Russian warships to make rare visit to Malta

Mario Skinder

Dec 28th 2008, 20:22

Now the Russians are coming. I would like to know if the Socialists also known as PL -Public liability will wave their red flags to welcome them. Will there will be welcome party serving Stolichnaya Vodka., Scallions, salt and pickles made from cucumbers. If yes. Join in the free fun

peter grech

Dec 28th 2008, 19:59

welcome russians.

David Pisani

Dec 28th 2008, 16:19

The main argument on warships is about neutrality. So be it Russian, American, Chinese, it doesn't matter. Personally i am against the development of an american embassy at Ta' qali and a chinese one, if given any land for development from the Govt. In the local media it was mentioned an area in Pembroke for this purpose.

Brian Murphy

Dec 28th 2008, 13:17

The Russians are coming. They usually berth off Hurd's Bank. I believe they should be welcomed with Vodka Baci and Caviar! These silly protests are out of this world!



Brian Murphy

Paul Ripard

Dec 27th 2008, 19:17

Hear Hear Christopher Briffa!

Franco Farrugia

Dec 27th 2008, 17:12

@ Raymond Sammut - I have no idea what you are talking about. So sorry.

Christopher Briffa

Dec 27th 2008, 15:19

I`ll look forward to this visit, it will be interesting to see whether Moviment Grafiti, Zminijietna and the usual self proclaimed peace loving groups will be holding any protests against this visit, they are always protesting whenever an American warship is in port., let`s see if at least they`re consistent.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 27th 2008, 15:04

@ Franco Farrugia
@ justin meli
@ james Galea

Pacifism, unfortunately, does not work. Civilisations that became wealthier without arming their nation strongly enough could not continue to exist. Being a wealthy nation is incongruent with being a defensless nation. The Hittites and the Assyrians are just two examples.

The Order knew this, and they invested heavily in the military. Still they got expelled. The Maltese of today must also know this. Look at Malta now. What is Malta going to do without a strong army.

The Gibraltarians, for example, would not want to have anything to do with Spain, and their caper is clear: "No enemy shall expel us".

Why do you think Dr George Borg Olivier remained seated on that fateful day? Who knew better than him. See if Mintoff or Fenech-Adami or their conceited legacy will save Malta as time goes on. Who shall expel the Maltese.

Mark-Anthony Fenech

Dec 27th 2008, 12:28

@ c.camilleri

I concur with your claims that Russia haven't been exactly nice... But the Americans have had their share of dirty business too... Have you forgotten Vietnam as in the My Lai incident, the thousands who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan? For all their holier-than-thou attitude they still remain the ones who used nuclear weapons in a war.. "Whenever the Americans went into war their cause was never to conquer foreign lands but to defend other people's freedom." Conquer oil maybe? Main actors in a power play?

The Russians are no angels I assure you but the Americans could give them a run for their money...

Franco Farrugia

Dec 27th 2008, 12:10

@ Justin Meli - Yours was the most valid comment from among this .... well, series of comments, if you can call them so.

The more time passes, the more this Times' blog becomes an eye-opener as to what Maltese society is made up of. And I leave it at that.

J. Borg

Dec 27th 2008, 10:59

The usual "No Warships" people have found a new opportunity to make their voice heard.

To Justin Meli: "who is amused by these death boats gives a grenade to his child and have fun watching him play with it." - Come on man! Seeing a warship is nowhere equivalent to giving your child a grenade. Also I think that it does more harm letting children play PC games (shooter types) - I'm not sure if I can mention product names on media - than watching a warship that came to give its crew some rest.

James De Giorgio

Dec 27th 2008, 10:54

I dislike the idea of having russian warships in our harbours. The russians are showing time and again that they do not have any regard for democracy or the territorial integrities of neighbouring states either.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 27th 2008, 05:12

@ mario mifsud

We all had lots of things to do on Boxing Day, Mr Mifsud. Putting in a quick comment was just one of those things. You couldn't resist the temptation yourself, couldn't you? You just couldn't leave that Times' comments board alone, even though it was Boxing Day!

justin meli

Dec 26th 2008, 22:40

a warship is a machine of death whether its american , russian or from timbuktu and should not be allowed in our harbours..who is amused by these death boats gives a grenade to his child and have fun watching him play with it..

mario mifsud

Dec 26th 2008, 21:51

All these posts because some Russian ships are expected in Malta.
Do you people have nothing to do on Boxing day?

Charles J. Busuttil

Dec 26th 2008, 21:14

Mr Bezzina, What's wrong with creating work for prositutes as long as they are allowed to keep the income and spend it in your or my shop just like the other professions.

Alexander Morana

Dec 26th 2008, 21:13

Eventually the russians could save europe again in case a war should arise in the future.
@ Malcolm seychell

Russia has Putin and the EU has the likes of Baroso and Gonzi, men without a backbone.

james Galea

Dec 26th 2008, 19:35

Oh we have become such booth lickers. Who needs killing machines in his waters?

lgalea

Dec 26th 2008, 19:28

M.Bezzina
Warships mostly create work for prostitutes.

c.camilleri
Have a look at http://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz/interventions.html

malcolm seychell

Dec 26th 2008, 19:16

They are more then welcome

Eventually the russians could save europe again in case a war should arise in the future.

Our army and the European armies are too politically correct to even protect illegal immigrants from coming to our shores so I cannot imagine them fighting in a war.

The Russians thank god are not politically correct and they know how to protect and win wars when needed.

Mario Tabone-Vassallo

Dec 26th 2008, 17:51

Good idea. Brilliant. If an ex chancellor can be on Gazprom management, it is about time that Malta adopts this attitude

M.Bezzina

Dec 26th 2008, 16:45

Is it possible that on this island we still find people afraid of accepting warships here? We have to be friends with everyone as they said!!These create revenue to the island.Handling at Grand Harbour, Taxis, Bars, maybe cultural visits and so on!!
This leaves revenue more than a 3 day stop of a cruise liner for sure!!

c.camilleri

Dec 26th 2008, 15:57

@ Joseph Cachia. Are you refering to the Americans or the Russians who occupied half of Europe for fifty years or lately to the invasion of Georgia. Or to Russian's continuous threats to its neighbours who are refused the freedom to formulate their foreign policy an sovereign countries. Whenever the Americans went into war their cause was never to conquer foreign lands but to defend other people's freedom. Americans have their defects as anybody else but they are not the devils that you make them to be. People used to risk their lives to escape from Russian dictatorial rule. Have you heard how many people tried to escape from America?

Karl Abela

Dec 26th 2008, 12:28

@ Baldacchino

These are not aircraft carriers or submarines...its just a small detroyer accompanied by a tug boat...

Raymond Sammut

Dec 26th 2008, 12:24

@ J Baldacchino

No need to ask the minister. The information is freely available.

The Admiral Levchenko, for example, was commissioned 20 years ago in St Petersburg. She is powered by two engines, both gas turbines. She carries guided missiles, but whether these are nuclear tipped is immaterial since they do not need to be nearby to hit something. Only 2 years ago, the Admiral Levchenko was in Portsmouth, England, for joint exercises with NATO vessels.

Russia has always been a friendly country to Malta, with historical ties going back to the Order of St John. They should be welcomed like any other friendly warships. They were on Malta's side in WWII, and Malta as a nation owes a lot to the Russian navy, at least indirectly.

joseph cachia

Dec 26th 2008, 12:20

So what, mr baldachhino, if these welcome ships are fully loaded with whatever armaments.
Have you ever asked such a question ,when any american ship fully loaded WITH WEAPONS
of MASS DESTRUCTION used to INVADE ,shatter countries ,and murder millions, come near
our shore's and enter harbour. Have you protested when recently BRITISH MENOF WAR,
loaded with similar cargo as the americans, came to our harbour.???

Joseph Brincat

Dec 26th 2008, 12:13

Viva Russia! That's what I call balance of power.
The more peaceful visits from any nation we have to our peaceful islands, the more our aching economy is strengthened. All we need is action not words.
Look at what the United States are boistering about - no visas for Maltese who visits their country.

A.J. Anastasi

Dec 26th 2008, 12:00

I welcome this visit to Malta.

Well done to the authorities of Malta.

Malta is a friend to everyone and an enemy to none!

DASVIDANJA and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

AJA.

../..

J Baldacchino

Dec 26th 2008, 10:58

May the Ministry for Foreign Affairs assure us that these ships are NOT Nuclear Powered please.

Joe Scerri

Dec 26th 2008, 10:51

I expect that those who usually protest when American / NATO warships visit our ports to also show their disapproval. Or will they?