Migrants finally step ashore

Joseph W. Galea

Jan 16th 2009, 09:12

The main thing is not that they were saved from the savage seas because that is the human thing to do.
What we are all missing is that it seems we are being made fools of by the EU and our so called 'friends' in Libya.
These immigrants even have an AFM phone number to call when in trouble at sea.

Quote>>>The migrants were taken aboard the tanker on Sunday after they sent a distress call by satellite phone to the army

lgalea

Jan 16th 2009, 09:10

Y Saliba et al
Stop putting Christian morality and other values into the equation. They just don't fit.
When a country is being invaded by a different culture to impose itself on the locals it calls for urgent extreme measures not pity for the invaders.

James Farrugia

Jan 16th 2009, 08:30

Anthony Foromosa:

“Yesterday it was reported an increase of 8.5% of Maltese flying abroad, the good news is that the illegal immigrants has no effect on our economy, in fact we had a significant increase year after year, and secondly perhaps the illegal immigrants are also replacing the Maltese who don't return. Therefore I see the benefit from it and perhaps we need more illegals for our economy, and whether we like it or not this is supported by the EU.”

Ah—how terribly sad it is, that the economy of a nation is elevated onto a pedestal, while the social, cultural aspects of a nation are forgotten and left to erode, the nation left to become just another ‘place to live and die in.’ I would say it is the same as with the environment—here in Malta—and I am sure, in other nations as well. It seems that the establishment is giving Malta elocution lessons in order to expunge its distinct Mediterranean voice.

R Galea

Jan 16th 2009, 07:56

Thank Goodness for that, I thought they would never make it. You can't imagine all the nightmares and lack of sleep I went through, worrying myself sick at night..............!!!!

Joe Xuereb

Jan 15th 2009, 23:28

@Y. Saliba. It is said that the wages of sin is death. Less dramatically, but no less true for that, everything said or done in life has its repercussions or, more commonly, there is a price to pay for everything. Now, being a decent country, a civilised one, of course Malta is duty bound to save anybody in distress. No argument there. But for any individual or group to land illegally on Malta's doorstep (well, eventually) knowing Malta's unfailing bounty is pushing it a bit. And when one of Malta's own - and if there is just one, it is one too many - starts pricking the Nation's conscience and resorting to blatant blackmail. As I said at the beginning Saliba, there is a price to pay for everything. And blackmail is there, high up in the list.

Ivan Attard

Jan 15th 2009, 18:19

@Anthony Formosa

'Yesterday it was reported an increase of 8.5% of Maltese flying abroad, the good news is that the illegal immigrants has no effect on our economy, in fact we had a significant increase year after year, and secondly perhaps the illegal immigrants are also replacing the Maltese who don't return. Therefore I see the benefit from it and perhaps we need more illegals for our economy, and whether we like it or not this is supported by the EU.'

PULL THE OTHER ONE TONY!!!!!!!!

Y Saliba

Jan 15th 2009, 17:30

This is not just an issue of Christian values but an issue of pure morality and conscience. How can anyone ever suggest that these people should have been left at sea to face their own fate? It was ok a few years ago for some to hand over money to charity in aid of African war-thorn countries as long as we were not personally affected by their nationals. Today we cringe at the thought that another illegal immigrant could set foot on our shores and we ponder about the financial repercussions that saving these immigrants would have on our economy without even remotely considering the fact that several thousands have died because there was nobody who could save them.

lgalea

Jan 15th 2009, 15:04

Nigel Lawrence
They are ignoring us now but we shall give them our message on the ballot paper.

J Pulis

Jan 15th 2009, 14:58

I feel pity for these people. Imagine how desperate they are to leave everything and watch their dearest ones dying in the desert and in the sea. How does it feel? Hey these are human being please!!!!!!!!

Chris Park

Jan 15th 2009, 14:42

Chaps: the migrants were rescued in the Maltese search-and-rescue area of responsibility, fact one.
Fact two: they weren't in the usual fibre-glass boat or large rubber dinghy, they were in a wooden fishing vessel of sorts, think of the dismal weather out there.
Fact three: three merchant vessels were rerouted by the AFM's RCC to respond to the distress signal received. The unleaded gasoline tanker was the only one that made it in a timely manner to be able to save lives, as per all conventions in force for saving lives at sea.
Fact four: conventions now dictate that rescuees are taken to the nearest safe port, in this case Malta, not Tripoli.
Fact five: FRONTEX patrols have been postponed to start later this year, anybody amongst us keyboard warriors has asked their Warsaw HQ why?
Fact six: the AFM's ever-eternal parsimonious joke of a budget has left its flag-shop P-61 in repairs for nearly well over a year, can the taxpayer get an explanation why, and what happened? Seems to me more of a restoration job than maintenance or overhaul.
Lastly, can the public stop pointing accusatory fingers at the AFM for merely doing their job and duty?

Ronnie Gauci

Jan 15th 2009, 13:47

162 new Maltesers were "born" yesterday. I wonder why the Prime Minister and the President were not present to welcome them into our magnifcient Grand Harbour.

Nigel Lawrence

Jan 15th 2009, 13:10

Unfortunately, our politicians don't read these blogs. They are like a flock of Ostrich keeping their heads buried in the sand, ignoring the feelings of the population- well that's normal- and the plight of this country. But, by golly, they awarded themselves a bumper pay rise for a job well ignored.

D Vella

Jan 15th 2009, 12:33

And here we were hoping they would actually have to get sent back home where they belong!!

Anthony Formosa

Jan 15th 2009, 12:03

Yesterday it was reported an increase of 8.5% of Maltese flying abroad, the good news is that the illegal immigrants has no effect on our economy, in fact we had a significant increase year after year, and secondly perhaps the illegal immigrants are also replacing the Maltese who don't return. Therefore I see the benefit from it and perhaps we need more illegals for our economy, and whether we like it or not this is supported by the EU.

JOE PARLATO TRIGONA

Jan 15th 2009, 11:56

Now according to my calculations a 10 mtr boat would be approx. 3.60 mtrs wide would result in a total area of 36 sq. mtrs (without deducting the engine space and the trimming of the bow). A single person sitting down would occupy a space of 0.30 sq. mtrs. Therefore a simple calculation would result that in the space of a 10 mtr. boat a maximum theoretical number of 120 persons would fit. What about the remaining 42 persons were they all sitting down on top of the others? And is it possible that all these people travelled from Libya approx 150 miles for long hours in heavy seas until they were picked up? Tell it to the AFM marines please.

D. Borg

Jan 15th 2009, 11:24

In these difficult times and recession these immigrants are exactly what we need. They are the right investors to boost our economy!! Is this what the govt. means when Gonzi says that we are attracting investment?

d. borg

Jan 15th 2009, 11:13

On today's Times there's a photo of these immigrants' feet. The first one is barefooted (trying to show us how poor they are?) but the one behind him has Nike sports shoes. No need for more comments!

Joseph Sciberras

Jan 15th 2009, 11:10

@Tony Pace
I bet most of them have Swiss bank accounts and they came to Malta to invest in Portomaso and MIDI. I hear that the economy in Somalia and Eritrea is booming.

Marvin Mizzi

Jan 15th 2009, 10:56

The ship's tanks were brimming with unleaded fuel and sources said the ship's owners were furious because the shipment had been delayed.
Who is now going to pay for these expenses?!...................................... all because of an illegal act of some people who irrsponsible wanted to enter in another country without permission and without documents illegally...........

Tony Pace

Jan 15th 2009, 10:21

What is the Army's emergency telephone number? Probably most of the Maltese do not know it, yet these illegal immigrants did.

During the 'brief' interrogation, were they asked what bank accounts they hold and where?

Were they asked frisked for contraband or cash that they had hidden in their clothing?

Clint Mercieca

Jan 15th 2009, 09:59

Oh yay! Hurrah!