Gaddafi should feel and what Libya should do, etc. etc. etc. but until such time as Malta deposes Gaddafi and colonises Libya, and commandeers every boat from here to eternity while simultaneously fencing off the entire north african coastline, our country's choices remain the same - do as we are doing now or else turn people away and let them drown or take them in and let them starve. No one is arguing that this situation is ideal and it is useless to argue with facts.

Joe Gatt

Jul 13th 2008, 13:29

@Amanda Mallia

Yes, the great influx of ILLEGAL immigrants is a BIG problem for Malta. If current policies continue, in the coming years it will become a huge problem, one which will result in ghettoes, affirmative action (i.e. discrimination against Maltese) , unemployment for unskilled Maltese workers, even worse schools than we have now and ultimately 'riots everywhere, violence everywhere' as one of your fellow liberal do-gooders has admitted.

But you don't care, do you? As a good little liberal you think only of the Others, even if they have entered your country illegally in their thousands.

Do you care anything about what will happen to your fellow Maltese, for whom you seem to have nothing but the usual liberal contempt? Do you have a humane solution for THEM?

For example, do you think there should be a limit to the number of illegals we allow in, or should we HUMANELY continue to accept them all, until we become a minority in our own country? If you think there should be a limit, what should it be?

Do tell, dear Ms Mallia.

Denis Catania

Jul 13th 2008, 06:16

Will the EU have the power or guts to impose sanctions against Libya? It took about 20 yrs but it worked for the USA. He bowed down and paid the victims of one of his terrorist attacks.

Amanda Mallia

Jul 12th 2008, 22:07

To all the "holy" people who have commented below:

Tomorrow is Sunday - Make sure you don't forget to go to mass to pray for yourselves, whilst certainly not giving a toss about the horrors people around you suffer. But then of course it's OK, because it's not happening to you, and you don't miss mass, do you?

We all know that the great influx of immigrants IS a problem for Malta, yes, but have any of you got a HUMANE solution to it? Try to imagine what greater problems the majority of these people had - sheer desperation at the very least - to risk their lives and that of their families for the unknown.

The world would be a better place with less hypocrites and more pro-active people in it. Oh, and while at mass, please don't forget to make your little donation for the village festa, because that's a far worthier cause, isn't it?

Sandro Pace

Jul 12th 2008, 21:07

No one seems to want to offer a solution to Malta, yet the current status quo cannot continue. Eventually, someone will have to take a drastic decision. Even kindergarten students, when the problem is explained to them, will tell you that this cant go on.

We cannot continue beg and beg and beg forever, with no results anyhow.

This is a defensive decision.

Joe Gatt

Jul 12th 2008, 20:58

@LMS

a) This is NOT primarily about money, although the illegals ARE a burden. It is about the damage to our society. If you want facts, look at the multicultural disasters in Europe. Is that what you want for Malta? Even one of your fellow Maltese liberals admits that the invasion will result in 'riots everywhere, violence everywhere'.
b) Europe isn't helping and won't help. With the invasion accelerating year by year, Malta will be overwhelmed. To worry equally about all people is to accept responsibility for the whole world, which is suicidal madness. We are Maltese and our people should come first. After all, not even our fellow Europeans give a damn about us.
c) Don't be so sure that many of them are not specifically targeting Malta, especially now that the Italians are getting tougher. In any case, it doesn't matter what they want. They are ending up here in huge numbers and will swamp us if we don't stop them.
d) Yes I would, but what does that have to do with it? By your 'reasoning', we should accept the whole population of Africa -- 962 million due to increase by another 556 million by 2030!

v.pulis

Jul 12th 2008, 20:29

@ Luciano Mule Stagno
A)So we should wait until the situation starts to cripple our economy which isn't as far in the future as one might think then we will take action. Typical Maltese reasoning. ignore the symptoms, then when the illness has crept in try to cure it.
B)That is what we are doing! and there lies the problem. We are having to bear more than our fare share which is proving to be a burden on our resources.
C) I used to think on those lines but now I'm not so sure. Word must have gotten round that in Malta it's not so bad after all.
D)Not all migrants are coming from war zones. Once in Libya most of them find work and in fact save up to pay for their passage to Malta/Europe. Libya is just a transit station into the continent. No there is nothing wrong in trying to make a better future but for haeven'd sake, these people are breaking the law. While empathising with them they must be regarded as illegal immigrants otherwise law and order will crumble in front of our eyes.

Luciano Mule Stagno

Jul 12th 2008, 19:53

It would be nice if people stuck to facts:
a. Yes, this is a problem for our country but it has not crippled our economy and even at the current rate, it will not any time soon - as others have mentioned we pumped a lot more money into other places over the past years (and still do)
b. we all agree Europe should do more to help - we are unfortunate to be at the southern edge of the EU so we take more than our fare share of the problem - but in the meantime we should worry about the well being of all people - legal or otherwise
c. most of these people do not want to come here specifically - it is not an invasion targeted at Malta - in fact most of them are trying to reach Italy - again those unfortunate souls who end up on our shores need help.
d. they are escaping from countries with no future - war torn, suffering famine etc... Is it so surprising that they are trying to leave and look for a better life - wouldn't you?

v.pulis

Jul 12th 2008, 19:12

@Corinne Vella what malta should propose is that these trips don't get underway in the first place. Whoever is helping these people go to sea in rickety overloaded boats is a criminal and it is these people we should be targeting in the long run. These criminals could be either private individuals or state sponsored. besides, no matter how desperate their situation these people are breaking the law. Most of them are not refugees. they are seeking a better future but who isn't? Of course pictures of dead babies(or grownups for that matter) bring a lump to our throats and that is all the more reason to stop this madness. The solution lies in LIBYA. something must be done to make gaddafi comply with international law. shouldn't the pictures of dead babies touch his heart too?

Louise Vella

Jul 12th 2008, 19:11

By publishing photos of babies and pregnant women, The Times is obviously and pathetically trying to appeal to sentiments because it has given up trying to appeal to rational arguments. How many babies (100? 1000?) of African illegal immigrants is Malta expected to carry and pay for? Give us numbers please.

Corinne Vella

Jul 12th 2008, 18:49

It's awful that a headline that includes the words "three dead, three babies" should provoke the same nasty, blinkered reaction that greets any mention of immigrants. There are repeated claims that "we" can't afford this "problem". Malta's coped very well with the bottomless pit of underperforming state industries, yet "we" are terrified of boatloads of people who include dead people and babies.

If you're tempted to pounce on this comment as some sort of harbinger of disaster, think before you type. What exactly are you suggesting that Malta does - let people drown at sea or starve them when they're here? Those are the immediate alternatives to Malta's current policy. Think about that when you're thumping your chest at Sunday mass tomorrow.

v.pulis

Jul 12th 2008, 14:37

The question is why did they leave Libya? what forced them to undertake such a perilous journey? were they unemployed or being mistreated in some way? It is common knowledge that a trip costs over $2,000. Are the Libyan authorities encouraging them to leave, perhaps even by helping them financially. We know of gaddafi's ambitions to see Europe an islamic continent. Our aim should be to prevent them by some means from leaving Libya. We have nothing against these unfortunates but by preventing them from making these trips we would be doing them a favour.

gaffarena joseph

Jul 12th 2008, 13:36

Dear Daphnie, show some respect for them and invite them home for the weekend.
You can do this every weekend.

Joe Gatt

Jul 12th 2008, 11:51

@ DCG

Exactly! The article concentrates on three individual tragedies -- and ignores the tragedy that is facing our nation. Typical liberal sentimentalism. Completely uninterested in their own people, but with their hearts bleeding for alien lawbreakers. Utterly unable to see the wood for the trees.

You miss the point in so many ways! Male chauvinism has nothing to do with this and man-hating feminism has nothing to contribute here. The cost of maintaining the thousands of illegals is not totally irrelevant, but it is a very minor part of the problem.

The problem is that Malta, as even our uber-liberal prime minister has admitted, is facing an invasion. An invasion which continues year after year and steadily grows in intensity and which, unless it is stopped, will irreperably damage our society. An invasion which, as even your fellow liberal and namesake has admitted, will inevitably result in 'riots everywhere, violence everywhere'.

I am getting tired of asking liberals the same question, because they always avoid giving an answer. However, I will try one more time.

How many illegals do you think Malta should let in before drawing the line? 20,000? 50,000? 100,000?





We're not talking about money here

Katie Micallef

Jul 12th 2008, 10:34

I agree with D and E Caruana Galizia, who incidentaly are not related, but to a certain point. A lot of these migrants are economic migrants which make your comments E C G void as they are victims of poverty and not violence and war. And as Sandro Pace commented, it's not about the cost, but the volume - we can only hold so many people at one time.
In any case I think most people agree here, but just don't know it; we feel empathy for these people but know that realisticaly a solution has to be found before our island bursts at its seams.

Unbelievably i think Frontex is more of an issue than the migrants are right now. So Mr. Government, what are you going to do with a problem like Frontex?

Sandro Pace

Jul 12th 2008, 09:38

If many people think that the concern is about the cost, they are clearly misunderstanding this side of the fence. The 'cost' is the least problem of all. All the Maltese State is our home, and is already crowded as it is. We are already a crammed nation. Living space, for our children to enjoy and live healthily, is unpriceable compared to anything else. Even to the whole of Africa.

We could have bore a few hundred AT ANY ONE TIME, but surely not at this rate. This country cannot sustain it. Government cannot take our land to continue erecting 'villages' for them.
They are becoming too large and too close for comfort.

So, even if the EU grants Eur 100 Million a year for them with profit, they will not be allowed to buy our island to colonise it with Africans.

Besides, even if at one time we stopped paying taxes 'for the dockyard', we would have payed them for their unemployment benfits anyhow.

l borg

Jul 12th 2008, 00:59

I GAVE MONEY TO AFRICANS IN MALTA I GAVE THEM FOOD AND EVEN WORK AND I RESPECT THEM BEING A GOOD CATHOLIC BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Daphne Caruana Galizia

Jul 11th 2008, 22:49

The main thrust of this news story was not that immigrants landed in Malta, but that the boat-loads included the cadavers of three women, one of whom was pregnant. Yet here below I see not one word of compassion for those dead women, except from Edward Caruana Galizia, who incidentally is not my son, lest anyone jump to conclusions.

God alone knows in what circumstances they must have passed away. It takes a lot to kill a young woman who started out healthy enough to get pregnant, so a lot must have happened to these three. Any woman who has been pregnant (and even who has not) will find it doesn't even bear thinking about, which is why the horrible sentiments below are mainly those of main, with one notorious exception.

You should all be ashamed of yourselves. One remark such as yours undoes all your chest-beating at Sunday mass. And please, for heaven's sake if not your own, stop talking as though you are personally expected to put the boat-people up in your own living-room, at your own expense. Why are you complaining about the cost, when the shipyards have sucked hundreds of millions into a black hole?

Amanda Mallia

Jul 11th 2008, 21:09

To all the holy cows out there, who, I suppose never miss Sunday mass or Holy Communion ...

Yes, it IS a problem, and a big one too, but can anybody really see a HUMANELY ACCEPTABLE solution to it? Do any of you - especially those who have children of their own - really think that these people would risk their own lives and that of their children if they were not desperate?

Oh and Eric Gahn (abbreviation of "Gahan", maybe?) - Your taxes are used to subsidise a number of other things, like fellow Maltese people who scrounge off various benefits, to say the very least. Have you got anything to say about that?

v.pulis

Jul 11th 2008, 18:57

@Joe Gatt I know only too well what kind of man gaddafi is. if you had read my other comments I mentioned his plan to turn Europe into an islamic continent in two decades time. as for pressure being applied on Libya, I didn't mean by Malta but by the supposedly mighty EU. But hearing the Frontex spokesman pontificating from behind his desk in his office in his ivory tower somewhere in brussels, he is afraid even to mention Libya by name. it is time to put our feet down at brussels. the time for nice talk is over. That is our weakness. we are too good. and everyone takes our Christian values for granted.

L Galea

Jul 11th 2008, 18:30

Of all people ECG deems it fit to criticize me for trying to bring people to their senses about the organized ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INVASION of OUR country and respectfully although sarcastically ask a few pertinent questions!

He does this when even the Prime Minister himself has qualified the ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INVASION as it really is. An INVASION or OUR country.

And look whose calling me a coward!

If you feel you are so great a defender of the ILLEGAL immigrants, why don't you go to their own countries and defend them there?

As the Maltese saying goes, l-ikbar trux dak li ma jridx jisma u l-ikbar ghama dak il ma jridx jara!

Joe Gatt

Jul 11th 2008, 17:25

@ Edward Caruana Galizia

Why don't you show some sympathy for your fellow Maltese for a change?

Yes, it is an invasion. Not an armed invasion, but an invasion nonetheless. Only a tiny percentage of the illegals are refugees. The vast majority are economic migrants. And yes, they do plan. They go to Libya, work for some years and then pay criminals to take them to Europe.

As individuals, I sympathise with their wish for a better life. But to view them only as individuals is to be blind. Thousands of them have already come here illegally; thousands and thousands more will come unless we stop them.

There are said to be 2 million of them in Libya, waiting to cross over to Europe. By 2030, just 22 years from now, the population of Africa is projected to increase by 556 million people, more than the entire population of the EU!

Some days ago, I asked you how many illegals we should accept before calling a halt. Like all your fellow liberals you did not reply. So please don't talk about cowardice.

Christopher Ebejer

Jul 11th 2008, 17:22

Let the people enjoy the diversity! Was it this waiting for! There was a person once who was ridiculed as a joker for warning the nation of these tragic consequences, but the Maltese opted for voting to the MLPN.

Edward Caruana Galizia

Jul 11th 2008, 17:16

@Joe Gatt

Let it be known that, believe it or not, a lot of these " illegals" are, in fact Catholic. Go to the camps and you will find makeshift chapels. So this is not some secret plan to turn Europe into a Muslim state. Or if it is, then it s not going to work.

I agree with you when you said that no one seems to care. That is very true. The government is faced with a Malta that is going to change radically and is not dealing with it. You think now is a problem? Wait until these people start sending their children to school, wait until these children recieve stipend, wait until these people start to VOTE.

We will end up with the same situation Los Angeles had in the 1990s. Riots everywhere, violance everywhere. And NOT because they are the violent people but because we very very Catholic Maltese will make their lives hell with all our xenophobic and rascist attitudes that they will be forced to have to struggle all their lives, and there is only so much struggle a person can take.

Would the government please address the situation and prepare.

Jacques Mizzi

Jul 11th 2008, 17:02

When will the authorities realize that Malta can't hold anymore Maltese, let alone foreigners !??

Is is high time someone collects 10,000 valid signatures to call for a referendum ? With the topic " Start Deporting ? Or Change Administration "

Joe Gatt

Jul 11th 2008, 16:50

@ V Pulis

I know you mean well, but you aren't being realistic. Gaddafi, moved by compassion? Don't you know anything about the man and his thirty-nine year old dictatorship? Libya has about 2 million of these illegals and wants to get rid of them. In addition, Gaddafi has gone on record welcoming Muslim migration to Europe, because it will win our continent for Islam without a war.

As for your other questions, tiny, unarmed Malta obviously can't exert any pressure on Libya. The mighty EU could easily do so, but it is run by liberal do-gooders who positively welcome Third World immigration. So it will not exert pressure on Libya, especially not on our behalf.

As for international law, only suicidally inclined liberal governments -- like ours -- sign international conventions which are harmful to their own people -- and then bend over backwards to adhere to them. Whatever else it might be, the Libyan regime is not suicidally inclined.

If our politicians were to put the interests of the Maltese people before those of the illegals, they would take immediate steps to curb, if not halt, the invasion of our country. But they don't, so they won't!

Edward Caruana Galizia

Jul 11th 2008, 16:44

Why didn't they just let them die? Why didn't they just tell them " Look, we know that back in your country you were being beaten, rapped, attacked and had nothing, but, frankly, we dont want you here. We would rather you all drowned right about now so that all the other poor, unfortunate and lost fellow refugees will know that we Maltese hate them and laugh when we hear of how you begged for help but never got it" .

Sounds like a plan right? Invasion? Sure these people run away from hell, make their way to libya (somehow), throw themselves into a random boat and stumble across Malta. Planning...are they?

Secondly, I am sick of seeing people only put their initials, especailly you " L" Galea. If you are so proud of your opinion then put your name to it so we can all know who you are you coward.

Thank God you and the maltese are so Catholic otherwise we would be in real trouble. As God said...let thy neighbour suffer and drown while he tries to escape from being chopped up by a machetti

Alfred Muscat

Jul 11th 2008, 16:38

We are in a crisis and nobody seems to care. Government and opposition turn a blind eye and their only solution is to procrastinate and hope for a EU miracle - a miracle that is never going to happen. We now have Italian coast guard boats, fishing vessels, the famous Frontex fleet - all directing these people to Malta. We issued irresponsible statements braging that the US would be taking some of these people on board -what shortsightedness and irresponsability -the result,we are now being literally flooded by more immigrants.
And by the way, where is the Frontex Fleet promised by Dr.Busuttil who worked so hard to double their budget - ANSWER serving as a means of transportation for these people. The Maltese want immediate action - no more empty promises and evasive words, no more "holier than the pope" attitude. A clear message that Malta cannot do this "Mission Impossible" alone and that enough is enough aty whatever cost.
Doing nothing is suicidal and in the end would have grave cosequences on the livelyhood of the Maltese people. Health and Tourism would be first to be affected, others will follow.
Resposibility is what we expect from our administration.


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Mario Aquilina

Jul 11th 2008, 16:07

Mr. Camilleri, such photos are needed because there are more than enough people (an overwhelming majoriy I would say) who make it a point to ram their categorical anti-migrants opinion down our troath.

J Falzon

Jul 11th 2008, 15:19

Might I suggest we approach Profs Edward De Bono so that he can apply lateral thinking to solving this problem ? I am not joking. Its that serious.

Louis Gialanze

Jul 11th 2008, 14:03

Malta needs to take unilateral action or risk being overwhelmed . We ought to start by increasing the detention period to 24 months. Unfortunately, our friends in Brussels have very little clout left in resolving the upheavals currently underway in the sub sahara of Africa. Detention is the only effective deterrent still available in the interest of Malta's very own security.

g. scerri

Jul 11th 2008, 12:21

How right the Prime Minister was to talk about "an invasion." Pity he didn't have time for similar talk during the election campaign.

v.pulis

Jul 11th 2008, 12:02

So let me see if I understood correctly. An ITALIAN patrol boat found a boatload of migrants in the LIBYAN search and rescue area. After repeated attempts to contact the Libyan authorities(did the attempts succeed? we are not told) the matter kept being postponed(! )So
it was decided presumably by the ITALIAN rescuers that the migrants be brought to Malta!
What is really happening out there? we are becoming the laughing stock of Europe and the dumping place(excuse the expression but I'm not using the word in a derogatory way but that is how the Italians and all those who come across these unforunates are treating Malta) of the mediterranean

v.pulis

Jul 11th 2008, 11:48

Libya, where most of the embarcations take place is uncooperative in this crisis.How about sending pictures of these unfortunates including pictures of the dead babies and pregnant women to Gaddafi? perhaps then he will be moved by compassion to act.
Solidarity and charity are not Christian monopolies and should be exercised by every human being worthy of the title. The solution where we are concerned lies with Libya but it is hardly mentioned for fear that we would offend gaddafi. Can't pressure be exerted on libya to act? Isn't Libya a member of the international community bound by international law like the rest of us?

William Bellia

Jul 11th 2008, 11:47

3 cheers from Frontex!
and 3 cheers for the Maltese government, who, funnily enough, seems to be ignoring this issue.

Chris Borg

Jul 11th 2008, 11:46

Maybe it is the maltese citizens that should take the problem to Brussels with a demonstration.

Christopher Camilleri

Jul 11th 2008, 11:14

Why does this newspaper always print photos in which people would pity the situation of these people? I suggest showing the other side of the coin as well.

Eric Gahn

Jul 11th 2008, 10:42

"it was eventually decided that they should be brought to Malta"

Frontex my ......

We are being used and abused by our "partner's". Isn't it high time we make a stand and do a John Howard. He was not afraid to let a ship full of illegal immigrants outside of Australia's shores. With actions like the ones described in this article here we are only saying "Yes please do try to cross. If we catch you and the libyans won't take you back then we will".

Why are my taxes being used to subsidies this? Why are my taxes not used to impove MY quality of life. And I am sure I am not alone in feelign like this!!

Andrew Gatt

Jul 11th 2008, 10:37

Frontex is a bloody pathetic joke. Only 4 EU countries apart from Malta are participating, and only 2 OF THEM HAVE ASSETS ACTUALLY DEPLOYED!. The Italians are simply providing migrants with a ferry service to Malta, I dunno what the French are up to, and the main load is falling on our overextended and overstretched AFM.

Imbasta l-Ewropa! Some club this is!!!!!!!!!!. The only time they got off their overpaid and underworked rear ends was to stop the hunting of 2 game birds in spring. WOW! If only they put in a fraction of that effort to address this REAL problem. Lives are being lost, we are being quietly invaded and NOBODY is lifting a finger......except to bleat and whine and moan about the humanitarian issue. What a sickening bunch of liberal, wishy-washy hypocrites. Yuk.

Louise Vella

Jul 11th 2008, 10:36

As the crisis develops I hear a very loud silence from two quarters. We have not heard from the usual protectors of refugees and illegal immigrants. Can Dr Neil Falzon of UNHCR and Fr Paul Pace and Dr Katrin Camilleri of the Jesuit Refugees Service offer a solution or are they happy with the situation? The second quarter is the government which carries on, business as usual, as if it were quite normal for more than 180 illegal immigrants to land in Malta in one day. Has the government joined the NGOs or have the NGOs cowered the government?

L Galea

Jul 11th 2008, 10:32

May we be allowed to know, please, with due respect, if its not contrary to the national interest, if it's not covered by the official secrets act, who decided that the ILLEGAL immigrants were to be brought to Malta?

L Galea

Jul 11th 2008, 10:29

Why doesn't AFFRONEX organize a daily ferry for ILLEGAL immigrants directly from Libya to Malta?

AFFRONTEC is an EU AFFRONT to Maltese society.

Have all the do-gooders and the NGO (No Good Organizations) gone into hibernation?

The only way to get rid of this INVASION is for our Government not to accept any ILLEGAL immigrants.

By the way, do we have a Government?

silvan said

Jul 11th 2008, 10:05

Isn't Frontex great? a really effective solution by the EU in accordance with its policy of solidarity. Throw some euros at the problem and it will stay away from brussels.