54 migrants arrive

Sandro Pace

Jul 23rd 2008, 20:04

@A Muscat

Are you M. Mercieca's parrot, by any chance?

A. Muscat

Jul 23rd 2008, 14:39

ATTENTION

To all who mentioned ANR, AN or Mr. Norman Lowell. Please note:
When we vote for general election, we are programmed into two colors blue and red. Unless our programmed political approach is decoded every thing would remain the same.
Yes, we have some floaters and also many pressure groups such as (hunters, gays, lesbians, pro-drugs, feces-eater, and urine-addicts), but all these, remain pressure groups. The more days goes by, we become more ‘open minded’ and ‘modern’, consequently voters expectations may vary and increase. No party would fulfill all people’s anxiety.
Mr. Lowell, can win over any of our local good comedians, for a short while though. Those types of peoples can also impress an audience of laymen with some technical words they use haphazardly. Sincerely, I doubt if they know the meaning of the big words they use. I am sure, if Mr. Lowell, is elected as our MEP, he will be shipped back to Malta in less than six months,
As far as ANR and AN are concerned, peoples should understand that the way they do politics in Brussels requires professional politicians, not kids in diapers!

J Farurugia

Jul 23rd 2008, 08:06

Don't shout or you will be branded as racists and homophobics or what not by the Jesuits, by the EU, by the Times, the Malta Independent, Malta today, illum and l-orizzont. So shut up and stay put. And please be politically correct and accept these illegal immigrants into your homes.

M. Mercieca

Jul 22nd 2008, 23:51

@ Anthony Formosa
I am glad you bothered to read about Europe’s NEED OF Millions of IMMIGRANTS. Many comments or opinions do seem willing to understand facts and act accordingly. Alternatively, they point fingers at government, Libya or post comment full of racism, xenophobia and isalmphobia.
All questions you asked should have been addressed prior to EU accession. But, then, we were obsessed, and only after a remedy of our inferiority complex to feel more Europeans!
I am not saying joining the EU was a bad thing for us. But to remain ignorant about what’s happening in EU politic-making corridors is very bad.
No politician, in Malta or in Europe is going to speak facts about immigrant’s issues (not to lose VOTES). But you may see hopeful politicians that are hungry for power use the immigrant’s card to scaremonger peoples (VOTERS). If you follow closely, all these anti-immigrants parties, when they contest, they go to drainage, similar to what happened in Malta, since what they believe in goes against EU values.
I assure you, if next week we will have a general election, NONE of the hopeful parties would fill ONE BALLOT BOX.

M.Muscat

Jul 22nd 2008, 22:49

Strange but true. Here is some food for thought.
1 Net News of to day does not consider the influx of over 50 illegal migrants as of news value and so fails to mention anything in its news bulletin. Does these mean that it wants to distract the people from their main worries?

2 Wind gale force 5 and 2 boatloads of immigrants come safely and cooly in. Does this ring a bell that there is more behind the scenes of this tragical comedy.

3 Government and opposition remain mum in such grave circumstances. Is it possible they
are all cowards and choose to fail the nation so blatantly.?

4 Where is everybody with its XARABANK AND BONDI PLUS who are always the stalwarts in investigating sex, drugs, gays and lesbians, and a myriad of other hot subjects, have no time to delve on a matter of major concern. Why do you think this is so?

5 Our armed forces manage galantly to save and bring safely in thousands of illegal migrants but unfortunately failed to save 5 conationals. Is not that a feather in their cap?

6 Let Norman Lowell contest the MEP elections and discover what people think

M Formosa

Jul 22nd 2008, 22:03

Malta is part of the European Union. Union as in united, which means we are all one. As we are one big family, lets say 5 of the larger Union members take 1000 illegals, until some sort of solution is found to this problem, that would releive us of 5000 for now at least. If I was representing the Maltese government I would go to Brussels, plead, beg and whatever it takes to get help.

Joanne Micallef

Jul 22nd 2008, 21:37

Ant yet SILENCE no one from OUR parlament has raised any concerns. Some did express preoccupation but it ended with usual 'burden sharing....some day' 'More funding for the super Frontex mission.......oops down the drain they went' 'We need the extra workers, there is a shortage of man power in certain sectors.....what was the unemployment rate again??'

We've heard them all, it's like any excuse is good to ignore this problem, unfortunately the longer we delay to address this issue the harder it will be for us to try and solve it. We have to act now if we want to avoid alot of heartache for our loved ones in the future.

F. Camilleri

Jul 22nd 2008, 21:36

This passive invasion by ILLEGAL immigrants is now a VERY ACTIVE one.

Government, Opposition and our MEP’s are doing nothing, or worse, they are betraying our island to be patted on the back by the EU.

Government and Opposition should organize themselves as a solid NATIONAL FRONT before the people themselves have to do it. The vast majority of the Maltese citizens will surely support them re this issue.

'The Irish voters rejected the EU's plans for institutional reform in a referendum last month'. The Irish Prime Minister, Mr Cowen had the guts to categorically state and write "I fully respect the verdict of the Irish people, and I have made that clear to my European colleagues….that I expect them to do likewise."’ (cf. The Times of Malta, 22/07/08).

As MALTESE citizens, we must STRONGLY DECLARE to the EU that the time has come for our democratically elected leaders to take UNILATERAL measures to protect our island.

The Irish Prime Minister categorically expects the EU to ‘RESPECT THE VERDICT OF THE IRISH PEOPLE’. Likewise, we STRONGLY DEMAND of the EU and of our own Government and Opposition, this respect which our island, and ourselves as its citizens RIGHTLY deserve.

M Formosa

Jul 22nd 2008, 21:32

I totally agree with Paul Barrett's comment. Satellite coverage is the way to go.

v.pulis

Jul 22nd 2008, 19:55

If the EU needs foreign workers all they have to do is organise flights out of war torn african countries direct to their destinations in Europe. The migrants won't have to risk their lives crossing in rickety boats and ending up in Malta for their troubles. At this rate come September they'll have swelled to over 11,000.That's the population of a sizeable town in Malta.

J.M. Chapelle

Jul 22nd 2008, 19:51

NO! STOP THIS NOW! WAKE UP GOVERNMENT! WAKE UP BEFORE THE COUNTRY WAKES YOU UP!

v.pulis

Jul 22nd 2008, 17:08

is there one single person in malta who still believes that these boats are making it to malta on their own steam? what are the chances of making landfall here without the aid of navigational equipment or a mothership? in order to stop the cobweb one must stop the spider .

Anthony Formosa

Jul 22nd 2008, 13:15

Thanks Mr M.Mercieca for providing evidence that EU needs immigrants, whether illegal or not, however I find it very strange why EU is going to boost Frontex budget. On the other hand from what I see the unemployment rate is increasing and EU says that workforce is needed, are we going through a cheap labor recession? Black-markets, etc etc, is this the future for the Maltese and their children promised before EU accession? Other issues that worries me are, A) if we have 10,000 men, they need 10,000 women, B) families need housing, C) when they die they need a cemetery especially if they are Muslims. Please enter this site. http://euobserver.com/9/26333/?rk=1

Maria Grech

Jul 22nd 2008, 13:10

The silent invasion continues...

When will Europe realise that we cannot keep all these immigrants??Can someone really help us and them??

Renaldo Azzopardi

Jul 22nd 2008, 12:18

It.s about time that Government start doing something to stop these migrants from entering our territorial waters. Enough is enough, if the EU only 'talk but no action' then we should enforce the law ourselves. Very soon they will out number us and just like what happened in the Uk, we will be facing a racial problem. If only we had the Australian PM here, he declared that anyone found within territorial waters and does not go back, then the only solution is to attack. I was charged 90 euros for a US Visa when visiting on holiday. Let's stop all this crap about humanitarian rights and start thinking about our future generations. These people whether at war or not, should stay in their own country and solve their problems without being a burden to others. Why should I pay tax to support these boat people. I have every right to ensure that my tax money goes to Maltese economy and not support a good for nothing migrant. La Lega Nord itook a stand and it is keeping to its promise. Stop this before it is too late.

Wayne Grima

Jul 22nd 2008, 12:17

News these days have become so predictable......IMMIGRANTS IMMIGRANTS IMMIGRANTS!!

Joseph Vella

Jul 22nd 2008, 12:10

Not again! Anyone from the government taken notice of this?

Alfred Azzopardi

Jul 22nd 2008, 11:27

It is now pertinent to ask, is this influx or invasion (Gonzi) sustainable? Many have suggested solutions to this top priority. What are our honourable members of parliament, whom we elected to the highest institution of our Republic, doing about it? Who is voicing out his concern and condemn the EU for disregarding our legitimate claim for burden sharing? Are we equal partners in the EU? Why not use our veto at some point to make them aware of our unsustainable situation? Some countries are very quick to condemn and shame us for the way we handle them but as soon as we hint at “burden sharing” they start stammering and back away.

Mr Charles Pasqua, France Interior Minister 1986, laying down a hard law-and-order line said “Democracy stops where state interests begin”. We are witnessing this nation sleep walking into a national disaster with its eyes open and mind closed.

L Galea

Jul 22nd 2008, 11:25

Why not pick them up, take them just off Libyan waters, put them back in their boats and give them just enough fuel to reach the Libyan shores?

E Aquilina

Jul 22nd 2008, 11:17

We may as well remove passport control from airport and seaport, since we have lost all sense of borders creating fairness to all those arriving to our islands also saving taxpayers money.

c damato

Jul 22nd 2008, 11:15

There we go again...

Daily news now, actually not "news" anymore...!

Quite late this morning eh? Did they have a delay on departure?

Seems they even know in which port to come IN, close to their mates in HalFar...!!!

Suggest we try the numbers 26, 27, 28, 29 for Lotto or Super5! Its always the same number.

POOR MALTA!!!

Mark Vella

Jul 22nd 2008, 11:13

More & More & More!! What is being done? are trips being of 27 per boat being organized?? We're soon be invaded by illegal immigrants!! Lets start to do something about this!!

louise vella

Jul 22nd 2008, 11:13

Up to now more than 10200 illegal immigrants have landed in Malta, not counting their children born here. For purposes of comparison, according to the 2005 Population Census, there are 9541 residents in Hamrun and about 11400 in Zejtun. The combined population of Cospicua, Senglea and Birgu (5657 + 3074 + 2701) is 11432. The combined population of Ghaxaq, Gudja, Kirkop and Safi (4405 + 2923 + 2185 + 1979) is 11492. The number of illegal immigrants is already equivalent to several Maltese towns and villages.

Francis Bonello

Jul 22nd 2008, 11:07

When is it going to be enough? Haven't we reached saturation point? Why do we not accomadate them in five star hotels, and send them on a cruise in the mediterranean or the carribean?

Is there a government on this rock? If yes, is it asleep? When are we to realize the harm being done to our island with this influx of ILLEGAL immigrants?

joseph zammit

Jul 22nd 2008, 10:56

Well done to the Goverment and tha authorities for having a good eye on our shores!
In the meantime the number of ILLEGALS keep on rising.
Time to wake up Mr. Goverment, Opposition and us Maltese before its more than too late! Cant you see that the majority of the maltese are justifly worried with this situation?

Jean Pierre Aquilina

Jul 22nd 2008, 10:53

Help...we are sinking further.

Now that Italy and Spain are tightening their border controls, it is of no surprise that migrants will favour Malta. We simply cannot keep on absorbing such numbers, and it appears that the only way to curb such a form of illegal immigration is to tighten our border controls, possibly by extending the detention period to much longer than 18 months. This measure would discourage such large numbers from arriving.

Guzeppi Grech

Jul 22nd 2008, 10:52

This is becoming beyond "a worrying issue". The word we need to use now when discussing the ramnifications of these daily arrivals is "scary". I am sure even the services and construction businesses have reached saturation point and can't absorb any more of these "willing strong hands".

Yes, there are no easy solutions, but that doesn't mean we don't have a catastrophe on our hands. Its not something that is going to happen... it's here and now.

Paul Barrett

Jul 22nd 2008, 10:50

This is just too coincidental.
Is there no satellite covering the Med that can take photographs to back track these boats to the mother ship and thus identify and arrest the traffickers.

Heather Mallia

Jul 22nd 2008, 10:49

Aprox. 50 immigrants per day, for 31 days of August, we will be receiving roughly 1,550 immigrants next month. Do we have the space or recources????