Government rejects Immigration Pact veto call

V Fenech

Oct 10th 2008, 17:31

This is another form of excuse from the PN for its incompetence towards the immigration issue. The Maltese are now used to this party trying to play with our sentiments. Calling others "racists" or "ignorant" is the usual way this party addresses the opinion of the majority of the Maltese. While accusing the Labour leader of their failures, PN is still avoiding revealing its actual and most effective plan to curb the problem once and for all.

Up to now, Gonzi can't even understand that the immigration pact is not enough and leaving apart the Labour party, Malta is waiting for something more serious!

G. Mangion

Sep 30th 2008, 18:44

@ a. attard

My friend your comment did not answered my Question, everybody knows that , if the if happens bright Joe will not SIGN Splendid !!
But what will be the outcome of this issue will be , joe did not tell us !! I will be so glad that maybe You WILL !!!
:):)

Guze Xerri

Sep 30th 2008, 15:48

@ M. Mercieca,

Far from a bocci club in Mosta or Hamrun, I have lived and worked in the most multicultural City in the world for over 40 years, and seen and experienced the disaster that
multiculturalism brings first hand.
No one in Malta is buying what you are trying to sell.

Bernard J Schranz

Sep 30th 2008, 15:01

Some too commented that the PN has betrayed Malta by joining the EU. Perhaps you are still unaware that the MLP itself was in fact in favour of this but chose to betray its own people, fooling them into thinking that EU accession was not viable. Had the MLP taken a different approach and worked hand in hand with the PN in the interest of ALL Maltese then today's situation might be different. Useless crying foul now but you should direct your chagrin at the people who truly took you for a ride then.

Logically the solution lies in creating opportunities for them in their own countries. It should be the same countries that have exploited them to do this primarily. There are opportunities for investment that would create employment and livelihood in these countries. Once these people have the ability to feed, clothe and educate themselves, then they can have some sort of independence, countering the need to flee to Europe.

Wars in these countries are the result of the lack of responsibility by the same countries who exploited them before and the EU should direct its efforts to reverse this.

David Seychell

Sep 30th 2008, 13:16

@M. Mercieca

How much more years are we going to waste before someone like you realises that:

1 Malta has the highest influx of clandestines per square kilometer in the whole world.

2.Malta is the 7th most overcrowded country in the world (this means the we are already very full up)

3. If Europe wanted/needed them why they refused the Burden Sharing? Why didn't the EU take our immigrants? The answer is they DON'T WANT THEM. They are happy using Malta as Europe's firewall.

And as you said the EU population is going to increase by millions in the near and far future.

Bernard J Schranz

Sep 30th 2008, 13:08

So sad to see the frenzy of some here trying to politicise this issue instead of being practical about a realistic solution. For starters, I too am not happy with the influx of these illegal immigrants but let's face it, would they stop coming if the MLP was in government? Would JM allow them to drown out there without offering any help? Anyone from the MLP camp can give us a reply?
I agree that we cannot force any other country to absorb any number of refugees themselves. Whoever is insisting on this just shows their ignorance and a very typical attitude of some who's reasoning is might is Right. It is only with LOGIC that you can sort out this problem, if at all.
To accept these people into Europe on the other hand will only encourage more of them to turn up on our shores. Can you not see beyond your noses? As soon as these people get what they want, then they will be even more attracted to follow further in these lines... they come to Malta and then wait to be absorbed into Europe, should that effectively happen.
(Continued)

A. Attard

Sep 30th 2008, 10:47

@ G Mangion

He already told you what he would do! HE WILL NOT SIGN THE PACT, HE WILL NOT BE A LICKER OF THE FORIGNERS AND HE WILL NOT SIGN UNTIL THE BURDEN SHARING IS OBLIGOTARY.

Joseph is a true leader of the Maltese people.

philip pace

Sep 30th 2008, 10:08

Welcome to the circus,
This important topic cannot be seen with blue or red tinted glasses as it is a national problem where it concerns everybody wherever you live , whatever your standard of living is and for each and everyone's future.
The bad news is that if the Prime Minster doesn't take heed of the realistic point of view as expressed by neutral bloggers and on the streets he would do a great disservice to the country that elected him and his party to lead.
If he doesn't reflect on what he thinks his Government acheived ,he would surely lose the confidence that the people had in him (six months ago) which means more troubled times ahead are in for us.
With this document, we have acheived nothing to safeguard our personal and national interest.
More immigrants would be dumped on us and no help from the EU.
A massive problem like this has to seen from a straight neutral and realistic perspective.
So dear Prime Minister listen to what the people say, take your time and reflect. If you have to change something from the document do it now before it would be too late.

Rejected bananas

Lawrence Martinelli

Sep 30th 2008, 10:05

Shaun Camilleri is right......Maltese passport to all arriving boat people and (of course) a FREE ticket to the E.U. country of their choice.

M. Mercieca

Sep 29th 2008, 23:43

@ Guze Xerri
My stance is clear. I am always in defending for human being illrevant of color-race or creed. Also I against any form of illegality. However, we must not forget that:
• Just because some persons do not have documents, it does not mean they do not have rights.

• Malta is a country that forms part of the international community and not (isolated Bocca-Club in Mosta or Hamrun)


This is not me who says, Europe needs immigrants by millions, please click and read:
EU population getting dangerously old

Beyond just ageing, the bloc's population will be decreasing as well.
By 2015, the number of deaths will exceed the number of births in the EU, with immigration becoming the only factor boosting the bloc's population, the survey says.
After an initial increase from 495 million currently to 521 million in 2035, the total population in the EU's 27 member states will again drop to 506 million in 2060.
The population of Bulgaria is to shrink the most (28%), followed by Baltic countries Latvia (26%) and Lithuania (24%), as well as Romania (21%) and Poland (18%).

http://euobserver.com/9/26645/?rk=1

G Mangion

Sep 29th 2008, 18:31

@ all moaners

WHAT WILL JOE, DO IF HE WAS IN THE P.M'S SHOES ? ok he will tell us in at least Five (5)
Year's time !!! if if if............... ???

deb bugeja

Sep 29th 2008, 16:27

There is always this issue that EU mentions illegal immigrants but there isn t a word that the EU must track down the human traffickers who are making lots of money by transporting these people. In the past years there was never a human trafficker caught.

M.Muscat

Sep 29th 2008, 15:58

ATTN.Jos.Briffa
So according to your voice in the wilderness, we should let these people or Gaddafi for that matter, weaving plots to take over Malta by means of the illegal immigrants. We can do nothing you say, unless we stop Gaddafi from doing that and it's obvious, we cannot. So let us give up, throw in the towel, accept a rotten pact, and dangle a carrot , the 5,000 Euro scheme, and just hope for the best.

Allow me, it's not the postings that are out of touch but, to put it mildly, your way of reasoning. You just cannot perceive that our bus is full and we cannot take more on board. You said " that if some people think that by doing nothing Malta is going to solve the problem, they are deeply mistaken" and here you are perfectly right. This means we must do something urgently irrespective of whether these immigrants choose to scuttle their boats or not. Whoever plays with fire, may burn himself.

Your theory of sitting pretty is the best thing to do, does'nt hold water and it would be best if you come out with a better solution. Perhaps you can.

David Seychell

Sep 29th 2008, 15:47

@Tony Cassar

"Do you know that Malta is obliged to do this because it has signed International Conventions to this effect?"

Yes we know. We know that we can't solve this problem because our hands are tied behind our back with these international conventions.

These conventions OBLIGE Malta to take in all the illegal immigrants no matter how much they are (even if they are 100,000s) and no matter our population density and limited land area.

That's why we need a referendum: to ask the people do you want to sign out from these conventions?

After all we are supposed to live in a democratic country where the people decides for itself. That's the meaning of democracy but till now the people's will (amounting to over 85%) remained on a dusty shelf for all these years.

m farrugia

Sep 29th 2008, 15:34

@ tony cassar
many thanks for your info, these facts by knowledgeable people such as yourself help us understand the complexity of the problem and that there is no easy solution. If there was, the govt. would surely resort to it. We need to get the facts right before blaming authorities for not acting and politicising the issue. Some explanation such as this from the govt side will surely help a lot to inform citizens about the issue.

stephen vella

Sep 29th 2008, 15:01

Where are your strong hands Dr Gonzi? Where are you at all? Can' t you see the country is desperate for answers.

Emma Xerri

Sep 29th 2008, 13:20

Dear Prime Minister

You are elected to represent YOUR people, the Maltese. Do not betray this trust placed in you. Read the will of the people and act according to their wishes.

Do not give in to the nefarious plotters and schemers whose allegiance is not to our Country and our People but to their own cause (you know who these wolves in sheep's clothing are and so do we).

Mike Magri

Sep 29th 2008, 13:05

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

I am sure that you have heard of the saying.... "..A HALVE BAKED AGREEMENT IS WORST THAN NONE..."....!!!!!!!!!!!

So let`s do what the GREATEST MAJORITY of these beloved Islands, want to do...

FOR THE TRUE BENFITS OF THE MALTESE PEOPLE..... DO NOT SIGN THIS `HALVE BAKED` AGREEMENT..... IT`S A TRAP ON US BY THE OTHER MEMBERS.....

For ONCE....... LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE....... WE ARE WORRIED STIFF......

Shaun Camilleri

Sep 29th 2008, 12:43

Those politicians in Brussels are pulling your leg Maltese people. They give you nice sentences starting with maybe to keep you hoping that they will help you. However they will never do so as no country wants these illigal immigrants.

Why don't we give them all a Maltese passport and a flight of their choice to any EU country.

This administration is taking the mick.

E. Azzopardi

Sep 29th 2008, 10:44

Mr Tony Cassar
No offense, but from the way you answered me you seem to be detached from what is happening in our country. The Times Poll apart, haven't you noticed yet that the vast majority (except a handful, really a handful) of the Maltese are very worried and unhappy with this situtation? Don't you read the ''scientific'' surverys on the Sunday papers and whey they ask your brother and sister citizens, the illegal immigration problem is on top of their mind?
Nobody can deny this. And this is scientific.
Have you heard what happened in Austria yesterday???

I. M. Dingli

Sep 29th 2008, 10:34

@ Edwin Formosa / Tony Cassar

This matter is of National Importance so why not hold a referendum? Finally the Government and Dr. Gonzi are acknowledging the problem, proven by the fact that Dr. Gonzi mentioned this matter in his speech to the UN General Assembly.

Are you afraid of a referendum by any chance?

Edwin Formosa

Sep 29th 2008, 10:20

""Be a man Dr Gonzi. Give us a referendum on this issue. "" Since when are you not allergic to referenda anymore ? Do you still believe Glorious Partnership has won ?

victor.caruana

Sep 29th 2008, 09:53

I do not agree on a referendum. Let the government decide. The government has a majority of 49.3% and has every right to fool itself and the electorate.

Tony Cassar

Sep 29th 2008, 09:47

@ E Azzopardi

Don't bother about the times' online poll...

It's far from scientific, particularly if those that participated are the same people hailing from extreme right parties and movements who contribute to this forum...

Muscat Peter

Sep 29th 2008, 09:42

For the first time, Gonzi now says the EU countries 'have committed themselves'. Up to yesterday Gonzi was saying 'voluntary burden sharing'. D'tahwid !!!

Believe me, Dr Lawrence G., you are saying total contradictions. Hawwadni ha nifhem!

Let us see 'the EU countries have committed themselves' in the written agreement black on white, please, unless you are the only one saying this and it's not written anywhere!!

Tony Cassar

Sep 29th 2008, 09:42

"stopping boats from entering our territorial waters" Mmmm...

Do you know that Malta has what is called a "Search and Rescue Area" which is much larger than our territorial waters? Do you know that Malta is OBLIGED to rescue any vessel that sends a distress call in its Search and Rescue Area? Do you know that Malta is obliged to do this because it has signed International Conventions to this effect? Are we prepared to breach these Conventions and face the consequences such as embargoes etc?

Those are the questions we should all be asking...

STEPHEN FARRUGIA

Sep 29th 2008, 09:10

The Times survey shows that 75% don't believe that the pact is OF any good for Malta. This can only mean that the government must use its veto tool in this serious national crises since world war two.
The whole government, including people on this web site are being so illogical with not using the veto. These people must be held accountable for threating our nation state, peace of mind and for any future conflicts.
The Maltese people are being held hostage by UNHCR, Libya, EU, JRS, christain values and a weak government. All this is unacceptable and will have dire consequences.

Marvin Mizzi

Sep 29th 2008, 08:09

The goverment had a chance to show that he is ready to hear the voice of the people by saying NO to the farce which is the Immigration Pact. But he is trying to say that it managed to get big things for Malta. Mr. Government you need to be serious the Immigration Pact show how the EU threats Malta --- (have this crumb take or leave it). By voting for the pact you are cheating the electorate who voted you and just being nice to EU partners.

joyce aquilina

Sep 29th 2008, 07:58

the goverment is making me belive that they [PN] are happy with the situation

Roderick Zammit

Sep 29th 2008, 06:47

I think that this decision should be based on a referendum!

The voice of the maltese citezins should be given more weight

Michael Pace

Sep 29th 2008, 04:52

I remember an old saying;; There goes the neighborhood

Denis Catania

Sep 29th 2008, 04:02

This is the perfect time to have a mass peacefull demonstration asking the government not to sign this. This might be your last chance.

malcolm seychell

Sep 28th 2008, 23:59

Be a man Dr Gonzi.

Give us a referendum on this issue.

It is the least you can do if you decided to kill our culture, identity and tradtions as Maltese

In the EU nobody wants illegal immigrants.

Far right parties are gaining ground all over europe, thanks to politicians like you who are not listening to what the citizens are saying.

The right and Far Right are the only parties who are giving some hope and thats why just today the far right in Austria got 30% of the votes.

Ironically enough only communist parties in Europe act like the PN on this issue.

'Hu marru jiccelebraw l indipendenza. Lanqas tafu tisthu'

Mark Piscopo

Sep 28th 2008, 23:42

We must all email and encourage Dr Lawrence Gonzi not to sign the EU Immigration pact. We must show that we are not agreeing to this "farse". No matter if you are Red or Blue this is a national issue and will be affecting our every day lives.We must show Dr Gonzi that we are not satisfied with the Immigration pact agreed in the EU.

E. Azzopardi

Sep 28th 2008, 23:07

For the sake of our nation, I HOPE this works. However, I do not think it will, but then hope is eternal and it is the last thing to die!!! The Times Poll says it all.

A Calafato

Sep 28th 2008, 22:19

Do not know if to laugh or just cry. Is this government living in wonderland or is he the government of Malta in Montana USA?

signing this pact will literally blow us up by next summer. Oh my God :(

No EU country wants refugees!!! STOP BELIEVING FAIRY TALES!!!

m farrugia

Sep 28th 2008, 22:17

It's useless hoping that other countries will take on our immigrants once a number of other countries are also faced with immigration problems, with immigrants arriving either by sea (spain) or by land from East Europe.

Although pacts seem ineffective, there is probably no easy solution to this complex problem, as some of those commenting seem to think.

m farrugia

Sep 28th 2008, 22:11

Whilst Maltese are making a lot of fuss about the immigration problem and expecting other EU countries to take our immigrants, there are surely other EU countries which are faced with the same immigration problem, not necessarily immigrants arriving by boats but also by road, such as East Europeans wanting to enter Germany. So probably other countries will not be very willing to add to their own immigration problems and share our country's burdens.

Immigration Pacts and burden sharing are therefore likely to fail. Maybe our country would do better to try and solve the problem by stopping boats from entering our territorial waters. Maybe we could get some EU funds to provide our army with more resources to be able to stop immigrants before they enter our waters. After all if you enter another country by plane or land, you are asked to produce your passport & visa, why not do the same on the sea? Probably there are common routes which immigrant boats take which can be intercepted by Maltese patrol boats. This will help dishearten organisers of this human trafficking ring.

michael fenech

Sep 28th 2008, 22:08

MR.Mercieca, you are telling Dr. Muscat and AD not to use the illegal immigrants for political gains,on the other hand poeple like you and this GOVERNMENT keep using racism to try and gag any criticism for the MESS we are in.

Guze Xerri

Sep 28th 2008, 21:44

@M. Merceica,

You keep forgetting to put the word "illegal" before the word immigrant in your blog.
but at least it is not your usual broken record repetion of how the EU and Malta needs million upon million of unskilled and uneducated illegal people from hostile alien cultures in our land to help pay for our old age pension diatribe.

Nigel Lawrence

Sep 28th 2008, 21:41

They arrive ILLEGALLY and are instantly given "some sort of international protection". Does this mean that once here they are no longer illegal?

If that is the case, they must be assuming European identity by default, so there is nothing ILLEGAL to stop them continuing their journey to mainland Europe. Just an idea.

Noel Enriquez

Sep 28th 2008, 21:39

"an agreement which would benefit Malta." What a farce!!! How could Malta benefit if according to the other article "Member states have a choice of whether or not to help Malta in the immigration problem, and burden-sharing," and to confirm our worst fears, "when it took place, would only be applied to recognised refugees, who formed only a small percentage of the migrants who arrived in Malta." One wonders, why are non-confirmed refugees still here? And what guarantee do we have that burden sharing will take place? Will it end up like FRONTEX, a 'big' (false) solution to a real big problem? Nobody helped us then and they will not help us now. Do you seriously think that other EU countries really care? Again, John Bundy was right- Pajjiz tal-mickey mouse! Our country is led by pathetic, selfish politicians who ignore the people except for once every five years!!

Edwin Formosa

Sep 28th 2008, 21:38

The same things being said by the same people about different issues. Looks like the The Third Consecutive Defeat Orchestra playing. We heard similar 'intelligent arguments' against the EU during the referendum campaign when Partnership 'won' and disappeared with its maestro.

J Chircop

Sep 28th 2008, 21:07

Please Dr. Gonzi call a referendum about this issue! Lets be democratic.

C. Borg

Sep 28th 2008, 20:49

Dear Mark Piscopo .... everyone feels betrayed after the elections pass and promises prove to be electoral gimmicks .... but by next election everyone will be brainwashed and blindened into some other gimmick and will forget everything and vote again.

mark tanti

Sep 28th 2008, 20:48

The EU member states will never committ themselves to be obliged to take illegal immigrants from Malta because they know well tthat these illegal immigrants tomorrow or the day after will end living in their countries. As a civilsed country Malta is obliged to help these people when they find themselves in distress. What is important for Malta is that these people leave our country in one way or an other. With or without the immigration pact which for me is just (paroli fil vojt) this is the way Malta shoulf act irrelevant who is PM.

Joanne Micallef

Sep 28th 2008, 20:19

'The rest would be repatriated to their country of origin' What a joke, especially when just this week we read about a minute group of illegal immigrants who only went back to their country because they 'volunteered' to do so, and according to some against payment too.

Stop insulting our intelligence, the only way you can save our country Dr Gonzi if you manage to get back what your party so irresponsibly relinquished in order to become an EU member state.

Graham Holme

Sep 28th 2008, 20:15

Mr Mercieca.
It is not any pressure groups such as A.N scaremonging.
Unlike you ,and the few other do gooders, the people of Malta have taken their heads out of the sand and seen the devastating effect illegal immigration is having on the rest of the E.U
Understandably,they can see what the future holds if this invasion from Africa is not stopped sooner rather than later

Joseph E Briffa

Sep 28th 2008, 20:14

(ctd) We are unable to force other EU states to relieve us of this burden and we are also unable to force Libya into trying to prevent immigrants from departing from her shores. These are facts of life and we must face them. It's childish and naive for some to say that we should insist on making burden-sharing mandatory, and that we should try not to let any boat-people enter our territorial waters. This is pie in the sky. When the boat-people are chased away from our territorial waters they will scuttle their boat and we would still have to pick them up and bring them over to Malta, unless we want to let them drown.Do you think that these people have no brains? Quite a number of them are more educated than the average Maltese. Whatever we do they will keep coming; isn't it better then to have this Pact? At least we stand a chance of getting some relief from other EU states. The Eur5 000 scheme co-financed from EU funds is a great help as well and should result in the repatriation of a number of immigrants who don't qualify for refugee status.

Joseph E Briffa

Sep 28th 2008, 20:01

I am sorry but alot of the postings are out of touch with reality. As long as the quality of life in Europe remains much higher than that in Africa, poeple from Africa would want to seek pastures new in Europe to better their life; the same way that Europeans flocked to the USA in the first half of the 20th century. Once Africans know that they would not be allowed into Europe the legal way, they will resort to illegal means to get here. Isn't this evident? Wouldn't it be easier, safer and cheaper for the Africans to purchase a one way ticket to Europe, rather than risk their lives coming in a dinghy or a decrepit old boat, if it were possible for them to do it legally? So they will keep on coming. Malta is nearesty to Africa, therefore they come here until such time as Libya agrees not to let them leave her shores. But Libya has not so far cooperated with the EU as it wants to disgorge them. If some people think that by doing nothing Malta is going to solve this problem, they are deeply mistaken. (ctd)

malcolm seychell

Sep 28th 2008, 19:59

Just watching Net TV, the PN are saying that Muscat is misleading the public!!!!

If there is someone who is misleading the public is Mifsud Bonnici and the PN.

Stop acting like fools and put national interest first or else call an early election.

Mark Piscopo

Sep 28th 2008, 19:40

My family friends and I are feeling betrayed. Please do not sign for this Immigration pact.

A Daley

Sep 28th 2008, 19:35

Now we have a PM confirming that he does not understand what he is signing for, same thing happened with EFA when he signed the Accession Treaty.

Since 1954, only Mintoff could deal and negotiate in the interest of Malta.

When PN asked for Independence, they were happy with a Dominium Status.

Before that they also wanted to form part of Mussolini's Italy.

We have turned ourselves back to the times when we were the prostitutes of Europe.

But hey, we have a vote. Ha ha ha!

EU26 v Malta 1

malcolm seychell

Sep 28th 2008, 19:24

Shame on you Dr Gonzi

You are betraying your own country and also thousands who voted for you.

People might forget corruption, but surely they won't forget this especially that now Sant is history.

To sign this pact there must be obligatory burden sharing, and not voluntary.

l Galea

Sep 28th 2008, 18:47

There was no need for the pact since everything is on a voluntary basis.

So there is absolutely nothing to force other member countries to shoulder a share of the burden.

Voluntary burden sharing could also have been made at any time with any other member.

Can our representatives be so lackey when dealing with foreign institutions?

"The burden-sharing mechanism would apply for all migrants who enjoyed some sort of international protection – as was the case for most of the migrants who came to Malta. The rest would be repatriated to their country of origin."

So according to the statement "the majority of ILLEGAL immigrants enjoy some sort international protection" when we were previously told that from the more than 11,000 that came here only around 200 were eligible for refugee status.

Why is the Government preparing the Maltese citizens for the worst?

The vast majority of Maltese citizens want ALL ILLEGAL immigrants expelled out of Malta. ALL OF THEM.

We demand that the authorities immediately inform the public how many ILLEGAL immigrants have arrived in Malta since 2002 and how many have been repatriated.

Sandro Pace

Sep 28th 2008, 18:43

It all depends on the commitment. That the tune has now changed from 'refugees' to 'any sort of protection' is by all means a positive thing. But it all depends whether this is a systematic thing or one-offs.

The people will as usual be duped again. I bet this is going to start working somewhere near Spring 2009, prior to the MEPs. But afterwards, countries will invoke the 'voluntary' clause.

I am not trusting anything. A strong support to any strong and tough political voice on immigration will put the govt. on guard. It should not be taken for granted.

Tony Borg

Sep 28th 2008, 18:30

If it would benefit Malta as much as Frontex did.......then do NOT sign it!!!!

The EU took us for a ride when Frontex was set up....and is doing same now.

D Fenech

Sep 28th 2008, 17:54

No sorry!
Reject and say: THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
Another 129 on our shores today is an insult to our intelligence!!!!!!!!!!
It is the people who decide!
Enough is enough!!!!

Charles Sammut

Sep 28th 2008, 17:52

"EU member states having committed themselves to share the immigration problem."

How can you call something wihich is voluntary, a commitment?

In effect, whether Malta signs or not will not make any difference. Until such time as we take unilateral action in the real interest of our tiny nation we will be ignored.

The Maltese government cannot continue safeguarding the interests of illegal immigrants at the expense of its own citizens. And I am not referring to financial expense but to the negative social impact which this invasion is having on us Maltese. People are genuinely worried and depressed seeing the accelerating deterioration of the situation.

M. Mercieca

Sep 28th 2008, 17:46

The immigrants is an increasing phenomena, here to stay with us (irrelevant who’s there in the government). Any body in the government shoes ‘must act’ according to EU laws and EU, were human rights and minority rights must be observed.

Dr. Joseph Muscat, perfectly understand this. So, please, no need to waste time and use the immigrants for political gains.

I also beg all other pressure groups such as AN, not to play with the immigrants cards to scaremonger the peoples and increase xenophobia and racism among population.

Petr Roberts

Sep 28th 2008, 17:46

By assistance for Malta does this mean cash handouts ? there by sweeping the problem of illegal immirgration under the carpet for most E.U. states

D. Spiteri

Sep 28th 2008, 17:41

Gonzi said: "While Dr Muscat was taking a position against the Immigration Pact, the Labour leader had not proposed any alternative, the government said."

So it seems that our govt will be signing the pact because he has no other alternative and that he is waiting for an altenative from Muscat! Is this what governments do? Do they wait for an alternative opinion from their opposing party to take an idea of what they should do?
This is a BONELESS govt!!!!

V Fenech

Sep 28th 2008, 17:39

This is another form of excuse from the PN for its incompetence towards the immigration issue. The Maltese are now used to this party trying to play with our sentiments. Calling others "racists" or "ignorant" is the usual way this party addresses the opinion of the majority of the Maltese. While accusing the Labour leader of their failures, PN is still avoiding revealing its actual and most effective plan to curb the problem once and for all.

Up to now, Gonzi can't even understand that the immigration pact is not enough and leaving apart the Labour party, Malta is waiting for something more serious!