Joe Morana, Għajnsielem
Gunboat diplomacy may be the only option
The unequivocal and arrogant denunciation of EU directives regarding illegal immigration by the Libyan Foreign Minister makes clear Libya's position in the war against human traffickers and the prevention of illegal immigrant sailings from that country's shores.
The Foreign Minister has also left no doubt as to the reasons why his country has been slow to react (or not react at all) to emergency situations within its search and rescue area. The Simshar magisterial inquiry should investigate to what extent Libyan assistance had been forthcoming with S&R throughout the disaster.
All of this from the same Foreign Minister who two years ago pleaded with and convinced a gullible EU fact-finding mission (which also included our man in Brussels) that Libya needed EU assistance in stemming the flow of illegal immigrants pouring in through its southern border. He had submitted that Libya's borders were too extensive and Libya, having just emerged from a period of crippling UN sanctions, needed EU help. Perhaps it is time for those sanctions to be re-imposed.
EU sources have been quoted as stating that the Libyans are adamant in refusing to cooperate. The Libyans have told the EU "straight and plain" that human trafficking and illegal immigration is not their problem. They refuse to take back illegal immigrants claiming that these are not Libyan nationals but Africans from the Horn of Africa who are using Libya to flee to Europe. The Libyan Foreign Minister has invoked the solidarity and support of the African Union, which body is the responsible entity for addressing the issue of illegal immigration from so-called African trouble spots.
Given this turn of events, the EU should put Libya on notice that it faces economic and other sanctions if it does not take immediate steps to put a halt to human trafficking from its shores.
Blockading the entire Libyan coast with a combined force of EU naval vessels should also be considered. In the face of continued Libyan intransigence, gunboat diplomacy may be the only remaining option. It has been effective in the past. The time for Maltese government-style diplomacy, which was obsequious, weak, and ineffective, has passed!
For all the good it will do the EU, and particularly Malta, the €72 million Frontex budget for 2009 might as well be taken out in coins and dumped overboard in the Mediterranean just north of Libya's territorial perimeter. In time it might just form a barrier reef.
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Victor Zammit
Jul 30th 2008, 07:21
Is the above letter creating an example on how we should get back to the Nazi-era where millions of peoples were killed and countries were destroyed?
Such crude hostile bases-title replicates the barbarian state of mind of those thuggers on the other side of the Atlantic. Such peoples they only understand the logic of power not the power of logic. Defiantly, peoples like this don’t belong to the civilized world.
This is a mental-terrorism form right winged ‘pundits’ try to sneak through for public opinion. This creates open hostility towards all minorities (illegal, legal immigrants,gays, homosexual, Jew, Muslims…etc)
The many surveys that reflected an increase of racism and hostile sentiments among the VERY KIND Maltese peoples towards Africans, Jews, Muslims, Palestenains...etc it’s just because of such writings which has been going on for the past years.
Dear Libyan President
On behalf of the Maltese peoples we need your help to stop the illegal Immigrants. The European Union countries have thwarted us. Now we have only you that can help. You have been generous with your Maltese friends during the 70’s and the 80’s. We appreciate all what you have been doing with us.
Malcolm Tortell
Jul 29th 2008, 23:37
@ E Azzopardi:
Pls don't say "all of us" because I for one definitely do not share your attitude.
@ Corinne
It would seem that Mr. Morena is proposing a military blockade of the Libyan Coast. In other words he wants the EU to declare war on Libya! A sure fire winner if there was a competion for bad ideas!
Mary Grech
Jul 29th 2008, 23:15
This is how EU sees the issue:
Within the last 10 years, the population of Malta has increased from 360,000 to over 400,000 last year, an increase of 40,000 people, which nobody has ever complained much about or objected to. To be sure, it will have happened with the consent and blessing of our two authorities. And nobody is calling a halt to this sort of growth rate.
Why should a country with a population-politics like this not be able to take a couple of thousand coloured and black people along with all these Maltese? If Malta is too densely populated already, as everybody and politicians claim, the Maltese should start doing something about this among themselves first, before they childishly start complaining about this, that or the other in Brussels.
No need to waste your time and suggest racist and Nazi-based talks.
As the Maltese saying goes, l-ikbar trux dak li ma jridx jisma u l-ikbar ghama dak il ma jridx jara!
E. Azzopardi
Jul 29th 2008, 16:49
Those who think that they are holier than the Pope as regards illegal immigrants have all been silent recently. They have now realized that they were wrong and that it has now become a real acute problem. I cannot comprehend why the people responsible who should put the citizens minds at rest ( because WE ARE ALL very very concerned and let no hypocryte state otherwise) do not come out with concrete actions. Again, bla bla bla does not take us anywhere, sorry DID not take us anywhere. Time to act and do it nowl
Corinne Vella
Jul 29th 2008, 16:23
Joe Morana: Gunboat diplomacy? What exactly are you proposing and when did it 'work in the past'?
Joe Tabone-Adami
Jul 29th 2008, 16:01
I stand to be corrected. But, the Libyan leadership was quoted some months ago as saying that "the world belongs to everybody" - or words to that effect. Therefore, I take it to mean, European countries had no right to deny entry to illegals! Once the world does belong to one and all, why are some countries so secretive and jealous of the oil deposits beneath the sea-bed in acknowledged international waters, may I ask? We all remember the 'gunboat incident' when Saipem II was searching for oil on behalf of the Maltese Government in the early Eighties. It may be useful to revive that episode in our history, quoting verbatim the phrases used by our Prime Minister to condemn Libya's actions. Or is the past no longer a teacher for the future?
Karl Consiglio
Jul 29th 2008, 14:06
Gaddafi doesn't seem to care and nobody seems to want to get him angry due to all the pressure behind the fact that many businesses rely on good relationships with him. He is a problem, better still, he is THE problem.
G.Tonna
Jul 29th 2008, 13:02
@Sandro Pace. "Malta must defend itself"...I hope you are not refering to military means. I mean, the army wasn't capable against the might of the bus drivers. 100 police officers went on sick leave in the face of the hearses and buses. Do you really expect them to skirmish with the libyans...All the soldiers will go out on sick leave with a backache!
And what F16s, Eurofighters or whatever fighter planes shall we throw at them ? The ones the army currently use, look more like a cross between a microlight and a WW1 plane.
Joseph Sciberras
Jul 29th 2008, 12:06
What you seem to be forgetting is that Libya is a very powerful and rich country. The EU countries have a much greater interest (financially) in keeping a good relationship going, so what you are proposing is highly unlikely.
L Galea
Jul 29th 2008, 11:43
I agree to the gunboat diplomacy because it appears that Libya only learns by this method.
However, the UNWANTED ILLEGAL immigrants must not be picked up and brought to Malta, but not allowed to proceed out of Libyan waters and forced to turn back.
this is a part from repatriating ALL ILLEGAL immigrants presently in Malta and all those who manage to make it here before gunboat diplomacy is implemented.
apgrech
Jul 29th 2008, 11:05
Instead of being intercepted in Maltese waters, these boats should be stopped from entering Maltese waters. For this we need the help of the EU. It can't continue as it is and allow Malta to be ridiculed the way it is by the EU and by those who are making big money with the human trade.
The dinghy of yesterday - oh yes, it sailed all the way from Africa, right? How come ships are not monitored also to see if they are bringing and illegal immigrants?
We have satellites which can read the headlines of a newspaper - can't these satellites be used to monitor ships in the Mediterranean and keep an eye on their activities?
martin portelli
Jul 29th 2008, 10:57
We seem to be lumbered with a Foreign Affairs ministry and indeed a government that act more and more like a local authority than a government of a sovereign state. Does EU membership totally exclude safeguarding the national interest? My guess is that the founding members rarely forget national interest. I'm sure it is firmly on the agenda with the French, Germans, and Italians. Does the pecking order reduce the Maltese government to a local authority? The opposition seems to be following suite on the issue (perhaps we have consensus on something at last). One needn't be a Euro sceptic to arrive at such a conclusion. I'm all for Europe but not one of two weights two measures.
louise vella
Jul 29th 2008, 09:51
As the current emergency develops, with an unending influx of unwanted illegal immigrants, I have been deafened by the silence of the Jesuit Refugee Service, usually very vociferous in promoting the interests of so-called refugees. I checked with www.jrsmalta.org. I did not find any new declaration. But I noticed JRS's Annual Report for 2007 and, at the end, the Financial Statement. It shows that in 2007 alone JRS had an income of about € 300 000 (€296 703 to be exact). Of this total about € 132 000 came from EU sources.
Sandro Pace
Jul 29th 2008, 09:46
Malta must either defend itself, or onpass the immigrants to the mainland the same way they came. They will only feel the problem when they are exposed to it.
Though still a relief, and many thanks to them, Malta cannot always bank on the mercy of the US, for all it's good intentions. Reading a letter last time on the Sunday Times (by Mr. Evarist Saliba I think), it said that once the flow of Iraqi refugees to the US through Malta became high, both the US and Canada stopped it and we were stuck with 900 Iraqis.
Prevention, is better then cure. (if there is one).
v.pulis
Jul 29th 2008, 09:24
@ Joe Morana.
While I fully concur that Libya is taking everyone for a ride it seems that The EU has opted for the easier way out and that is of using Malta as a buffer zone between it and Libya. That way, the EU would not have to cross swords with an oil producing country. Let us also not forget that France is in the process of building a nuclear reactor in Libya so that counts France out of any sanctions the EU would impose. Italy likewise is very well served by the current situation thank you very much. It is quite clear that from sanctions the EU has switched to appeasment where Libya is concerned. Unfortunately Malta has been designated the role of sacrificial lamb. Malta stands alone in this crisis and so must act alone in its own interest before it is too late. We should start turning any illegals back. After supplying them with whatever needs, we should tow them into international waters just short of Libya's territorial waters and point them South.If we are bound by law to accept any migrants then so is libya.