Illegal immigrants landed at Hay Wharf

Raymond Sammut

Aug 24th 2008, 12:06

Putting two and two together, these appear to be the same illegal immigrants who were supposed to have been returned to Tripoli on board the Spanish fishing boat. The fact that they have the baby with them identifies them as the same group. It is hardly a coincidence.

This is what The Times is reporting a day later (Sunday):

Quote:
A baby was among a group of 30 illegal immigrants who were brought into Malta yesterday morning.

Their boat was initially spotted on Friday afternoon by a Maltese-registered fishing vessel, according to the Armed Forces.

Their outboard motor was damaged, and given the rather strong northwest wind with a significant swell, the migrants had to be brought to shore by an AFM patrol boat. The group was made up of 19 men, 10 women and one baby.

Just hours earlier another 27 illegal immigrants were intercepted by the AFM. Police are investigating.:Unquote

Together, the two groups make up the 50 or so that had boarded the Spanish vessel Punta Aljibe after being spotted by the Marve. That's when the rescue operation by the AB 212 helicopter took place, which was Thursday.

f.frendo

Aug 24th 2008, 10:34

@Mary Brincat
THat's what Guze Xerri has been saying all along!

Mary Brincat

Aug 24th 2008, 03:59

Mr. guze xerri

‘Malta and the Maltese people had enough of this.’
Next time don’t talk on behalf the Maltese, talk about yourself please.

Denis Catania

Aug 24th 2008, 03:31

This is getting worse, my god Malta is too small. Most of the Maltese that know me, know I am obsessed with the bad situation, that's happening to our small and overpopulated Island. If we lose the tourists like Lamapedusa. Our people will be in trouble. Today I got a call from a concerned Maltese, telling me if I do get a permit to demonstrate at the UN and possibly the Maltese Embassy in New York, he can get me 100-150 young Maltese, that are concerned.I'm going to apply for a permit with NY police department this week. Maltese need to take it to the streets in Malta too, in a peaceful manner. All I could say is GOD PLEASE HELP MALTA.

Joe Pace

Aug 24th 2008, 02:09

It is becaming a joke now and it wont surprise me that somebody from this country who's got a power in Malta that he/she has something to do with this illigal immigrants case,because no what matter they say they cannot land here most of the time.(I would love to see that one fine day one of this illigal immigrantes gets involved with one of the daughters of any MP AND WE SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
Use this people to clean our country and to keep it tidy and make them work for what they get,they are recieving benefits from our tax payers and maybe they will think it twice before they start hiding to Malta.
We maltese work very hard for our living, so why should we stand for all this nonsence from our suppose to be our leaders,WHERE IS THIER TRUST WHERE IS OUR FREEDOM ,Wake up and start thinking about our kids future,

Victor Zammit

Aug 24th 2008, 00:00

The hardest thing to do in politics is to create interest in your party.
Thank to illegal immigrants, they proved this right.
"Creating fear of the Roma, and then selling yourself as the best person to handle them, has been an effective way for Italian politicians to mobilize voters." However, it’s still too early to celebrate!
Same thing happening in Malta by ANR. AN, and Mr. Norma Lowell.
After their failures in the election, now we have them on line

A Attard

Aug 23rd 2008, 22:54

@ Marcel Dingli
i hear that story too many times....
thanks to "The Times" our little voice can be heard....
@ s Aquilina
soon we have to change our flag .......we will be colouring black and red.... :S
@ All
what about DISESES these Immigrants bring along with them? No body speaks about their health issues!!!!!

f.frendo

Aug 23rd 2008, 21:24

And there were those who sighed with relief because a SPANISH ship returned to Libya with some migrants! What were you thinking? no it was not an AFM patrol boat which took them back to gaddafi.

guze xerri

Aug 23rd 2008, 20:28

All this talk about olympic medals is pure diverting nonsense.

The reality is that Malta is guaranteed to have the same inner city problems as Toronto , London or Paris and that is not even mentioning the US cities.

the cost will be astronomical and never ending.

Hostile alien cultures have NO place in Malta what ever shortsighted personal benefit building contractor and restaurant owners get by hiring cheap illegal labour.

C. Borg

Aug 23rd 2008, 20:16

Still fresh after the elections and you are all scared, frustrated and worried. You got your chance and lost it because Gonzi managed to scare you from daring a vote for someone else.

5 years from now will be far too late and most maltese can only complain and grumble.

All you maltese that really care about the situation ....

there is only one thing left to do that can slow down the africanisation of Malta ....

get on your knees .......


and start praying for bad weather...

Marcel Dingli

Aug 23rd 2008, 19:09

@ Chris Agius
Its about time that the people learnt that by supporting the MLPN they get nowhere.

Marcel Dingli

Aug 23rd 2008, 19:05

What do we need medals for ? This country has really gone to the dogs !! IL- Medalji ghall klieb tajbin !!!

Priscilla Grech

Aug 23rd 2008, 18:49

O Galea, wow, what a good idea! Some ethiopians have been invited by countries such as Turkey, Qatar and the Emirates to represent them in the Olympics, and they have delivered medals. We do not have to invite Ethiopians and Kenyans, we have lots of them here. When you have lemons, make lemonade.

dbugeja

Aug 23rd 2008, 18:49

@BJ Simmons

I agree with you. look what happened to Lampedusa. it was an island of tourists resort, now it is occupied of illegal immigrants. now tourists have stopped going there. Our economy depends on tourists.

dbugeja

Aug 23rd 2008, 18:43

@Ms Louise Vella

Such ideas please keep them to yourself. If you are willing to host them in your home, do so

Chris Agius

Aug 23rd 2008, 18:42

Joe Morana, why don't the two major parties unite on this issue? Those who are against illegal immigrants (as opposed to the do-gooders) are both PN and MLP supporters, so what's the point in politicising it? My fear is that both parties stand to gain from fat cats who give large contributions to political campaigns and who employ a lot of these immigrants for pitiful wages. The politicians are letting us citizens down. We are angry with these illegals but should be angrier with the political parties for letting this situation get so badly out of hand.

B Borg

Aug 23rd 2008, 18:29

@ O Galea:

You are perfectly right. We are the ones who are going to need the boats... to send ALL our politicians to hell for their total indifference, and complete ineffectiveness.

S.Aquilina

Aug 23rd 2008, 18:07

One day they going to hoist the Somali flag in Malta and they name it (Somali Malta)

Marcel Dingli

Aug 23rd 2008, 18:01

@ O Galea and A Attard
Illegals have been telling members of the Police force and AFM for ages to keep the boats, as eventually we will be needing them ourselves. It is true that The Times is giving us a limited way of airing our voices but it is also true that many a time comments are censored.

A Attard

Aug 23rd 2008, 17:25

@ O Galea

lol!!! probably soon we have to book our boat. Perhaps the local government will issue free ride tickets to europe... :)

O Galea

Aug 23rd 2008, 17:10

Why make a fuss?

Maybe in a couple of years Malta shall have its own 5000 or 10000 meter Olympic medalist. Those from Ethopia or Sudan are good at it. Look at the British, French and Americans. And now the Italians. Why not Malta? Perhaps we might attract some from China. A medal in gymnastics or diving isn't that bad. Or from Morocco for a long distance one!!

And by the way...how many "illegal" Ethopians do we have? Don't they have a country? They do have a flag and a beautiful anthem. Just watch the olympics. Why don't they catch a ride back? We're content enough with Willaim and tha other six we sent to China.

But on the other hand we need inexpensive rubbish collectors, street sweepers and stone carriers. In a few years WE shall be catching their boats to escape this lovable island. ..If we're that lucky.

Hey Authorities. Open your minds and act for the sake of this tiny culture of ours. Enough is enough...PLEASE.

guze xerri

Aug 23rd 2008, 17:06

Yes , new outboard motor, new life vests, healthy passengers...

What a Con Job !!
You are being HAD Malta !

Repatriate ALL illegal immigrants to their country of origin NOW !!
No passport or papers you say?
nothing that a team of able linguists can't solve.

Malta and the Maltese people had enough of this.

Joanne Micallef

Aug 23rd 2008, 16:57

@ Mr Joseph Sammut - Re the link you provided it was over a year ago July 2007 and the EU hasn't so much as flinched in our direction since. If the EU really did care about the negative repercussions our country will face in the not so distant future because of this massive influx year after year, it would not have FORCED our Goverment to ratify the outstanding articles of the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees in order to be accepted as an EU member state.

Besides because we are a member state we are FORCED to accept, feed and cloth all illegal immigrants not just the genuine refugees who make up only a tiny percent ( just about 200 ) of the thousands that have landed on our shores.

Marcel Dingli

Aug 23rd 2008, 16:48

Well said Joe Morana. However i doubt if there will be a next time. Opponents to illegal immigration have been silenced or nearly so. Its not so good being charged in court with probabilities and knowing that one might end up at Corradino. Something like this kills the morale and it has happened in various ways to many people, one being this week, you resign your political post or you lose your job. It seems the people are reaping what they have sown. Good Luck Maltastan or Maltabad, the only thing left now is to choose a suitable name . Any more sugestions?

B Borg

Aug 23rd 2008, 16:45

@ M Aloisio

Did it ever occur to you that illegal immigration can be used as a tool to keep wages down at a time when the labour supply is supposedly tight and inflation sky high?

Could it be that there are developers who donate a lot of funds to the political party of their choice and who have a direct interest in the cheap labour that is responsible for more and more new empty dwellings?

Franco Farrugia

Aug 23rd 2008, 16:43

No Government wants this problem. Certainly no Government of ours wants to have these immigrants in our country.

I certainly don't want them in my country in such high numbers - however, I am not prepared to see them treated with lack of dignity once they are in my country; now am I prepared to know that we have not gone out to sea and help them while they were in distress.

All this having been said, the Government must do everything in its power, and more, to ensure that these immigrants stop coming to our shores and that the many immigrants that are here are quickly repatriated, with dignity, at the earliest convenience.

There ... now, how's that for a rational suggestion? Quite a difference from all the screams that one keeps hearing from news items such as these! :-)

Franco Farrugia

Aug 23rd 2008, 16:39

Almost all of you are suffering so much with anger which is building up deep inside yourselves, that you are not even prepared to try and be rational about what is happening around you. Even those who come from strong academic backgrounds, schools, etc...

You attack your fellow-Maltese and call them 'do-gooders' - as if there was ever anything wrong with being called thus - and describe them as people who want immigrants in our country, when it is absolutely not true.

The truth is that nobody is happy with the immigrants here in Malta, and for many reasons. I will mention just one: that it has brought the very worst in the Maltese character and that we, as a people, have become vile, dishonest, angry, to the point of murdering innocent human beings - and then we say we are against abortion,yeah, pull the other one.

Anyway ... as I was saying: nobody in his right senses wishes Malta to host so many immigrants. What your 'do-gooders' insist on is that immigrants are not left to die, out at sea. And that once in this country, immigrants are continually detained and treated with dignity.

F. Camilleri

Aug 23rd 2008, 16:36

Please note that the first part of my last comment was directed to Joseph Sammut .
@Joseph Sammut
Thanks for your comment and the link.
I suggest to all to follow the link.

The ball is now in the EU's court.
ALL LOCAL POLICAL PARTIES must present a DETERMINED UNITED FRONT re this issue.

Mark Aloisio

Aug 23rd 2008, 16:31

Complex problems rarely, if ever, have simple solutions. Those who babble on that solving the problem of illegal immigration would be a piece of cake if only spineless politicians and bothersome humanitarian organizations would just step aside need their head tested.

F. Camilleri

Aug 23rd 2008, 16:19

Thanks for your comment and the link.
I suggest to all to follow the link.

The ball is now in the EU's court.
ALL LOCAL POLICAL PARTIES must present a DETERMINED UNITED FRONT re this issue.


@SOME OF THE OTHER COMMENTS:

This issue has NOTHING to do with CHRISTIANITY.

This issue is ABOVE PARTY POLITICS.
It is HIGHLY UNETHICAL to use such A SERIOUS NATIONAL ISSUE to hide A POLITICAL AGENDA.

The IMPORTANT THING is to present a NATIONAL FRONT irrespective of our individual political affiliations.
Nothing is worse that giving the idea to the EU that we are a divided country re this issue.
Let us not weaken our position in defending our country by placing our political affiliations above our Nation.

Our children, who due their age, are still in the dark about this precarious issue, are essentially ‘Our Nation.’
LET US JOIN FORCES AND DEFEND THEIR FUTURE.

OUR CHILDREN AND OUR ADOLESCENTS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY POLITICAL PARTY!!

Joanne Micallef

Aug 23rd 2008, 16:14

@ Mr Mark Aloisio - None of the other countries have our UNIQUE characteristic, we are TINY and already over populated as it is and because of these I repeat UNIQUE characteristics our Government, if willing that is, has a very valid reason to stand up for this Nation.
Let us not forget that Dr Borg Olivier a very respectable prime minister of our past has done good by the Maltese Nation by remembering our uniqueness when he signed the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, unfortunately his responsible gesture was betrayed by none other than his successor as leader of the PN, who clearly wanted to see Malta in the EU at all costs.

Raymond Sammut

Aug 23rd 2008, 16:11

@ Mark Aloisio

You call us "bright sparks" and you are brighter than us still. You can realise things that do not even occur to us. Bravo, Mr Aloisio, bravo.

Mark Aloisio

Aug 23rd 2008, 15:57

All of you bright sparks who keep going on like a broken record about how the government and opposition are weak, incompetent, and whatever - does it ever occur to you that maybe the problem does not have an easy solution? Or are all Western governments somehow conspiring to bring in as many illegal immigrants as they can inside their own borders?

Joe Morana

Aug 23rd 2008, 15:53

To all of you proud Maltese citizens who now lament this gradual erosion of our Maltese culture, and encroachment on our Maltese identity, I pose this question: Which of you voted for the party now in power? Conversely, which of you voted for the party now in opposition? Wrong choices on both counts since neither had the courage to mention tackling the problem of illegal immigration at the last election. Next time, IF THERE IS A NEXT TIME, consider voting for that party which has the courage to put forward a plan to eradicate this scourge from our midst. As ye sow, so ye shall reap!

J.Spiteri

Aug 23rd 2008, 15:45

I agree with most people writing about this "II" problem, but unfortunately it is a waste of time, the government and opposition party are "lame ducks", afraid to upset the EU. We should all be pressurising your local MP's, saying that you will not vote for them unless they starting putting pressure to their leaders to do something about it immediately.

Raymond Sammut

Aug 23rd 2008, 15:27

@ FRANK MERCIECA

"FAIRER THAN THE MALTESE"

I am Maltese, and do not consider anyone on the entire planet to be "fairer" than me.

f.frendo

Aug 23rd 2008, 14:07

Frank mercieca would you dream of even trying to enter another country illegally? and if you did do you think you would be allowed in? If you feel so much for these immigrants why not accomodate a couple of them in your house? Christianity should be lived not just preached so come on set an example. if you don't then the next best thing to do is to shut up.

Sandro Pace

Aug 23rd 2008, 14:02

I know everyone is entitled to his opinion, but please try to spare us the usual "cause they are not blonde Europeans" naive and ridiculous arguments.

First of all, we share freedom of movement with EU citizens. And we obtained some mechanism against an improbable large intra-EU influx. Same did the EU with the latest new entrants (lest it will be overwhelmed, so for the millions some EU countries need).

Secondly, a north to south massive movement is not going to happen anyhow. Rest assured about that. "Nordics" keep their countries spic and span, and are not going to ruin it.

And lastly, in large numbers, everything bothers. We surely do not want to be an Ossetia or a Crimea in the mediterrenean.

louise vella

Aug 23rd 2008, 13:53

The Christian do-gooders include Lawrence Gonzi and Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici.

Joe Scerri

Aug 23rd 2008, 13:49

The photo should be used as a postcard from Malta.

Joanne Micallef

Aug 23rd 2008, 13:38

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS will continue to come year after year until our island will become one massive open centre. At this rate in about 15/20 years time Malta's population will consist mostly of people coming from Africa rather than local Maltese.

How can our obligations towards these illegal immigrants be greater than that towards our National Interest?

Shame on our Goverment and shame on us for letting him get away with such a grave injustice towards us Maltese, the same Nation that Dr Gonzi has taken an oath to serve and protect.

apgrech

Aug 23rd 2008, 13:36

Did the President, Tonio Borg and John Dalli go to Libya for discussions with Ghaddafi or was it just a holiday?

F. Camilleri

Aug 23rd 2008, 13:29

@Matthew Borg
The vast majority of the Maltese population including myself, who are:
i. rational enough to foresee the stark negative implications of ILLEGAL
immigration,
ii. honest enough to OPENLY argue against ILLEGAL immigration,
are NOT EVEN REMOTELY expected ‘to start hosting’ ILLEGAL immigrants.

Conversely, the so called ‘do gooders’ who are ALL IN FOR ILLEGAL immigration are:
i. supporting an ILLEGAL activity and therefore accomplices in crime,
ii. duty-bound to live what they preach and ‘be the first to lead by example…. to start
hosting ILLEGAL immigrants in their homes.’
This suggestion is not ‘a ridiculous suggestion!’ as you argued.
Moreover, they should shoulder the FINANCIAL AND LOGISTIC responsibilities
too!

Incidentally, the term ‘do gooders’ is inadequate in this situation.
‘ILLEGAL do-gooders’ is more appropriate!

How can one be a ‘do gooder’ when one is:
i. an accomplice in crime,
ii betraying his own country and supporting crime,
iii. betraying his/her fellow citizens, and own children/adolescents,
iv. placing the near future of our Maltese generations at high risk,
v. expect others who DO NOT SUPPORT CRIME to pay for his ‘ILLEGAL good’?

This is a case of self-appointed ‘ILLEGAL DO GOODERS’ being HYPOCRITES of the first degree.

Joseph Sammut (ta' Harrbat)

Aug 23rd 2008, 13:10

From FINAnCIAL TIMES, London:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d73d72bc-2a90-11dc-9208-000b5df10621.html?nclick_check=1

Malta pleads for EU help to cope with illegal immigrants and has made a call for help to deal with illegal immigrants who are landing on the small Mediterranean island after making perilous sea crossings from Africa.

"We find ourselvs on the very front line of the border between Europe and Africa", said PM Gonzi, Maltese prime minister, yesterday.

"We are facing an increasing influx, we have huge problems."

He called on other European Union members to share the burden that his country faced by assisting with the repatriation of illegal entrants and providing administrative support to cope with the arrivals.

His comments underline the EU's long-running debate about how to deal with the attempts by thousands of people to enter illegally via its southern shores each summer. Many die on the journey.. . .

. . . Xenophobia was rising in Malta as a result of the influx, Gonzi warned. "Integrating the immigrantsin the community is impossible. It is impossible to provide housing and schooling for them. The pressure on our system is enormous."

Joseph Agius

Aug 23rd 2008, 13:05

may i ask if these immigrants are blindfolded during the last weeks before they come to Malta?....I mean why isn't there at least one immigrant out of the 11,000 coming here who can indicate the people involved in this racket, the criminals involved in this million dollar illegal business and the procedure involved to get boats, life jackets, satellite mobiles, dingy etc etc

J.Galea

Aug 23rd 2008, 13:02

@Mr FRANK MERCIECA
Maybe you should pack your belongings and go make a living in such other african countries illegally.I assure you ,you won't even have the slightest chance to touch thier country's soil by your feet, then you will dragged and tortured (if you are FAIRER) ...... addios human rights and whatever.

joseph scicluna

Aug 23rd 2008, 12:52

sure Malta must do somthing now,today i mean because i do not like to keep paying TAX for any thing that is illegal.All those that do not agree must go to the tax man and let them pay for illegal immigrants

apgrech

Aug 23rd 2008, 12:48

@Frank Mercieca: Malta signed the human rights acts but these humans are abusing us so why accomodate them?

Raymond Sammut

Aug 23rd 2008, 12:34

Puckish, Mr Bennet.

Edwin Mifsud

Aug 23rd 2008, 12:29

@FRANK MERCIECA

"Malta signed the human rights act....."

Fair enough and I fully agree.

Maltese people are Humans and we have our Rights too. We have a right and an obligation to decide who comes to OUR land and for how long.

Malta has its obligations but also it's limitations.

Is Mr. Mercieca going to surrender his Job, Home and belongings to "THESE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE", to set an christian example?

Marcel Dingli

Aug 23rd 2008, 12:26

@ Frank Mercieca
ANR and Azzjoni Nazzjonali complained about the sexy blondes who were also illegal immigrants.

Kenneth Galea

Aug 23rd 2008, 12:18

@Frank Mercieca The culture and the upbringing of Northern Europe citizens is totally different to the African culture. Remember that Africa is still a century backwards, its people are mostly unskilled, therefore they are an immediate burden on us once they are brought ashore. This gives way to alarm and fear amongst the majority of the Maltese population. We are indeed concerned that the Africans are a huge burden on our public services. Northern Europe citizens get on with it and don't need to be looked after so there is little concern of panick and insecurity.
The individuals who raised their concerns about tourism are right. Well figures speak for themselves already, the number is down all in the name of illegal immigration from Africa!!!

Andrew Harding

Aug 23rd 2008, 12:17

Oh no not again !, I felt the tide was beggining to turn a little this week when I read that a number had been returned to Libya by the AFM, but oh no, wake up Malta before it's to late, your history, culture, and whole way of life is now under threat if this continues much longer, wake up before it's too late and you become outsiders in your own country, the UK is suffering now because of the stupidity of the past, you must act now, if not you will have the rest of eternity to regret your mistakes.

J Farrugia

Aug 23rd 2008, 12:16

Frank mercieca: if they were from northern they would go back to their own country.
To tom bennett: He'aint heavy, he's my brother. Off course he is; even the Maltese are my brothers but charity begins at home and when I see you giving them a roof upon their heads then will I believe you. And again Malta cannot afford to keep all of Africa in our tiny island. Be practical and stop being cynical.
To mattew Borg, Mrs L Vella has been doing her duty by telling us of the future prospects for us Maltese citizens, which do not look good. And Mrs Vella is kind hearted as I know her. It is you who should practice what you are preaching to us, what you and your dogooder liberals are trying to impose on the people of Malta.

I Abela

Aug 23rd 2008, 12:07

Just look at the photo above and THINK. 30 brand new life jackets, all of them the same brand. Tens or Hundreds of boats per week !! A good point to start an investigation (if any of the authorities really wanted) would be, who the hell is buying tens of thousands of life jackets per season? I have witnessed several landings at Zurrieq. The boats are crappy but the outboards are brand new? Now who the hell would be buying thousands of 40HP outboards per season? Just look at the photo again, do you see anyone feeling sick? Actually they don't even look tired. A trip from Lybia to Malta in such an overloaded boat, with such an outboard, 15 hours a day in the blistering sun, 9 hours a night in the shivering cold, without food and water, without navigation instruments, it would be impossible even for Christopher Columbus or Marco Polo. Does anyone still have a doubt that these people are unloaded by larger vessels, close to our shores?

Brian Fenech

Aug 23rd 2008, 12:05

Frank, just be quiet! you don't even know what you're saying! I am maltese and live in the U.K, my family and I were planning to move back to Malta, however, in second thoughts, maybe not! I don't want my daughter to be raised in this hell.

Everyone kept quiet in Malta, I thought Maltese are much more stronger and will fight to keep Malta as beautiful as it always been, however, with disappointment, I have not seen this happen.
I think its time to say, GOODBYE MALTA!! ONCE A DIAMOND IN THE MIDDLE OF MEDITERRANEAN!

Joseph Cauchi

Aug 23rd 2008, 11:58

1) What is the Government waiting for?
When is it going to take the bull by its horns?
It seems NEVER!
Or is it perhaps, that this government is conscious of the fact that in five years' time there will be a new government in Malta and thus pass this "buck" on to the new government?

2) Unfortunately, this situation is effecting our Tourist industry. As earlier stated by our English friend, I, also, have been many times told that Malta is becoming another "Brixton" or "Clapham Junction" - and that they no longer feel that they are on holiday in Malta! - And so, why bother to come to Malta?

3) Our beloved island will in few years time lose its charm and it will no longer be the tourist island that we all had been striving for. After all these investments by our taxes and private investors, all will be in vain and wasted. All this will go up in smoke!

4) No wonder, then, that many Maltese investors are already noticing this negative prospect, and are in fact investing in other more reliable countries such as in Cyprus, Thailand, etc...

WAKE UP MALTA.

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE.

J.Galea

Aug 23rd 2008, 11:32

These Christian do-gooders (att Matthew Borg) who are always supporting these illegal immigrants will definetly refuse to host them at thier own homes. Today some of these so called christians are complaining about these illegal immigrants living in thier own block of apartments, sometimes in groups of 5 in each dwelling !!!!

FRANK MERCIECA

Aug 23rd 2008, 11:24

MALTA SIGNED THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT....STICK BY IT. I BET THAT IF THESE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE WERE FROM NORTHERN EUROPE, IE. FAIRER THAN THE MALTESE NOBODY WOULD COMPLAIN.

S.Aquilina

Aug 23rd 2008, 11:18

Since they started sending Africans to America to unite with their family, the number has doubled. Coming to Malta after all is better then Europe or America. We are encouraging them to come to Malta.

John Azzopardi

Aug 23rd 2008, 11:15

I have been saying what Mr Simmons said below a long time. The damage that is being done to Malta with these illegal immigrants will one day impact our country and tourism immensely. When you look at Malta, Malta is just a city state of 400,000 people. We cannot resolve Africa's problems. For us to keep accepting this influx (which we are doing) and we should stop begging all over Europe and to the US to take these illegals off our hands because it's not going to work. When we hear a few went to the US, another 10 or 20 to another country, this turns into a big joke for us Maltese and the people on the streets know it. It is time for the government and the opposition (who we rarely hear anything from) to start forumulating a national policy on this illegal immigration issue and outline how many people can Malta( given it's size and resources) really accept. We have worked very hard to get to where they are today and a lot will be lost once we have to start including all these people in our already strained healthcare system and social servies.

Tom Bennet

Aug 23rd 2008, 11:03

He ain't heavy, he's my brother!

Marcel Dingli

Aug 23rd 2008, 10:43

@ Matthew Borg
NO Louise`s Vella sugestion is not ridiculous. The apparent do-gooders expect others to do all the "good" then sit pretty and do very little except complain about the housing facilities the immigrants are housed in, and call people racist. I am sorry Mr Borg,those who want the immigrants can keep them, and they can keep them in their homes. Why do you expect everyone to share the burden when we knew long ago that this would turn into a complex problem ? Louise Vella has come up with a workable sugestion, and you call it ridiculous. Are we to conclude that the apparent do-gooders do not want to give a home to at least one illegal immigrant? If people like you want them , they can keep them.

B Borg

Aug 23rd 2008, 10:41

@ Joe Vella:

Some developers are truly kind; they provide an income for some of the illegal immigrants without the necessary N.I. contributions and other tax burdens, with a hefty discount on their rights as workers, as well as their pay. In time, the same developers could become so benevolent as to give away their excess empty dwellings to the same illegal immigrants at give-away prices.

K Ellul

Aug 23rd 2008, 10:41

The people in charge have forgotten what our father fought so hard for. Our country is doomed as I see it. The goverment and GonziPN obviously have no clue or guts to come up with a sollution.

The majority of Malta is fedup with this situation.... apart from the Christian do-gooders,

B Borg

Aug 23rd 2008, 10:32

What are our authorities doing in the meantime? Sleeping like a beauty...
Maybe one day, when it´s all too late, then, maybe, we start looking after our own as we should.

B Borg

Aug 23rd 2008, 10:30

While on a brief holiday on Malta, I overheard an illegal immigrant talking in French to another illegal immigrant at the bus stop. He said that in Malta he lives like a king, that the government gives him free meals and free accommodation, a free mobile phone, top-ups for his phone, and a monthly allowance (was it 160€ a month?). He said he had just started working illegally and he instructed his wife to come over with their kids on the first boat they can catch!

If I were to move back to Malta, I´m not even entitled to social benefits in case I don´t have a job immediately.

What happened to the principle that you pay for whatever you consume? If I drive my car into Valletta, I have to pay. If I work, I have to pay taxes. If I use a carpark, I have to pay for the parking. If I want to buy food, I have to pay for it. Once illegal immigrants have to do the same, their numbers will start decreasing, but until then, they will keep on coming in increasing numbers.

SIMPLY OUTRAGEOUS!

A Attard

Aug 23rd 2008, 10:26

How will Malta be in 20 Years time? With all these imigrants landing ashore!! we will definatly be financially raising their kids

J Farrugia

Aug 23rd 2008, 10:17

Wake up prime Minister ... do your duty. tackle this volcanic situation which is ready to explode.

B J Simmons

Aug 23rd 2008, 10:17

I have been a regular tourist to Malta for over twenty years. I do not wish to get involved with Maltese politics, however, from my own point of view I come to Malta to see friends, enjoy the lovely scenery and people. If I want to be surrounded by illegal immigrants, who pour into an already crowded country, whilst on holiday, I could stay in the UK! This would do Maltese tourism little good if other tourists, to whom I have spoken whilst visiting Malta, make the same decision. It is a great pity that this is allowed to continue whatever compassionate views some do gooders seem to have.

Joe Vella

Aug 23rd 2008, 10:16

If we do not get these immigrants how will the contractors find the manpower to add more to the impressive stock of empty houses and apartments? With the added benefit of increasing pollution?

Chris Park

Aug 23rd 2008, 10:08

The euphoria in diplomatic circles that's spilled over on the recent migrant group's return to Libya is just a burst bubble: the Spanish fishing vessel that retrieved that lot was heading there ANYWAYS, and needn't come to Malta to add up to the running totals.

With the phenomenon's problem now deeply entrenched here, these emigres are asking for Marsa not the jail when they are met by the AFM soldiers, now that the Italian Minister Maroni's new harsher legislation came into force there.

Kenneth Galea

Aug 23rd 2008, 10:02

@Louise Vella
Very good comment Louise. The Christian do-gooders job is only to preach with no actions. May I remind everybody that on 15th of June (this year) Carm made it clear that he would dismantle the tents in Hal Far which are hosting some of the illegal immigrants. He went on to say two new centres would be opened, one in Hal Far and one in Santa Venera. What message is this sending out there??? Dr Gonzi lost track of this illegal immigration and he is no longer in control. It is untrue that illegal immigrants are detained for 18 months, in some cases they are released after a couple of months.

Joseph Agius

Aug 23rd 2008, 09:50

I thought we were sending them back to Tripoli! ...must have been a dream.

Matthew Borg

Aug 23rd 2008, 09:48

Then Louise Vella should be the first to lead by example, if she expects people to start hosting illegal immigrants in their homes.

(What a ridiculous suggestion!)

louise vella

Aug 23rd 2008, 08:49

Since 2002 about 11 000 illegal immigrants have arrived, more than 2100 this year. Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici said (MaltaToday, June 15) he had contingency plans if arrivals top 2000. What plans? It’s time Christian do-gooders writing in newspapers and blogs volunteered to host illegal immigrants in their homes. They should lead by example, not words.