Ariadne Massa
Frendo told Richard Muscat: 'You're in my way'
Former Ambassador to Ireland Richard Muscat is claiming he was told to resign his diplomatic post because he was "in the way" of former Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo's bid to become Commonwealth secretary general.
Mr Muscat said in an interview that when an allegation of sexual assault was made against his son in Ireland in August 2007, the foreign minister felt this would deal a blow to his campaign.
"Michael told me clearly: 'I have to take a position. We don't believe what the papers are saying, and as ambassador you've done a very good job and we're very happy with your performance...
"I'm in the thick of things with the Commonwealth campaign and I need Labour's backing. This attack, no matter how unjust, puts you in my way. I risk losing Labour's backing'," Mr Muscat said.
When his family packed their bags to return to Malta in October 2007, the Irish Director of Public Prosecutions announced that no charges would be brought against Mr Muscat's son.
Now, after feeling he was made a scapegoat, Mr Muscat is waiting for the Prime Minister to heal the wound: "I leave it in his hands. I'm not asking for the moon. I'm asking for nothing, except that truth prevails and justice is done."
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Maria Dolores Fenech
Nov 25th 2008, 18:58
Quote:
Now, after feeling he was made a scapegoat, Mr Muscat is waiting for the Prime Minister to heal the wound.
Do I smell a rat? Was this a frame up against Mr Muscat, to be out of the way?
A. Mizzi
Nov 25th 2008, 18:40
Maybe Dr. Frendo was just cautious, and rightly so , that the alleged goings on at the Voice of the Mediterranean which under the administration of Richard Muscat would just surface and be scrutinised not locally where justice does not always seem to be done but in view of the highly esteemed post of Commonwealth Secretary general, INTERNATIONALLY.
I feel that using the case of Mr. Muscat’s son was just an excuse for him to resign from Ambassador’ and it was his term at the Voice of the Mediterranean that out him in the way of Dr. Frendo’s contestation for the post of General Secretary.
And what valid credentials and qualities did Richard Muscat have in the first place to be nominated as Malta's Ambassador to Ireland?
Wistin Mangion
Nov 25th 2008, 12:37
Before rushing to conclusions, has someone bothered to listen to the accused?
John Caruana
Nov 24th 2008, 22:06
I feel very sad when I read a news item like this. Things being so the party is morally obliged to show gratitude to Richard Muscat!
With pleasure, amidst this suffering that Mr Muscat has been passing through, I remembered the visit I together with daniel schembri, paul camilleri and joe borg made to him in sicily to show appreciation for the generosity he was showing with his country - more than with his party!
Gratitude is an evangelical value!
Fr.John Caruana
carjohn@teracom.com.br
charles zammit
Nov 24th 2008, 20:34
What mr buttigieg wrote does not in any way contradict my reasoning that all labour governments were elected according to the constitutional endorsements existing at that particular time at that all arrangements made were in accordance within the provisions of the supreme authority ie the Maltese constitution as agreed by the vast majority of the members of parliament.. for hanky-panking and corrupt practices maybe one should make reference to the sixties where elections were held under the auspices of a foreign country whose interest was to see that at all costs the labour party should be barred from governing hence the infamous bedfellowing of a catholic umbrella and a schismatic protestant authority. as for poetic justices i honestly fail to see the connection
David Buttigieg
Nov 24th 2008, 17:57
@Charles Zammit,
What you said may be true for the Government of the 70's but certainly not for the 80's when gerrymandering of districts meant the party with a minority of votes remained in government whilst the party with the ABSOLUTE MAJORITY was not!
Did I clap and grin when Mintoff brought down Sant? Oh yes I did - such poetic justice - and the electorate fell over itself to vote Sant and labour out of office again!
charles zammit
Nov 24th 2008, 16:44
gatt as far as i am aware all the governments of the 70's and the 80's were democratically elected by the maltese electorate according to the maltese constitution. therefore if you base your reasoning on this methodology you are completely off mark regarding mr muscat's case.
what's more as a footnote let me remind you that the labour government of the 98 was brought down by the same man you are now claiming was a dictator. i wonder if you and your likes clapped and grinned when mintoff voted against the legitimate labour government.
Alex Tanti
Nov 24th 2008, 13:00
Dr Gonzi, Mr. Muscat deserves much much better.
Is PN any better than 70's labour?
Delayed justice is denied justice!
Ray Gatt
Nov 24th 2008, 09:10
I'm disgusted with Michael Frendo's attitude towards Richard Muscat. I expect Dr. Gonzi to take action and soon. MF should be ashamed of himself, treating Richard, who did so much for the democracy on our islands in the 70ies and 80ies, when dictatorship was at it's worst, in this manner.
Joseph Agius
Nov 23rd 2008, 21:28
I had the pleasure to work with Richard long time ago - and I learned a lot from him. He was like a mentor to me. A true gentleman, loyal, trustworthy and reliable. Unfortunately luck and timing never came his way. I hope justice will be done and I wish him success. Thank you Richard for all you've done for Malta.
Enzo Caurana
Nov 23rd 2008, 18:42
@ Evarist Saliba
To-day's revelation by Mr Richard Muscat is stunning. We have it from his own mouth that Michael Frendo saw him in "his way" to become Commonwaelth Secretary Genreal. Frendo's ambitions held him from doing anything to protect Richard Muscat from the media onslaught for his own reasons which are now as clear as daylight.
How is that for solidarity with a man who gave so much to Michael Frendo's party and indirectly to his political career?
Evarist Saliba
Nov 23rd 2008, 14:13
I had written on Mr Richard Muscat's resignation, and once again when it became known that no charges were going to be brought against his son.
I repeat here that it is a shame that the media is quick to highlight, and spotlight, the negative but tends to be so reluctant to give equal prominence when the positive surfaces.
Richard Muscat deserves better in this respect, and I hope that I will not have to repeat the title of my memoires, "No, Honourable Minister".