Mintoff wins Libyan human rights prize

Denis Catania@yahoo.com

Sep 6th 2008, 14:41

A month after PM Mintoff gets his prize. Rice makes nice to Libya.

Andrew Borg-Cardona

Aug 25th 2008, 19:53

What you're trying to say, JJC, is l-ispizjar milli jkollu jtik.... as Mintoff did: spite and class hatred in, spite and class hatred out. A variant on GIGO.

Joseph Schembri

Aug 24th 2008, 00:37

Why all this fuss? Anyone can set up an award scheme. In fact I hereby set up the Joseph Schembri Award Scheme for Great Philosophers and solemnly bestow the prize for Metaphysics upon my dog Spotty.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 21st 2008, 09:56

Isn't it strange....

Daphne calling others obsessives....

Pot calling the kettle black.....

There' s another saying in Maltese...but I won't say it....

Clint E Taliana

Aug 21st 2008, 08:49

@ B. Cassar - pls let me know who come forth and let you know (Nationalists living in Ta' Xbiex) who got offended. I believe you're one of those nice day dreamers that in October 1996 the dark ages fell on Malta again and that in 1998 the good Lord has risen to rescue us.

Give us a break will you?! I think that the tone of this blog would be different if the Libyan leader would have given EFA (Tal-habba ziz tiftakar?!) the price for LIER of the year... or what else there are plentiful prices our president could be awarded with....... if this post will ever make it out there.

Daphne Caruana Galizia

Aug 21st 2008, 01:09

Those for and those against should all calm down. This is the Gaddafi Human Rights award we're talking about. It is entirely right and fitting that it should be given to Dom Mintoff. In fact, I can think of few more suitable recipients, except perhaps Robert Mugabe and Vladimir Putin. The tragedy is that the pro-Mintoff obsessives just don't get it. They see nothing wrong with a Gaddafi Human Rights award. But then, they see nothing wrong with Mintoff, so what can we expect?

Charles.j.Schembri

Aug 21st 2008, 00:29

John Zammit the hate you have inside you is unbelievable.......you said quote...........This man stills manages to make us Maltese fight between us.......not true it is people like you that still cling to the past.

And the divide will be there as long as people your type will still be around...yes it will take years to overcome.

But the best for last......your quote........The quicker he and the generation of his admirers expire the better!.......EXPIRE!!!!!!!!!!!! are you for real, I mean.............the hate is unbelievable

wally vella-zarb

Aug 20th 2008, 22:14

Mr Borg, if you really believe that Mintoff denied you all those rights, why do you not sue him? When Fenech Adami made similar allegations about Dr Sant, with respect to denying EFA's son access to the University (on the eve of an election - purely through sheer coincidence, of course), Dr Sant sued for libel. Dr Sant won the case.

As for winning the Pulitzer Prize, I would start on a smaller scale. Something like sentence writing at the Kindergarten of your village might be appropriate, but you would need to work very hard on your vocabulary and your syntax. Good luck!

Maria Attard

Aug 20th 2008, 22:02

Libya awards Mintoff human rights prize = soot calling soot WHITE

d zerafa

Aug 20th 2008, 21:49

lill john zammit
Fi zmien li ghamel prim ministru Mintoff ghamel bosta benefficcji liiz-zghir ghollieh u ressqu fil-klassi tan-nofs.( ez wiehed il-benefficji socjali u l-housing) Ta dan il-poplu ried isallbu!!!!. (Hafna minnhom Min dakinhar ried isallbu qed jissallab hu jew uliedu biex jixtri post fejn joqghod.)

Issa qed jigri bil-maqlub tan-nofs qed jersqu l-isfel.

Mintoff ilu nieqes minn prim madwar 25 sena. Niskanta li f'dan iz-zmien kollu (kwazi kwart ta' seklu) il-gvern ma irnexxilux innehhi il-firdiet li ghidt int li gab Mintoff. L-ikbar firdiet fil-pajjiz gabuhom il pn flimkien mal-knisja( snin sittin) li ghadhom jinhassu sal-lum . Ahjar ma tiftahx halqek fuq l-passat my friend.

Ejjem inharsu fil-futur u nzommu slogan li ma jmut qatt :Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox.

Ronnie Gauci

Aug 20th 2008, 20:53

Don't forget also that Mintoff MADE POVERTY HISTORY in Malta.

Paul Borg

Aug 20th 2008, 20:06

Wow Mintoff, award and Human Rights in the same sentence, this is truly a strange world we live in. The same Mintoff who took away my right for an education ? my right to work ? my right to express myself ? If its the same one, I really expect to win the Pulitzer for submitting this comment now, impossible is nothing !

Joseph Micallef

Aug 20th 2008, 20:02

Libyan Human rights??

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 20th 2008, 19:14

yes John Zammit,

He is also responsible for the divide between different band clubs, patron saints, football clubs etc. Don't make us laugh!

As for all of you folks fighting it out as to Mintoff's political legacy, I think it would have been best for everyone to read the reasons behind the award....
and who defended the causes of oppressed peoples, especially in Palestine and Iraq, the International Committee of Al-Qathafi Award for Peace of 2008 is awarded to the European leader and former Prime Minister of Malta.

The award was for mostly his contributions in Palestine and Iraq, contributions none can deny. So give it all a break..

I.Scicluna

Aug 20th 2008, 19:10

Ever heard of the Nobel Peace Prize? For sure, the hatred and venom that drips from the "pens" of the Mintoff-baiters will disqualify them from being nominated. Memories seem to run short, but one recipient of this distinguished Prize was Yasser Arafat who was reputedly behind all the hijackings and bombings of the 70s. In his final years, he workd for the formation of a Palestinian State and for peace in the Middle East. How is that different from the award given to Mintoff? Forget about the accomplishments of the Perit that placed tiny Malta on the International map and look at the merits that won him this award. His lifelong task was ever to instill peace in the Med, thus peace between Europe and North Africa. Is that NOT humanitarian reason enough? He abolished poverty and suffering by introducing minimum wages, Housing for workers, Sick Leave, votes for women and an endless list of Social Benefits. Are THESE not humanitarian reasons too? The man had his shortcomings, but some here have selective memories to believe in people with "good qualities and others with lesser" but not in a political giant that built the foundations of modern Malta.

John Porter

Aug 20th 2008, 18:56

By your argument Mr Grima that is what you inferred. Yes I agree ,some people change with whichever way the wind blows,but when all is said and done, that is the one thing you can never accuse Mr Mintoff of doing.

If your pine is that Mr Mintoff put his people in misery then I can but disagree with you. It was Mintoff that brought Malta out of the misery of hunger and poverty,a land that was always subject to whoever was the Colonial power of the time to a free,proud and independent Nation based on the nobel idea of work for the common good.

If on the other hand you mean Colonel Gaddafi, I am not suffiently qualified to make much comment save that before him it was ruled by an autocratic King whilst the wealth of the Nation was being systematiclly milked by foreign powers and that not for the good of the Libyan people. I hope you will agree that it is different today.

John Zammit

Aug 20th 2008, 17:54

This man stills manages to make us maltese fight between us. The divide that he created is still very real and will take years to overcome. The quicker he and the generation of his admirers expire the better!

j micallef

Aug 20th 2008, 17:50

I am ready to put aside all past sacreleges, violence and atrocities by Mintoff's MLP and congratulate Mintoff for this award. He deserves it if only for toppling Sant out of office after only 22 months, and for having been instrumental in reversing our downward insane path to Partnership or Switzerland-in-the-Med, and for paving the historic way for Malta to join the EU. So, go ahead and enjoy the moment and the prize money, dear Dom - you deserve it!

Joe Micallef

Aug 20th 2008, 17:01

Hi Mr. John Porter. Do you always believe what you say or is some sort of poetic license!

Ronnie Gauci

Aug 20th 2008, 16:47

Andrew Brincat, as if you would not accept a $250,000 reward for not being a qammiel. If one day you'll be so lucky please contact me and hand them over to me, you can then call me qammiel anytime.

Bertu Cassar, I know dozens of PN supporters who where given bungalows (not slums like nowadays) to live in in those years, there where some minor cases of discrimination where MLP supporters were given the opportunity to choose better properties or areas OK but that's it, but, can you guarantee to us that such things aren't happening nowadays in Gonzi's perfect world?

Alexander Grima

Aug 20th 2008, 16:04

Mr John Porter, I did not say that all those politicians are hypocrites, however, now that you’ve mentioned it, yes, I do believe that most people are. To some extent, I almost think it’s human nature that people just decide to take a stance today only to adopt a different one come next morning (and yes, that also includes myself of course). And certainly, politicians are certainly not immune from being hypocritical …

However, I still insist, any state leader who takes a stance which puts his/ her people in misery is nothing less than a tyrant. So much for human rights.

Micaellef Charles

Aug 20th 2008, 15:34

I live abroad but when Mintoff dies I will visit Malta to salute him. Whilst I wish him all the best and long life, I will make sure I will be one who out of thousands that will salute him.

The man did some incredible things for Malta. He made us believe that in our country, by his saying "Malta l'ewwel u qabel kollox".

I remember PN telling him to lower his international ambitions since Malta is just a small country..... What a shame.

John Porter

Aug 20th 2008, 14:46

You obviously seem to know alot about the Pan Am bombing Mr Grima.Would you like to offer some proof?. Last I heard was that the parents of those killed on that plane were very much doubting the evidence.Maybe the Sliema man who became a millionaire could shed some light on the matter.

Granted that the Colonel may have been involved in terrorism,others may deem it as fighting for freedom. It is a matter of opinion and which political stance you take.

What i do know is this.. Libya is a far more fairer society now then it has ever been ,with no small thanks to the Colonel. The Presidents of the United States,France,Italy Germany,Russia,China,all the Middle east and the Prime Minister of Great Britain, all doing business with Libya.The President of Malta is on first name terms . Would they do so if he is what you say he is,in which case, what you would be really saying is that all these people are hypocrites.

As for Mr Mintoff's award..congratulations. Here is one man who throughout his life fought for a just and peacefull World. When Mintoff spoke the World listened!

Alexander Grima

Aug 20th 2008, 12:51

Most here seem to be missing the fact that Mintoff has been awarded a Human Rights Award and not the Man of the Year Award based on his achievements. Therefore I see no point in acknowledging his grandeur or not; one has to see if he really is fit for the award based on the basic defending of human rights.
However, what I really find nauseating about all this is where the award is coming from. Is this the same Colonel to have admitting aiding international terrorism, to have played a role to some extent to the PanAm bombing over Lockerbie, to have put his people through years of international sanctions? The list is fathomless …

Bertu Cassar

Aug 20th 2008, 12:40

@ Mr Y Ellul - If what you are referring to in your statement "what is Malta's by right!" you are referring to oil exploration, you are 100% right.

You know what the only problem is my friend, that any major oil company that would be financially viable for them to explore for oil in Malta have rigs in LIBYA. The Libya government is very clear, you go to Malta to search for oil (and maybe find some) and you will have to stop your business in LIBYA (where their is OIL 100%).

It takes millions of dollars to explore for oil and no private company is willing to sort of " bite the hand that feeds it".

With regards to EFA and Gonzi we do not know what the nature of there visit was, but definately it was not to bring second hand almost absolute military equipment.

Yochanan Ellul

Aug 20th 2008, 12:15

Prosit Dom Mintoff - making Malta poud as always. It is amazing what short memories people have about all Dom Mintoff stood for and did for Malta and its people, which for him always came first and foremost. Perhaps seeing how the PN government has managed to dissolve everything built into oblivion, people have no markers of the industry Mintoff's governments built. It is also amazing that Gaddafi is OK when EFA and Gonzi meet, embrace and kiss him - in no other profitable exercise other than grovelling for what is Malta's by right!

Bertu Cassar

Aug 20th 2008, 12:12

As I am from that area of Ta' Xbiex I re-state, that what I said is a not just a Fact but a WELL KNOWN FACT.
Well then, I urge all those Nationalist sympathisers that where given housing under an MLP "government" to come forth and PROVE me wrong.

As regards to the Nationalist living in Ta' Xbiex taking insult to my comment, my comment was refered to when the estates where being granted to people as housing, back in the dark ages.

"Anybody knows a labourite cause I need a telephone for my mum" you might forgive but never forget.

M Grech

Aug 20th 2008, 12:12

Mintoff, Libya, Al-Qathafi, Human Rights Prize. This must be some sort of sick joke, no? Tell me I am hallucinating. How can these four be put together in one sentence?

peter azzopardi

Aug 20th 2008, 11:22

who else if not IL-PERIT there was and NEVER will be anyone like him.
the only maltese politician who preached the truth.
you either loved him or hated him but deep down everybody knows he was the BEST.

C.R. Taliana

Aug 20th 2008, 11:02

@Mr. B. Cassar. I hope you were joking when you were referring to the Ta' Xbiex Housing Estate. I presume you weren't present in 1987 when Nationalists won the election. I think that I never saw so many people from this estate so ecstatic with PN flags hanging from their balconies as I saw on that election day. So please get your facts right before speaking. If I were a Nationalist living in Ta' Xbiex I would take your comments as an insult!

Bertu Cassar

Aug 20th 2008, 10:28

So lets get some FACTS right, "In 1964 Dr Borg Olivier proceeded to London to discuss the constitution, a Defence Agreement and Economic Aid. It was proposed that British forces would be allowed to stay for ten years while the British Government was to provide stg50 millions to help in the diversification of the economy" so 10 years would result in 1974 under MLP rule. So as a matter of Fact "il-Perit" allowed the british to stay an added 5 years to suck more money. Once the Base in Malta was seen as a hazard to Libya the supposed "buttlicker to nobody" kicked the british out.

With regards to Housing refered to by Mr Taliana, I hope that you are not refering to the housing in Ta' Xbiex as it is a well known fact that ONLY known Labour supporters (together with officials) where given housing and strategically placed there to introduce Labour voters on the well known Nationalist District. Whilst known nationalist sympatisers where not given housing.

I cannot say that the "perit" did everything wrong mind you, he was an extremely inteligent Politician who knew how to play the game and manipulate as needed.

Xuereb M

Aug 20th 2008, 09:43

Of course Mintoff did mistakes and wrong doings.

But before Mintoff there was no Malta; He created industry, boosted astronomically tourism, Air Malta, Free port, SGS (& many other manufacturing activities), did compulsary education to all, create health services, minimum wage, votes for women, children allowance and the list goes on and on....

And, he kept Malta Neutral. He balanced the foreign powers in suhc a way that no one had control. He did protocols with Italy and at the same time good oil bargians with Libya. He attracted loads of tourists from EUrope, mainly UK, and at the same time he gave access to the Libians and Russians. When it come to stand up to the Libyans, he did this.

No one so far in Maltese politics had his foresight. The only one which comes close is EFA.

May god give us more leaders like Mintoff and EFA.

C.R. Taliana

Aug 20th 2008, 08:55

There are a few great men in World's History and for me MINTOFF is one of them. He was always a man of guts and buttlicker to nobody. I know that many of you here were brainwashed oops sorry taught that being a socialist implies being a Sinner. Well you know what? Now he gets a well deserved prize. All of you can comment for years but facts are facts. And about Gaddafi please refrain from being ridiculous, the same man, namely Malta's President, who used to call Gaddafi tal-habbaziz went to embrace him a few weeks ago!!!!

Andrew brincat

Aug 20th 2008, 00:05

@ Joe Micallef

Mintof would desperately accept the award coz he is a "qammiel" !!

His harsh socialism and insanity proves it

Mario Bonnici

Aug 19th 2008, 23:14

Say whatever you want about Mintoff but he is and will remain the only maltese politician known internationally.
Every great satetesman is controversial with his positive and negative aspects. Take Thatcher, Reagan, Blair and so on.
Mintoff for me is the person who gave dignity to the lower class in Malta.
For this I will be forever grateful.

liam ashford (malti)

Aug 19th 2008, 22:48

What i cannot understand is the hatred shown towards one of the greatest leaders if not the best, obviously hatred from the angli tal paci supporters. We should be congratulating this man in this column not like Amanda Mallia is saying 'may I Amanda? mur saqqi ... int demokratika kristjana?

Ronnie Gauci

Aug 19th 2008, 22:36

Another huge achievement by "Il-Perit" was the sudden decrease of Maltese human lifestock exportation to countries like Australia, Canada and the US. Is that a clear enough sign for everybody that thanks to him we started to live a better life in our own country?

Under Mintoff not everything was perfect OK mainly due to poor infrastructure and systems inherited by previous administrations but all in all we lived decent lives especially young couples who afforded to buy their houses without incurring in huge blood-sucking loans unlike nowadays where we all are made to believe that we are living in a perfect world.

A Daley

Aug 19th 2008, 22:06

Amanda Mallia, tghidx buffunati please.

What kind of aircraft did Malta Airlines fly?

Malta Airlines had a logo on the stair gantry to embark/disembark - and that's it!

Which Maltese pilot was employed?

Iddahhakniex please, u tghidx hmerijiet!

Bank of Valletta was born out of Banks that were rubbish, hopeless and half bankrupt thanks to the magnificent golden years of the 60s. They hardly had no liquid assets and their business was at a hardcore! Djun fil-bini biss kellhom Amanda!

Pakkuttilja, u Banek tac-cekcik, kellna Amanda Mallia!

UNLIKE WHAT USED TO HAPPEN UNDER GBO in the sixties when there were only 220 employees in all the financial institutions in Malta, and most employed because someone's uncle or niece worked there - in other words, all in the family, Labour started to introduce competition to join a Bank!

Thanks to Labour’s overhaul in the Banking system, we now have some of the best Managers and Executives who joined the Banks in them days.

Nationalists and Labour voters – Amanda!

Iddahhakniex please Amanda Mallia.

Gerad Mangion

Aug 19th 2008, 19:35

I Wonder How may of these PRO Mintoff commenter\s.

CALLED MR DOM MINTOFF THE TADITUR OF MALTA 10 YEARS AGO ???

Dahqux Aktar ! Mintoff ma Jinsa Qatt !!!

A Abela

Aug 19th 2008, 19:33

Dom Mintoff is Malta's national hero.
He should be made President after EFA

Clint E Taliana

Aug 19th 2008, 17:05

@ Amanda Mallia - you are correct in saying that I do not remember Dom Mintoff's time, but I do know for a fact that he provided a home to my family which we are living in to date, and that a lot of social reforms he was catalyst to still proof to be a living for the lower class today.

I think that by accusing someone of toppling human rights is too much.... do we want to compare him to today's modern dictators?

J. Spiteri

Aug 19th 2008, 16:38

Would Dom Mintoff''s supporters please stop trying to rewrite history? Votes for women, old age pensions, and compulsory primary education were introduced by Sir Paul Boffa. His reward was being 'smashed" and ousted by Mr. Mintoff, in spite of being generally respected.

James De Giorgio

Aug 19th 2008, 16:36

Birds of a feather fly together.

PJ Mifsud

Aug 19th 2008, 16:08

Rather than disputing pros and cons re attributes involving defence of human rights in awarding the prize to Dom (which is questionable - it would've been merited for the social advancement of common locals, definitely NOT for protecting their human rights), I'm more inclined to dispute the moral eligibility/compatibility for Gaddafi's Libya as a nation that conscientously promotes/applies human rights for the benefit of its citizens.

According to Company Risk Assessment reference
(www.humanrightsbusiness.org/pdf_files/CRA%Libya%20Executive%20Summary.pdf)
for companies operating in Libya, 5 human rights are listed as high-risk areas, 11 as medium-risk areas and 4 as low-risk areas.

Gaddafi must have wanted to demonstrate his appreciation towards Dom for dismantling the NATO base in 1979 considered anathema for his political/military strategies. This acknowledgment shouldn't have involved human rights, rightly considered as a non-starter in a country under authoritarian rule.

Going by some of the previous recipients of the prize ( Castro & Chavez ), the International Committee is making a mockery of the universally-accepted meaning of the term "defence of human rights". It wouldn't be surprising were the Committee to award the next prize to Robert Mugabe - in recognition for his stand against British colonialism and his lifelong hold to political power.

Denis Catania

Aug 19th 2008, 15:58

@ABC: Basically what you are saying is that, because Mintoff is getting well wishes.That we shouldn't look at the healing and good gestures that Joseph Muscat is doing. I can't tell you who I will support 4 yrs from now.Should the elections be next week. As a PN supporter, my support would have to shift to Joseph Muscat. I'm not going to base it on what the supporters, are saying about thirty years ago, but what the present candidates are saying and doing about the future. I'm surprised to hear this from a man with a law degree.When it comes to politics you should watch the children in the US,because they all have a better mentality than you, and can teach you a lesson on how to decide, who might be best for the job, .CASE CLOSED.

albert leone ganado

Aug 19th 2008, 15:57

Let us look further than our noses and congratulate Dom Mintoff on this award from Libya. All European powers as well as America are bending backwards and curry favour from the Libyan leader MOHAMMED QATTHAFI.

For me this is a message from Libya that after a long period of cool relations they are once again starting to look favourably at us and may be more accomodating as regards oil exploration and the illegal immigrant issue.

That a foreign nation honours a Maltese should be something we are always proud of. Let us not forget the great fuss and vicarious pride we were made to feel in the past when se lackeys of our british colonial rulers used to be awarded medals

J Abela

Aug 19th 2008, 15:13

Mhux ghal xi haga imma minn meta Malta saret xempju tad-drittijiet umani?

Ma ndahhqux l-ahwa... ghax hawn min ghandu l-istejjer tieghu ta' persekuzzjoni u li graw hafna inqas minn 10 snin ilu!

a.cassar

Aug 19th 2008, 14:24

I beg to differ. Mintoff did not hate the poor, he hated the rich AKA enemies of the people or of the working class or of ulied il-haddiema(!) so he tried to lower their standard of living to those of the 'poor' and hey presto you have socialism. Little did it pass through his mind that he was filthy rich (now more so thanks to the award!) mintoff is also known for his stinginess and that is the way he ruled the country. we became a second hand nation living on handouts from other countries. I remember throngs of people going to the airport and cheering mintoff because he managed to come back with a handout from Libya. This was before libya commited an act worthy of the worst enemy. mintoff is also remembered for the introduction of the famous foreign interference act straight out of communist china's text book.

Pauline Barbara

Aug 19th 2008, 14:24

@ Oscar Cassar - on who bombed Karen Grech?? No I don't have any information on who sent that bomb, it happened during a political dispute between government (MLP) & Doctors, but no unfortunately we will never know who the real culprit was, however we can all reach whichever conclusion we want to and I chose mine - its your perogative to disagree.

@ Amanda Mallia - You couldn't have put it any better, mine is typical Labour reasoning - Yes it sure is because Labour beliefs all round the world are based on helping the lower class & disadvantaged, making sure that those with money & power do not abuse others. Like employers using loopholes in the law to underpay and overwork employees, which Gonzi was aware of but it was only prior to the election that he said he would be doing something about it, though we still haven't heard anything.
:

Paul A. Camilleri

Aug 19th 2008, 13:59

Paul A. Camilleri
I try to understand what exactly some of the people are writing, vis a vis Dom Mintoff.

All I read in this blog is only one contradicting the other.

For those people who do not remember Dom Mintoff in his best days, I will explain.
Mintoff was the guy that kicked out the British in March 1979
He is the person that gave everyone a pension. He created a finacial turn around when he implemented the minimum wage, children allowance, free health etc.

Do you all know that the only real Nationalist person is Dom Mintoff? Why? because whatever he did, he did Ghan Nazzjion . How can Nationalist supporters and especially Labourites voice their opinion when both parties voted Yes for the E.U. Mintoff's Era was eradicated on the 1st May 2004. Not to mention the whole of Malta, as we are back to the years prior 1979. Should any person disagree with what I've just thought you, then you are talking out of your hats.

dbugeja

Aug 19th 2008, 13:50

We must fairly give merit to Dominic Mintoff too as he swiped off beggars off the street. I remember when I was very young in the main entrance of Valletta old people begging for money. Our welfare are credited because of him.

He did some silly things but he did some good things too.

Andrew Borg-Cardona

Aug 19th 2008, 13:27

The tone of the pro-Mintoff comments demonstrates precisely why the MLP remain in Opposition. Time after time, event after event proves them wrong, but still they persist, this time in hero-worshiping Mintoff.

S. Farrugia

Aug 19th 2008, 12:58

Someday someone told me that "Mintoff hated poor people". And he's right. He hated them, that's why he helped them, so poverty could be ended

Ethelbert Schembri

Aug 19th 2008, 12:57

@ Adrian Cachia

I agree with you that the US cannot be compared with those countries when it comes to human rights you know why , because neither of them has a facility like that in Guantánamo Bay .

Viva l kbir DUMINKU MINTOFF !!!

Bill Millam

Aug 19th 2008, 12:46

The only credit one can give to Mintoff is that under his authoritarian rule it was Maltin issawtu lil Maltin. He was surrounded by "yes men" who in turn were protected by criminals.
These criminals ensured that Mintoff's strong-arm tactics were enforced, bil-forza minn Maltin fuq il-Maltin.
Those who keep talking about human rights being trampled when Malta was under foreign rule know this has absolutely nothing to do with the argument at hand. Most of them kienu ghadhom jimxu bil-harqa during the time when Mintoff was in power and have absolutely no idea what life under totalitarian rule was like. Under Mintoff, il-Maltin sawwtu lill-Maltin! Shame on Mintoff and his regime. Fredu Sant was right when he called Mintoff TRADITUR TA' MALTA. Viva l-Partit Glorjuz Nazzjonalista!!!

Matthew Borg

Aug 19th 2008, 12:45

@ Dominic Zammit

"This great democratic leader, that solved the Constitutional error to give the Party who gets majority off vote, gets the majority of seats in Parliaments. "

I'm sorry, but if that was the case, wouldn't the Nationalists have been governing in 1981? He didn't solve the Constitutional error - it was introduced prior to the 1987 General Elections. In which case (and we know it's not the case), it would have been puppet KMB who 'solved' it - but we all know who really proposed it.

Manuel Camilleri

Aug 19th 2008, 12:39

Daqt tamlu Sir Dom Mintoff ir regina :)

Minjaf Eddie x jejr :)

MARMALJA

Adrian Cachia

Aug 19th 2008, 12:38

@ Joe Micallef

I do not think you can really put Libya, Venezuela, Cuba and the US in the same group when it comes to Human Rights....and by that I do not mean that I want t to separate the US from the other countries you mentioned....

Joe Micallef

Aug 19th 2008, 12:26

The justification attempted by Mr. Mario Gauci explains the depth one has to dig to justify this indecent prize. With all Mintoff's shortcomings and irreversible damage he inflicted on Malta (despite granting that he may have had other intentions) the award is an insult to himself. If I were him I would otherwise refuse the award or take the occasion to put this award in order by denouncing lack of human rights in Libya or in Venezuela or in Cuba as also in the US on a different scale.

Adrian Cachia

Aug 19th 2008, 12:21

A man with his own ways.....given a price from a man who has his own ways.....but I just want to add that he was part of maltese history...and would like to ask all those who made comments...pro and cons..the leader who was elected in a democratic way during those years...what would have happened to Malta if certain changes never happened?? I guess no one can answer that...no one knows...

R.Spagnol

Aug 19th 2008, 12:08

At least we should credit mintoff for getting rid of foreign and local unwanted interference upon democracy. Mintoff did not accept any discrimination against those without voice.

Mintoff era stopped the multiple voting by those owning land, pushed women's rights and made our country conscious of its proper wealth. The mentioned below "friends" were truly Mintoff partners although the latter always kept control of the rest. Neither the church nor the Nationalist party had explained better than Mintoff the risks of nuclear power and what democracy and human rights. And this was during the dark 60's when Dom Mintoff was still in opposition while the church and the pn fellowers frightened people with "il-babaw"!!!

Remember Tierinu stating false allegations in court against Strickland??? Surely that no Nationalist figurehead could be attributed for the level of success as that attributed to Mintoff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5iwGj9GjU0

Joe Borg

Aug 19th 2008, 11:32

AmandaMallia

Are you hired as a full time replier? It impressed me how much things you remember from the late past and how much you tend to forget from the recent past!

The current context and the one found when he was leafder are different. Mintoff had to build an infrastructure from scratch, so you expect some power cuts! I'm a Sliema resident too....did you complain these last 5 years when each year we had power cuts that lasted more than 15 hours....

I hate to admit it, but looking back and being a little bit rational, I must give credit to the leader. He contributed for Malta not being considered a 3rd world country. He brought benefits that after 30 years they became yo-yos, taken away and then re proposed when an election is on sight.

If somebody of his charisma would be leading Malta we'll surely not be facing the illegal immigration problem. We are now in balloons hoping that the next one to blow is not the one we are in...Sadly that's how Malta is, he wouldn't have left this to happen.

Anna if you are a on pension like I am, you'll understand what I'm saying

a.cassar

Aug 19th 2008, 11:30

Part 2 Armed female libyan soldiers strolling around the valletta open market. Labour ministers pushed out of the way at the airport by gaddafi's bodyguards. Libyan nationals entering malta with just their ID cards and taunting us that malta was part of Libya. no wonder mintoff is given $250,000 as payment.As for mintoff keeping theUSSR out of malta. let's not forget that it was mintoff who gave the russians facilities at has-saptan to store fuel for their ships in the med. It was mintoff who brought korean soldiers to teach their maltese counterparts how to control crowds. it was mintoff waho signed a secret pact with kim il sung.
it was mintoff waho honoured ceausescu and his wife with an onoris causa or whatever. thesewere yhe kind of 'friends' malta had during mintoff's years in power. The tension in those years could be felt and tasted in the air.

a.cassar

Aug 19th 2008, 11:21

Pro mintoff bloggers keep mentioning pensions, bonuses education and the rest of the goodies 'created' by mintoff. If you go to any country which enjoys these benefits and ask who introduced them people will stare at you as if you're crazy because these are not considered as some sort of favours done to the public. All these benefits are paid for through our taxes (income tax) what mintoff didn't do is modernise malta by introducing computers for example. all those who are posting comments know who introduced I .T. in malta. He dismantled water productivity with people waitingfor bowsers to fill their roof tanks, he brought division and class hatred which is still felt today, he brought stinginess and turned malta into a second hand country with equipment thrown awayby other countries finding its way in malta (telephony system) Libya has good reason to award him this pseudo award. he was the one who worked hard to pull the thorn in gaddafi's backside. we all remember how the libyans used to take over malta whn gaddafi used to visit. tourists evicted from their rooms in the hotel where libya's dictator was staying, (part 1)

Jason Azzopardi

Aug 19th 2008, 11:21

What human rights award.........From Libya's Gaddafi. It should be Joke Award of the Year. Human rights in Libya. It's a joke.

Ray Axisa

Aug 19th 2008, 10:47

Well done, nice one Dom, we should all remember the situation at the time when he became prime-minister and thank him for freeing Malta from its masters at the time.

Mario Gauci

Aug 19th 2008, 10:47

The Perit has come out laughing once again. The prize is awarded by a swiss based foundation, something The Times failed to mention yesterday.
Incidentally, can anyone of you come up with something solid that will stand an argument face to face with Mintoff.

dominic zammit

Aug 19th 2008, 10:47

Dom Mintoff Award winner of the Libyan human rights prize …… He was to Malta like Ataturk was for Turkey, Gandhi was for India and Tito was for Yugoslavia. Was a great leader as Lenin, Churchill and Mandela, to mention a few. Lord Carrington sad once, a never met with such a great negotiator as Dom Mintoff. After serving our country in politics for 55 years, leader of MLP for 35 years, Prime Minister for 15 years. You could say wrong, but the good things he did for our Country are so huge none could ever reach such a distinctions. ……..

Vote for Woman.
Building Malta after World War 2
In the fifties started fight for Independence
In the 74 Malta became Republic
In 79 Malta Freedom
Housing for low rent
Free plots
Children Allowance
Pension for all
Bonuses
Air Malta, Sea Malta,Telemalta Enemalta, Malta com.

This great democratic leader, that solved the Constitutional error to give the Party who gets majority off vote, gets the majority of seats in Parliaments.
One more thing Dom Mintoff is in his nineties and still kicking “u min ghandu l ghali ikompli izidu. Dr Joseph Muscat will be the likes of Dom Mintoff.

caroline crutchley

Aug 19th 2008, 10:41

I do hope that Dom finds it in his heart to give the money to a very worthy cause that shall bear his name for the future

David Magri

Aug 19th 2008, 10:23

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5iwGj9GjU0

Watch and then judge and comment!! Most of you tend to forget certain other oppressions!

R. Camilleri

Aug 19th 2008, 09:52

Libya....human rights..gaddafi....mintoff.... yeh right...pull the other one !!!!!

Matthew Borg

Aug 19th 2008, 09:37

@ Ethelbert Schembri

"You disserve all Perit Dom Mintoff ." - Coming from a Labourite, that is one hell of a comment!

I'm not going to enter into the debate over whether he deserves the prize or not - I was not even born when Mintoff was PM of Malta - but I will comment on one thing... how 'prestigious' can a Libyan Human Rights prize be?!?

David Mifsud

Aug 19th 2008, 09:33

Mintoff "...defending human rights, protecting the causes of freedom and supporting peace " indeed !

Talk about a distorted idea of what human rights etc are all about!

His singular claim to fame is that no one Maltese has ever managed to ruin as many lives and create as much division.

Alex Saliba

Aug 19th 2008, 09:19

This is why Dom Mintoff got this Human Rights Prize becouse he fought to change Malta from a conservative state to a modern and free one. Watch to hear the true path of history!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5iwGj9GjU0

Stefan Saliba

Aug 19th 2008, 08:24

Prosit Perit!! Greatest Politician of all time !!!! Come on people let's not be foolish and appreciate what this gentleman has done for our country in the past.

r spiteri

Aug 19th 2008, 08:02

I agree 100% with J Abela.You know what these people`s got GHIRA BAZWIJA..Well done Perit although i`m only 43 I really appreciate all you did for maltese people.But these GHAJJURIN may have short memory.

J Farrugia

Aug 19th 2008, 07:35

charles J Buttigieg you have nothing to be flattered about. Whoever appeared before the Commission under Judge Farrugia Sacco were all awarded damages because no one, no one from any Government Department appeared to defend the goings on at Air Malta. he should thank his luicky stars that he was employed with AM. Others did not have this opportunity because Wistin Abela had the final say in all the engagements. And these are facts. Citing injustices during 1987-96 you should feel ashamed. Where were you during the reign of terror 1971-1987? Living the pusshy life? Enough said. No one has the right to erase memories.

laurence schembri

Aug 19th 2008, 07:29

@ Tom McCarthy
Whereas Robert Mugabe vandalised a very prosperous rich country, Dom gave Malta the riches that we are able to enjoy today.
A blog like yours in Zimbabwe will cost you your head.
Each and every World leader has his ups and downs, look around you, and you will realise that the Man has had more ups than downs.
The man was years ahead of the dim-witted mentality of some of the bloggers displayed herewith.

Matthew Gatt

Aug 19th 2008, 01:43

Diana Reynolds. I agree with you that most of Mintoff's projects were targeted at the Maltese public at large. However what you fail to acknowledge is that the Mintoff administration polarised a significant minority, not only excluding them from the political process, and suppressing their freedom of speech but more importantly by practising a politics of fear. Here I refer to the symbolism generated by mythical icons such as the SMU or the systematic lack of enforcement against the frequent physical abuses carried out by socialist party thugs against members of the nationalist party. In conclusion, if you would like to portray Mintoff in any positive light crown him "effective political leader" on the basis of his superb machiavellianism. But in a society that truly values democratic principles I feel that such an approach is hardly justified.

Trevor Mizzi

Aug 19th 2008, 01:33

Hail the saviour of Malta...the one and only

Valent Camilleri

Aug 19th 2008, 01:16

Whether Mintoff deserves a "human prize award " or not is a political and historical issue. Myself for one I never even thought that Mintoff would be linked with human rights and peace. He is a charismatic person for the politcally blind and ridiculous to the rational ones.

The even bigger issue is why would even a despicable Mintoff accept a "humanitarian" award
from a country whose terrorists used Malta to murder thousands of innocent people including the PAN AM bombing?

For those who compare Libya to the USA.... Are you kidding????
The US never targets innocent people.
The US supported many governments that were appropriate at the time and sanctioned by the UN (including Iraq) even though some of them became the wrong governments. But then the US attacked them too without targeting any CIVILIAN AND INNOCENT people. Case in point Noriega.
I am not aware of any military that risks being murdered rather then bomb a site occupied by FIFTY TERRORISTS and ONE innocent person. The US spares the ONE.

There is a lot more. But please come live in the US for a few years. Then you will learn what a real democracy is.

Ronnie Gauci

Aug 19th 2008, 01:10

Well deserved prize. Well done Dom.

Don't forget Mintoff's achievements among which, vote for youths and women, free and decent medical services & medicines for all, decent salaries, bonuses, equal salaries for men and women, cheap houses for our couples, being gay ceased being a crime, various pensions helping out elderly people, disabled persons and widows, this step eradicated all beggars for our streets. Compulsory education till the age of 16 and yes Mr. Nock, under Mintoff's governments it was enforced. I'm sure that if I'll do some research those mentioned above will just be the tip of the iceberg.

So much for human rights and lifestyle improvement eh my friends I will not mention the thousands of jobs Mintoff's governments gifted us Maltese, good jobs in banks, IT and also in the airline industry, jobs which were only a dream for us Maltese just a couple of years earlier. It's a shame that a section of us Maltese still tend to feed youngsters and foreigners all sorts of crap and lies about Mintoff. OK there were some dark times (eg lack of foreign chocolates) but all in all we started living decent lives under his guidance.

Amanda Mallia

Aug 19th 2008, 00:25

Michael Zammit - Please don't be sanctimonious. We are not judging here, but simply stating FREELY about what we think. The same could NEVER have been done in Mintoff's time, even if internet had existed then. (The burning of The Times building is a prime example of what I mean.)

As for being judged? Who gives a flying cow, as long as one lives one's life correctly, even if one does believe in such things?

Amanda Mallia

Aug 19th 2008, 00:20

T Vella - At least you can drive to a clean beach in your own car, and can then have cash left over to enjoy a meal or simply a drink (maybe even an imported ice-creami) one of the many restaurants around, before going off to relax in your 2nd home.

The same couldn't be said under Mintoff's regime, where hardly anyone could afford to do the above, even if such facilities were freely accessible to all.

Amanda Mallia

Aug 19th 2008, 00:14

Charles Marsh - Hdura kellu dak li qed "nghidu" fuqu - Hdura lejn min kellu, u hdura li wasslittu jkissirhom finanzjarjament..

Amanda Mallia

Aug 19th 2008, 00:12

Pauline Barbara - Yours is typical Labour reasoning: hdura u mibeda lejn min ghandu (jew lejn min tahseb li ghandu).

Oh, and by your reasoning, maybe Mintoff would be so kind as to distribute his (ill-gotten?) "goods", to "distribute his wealth"?

Amanda Mallia

Aug 19th 2008, 00:09

Ethelbert Schembri - I was born and brought up in Sliema, and spent the greater part of my life there.

Water and electricity were not cut off on a regular basis, and certainly not because there wasn't the right infrastructure.. Both were actually supplied sporadically, usually in Sliema of course - the place hated by most staunch Labourites, Sliema residents being the embodiment of all they despised. If there wasn't the right infrastructure to supply all Malta at the same time, then why was Sliema usually the main "target" for the lack of supply? I guess I've already answered that.

I remember one particular Christmas were we had to do without water, but that was mild, considering other things Mintoff put us through. I clearly remember my parents and grandparents usually commenting, as Christmas drew near, "Ha naraw x'ha jivvinta Mintoff dis-sena". It was taken for granted that he'd do something to upset those he disliked.

Brainwashing by the PN has nothing to do with it. We've all had a taste of Mintoff in some way or another.

l borg

Aug 19th 2008, 00:07

WELL DONE MINTOFF
LONG LIVE THE PALESTNIAN PEOPLE

Amanda Mallia

Aug 18th 2008, 23:55

James Azzopardi - Let it be known to you that Bank of Valletta was "created" after having been taken away (without compensation) from the private sector:

http://user.orbit.net.mt/fournier/MNnational_bank_scandal.htm


Likewise, Airmalta, which was "born" out of Malta Airlines, which belonged to the private sector too.


There's a Maltese expression which goes "Ihobb ib*ss b's*rm haddiehor", which - though not exactly in these cases - is what many people think: that Mintoff "created" them out of nothing for "the good of the people", forgetting that they were "taken" from the public sector.


D. Aquilina - Very few people are rejoicing. Maybe lackeys like you would rejoice a little bit more were he to distribute his prize amongst you.

The only thing Mintoff could do to redeem himself would be to either refuse the prize, or - if he accepts the money - to distribute it amongst a few worthy causes. It is too paltry a sum to make up for the financial, emotional and material damage he caused to many in his heyday, so I won't even suggest that.,

edgar gatt

Aug 18th 2008, 23:49

What I really cannot understand is how can any ,repeat any, Labour supporter write in this blog in support of this Mintoff. 10 years ago, a much respected Labour leader by the name of Alfred Sant called Mintoff a TRAITOR. Coming from a man who eradicated violence from the MLP this was and still is a very serious accusation. In fact he was right, as a few months later, Mintoff proved to be the biggest traitor the MLP ever had when he voted against and toppled the labour government. So once again, are you labour supporters not ashamed to hear the name of Mintoff and go on to defend his name. He was a traitor to Labour supporters and seen as a dictator to the rest of the Maltese.

Amanda Mallia

Aug 18th 2008, 23:41

Franco Farrugia - This WAS obviously meant as "an insult to the Maltese people by Libya". It couldn't have been anything but, and the perfect person to pick to have the greatest effect was none other than Mintoff.

A. Genovese

Aug 18th 2008, 23:40

I fail to see why Mr.Mintoff should give the award money to anyone or any cause.It's entirely up to him what to do with his money. Perhaps those calling for him to give to charity would like to donate their savings to some worthy cause and by example show us how worthy they are. I live in hope.

To be amongst the likes of Nelson Mandela,Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez is indeed an honour and just shows how great the man is. Time and history will judge and not those who complain because they had no water or where unable to buy a piece of chocolate.

How sad and how pathetic that the level of intelligence on this Island is such as to make for despair.Give them cake indeed,or should that be 'Gaxxin'.

Maria Gauci

Aug 18th 2008, 23:39

Diana Reynolds,

You must have missed quite a number of years in our history. Or can it be that you have skimmed through some pages of your text book (a good 30 or 40 years!!)? Very convenient indeed! How could you miss all the events Enzo Cachia mentioned (to mention a few)?

You must have confused all the dates you studied because we were the divided nation you mention when we used to get beaten by our neighbours and were physically stopped from going to the polling booths! How's that for suppressed freedom?

No one can deny the corruption that took place and still is under the Nationalist administration, so at least, you got that much correct. But to tell us that Mintoff never had any connections with Maltese criminals is rich to say the least. Not only Maltese, but Libyans too!!

Get yourself a good Maltese dictionary and look this up - mur saqqi l-hass tal-Marsa! It pretty much sums up my comment.

Amanda Mallia

Aug 18th 2008, 23:39

Clint Taliana - Judging by your first name, you are probably too young to know what we are going on about, and have thus probably been brainwashed by your Labourites elders.

We are "talking" here about somebody who was once Prime Minister, and under whose "leadership" human rights were trampled upon without restraint. To hell with any good he may have done (of which I am not aware there is/was any - except for his ridding us of Sant); nothing would make up for the years of hell and uncertainty he put us through, even if sometimes indirectly.

Oscar Cassar

Aug 18th 2008, 23:07

(2) @ A Daley / Pauline Barbara

Therefore I have all the respect to the such victims and their relatives but I felt it was not correct that Ms Pauline Barbara described the killing of Karen Grech as an “atrocity done by PN supporters” when still today, no persons had been formally accused of such and then found guilty. For this clear reason I asked to Ms Barbara if she “really know who killed Karen Grech”. This because in her contribution on this blog it is as if Ms Barbara have some vital information upon the unsolved case of Kerin Grech’s murder.

If this is true, such info could be vital to the Police and perhaps can also lead to the approval of financial discharge from the Government for damages that if I’m not mistaken (subject to correction) Prof. Grech is still asking in connection with the case. But if Ms Barbara have no idea or some form of information at hand in connection with the case even something basic, regarding who is/are the murderers and where or how the letter bomb was fabricated, it was unfair to describe the act as an “atrocity done by PN supporters”.

Oscar Cassar

Aug 18th 2008, 23:06

(1) @ A Daley / Pauline Barbara

Dear Mr or Ms A Daley please believe me that I am of the opinion that it is a real pity that the murderer of Karen Grech is still not brought to justice together with other murderers of still unsolved cases like for eg that of Raymond Caruana (also killed in the 1980’s, just because he was inside a PN club at Gudia)

I am morally convinced that ‘who ever’ said those quotes you quoted, had at least some basic information upon the case. If you are familiar with certain crime investigation you know that sometimes certain basic information is not enough to achieve a detention sentence for an accused and investigators (for obvious reasons) most probably prepare to declare the case still ‘open’ and hope that by time, new information will hopefully conclude the case. Also to mention ifs the fact that it was clearly indicated in court that at that time, frame ups had been fabricated by ‘investigators’ for eg in the case of Raymond Caruana and at that time it was quite clear that these ‘investigators’ were not doing the proper work expected by the general taxpayer.

Alex Abela

Aug 18th 2008, 22:58

Malta needs leaders like Dom.
MLP should have considered him instead of Alfred Sant. Certainly MLP would have won the elections. Such a great leader, with such charisma and fortitude.

Antoine Vella

Aug 18th 2008, 22:51

Well done Dumink! I ll always be grateful of what you have done for our country and people. Children's allowance, sickleave , pensions etc and above all taking off the
church power
And above all making Malta free from foreign empires
VIVA MALTA HIELSA U VIVA MINTOFF!
My hope is that I will see you as Maltese President you ll deserve it!
Seeing what type of presidents we had lately you ll fill the post nicely!

Antoine.

Carl Pol

Aug 18th 2008, 22:35

@bill.
you dont deserve an answer. Yes we have the right to discuss American policies in the third world. Look at the human rights history of the 50s and 60s when no Maltese was allowed to express their views in public without being condemned to life eternal in hell(il mizbla) when no labour politician was allowed to air his views on the radio without prior censorship, when buying a labour paper was a mortal sin...do you deny these infringements on human rights in Malta during the PN administration?;

a. cachia

Aug 18th 2008, 21:59

Perit, when you're looking for charitable institutions to donate ALL of your prize money to, do please consider:

- The Bulgarian nurses and doctor who were accused and convicted of infecting children with HIV ....their confessions were obtained under torture in human-rights loving Libya

- The families of victims of the Lockerbie case

Libya and Mintoff bound together by their concern for human rights. What a tasteless joke !!

Charles J Buttigieg

Aug 18th 2008, 21:58

@ Edgar Gatt. I really like your sense of humour. First joke ‘you freely went to court’ did I need somebody to send me? You probably meant to say that nobody stopped me from going to court. A syntax error.
Second joke, “There were thousands who were treated badly like you were. Nobody dared take their case to the courts as they would have been beaten and arrested just by thinking of taking the socialist government to court.” If you want to attract some credibility to your statement you mustn’t be so generic, give one or two examples where PN supporters were beaten up for initiating a court case against the government. Third joke- It’s ok for the PN to commit injustices as they will allow you to take them to court.
Now a clarification. The financial award was given to me by The Commission Against Injustices which was enacted during the tenure of office of Alfred Sant. Just in case you do not know, a big number of other individuals were not as fortunate as I, they won their case and the government is still refusing to honour the court’s decision.

victor vella

Aug 18th 2008, 21:48

@ My friend Jeremy, such awards receivers are normally people who don't really need the money but it is the honour(maybe dubious in this case please read on) @James Azzopardi, mela insejt khemm ghajjartuh TRAJDITUR.Diana Reynolds, have you ever tried to find a job overseas and was not given the OK by Malta, thats what happened to me when I tried to join the royal navy. As for a human rights prize from LIbya oh sweet lord I shudder to think what it is to live in Libya, oh by the way did you all forget the agreement with North Korea?

Amanda Mallia

Aug 18th 2008, 21:41

Carl Pol - You may kid staunch Labourites, but you certainly cannot fool anyone who knows what the real Mintoff was like, ie people who lived under his "reign".

It was actually with great pleasure that I showed this video to my children: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myJvPE5LVBA

(It was the perfect opportunity to show them that not all vulnerable-looking people are necessarily what you think they are. They had been used to hearing stories about what life was like when I was their age, and this was the best opportunity to put a face to a name for them.)

Life under Mintoff meant meant:

Lack of basic necessities at the very least (water, electricity, decent toothpaste ... Decent chocolate we could live without, but toothpaste ...?)

Violence in the streets, especially in the Sliema neighbourhood I grew up in

Violence to be expected at every non-pro-Labour (I won't even say "anti-Labour") meeting or gathering

The closure of schools by Mintoff's puppet

The Law Courts being ransacked (I was a witness to the "heroes" parading down Sta Lucia Street immediately afterwards, and the sight and sounds of the men with their tools and chains will never leave me.) Ditto the Curia ...

Etc ...

Denis Catania

Aug 18th 2008, 21:39

@Franco Farrugia: 50% of the Maltese are happy, the other 50% are not. This is how Maltese politics work. As for me I happen to be happy for Mintoff, even though I'm a PN supporter. My mentality is although I'm a PN supporter, if I see something done right by the MLP, I will admit it.Unlike you Mr Farrugia. If I see something not right with the PN I will admit it. Has our PN ever done anything wrong in your eyes. I thought by 2008 this would have changed. I guess we the Maltese people are still far behind, when it comes to democracy. We are still talking about a man who has not been in office for a long time. The guy is 92 yrs old, give it up. Maybe he should have let the USSR walk right in. Mr Farrugia who was going to stop them, I doubt you would have. The US or the UK wasn't going to fight for 126 Sq miles, that lost all of it's geographic importance. Yes the USSR and Libya would have loved to see that. But Mintoff couldn't do that to Malta. None of us would have stopped them. CASEclosed.

Joe Galea

Aug 18th 2008, 21:36

Dear Ghaddafi, can I be nominated for that prize too? I do a lot of humanitarian things, most probably much more than you do...if you know what is humanitarian....after all!!...lol

Dumink distribute what you have been awarded to the poor and needy and you show us your humanitarian side again.

Amanda Mallia

Aug 18th 2008, 21:24

Joanne Micallef - Many are those (myself included) who have experienced Mintoff, which is why they will remember him with utter contempt way beyond his grave.

Godwin Pullicino

Aug 18th 2008, 21:05

Diana Reynolds
you are having a laugh! You cannot be serious! During his time in power, corruption was rife in Mintoff's government, everything was controlled by the clique: what you drink, wear, and eat, even the small pleasure of chocolate; and human rights? 'Friends of friends'? Rest assured, if it was bad under Nationalist administrations, it was a million times worse under Mintoff. And the violence? Has Diana forgotten the violence, brain-washing of Mintoff's years in power? The lack of freedoms of travel, speech, justice etc? Diana Reynolds has a very selective memory: remember when over 51% of the population voted against Mintoff yet he stayed a full 5 years in power against the expressed wish of the people of these islands? So much for democracy. Give us a break Diana Reynolds! But thanks for the laugh and the joke!

carmen caruana

Aug 18th 2008, 21:00

Well done Dom Mintoff, all of the nominees are great persons, starting from our hero Fidel Castro and finishing with Nelson Mandela. It's a great honour that Mintoff won this prize.....
Those of the right and conservatives may say what they want, being jealous is something normal :)

john borg

Aug 18th 2008, 20:41

why so many negative replies??? had to quit half way down the list!!!
its because it is not YOU eh ??
come cheer up!!! its a maltese recieving a nice prize for his friendship!!!

Bob Nock

Aug 18th 2008, 20:29

As a 'Brit' living in Malta I do not have sufficient knowledge of Malta's recent political history to be able to comment on the administration during Mr. Mintoff's time as Prime Miminister. It is upto the Maltese people to make these judgements.

However, I do have some comments to make:

1. A humanitarin award fom a dictatorship (whether deserved or not) should be treated with some scepticism.

2. As for free education (metioned in various blogs as an achievement). Do not parents have to puchase text books, writing materials, stationery etc. (not to mention uniforms). Is this free education?
How many parents are arrainged each year for failing to take advantage of this 'free education'? Are they so poor that thaey cannot afford the text books etc.

Bob Nock

Mark Bonello

Aug 18th 2008, 20:18

Dritt lejn id-Dar Tal-Providenza Dumink :-), u tivvintax skuzi

gerry.cowie

Aug 18th 2008, 20:15

Human Rights? Does Ghadaffi know what they are? Clearly he wants to get into Malta's good books!
Whilst there are those who praise this radical politician for everything he did, carefully avoiding any mention of his errors and the bad times involving the church school saga, there are many who have reason to disagree with them as they did not share Mintoff's political views nor did they feel they were treated well by his administration.
Even Mintoff is big enough to admit that he is not perfect - and maybe he will give the money to a worthy cause such as the hospice movement.
The Times has every right to print both sides of a story, so those who moan about it will have to swallow hard and accept it.
During Mintoff's administration the BICAL scandal arose. Having read the press reports about this matter in various Maltese publications, it does make me wonder how people got put in prison and deprived of their family life for years and why the government of the day ever allowed that to happen given the complete exhoneration of those involved since. And still it has not been resolved yet! Why not?

richard muscat

Aug 18th 2008, 20:13

We are being informed that the prize is awarded to"international personalities, that have distinctively contributed to rendering an outstanding human service and have achieved great actions in defending human rights".
I suggest to interested readers to go through the Report of Human Rights 1985 published by HIELSA, a human rights group where one could find an impressive list of human rights that were "violated" during the year in caption. These human rights included those concerning Respect for the integrity of the person; Respect for civil Rights; Respect for Policital Rights; Social and Cultural Rights. This Report was released on Sunday, 15th June 1986.

Another important document is A Report from the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights titled Human Rights in Malta. This 38-page Report that was serialised by The Times, was made by a Fact Finding Mission. The long list of human rights violations and/or threats to being violated does not leave any doubt about the shameful record of the Socialist Party on this subject.

That is why I take this award as very cynical. I feel that the award represents an insult to all those Maltese (the undersigned included) and foreigners who iwere victims of such abuses.

Clint E Taliana

Aug 18th 2008, 20:04

So many experts here around...... maybe Zeppi should have been awarded the prize for defending the human rights award?
Kif jghid il-Malti, kulhadd jara t-tibna f'ghajnejn haddiehor imma ma jarax it-travu f'ghajnejh.
Well done all of you.... I'm sure all of you would persuade Libya to stop sending immigrants....... haha!!

Diana Reynolds

Aug 18th 2008, 19:48

Well done Dom Mintoff. I am English and study Maltese history and contemporary European politics. I also lived in Malta for a number of years. It is true that for you Malta was “First and Foremost”. The negative comments on this article reflect a divided nation that prefers to forget the positive achievements that this great leader did for all the Maltese, not for “Friends of Friends”. Everyone seems to forget the corruption that has existed under successive Nationalist Administrations in the past twenty years. Over the years I have noted Maltese/English newspapers applying biased views and without a doubt suppressing the freedom of speech. It is about time that Dom Mintoff received something for his contribution to society. One thing for sure Mintoff has never been connected to known Maltese criminals. I hope that he will live long enough to enjoy this reward. Ultimately, history will be his judge.

Tanja Cilia

Aug 18th 2008, 19:41

This award has the dubious distinction of having made the Times of Malta bi-lingual.

Gerard Mangion

Aug 18th 2008, 19:28

A@ a camilleri

250 K , lol I heard he is gonna give them for Charity mmmm heqq hemm .

Franco Farrugia

Aug 18th 2008, 19:14

@ D Aquilina - 'Malta rejoices in you'????????????????? You must be living in cloud 9, and you really have no idea what the Maltese think, if you really believe that you are speaking for the Maltese in 'rejoicing'. To many, many people, this is nothing but an INSULT to the Maltese people by Libya.
@ Dunstan Crockford - Unfortunately, the good work performed by Sr Cybil goes unrecognised by the greater majority of the Maltese people. I, who was so near to one of her collaborators at that time, know what kind of woman your sister was!!!!!!!! It was thanks to a handful of people like her that the Catholic schools are still in existence, today. 'Forgotten by many', true, but not by everyone!!!!!

So many pathetic commentators, here, unable to see the reality around them and probably still living in the past, or what it should be - JOSEPH ELLUL GRECH, CHARLES J BUTTIGIEG as usual, EHTELBERT SCHEMBRI are but few of those who believe in Mintoff's megalomania!!!!

Joanne Micallef

Aug 18th 2008, 19:13

Congratulations to Dom Mintoff.

No matter how much people try to erase all the great work you have done for this nation, many are those who appreciate your achievements.

A Micallef

Aug 18th 2008, 18:57

Stop all speculations. Let Don Mintoff decide if he wants the prize or not. Then we will all know what kind of a man he is.

J Abela

Aug 18th 2008, 18:34

Bir-rispett kollu ta' - imma jekk ghandkom daqshekk ghal- Libjani (mill-kummenti taghkom) - kif ghamiltu tant pompa bil-media taghkom meta Dr. E. Fenech Adami mar izuru dan l-ahhar? .

L-anqas tisthu ma tafu... tridu l-libjani izommu l-emigranti milli jitilqu, tibghatu l-President imur ibus lil-Gaddafi, u imbghad gimghatejn wara toffendu l-Libja ghax deherila li trid taghti rigal lil Mintoff.

Issa jekk hux misthoqq jew le ir-rigal storja ohra imma ghallinqas kunu kostanti, jekk tafu kif!

james Azzopardi

Aug 18th 2008, 18:34

The only mistake which Mintoff did was to live in an conservative island such as Malta, when what he did was 30 to 40 years ahead of time.

People forget that before Mintoff, there was nothing; No serious school system, no serious banking system, no welfare, no social services, no minimum wage, women couldn't vote, Malta a military base, no SGS or Airmalta, no freeport, nothing. He man is a genious.

Imma bil-hdura tal-PN pruvaw ikisruh. Biex issa kollox qed jisparixxi.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 18th 2008, 18:32

For all of you that think is a joke, enjoy your laugh...

Mintoff is laughing all the way to the bank!

Prosit Perit!

Enzo Cachia

Aug 18th 2008, 18:19

So Dom has been awarded a Human Rights prize from Libya......a country where Human Rights leave a lot to be desired.

When it comes to Human rights and Mintoff, I am reminded of the following episodes.

The death of Nardu Debono
A Police force joining Labour hooligans during anti government protests
Torture at the Police HQ
Torching of the Times and other opposition Clubs
His famous speech in Parliament "Jien nitnejjek mill-Kostituzzjoni"
Teachers` Lock Out
Tear Gas
Closing of Church Schools
Closing of Private Hospitals
Attack on environmentalists... and many other untold stories.

And at the end of his career the PN made a hero out of Dom. That is what I call political opportunism. However I still consider myself as an EU citizen because of his intransigence.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart Dom.

If there`s someone within the Labour Party who deserves to be mentioned is Alfred Sant, who despite he never got my support I appreciate that he managed to clean the Labour Party from the violent elements. This is a big lesson the newly elected MLP leadership should remember from this gentleman.

Denis Catania

Aug 18th 2008, 18:16

Bill Millam doesn't know what a dictator is. If he went to school in the US, he should know that answer. He never has anything good to say about the Maltese. He forgets how the Brits treated us. Maybe he was one of those Brits, that lost his power on pushing the Maltese around, and giving us no rights.Maybe his father was able to get him in everywhere we couldn't go as Maltese. PM Mintoff was no dictator. The only dictator Malta has seen. Is the Queen, because she dictated everything we did. PM Mintoff got us rights that the Brittish refused to give us. The Maltese are humans, which makes those rights Human rights.I know it's hard to here this from a PN supporter.But I'm Maltese first and blind or deaf I'm not.Thruth sometimes hurts. But rumors are worse.

D. Aquilina

Aug 18th 2008, 17:51

Congratulations to Dom Mintoff. I can add nothing more than that said by Charles Marsh further down.

Malta for you was always,and is 'First and Foremost' .

Malta in turn rejoices in you,the man who brought her out of hunger and poverty and for the first time in our history made us a free and sovereign people.

Those that came before you, and after you ,do not measure up to your toes.

A. Camilleri

Aug 18th 2008, 17:48

kemm intom hodor kontra mintoff???

Fenech adami goes to Gaddafi and he gets no results, and Dom Mintoff gets 250K.

Who is the great leader? Fejn huma il- laburisti?

Hawn huma il laburisti u ta xogholhom hadu 250K !!!

Tom McCarthy

Aug 18th 2008, 17:42

Well deserved! I suspect that next year it will be awarded to Robert Mugabe !

edgar gatt

Aug 18th 2008, 17:39

@ Charles J. Buttigieg.
You just confirmed that when you felt that the administration committed an injustice, you freely went to court and were rewarded for this injustice. Not only that ,but you got your three promotions. Those were the days of a Nationalist government. Now go back to the 70'sand 80's . There were thousands who were treated badly like you were. You know what the difference was. Nobody dared take their case to the courts as they would have been beaten and arrested just by thinking of taking the socialist government to court. I am sure your remenber those times. I am not saying that our lot were saints but to award Mintoff a prize for defending human rights, must be the sickest joke of the century

Matthew Brincat

Aug 18th 2008, 17:35

This must be the biggest LOL ever!!

Joseph Ellul Grech

Aug 18th 2008, 17:33

Well done Mintoff. It is a prize, it does not matter where it came from, the man must have earned it.
We should be proud that a Maltese national has been honoured. I remember the fifties, sixties, seventies etc. very well.
I do not remember Mintoff making false and malicious accusations to cover up involvement in any political scandal.
I do not remember Mintoff or other Labour politicians lying on the eve of a general election to influence the electorate.
I do not remember Mintoff or other Labour politician building hospitals shrouded questions on corruption and wasting the nations’ financial resources.
I do not remember Mintoff make a solemn public promise to tell who murdered Karen Grech if his party was elected.
I DO remember the corruption that has existed since 1987. When Mintoff was Prime Minister there were accusations of corruption. This was never proven. Corruption and unaccountably has been the order of the day since 1987.
Today I remember very well being falsely and maliciously accused by a Nationalist Party Minister to cover up his involvement in the scandal of the millennium. I remember very well. Well done Dom Mintoff.

c.caruana

Aug 18th 2008, 17:33

the proof of the pudding is in the eating and when you analyze malta's political history you will come to the conclusion that mintoff with all the good he did only managed to win two elections with a majority 1971 and 1976. in 1981 he managed to hold on to power because of a flaw in the constitution. in 1987 he got a trouncing from the people (don't tell me that we were all brainwashed!) Now would we throw away all the wealth and riches we were living in just to spite mintoff? the people wanted freedom most of all. Sir Paul Boffa was the last Labour leader worth his salt. When Mintoff took over it was downhill all the way from there for the MLP up to the present.

david zerafa

Aug 18th 2008, 17:30

bis-sahha tal-perit malta dahlet fl-unjoni ewropea u kellna gvern nazzjonalista tul dawn10 snin.

min ilu jghid li gaddafi dittatur(iktar minn tletin sena) il-president( f'isem il-poplu) mar jghannqu u jilghaqu.

mintoff bil-hazin tieghu b'kollox gholla liz-zghir u l-batut. verita ma tistax tgiddiba. kulhadd ghandu l-hazin.

Dunstan Crockford

Aug 18th 2008, 17:23

@Lara Boffa
I just wanted to be level headed!!! Couldn`t see the reason for this award...and still cannot!!! Our family sadly remembers the death of our dear sister,Sr.Sybil who was a protagonist in the Church School saga......many a time called to Police H.Q. in the middle of the night!!! She surely got a better reward than Mintoff did!!!!!! even though forgotten by many!!!

Charles J Buttigieg

Aug 18th 2008, 17:04

@ Bill Millan. Just one plain observation while ignoring your slipping away like a duck from defending the USA and the gross negative attributes to Malta’s greatest leader of the past, The man we love so much and you so much love to hate. Getting to my point.....Asking anybody which kind of life they prefer between the past and the present is a trick question because it attracts only one answer-the present- because the world in general is progressing not regressing. And since you seem to take a good interest in time comparisons, allow me to put a question to all the Maltese people living the real life in Malta........and my question is.. Which quality of life do you prefer that during the period 1960-70 or 1971-81?
And this other observation is directed to The Times. Your paper is by far my favourite read as I like your style however I have to confess that your choice of portrays leaves much to be desired. I would have chosen a better picture of Good old Dom and the naughty Sammy Meilaq, unless of course I had a subtle hidden agenda. Otherwise I find this paper bearable.

Ethelbert Schembri

Aug 18th 2008, 17:04

From these blogs everyone is reading what is hatred after being brainwashed for so many years .
To all Nationalists ,
If it wasn’t for Mintoff and people like him that fought against people like you , the vast majority of the Maltese will be still in poverty because every social policy that he wanted to introduce had the opposition by the PN , and there are who still support them .

Well that is your choice , but don’t come and tell us that Mintoff was against human rights because as I said already his governments were the ones that introduced them on this island and always the PN were against sometimes violently .

Even the simple needs like water and electricity Mintoff found that there was an insistent infrastructure and had to build almost from the beginning , and it wasn’t a joke like someone is trying to say cause with no money and with a party like the PN in opposition , noting is simple . It was an impossible task . But he made it !!

Just a simple question , who urged the Maltese for public disobedience ?

Graham Crocker

Aug 18th 2008, 16:58

Social Rights prize, not Human rights prize.
These Libyans don't even know how to properly name their awards.

Taking political prisoners as well as beating supporters is against human rights and come on... Libya?

Its like Zimbabwe issuing a Economic Prosperity Prize , its ridiculously ironic.

Pauline Barbara

Aug 18th 2008, 16:57

@ J. Farrugia - You ask what Guh & Ghaks?? Are you having a laugh trying to compare not having a crumb to eat to not having the chocolate of your choice - obviously you're one of those who belong to the middle class seeing as you're attesting that Mintoff destroyed your lot, I think it would be better to say he took some of yours and distributed it amongst the poor.

I'm not that knowledgable about religion but didn't Jesus condemn the rich Jewish Rabbis, whilst alot of Jews were living in poverty - well some do say Jesus would have been a Socialist. Its a shame our beloved Church didn't have the same views in the 50s /60s but maybe PN influence had something to do with that???

Jim Towers

Aug 18th 2008, 16:51

Really good news as he can now donate $250000 to the boat people,
just to show what a humanitarian he is.
Well done Dom.

David Buttigieg

Aug 18th 2008, 16:50

He deserves this joke of a prize - he deserves to be placed with the likes of Castro and Chavez - next year's winner will probably be Mugabe or maybe Ceauşescu or Idi Amin posthumously!

Denis Catania

Aug 18th 2008, 16:50

Anyone whos says PM Mintoff is a dictator is either a liar or just plain stupid. Mintoff was never a dictator, and for the Times to publish such comments is not right. People blame him for ransacking PM Adami's house. Should we blame PM Gonzi for the attacks on Anthony Zammit, off course not. So stop all this pointing fingers at Mintoff. PM Mintoff fought for our rights, that the Brittish failed to give us.Mintoff was against the church involved in politics, but now the majority of Maltese agree with that. PM Mintoff did deal with Libya, but now President Adami is dealing with Libya. Maybe he was 30 yrs ahead. Most people get critized when they are ahead of the rest of us. We all suffered or was discrimanated against, by the Brits. Come on I thought that our PN supporters are smarter than this.Maybe I'm a different type of PN supporter. We left Malta becuase of the rumors.Yes I was scared of the rumors in the 70's but those rumors, were just that RUMORS. PM Mintoff may you live the rest of your life in the Malta that you loved so much.

Andrew Brincat

Aug 18th 2008, 16:50

I Totaly aggree with J.Farrugia

Is this another famous misprint? did the libyans forget the word "Anti-"

This award had to be named - "The International Anti-Humam Rights Award"

Kenneth Cutajar

Aug 18th 2008, 16:40

@ Mr Delia and all those who believe that Mr Mintoff is the King of Malta.

A certain colleague of Mr Mintoff was Dr Alfred Sant who described this King as the Traditur. I think that all those who funnily enough still believe this myth should consult Dr Sant for the achievements of His Majesty. A traditur is a person who betrays a King, Leader etc. so that definition excludes Mr Mintoff from being the King. There is a difference between thinking that you are King and being the actual King.

jim towers

Aug 18th 2008, 16:37

Fantastic,
Now he can donate his 250000 to the boat people and prove his humanitarianism

P. Schembri

Aug 18th 2008, 16:24

@ Mark Galea. Why not look up who was the agent provocateur of those industrial actions in the late 70's early 80's. By hook or by crook, we'll topple the Labour Government!!!! Of course, like you said, you were to young to know. Or should I say too brainwashed?

john mahoney

Aug 18th 2008, 16:11

I am sure the prize was meant for Rev. Fr. Dionysius Mintoff he is the one who has been working towards peace .

George Curmi

Aug 18th 2008, 16:09

"Libyan Human Rights Awards" and "Mintoff defender of human rights" must be two of the best examples of oxymoron ever put together.

Qaddafi as protector of human rights? What a joke!

Mintoff as protector of human rights? Hah. Would this be the same Dominic Mintoff in whose term the Malta Police Force became an instrument of state torture, people were beaten for holding different political views, clubs of opposition parties were burnt, churches were ransacked, and the offices of newspapers were burnt because they dared to print the truth? .....

There is not enough space here to list all the human rights abuses and crimes committed at that time.

For those who are interested, I suggest an Internet search for “Al-Qathafi Award for Human Rights”. Not one mention. Gives you a general idea about the prestige that this “award” enjoys on the international stage.

Ghandek biex tiftahar Perit! Now you stand shoulder to shoulder with those "champions of “human rights “ – Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez.

charles marsh

Aug 18th 2008, 16:03

Xi tridu tgħidu fuq Mintoff!
Qabel Mintoff aks ġuħ u qamel kien hawn, u erba sinjuri jistmaw il-ħaddiem ta' ilsier.
Ħalluħ fil-kwiet. Għandkhom ħdura kbira għalieh.

george delia

Aug 18th 2008, 15:56

long live Dom mintoff........ maybe Fenech Adami will be awarded for his heroics in Rebublic str some yrs ago .... ta fejnhom il laburisti...hahahaj !....mintoff the king of malta.....

Lara Boffa

Aug 18th 2008, 15:55

A Saliba – Unfortunately, sometimes I’m embarrassed to be Maltese.

D Crockford – It wasn’t only Sant’s government whom he ‘toppled’ really.

G Farrugia & G Douglas – Excuse me, but I think you need to revise your history.

J Dimech – no comment.

A Saliba - Mintoff was MLP general secretary when women were granted the right to vote. It was Dr. Paul Boffa who had put forward this proposal way back in 1945.

wally vella-zarb

Aug 18th 2008, 15:55

What an extrordinary country we are living in!

On this blog, Amanda Mallia considers that her "6- and 8-year-old children are already aware of much of the hardship Mintoff put us through.", apparently having enough 'savvy' that "In fact, they heard (her) commenting about this award on the phone today, and - in tandem - said "How silly! Don't they know what a horrible man he is?""

Yet, on another blog, in this same paper, Daphne Caruana Galizia refers to 16-year olds as "those who can't yet think"!

Isn't it truly amazing? :-)

Pauline Barbara

Aug 18th 2008, 15:43

@ Joseph Caruana - FYI my father was working at the age of 6 and my mum at the age of 12 to help out their families, they were dirt poor and their parents (my grandparents) were grateful for every extra cent they could get - So how dare you make such a statement that poor children were just roaming the streets instead of getting an education, poor children were working to help make ends meet.

When MLP made education obligatory they were made to realise how important education was and though it was with great hardship my grandparents sent their children to school and they were aided by being given food at a cheaper price.

You said your grandfather had the foresight to send your mum to school, may I ask how poor were they? Did your mother have to wear 1 shoe cut in half & each half tied up to a bit of sack to make a pair of shoes? 'Cause my mum did.

Don't forget that when MLP wanted to introduce obligatory free education for all, PN were against it - I wonder why.

A Daley

Aug 18th 2008, 15:34

One does not wish to comment on this personal achievement, but some have so much hatred that they keep shooting themselves in the head.

For example:
@Oscar Cassar, asking Pauline Barbara.
Do you really know who killed Karen Grech ???

Dear Oscar Cassar, let one remind you of the following and see if you can remember who uttered the words: "Warbu min hemm, halli nghidulkhom min qatel lill Karen Grech" and continued - -- -!

So, dear Oscar Cassar, tell us, who uttered those words in 1986/7?

One thing is for certain in that most dreadful incident, and that is Prof. Grech trying to help patients who others left for dead!

The leader of the opposition of the late 70s believed that as long as the end justified the mean, everything was acceptable. "Jekk inkunu kontra l-gvern, dejjem, u f'kollox, il-gvern jirrizenja jkollu"

Remember Prof. Oscar Cassar?

You should say a prayer when mentioning our beloved Karen!

T Vella

Aug 18th 2008, 15:31

Everyone is writing about human rights under Mintoff...well said...today everyone seems to have extra special rights....I go on a beach and make it mine - full of umbrellas and deckchairs....I find a piece of green area - oops there it goes a block of flats.....I find a nice place for parking - oopps there it goes my umbrella and an ADT Parking Attendant License...I have a restaurant/bar - opps I put tables and chairs in the middle of the pavement...and please do not speak about transfers - I just got one soon after the election. Do I need to conitnue...All this under today's Nationalist Government.

Martin Büttner

Aug 18th 2008, 15:29

This is the joke of the day!

Human rights and Libya in the same sentence, not enough also mentioning Dom Mintoff.

Do I have to say more?

emanuel fenech

Aug 18th 2008, 15:26

I wonder where Carl Pol learnt his Maltese history. Could it be from the Brigata Laburista? I have a clear conscience, and condemn the Government that Mintoff led for its human rights record.

Manuel Miallef

Aug 18th 2008, 15:15

It is true that under Mintoff some people did suffer injustice and even worse. (although straight speaking so did some people suffer under PN administration)

But let's not forget that he brought around:-
1. A welfare system (children allowance and minimum wage amongst others) where at least everyone has a minimum standard of living;
2. Vote to the women;
3. Freedom from foreign military - Before Mintoff Malta's sole aim was as a military base;

He put in place the basis for a country to become from a military base into a proper country, built on work , freedom and democracy.
Regarding the early 80's Mintoff was against to continue to govern - but members of the MLP wanted to govern even though the party had no majority; This nowadays is well known fact;

I say well done Mintoff; You and Eddie Fenech Adami are the statesman which god gave to this country fo rit to develop and prosper.

R Abela

Aug 18th 2008, 15:15

The source of the prize says it all.....Do you all think that DM was party to all this! So please go back to work and do what you are being paid for, i.e. work! I do not have that privilege at the moment. But please, sit back and think before u all start mouthing off the person who invented the real basics of social democracy in Malta, i.e. child benefit, education for all and a pension to be proud off! Forget your mars bars and engage the tutti frutti....and for all of you out there who were born after the 1970's please go back to work because you do not know what you are talking about...

Adrian Allain

Aug 18th 2008, 15:07

A new role for Mr Mintoff?

Perhaps Dom Mintoff could now use his influence with the Libyan leader and ask him to stop sending boatload after boatload of poor Africans to your small country.

He would certainly deserve a Human Rights award from the Maltese people if he could do that.

c.caruana

Aug 18th 2008, 15:07

@Carl Pol.
Let me remind you that it was a labour government who created an immigration ministry. Complete with music band to see off the emigrants. It was mintoff who asked the British to create a little Malta with, according to his calculations 100,000 maltese settlers some where else.(see The Knight July 1953) "Once settled in a friendly country very few of them will opt to come back" He said. As for the kappillan's approval. during the mintoff years he was substituted with the minister's canvassers.and not just for jobs. To get a telephone installed you had to wait years, to buy a TV set you had to camp out in front of Xandir Malta. and when you got the set you had to thank the minster. Violence was the order of the day. Tap water was non existant with tankers bringing over the precious liquid from Sicily. I could go on for ever and perhaps I will!

Alfred Farrugia

Aug 18th 2008, 15:00

The majority of the negative and positive comments contributed here are more or less correct. As far as I remember, the Labour Party under Dom Mintoff’s leadership never apologized for the wrong things that were perpetrated. But that does not mean that positive contributions were not accomplished under his leadership. Among other things, we need to remember the cold war situation of his times.

I believe that we need to look at Cyprus to realize Mintoff’s main redeeming contribution and negotiation skills. Although we may be politically divided, we have no sovereign British bases on our island, as is the case in Cyprus. What the Russian Federation did in Georgia last week, Turkey did in Cyprus in 1974 after a Greek coup, and a third of the island of Cyprus is still occupied by Turkey. Fortunately, our island was spared similar tragic situations after its independence thanks to leaders such as Dr. George Borg Olivier, Mr. Dom Mintoff and Dr. Edward Fenech Adami.

Those who suffered injustices or worse in domestic politics during Mintoff’s times are correct to complain, but he ought to be given credit where it is due, particularly freedom from foreign bases.

michael zammit

Aug 18th 2008, 14:41

Judge and you will be judged .Let the Lord be the ULTIMATE JUDGE.

Max Gerada

Aug 18th 2008, 14:40

I wonder...is the "International Committee of Al-Qathafi Award for Peace" made up of MLP delegates?? Maybe this is yet another non-sense choice of theirs!!! Well done to Mintoff's heirs - just in time!!

Joe Micallef

Aug 18th 2008, 14:29

And the description of the prize instituted by the Libyan supremo reads .......and who defended the causes of oppressed peoples, especially in Palestine and Iraq........... If I may ask why are Libyans omitted when they are definitely not the antithesis of oppressed people.
It pay back time Dom in gratitude of the times when you dished out honoris causea to some of the worst amongst human kind.

Angelo Micallef

Aug 18th 2008, 14:27

A case of "L-ispizzjar milli jkollu jtik"

Alex Saliba

Aug 18th 2008, 14:22

Well done Mr Mintoff. A great progressive at his time! @ Amanda Mallia, Mintoff gave you the right to vote, something that teh Nationalist party never dreamt about, becouse they considered you like 'ping-pong balls'! Mintoff was the father of social services, if it wasn't for him alot of these anti-labour bloggers maybe wouldn't be here with us today becouse their grandparents would have died of hunger! Mr Mintoff was the architect of post imperialist Malta, he began building a new Malta after 200 years of colonialism! For Mintoff Malta was always 'L-ewwel u qabel kollox' , something which the PN media today wants to clear from our history by giving us a couple of photos of some violence (which i still condemn with all my strenght). But none could ever erase the image of Mintoff, he would always remain 'Missier Malta Hielsa'.

Robert Caruana

Aug 18th 2008, 14:22

It is amazing how so many people commenting here simply see things as either black or white with no hint of grey in between.

Of course, I cannot but agree that a human rights prize awarded by Libya is of very dubious merit ... to say the lvery east.

Yet I cannot agree with many of the unbalanced assessments of Dom Mintoff's premiership. The fact remains that Mintoff's premiership had both good and bad points. For the poorer families (and there were many around when Mintoff was elected in 1971), Mr Mintoff was a godsend - it was the first time that poor children started recieving an education, elderly people started recieving pensions and poor families had access to decent health care.

Of course there were also far too many less pleasant 'events' under his premiership (which have been amply referred to in other comments below), particularly in the latter years. Yes, he was a hard headed strongman and made mistakes. But he was no dictator.

Many of today's growing middle class have their roots in Mintoff's reforms of the early 70's, which were subsequently improved upon (in smoother and less controversial style) by successive governments.

a.cassar

Aug 18th 2008, 14:22

@ Pauline barbara.
Do you know who killed Karen Grech?
Would you defend yourself if there was a pack of wild wolves trying to get into your home to lynch you? The labour demonstration was not supposed to pass by the PN club in Zebbug but it did and attacked the club.
Where did you get the fairy tale that hundreds of fire arms were found in the PN.headquarters? and do you know under what circumstances these fire arms were 'found'?
As for education in Malta. Have you forgotten Sir Paul Boffa? the last labour leader and PM to be worthy of praise? The one who was ousted by Mintoff? I hope your father wasn't one of the workers who had to join the labour corps which were the only form of work during 16 years of Labour prosperity.
@Chris Borg.
That's how Mintoff looks today. So what's wrong with the photo? as Glorianne farrugia said, life has been good to him and how! I half expected her to say that God was rewarding him for the good he's done.

dbugeja

Aug 18th 2008, 14:21

Human prize given by a leader who left 120 migrants stranded inthe middle of the sea.
to accept it from him would be an insult

Bill Millam

Aug 18th 2008, 14:19

Carl Pol,
Since my post attracted 3 replies from you directed at me, let me ask you some questions:
1) Inti Malti bhali? Jekk iva, nahseb li tapprezza li jien ghandi dritt nikkumenta daqskemm ghandek it!
2) We are on this site to discuss Malta and Malta-related issues, NOT the USA and its policies. So any comments you make about the USA and its policies, those I will not address on a site called TimesofMalta.com
3) Kemm ghandhek zmien int? Tippreferi il-mod ta hajja kif tghix Malta llum milli kif kont tghix taht Duminku Mintoff? Jekk ghandek zmien bizzejjed biex tiftakar!
4) Meta int kont ghadhekk halib ommok fi sninek u timxi bil-harqa, jien u mijiet ohra bhali swat kbar qlajna mill klikkek tan nies li kienu jappartjenu lil Mintoff u l-Partit Socjalista tieghu. Nies kriminali kollha dawn li kienu il-krema tal-Partit Socjalista fl-eqqel tat-tmexxija mid-dittatur Mintoff li llum xi nies bhalek qedin jiccelebraw l-ghotja ta xi award minn dittatur iehor, il- kurunell Gaddafi. IDDAHQUNIEX!
I replied to your comments in Maltese so that you know I am MALTI for real.

Bill Millam
Los Angeles

J. Mifsud

Aug 18th 2008, 14:17

I suggest to Dom Mintoff to donate the prize to the Malta Labour Party with one condition: to help promote education and IT technology to workers' children, especially those in need.

I would also like to suggest to some readers who are promoters of the 'doom and gloom' at the time of Mintoff's rule to have a look at history before Mintoff came to power in the 70's too. Malta's political history does'nt start in 1971. If I want to be fair in my beliefs and writings, I try to have a look at history with my own eyes and not with what 'others' spoon- feed me.

Sometimes by repeating ad nauseum stories that are told by politicians who intentionally mislead us, or recount to us only part of a story, we tend to believe the parts which these politicians want us to believe, in their own interests.

So please let us grow up, and when we recount political history, let us view the whole political events. Let us leave all other lies to those who on purpose and intentionally mislead us.

Joseph Caruana

Aug 18th 2008, 14:14

@ Pauline Barbara

Maybe your father should have blamed your grandmother for not being sent to school rather than thanking Dom Mintoff for going...

Free schooling to all children has been available in this country since the 1930's and was introduced by the British Colonial Government. My mother (who is now retired) was one of five siblings and went to free state school years before Dom Mintoff entered politics. It's just that her father had a bit of foresight and forced her to go to school whilst other children whiled the time away...

JP Cutajar

Aug 18th 2008, 14:14

You might not agree with the man, his style, and his tactics. But objectively speaking, he still was a great leader for Malta especially in the international fold. I cannot forget that day when I was in the United Nations and was trying to explain to an official that my country is a small island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. After a futile few minutes, and after having mentioned Eddie Fenech Adami and Guido Demarco, I finally let slip the word "Mintoff". His reaction was unbelievable..."Oh ! Dom Mintoff?! The one who stood up to the British! Why didn't you mention him before?! Of course I know where you live"

Also I would like to encourage certain people to rise above partisan politics, and discuss this subject in a mature manner.

And finally...to a teacher contributing to this blog: Please go ahead and voice your opinions (we live in a free country) but DO NOT TRY TO IMPOSE YOUR OPINIONS AND BELIEFS on class children like you are doing at the moment and have been doing for ages. It is not only illegal, and unethical, but it is also an insult to the intelligence of the students.

Nik Xuereb Conti

Aug 18th 2008, 14:12

Libyan Human Rights - Can these words be put in the same sentence? A contradiction in it self!

Charles J Buttigieg

Aug 18th 2008, 14:08

@Edgar Gatt. I think you meant anointed not annointed. Any present day law student would be familiar with my constitutional redress against Air Malta for the inhuman and degrading treatment which I sustained during the period 1987-96 when Malta was governed by people that you are pontificating today. The person you are glorifying today by raising him to the glory of Papacy was fully aware of what was going on and he had the political responsibility to stop it. He did nothing and our court condemned his administration for it and afforded me financial compensation. Air Malta also was compelled to take corrective measures to award me with three promotions backdated to the time when the injustices started. Unlike yours, this is not a malicious and sweeping statement, this is just one of many other documented atrocities that your protégées had committed. And you keep insisting that your lot are saints and we are the sinners?

j dimech

Aug 18th 2008, 14:07

Not sure about Dom's human rights credentials, nor for that matter Gaddafi's democratic pedigree. In any case Mintoff deserves our gratitude for paving Malta's way into Europe and for putting a seal to Sant's PM antics. It was Mintoff's final act and indeed one that has left a positive impact to this very day on these islands. Give the man credit , with one single 'Nay' vote he got this country out of oncoming years of misery and political isolation. Such was the love for his country and its brethren. Well done Dom and apologies on behalf of those who called you a 'traitor'.

P Debono

Aug 18th 2008, 14:02

Well said Oscar Cassar.

This really must be a joke! A "human rights prize" by a military leader who is involved in the silent invasion of our country by unknown Africans with no identity, and to a person whose supporters incessantly beat up students, tortured people and didn't even allow foreign ice cream in Malta!

PROSIT PERIT!!!

Joseph Caruana

Aug 18th 2008, 13:59

@ Chris Borg

What are you on about? What's wrong with that pic? It's the most recent picture of Dom Mintoff appearing in public in February.

What pic should have been used in your opinion? One from his glorious 1950s smoking a pipe? or one from the sorely missed 70's of him addressing dockyard workers?

I think that in this case, the Times opted for the most sensible choice...

Carl Pol

Aug 18th 2008, 13:55

to all born after 1975..
ou are living in a democracy created by....yes dom mintoff. Before you where born there was no democracy...so ask somebody who isn't blinded by political hate to explain to you how we lived before mintoff...how you had to get the approval of the kappilan to get a job with the goverment...how people with different believes to the colonial power the church or the PN where treated....many of them having to emigrate... than condemn this man if you have a clean conscience...nobody and noone will eradicate the good he has done...and you can emigrate to the US and you will soon find out what a great system of welfare he created on this little islan with limited resources... you get sick in the great country and you die because you are not privately insured...you gwet sick in mintoffs island and you get the best treatment wheter you work or not.. just contemplate or just leave...

Ethelbert Schembri

Aug 18th 2008, 13:53

You disserve all Perit Dom Mintoff .

In your days you fought against tyranny , poverty, ignorance and worst against terrorism that killed lots of innocent people .

So well done !!

Long live DOM MINTOFF !!!

Franco Farrugia

Aug 18th 2008, 13:49

@ Glorianne Farrugia - You need a holiday.

Oscar Cassar

Aug 18th 2008, 13:46

@ Pauline Barbara

Do you really know who killed Karen Grech ???

Oscar Cassar

Aug 18th 2008, 13:42

May I ask what was the contribution of Fidel Castro (a military dictator) in human rights? Probably in next edition of this Al-Qathafi Award for Human Rights, a Chinese Communist leaders will be considered because of his contribution in the massacre of Tiananmen Square in 1989 or the beating of supporters for an Independent Tibet ecc ecc.

Alfred Cassar

Aug 18th 2008, 13:40

Please tell me this is a joke !!!

Carl Pol

Aug 18th 2008, 13:39

more@B. Millam....

Please do not talk of human rights to us..YOUR democracy has supported every dictator on this globe..like musharaf of pakistan, all the dictatorships in the gulf.. because you dont give a hoot about human rights..your hunger for power and control comes before any human right...Noriege was your man till he became to big and you imprisoned him on charges of drug trafficing at the same time that Col. Norton , your contras helper was trafficing drugs to earn money to help contras...talk about double morals and if you want I have more news for you just ask for it... my pleasure to accomodate you...

dbugeja

Aug 18th 2008, 13:37

Libyan human rights? What a laugh!

Chris Caruana

Aug 18th 2008, 13:32

My guess is some people are just envious for the only Maltese politician who has ever attained any international standing. Not to say the one who steered Malta away from colonial oblivion.

Carl Pol

Aug 18th 2008, 13:28

@millam continued.....
And by the way Bill....I dont know how old you are but if you ask some historian about Kissinger's decision to bomb without reason Cambodia which in turn brought the Khmer Rouge to power. And he WON the Noble prize for peace!!!!!!!
How about all the cases of violent behavior by US troops in foreign countries like rapes in Japan and Phillippines where the military authorites decline to hand out the culprits. Isn't that a violation of human rights? another example was the quick exit of the American jet fighter crew who killed Italian tourists in Italy when they severed the cable of a a cable car. They were quickly sent home to bask in the Californian sun and never paid for the manslaughter. So please don't preach human rights to us....our European record of human rights is far more cleaner than yours,.

Richard Muscat

Aug 18th 2008, 13:25

I read such a story with a sarcastic smile! Yet another typical example of a parody of the sense of justice! Let us give credit and praise only to the true defenders of human rights and just ignore the false copies!

Pauline Barbara

Aug 18th 2008, 13:24

Those who are calling Mintoff a dictator should be ashamed, although probably you were all born with the proverbial silver spoon in your mouth and have no recollection or know of no one who was so poor they had to split a loaf of bread between 8 siblings (my dad's family) and education was something that a poor boy could only dream of, thanks to Dom Mintoff my dad went to school and they had more food to go around - my dad was so grateful that he could finally have a slice of bread all to himself, he wasn't too bothered later on in life that he couldn't buy Cadbury but had to buy Deserta.

Thugs who supported Labour were not ordered by Mintoff to be violent and fair enough Mintoff didn't castigate them, but then did Fenech Adami castigate those who were responsible for many an atrocity done by PN supporters (throwing balustrades at MLP supporters in Zebbug, killing Karen Grech, storing hundreds of fire arms in PN HQ)- the answer is no, so does that mean EFA was a dicatator??

Remember: For Education, Free Health Service, Social Benefits - thank Dom Mintoff

Oscar Cassar

Aug 18th 2008, 13:22

This classical Euro septic leader winning a prize for human rights by a military ruler can be almost as if the joke of the day. His contribution in this aspect can be only limited to the Helsinki conference in the 70’s but surly in Malta he was not the defender of human rights. A lot still remember the

Beating of students at the University, liceo’s (Msida) canteen and near Castille by the Labour thugs or witnesses at court after giving witness against the MLP or his tugs. Torturing of ‘suspected’ persons and changing the judiciary in the middle of a process case against the Labour Government.

There are a lot more like the breaking of the Times, the house of the leader of opposition in B’Kara, the Curia, several PN local clubs, property requisitioned for the MLP like that in Pembroke like the ex Raffles, Top-Secret agreement on national security with Communist leaders in Korea, the notice to ambassadors in diplomatic mission in Malta not to have any meetings with the Opposition (PN), the issue of ‘Indhil Barrani’ and the arrest of Italian DC politicians in Malta ecc.

Zeppi Micallef

Aug 18th 2008, 13:19

Damn! And I was sure Mugabe would win it this year! Well, better luck next time, and prosit Perit! HAHA!

Chris Borg

Aug 18th 2008, 13:18

You could have found a better photo, but anyway it just confirms The Times as part of Gonzi's machine....

It's such a pity that some people here are not grateful to Mintoff for having built this nation and for having emancipated the working class.....

J Farrugia

Aug 18th 2008, 13:14

Human rights prize coming from the Libyan Dictator to the what Dr Sant called him: Traditur ta' Malta! The biggest joke of the year. But the money isn't. The least you can do is hand it ovr to the illegal immigrants who Gadaffi is sending us benevolently.

Carl Pol

Aug 18th 2008, 13:06

@B. Millan.
Judging from where you are you are hardly the one to talk human rights or criticize a Maltese politician who gave the Maltese people an identity. May I remind you as a man from los Angeles of the atrocities and breach of human rights YOUR presidents have committed in the past. i.e the toppling of Salvador Aleande, helping all coups by fascists forces in South America, invasion of other countries. Helping the contras of Nicaragua with drug money. You want some more examples??? Mintoff with all his rights or wrongs was never found guilty by our constitutional court for any breach of human rights. Don't just insinuate come forth with facts or you will be just like josef goebbles-a lie repeated long enough will in the end become the truth. One last reminder....when mintoff expelled Gino Birindelli chief of the nato forces for the med, many accused him being a dictator. Well birindelli left Malta and became active in the fascist party in italy.....seem quite evident to me who was the dictator.

Peter paul pace

Aug 18th 2008, 13:06

Well-deserved congratulations to Mr Mintoff. The majority of all true Maltese still consider you as the greatest Maltese statesman of the last century and you fully deserve the award. And a full-blown raspberry to all those PN apologists and quasi-supremacists whose mission in life has always been to brainwash people with their skewered version of Maltese history.

Amanda Mallia

Aug 18th 2008, 13:00

A. Saliba - Here we go again ... You said "be proud of something Maltese" (so Mintoff is a "thing" - well said).

Why should anybody be proud of somebody simply because he was awarded a human rights prize when such person trampled over the rights of so many during his "leadership", even when behind the scenes?

Get real, A. Saliba!

Paul Gafa

Aug 18th 2008, 12:58

He should give the award to people in need!!

Amanda Mallia

Aug 18th 2008, 12:57

Glorianne Farrugia - Take your rose-tinted specs off or get your eyes checked.

Oh, and maybe Mintoff "was given 92 years" (shouldn't that be "is still alive at 92?) to be able to see and hear for himself what the children and young people who lived under his dictatorship still think of him to this very day.

I will make sure that his memory lives on, yes, and my 6- and 8-year-old children are already aware of much of the hardship Mintoff put us through. In fact, they heard me commenting about this award on the phone today, and - in tandem - said "How silly! Don't they know what a horrible man he is?"

George Douglas

Aug 18th 2008, 12:55

I wish to congratulate Mr Dom Mintoff for this prize. Tales from the 80s are always being projected as the situation was similar to the present somalia.Before mintoff the maltese people didn't have any idea of social services and education was only restricted to the few elite. The introduction of free education and other vital social services which we still benefit nowadays were introduced by Mintoff . Some people still think that being a socialist or communist is a deadly sin and should burn in hell as bishop Gonzi believed or have you forgotten that? Its right that Mintoff won this prize and is listed along the mentioned heroes in this article.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 18th 2008, 12:55

Perhaps the Government should take Mintoff to Libya next time.they go begging.

250K is more than we got last time

Jean Pierre Aquilina

Aug 18th 2008, 12:54

So the oppression of one's own people is deemed acceptable by this "human rights prize". Or maybe we Maltese are not considered humans...

Lino DeBono

Aug 18th 2008, 12:51

Mr Dom Mintoff was by far the best Prime Minister that our Country ever had or will have. He was the architect in the forefront of all the reforms that happened and were done to and for our Islands.
The Lord Balogh and Mr Seers commission he brought over to prepare an overall plan for the Maltese Island, was the blueprint for all the development that occoured in our Islands.
Mr Mintoff contributions to a welfare state, education, separation of State and Church,reforms and getting what was financially needed for Malta from both Britian and Nato, and also the financial help from the Gehamarija Republic and others Arab States, were to say the least unique. These were used and enjoyed by all the people of Malta.
When I read disrespectful comments on Mr Dom Mintoff, I pity those that write them as these appear to know anything about our Islands history.
To critisize politically is very simple, though rude to say the least, but to impliment changes required against all odds and bigger powers is another thing.
Perit Dom Mintoff,deserves all praise and gratitude for all he has done for the people of Malta and its Islands.

Amanda Mallia

Aug 18th 2008, 12:47

Oh, yes ... Mintoff has much to be proud of, hasn't he? To be awarded a prize for human rights is an insult to the people who suffered greatly under his "reign", whoever such prize is awarded by.


http://user.orbit.net.mt/fournier/MNnational_bank_scandal.htm


http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2002/12/22/report221202.pdf


http://stocks.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080723/letters/violence-and-labour


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/1964/sep/21/eu.politics


http://user.orbit.net.mt/fournier/MNsummary.htm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI2BxaYmNyA (Watch the whole video for a slight glimpse of Labour violence in the bad old days.)


http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2006/08/27/opinion.html

edgar gatt

Aug 18th 2008, 12:43

Well if Mintoff won a prize as an honourable leader defending human rights, then Fenech Adami should be annointed Pope.

Bill Millam

Aug 18th 2008, 12:42

Is this the Joke of the Day or what?
I wonder what sort of prestige this Libyan POS award carries with the rest of the world? How about Zero, Zilch, Nada, Nothing!!! Shame on the dictator MIntoff for continuing to put Malta in the same basket as communist Cuba and socialist Venzuela despite the fact that this Maltese tyrant has been out of power for nearly 30 years.
Mintoff should have long ago been put on trial for human rights ABUSE suffered by countless Maltese citizen under his dictatorship. What a dark chapter in Maltese history that was.
I suppose Mintoff would be welcome by Hugo Chavez and/or Fidel Castro to live out his remaining days in either Venezuela or Cuba.

Bill Millam
Los Angeles

a.cassar

Aug 18th 2008, 12:41

Bzar fl-ghajnejn from the person who is inundating us with illegal immigrants. If there ever was a misnomer it's this award since the words gaddafi and human rights should not be written together in the same book. The perit sure needed this windfall of $250,000. Now how many days would that sum tidy us over at Hal Far and Marsa? and another thing, I thought SOUTH Africa was in the, you guessed it, South! so how come Nelson Mandela won the prize?! No wonder he sticks out like a sore thumb among the other fighters for human rights!

joe cassar

Aug 18th 2008, 12:40

It this the Joke of the century, I suppose the prize will go to all those that were beaten and tortured at the police H.Q. when Mintoff was our prime minister, or those students that were beaten at the university and church schools by Mintoffinan tugs. Should I add more?

P Borg

Aug 18th 2008, 12:39

Is today April 1st or am I missing something?!

A.Saliba

Aug 18th 2008, 12:35

All of you talking against this, be proud of something MALTESE

GODWIN GRECH

Aug 18th 2008, 12:34

What a joke ! ..."and have achieved great actions in defending human rights,..." - surely whoever nominated him is out of his wits - he has no idea what human rights we had in the 80's - incredible but true !!!
Godwin Grech

Dunstan Crockford

Aug 18th 2008, 12:34

Maybe he got this for toppling Sant` s Government.....

Christopher Camilleri

Aug 18th 2008, 12:30

Considering both his past rights and wrongs, one has to admit that Dom Mintoff was one of the greatest leaders in Maltese history.

Robert Micallef

Aug 18th 2008, 12:23

No one seems to remember old' Mintoff for his Meditation between the Koreas or the non-alignment position adopted so Malta can remain neutral and not be involved in any war for the umpteent time but everyone seem to remember when we had no MARS and CADBURY!!!

C. Borg

Aug 18th 2008, 12:18

Eddie goes kissing up for oil and immigration and BAM .... Dom Mintoff gets $250K.

emanuel fenech

Aug 18th 2008, 12:14

It takes one democrat to recognise another! Will Mandela return his prize?

glorianne farrugia

Aug 18th 2008, 12:14

All you have is critisicm towards Malta's greatest ever Prime minister and statesman...and for a good reason....All other prime ministers we had in Malta,added together,would not even amount to the toenail of Dom Mintoff....Your party tried to rewrite history,but for sure,it will be Dom Mintoff's name to stand the test of the ages..He has been kind towards this life,and life has,in return,been kind to him,giving him already 92 years.....And when he does make the getaway,it would be the greatest moarn the nation will ever have

Salvu Felice Pace

Aug 18th 2008, 12:10

I suggest that Dom Mintoff donates money to the following: property owners who had their houses requisitioned by Labour governments and have been receiving a pittance ever since; families who had to educate their children abroad because they were unable to get them into Malta University; businesses that were closed down by the Labour government he presided upon because they were known Nationalists; citizens who were emarginated by Labour governments because of their political beliefs; the Nationalist Party for all the damages inflicted upon their political clubs and the Curia and the Times of Malta.... Come to think about it, there simply isn't enough money to go round. Maybe he's got to be nominated for the Nobel Prize afterall.

Mark Galea

Aug 18th 2008, 12:08

As a very young man growing up in early Sliema in the late 70s and early 80s, I can think of many other prizes to give this politician, who to me, was nothing else but a dictator. A prize for having to go without water for years on end....we used to get a trickle in the middle of the night only. A prize for no electricity some 4 to 5 times a week.....once for all of Christmas Eve. A prize for having my father cruelly transferred to one of the most despised schools just because he took part in a strike.....a prize for having to walk some 4 miles to school for about 3 months because of a public transport strike. A prize for seeing my doctor relatives (I had 2 at the time) having to leave the country. PRIZE? LOL.

R.Spagnol

Aug 18th 2008, 12:05

I think it's time to do the same in Malta before it would be too late. Mintoff is surely among those who truly deserve Gieh ir-Repubblika or any other prestigious award for anyone who contributed to Malta's make-up.

M. Gatt

Aug 18th 2008, 12:04

I wish you all the health that you need, Perit.

God Bless You.

Andrew Borg-Cardona

Aug 18th 2008, 12:00

No mention of his defence of Maltese human rights, I see ... and I wonder how much he will appreciate being called a "European Leader". Was it he, or his successor, who had coined the memorable epithet "L-Ewropa ta' Kajjin"?

Oh well, at least he has a cool quarter of a million to give to charity now.

K Xuereb

Aug 18th 2008, 11:58

Well done Perit!

Only two accolades are left now ....

The Kim il Sung memorial award for fostering private initiative

The Nicolae Ceausescu memorial prize for outstanding contribution to democracy and personal freedoms.

Anton Vella

Aug 18th 2008, 11:55

its a case of "flimkien kollox possibbli"........
i always believed in miracles.....and one of my favourite tv episodes was always " mission impossible".......
its not etical and nice at all , that at his age , other countries try to play the fool with such a person.

can't figure out the magical combination between human rights and Dom Mintoff.....

the joke of the year.......... that's a real gold medal ......." x'cuc huma l-olimpjadi!!!!! "

Joseph Caruana

Aug 18th 2008, 11:54

I am sure this must be some kind of conspiracy between the governments of Malta and Libya... the 250,000 bucks must be the rest of the compensation that Mintoff was due for when his view from l-Gharix was spoilt with the construction of the Delimara power station. His basic Human Rights had been broken at that time, where they not? That would make him even more worthy of such an important prize

HOW CAN'T YOU ALL SEE THE CONNECTION????

LOL!!! This joke will be retold for generations to come!

David Wirrich

Aug 18th 2008, 11:50

I always thought the Libyans were barmy..now I know. what a joke!

godwin scerri

Aug 18th 2008, 11:42

It would be interesting to know to what Charity Mr. Mintoff will donate this windfall.

I. M. Dingli

Aug 18th 2008, 11:33

Qed tara l'perit!!

Martin PAce

Aug 18th 2008, 11:29

Lybian human rights prize... Is this some kind of inside joke I'm missing here? But well, the $250,000 will surely make up for the dubious merits of such an award :) Shame they are not Euros though!

Anthont A. Mifsud

Aug 18th 2008, 11:29

Prosit Perit.
Well hand them to the Poor at Safi open centre Halfar open centre, or the Marsa open centre.
Show your beliefs
Toni

R Agius

Aug 18th 2008, 11:26

What a joke!

Dr. John Zammit

Aug 18th 2008, 11:24

A big congratulation to the greatest Maltese leader of all times from Dr. John Zammit - Leader, Liberal Democratic Alliance - Malta

You deserve not only this prize but also the Nobel Price for Peace for your mediation between the two Koreas and other mediation you have done.

Joseph e Briffa

Aug 18th 2008, 11:24

Except for Nelson Mandela, Dom Mintoff is now in good company!

Maria Gauci

Aug 18th 2008, 11:22

Mintoff, Chavez, Mandela and Castro!
Who is the odd one out? (or should I say the gentleman?)