Thursday, 9th October 2008 - 07:03CET
Muscat back from Libya, thanks Mintoff for his interest
Opposition leader Joseph Muscat late last night returned from Libya where he had talks with senior government officials on oil exploration and migration, among other subjects.
He said on his return that the MLP has reached agreement with the Libyan political authorities on the setting up of two committees which will discuss cooperation in the energy sector and in Mediterranean affairs. Should any agreements be reached in the two areas before Labour is returned to power, the MLP will propose the agreements to the government, in the national interest, Dr Muscat said. The first meetings are due to be held before the end of this year.
Dr Muscat said that during talks on illegal migration, the Maltese delegation was given access to part of an agreement between Italy and Libya dealing on this subject.
The Labour leader thanked former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff for his 'continuous interest' in his visit.
He said that although it was not the purpose of his visit to meet Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, the MLP was urging the Libyan leader to accept a pending invitation to visit Malta.
Dr Muscat visited Libya as guest of the Libyan government. He was accompanied by, among others, MLP international secretary Alex Sceberras Trigona.
In his press conference Dr Muscat said the MLP will shortly publish its initial technical analysis of the new utility tariffs proposed by the government. He said it was unacceptable that while, across the world, governments were seeking ways to boost the economy, the opposite was happening in Malta. and it was the economy which was supposed to help the government.
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Comments
@ J Martinelli...you quoted: "I cannot care less if he visits the red district of Timbuktu" and indeed that's your problem...YOU DO NOT CARE OF JOSEPH MUSCAT AND WHATEVER DOES THE MLP! but still you comment and try to find negatives from positives. Well done mate!
The only way of obtaining any forms of agreements on any issues with Libya is through MLP.
In the first place it was not me who compared Dr.Muscat to Blair. Infact it is Dr Muscat who keeps comparing himself to Blair.
When comparing Gonzi to Blair I think you are well off track. The deficit left by the Fenech Adami administration was only addressed by Dr.Gonzi. Had the economic situation been so disastrous the Euro would not have been introduced. By saying this I am not stepping in to defend Dr.Gonzi from his failed promises. Payback time is still five years from now and I can assure you he will have to answer for failed promises.
As for the national debt question one must only see the state the country was in pre 1987 to understand why we have so much debt. Again I think that a one third of that debt could have been avoided but the Fenech Adami administration was lenient on taxation and on national companies making losses like dockyards. Another brilliant idea was to build a new hospital when we already had one.
The money given to Mintoff for paying wages we payed back to Libya when it sent its patrol boats to stop us from drilling for oil.
Speaking of myself, I sure am not in a panic. What for? For Joseph referring to a document published in a paper a month ago ? I don't think it really was his intention to dupe us but rather the Libyan government officials making a fool of Joseph.
@ M Sammut
Nice try! If indeed you are a NP supporter, then try getting my point . I am NOT against Joseph's visit. I cannot care less if he visits the red district of Timbuktu, the point is the utter contempt how Joseph and his party treat the general public. Why the hesitancy announcing the whereabouts of Joseph when asked by the Times? Shades of Dubai? Why emphasize the 'event' when Joseph was shown a copy of the Italy-Libya friendship agreement when, actually, it was published a month ago? Is that all that was accomplished? Why try to tell us that the two sides 'formed committees' to discuss points of common interest? No news here since, apparently, that was the intent of the visit.
It is not that what the MLP does is wrong, it is a case of HOW they do it!
While it may be true that Libya invited Joseph Muscat to visit, from his experience at the European Parliament, Muscat should have been smart enough to know that the proper protocol in such instances was to inform the PM before accepting the invitation. Instead, Muscat accepted, then tried to sneak away and keep his trip hidden from the Maltese public. His party divulged the information only under pressure from journalists. Such devious actions say plenty, none of it good, about the man who wants to be PM of Malta in the future. In most countries, actions like this would be subject to censure by Parliament.
Your comments deserve only one response that is I am quite content to let the people decide and come to their collective conclusion. I personally have all the trust for the masses to make the right decision. Perhaps that is where, the PN and the MLP fundamantally differ?
However I think it is healthy that Joseph Muscat is trying to elevate Mintoff to the podium maybe it will help him get out of the Blair paranoia. Why has he always to compare himself with a prime minister that brought the United Kingdom only taxation, war and financial disaster? Maybe being a superficial person Joseph Muscat likes the looks of Tony Blair, because he looks young and energetic. But politics is not all about looks. Thatcher had none of these but stirred the country very well through very rough times.
In his first months in power you're already considering not fit to govern. Meanwhile you're missing the fact that as confirmed by the public, Joseph Muscat has become more trusted than Dr.Gonzi. And what do the latter stands for??? The PM.
Your party has proved itself to be a complete failure. These five years are going to be the same as those in the past, making 4 years of serious irresponsibilities and performing a one-year period campaign based on misleading information. And if you still think that the PN is leading a harmonious life, hehehe you better stop dreaming!
All Joseph Muscat has done so far is set up committees and commissions within the MLP.
The next step left for Joseph Muscat is to appoint a Super Commission to study the committees and commissions that he set up to ensure that they are functioning and not riddled with infighting which seems to be the favourite past time within the MLP.
The issue here is Joseph Muscat's Integrity. If one cannot be honest with oneself How can he be expected to be with others?
Joseph Muscat on arrival claimed he was given access to an agreement that was previously signed between Libya and Italy only to find out that it was already made public of all places on the Internet.
The question it is either Joseph Muscat took US ALL AS FOOLS or he is very naive and unprepared to govern. YOU CHOICE WHICH OPTION IT IS.
The committees will discuss certain issues and let us say the outcome is agreeable to both sides, i.e. MLP and Libyan Politicians; Joseph Muscat can either A) Have a verbal agreement in place, which he can put into effect if he is elected as Prime Minister or B) Rather then wait until he has the power to officially sign what has been agreed on he will pass on the details to the acting Prime Minister to decide if he also agrees and wants to proceed.
So you see an agreement can be reached but to make it official its either option A or B, but if for example Gonzi decided that he wan't interested and hence throws option B out of the window, Joseph Muscat can continue with option A if he is elected.
@ A. Gauci B.... - Yes PN have inundated us with committees, many of which either don't function or take years to deliver a report on something or other; as I said lets wait and see what happens instead of cloning yourself into Nostradamus with his fictional stories eh????
Re: Burden Sharing there is nothing to shoot down, that is the point!! The pact is not a binding one and will leave us hoping a few EU countries will take up the voluntary option and actually take some refugees off our hands.
Re: Joseph Muscat applauding Alfred Sant whilst the latter called Mintoff a traitor?? Mintoff isn't a traitor and it was a wrong choice of word to use by Alfred Sant; however Mintoff should have dealt with the then issue inhouse but he chose not to and that was wrong and those applauding Alfred Sant were showing their support in a situation which Mintoff had made untenable.
I do understand why these people are in a state of panic, because they still live in those days when opposition people, used to go on visits abroad with the sole aim of requesting foreign governments not to cooperate with the then Maltese government, instead of trying to bring some sort of benefit to this country!
Times have changed and is becoming more clear that JM is leading by example.
Finally, I say well done to JM as it been a long time, since I've seen an open minded politician in this country!!
@Pauline Barabara---setting up commitees?? As if we're not inundated with them here in Malta!! As if we don't know what a big, fat "paraventu" they can be!! Yes I'm already seeing our "southern" dictator kneeling down infront of this commitee to stop the immigrants so as to please his long life friend Mintoff!!!!! But ,as you rightly say, lets wait and see!! (though thats not what you're doing with the Burden Sharing Pact--you shot it down presto--) ..... Ok you didn't call Mintoff "traditur" your Leader did to the applause of hundreds in Birgu!!
@Enzo Caruana---FRONTEX is a failure----I agree with you 100% and the fault lies squarely on the EU's and Libya's doorstep
@A.Attard---"I tell you one thing" whatever JM is doing we don't know because noone told us what these "agreements" are, noone knows because noone said anything. How this would tally with the Government's foreign policy noone knows either because noone knows what this "agreement" is!!
quote "Had it been Dr. Gonzi, who had come back with the news that Libya was ready to discuss the issue of illegal immigration, my reaction would be well done and lets hope both parties can come to some sort of an agreement. "
Seems to me you answered my question. Going to a country before being elected and the country in question as history shows has managed to twist even the Far Right Italians, could only mean one thing - an attempt to control.
My qustion still stands, Is Muscat under someone elses control? Hopefully not, but then it may be naievity. This would apply to any party leader who is not in office as a leader of a nation and nothing to do with the Political Colours, hence Italy to North Korea both submitted.
Either Nationalist apologists can't read or else they're avoiding the simple truth to try and throw mud at Joseph Muscat who is showing himself credible much more than the whole Nationalists' party. Right now I'm imagining Gonzi reading these comments and smile as if he thinks that we have forgot about the w and e unjust tariffs.
Another point which the Nationalists' are avouding is that the Labour leader is more trusted than Gonzi and therefore it would not be a problem at all if Joseph Muscat fulfills the jobs supposed to be done by the pm.
@ ....ALL PRO PN MOANERS.
First on this list....... Mr. J. Martinelli.... Followed by the rest in any order, as you wish....
I`m sorry, but ALL of your arguments against Dr. Joseph Muscat`s visit to Libja, hold AAAAbsolutely.... NO GROUND AT ALL...
Why don`t you all start Acting PATRIOTIC, FIRST AND FOREMOST, on such issues...!!??!!??
I realy Pity you ALL Guys..
KEEP IT UP DR. MUSCAT, AND THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING FROM THE OPPOSITION, FOR OUR BELOVED MALTA AND GOZO ALIKE...
GOD BLESS YOU...........
Jealousy speaks alone. I wonder what the hell does it affect you having "our" Joseph visiting Libya. Remember that your president also visited Libya. And what did he get???
A nice photo of him sitting on a couch next to Gaddafi!
"Who better than Mintoff can get good thing (sic) from Libya?" you ask. Perhaps you need reminding that the "good things" that Mintoff obtained from Libya include:
- The violation of Malta's sovereignty when Ghaddafi's sent his gunboats and submarines to aim their weapons at Maltese oil exploration rigs in Malta's territorial waters.
- The violation of Malta 's sovereignty when his undercover agents used Malta to plant an explosive device on PanAm Flight 103 in 1988 that killed 270 people at Lockerbie. After 11 years of international sanctions, Ghaddafi finally handed over Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, who was convicted of this crime in Scotland and sentenced to 27 years in prison.
- Substandard poor-quality oil, diesel, and petrol, paid for with hard-earned Maltese funds, that polluted Malta's environment.
These "good things" happened during Mintoff's tenure in government and when he had "great influence" on his friend Ghaddafi. Ghaddafi might be a good friend to Mintoff, but he is no friend of Malta.
Just to inform you i am one of those who was in favor to see Dr G Abela as a leader so your guessing wrong.
Apart of that i am so happy and proud to have Joseph now we 5 best in race and only one of them had to be there and now we have Joseph.
Should i ask if you were behind dalli or gonzi ?
Well done Joseph you showed the nation that your there for them and from the opposition seat your working much better from the others in the government, and that should be right cause as you remember more then half of Malta did not wanted this government.
i think your 100 per right.
ghal min ifitex fuq sit tal gvern libjan issib id- document kollu , hu aparti min hekk huwa accessibbli ghal KULHADD . ta xejn tiftahar Joseph li l-acess ta document kien ghalik biss. tibqax titahq bin nies... ghax tkun qed titahk bik inifsek.
You make the same mistake again in that comment too. Here: "...if certain agreements can be reached"
But you have to pity the PN apologists. They only look through blue-tinted glasses, and nothing else, and the tint is getting darker by now. It's turning to navy blue.
Semmejt hafna affarijiet inti, u naqbel mieghek li kienu tajbin, izda inti forsi insejt l-issikkar tac-cinturin u li l-kejk li kien ihobb isemmi Mintoff ma kienx jinqasam l-istess ma kulhadd. Kien hemm min il-parti mil-kejk tieghu kienet hafna akbar min ta haddiehor. Per ezempju dawk li kienu midhla ta xi ministru. Bhal dawn li kienu impjegati ma l'Air Malta (Wistin Abela), id-dockyard, enemalta u ohrajn. Anke dawk il-fabbriki li kienu jigu, bil-homor kienu jimtlew. Jien applikajt bien nidhol mad- De La Rue, ghamilt zewg aptitude tests u imbaghad wara li qaluli li kont gejt accettat, ohrog l-ghageb kollu, jumejn wara rega b'dilhom u qaluli li wehilt fl-interview. Korruzzjoni bla qies. U imbaghad, ifakkru lil Lorry Sant, dawk li gawdew mieghu. Ghal kumplament, kien hemm il-Korpi tax-xoghol taht dixxiplina militari. U dan kollu bl'approvazzjoni tas-suppost Union li ghanda ghal qalba il-haddiem, il-GWU. U dan kollu fi zmienijiet meta is-sitwazzjoni ekonomika dinija kienet hafna ahjar mil-lum. Izda kellna PM li kien jemmen bl-ewropa ta Kain u Abel u ic-cikkulata ciniza. In-NATO ghamlet 5 snin aktar milli suppost Malta ghaliex l-ewwel ftiehem kien jghid li jitilqu fl- 1974.
What has Joseph really done? He is not the representaive of the Government of Malta. The opposition has no power to negotiate anything until they switch places with those in power. And as far as I can tell, Gonzi of the OTHER party is the chief honcho.
The glee expressed by some contributors that the invitation by the Libyan government shows that it prefers to deal with the MLP rather than government is nauseating. The government of Malta represents the will of the Maltese people, and any insult directed towords it is an insult to the Maltese nation.
Our relations with Libya have had their ups and downs. Anyone who tries to depict them as good when the MLP was in government and bad when the NP governed, is distorting history. Dismissing recent official Malta-Libya contacs as fruitless, while praising to high heavens those of the Leader of the Opposition, betrays a puerile understanding of the dynamics of political negotiations between states.
I tell you one thing. Muscat IS TRYING TO DO SOMETHING FROM THE OPPOSITION while GONZI IS DOING NOTHING FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
PROSIT DR MUSCAT YOU ARE D MAN
Reading all the comments down here makes me think: What a Circus! And it really shows in what a pity state our Nation is.
If Joseph Muscat has shown anything since taking up a post in public life is BASIC ETHIC. So I humbly ask him to please continue to lead by example.
It is an uphill struggle to educate. Hopefully we'll get there.
There are stronger bridges to be built and they are only built with consistency and honesty. Even if we are alleging that most undocumented immigrants are leaving from Libya, we should still see to it as a country that our commercial community is always given the best help possible by Libyan Authorities in order for business to thrive between both countires.
As always this has created ripple effect for the Maltese economy. Let s make sure this gets better, With people like Dr K Vella on the one side and Lafico Chairman in Malta Ing Mustafa Khattabi, we can go quite a long way. There is much one can share, so lets all put politics aside and use our best resources to give and take .
Libya has much to offer. The visit by Dr Joseph Muscat should addd impetus to this direction. Let s continue the good work done .
Just goes to show that we are weak and anonymous on the International circle..
As for the Libyans taking over the country witha hundred bodyguards in the 80's...well...do you recall wehn Bush came to Malta in the 90's...some thing very similar happened, but I guess that didn't bother you.....as do the countless war ships in our harbours...is that called tunnle syndrome?
Joseph Muscat went to Libya on the invitation of the Libyan government and concluded an agreement with with "the Libyan political authorities on the setting up of two committees which will discuss cooperation in the energy sector and in Mediterranean affairs". Just a slight grasp of international relations would have taughht you to be more objective in your comments and desist from passing inane remarks that lay bare your prejudice against labour and Joseph Muscat.
Mr Martinelli
Do you expect Joseph Muscat or any other delegation visiting a foreign country to show you and all the minutes of all the meetings they had? The agreement reached speaks about two inter-party committees to discuss further cooperation within a wide ranging spectrum.
Mr Cauchi Cunningham.
Joseph Muscat did not meet Gaddafi so he could not have told him anything. As regards burden sharing it is the responsibility of the Gonzi Ggovernment to get this from the EU who have promised us all the help we need to tackle the immigration problem. All we got was Frontex and that means a spectacular failure.
''The question ought to be is Muscat already under his control?'' - Are you for real?? So if a politician has political meetings in Libya and reaches certain agreements that is tantamount to being under Gaddafi's control?? Is the Italian government under Gaddafi's control??
Can we be so biased in this country that we try to demonise all that comes out of the other camp?? Its pathetic, such a small country and we are divided on everything football clubs, band clubs and throwing insults is the name of the game.
Lets just look at the issue as it is - 1) the majority all want the number of illegal immigrants to be curbed and 2) the majority leave from Libyan shores - so what is wrong with trying to hold discussions, which may lead to better control??
Had it been Dr. Gonzi, who had come back with the news that Libya was ready to discuss the issue of illegal immigration, my reaction would be well done and lets hope both parties can come to some sort of an agreement.
Lets stop shooting our mouths off and throwing virtual daggers at each other.
Results??? Setting up committes, with the view of cooperation in various matters, mainly energy sources and migration - will something come out of it? we will have to wait and see, the same as we will have to wait and see if burden sharing on a voluntary basis will show any dividends.
There were many who wrote in this blog during the 'is the pact a good one or not' debate, that Malta should approach Libya the source of many illegal immigrants' departure point and try to come to an arrangement - but before you come to an arrangement one needs to hold discussions and that is what Joseph Muscat has acchieved - if an arrangement can be reached then if PN are still in government, they can decide whether or not to take it up accordingly.
FYI: I'm a Labour supporter, I have never made fun of Mintoff when he supported G. Abela, and never called him traitor or a has been - so please stop typecasting and don't presume you know the sentiments of each and everyone.
(Dom Mintoff In Parliament 1998 answering Dr.Sant when the latter said that Mintoff had NO RIGHT to speak in anyone's name in Libya)
"............Mintoff ma kellu ebda dritt imur ikellem lil-Libja ghan-nom tal-Partit laburista, tal-Partit Nazzjonalista jew ta xi hadd..........."
(Prime Minister Dr.Alfred Sant's reaction to Mintoff's visit in Libya--1998)
....obviously quoted to remind everyone of how "friendly' the MLP was towards people who go to Libya and talk in the name of the "country"!! Well it seems the rules have changed ok!! Is that the result of seismic activities in Hamrun??
I remember clearly some months ago some ministers went to Libya!!!!
Can Joseph muscat explain what he is trying to achieve with the Libyans.
Remember Dubai ?
Why was the initial (official) statement vague?
@ Albert Gauci Cunningham
How about obtaining some badly needed funds for the Party?
Maybe the results he obtained will be revealed when Joseph becomes Prime Minister?
I honestly wish that these MLP supporters become a bit more realistic. There are no instant solutions to age old problems and expecting Joseph back with agreements and solutions is presumptuous.
Can you please explain why you "sound" so angry at having had a leader of the Opposition accepting a visit to Libya?
With regards to this visit-----What results did JM get with him??
Did he at least come back with a voluntary burden sharing??
Or maybe he came with a compulsory one??
Did he tell gaddafi that thanks to him and his threats FRONTEX is a pitiful failure??
Did he ask for proper action to help us with our immigration problem?? Or maybe Joseph got some money?? Or maybe he got some right to repatriate some of the immigrants to Libya???
Well Joseph went and he came back and what does he have to show for it?? A nice photo of him with a serious face telling us that he went and "saw" an agreement Gaddafi made with italy!! Woooooowww PROSIT!!!!!!!
"Col. Gaddafi looks down on us because he might still remember the remarks thrown at him when he attended and addressed our Parliament. There was even an ex-PN parliamentarian who suggested that Gaddafi should be put in a bag and shipped back home."
If the colonel is still bearing a grudge against malta for something that happened more than thirty years ago then he can't be considered as much of a friend can he?
Sounds more like Arthur Daley from minder tour comment.
Why not ! Stir it up.
Malta was warned in the past, that having friends like these we attract enemies. These same countries are now friends with the Colonel. The last 35 years has shown a formula for success we regards to the Colonel methods. It works, the secret is he leaves nothing to chance and is in Control of every and anyone and drops them is they are not within his control.
The question ought to be is Muscat already under his control?
What gives you that idea?
Can you not read what I wrote? I quote, "It is Joseph's duty, in fact, to discuss these matters, (topics of common interest) nothing more, nothing less
Also please note that they weren't talking about Tourism but Migration - and he didn't just disuss these issues during the visit and end of; cooperation in the energy sector and Mediterranean affairs will continue to be discussed.
Joseph Muscats' duty is not only to discuss but if a deal can be struck between the two countries that will benefit Malta, Joseph Muscat will pass this on to the government rather then be self serving and keeping any prospective cooperation for a future electoral campaign.
Does it make you feel uncomfortable that Dr. Muscat is doing his best to help the country? It is a far cry from the time when other leaders urged foreign companies to withdraw their business from Malta.
@ Victor Zammit
Col. Gaddafi looks down on us because he might still remember the remarks thrown at him when he attended and addressed our Parliament. There was even an ex-PN parliamentarian who suggested that Gaddafi should be put in a bag and shipped back home.
Because Dr Muscat is SHOWING that he means business.
Because Dr Muscat is showing that even from the opposition he not only criticizes, but WORKS to help our country that until before the election we had 'FINANZI FIS SOD!' and now we have TAXES, SURCHARGE etc..
Huma vendikazzjonijiet biss kienu kapaci jaghmlu mill-oppozizzjoni. Imma Joseph Muscat qal li se jdahhal Stil ta’ Politika Gdid.
finally, I fully agree with your comment "Just because we have different politcal views doesn't mean we should always be at each others' throats." it is high time that we realised that we are all maltese. there are just 400,000 of us not enough to fill a large city and we can't afford to be devided.
Are you implying that President EFA should have backed away and not give the customary hug, or whatever, in case he is seen on TV ?
Now, what's fair is fair. Was Joseph to think twice before accepting an invitation from the Libyan government? Of course not. So, on the other hand, why did the MLP hesitate to make the appropriate announcement as if to hide the visit? Was it because whoever was asked by The Times was ill prepared for the question and had to check it out? Why?
It is the expectations of MLP supporters and their building up and reading much more into Joseph's visit that I criticize.
For example, what would Joseph and the Libyan officials talk about? The fine weather? No, as politicians they would talk about items of common interest and those could include, trade, oil, tourism and investment.
It is Joseph's duty, in fact, to discuss these matters, nothing more, nothing less.
@ s.bugeja
The colonel always looked down on us because we always looked up at him and never on an equal footing.
Please click and read by yourself what I guess a French citizen comment about equality!
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20081005/letters/second-class-europeans-in-uae/
I was really hurt
I remember most of the world had sanctions against Libya, but as far as I know these have all been removed?? Situations change, and that is why other democratic countries have done business with Libya, even Malta is present (buisness wise) in Libya.
Joseph Muscat will be discussing energy sources and migration in committees to be set up with Libya to see were both countries can cooperate - how many times have we read on this blog that we should try to discuss the migration issues with Libya?? and now its happening you're still complaining.
I thing everybody knows the answer - or should we ask Mr. RCC in Brussels for further clarification?
The fact of the matter is there is no need to politcise this issue; if something good comes out of these committees being set up, then it will be for the good of the country and if discussions lead to actions that can take place now; then the government will be given the opportunity to proceed, should the said government deem the proposed actions to be appropriate.
This would be were PN would have to show political maturity, i.e. not to dismiss something out of hand, just because the opposition was involved.
So please tell me where I indicated that I have some notion that Joseph Muscat can make arrangements on behalf of the state whilst in opposition?
The fact is Joseph Muscat could just as easily participate in these committees and if certain agreements can be reached, MLP could keep these inhouse and use them for political gain, like say just before an election? But no Joseph Muscat said he will inform the government if discussions are positive.
TICK TOCK TICK TOCK time is running out for our party Corrine.
"the whole world knows that (the Libyan government isn't democratically elected )but it hasn't stopped politicians from democratic countries from doing business with Libya."
Doing business is one thing. Praising it to high heaven and pandering to it's every wish to the point of saying that our respective grandmothers are sisters and that we are blood brothers is another. we were never in a position to do business with Libya because we saw Libya's (Gaddafi's) role as a saviour. and when a nation belittles itself like that it can never have bargaining power.I remember when the colonel used to visit malta. the people used to welcome him as if he was the messiah. huge posters of him were distributed (I still have one as a reminder of how submissive we all were ) I remember his speech at cospicua where he called Reagan mad to the applause of the maltese. i remember also in birzebbugia he said that he would not give any oil to malta unless there was a labour government.The colonel always looked down on us because we always looked up at him and never on an equal footing.
Interstate relations are handled by governments, not parties in opposition. Joseph Muscat can no more come to an agreement with Libya on Malta's behalf than you or I can.
So our president and prime minister were left to wait for hours according to you. so who did wrong? the one who committed the offence or the receiver? are you happy that YOUR president and prime minister were treated in this manner? that goes to show what kind of person the colonel is.
Let me remind you of another incident which happened in the 70s when we were still blood brothers with the Libyans.
On one of his visits the colonel brought with him over a hundred bodyguards armed to the teeth. they proceeded to take over the airport and pushing everyone about including a minister in the then labour government. then they cleared out all the tourists staying in a prominent hotel on the island so that the colonel could have a good night's sleep! Malta was considered as a part of Libya where libyans could enter simply by showing their ID card.
no wonder the colonel considered mintoff as a good friend!
Me and you are both PN supporters, but we must look at Malta's best interest and not our parties best interests.
Good job Dr Muscat. That's what our country needs, a pragmatic and realist foreign policy, not castles in the air like we got used to in the last few years....it's great to see that JM is putting the national interest before anything else....the only time the nationalists went to Libya on an official visit was when the Maltese govt. had a dispute with Tripoli. They went there to show their support for the Libyan side. Just goes to show how nationalist and cooperative the Nationalists are...It is also a very good sign that now all of Labour's human resources are being used...whether Mintoff admirers or otherwise, Labour should keep on giving every labourite the opportunity to contribute...as JM himself put it, il-passat jiffridna, l-futur jghaqqadna...let's keep that in mind.
Due to Dom Mintoffs' past dealings with Libya, he no doubt had an interest on how things went - I don't think it went any further then that. From some of the blogs on here one would think Dom Mintoff masterminded this visit (forgetting that Joseph Muscat was actually invited) and was behind every move by Joseph Muscat and MLP.
The fact of the matter is there is no need to politcise this issue; if something good comes out of these committees being set up, then it will be for the good of the country and if discussions lead to actions that can take place now; then the government will be given the opportunity to proceed, should the said government deem the proposed actions to be appropriate.
- and this would be were PN would have to show political maturity, i.e. not to dismiss something out of hand, just because the opposition was involved.
Just because we have different politcal views doesn't mean we should always be at each others' throats.
What is wrong with that??? If Dr. Gonzi had been the one invited and the above mentioned had transpired, the PN would be blowing their trumpets at this moment in time.
Joseph Muscat did not ignore the government in this issue as, if agreements can be reached; which can be of benefit to the country whilst PN are in government, Joseph Muscat will confer with the government accordingly.
Re: 'did Joseph Muscat meet the opposition of the Libyan government' - so what is your point?? that the Libyan government isn't a democratic one??? the whole world knows that but it hasn't stopped politicians from democratic countries from doing business with Libya.
Put Mintoff in an article and it makes the most commented, all the time. Mintoff by far is the most popular politician/man in Malta's history. Why is that?
Corrine Vella: there is nothing wrong with the opposition trying to get something done, that OUR party couldn't get done in 20 years. I do understand that illegal immigration has ONLY been a problem for 8 years.
Simply because Joseph is the new kid on the block.
Why is Gaddafi still friends with Dom? - others asked.
Could it be that Dom is fluent in Gaddafi's language? - I ask?
Good for Joseph to go, anyway. However, those who expect results better think twice.
A Daley has been writing doom and gloom for a long time. He has yet to get one right.
As a result of Joseph's visit, I predict that few if any immigrants will show up in November, December, January, February, March and April. What a breather!
Now in lieu of all these brilliant results achieved by the previous visitors, what is left for Joseph Muscat to achieve...? (Hint Hint...sarcasm)
One positive...at least a leader of the opposition is visiting foreign countries with Malta's interests in mind....now..if we recall the 80's, well...what exactly was the then leader of the opposition doing on his foreign visits?
"Yes Mintoff called Cain's Europe, and Abel's Europe. Now I leave to you to find out which was which."
Funny you should ask seeing that half of europe's Abel is now joined to europe's Cain in the EU!!!
"Libya can be anybody's friend if they let her. But not for opportunists"
What do you mean by oportunism? do you mean dealing with a country in the interest of your own people? Anything wrong with that? Has Libya or any other country for that matter ever given anything for free? When Libya 'came to our aid' it was only to help us close down the British base in Malta. after that we only had trouble and 'acts worthy of the greatest enemy' Mintoff's own words.
@ Pauline barbara
"I suggest you contact the Libyan government and ask why they invited the MLP leader rather then Dr. Gonzi the Prime Minister?"
Should we take this as an insult towards the legitimate government of Malta?
I wonder if Dr. Muscat met the Libyan opposition leader?!!!!!!!! OH I almost forgot, there isn't one!!
gonzi lanqas ghandu id dicenza jipprova jmur jara kif ha jsolvi din il-problema u is-soluzzjoni tieghu kienet facli, dik li jgholli l-kontijiet bid differenza li meta l-labour ghamel hekk il pn qajmu rewwixta .
u mhux billi qed nisimghu hekk ahjar noqghodu attenti ghax dal gvern ghandu tattika li il bombi jipprova jahbihom u jnessihom.
insomma meta jasal il kont tiftakru
@S. Borg. It-terrimot qieghed isir. Imma mhux qieghed jidher. U dan jafuh tal-PN.
@S. Bugeja. Libya can be anybody's friend if they let her. But not for opportunists. Although things have changed for the better now. Yes Mintoff called Cain's Europe, and Abel's Europe. Now I leave to you to learn which was which.
‘As part of the EU let us be practical and keep the trust of the new family, without in any way reneging on our neighbours. But careful please...if anything for the sake of Malta’
The big members of this ‘new family’(EU) you are so proud to belong to have been visiting Libya and bowing to Gaddafi one after the other.
aren’t they the same people who have been slamming Malta and failing Malta more than once?
@ A Daley
You are right
The world is going to face ‘ bankruptcy’
In a situation like this, it's turning out that it's every man for himself, every country for itself, everybody's taking care of their best interest and that's what we should be doing.
Has anybody thought of the reason of last visit of the Italian PM to Libya? Mainly was to guarantee that Libya will not draw their cashes from Italian banks so the latter won’t face financial troubles.
Was it a crime for the Libyan Government to invite the Opposition, and was it even a much greater crime to accept the invitation?
Joseph Muscat is being pro-active, an adjective this Govt administration only rarely deserves to have.
@ P Scicluna. if the PN called libyans tal habbaziz mintoff called half of europe of Cain remember? and sant called them taliban remember? as for mr. Dalli's personal interest as far as I know it wasn't he who was awarded $250,000 just recently.
@ jos pisani
jigifieri int qed tghid l- libbjani qed ipattuha lill poplu malti ta' dak li kien intqal min xi ftit fil passat?! dik hbiberija!!! u rigward iz-zjara ta' Muscat, jalla thalli l-gid ghal malta imma ma nghoddux il-flieles qabel ma jfaqqsu ghax hafna ltaqghu ma muammar u baqghu b'xiber imnieher.
Your thinking is more than a little confused and dreadfully misinformed. Anything you write should only be taken with a few sackloads of salt, though I've no doubt there are many out there who think as you do and will applaud what you say.
Thats how the MLP party worked and thats how it will always work. With labour in government we can expect censorship, serious restrictions on freedom of speech, and full attack on the basics that form a democratic country.
'Governments deal with governments, and not with leaders of the Opposition. What is even more unbelievable is that nobody has pointed this out yet' -
Very true but the opposition is criticised for not doing anything constructive and when they do the likes of you still have to put in their two pence worth.
I suggest you contact the Libyan government and ask why they invited the MLP leader rather then Dr. Gonzi the Prime Minister?? So what should Joseph Muscat have done, refused to go and miss out on the potential that same arrangement could be reached with regards to energy sources and illegal immigration?? If something comes out of this whilst Dr. Gonzi is still PM, Joseph Muscat already said that the Government will be informed and Dr. Gonzi will be able to proceed if he so wishes.
jaqaw ma tafx li Mintoff cahdek diga minn 12 il sena ta gvern laburista ????
Do you think that with the goverments way of thinking,(he has changed his tune since the last election) will keep him there forever?? you are really die hards i congratulate you,i bet you have realy easy jobs, as for us, that are not blue eyed, we must nearly beg for everything,its like having a GODFATHER that runs everything.
Our employers want us to work more, but tell us that there is no wage increase, we have to beg for our rights, like Vacation leave and so on, are we not all maltese,or does it realy take pleasue in you people, to see the other side who live in this country suffer,and you always have every thing??? I have seen the MLP change under Joseph Muscat, yes and i am speaking the truth, if we do not come in power so WHAT,but i will tell you this, that if we do come in power under Joseph and the Labour does half to the P.N supporters as what you have done to us i will never vote MLP again.
For the past 20 years, the PN Goverment did not have good relations with Libya. Lets not forget when the PN use to call the 'HABBAZIZ'. The only government minister with a good Libyan relation is Mr Dalli but I don't know if this was a benefit for OUR government or for his personal business. Good for him. The Libyans are not stupid, our FREE journalists gave them hell, and now they expect them to send us tankers full of fuel for Christmas.
why not lecture the Libyan Government ?!?!?.......if I am not mistaken it was the Libyan Government that invited Dr. Muscat and again it was he who discussed various issues with him. Was this pointed out by anyone ?!
To mention just one thing, his standing up to Alfred Sant and precipitating a new general election some years ago is what saved Malta on the EU issue. If it were not for him, we would not be in the EU -- which even the Labour Party now agrees was the right thing for us. If, therefore, MLP supporters used to call Mintoff "Is-salvatur ta Malta", those of us who feel that EU membership was a critical strategic step for Malta might now think of him the same way! :-)
I believe that all of us, PN and Labour, should show respect for Mintoff -- and Labour supporters who despise him so much for using his ability to vote against his own party in Parliament should think again. After all, is that not why MPs have a vote in the House? Why bother if you always have to cast it in favour of what your leader says? How could that possibly be what is intended in a democratic system...?
Stick to German politics please.
Ghalxiex meta kien hemm referenza ghal-Mintoff 'pass il-quddiem u mija lura'?
Jaqaw inti ma gawdejtx mic-children's allowance?
Jaqaw inti ma tgawdiex mid-drittijiet li ghandek fuq il-post tax-xoghol, minimum wage, leave, sick leave, etc, etc .......?
Jaqaw inti qatt ma gawdejt mis-sistema mibnija min Mintoff u l-gvern tieghu tal-Welfare State?
Jaqaw qatt ma indunajt bil-kumpanija kollha li gab Mintoff lejn Malta jew il-kumpanija li nbnew taht gvern Laburista ta' dak iz-zmien?
Jaqaw ma tafx li Mintoff halla flus fil-kaxxa ta' Malta u ma halliex centezmu dejn?
Jaqaw inti ma tafx li fin-1979 kien hawn Prim Ministru u bil-gvern tieghu irnexxielu wara eluf ta' snin jnehhi kull hakma li kellu dan il-pajjiz?
Jaqaw qatt ma gawdejt mill-edukazzjoni b'xejn inti?
Jaqaw int ma tafx ............
Storja li ma tispiccax, hadt ma hu perfett zgur imma nahseb importanti tiftakar li Mintoff kien l-aktar bniedem validu u addatat ghal dawk iz-zminijiet biex dan il-pajjiz mexa l-quddiem.
Tajjeb li tirrifletti ..........
Ma ninsewx il hafna laqmijiet li kienu jinataw lil Libjani mill oppozijoni Nazzjonalista u li nahseb jien il-Libjani QATT ma nsew!
L -istess jista jinghad fuq ic-Cinizi!...............imma issa l-istorja tac-Cinizi kulhadd jafa!
Imma Mintoff jara fil -boghod kien???
In the coming months, we (Malta) need all the possible help we can get from abroad and without any strings attached.
Dark clouds are looming in all spheres, finance, tourist arrivals, manufacturing. In short everything.
Our problem is that the Government finances are such a mess, that very little help could be directed to the ones in need. In fact the Government is NOW trying to rid itself from subsidies at a time when we need them most. The financial situation is so bad that we shall have to bear the brunt of past incompetence and big mistakes and financial mismanagement.
Who cares where the help comes from, and as Mintoff used to say -
"I will even go to the devil, if it proves to be in the interest of Malta and the Maltese"
Time will tell if the economic picture will change for the better or for worse!
Sceptical? No, not at all, but in such circumstances, decisions are difficult, and the ever increasing National Debt + the ever increasing sum to service same Debt, were there for all to see!
We have no roof to protect us from the looming deluge!
Maybe you are too naive or pretend not to understand the advantages of having good connections with Libya. This is a matter that should be dealt between the Prime Minister and the Libyan Government...but Dr.Joseph Muscat is trying to pave the way for Dr.Gonzi in the interest of Malta. Well done Dr.Muscat you are surely on the right track!
We should put all our cynergy, and negotiate what is the best for our country. If Dr Muscat has a better contact with the Libyan s (seems so) he should fullfill these contacts for the benefit oof our people. Next visit to Libya should include Dr Gonzi, Dr Muscat and headed by Mintoff.Why not .Lets not waste energy we are all Maltese.
I am sure that Dr Muscat had evaluated all options at the time of taking up the Libyan Govt.'s invite. Turning his back on such an official invitation to a neighbouring country with potential, which we have allready enjoyed in the past, was surely not one. After all, and without showing any disrespect towards the President of the Republic and/or what he represents, it is surely easier to postpone ceremonies over good work and better intentions.
So giving his back to the President of Malta and not turning up at Parliament for his first ever input was less important than going to Libya to check out these Italian documents! Where’s the earthquake?
GOOD SHOW JOSEPH...
As a Maltese Nation, we should go anywhere for help and assistance...
I strongly beleive that What`s Good For Malta, is Good For ALL OF US..... Irrispective of from Whom or Where this `good` is comming from...
Thanks Joseph and keep up the good work...
Habib fis-suq ahjar minn mitt skud fis-senduq
I can fully understand your position regarding Old Dom. But it is the Libyans who still insist on his moral participation in Mediterranean relations. They have just awarded him the big prize and are still of the opinion that his contribution to peace in the Med is valid and useful. Why should it be the Maltese side to berate this opinion. One must have great tact with our neighbours. Look what happened to Berlusconi (just one slip, i.e. sending well-known racist Maroni to deal with the Libyans) and the entire agreement he had recently signed with them has been dangerously jeopardized. This is international relations, my friend, not a matter of emotions however understandable they may be..
It'd say its fairly simple to understand.
Mintoff carries with him a few thousands of die hard voters which had boycott the MLP for so many years. Muscat is trying to lure these people back into the party in order to cruise to victory..................or so he thinks!!!
Muscat fails to understand that Mintoff and his supporters, after they brought the MLP government to its knees after just 22 months, enjoy a big number of enemies within that same party. Its like trying to mix water with oil in one pan.
Did you ever see the film The Godfather?
it will help you out
If you are an MLP supporter (which I very much doubt as you sound more like a PN super-elf) you would know that Dom Mintoff is held in very high esteem in Libya and his word carries more weight than than of any other Maltese. So what's wrong with old Dom showing interest in Joseph Muscat's visit to Libya?
Michael Mintoff is a great friend of Gaddafi and with he help we can get great things for Malta!
Should this not read thus: 'Should any agreements be reached in the two areas if and when Labour is returned to power ...'
I think that makes much more sense.
Apart from this , hail to Joseph cause he is using party unity in the national interest . Using mintoff to help in this matter is the healthiest idea in Libyan connections . Hope that Dr Gonzi will co operate in this not he turns it in a political confrontation .
As part of the EU let us be practical and keep the trust of the new family, without in any way reneging on our neighbours. But careful please...if anything for the sake of Malta