Thursday, 7th August 2008 - 13:48CET
UPDATE2 : Italy to rescue 120 migrants stranded on drifting boat
Italy agreed this afternoon to send a warship to rescue 120 migrants who have been stranded all day long on a boat without fuel and water.
The boat was reported drifting in the Libyan rescue zone but no attempt at rescue was made by the Libyan authorities.
Earlier this afternoon, Neil Falzon, head of the UNHCR Office in Malta, said the presence of the boat was made known by a person on the boat who phoned a UNHCR representative at Lampedusa using a satellite phone at 6 a.m.
Those on board the boat include 25 women and six children.
Mr Falzon said the Libyan, Italian and Maltese authorities had been informed.
"So far it looks like nobody is going out to help them, but since they are in the Libyan region, this is primarily a Libyan responsibility," Mr Falzon had said.
Meanwhile an Italian corvette, the Urania, this afternoon rescued a group of 37 migrants from the Libyan rescue zone 85 nautical miles south-south east of Lampedua and is taking them to the Italian island.
New Alternattiva Demokratika leader Arnold Cassola in a strongly-worded statement criticised the Libyan attitude to the crisis.
"We are totally appalled at the way Libyan President Gheddafi and his authorities are neglecting basic human rights and indeed are continuously playing about with the lives of human beings by not helping out in the Search and Rescue area assigned to Libya through international law", he said.
"Indeed, the Libyan authorities are not only risking the lives of poor men, women and children by not offering them any aid on the open seas, but they are actually contributing to sending over thousands of migrants from Libyan shores in order to blackmail and pressure European governments.
"The fact is that even when bilateral agreements have been reached - the Italian government has, for example, donated six boats to the Libyan government for the patrolling of its coasts over six months ago - the Libyan authorities do not respect them, thus proving to be very unreliable partners for their European counterparts".
Dr Cassola said Alternattiva Demokratika was appealing to the Libyan authorities to act in a serious way, be credible and ratify immediately the Geneva convention on asylum seekers.
"Moreover, the Prime minister and Foreign Minister and the MLP should interrupt their silence on this matter and address the issue openly with President Gheddafi, calling things by their real name and not succumbing any longer to more blackmail".
He said the European Union should play a greater role in ensuring that responsibility and burden is shared equally amongst EU member states, as Malta and other southern EU countries were being disproportionately affected by the immigration issue.
Comments
Sorry. This last message clearly shows that you do not even read what we write. You just move your eyes from a sentence to the other while trying to form a meaning. Perhaps it is your character Ms.Vella. Please, if you find some time, read what I had written about cars. Why do you think I am racist.boooo....?? Just because I am concerned about the traffic in our land?! Yeah,..maybe I am racist...racist towards people who feel superior and that they feel others are the freaky and stupid ones. Again, I wish you a nice day.
It seems we are not going to end...you just take what it best suits you, i.e. transform everything we say in what YOU want us to say. OK. np ..Have a nice weekend.
I also think that the businessmen and those who give us the boat are related so they give the money back - just to get rid of us.
if only the maltese authorities know what is going on at the seaside of libya!
thank you for welcoming us. very nice island. very nice people.
'The number of empty dwellings are actually closer to the 50000, with 2 or 3 persons per apartment? Try again.'
Most, if not all, of those are privately owned and out of the financial reach of these immigrants. Unless you agree with requisitioning, or the government buying these empty dwellings at market value. Both out of the question, and not only for financial reasons.
Not matter how much one tries again, this country cannot afford social services and housing for the African Union.
Stick to the subject: we are talking of african labour in the UAE and the EU. Again, ask them the difference between the two. Do you mean to say that the african labourer in the EU is treated the same as a european labourer? if you really believe this, then all corresponding with you including me are wasting our time.
How is it that if they are genuine, they have this phone when it costs much more than we can afford not to mention the calls? They really seem to come prepared to "need help".
Corinne Vella
' Don't take my word for it. Ask Human Rights Watch.'
I /we will have to stick to what Human Rights Watch says about Maltese atitudae toward immigrants (illegal and legals) .. right?
I agree that there are too many cars in Malta, but there were too many cars way before this issue started, a reform in transport would help.
Sandro, the biggest increase in illegal immigration this year and last year actually happened in Greece, so not too sure about adopting their system. Their are members of the EU like Finland and Estonia who really can help out of course,real united pressure by the southern states on the EU to start a quota system would make sense. The main focus of the press and opinion writers has been the Maltese racist, but in my opinion it should be this goverment and opposition who are doing very little about it. There seems to be no plan and communication at all.
I am not referring to skin colour. As I stated in another post, the problem with immigration concerns also from those who come from Russia, Hungary and China. It is really no means by lowering what I have said to skin colour. Sorry but sometimes you are a bit offensive towards people. Sorry to tell you this, but it is true. Ok. So you think that I was referrring to driving capabilities, right?? NO ! Immigrants from Russia, Somalia, ...they can be the best drivers in the universe. the problem relies in the fact that we are alredu overloaded with cars,..I myself wish to have a car but stay back. You can perhaps tell me that it is my problem? NO. I wish a car but I wish to make my small part . I wish that my land MALTA is a bit 'free' from the daily traffic that is ruining IT and us who live here. Aren't you fed up of seeing all these cars in our roads, the same roads where not more than 40 years ago were full of children playing zibeg or pulizija u hallelin?
When it comes to numbers the market usually dictates the amount of workers that a country needs, the problem is that there are too many illegal workers and legal workers accepting and given illegal work. This should be one of our prorities, to stop this and start an agency where people can get daily, weekly or monthly labour work. We also need nurses and staff in the hospitality industry. I really cannot see why people would be so scared, with the amazing service that we Maltese are so famous for, excellent bus and taxi service for example, why would anyone be worried to loose their jobs?
A Maltese/Australian tourist this week cut her holiday short cause she said that she could not stand the amount of trash esp around the 5 star hotels in St Julians, she said that things are much worse then they were on her visit 7 years ago. I really do not care if a worker is black, white or pink if he or she does her job properly.
Joe Sammut: You clearly have no idea of the difference between being a labourer in the EU and a labourer in the UAE.
Peppi Micallef: If skin colour were the basis for issuing driving licences here, most Maltese wouldn't qualify.
Neither can the international community wash its hands viz Malta, and leave it being overwhelmed citing voluntarily signed obligations. Countries do not sign their death warrants. And BTW, stop reducing the plight of Malta in this as a bocca-club. Which is insulting. So now we are at fault for sending missionaries!
@Mr. Cassar Darrien
As far as I remember, the number of empty dwellings stand at 40,000 (or less). With a net 2000 immigrants per year, half of these will be taken in ten years. Result? We will have to build more to accomodate 'our' population, and still property prices will go up. And do you think they can afford buying or renting at local market values?
It is also an environmental problem.
We are in deft need for workers? Wait until a 1000 dockyard workers are made redundant.
Re. turning them back, check what the Frontex Head said. Unless they are not in distress they can be turned back. The Greeks do it. But more effort should be done in chasing motheships and arresting their crew. A war on traffickers, until ferrying them here will become not worth it and risky.
Mr. Sandro Pace
You said: ‘Maltese give for missionaries such that they are helped in their countries but we dont want thousands plus Kenyans here. Whats wrong? Hypocracy you may say. We dont care.”
We can not wash our hands off and simply say we don’t care. Malta is a country forms part of the international community and not isolated Bocca-Club in Hamrun.
We are part of the EU. The latter is behind the status-quo of Africa.
In short, we Maltese are facing a problem other European countries had created it in Africa.
By the way, if you look at it, we are at fault too. We, under the cover of charity, silently send missionaries to convert Africans for-food and medicine. The Vatican, UN, EU are all to hold responsibility
Foreign construction workers went on strike over bad working conditions
Strikes comes a day after authorities threaten to deport rioters
Labor comes primarily from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
Dubai's growth is threatened by poor working conditions for foreign labor
I do not consider myself pro immigration, I just think that we are in a difficult situation, and we need to do something about it, blocking them out at sea is not an option really, anybody with a bit of knowledge of international laws would understand that,this really has nothing to do with the EU of course.
We do have a lot of empty housing so that is not a big concern,actually the biggest mistake that we could be doing at this stage is creating mini ghettos which is what we are indeed doing. We deft need a lot of workers esp seeing that 67 per cent of women in Malta do not work and pay taxes. I agree with Sandro that water is a big concern but we will probably have to change the way we deal with water anyway. Twenty per cent of our electricty cost is used to convert sea water to our sort of drinking water and most of the little rain water that we get is lost. Pensions are also a big concern, esp for those workers who are not paying tax, what will they do?
Still waiting for an answer to my question!
@ Corinne Vella
Just a quick reminder:
Biggest , ever IT investment in Malta is coming from UAE. Smart city investment didn’t come from our fellow EU countries.
Could you please tell me about a country where labourers aren’t pissed off, go for strike and feel unhappy with payment?
First he thanked us then he reminded us that if we do not help them they will die. That should make us all feel guilty if something happens to them after they put themselves in danger.
they know that we are a kind people and they are exploiting this I have to call it weakness unfortunately because that is what it's turning out to be. then he puts our mind at rest with the promise that God will eward us for our troubles.
this is the globalist agenda for most of Europe by the corporate fascist elite, so that human labour can be bought at the lowest price possible through supply and demand, like any resource.
the politicians will do nothing to solve this problem as they are just shills for the corporate fascist elite.
P.S. How is it that we are seeing more African immigrants driving their own cars? Yes,right! Mainly cars which to not exceed LM800,...but I also see these immigrants with nice cars which cost more than I can actually afford. Do we have to expect an increase in our traffic? Isn't Malta already OVER filled with cars driven from Maltese?
So if I may ask our emotional, intelligent, pro immigration fellow Maltese citizens: how come these irregular immigrants take all the hassle, risks and expenses to seek 'a better life' in Europe? How come they prefer Europe which is a totally strange land to their religion, language and culture rather than their neighbour countries?
p.s. If need be to refresh your geogrphy please visit, http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/af.htm
and then answer my simple questions!
Do not thank us for experiencing this illegal immigration nightmare. You should lobby your African brother states to spare some of the money that Libya and other oil-producing countries are reeping from their incomes in order to build you homes, create employment initiatives, dig water wells, open schools and allow women to be themselves. Tell them that the Maltese people have problems of their own and have never escaped to Italy by boats when the going was though. We were resilient, tough and sought out solutions. Tell them we are totally fed up.
Tell the Libyan government not to act silly anymore, since they are only increasing their notorious fame as a singularly bizarre pariah state and that they should express all the love of God and go out to "rescue" your stranded African brothers. May God help your African nations, goodbye.
What do you think of Muammar Gaddafi's attitude towards you? Don't you think that he should be the first to help you since you are leaving from Libya and he is a fellow muslim? do muslims believe in charity? we ask god to help us now not when we die.
thank you for helping my fellow brothers. Please remember that if you do not help us we will die of hunger. one day god will pay back for the help you are delivering.
may god be with you forever
Abdul Mugrahi ibn al-Makthoum
There is no information about the Embassy of Libya in Malta. Please check the neighboring countries for the nearest Embassy of Libya that covers the territory of Malta. If this information is not accurate please use "report an error" tool to help us keep the embassy information current.
I'm sorry and appologise to the Libyan Embassy if I'm wrong, but if I'm right.....
Yesterday it was 50, could have been 170 if it was for some. Do we start building villages? And what about resources, water, cars, and all the rest..........
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Mr. A. Muscat, Maltese give for missionaries such that they are helped in their countries but we dont want thousands plus Kenyans here. Whats wrong? Hypocracy you may say. We dont care.
When there is a mass movement of people (for settlement) in a country, whatever reason is driving it, it becomes a Political issue. Whats the major stumbling block for peace in the mid-east? Settlements. Are we not one world Jews, Arabs, Chrisitians? Even the UN scorns Israel (perhaps rightly) for building settlements in Palestinian land. But its ok for the UN(HCR) if 1000s of Africans settle in Malta.
The driving force is different, outcome is the same.
They have managed to turn decent local people into scared human beings. Now you can throw all your toys out of your pram, shout, nag, kick and scream but immigration is here to stay. What we should be talking about is how to tacke this issue. The first wave or generation of immigrants are always very submissive but their children or second wave won't be and we better get our act together. There is no discussion about training and education, housing, pensions etc. The economic and also social side of immigration is being swept under the carpet. With proper planning one could turn this issue into an opportunity.
There is one thing in common here, everybody wants a better Malta, but the total lack of information, the traditional Malta and Maltese bashing and a historical lack of national confidence is helping to create such a bitter enviroment
@Neville Bezzina
Here I can say it’s a silent crusade.
I agree with you to a certain extent.
Libya too has the courage to say NO, and I respect Libya for being clear.
We blame Libya since we can not open our mouth with EU. (Inferiority complex)
If you think we are charitable peoples, please think again.
We can donate to build a school in Kenya and at the same time we don’t want to see Kenyan in Malta. The aim of the donations is clear: To help missionaries in Africa to covert homeless and sick poor Africans to convert- for-food. Here I can say it’s a silent crusade. It’s clear; it’s falling like pervious crusades.
If it wasn’t for the present, gifts peoples receive against charity, I guess nobody would donate a penny. What if in (Xarabank) they ask for a donation to help illegal immigrants in Malta?? I am sure they will hardly collect 100 Euros:
Our problem is racism. Many surveys shows that 97% of the Maltese don’t want any immigrants (Legal or illegal)
Why do illegal immigrants keep coming?
On Friday, 14th December 2007 MEP Dr. John Attard Montalto wrote a factual article that may interest you if you wish to be aware of the core problem of Africa.
Here I quote a paragraph:
(The scramble for Africa has started all over again. In the colonial period, European nation-states competed between themselves. After World War II, the US permitted Europe to continue to dominate the continent’s resources, on the reckoning that the boost to the European economies would boost trade with the US itself.)
If you look at it, Europe had created this problem. Let us not blame the victims
Anyway, he has been asking Mr. Falzon from UNHCR, Fr. Philip and many other entities to help him move to USA or Germany (where he has his own brother) or Holland (he has another brother there too) but he is constantly turned down. This particular person is an electrical engineer and not some kind of bum and in fact he is employed in Malta in the private sector and pays taxes like us Maltese. UNHCR are always turning his requests down mentioning all kind of excuses. He feels discriminated himself by UNHCR since they prefer sending Black Africans with no education whatsoever to USA and other EU countries and in fact whenever he queries about these facts, he is shown a cold shoulder by these NGOs.
I think the mandate you pasted from their website should be amended.
That information is from the UNHCR's website. The task you mention does not fall within that remit.
Joanne Micallef: Why does it upset you so much that I said you are a representative of AN? Substitute 'supporter' for 'representative' - the comment still stands.
According to the AFM statement, had they contacted Malta RCC, it would have been Malta. Politically, it should not be. Libya should take its responsabilities, even if it does not want to.
Malta RCC to immigrants: "Wrong number mates, try this one in Italy".
In fact, if Italy is their destination, they should not even dare call numbers with country code 356.
Their Life Responsibility is not yours, its theirs, they are adults (not babies) and can make their own choices in life.
Their choice was to either go to a neighbouring state, stay in Libya or cross the dangerous Mediterranean sea & they'd have be completely retarded not to know how many lives that sea has claimed.
So every time a person deliberately puts himself in danger, suddenly his life is your Responsibility? Or its your responsibility, because s/he is African?
What about the ones that drowned? They're not your Responsibility any more?
There was something you could do about it, you could have organized a Safe and proper Coyote Service from Libya to Malta, but no, your responsibility is to be a keyboard warrior & pretend to care.
How many of you, rented boats to go for them? Anyone? Keyboard warriors...
@ Corinne Vella
Thank you for your contributions to this blog.
But I think you are too patronizing!!!
What has "You Catholics" got to do with this argument?
I think most of the contributors to this blog are actually using their BRAINS and NOT their hearts,
.
You are only playing on EMOTIONS.
What about some BRAINS?
VIVA MALTA
VIVA MALTA
VIVA M,ALTA
Since when have all the problems related with Africa and massive people migration have also become the European Union's responsability to solve?
This is Africa's issue which has to be tackled by the African Union. They are the experts in African issues and politics and therefore they have to find the root of all this. Most African countries have been independent since the late 1950s and early 1960s and thus have had ample time to stabilise their economies and create initiatives that are appealing to African peoples.
We are a different continent and cannot interfere in the happenings. When the EU proposed of sending a peacekeeping force in Darfur, Sudan, it was told to keep its nose out.
They should remain in Libya or other African countries until they are repatriated to their country of birth. Had I quoted that Africa is, as Rudyard Kipling once called " the white man's burden" someone would have quickly called me a racist. Africa for Africans, as Jomo Kenyatta proudly exclaimed.
As for the "real solution" to a situation such as that of today, the only humanly acceptable thing to do was for somebody - anybody - to rescue the people. I repeat, however, for the umpteenth time, that the reactions of many people here are shocking to say the least. Most couldn't give a toss about these people (including 6 children), as long as they don't end up in Malta.
Given their reactions, it's almost surprising that such people have not yet manned the watchtowers around our islands, ready to shoot any such immigrants before they reach our shores.
My Maltese wife's relative are amatuer fishermen: if any stray in Libyan fishing waters, gunbots pop-up over the horizon and zoom in out of nowhere like bees to honey, yet they have a problem sending out helicopter to intervene in any limited way on a SAR-case. Maybe the AFM should start teaching the Libyans all about SAR techniques and drills, given the vast experience under their belt.
I remain gob-smacked at how an oil-rich nation like Libya props up this charade of bluff with the indirect support of Europeans now doing business with the regime there again. Maybe the Maltese will end up using flimsy boats soon to reach Sicily in a similar fashion, only the trip will be charged in Euros not US Dollars!
The people quoting laws and regulations are the same people who were in favour of going out and bringing the 120 immigrants to malta. if the law favours people like gaddafi then the lawas they say is an ass or in this case a camel and should be changed. it's not fair that malta is being punished for its kindness. everybody is taking advantage of our altruism. not least the criminals who are trfficking these people and the dictators who are aiding and abetting them as we saw ths morning. the losers in this saga are the immigrants who don't make it and Malta.
So, I ask siblings Amanda and Corinne in this blog what are the rea solutions to the root of this illegal migration phenomenon? Being correctly all-Christian & smugly feeling good about rendering a basic humanitarian gesture of assistance through rescue won't solve matters @ the point of origin, i.e., the shores of Libya. I'd rather ask: what is Libya doing to contain the exodus as operated by known criminal agents and corrupt government officials?
I hope Libyan diplomats in Malta read all this hype here, & signal back to Tripoli: "Oi, we're pissing off the Maltesers big time, it might boomerang on our own emigres community here!" & I'd like to think that those in the intelligence services of FRONTEX are still not infighting amonsgt themselves, driving their parent nations' individual agendas @ Malta's expense (calling Warsaw HQ here! helloooo)
As one great old-timer who clocked 92 years this week said: "Iva, Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox, ghax hekk jaghmlu huma ghalihom nfushom!" Words of a great statesman who could summon attention from European leaders. What to we get from EU fora, mere handshakes, big smiles or pats on the back, & dozens of photo-call opportunities.
Liberal minds will advocate the rescue intervention in this case for a number of morale, religious or humanitarian reasons, right or wrong as they may all be. Conservative patriotic others might also argue that Europe is doing nothing to help Malta as a EU member state, leaving this small island nation to fend for itself, like some onoited sole guardian of Europe's southernmost borders.
Amongst all these blog entries, it's just us who are nattering in words calling for action by Libyan authorities, nobody else in elected power with forcible word or actions. If Italian premier Berlusconi is now thinking he's replaced French president Sarkozy as the EU's point-of-contact on all matters, especially migration, I think the Italians are kidding with themselves at the espense of WW2 reparations & a highway's construction expense (not mentioning donating some 5 patrolboats to Libya as well).
Dim witted as it may seem, the Maltese in all this fail to appreciate the puny size of the country's clout on the international stage. Can't imagine gunboat diplomacy with AFM soldiers pointing the migrants all back to Libya, given the international SOLAS and other obligations we have.
I believe that morally, as living beings, we are obliged to help anyone of any shape and size who is in distress (independent of your religious believes, if any ) . This should be done in a logical way... and in no way react naively.
> Illegal immigration is run by organised criminals who are making lots of money out of other people's misery.
> Territorial waters are to be respected - yes even in this unfortunate case. Do we really think we can send a tiny patrol boat into Libyan waters? - It could create the most embarrassing diplomatic spat ever (unless Libya gives us permission).
> If we really care about these people we should do our utmost to make them feel comfortable in their own country, because had they been given the opportunity to live decently in their own country together with their family, they would!
Many people here were quoting laws, legal obligations, etc, etc, etc, whilist not once reflecting on the human aspect of the situation. What a sad, selfish lot.
For someone who believes in tolerance you should practice more what you preach as from your posts on this site it is very clear how intolerant and prejudiced you are.
We are days from having being gripped as a nation, hoping for good news about the Marsaxlokk fishermen and Theo... yet.. just days after this tragedy that struck home.... this blog is full of people (and I use the word loosely here) who practically advocate letting 120 people die.
Religion and belief plays no part in this argument.
These are basic fundamental values. Some people would rather let 120 people die than have the discomfort of living on the same island as the rescued.
These people are in serious need of being rescued themselves.... from their diseased way of thinking and their warped values. Go back to your plasma/lcd screens.... to your air-conditioned bedrooms and plastic wrapped sofas.... and just hope the TV sound can drown out the vivid thoughts of drowning people in your mind.
Wicked are those who can see but choose not to see.
but how can you be so cruel to know that there are 120 people in your zone that need your helpbecause they have no fuel and water and they simply sit on their asses and do nothing
It is more than obvious that there is an organised exploitative business which is brining immigrants to our shores.
Both Libya and the EU are not helping solve this mess. The former is allowing things to take place as if nothing happened, and the latter is using mechanisms such as Frontex which are not really helping Malta. Our security resources are being strained to the limit on the immigration issue, and Malta is taking more than its fair share of immigrants.
Malta should be more vocal within EU structures, speaking loud and clear in favour of proper burden and responsibility sharing. There is a problem, no doubt, and this requires solutions which are both humane to immigrants and fair to member states such as Malta. Can we keep burying our heads in the sand?
So why did not AD's release urged for Malta to go and get them?
Please! Subtle, Ms Vella, very subtle.
No one in this blog has shown any sign whatsoever of being "inhuman" as you are alleging. But since you have now admitted that you are crazy, you can be forgiven.
Rhetorical? You really think so?
It works both ways. Let me give an example.
Last Saturday I noticed a sailing yacht in the distance that had lost its mast. As obliged by Law, I changed course and asked if they needed help. Their response was not exactly ‘grateful’ and it was evident to me that they had next to no idea of how to handle the situation; they were in a mess.
Nonetheless, to legally cover my backside, I proceeded to inform Valletta of the dismasted boat, giving the exact location, the number of persons on board, and my assessment of the general situation. I wanted to be on record that I had fulfilled my legal obligation.
Legally, I could not force my assistance on them, much in the same way that the AFM cannot legally encroach into Libyan waters, no matter how ‘morally’ acute the situation is.
anyone who has met or dealt with Libyans in Malta know what I am saying is true.
Of course they are. What are they in your eyes?
My thoughts on the matter, however, remain unchanged.
Thank you for the info. Keep up the good work, and tell the boys to take care.
It would reassure those concerned bloggers of this story to know that now MRCC Rome has agreed with the Italian Navy's Command HQ to intervene directly on this case, by redeploying the navy warship URANIA to the scene, whilst already having 37 rescued migrants onboard which it had rescued in a FRONTEX patrolled zone in the Libyan SRR, and yet closer to Lampedusa.
The boat in distress with 120 illegal migrants onboard is in a position 164.8 nautical miles (NM) from Lampedusa, and 123.1NM from Malta, in the Libyan SRR and outside a FRONTEX-patrolled area. The Italian Navy warship URANIA is acting to fulfill MRCC Rome's international obligations, as explained in our earlier blog entry, since it was the first point of contact for this incident, and remains so because of no Libyan intervention.
The migrants, given that they were rescued outside the FRONTEX-patrolled area in the Libyan SRR, and in a position closer to Libyan shores, should be landed in a Libyan port.
Personally, I think it is better to live a good life and have sound principles and morals than to "attend mass, say the rosary, follow the rules of the church and commandments of the Lord" JUST to guarantee oneself a place "up there", yet not living a true Christian life.
(Incidentally, you seem to have conveniently forgotten the commandment "Love thy neighbour as thyself",!)
This is one lost bet that made me happy. Now we wait for Italy and the rest of our EU partners to impose sanctions on Libya for not honouring its international obligations.
These are matters of state, and will go solved by the mind. Afterall, Italy may have some debts with Libya, or so they say.
I've always thought that with this problem (deliberately created by libya) someone is going to get hurt. Either the future maltese population (easily ignored cause it is not immediate), malta's relations with its neighbours or the immigrants themselves.
Everyone makes his choices.
To all the callous "holy" people who commented here more-or-less stating that allowing the people to drown would be preferable to them being rescued by the AFM - Don't forget to go to confession before communion next Sunday. Shame on the lot of you!
Also shocking is the fact that such comments are thought out, let alone posted.
With the lack of morals most people have, and the lack of compassion they have for the suffering before their very eyes, I dread to think what Malta will be like in a few years' time.
You all seem to think that giving your 10 Euros' worth come Strina is enough - as long as it goes to fellow Maltese of the abandoned animals, of course.
NO, this has absolutely nothing to do with religion. Any god would be shocked with your lack of compassion and respect for mankind.
As for your "Maltese" comment, I am probably just as Maltese as you are - a possible mix of every colour.
The EU must also play its part, I have been pro-EU for nearly two decades, however if the EU does not help us, I must say in full honesty that its useless to be a member of this union. Malta needs burden sharing and not economic assistance regarding illegal immigration. I sincerely hope that the EU does not look at Malta as a welcome centre for illegal immigrants.
If no action is taken, very soon Malta will be the first islamified state in the EU.
To all those that point out, on our Christian duty to save these people, its very convenient on certain occasions to be christians but not to attend mass, say the rosary, follow the rules of the church and commandments of the Lord.
People are dying of starvation all over Africa because of their corrupt governments and our heart aches for them yet on our own we are impotent to do anything about such a disastrous situation so we do nothing except sending them missionaries to convert them to Christianity.
As true Christians we may start housing them in our massive number of empty houses, convert our nice churches to comfortable dwelling, each and every household may take in two or three Africans the good Samaritan way. We may also encourage our children to marry Africans and hence creating a perfect melting pot. But we don’t do any of these noble Christian acts and I wonder why. Maybe because hypocrisy is cheaper.
If there’s a way to save Africa please let me know and I will guarantee my input. Giving refuge to illegal immigrants offers no solution to the sad situation and may encourage the perpetuation of this sad story.
Dear R.AGius The REAL desperate of Africa are stuck in Africa and cannot afford to pay money for satellite phones and crossings into Europe. WHERE DO THEY GET THE MONEY TO CROSS INTO EUROPE? These are not the 'POOR' people of Africa but rather those who are taking us for a ride.
Oh, and doing the right thing is not about joining the crowd. It is about acting in accordance with a principle even if it means swimming against the tide and no matter how abhorrent that principle may seem to everyone else. You, above all as a respresentative of AN, should know that.
C Mallia: It's your unpleasantness that stinks.
Sergio Galea Vincenti: You're not very imaginative then, are you? Apparently some people here would do just that.
Sandro Pace: Now, what statement would that be?
Chris Azzopardi: Why don't you do just that? When you're about to drown, be sure to call and send us a report of what it feels like.
Grown-up people are responsible for their own actions, and for the lives of minors, under any circumstance. How often do you go out on a boat, take 6 children with you, and then start calling Lampedusa from 150 miles away? You have called people racist, but I like to call you crazy.
To even suggest, Dr Borg-Cardona, that anyone in this blog wants people to drown is truly improper on your part.
And how can Malta send military ships in Libyan waters? Even with permission, it should not dare risk. Last week, the Libyans seized an Italian fishing boat.
Good leaders are not only there to take easy decisions. If asked (seems that we have not been asked yet), they should take a stand. For once. It's between Italy and Libya. Afterall, it is there that they want to go.
You witness a policeman beating up a helpless man/woman/child.
What do you do? The police are responsible to stop such behaviour, so there is nobody else who could LEGALLY take action there and then.
Would you watch complacently, or would you encourage others to help you stop the man from being beaten up?
"I fail to see how anybody could, especially when their own kids are tucked up safely in bed."
Surely we are morally obliged to help people in distress, especially when knowing that nobody else is doing so? How the people responsible for such decisions can sleep easily defies my imagination.
It's very easy to pass the buck, and we all know that the AFM have their hands full with such cases especially at this time of the year, but surely that's no excuse to let 120 people drown "because it's somebody else's responsibility"?
This is the perfect occasion for the EU to lambast Libya for refusing to adhere to its obligations.
Charity begins at home, fine, but this has nothing to do with charity, and more to do with saving the lives of 120 people - amongst them 6 innocent children - drifting at sea without supplies.
I suppose you'll sleep easily tonight, thinking that your bedtime prayers would suffice.
My children (at 6 and 8) are not much older than yours, and yet I make sure that they are aware of others less fortunate than them, so that - unlike some adults on this blog - they will hopefully grow up to be caring, conscientious adults.
Yesterday was a case in point - I showed them the online picture and story of "Blessing" - See http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080806/local/rescued-infant-back-at-creche-after-aunt-admits-she-is-not-related .
A slide and a bike (trike) are mentioned in the article.. Coincidentally, last Christmas, I took my kids to the Creche to pass on a slide and trike they had grown out of. The slide and bike mentioned in the news item may not be the same ones, but in my kids' eyes, they were, and they felt proud to actually see that they helped bring a tiny bit of happiness to someone less fortunate than them.
Why don't you suggest that we organize a non-stop ferry service to make sure that the millions of Africans arrive here safe and sound?
Can you please come to your senses and remember that charity begins at home and please stop abusing the words Christian belief?
Most commentators suggest that this is a well organised business and that Libyan authorities are well aware and perhaps condoning this illegal form of migration. Gaddafi can put a stop to it but he choses not to.
We cannot stuff Gaddafi's mouth with gold, he doesn't need it. He has plenty of the liquid kind. So much so that EU leaders are breaking ranks and beating a path to his tent. A nuclear power station from the French. Swiss diplomats smoothing his ruffled feathers after jailing his wayward son. Through their various negotiation fora, our clever and hardworking political masters in Europe must have a shrewd idea what Gaddafi is after. Maybe his price is too high. In the meanwhile these wretched immigrants are the bargaining chips.
Perhaps the EU with the help of the US will eventually have to start thinking outside the box and contemplate demoting this colonel.
The situation has nothing to do with Christianity as an atheist and others suggested.
Hypocrisy slants heavily on their side.
However here we have a difficult scenario, namely THE SIX CHILDREN.
The adults knew that they were breaking the law.
The children’s parents acted with gross irresponsibly placing their own offspring at a great risk.
Nevertheless, THE SIX CHILDREN COMMITTED NO CRIME.
THEY CANNOT BE PUNISHED FOR A CRIME THEY DID NOT COMMIT.
The Rome-based rescue co-ordination centre should rescue these children along with their parents until they are all fit to be deported to their country of departure/origin.
As for the rest, the responsibility lies with Libya.
What the Rome-based rescue co-ordination centre can do is to provide the remaining ILLEGAL immigrants with water and fuel on the understanding that they would return to their country of departure/origin.
This is a risky operation. A full military supported operation is necessary for the safety of the Italian personnel.
Shame on us all? Huh, the oracle has spoken. Since when have you become a preacher of moral justice? When I see you protesting in the streets in favour of Maltese co-nationals, who really want to find employment in order to feed their offspring, but can't because the market is saturated by cheap immigrant labour, only then we should take heed to your comments.
Perhaps you can inspire the Libyan ambassador resident in Malta to get one of their patrol boats to pick up those illegal African migrants stranded thirty miles from the same Libyan coast where they left from.
But then, maybe he is already calling Tripoli to urge his government to stop acting like a brat and act responsibly. Try for once in seeing the logic of this tragedy and propose something tangible rather than sublimely hinting that we are alarmist or perhaps even racist.
i have a gut feeling that either Malta will interfere ( lets admit it we are far more king then the other two)
or that no one interferes and they end up drowning
The 'shame' you so freely dispense should be felt by those international organisations which have manpower in Libya and yet do nothing but level accusations to countries like Malta. May I remind you that the UN and in particular the UNHCR are present in Tripoli and yet seemingly prefer to wait for immigrants cross over in rickety boats with the obvious and tragic consequences we all have seen happening so often.
This 'shame' should also be felt by those who are comfortable with the influx of the people in our country so that they exploit them in their business - at the light of day - and who are reaping an undeserved financial benefit often at the expense of the lives of these people in an unchecked manner.
I really feel that the 'shame' should be felt by those inconsiderate enough not to stop and think of the implications of immigration on our small country.
Would you sleep easily tonight, knowing that (forgetting the 114 adults for a moment) there are 6 terrified, hungry and thirsty young kids drifting out at sea somewhere, and that nobody is even trying to help them? I fail to see how anybody could, especially when there own kids are tucked up safetly in bed.
The Rome-based rescue co-ordination centre (MRCC Rome) was the first point of contact for this incident, and shall remain so responsible until Libya (MRCC Tripoli) responds to this reported incident.
Malta's RCC at the AFM's Operations' Centre of Luqa Barracks is only copied for information.
Malta has no obligation under international law for this case to intervene, when for other cases in our own SRR zone, we have always upheld our international obligations.
(signed)
Major IVAN M. CONSIGLIO, A.F.M.
Staff Officer 2 - Public Information/ Ops Centre Senior Duty Officer
Headquarters AFM
Worse still, how can anyone think that such trivial things as their pensions are more important than the lives of 120 people - including 6 innocent children - drifting at sea without even the barest of essentials? When I see comments like these, I am ashamed to call myself Maltese.
HOW is it OUR duty to save these people? Don't you think we already have enough of a burden without venturing out 150nm?
Why do you think it's strange that these people have a satellite phone?!! The migrants currently based in Malta already know when their 'colleagues' are coming and keep in constant touch with them, advising them of the 'best' time to cross. Their satellite phone is their insurance policy for rescue if they don't make it on their own steam.
They have come from Libya, they are in the Libyan zone, it's Libya's responsability to get them.
Let Libya show its famous islamic compassion and charity.
You don't know the number and cannot afford a satellite phone because you are not desperate to leave your homeland..........
What is flippant is your attitude to other human beings. Letting other people die is not an option in my book. Its not like YOU are hosting these people in your home!! We have a problem which needs solving - it does not get solved by killing others.... I guess in your book they are one and the same problem - in mine they are not - but I suspect that's lost on people with your sense of superiority and ignorance.
After all, we can say it's Libya's fault. That would be just perfect: we blame the very people the racists love to hate, we show how tough we are and everyone's happy. Except the people who will drown, of course, but what the heck, you can't make a pancake without wasting flour and what are a few immigrant lives? Especially if they can afford sat-phones.
At risk of sounding racist myself: I don't want to be cast in the same mould as the Libyan officials who are not doing their duty. Yes, it is their duty but if they don't do it, someone has to, and if it has to be us, then so be it, we are part of the civilised world.
Though to read some of these comments, you'd have to doubt it.
Shame on you all.
Who has got his finger in this pie??? I wonder ...
We shall make a statement by this, at whatever cost.
But, from the comments hereunder, it seems that conscience nowadays has become a very rare thing!
@ Alexander Morana - Absolutely pathetic!