FAA calls for resignation of St John's Foundation members

E. Ghirxi

Feb 16th 2009, 21:01

Remember the damage done to the small church and adjacent houses in front of Stella Maris Church, Sliema, when trenching and excavation works were being done?

How about using the Theatre site?

Marcel Dingli

Feb 16th 2009, 20:23

Oscar Cassar jien ma nafx x pjani kellu Sant, imma l pjan originali (tal Kavallieri) kien li il foss jidhol il bahar fih.

A.Gauci Cunningham

Feb 16th 2009, 18:42

As far as i know the Foundation "declared" the period of consultation open and encouraged society at large to give its opinions. At no time did the Foundation say that only engineers or people with a very high IQ or language skills could give their penny's worth to the debate!! Why didn't the Foundation draw the EIA first before actually presenting the project to the people?? Were they more than sure that the project was in the bag?? @DCG---Dr.Albert Ganado and Dr.Magro Conti of the Heritage Advisory Comitee are not JM sympathizers and even if they were I suppose that their opinion against the project is worth a thing or two!! The "periti" of the Valletta Local council are not stupid, low-life, mob-like creatures and yet their attitude was negative too towards the project. And JPO who you thought was such a 'poor' 'unfortunate' soul before the last election?? Did he oppose the project because he's an Astrid "hugger" too?? And Ninu Zammit, Jesmond Mugliett and Censu Galea?? Are these PN MPs silly low-life busy-bodies too?? Is it any wonder Gonzi's so silent about the whole saga when he has DCG doing all his dirty work here and there???

m.portelli

Feb 16th 2009, 17:14

'If I want Astrid Vella to speak for me and represent my interests, I'll vote for her in the next election.' Likewise if RCC wants to speak and take decisions on behalf of and in the interests of all the Maltese, let him contest an election . Never spotted his name on the PN candidate list on any ballot paper. Why doesn't he give it a try anyway? Is there some divine right to office involved here?

J.Borg

Feb 16th 2009, 16:30

Just one thing i have to add DCG a master knows it all, wanting to ridicule everyone writing on this blog. Calling other subilliterate because they don't know how to express themselves well, just shows how low you can go. For you not supporting GONZIPN is ignorant, illiterate, what more adjectives do you want to add. Give us a break please and shut up. As if it was only the FAA and Astrid Vella that were against the project. What about the PN backbenchers....don't you have anything to say about them. The mistake Joseph muscat made was that he dropped the motion as we would have seen who would have spoke in favour of the project.

Oscar Cassar

Feb 16th 2009, 15:07

L-hasra hija li fi zmien l-elezzjoni qatt ma smajna l-opinjoni ta Astrid u l-FAA dwar il-proposta tal-PL meta Sant qal li ried jaqqad bil-bahar l-port ta Marsamxett mal-Port il-Kbir u bhekk ried ihaffer taht is-swar kollha tal-Belt bla ma kien ghamel xi studji relatati u bhekk bil-programm elettorali kien lest li jipperikolha l-parti ta taht il-Kavallier ta S.Gakbu, Bank Centrali ecc.

Joe Micallef

Feb 16th 2009, 08:00

Dear Mr. James A.Tyrrell - I did not use your full name not out of disrespect but to fit into word limit allowed - As for common decency I tend to use other references, certainly not yours. As for your replies well I will not go beyond saying that it confirms my understanding that your opinion does not hold water. I would have thought you have the answers but evidently you don't. The crux of the matter here is that you are missing the wood for the trees.

mark tanti

Feb 15th 2009, 21:35

I never had the least doubt that FAA is a politically motivated NGO. The only intention of the LP 'regarding this issue was to emberace the govt. when coming to vote in parlament. This is because a govt. MP disagreed with the funding of this project Being a politically motivated NGO A.Vella joined forces with the LP so she asked for a free vote from the govt. MP's side only. Besides the FAA is following the LP's strategy which is No to every single proposed project and always calling for people to resign. Ms Vella this project did not stop because of you because you are not in a position to take desicions. Only responsible person are put in a position were desicions are to be taken..

J Martinelli

Feb 15th 2009, 20:58

@ lgalea 1. Squandering money coming from the EU (mostly) which according to what some politician told us that joining the EU would mean getting LM6 million? 2. Astrid Vella got 1500 signatures. Someone mentioned that FAA has 550 members, so, assuming that all the members signed, she was only able to get another 950? And she speaks for all? 3. You are anti-everything as long as Joseph does not come out with it first. But Joseph cannot - he is Leader of the Opposition and he can only grin and bear. 4. There are many who are against the perverted result of the issue not because the project was dropped but because due process was scuttled. Know the difference. 5. Members of the St. John's Foundation have no reason to resign. They had a project in mind, which due to one NGO and Joseph Muscat caused panic mostly to the uninformed. As an example - you lgalea - can you tell us what your objection to the project was? 6. Since EIAs are not to be trusted and MEPA's authority in the minds of Astrid & Co.equals zero, then shall we go back to the days when ministers decided?

Raymond Sammut

Feb 15th 2009, 19:18

@ Joe Micallef

Dr Gonzi had the opportunity to debate the issue in Parliament. In the face of a "jumbled lot", he chickened out.

Stephen Borg Cardona

Feb 15th 2009, 18:36

Daphne it would appear that many more people agreed with FAA than signed the petition, otherwise why would the Prime Minister have said no to the project ? Thank you FAA.

f pace

Feb 15th 2009, 16:27

surely all of you understand that it wasn't FAA, joe muscat, pubic opinion or the real or perceived risk of damaging our heritage that stopped this project. The st john's project was stopped for one reason and one reason only - the risk that one or more of our blue MPs would vote against it ( ...and to show their contempt for RCC, whose pet this was, they would have). This, of course, gonzipn couldn't allow and so he played his move , albeit at the stomach churning expense of having beatified st astrid of ghar id dud in the co-cathedral of all places.

James A. Tyrrell

Feb 15th 2009, 15:25

@Micallef. I didn't use your first name, as you didn't have the common decency to use mine or indeed Ms. Vella's.
1) Yes
2) No, not if it is done right. Would you rather they were left to rot?
3) Ask the Foundation.
4) Since the Foundation have not bothered to consider them who knows. Somehow however I doubt if they would cost anywhere like 14 million Euro!
5) Any support for Ms. Vella in my opinion has been well constructed and mature in nature. Daphne Caruana Galizia on the other hand who is an obvious and well-known Gonzipn supporter finds it necessary to resort to the gutter response of personal attack. With friends like her who needs enemies?
6) On a rotational basis yes.
7) Everyone has a right to an opinion, even Ms. Vella and myself.
8) What idea?
9) Never heard of anyone retaining such information, have you?
10) Credentials as you call them are not required to form an opinion! When qualified opinions are called for then you consult with qualified people as FAA did throughout this process.

ron mifsud

Feb 15th 2009, 14:22

Has any body heard about a Museum called Louvre?! Do you know where it is? Well it's in Paris, underneath the courtyard of an important historical building now housing the upper part of the Louvre Museum. It's not where projects are constructed. It is a matter how well they are conceived , planned and executed respecting fully architerctural laws and historical values. If we do like Astrid Vella, her FAA and all opposers, opposing a project without even daring to wait for EIAs and other evalation exercises to see what they have to say, opposing for opposing sake, perhaps for some cheap popularity, then it's going to be a death toll for architecture as we might be building only concrete hutches for people which remain unsold!!!

Joe Morana

Feb 15th 2009, 12:28

Daphne please gives us a break . Your contributions are evermore sounding more like the Labour Party's MANUEL.

Byron Camilleri

Feb 15th 2009, 12:07

Dear Daphne Caruana Galizia,

Since you are claiming that FAA are politically motivated, I have just one question for you.

Do you consider yourself as independent and not politically motivated?

Joe Micallef

Feb 15th 2009, 09:20

@Tyrell

If there was any reason to doubt FAA’s fundamentalist and opportunistic action, you couldn’t have been more comprehensive. Some questions beckon although they are irrelevant compared to the dangerous precedent established related to a nation's governance.

1. Have you ever seen these Palazzos
2. If you have don’t you think turning them into workshops and offices as “a destructions of century old gems”
3. How many Palazzos would be needed.
4. Who owns these Palazzos and how much do they cost. Probably they cost additional millions now. Or should they be requisitioned?
5. Have you seen how people supporting Vella on this blog have sustained their arguments! A jumbled lot to say the least
6. Should the tapestries be exhibited? If yes where
7. Do other common mortals have the right to a different opinion on this subject.
8. Who should decide on the technical feasibility of this idea, you, me or the institutions.
9. A petition is not a survey. To make it credible you need to tell me how many where asked and how many refused.
10. What credentials do yourself, or indeed Vella, have in terms of geology, civil works, communication theories and museum planning.

lgalea

Feb 15th 2009, 09:08

J Martinelli, Noel Mamo
The tragedy would have been if your beloved Gonezipn and the unelected RCC had succeeded in ruining OUR national heritage.

And yes. We shall oppose whatever your Gonezipn proposes that is not according to what the people want to squander OUR money on. It's not YOUR money that Gonezipn is squandering, but OURS.

Good job Astrid.

Continue with your work and don't take any notice of those who are trying to do their best to degrade you, especially someone who hates everything Labour and spreads her venom against Labour on a continuous basis.

The people are behind you to protect OUR heritage.

Chris Borg

Feb 15th 2009, 02:06

Also - I don't believe FAA claim to speak on behalf of the population...this notwithstanding, in my case I feel that their views do represent me far more than those of any elected 'politician'.

Chris Borg

Feb 15th 2009, 01:59

Thank you Astrid and FAA!

Sandro Galea

Feb 15th 2009, 01:46

FAA’s call can best be summarised in David Hume’s wisdom on arrogance:

“When men are most sure and arrogant they are commonly most mistaken, giving views to passion without that proper deliberation which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities.”

One can assume that David Hume would have said the same thing about women.

I have yet to see such a level of glorified arrogance and ignorance.

God spare us.

adrian galea

Feb 15th 2009, 00:34

Unfortunately I feel in a bit of a minority here, but I do have reservations about all this saga.

Personally I would have much better preferred to see expert opinion and due process take place, and then take a decision at that stage. This has not happened. I, for you, cannot tell you whether I would have supported the project or otherwise at that stage. I had my pros and cons at the start but it really was far too early to decide.

SO is this how we are going to approach issues of this kind? Raise as much opposition at the outset, nip things in the bud?

Itis a dangerouse precedent and one which does not bode well for the next, and even bigger project: the CItygate one. Is resistance there also going to mean that an informed, evidence-based debate is going to be stifled by vocal resistence at the outset?

I cannot but help that in the end political expediency won the day, on both sides, and that what we are seeing here is restriction of governance imposed on the Prime Minister in trying to keep it all together.

Marco Cremona

Feb 15th 2009, 00:09

@ Ray Vella

FAA has always contributed constructively whenever it was given the opportunity. A recent example is the comprehensive document compiled by FAA and other NGOs full of suggestions and recommendations presented to the Prime Minister on MEPA reform.

FAA never objected to the development of a museum for the display of tapestries. FAA objected to the extravagant plans as submitted by the Foundation - which in the words of experts would have resulted in irreparable damage to the Cathedral.

Indeed, why did the Foundation drop the project and not find an acceptable solution together with NGOs and stakeholders? Is this due to sheer arrogance on the Foundation's part? Is it a case of 'it's either my way or nothing'?

Why did it have to be an extravagant solution (costing millions of euros of the taxpayers' money) or nothing at all? Why isn't the Foundation interested in finding a low-cost solution? The mind boggles.

Daphne says that she 'speaks for herself'. Who does she think she is kidding?

Anthony Paris

Feb 15th 2009, 00:03

I have no doubt that if Astrid is given the opportunity to find a suitable location for the tapestries, she will do a good job. But needless to say this decision will be once again driven by the cardinal and supported by DCG, ala St John's, and ala Dar Malta. Who was talking about poodles?

Joseph Grech

Feb 14th 2009, 23:56

Good job Astrid, we need more people like you.
Hope that in the future issues like these do not occur again!

J Martinelli

Feb 14th 2009, 23:23

Such instances make one cry! This tragedy is almost over but wait... the next one beckons.

Wait until Renzo Piano reveals his plans. Good as they may be, the next farce will be those taking one side while others oppose at all costs.
Some will not agree with the design of the Opera House(?)/Parliament.
Others will not agree with the shape of the City Gate.
Many will say that the money should be spent elsewhere, preferably distributed equally to each man, woman and child.
Some will bring up the age old question, why Piano not England or some other Maltese architect.
All this will happen as our beloved bus drivers go on strike.
We shall bemoan that tourists have become somewhat scarce, like we should be guaranteed record visits year in, year out.
Cries for resignations - ministers, Prime Minister, and every Tom Dick and Harry who carries some sort of title and a responsible position.
MEPA will change its name because no one can stand the old one any more.

All this will reach its peak as a new pet peeve will rear its head - Sikka l-Bajda project.

Can't wait for Joseph's hindsight one more time!

Joseph Mercieqa

Feb 14th 2009, 23:12

Well, Well, WELL!!

Its surpising how certain accolades turn up to defend the undefendable. There had been silence so far even if lobbying to get the expert's blessings for this pastiche with continued insistence by others till the very last to sound the foundation's fragile arguments

If the prime minister has revoked a decision that his representatives had taken then they cannot represent a legitimately elected government. Thats the way things happen in a democracy or are we back by a couple of decades? Or is this Government keen on leaving expensive toys in the hands of amateurs? Quite a few out here are not any more credible

Well done astrid! You deserve the people's recognition. Never mind what the politically minded say. Few really represent us.

Joseph Vassallo

Feb 14th 2009, 22:42

[Quoting] Daphne Caruana Galizia: "It's called lack of insight". [Unquote] Last time someone didn't agree with her, it was called "lack of complete education". It's best to wind our necks in, or next thing we know, she'll be saying it's to do with breeding.... you know... the DNA!

I have to say however that I agree with her on many of her assertions. Let the FAA blow their own trumpets now; who are they anyway? A proper technical study of the project wasn't even initiated never mind completed. So who's to say what's right and what's wrong?

I hope my poorly-strung sentences don't grind too much on any language professors.

Ethelbert Schembri

Feb 14th 2009, 22:15

All citizens should ask some questions on this matter , of which who was responsible from the GOV for the application to EU funds ? Which minister was and is responsible for these funds now that they were obtained ? The minister of tourism, the minister of education, the parliamentary secretary for tourism or the Prime Minister ??
In any case we as citizens should expect some answers and some resignations because these is not just bad governance but also abuse of power and there was the risk that a treasure like the St John's Co-Cathedral will be in danger of irreparable damage by people that we pay to safeguard such monuments not destroy them .
If this project was forwarded to the EU two years ago so Dr Gonzi as prime minister then and now should shoulder his responsibility too and not find a scapegoat and force someone else to resign because if I’m not mistaken he is responsible of tourism now days!!

lesley kreupl

Feb 14th 2009, 22:09

I wonder how many of you anti-FAA “experts” have ever bothered to visit the FAA site? If you had done so you would know that many professionals were involved in FAA's arguments against the co-cathedral project. Geologist Peter Gatt was one of them and his report can be read in full at www.faa.org.mt.
Recent excavations carried out beneath the Monte di Pietà building resulted in serious and widespread tension cracks along the walls. This was also the reason why excavations of the car park next to the Mosta Rotunda were immediately ruled out and not allowed to go to EIA stage. One wonders what pressure was put on MEPA to allow an EIA for an excavation outside St John’s when this was refused for the Rotunda, a more recent and less vulnerable structure which is not listed as a scheduled heritage monument.
Has everyone forgotten about the two ladies who were killed – buried under tons of rubble - when the block of flats they were in collapsed in St. Paul's Bay?
@Daphne, I suggest you also visit the site and instead of spreading your indigestion twice weekly, why don't you do something positive for a change?

Noel Mamo

Feb 14th 2009, 22:09

It would be better for this self-proclaimed heritage diva to find an alternative and concerete solution rather than hug and kiss politicians...you see Ms Astrid Vella symbolises the Maltese syndrome...everyone thinks that he is more competant than the authorities or is a professor in everything but then always falls short of being practical and give concrete solutions....I epect the FAA to not only object but to suggest...same goes to the MLP...give alternative and viable solutions not just complain...this applies to the whole load of bloggers who seem to know it all

Daphne Caruana Galizia

Feb 14th 2009, 22:08

To the woman who claims that she doesn't "ask for my recipe book" but still gets it with the newspaper even though she doesn't want it: chance would be a fine thing. I rather suspect you are one of the very many - and in this case, I actually have the figures - who buys the newspaper only when the "recipe book" is published. If you don't want it, leave it behind at the newsagent for one of the countless people who call the following Monday in distress because they didn't get to the newagent in time, and who we cannot help because all copies sell out at every location in Malta and Gozo by 9.30am. Or are Labour and AD supporters naturally selfish?

Incidentally, it's called a magazine, not a recipe book. Recipes books are the sort that Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson have published. Books and magazines are different things, even though they're all 'ktieb' in Maltese. Learn the difference. It might help you get on in life.

Daphne Caruana Galizia

Feb 14th 2009, 22:01

You people seem to have trouble with the English language, don't you? I didn't write that thousands of people agree with me. I am not Astrid Vella. I wrote "IF thousands of people agree with me". It's called a hypothesis. It usually takes the conditional tense. In certain cases, you can use the present tense. No wonder you're such prey to misinformation campaigns when you can barely understand a simple sentence.

Mark Vella Bardon

Feb 14th 2009, 22:00

Resign! Unnecessary I think. They will probably be awarded "Midalja f'Gieh ir-Republika" for their brilliant idea to dig a hole in the ground to hang up tapestries ... What about the other hole in the ground, under the nose of the grand Palace! Who needs a car park in the centre of the city! ... aren't our MPs pampered enough, can't they "park and ride" too. Archeological excavations, impact assessments all this money spent on crass stupidity. Let's have a city centre for pedestrians, albeit with acess for mini electric shuttle taxis for those who are legless or in a hurry. What's wrong in leaving this city of ours in the same shape as it was left to us by our forefathers. We now hear of reconstruction of a metal bridge to the breakwater ... on the same yardstick why not "reconstruct" the Opera House! As for CIty Gate, anybody worth his salt can come up with a redesign of that horrific strcuture that has been allowed to stand for ever too long.

Daphne Caruana Galizia

Feb 14th 2009, 21:56

I seem to have rattled a few cages here - cages in which Labour and AD supporters live, masquerading as supporters of Astrid Vella and her AD-infested organisation. How many of you genuinely support Astrid Vella, as opposed to being glad that Astrid has served your narrow partisan interests?

By the way, I would use a dictionary and get some grammar lessons if I were you. Otherwise anyone reading this will be forced to conclude all AD/Labour/Astrid Vella supporters are sub-literate, semi-literate or, in the case of those whose comments are mainly question marks and interrogation marks, illiterate. Astrid supporters, my left foot. Please explain to me how people who can barely write are qualified to decide on a capital project of this nature. Apparently, the fact that you've got a vote has convinced you that your advice should be sought even on matters of which you know nothing. There's a term for it: mob rule.

Michael Cremona

Feb 14th 2009, 21:36

I would have liked to know whether the proposed plans were a good idea or not. The information provided so far, at least that which is factual, does not allow me to come to any conclusion, and certainly not one where I'd scrap the project outright.

But I guess now I'll never know.

And while time passes as we search for an alternative (which we will have to pay for with our taxes, instead of paying for it with EU money supplied by EU bureacrats intent on destroying our national heritage), it occurs to me that if in the meantime something DOES happen to our national heritage for lack of action, I might just want to blame Astrid Vella and the FAA, because, we never got a REAL opinion, on whether or not it was a good idea.

Charles Sammut

Feb 14th 2009, 21:17

"MEPA Directorate declaration that "The project is a non-starter due to the fact that no mitigation measures can guarantee that the Cathedral's foundations will not be affected"."

That says it all. That's MEPA Directorate not the "mob" speaking.

You don't need to be an expert to know that using mechanical diggers to dig a hole the size of a small quarry right beside a unique monument which has been standing there for over four centuries is bound to cause irreparable damage.

Why is it the usual suspects who are defending the indefensible? Was there more than meets the eye in this €14,000,000 stillborn white elephant?

M. Catania

Feb 14th 2009, 21:07

I think that the St.John's Cathedral underground museum and the Opera House are two different matters. No one has still not published the structural implications of the underground museum would have had to the Cathedral. I would and am avidly against the project if it was proven that this would negatively affect the structural foundations of the area.

Given that the Opera House is rebuilt, who will foot the production bill of every performance and recurrent expenditure? Would the Opera House pricing be affordable to all the public or would it serve the needs of the elitist and the establishment only? In that case better leave the place in ruins then spending my tax money for the enjoyment of the few.

The Government should augment its investment in sporting activities and encourage through schemes and incentives for more youths to practice some type of sport. No wonder we are one of the most obese people in the world!!!

James A. Tyrrell

Feb 14th 2009, 20:33

@ RayVella,If you had bothered to read FAA PRs instead of just trying to attack them,you would have noticed that they never suggested using a Palazzo to hang the tapestries.They always proposed moving out the Foundation’s OFFICES and restoration WORKSHOPS along with the smaller collections of silver, choral books and church vestments into a palace.Those can surely be fitted into the existing structure of a Palazzo without gutting, so your suggestion that Astrid is proposing the “destruction of these century old gems” is ludicrous.
@ DavidCassar – at the last published count,FAA had over 550members and now probably many more,which is very good going for an NGO which set up only two years ago and does not even have paid staff unlike other NGOs who have been strangely silent on this case.

Regarding the petition,1,500 is the number of signatures that were collected in only one week, and not the definitive number as people are still signing on,though luckily it is not needed for the Cathedral any longer and hopefully not for fighting for a theatre either as Dr. Gonzi would be wise to take the pulse of the general public before he leaves that out of his plans.

Franco Farrugia

Feb 14th 2009, 20:30

@ Daphne Caruana Galizia - '(People like Astrid) have no official role, no electoral mandate, and yet have the nerve to claim that they are speaking for the country and representing the people's interests.'
THAT'S RICH COMING FROM YOU, DAPHNE. WHO APPOINTED YOU, OF ALL PEOPLE, TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE AS YOU OFTEN DO IN YOUR LONG DIATRIBES?

AND WHY ALL THIS INTEREST IN THE PROPOSED PROJECT?
SORRY - YOU'RE WRONG ON THIS ONE.

'She should be made to understand that the only people on whose behalf she speaks are Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar's members.'
ANOTHER INACCURACY, DEAR DAPHNE. I AM NOT A MEMBER OF THE FAA AND IN SUCH MATTERS, INDEED, PEOPLE LIKE ASTRID MATTER MORE IN WHAT THEY SAY, THAN OTHERS, WHO POSSIBLY HAVE SECRET AGENDAS.

' What is she telling us here - that she is more credible than Monsignor Philip Calleja?'

EHHHMMM.... YES! INDEED.

'What arrogance.'
AGAIN, INDEED ... YOU WOULD SURELY KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THAT!

Henry J Bonett

Feb 14th 2009, 20:21

Daphne et al, Why do you keep banging your head against a wall? If Astrid had the few sympathisers you claim she has, why in the whole world would the Government and Church have stopped the project at all? And, No! Daphne, I will not be reading your column tomorrow. I have stopped doing that a long time ago. I am afraid I do not, at all, share your 'insight' any more. And... the last thing I have in my mind, when I say this, is Dr Joe Muscat.

Helena Psaila

Feb 14th 2009, 20:01

Thank you Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar.

M. Mizzi

Feb 14th 2009, 19:58

A resignation would be quite in order.

Possible nominees by Dr. Gonzi on the board could just be Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Ray Bondin and why not Astrid herself who would certainly get my vote at her tenacity to defend right and just causes.

Well done Astrid, you are a woman of substance with no hidden agendas.

J Busuttil

Feb 14th 2009, 19:37

The sad thing about this issue is that MEPA was not left to ultimately decide on this project. I for one do not know who was right,FAA or Foundation. Labour just jumped on FAA bandwagon. So unless we really know the wish of the majority FAA should stop asking for resignations. Now can FAA please tell us were the tapestries are going to be exhibited?

Anthony Pace Gouder

Feb 14th 2009, 19:22

SCARCITY of resolute persons LIKE Ms. Astrid Vella ,who is constantly speaking out on dubious projects , is worrying. Good thing too , that DCGs are very RARE. What a silly suggestion ! ! ?
DOES anyone need to enter politics to fight for COMMON SENSE ? Likewise why not suggest the ARCHBISHOP Too !

a. sciberras

Feb 14th 2009, 19:19

Keep up the good work Ms. Vella! You hit the nail on the head and managed to stop irreparable damage to Valletta! Surprised at Ms. Caruana Galizia's views on the matter!

J. Pisani

Feb 14th 2009, 19:17

@Daphne
"was signed by just 1,500 people, most of whom would have gone on nothing but the misinformation they had been fed"
Well correct me if I'm wrong but are we talking here about the difference between the PN and PL in last General Election? SO if 1,500 signed the petition mean nothing to Ms Caruana Galizia, what 1,200 votes mean to elect a Govt.?????

Muscat.Pat

Feb 14th 2009, 19:15

@ Daphne Caruana
Please tell us how many votes did Richard Cachia Caruana obtain in the last election? Who is he to decide for us? He is no Gonzi, and no Dalli for that matter!

a attard

Feb 14th 2009, 19:09

Quote Daphne Caruana Galizia "and the petition, despite being emailed persistently round Malta - I received it six times" end quote - How truly funny that is, I havent even received it once and I would have gladly signed it even though I dont think that Joseph Muscat is not 'the best thing to arrive on the scene'. (excuse my BAD english )

Charles J Buttigieg

Feb 14th 2009, 18:59

@ Edgar Gatt
Astrid is one voice out of thousands whose noise became so thunderous that even your precious Gonzi succumbed to it.

@ Daphne Caruana Galizia
Are you advocating a dictatorship here? Are you trying to restrict the people to casting their vote and shut up for the next five years? Last Sunday you insisted that John Dalli must resign, tell us- who gave you that mandate? Some consistency in your statements indeed!

And why did you have to rope in Monsignor Philip Calleja to emphasize credibility when we all know that the one person you’re defending is Richard Cachia Caruana? And yet you are calling others arrogant. Maaaaa

wally vella-zarb

Feb 14th 2009, 18:56

Yes, in this case, Astrid Vella is certainly more credible than all those who tried to pull the wool over our collective eyes, people who said that we should listen to the 'professionals' while at the same time they were blatantly ignoring what the real professionals had told them, viz, that the entire project was a non-starter.
You don't need me to tell you, but I will say it anyway: "Prosit u grazzi, Astrid". If only this country had more people as dedicated as you are!

eddie bonello

Feb 14th 2009, 18:55

@DCG

There you go again. You let the cat out of the bag. Who mentioned Joseph Muscat in these posts? Y Yes we have to congratulate both Astrid and Joseph, now that you mentioned him, for the sterling service they did to their country. As I said in an earlier post they stood by what they believed in and your dear PM agreed with their reasoning and sounded the retreat.

Ivan Grech Mintoff

Feb 14th 2009, 18:52

>I presume to speak for nobody but myself. If many THOUSANDS of people HAPPEN to AGREE with me, then it's not my problem. Apparently, it's yours.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Thank you for that!

And the 'survey' will be posted, when...?


>I understand how people who think that Joseph Muscat is the best thing to arrive on the >scene would think the same of Astrid. It's called lack of insight.

You see!!!

The pot wouldn't make such incredible conclusions!! so why insult it in such a way??

- As if ALL those voicing objection to the project think that JM is the best thing (read : even Nationalist benchers etc etc)

- As if all who approve of AV's work are even "Lil' Elves" !!! (Just look at the individuals concerned and you'll figure that one out pretty soon too)

- And finally -piece de resistance! - if you don't agree with "her" then you are ARROGANT and YES, you "lack insight"!!

Let me speak for myself: I guess I should go jump and end my misery immediately right?

And miss all this fun...??

Why this is better than comments from our "Boccone blogger(sic!)"....

D Fenech

Feb 14th 2009, 18:42

@ Ivan Grech Mintoff
Daphne, "the pot" has not done anything to me.
She has done it to herself.

T Abela

Feb 14th 2009, 18:34

@DCG
"many thousands of people happen to agree with me" How about showing us the survey that says that thousands of people agree with u.

Andrea Fenech

Feb 14th 2009, 18:34

@ Daphne Caruana Galizia - Neither do I choose to have your column or recipe book when in the newspapers I buy, but there You are with the lot.

I would like to express my support and gratitude towards Ms. Vella for all the hard work she has done and is still doing.

a attard

Feb 14th 2009, 18:31

@ edgar gatt

What surveys do you need when you get such a statement? 'No choice' but to abandon project' - Cachia Caruana. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090213/local/no-choice-but-to-abandon-project-cachia-caruana. Dont you think that such statement speaks for itself in regard to where the sentiment of the people is? - quite impressive I would say

David Cassar

Feb 14th 2009, 18:26

How many members does FAA have? 6? 12? or 24?

T Abela

Feb 14th 2009, 18:25

@DCG
Look who's calling Astrid Vella arrogant...What a cheek.. Good show Astrid and all the others especially Joseph Muscat who managed to corner our ultra arrogant minority government li kellu jdoqq l-irtirata....

Daphne Caruana Galizia

Feb 14th 2009, 18:23

Funny how you lot appear to think that everyone shares your views, and that Astrid Vella speaks 'for the people'. The last time I looked, there were no surveys, we don't even know how many members her association has, and the petition, despite being emailed persistently round Malta - I received it six times - was signed by just 1,500 people, most of whom would have gone on nothing but the misinformation they had been fed.

If you want Astrid Vella to represent you, ask her to stand for election and vote for her. Until then, please don't foist her on the rest of us. Thank you.

As for those who attempted to suggest, in very poorly constructed sentences, that I presume to speak for the people too, they should take a look at my column tomorrow. It's signed and headed 'Daphne Caruana Galizia', full-stop. I presume to speak for nobody but myself. If many thousands of people happen to agree with me, then it's not my problem. Apparently, it's yours.

I understand how people who think that Joseph Muscat is the best thing to arrive on the scene would think the same of Astrid. It's called lack of insight.

Ray Vella

Feb 14th 2009, 18:18

FAA in recent years has objected to numerous private projects; the various high rise towers and demolition of private house in Sliema come to mind. Let us assume that they had good reason to do so. NOW we have these world unique tapestries that require a purposely enclosed space to be exhibited. Let us again assume that the proposed excavation is risky.

What FAA and Ms Vella should do now is not STOP here, but actually find a new location to house these tapestries. Find a large enough Palazzo (as they suggested), in which FAA will not object to allowing the gutting of all its interiors. Because the tapestries should be exhibited all together, they are over 6m in height and require to be housed all in one large space. These are not carpets that many Maltese have hunging in their dining rooms!

It is about time FAA goes the extra step; protecting our heritage doesn't only mean over-development!! You are now morally obliged to help find a new location within Valletta; failing in this will mean that YOU are responsible for the possible destruction of these century old gems!!

alfred agius

Feb 14th 2009, 18:17

Daphne & D ellul
Astrid `s position was solely on behalf of our heritage. And she was right. Govt had to shelve the project. The Prime minister beat the retreat and, to save his face dragged along with him the Archbishop who, unlike GonziPN and Paul Borg Olivier , diplomatically refrained from pronouncing himself on the project prior to l-irtirata of the Govt. As simple as that.
The only and true reason for the retreat was a pn parliamentary group rebellion. Which architect in the pn parliamentary group would have voted in favour of the project and risking his professional reputation in the process.

For the Gov, It was a sane but unwilling decision that had to come. The govt was indeed shortsighted when standing for the project untill, yes, the irtirata.

More Astrids are needed where decisions are taken. Thank you, Astrid. You deserve Gieh ir-Repubblika, indeed

Ivan A Grech Mintoff

Feb 14th 2009, 18:07

@ D Fenech

>Dear Daphne surely this is a case of the pot calling the kettle black!

And what exactly has the pot done to you to deserve such an "insult by association"...?!!

Joe Savona

Feb 14th 2009, 18:04

This photograph brings home the fact that St' John's has been neglected. The facade needs renewing and some of the funds being given by EU and earmarked for tourism projects, should be used to bring this important gem of Maltese history up to the highest standard of renovation.

Enzo Caruana

Feb 14th 2009, 18:01

@Daphne Caruana Galizia

Why should Astrid Vella have to resign? She was the voice of thosands who managed to put a stop to irreparable damage to one of the jewels in the crown of our historical/cutlural heritage. Yes the members of the St John's Cathedral Foundation should resign en-block because they knew all about the plans and they did not utter one word of protest. If they do not resign it is up to the Archbishop and the Prime Minister to tell them to pack leave. How could it be that none of these gentlemen -frocked or otherwise - did not see the absurdity of this project and the possible harm it could have done to the cathedral. Please do not repeat your and RCC's now worn out criticism about uinformed advice. There was enough informed warning about the dangers and the futility of the project and this was ignored by the members of the Foundation. Yes they must resign and Astrid vella must go on with her next campaign to stop the nonsense of Parliament instead of an Opera House in the City Gate Project. Ms Vella will have a stronger and bigger support on this one too

edgar gatt

Feb 14th 2009, 17:55

D.Ellul.
You said that Astrid Vella is speaking on behalf of the majority fo the Maltese people. Have you seen any surveys that were carried out by FAA, or are you impressed with the 1400 signatures that FAA managed to collect against this project?

D Vella

Feb 14th 2009, 17:55

@ Ms Galizia.
Ms Vella stood up for what was right and thankfully her and our views were listened too. There is nothing underhand about Ms Vella.

Of course the foundation members should resign if they had an ounce of decency about them,but we are in Malta and nobody ever resigns.

John Borg

Feb 14th 2009, 17:50

@DCG
Look who's talking about arrogance. Who gave you the right to voice the people's views about this project, when the people really did not need anyone to that for them? If you read the comments that other people posted I'm sure that you would have thought otherwise. Unless you also think, that we should not be allowed to interfere in such discussions, similarly to what RCC commented earlier?

eddie bonello

Feb 14th 2009, 17:49

@ Daphne Caruana Galizia

While Astrid stood by what she believed in, the Monsignor had to sound the retreat.

Joseph Cauchi

Feb 14th 2009, 17:45

I am surprised how a group of people have the cheek and arrogance to demand something which they do not have any right whatsoever to demand.

Who are these people in this group, what credentials and qualifications do they have and in whose name are they making such demands?

As far as I know, I do not remember any election where I was called to vote for such a group!

This is nothing but PRESUMPTIONESS and ARROGANCE!

../..

lesley kreupl

Feb 14th 2009, 17:43

What a pity Malta doesn't have more Astrids and less Daphnes!

D Ellul

Feb 14th 2009, 17:42

@Daphe Caruana Galizia
I know of another person who is not elected by the people, but appears to think he can do whatever he likes with our country, including digging a hole in the middle of Valletta. Astrid Vella, and she's not alone, is speaking for the majority of the Maltese who are against the St John's project. Common sense prevailed, and the Prime Minister dropped the project, although out of convenience.

Cassar John

Feb 14th 2009, 17:39

And look who's calling someone else arrogant? Why don't you take a good look in a mirror before you post such comments!

D Fenech

Feb 14th 2009, 17:37

Dear Daphne surely this is a case of the pot calling the kettle black!

Daphne Caruana Galizia

Feb 14th 2009, 17:19

Pity we can't call for the resignation of Astrid Vella. That's the trouble with these self-appointed people. They have no official role, no electoral mandate, and yet have the nerve to claim that they are speaking for the country and representing the people's interests. If I want Astrid Vella to speak for me and represent my interests, I'll vote for her in the next election. Until then, she should be made to understand that the only people on whose behalf she speaks are Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar's members. What is she telling us here - that she is more credible than Monsignor Philip Calleja? What arrogance.