Migration features in talks with German minister

@ David Seychell

Very simple

We should help them go back to Libya... it's a safe country after all... they are not persecuted there...

After all its the responsibility of the Libyan authorities if they're leaving their shores. Why should be shoulder Libya's shortfalls??

This is where we need the EU's help

@ malcolm seychell
I fully understand you eagerness to collecting votes, with hope, eventually a pressure group like (AN) may fill ONE ballot box!
In political terms, don’t you think, in political terms, it’s too early for far-right parties in Austria to celebrate?
Do you think a part adopting 'NAZI theory' can run, or even take part in any serious government? Do you really still think that far-right parties has a place in Europe? if so, keep hoping then!
What would Dr. Josie Muscat do if he is our PM and we will be having a boat full of immigrants?
If the immigrants are a real bug, at least, why don’t you urge your supporters or the moaners down here to urge our FAM no to go and assist any boat in the sea?

The problem of illegal immigration is a complex one indeed. However, the government does have to draw the line at some point. What David Seychell says is correct, the more immigrants taken in by both Malta and the EU, the more will come. The burden will become greater and greater and the bubble will eventually burst. The question is, does the government wait until it is too late and all is lost, or does it take action now before the country is sucked completely dry?

Louise Vella has raised four very valid points to help solve this crisis. Doing nothing except taking in without question every boatload of illegal immigrants which supposedly was adrift in Malta's SAR area is only increasing people's concerns. We need to see swift and firm action from the government. Voluntary burden sharing and Frontex will only exacerbate the problem.

The focus should be on discouraging these people from making the journey - give them food, water and fuel, and TURN THEM BACK. Word will soon get round that it is a futile journey especially since they all seem to be equipped with satellite phones.

For those who are interested here are the latest figures
http://www.pq.gov.mt/PQweb.nsf/10491c99ee75af51c12568730034d5ee/c1256e7b003e1c2dc12574d00046c20c?OpenDocument

http://www.pq.gov.mt/PQweb.nsf/10491c99ee75af51c12568730034d5ee/c1256e7b003e1c2dc12574d00046c20c/$FILE/2248%202006-2007%20illegal%20immigrants.doc

What I noticed is that when asked about the number of people who got a refugee status the minister quoted the number of persons that got humanitarian protection instead, but referred to them as immigrants with international protection.
Now as far as I know humanitarian protection is ONLY given here in Malta, no other country gives this status, one is either a refugee or an illegal immigrant.
So I ask, will referring to the migrants with humanitarian protection as migrants with international protection help them qualify for the voluntary burden sharing or since this 'protection' does not exist in any other EU country, will they refuse to acknowledge their status and therefore the migrants concerned will not qualify for the voluntary burden sharing?

What we need:

1. Strengthen Frontex to become an agency protecting the southern borders of Mata and the EU and not a ferry service for illegal immigrants

2. Maltese government to have a serious and determined policy to repatriate illegal immigrants, with logistical help from EU partners

3. Share the burden of remaining illegal immigrants with those EU countries which need their manpower

4. Ignore so-called "international criticism" because it is fomented and organised by the same few Maltese individuals

Quick facts: Africa population is 922 million and is increasing rapidly while EU's is 499 million.

For every 10 the EU takes in, 100 more will appear on the horizon, for every 100 we take in 1000 more will come. Hence the more we take in the more will come. That's why the only solution is to KEEP THEM OUT.

If someone is drowning we go and help them even if they sink their own boat to fool us. WE SAVE THEM BUT NOT ADOPT THEM ALSO. Once we give them food and fuel we let them decide if to go back to Libya or continue to Europe. And if there is a CRAZY law that OBLIGE us to intake them all no matter how much they are and no matter our overcrowded population and no matter our limited land space and no matter the will of 90% of the maltese people: we change that law.

I love the PN for getting us in the EU.

But guys, let's be rational for a moment... the PN lacks the balls to punch on key issues with the EU. They seem too submissive, unable to make Malta's voice matter especially on such a key issue... perhaps they are a victim of their own legacy?

Let's be honest... beyond our blind stadium type support...

@ Tony Cassar

Are your sure that all the points mentioned are being followed by the Government?

@ J Martinelli

If you read what I said, it is the EU (as a bloc) that needs to make EXTREME DIPLOMATIC pressure on Libya and not Malta by itself!!!

It's funny how you misinterpreted what you wanted and then all all of a sudden you conveniently conclude with something that the EU can do collectively

Ah.. just wait till our PM gathers around Berlusconi and Gaddafi for a man to man talk to solve this problem.
I am sure you can take to the bank what these two reliable foreign leaders tell our Lawrence.

used car salesmen have more credibility.

@Tony Cassar: I would simply vote NO, on everything they put in front of us. If they need 400,000,000 Euros for a transit system, Malta should vote NO. If they need 500,000,000 to fund environmental issues, Malta should vote NO. Then you simply tell them, when you come to realty with our national crisis, we will deal with your issues. Simple as that Tony Cassar. By the way I'm a PN supporter.It's not matter of winning the next elections, because I can't see the PN winning the next elections. How many elections will the PN lose do to this, do nothing attitude with the illegals.
@J Martinelli: As far as Libya, you know what the USA did. If the EU can't do that. What is the benefit of the EU? The best way to convince the EU, is the same answer I gave Tony Cassar.

@ E Gatt

Considering that steps 1, 3, 4 and 5 which you mentioned were already being practiced by this Government before Berlusconi was elected so I guess that you are safe in continuing to call yourself a Nationalist.

Actually, Maroni even went as far as to copy us in detaining illegal immigrants for a minimum of 18 months!

@ Wayne Hewitt,
Yes the problem is Libya.
I am sure Col. Gaddafi's secret police can have a word with the Yamaha outboard motor dealer in Libya and the dealer of life vests who sells 28 life vests at a pop.
maybe his secret police can persuade these dealers to divulge who the buyers are.
but I am being too logical here.

Wayne Hewitt, no one is scared to admit that Libya is the biggest problem from where the immigrants leave Africa and while whining about it, exactly what would you do if you had an opportunity? Go to war?

E Gatt mentioned Berlusconi and his 'measures'. One of his measures was to pay Libya some six billion euros compensation 'for the years of Italy's colonial period injustices' (or something to that effect). Funny how after the agreement with Libya by Berlusconi, Lampedusa received the highest number of illegal immigrants in one day!

So, EXTREME DIPLOMACY plus a tidy sum, still did not solve the problem. We can afford neither the billions, nor the means of persuasion.

The best we can do is to convince the other 26 EU member states to act as a conduit for the immigrants who land on our shores.

Anyone else with practical and humane solutions, please come forward.

Also burden sharing is only a way to tampon the haemorrhage, it is not a solution. The problem with illegal migration IS Libya but everyone is scared to admit it. The EU must make EXTREME DIPLOMATIC pressure on Libya to keep the illegal migrants within its border. If Libya is not granted refugee status to these people, why should we? If Libya is promoting the exodus of illegal migrants, why should we tiny Malta absorb them all....

There are circa 100,000,000 people displaced in Africa, willing to migrate illegally. We should not wait for the time bomb to explode. Prevention is better than cure

@ Tony Cassar

As a Nationalist I still believe that the Party can find a solution to stem the tide of illegal immigrants.

Berlusconi’s measures should inspire us to take radical action.

Step 1. Criminalise illegal immigration and round up the illegal immigrants with humane conditions in detention centres with limited freedom.

Step 2. Impose harsh penalties on landlords who rent their property to illegal immigrants, and on employers who will effectively be employing criminals.

Step 3. Speed up refugee applications so that genuine asylum seekers will be given their rights.

Step 4. Encourage immigrants to remember their country of origin and ease repatriation.

Step 5. Have the political courage to face international criticism.

@ Tony Cassar

Very easy. Continuous obstructionism wherever we have veto power at EU level until action is taken

Unless you want to welcome all the illegal migrants at your house... that could be another solution as well

and p.s. I have no affiliation with AN thank you very much

@Wayne Hewitt & Malcolm Seychell

Stop the whining and tell us what you and your Azzjoni Nazzjonali colleagues would do to get the Europeans to dance to our tune and force them to take illegal immigrants from us whether they like it or not...

I think the PN are underestimating the anti-illegal migration sentiment in Malta and it will cost them the next election if they don't address it... straight away and concretely. As a right leaning floating voter I'm disillusioned big time with the government's empty words and juiceless promises on the issue.

NO MORE BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA.................BUT IMMEDIATE ACTION!!!!!!

Keep Minister Mifsud Bonnici out of the discussions.

Every time he speaks he puts Malta 100 steps backwards

How fast he came to take a 1000 immigrants with him..impressed....LOL

Hon Minister Borg,

Should the opportunity arise, could you accidentally drive 'Herr Gunter Close' by the remains of Opera House, you never know you might prick his conscience !!!