PN marks 28th anniversary of Borg Olivier's demise

Anthony Magri

Oct 30th 2008, 15:44

Historically speaking: These eulogies are useless, they should have been written when he (G.B.O.) was still alive. There are people who are proud of Malta becoming independent but as soon as this became a reality some of them decamped and preferred to live in a more free country.
Is it not a pity or rather shameful for the P.N. lead by G.B.O. to have signed the Mutual Defence Agreement –that meant giving Malta back to England through a military treaty of occupation signed freely by Malta’s Prime Minister, thus becoming a legal instrument of surrender followed by occupation now and not as before the signing of the Independence Constitution, by usurpation.
Truly “Independence for Malta was considered a Utopia (Parliamentary speech by Dr.A. Paris P.N. minister of Education under Borg Olivier) by the glorioso Partito Nazzionalista and gave it up by signing the Independence Constitution followed immediately after, when the ink was still fresh and with the same pen the “surrender” “occupation” agreement so called “Mutual defence agreement.

H Dempster

Oct 30th 2008, 08:16

Now , there was a true and honest Gentleman loved and respected by his opponents as well.

We salute you George.

J Martinelli

Oct 29th 2008, 23:48

If other politicians in GBO's time had their way, we would still be a colony or an appendix of Britain.

George Borg Olivier had other ideas and quietly in his inimitable way pounced on an opportunity and rid us of the shackles which restricted us from making our own future and our own decisions.

GBO never did anything in a hurry. He always started with a good foundation, one brick at a time thus ensuring that whatever he built, lasted. His economic and defence treaty with Britain may not have been much by today's standards but was enough for a down payment for what was to follow later.

By achieving Independence in 1964, he provided the Nation with a golden key which was to unlock monumental achievements later on.Without Independence Malta could not join the United Nations, become a Republic, join the European Union or adopt the euro as its national currency.

I have many personal recollections of George which I always treasure.

Indeed not only those who knew him but all who call themselves Maltese owe a great debt to this Statesman in the true meaning of the word, a bright yet quiet individual and a strategist without compare.

Edwin Formosa

Oct 29th 2008, 22:07

"Dr Borg Olivier would also be remembered for his honesty and integrity as a politician, the party said."
I fully agree.
The more we look at his rivals at any time, the more we must appreciate his qualities.

Alexander Morana

Oct 29th 2008, 21:05

All that presently Malta enjoys, its international status, good relations with its neighbours and within the Commonwealth, is due to this man.

C Chircop

Oct 29th 2008, 18:42

It is pleasing that the Nationalist Party has kept recognising Gorg Borg Olivier's achievements. It is rare for a country to produce people with the level of integrity, statemanship, and patriotism that Dr. Borg Olivier possessed.
He had his shortcomings (i.e. in taking his time to take certain decisions) like any other human being, however nobody can dispute the manner in which this gentleman contributed to politics.

For those who wish to read an excellent biography of Dr. Borg Olivier, Patrijott Liberali Malti by Henry Frendo is a must. It is detailed and also complements (and covers the gaps) the (very good) program recordings on GBO's life on the PN website.

I disagree that comparisons should be made with the current administration. GBO lived in another era, where priorities were different.

Muscat.P

Oct 29th 2008, 18:34

A Maltese patriot who like many before him was given the side; his hard and honest political life was conveniently forgotten.

Gorg Caruana

Oct 29th 2008, 17:17

The PN is now publicly paying homage to Dr GBO but in his lifetime and especially towards the end he was not treated by the party as a gentleman like him should be treated. Enough said. Some parts of history are so easily forgotten, but only by those who have an interest to forget.

V Fenech

Oct 29th 2008, 16:41

Does anyone remember Mintoff's speech in Parliament after the funeral of GBO????

Nowadays the PN should announce an apology towards GBO and his family after what they did to him during the 70's up to his death. Now it is useless to mark each anniversary. Respect comes during the life of the person!

A.Vassallo

Oct 29th 2008, 15:49

Affectionately we used to call him Gorgi Gorgi. He was nothing else than an avant-garde gentleman of all gentlemen. Unlike others of his time, he could see very clearly the path that Malta had to take and always believed in the Maltese nation and its people.

Malta's entry in the European Union in 2004 and the introduction of the euro in Malta in 2008 is the fruit that we harvested after Dr. George Borg Olivier's hard work to get Malta its Independence back in 1964.

Long live the memory of Dr. George Borg Olivier, father and first Prime Minister of Independent Malta .

P.Scicluna

Oct 29th 2008, 15:36

Borg Olivier was a gentleman , he never over charged the workers, he was a true man at Heart. he is well remembered for giving us Independance. GONZPN is going to be remembered in years to come, put in our histroy books as the PM who rolled over the workers with utility bills and the Man (elected from the South) who closed the Dockyard.

Johann Schembri

Oct 29th 2008, 15:28

I was only 5 years old when Dr.Gorg Borg Olivier passed away but remember very clearly his funeral which I attended with my parents. A great man, A great statesman !

malcolm seychell

Oct 29th 2008, 14:46

A great man who had a vision.

Joe Caruana

Oct 29th 2008, 14:42

"Dr Borg Olivier would also be remembered for his honesty and integrity as a politician, the party said."
I fully agree.
The more we look at his successors, the more we must appreciate his qualities.