Army to guard Fort St Elmo

Raymond Sammut

Dec 6th 2008, 19:25

@ Mario de Marco

This is more than "national shame". Yours is an understatement, and a very belated one.

The Australian government constantly seeks out places around the world (including Malta) were Australians died or are buried. It endeavours to protect and to honour these places wherever it can. Why do you think the Australian Head of State visited Malta only recently?

On this basis, just try to think what Saint Elmo should mean to the Maltese government. Think of how many Maltese fought and died at Saint Elmo.

Saint Elmo should be sealed and protected. No-one should be allowed in. Not even Carnival floats should be built there. An alternative place for this purpose should be allocated at the earliest. Saint Elmo must be freed from any social perception that can lead to further degradation, and be given the respect it deserves. The fort should be kept under lock and key until such time when restoration works can commence under government approval.

Jimmy Magro

Dec 2nd 2008, 23:29

There are two scenarios.

One is that Fort St. Elmo shall remain as is and guarded by the Army at the expense of all taxpayers. People have come out to thank the PS Jason Azzopardi for his initiative. I would imagine this is only a stop gap solution.

Second is the creation of a private foundation to transform the place into something sustainable without putting the burden on the taxpayer. Instead of coming out to support this initiative some cowards have come back, as usual, to shoot the messenger rather than the proposal.

When are the Maltese going to grow up and express some political maturity to indicate the level of the national social capital.

Tony Bonello

Dec 2nd 2008, 21:06

Now Dr.Jason please give us what was promised in 1989 by your previous ministers the most awaited Carnival Village.

Charles J Zammit

Dec 2nd 2008, 18:19

Let us for once on this Island put politics aside and back somebody that is willing to do something to sustain our rich heritage . This laudable move to have the Army guarding such a rich part of our Maltese heritage is truly good news.St Elmo demands some respect
Would some maritime servicemen posted at St Angelo achieve less deterioration of the place . Both places during the occupation of the two Forts the former by the Army and the latter by the Navy kept both places in pristine condition .

NEVILLE DEBATTISTA

Dec 2nd 2008, 16:30

Well done Jason. When you grow old you will have a good story to tell to your grandsons and
grandaughters. Keep it up.

Jimmy Magro

Dec 2nd 2008, 15:04

@ J Farrugia
There might be more than 1000 J Farrugia in Malta and Gozo so I cannot judge the comment.

All I can say that the meeting is open to all and J Farrugia is more than inivted to attend and make a post mortem rather than an ante mortem of the meeting/intentions.

This would seem to be more intelligent than mud slinging.

J Farrugia

Dec 2nd 2008, 14:45

Knowing Jimmy Magro I find it odd when he says that "and no partisan politics will be allowed during the meeting." Even the Consumers Association which he set up was started on good intentions!

v.pulis

Dec 2nd 2008, 13:05

What's done is done. No use crying over spilt milk. We must turn a new page. stop blaming this and the other and start the ball rolling without losing sight of what fort St. Elmo is. A fort, a monument foremost.

Joe Cordina

Dec 2nd 2008, 12:25

Very typical. first we let things go to ruins then we suddenly wake up and spend millions in taxpayers money to fix what was left to rot

Jimmy Magro

Dec 2nd 2008, 11:13

The first meeting of the Foundation will be held on Monday 8 December 2008 at 06.00p.m. at the Hotel Excelsior in Floriana. All persons are invited to attend the meeting.

I have received the support of the World Monument Fund that has classified the Fort as being on the Danger List with Grade Four Risk out of a scale from one to five. So everyone can image the risk that lies with Fort St. Elmo. The documentation has been sent to the local media for publication.

I do agree to have the Army protecting the Fort.

Following the first public meeting on Monday, the elected Board will start discussions with Government on the best way to proceed our co-operation.

I appeal to those that have contributed to this discussion to attend the meeting and support this national initiative. Civil Socities have an important role to play in every democracy. This is not a political initiative and no partisan politics will be allowed during the meeting.

I appeal to other similar organisations to be present during this meeting and we should be seen as partners and not competitors. The objective is to give a contribution to this national effort.

Joe Sammut

Dec 2nd 2008, 10:20

The 3/11th RMA (T) Association, which gathers surviving former Maltese Territorial Army veterans who served in these Units, have long advocated that Fort St. Elmo should be either returned to the Armed Forces or else elevated to the well-deserved status Edinburgh Castle enjoys in Scotland, for sake of perpetuating history and traditions, not merely as a tourist attraction.

However, that the AFM have (again!!) been suckered already to provide "contract-style" fixed-point security guarding for access control purposes is a dismal cheap excuse not to award a contract to a local security-guarding firm. And this when personnel in the AFM is lacking or commited more sverely on other important missions. Hindsight, they still render an UNARMED doorman service at the Marsa Open Centre for former illegal migrants, have suffered attacks of all sorts and damages to public and private property there at.

Dr. Azzopardi conveniently forgets that the AFM was already located for a period at St. Elmo, and many recall the 3/11th RMA's disbandment parade there as well. Now's the time to put the money where the mouth is: there is no Word War Two heritage/history exhibit in Valletta with the War Museum carted away in storage!!

lgalea

Dec 2nd 2008, 09:38

Let's give St Elmo the dignity that it previously had.

Ivan Scicluna - Rabat

Dec 2nd 2008, 09:36

In the UK, there are a number of historic Castles (Edinburgh and Stirling to name 2) that house an Army Regiment as their barracks. The upkeep and security of the same castle is entrusted to these Regiments.

How about doing the same here in Malta? Fort St. Elmo could be the first.

Joe Morana

Dec 2nd 2008, 09:36

It is good news indded that the evicton of sqautters at Lower Fort St Elmo will materialise in the immediate future and it was wise to engage the Army to control the access to the Fort 24hrs a day. Well done PS Dr Jason Azzopardi and PS Dr. Mario de Marco, for their commitment and effective actions to stop the long standing illegal abuse and misuse of Lower Fort St Elmo. We can now look forward to the rehabilitation of Fort the St Elmo and hopefully soon, that of Fort St Angelo. At last we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.