227 immigrants arrive at Birzebbuga

Thanks you Ray Cremona. Thank you Mr. Frendly-o. Well-grounded arguments. Thanks.

My ppoints:-

1. I am not against any person of any race or creed being Maltese, British, African...etc However, if any uninvited person try to enter my house I would call him a criminal and surely I would do my utmost to deny him entrance!

2. Many illegal immigrants are attempting to enter europe to runaway from dire social and political situations. Imagine if people who took part in european revolutions occuring about twenty years ago were all given asylum and not encouraged to change the political situation in their countries from within! When we help Africans and especially people with some kind of trade or profession we will be harming the chances of african countries to improve, socially , politically and economically. We are encouraging a brain drain, people to runaway from fighting for freedom; and sometimes certain conflicts are required to resolve long term problems otherwise there will be a status quo and africa remains to be poor and badly managed!

3. We are small in size and also resources - do we have space, money or resources to spare - absolutely no! So We have to start taking some concrete decisions without any more ado.

@Joe Xuereb

Naqbel mieghek mija fil mija. Il-problema hi li hawn Malta id-dimostrazzjonijiet gew stigmatizzati matul is-snin bhala xi haga hazina.

Il-kapijiet ta' dawn l-ahhar snin riedu dejjem jkunu servili u jiffirmaw kull trattat li jigi ghal idejhom, minflok juzawhom bhala bargaining chips bhalma jaghmel kwalunkwe mexxej li ghandu ghal qalbu il-pajjizu.

Din hija sitwazzjoni serja li ghandha implikazzjonijiet kbar fuq pajjizna. Hafna qed jippruvaw itaffu l-importanza taghha, sahansitra fl-ahbarijiet sirna nisimhu b'immigrazzjoni irregolari minflok illegali!

Dawn in-nies ma jappartjenux hawnhekk, izda f'pajjizhom. Irridu nifmhu li l-evoluzjoni socjali ta' dawn il-popli hija simili ta' dik li kellna hawn Malta fit-tletinijiet, meta in-nisa kienu ghadhom bla vot, u l-edukazzjoni kienet lussu. B'hekk huwa difficli immens ghal dawn in-nies biex jghixu f'socjeta ta l-2010.

Irrispettivament mis-sitwazzjoni fil-pajjiz t'origini ta' l-immigrant dan ghandu jintbghat lura f'pajjizu. Ma nistghux nibqhu nahsbu f'dak li ser jaghmlulhom jekk nibghatuhom lura f'pajjizhom, dak misshom hasbuh huma qabel telqu. L-impenn tal-komunita internazzjonali ghandu jkun immirrat biex isolvi il-problema li hemm f'dawn il-pajjizi halli ma jkunx hemm raguni ghalxiex in-nies jitilqhu. Izda donnu hadt ma jaqbillu jaghmel dan, min jaf ghalxiex?

Jekk ma noqgħodux attenti, ser iniżżluna fl-istorja bħala poplu li, waqt li pajjiżu kien qed jiġi nvażat, dawk li 'tahom id-dehen biex jaħkmuha' ma tniffsux u l-poplu, mifrud bħal dejjem għax l-aktar ħaġa mportanti għalihom hu l-lewn tal-partit, fma għamlux ħlief wettqu l-fama, gemgmu u kitbu kummenti fit-Times, u stennew il-manna. Stennew il-manna. Jekk jidħol vapur Malta b'mitejn u sitta w disgħin emigrant llegali, darb'iva u darba le, lista bla temm ta' kummenti ripetuti mill-istess nies. Darb'iva w darba le. U żid mal-lista tal-lum u tal-bieraħ insiha. Dik history. Dik water under the bridge. Ejja Ġuż!!

Before anybody practces the national pastime and assumes may be inciting and urging on.
I believe and quiet(?), well, quietish, dignified demonstrations, with hands kept clean, pocketed, counting change if they must (very apt in this period of stitching). Il-poplu Malti politiċizzat daqs imkien ma rajt. Possible li tant politka f'demmhom, ma hemm ħadd kapaċi jorganizza dimostrazzjoni? Għall-purċssjonjiet, murtali w Karnivalati ninqalgħu. Għall-dimostrazzjoni biex nerfgħu pajjiżna minn din il-ħama, għallanqas għal uledna w dawk li ġew qabilna m'aħniex kapaċi ngemgmu ftit, mqarr taħt l-ilsien, lejn fejn iż-żiffa twassal? Nistenna xi tweġiba imma minix inżomm in-nifs.

CJohn Zammit is suggesting that we give them citizenship GREAT so they will come in larger numbers, expect the rights and benefits and at the end we will end foreigners and outnumbered in our country. Very soon it will become know that a large number of illegal immigrants are free to go around our island and that will be a severe blow for tourism.

People like CJohn Zammit think that the Maltese love these immigrants and that racists are few in number. I have witnessed Unfortunately in my lifetime my fellow countrymen turn into racist not because they are prone to become so, but because the behaviour of these immigrants have turned the Maltese so. Mr. Zammit before writing, speak to our men in the armed forces and the police and listen from them "il-hnizrijiet li jaghmlu" on their fellow countrymen and woman.

Unfortunately drastic measures have to be taken by the government to tackle the issue and make Malta safe. Harsh laws with 20 years of imprisonment(harsh labour if required) for anyone entering Malta in illegally, they can be black, white or yellow it does not make any difference.

@Jason Azzopardi

There is nothing natural about Globalisation. It did not happen by happenstance. It was engineered to be so, to get rid of the middle classes and eradicate livable wages. The plan by the Corporate Elite has been in the works and started in earnest with Reagan in the US and Thatcher in the UK. One fired striking Air Traffic Controllers and the other destroyed the Unions starting with the Miners.

The financial crises that the world is in today can be attributed to Globalisation and Corporate greed and Government corruption. With Globalisation comes illegal/legal immigration, so that everywhere is diluted and the Globalised world becomes one giant factory, with the working poor eking out a living and the Corporate/Government overloards raking in all the profits.

Ever wonder why the G7 and G8 summits are so well guarded and nobody can get within miles of them and riot police in full gear are called out? Politicians and Industry Leaders meeting in secret to decide the fate of the world.

Do not believe everything, check out the truth for yourself. Find out about the Trilateral Commission, the IMF, the World Bank and The Bilderbergers, and how they actually work.

For those in Power :

All the great things this country has achieved will not be on the front page of your biographies 30 years from now. What will be in the history books is that you did not do ENOUGH to solve this problem, (why not refuse to sign the EU treaty until some one in Brussels listens)

So keep on smiling, dear MPs. This is happening on your shift, DO something ! You have to answer to our children and to our ancestors who fought so bravely to keep this island ours.

And for the rest of US (the popolin) we need an orange revolution! Not blood in the streets or violence but in the way we deal with out Politicians, In the end it is US who put these guys in power!

I cannot stomach the AN people but they are right on one point - Malta must withdraw from her Dublin 2 obligations, unless there is a boat that is actually sinking, regardless of what this does to our EU relations. We are being taken for a ride, and we already have several thousand Africans who have been here for more than a year and cannot be deported. This is a tiny island of 400,000 people, one of the most over-populated places on earth. And although I support EU membership, I cannot stomach the fact that we are silent on the fact that EU membership has contributed to this problem. Malta needs to take hard choices within a year at the most. I agree with the govt's stance of waiting to see how the joint Italian - Libyan patrols, which are about to start in the coming days, will fare.But if these prove as irrelevant as Frontex, Malta will have to act unilaterally by withdrawing from Dublin 2 whatever the cost. Last year the number of arrivals exceeded our birth rate. To date this year we have already seen a quarter or thereabouts of the total arrivals last yr. Enough.

Now Joe Azzopardi of Xarabank should make a programme about illigal immigrant not 2 years ago when everything was quite. You see Mr Azzopardi what's happened now????

Suggesting the lives of illegal immigrants be made more difficult is ridiculous. What could be more horrendous than mapping out life with the values they have and passing them onto their children as viable. Evil is its own punishment. Sooner or later it implodes. Horrendously (people who feel sick in the stomach at these people's cheek please note. I will not have my people get stomach ulcers and cardiac attacks over criminals, whether worthy of asylum or not. Even legitimate asylum granting is not an option. Malta has enough of its own people to contend with. Further dilution is not desirable. The people on whom pressure should be brought to bear are the Prime Minister and whoever in his cabinet is responsible for this matter. And the archbishop, he who benignly spouts platitudes and sham respect at the marginalised but appears to be comatose when it comes to issues that matter. There are ways to make him squirm out of his complacency (see previous comment). There may be others of the 'agħti dehen lil min jaħkimha' league but these two will suffice for the time being. Some support please.

malta do you remember what enoch powell said in england in the 60s "they will run your country"

TAKE TO THE STREETS. PROTESTS. THAT IS ALL WE HAVE LEFT TO DO BEFORE THE ISLAMIZATION OF MALTA IS SEALED IN HISTORY. NOBODY WILL GIVE A TOSS FOR OUR PREDICAMENT THEN. SO MUCH FOR OUR FLIRTING WITH THE EU!!!!

Immigrants by a way or another would leave Malta but racism would remain with us and this is the core issue. Racism is a threat for all of us, not only in Malta but in many places all over Europe. So many comments refer to the UK as a ‘negative’ example- do I have to remind peoples that last chaos in the UK was a demonstration against fellow full fledged EU citizens? Dr. Gonzi and minister CMB understand our problem. The former doing his best to safeguard Malta while the latter would soon issue the new laws that would eventually, and hopefully eliminate racism from Malta. Quiz: Whom of our two Muscats would get a two or three digit number of votes coming MEP election? Please refer to last march election's result

@Michael Tabone

hahahahaha italy and libya are already patrolling. since then our problem became worse. now they're coming in pack of 200+. some one must be in bed with the E/union

That´ s what for Knights of St. John had built their fortresses !!!!!!!!!!!! Why people in Malta keep forgeting their history? It is a pity to see Maltese Island´s to be abused so much, basicly being robbed off their Identity. 700 migrants in 2 month !!!!!!!!!!! There must be a tour operator working over time to promote Malta in Africa... Why the Authorities will not take more interest in such a successful business enterprise. I am sure the same migrants will have something to say to it..... Give another 3 years like this and Malta will become unrecognizable... What a waste!

@All This is just another commedy discussion? So we joined the EU and now Malta is doomed because we have to give illegal immigrants more rights. Well if we didn't join the EU we wouldn't have one of the strongest currencies (if not the strongest in the world) and be able to buy and go on holiday and purchase for such a low-cost due to the recession. We are surviving this recession for the time being. I can't help but laugh at the way some people think and the way they explain themselves. By the way ask Joseph Muscat if now because of the recession was it a bad idea to join the EU and adopt the EU currecny with this recession? I think he'd have to hesitate because he once had said EU = bad but he's seen the light. EU is trying to make a deal with Libya about all these illegal immigrants crossing the Mediterranea and hopefully Libya will agree to assist Italy with boarder patrols. If Libya agrees to this, this will have a good impact on our immigration problem. More facts less partisan political nonesense please.

@ M Mercieca. Don't start again with the boring old 'xenophobic and racism' drivel. If, as you say, the EU promotes Human rights and Democratic values, then I ask you - have the Maltese people got no rights? Do we or don't we have the right to live safely in our own country without being overrun by such people? Do we or don't we have the right to protect our territorial borders? Do we or don't we have the right to ensure that our children have a decent future in the land our forefathers fought and died to protect from invasion? Do we or don't we have the right to have the taxes we pay from our hard-earned wages spent on improving OUR country and lifestyle, instead of it being squandered on the criminals who are invading our country en masse? And yes, we are giving our Prime Minister a hard time because he is failing to do his duty and protect the country from this illegal invasion! Surely even you must have worked out by now that the present situation is untenable and downright dangerous.

Don`t worry guys maybe in 4 years time we`ll win a gold medal at the Olimpics with some naturalised african competing on our behalf. Imbaghad ikolna fuq xiex niddibattu aktar mhux fuq il Eurovision biss. Qed tifhem !! U hekk jifrah il gahan malti miskin.

@ M.Mercieca: Interesting point. So we have to blame the EU. Bat was it not good to join EU? Was it not ghalina u ghal uliedna? Is it this that we gave for ourselves and our children? Who is to blame then if we have become like this? Answers please!

Sadly, too many too many tongue-in-cheek comments here. Totally inappropriate/pointless. This is serious. Too many inciting to action. Pointless. Action has to be legitimate with hands kept clean.
I have often noticed Maltese leaders caught on camera. Photo shoots I I think they call them. All holding their own hands (insecure or what) and smiling benignly into each other's eyes, spouting pleasantries. Women's Institute coffee mornings have more gumption (sorry ladies!). Where are these stalwarts now that we need them.
Gonzi, the elect one, is interested but sitting this one out. The other one with clout is the one in the long dress. An expert at intercession I would have thought (when not wringing his hands and, again benignly, spouting love and other inanities to the marginalised). He can be made to sit up and take note. Go to Church with placards but do not go in. So you commit a mortal sin (still the case? I've been away). Malta is Catholic (not me, note). You have a wonderful loophole called confession. Committing one more sin and confessing it later is not going to make a difference. Your future, and your children's is at stake. That counts for nothing?

EU seem that it doesn't care about our problem regarding these illegal imigrants, in my oppinion I'll give these imigrants a Maltese ctizinship and fly them to Brussels, with Maltese ctizinship they have to accept them, suppose.

Until 6 years ago, in order to get a European STUDENT visa you had to produce money for the whole year, give proof of accommodation and of your university, etc!!!!!! The Maltese government never gave us a stinking cent to help us in our studies. Now Africans, none of who qualify for a refugee status, come in an go as they please. On top, we feed them, give them money, lodging... While I'm working my guts out to feed my family and paying sky high taxes, these people are having fun as tourist and taking pictures in Valletta, then they go drinking in Paceville. They obviously deal their business, making money illegally...en toute tranquillité!!!! I think I might buy a boat and sail in as an illegal immigrant. Everyone would dream of living such a life! Congrats Maltese politicians!!! You've made us the laughing stock of the world. But the Maltese vote for the same old faces. So Gahan Malti: deal with it now!

I have a suggestion for the UNHCR.

Why not enlist all the illegal immigrants in an Africa Corps, give them basic training in First Aid and send them to Africa as part of a peace keeping corps.

The other immigrants on land must have had the ETA of the boat since they went out to greet their fellow friends.

The illegal immigrants are having the time of their life here otherwise they would steer elsewhere.

With full board and lodging, free medical care and other benefits such as free underwear (not to mention apparent immunity from prosecution when setting fire to their to their accommodation), they must feel like being at Butlin's or Club Med free of charge.

To discourage them why not give them nutritious porridge for breakfast, lunch and dinner rather than the present arrangements for different food.

The thin red line is going to strap soon, and then our great Prime Minister, will blame us, you them,the Opposition , everyone EXCEPT himself and his Party. Sheep bleat!

Malta has the right to intercept boats carrying illegal immigrants and, if possible, to force the vessels back to the territorial waters of the countries from which they came, so why is this not being done?

Once they step foot on Maltese soil they are then the responsibility of the Maltese Government which then incurs massive expenses, including repatriation so my question has to be WHY let these boats land? It makes no sense.

Send a loud clear message to these people that they will under no circumstances be allowed to disembark in Malta.

What is the Government waiting for?
Another mass breakout the likes of 2006?
Someone being killed in a riot?
What is the now, ratio of immigrants to troops at the detention centers?
Is there the ability to contain this last influx of, what looked like a boat load of very strong, healthy individuals?

@Tony Bonello; I'm glad you are coming to your senses. Malta is no place for them. It's too small for them. Malta is overcrowded. Save Malta From Illegal Immigrants will welcome you as a member. If I can figure it out. I will lift your ban from thr group. Even though you will let me drown. Like I told you before I won't let you or anyone drown. Especially a Maltese.

@ Azzopardi Json
There is nothing "natural" about globalisation fueled by illegal immigrants' arrivals. So what you're saying is to stand back and watch Malta "evolve". I would say 'don't make me laugh', but it would be in vain since you already have. Take a look at countries which have been "globalised" and see what became of them. Talk to the locals and find out information instead of telling us to sit back and let Malta become the same. If that sounds like too much work, please refrain from airing your views on subjects which you seem to know nothing about. If you want to live in a globalised country, do so. Shame on you for not standing up for your country.
By the by, does anybody know whether the medical checks performed on the immigrants have re-continued? I would like to know.

Why not call a spade, a spade. The problem lies with Tripoli. As for safeguarding our Values, yes by all means, but against the menance represented by such an influx of illegal, repeat, illegal immigrants. No playing around with words, please.

Today there was another Disturbance at Hal Far Centre. The illegal immigrants burned mattresses and threw several things to the soldiers. My family friends and I hope that all Maltese will be united with one voice to STOP this silent invasion. I am very happy that this issue is the most commented because we are feeling the invasion.!!

Welcome to Malta. What kind do you like cheese or peas?? When will your friends start coming in the larger ships??

@martin DeGiorgio

We should not give up, we NEED to protest and stop pretending that we are blind!!! In many other countries people are NOT afraid to DEMONSTRATE for their rights!!!!!!!! That is what we need to to do!!!! Our comments need to be put up on billboards and DEMONSTRATE!!!!!!!!! This is organised crime at its best!!!!!!! We must stop being taken for ride by our dear politicians........

Azzopardi: Dream On! Globalisation profits the few. We're living in 'Germinal' world! Black in Buckingham?... what a joke! For the Royal Family - Africans, historically, have always been slaves. In Malta, we are incapable of learning from other countries experiences. A society can only function when there is 1 principal culture and others to compliment in.

Roderick Cristina: "We need to make their lives as difficult as possibly when in Malta "

Their lives are already as difficult as possible when in Malta. Short of starving people deliberately and beating them on the slightest pretext, there is little that we can do to make things worse.

Hands of Dr. Gonzi please

Europe’s values are clear. No place for xenophobic and racism. European Union will do whatever deems necessary to promote Human rights and Democratic values.
All forms of racism must be abolished, and this includes racist peoples cloaked with patriotism robe in order to come into sight patriots like!

Many comments down here are negatively pointed at both Dr. Gonzi and this is unfair. Can any body from anti-immigrant hopeful parties tell me/ us in black and white how they would have acted yesterday when that boat arrived with the immigrants? Talking into consideration that Malta is an EU country and member of the international community and not Bocci club in Mosta u Hamrun.

Azzopardi Json an Asian in Buckingham palace in a couple of decades is highly unlikely (unless the Queen has an Illegitimate asian son who is older than Charles!!! However what is more likely is that we may have an African-Maltese PM in Malta before too long.

The government is stalling because its teeth are not sharp enough to make a decision and this highlights significant problems a party which has been in power for too long and does not have any inclination to make a stand. However the governement is quite prompt at protecting individuals "with connections" interests!!!! shameful and may they be remembered for their appalling willingness to sit on the side like a bunch of lemons watching the country that has a proud population and distinguished history going down the pan. i for one have given up on any expectations.

This whole affair smells like a national or international conspiracy to me. SOMEONE is selling our country away from right under our nose, piece after piece. I can hear the Too-gooders giggle from wherever they are.

The total number of illegal immigrants has reached a dangerous situation . Is Malta protected enough by its Army and Police to control any disturbance that may reach out of control! Who will the authority points its finger then.... WAKE UP MR PRIME MINISTER show us what your made of...action not words!!

An then we have the left-wing PL who wants terrorists in Malta. Imagine how worse would we be with PL in government.

Enough is enough, the government must do something. It's already too late. If need be we should declare a state of emergency to stop all these illegal immigrants. We don't care what the EU says, as much as the EU does not care about us. It's OK for us to share the burden of the inmates of Guantanamo because that's what the EU wants, but nobody wants our illegal immigrants. The authorities should wake up to what the Maltese people are saying!

This is UNBELEAVABLE !!!!!!!!!!!!! If the goverment keeps on giving money to those imirants who are leaving OUR COUNTRY, no wonder more keep comming back.

According to a local newspaper in Maltese, yesterday (19/2/09) the leader of the opposition suggested a debate about the illigal immigrants problem, which he said is now worrying the whole nation. On entering the house of representatives, the Prime Minister, Dr. Gonzi said that the does not see the reason for 'din is-sahna kollha dwar is-suggett'. This when in February alone 604 immigrants arrived here. I shudder to thin what is going to happen in Summer. When is he going to see the urgency of the situation? It is nearly already too late.

How many Policemen and Soldier we have in Malta?
How many Immigrants we have now ?
In case of an emergency what will we do ?

Did EU countries helped Malta ?
What GonziPN is doing ?

We wish them a happy stay in Malta.

Going hysterical and posting nonsense only serve right-groups to disparage Malta and never provide a solution.
Immigration is part of, and goes hand in hand with globalization. Today we have a black man in the white houses, most probably within few decades we see an Indian, Pakistani or an Arab ruling in Buckingham palace. This is the natural evolving of globalization process.

When the AN will come out clearly and state how they intend to rid us of this problem with facts not words than for sure he will gain my vote and that of my family. Alas so far I have heard only futile words like ifs & buts & maybe.
We are having our island taken away in front of our eyes and doing nothing but obeying the EU. I am truly disgusted with our leaders from both parties ( or should I say ONE PARTY as both are silent on this issue) as our taxes are going down the drain.
I urge all the unions and all other movements to unite and organise a mass protest for the citizens of Malta to safeguard our island. We must protect Malta ourselves.

@ Martin deGiorgio

Probably the reason hardly anyone attended the last protest was twofold:

1. It was done by a political party, and none of the main parties recognised the protest. If anything, their media ridiculed it.
2. The risk of being labelled a "xenophobe" and the risk of violence since a huge chunk of Valletta is now being ruled by illegal immigrants.

It's a sad story I know, but what else could we do if the vast majority of the Maltese people voted for people who don't even care about this problem? It's their fault that we're in this predicament, no one else's. And now it's too late.

Enjoy it people.

You get what you vote for.

Remember what the prime minister told us.

This is a test for our values!!! instead of a test for him to show us that he has a 'par idejn sodi'

The SMALL and DEFENCELESS , may I refer the readers to Darwin,Marx and of course Haile Sellassie and the history of his own nation kingdom....................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a shame; this is one of the reasons I left my town of birth, Rotterdam, a year ago. One should see how things escalate with too much immigrants. I've seen it with my own eyes. Let's keep Malta safe, for Heaven's sake. I pay my taxes in Malta without complaining, but not to subsidise illegal immigration (read: luck seekers). Enough is enough. We are a part of the EU now, aren't we? Let's put a serious complain down at the EU Parliament; let them take care of it, not an innocent country like Malta which just happens to be strategically in "the line of fire".

And know they have their families and friends waiting for them on arrival!! If we keep on making their lives easy in Malta they will keep on coming and coming.We need to make their lives as difficult as possibly when in Malta and they will have to work hard to earn food and they wear uniforms.And not we give them food for free,clothes,shelter and even mobile phones so they can call their relatives to come over!This has to stop,and to stop we need to fault all the help and charity the Maltese ppl gives them! wonder how ppl still laugh at what Normal Lowell say,since he warned us more than 10 yrs ago about this situation!! Imma l'Malti qabel iwegga ma jqumx!

Dear all! My family leave in Switzerland and we have also hause in Malta.Any time we came to holiday ,so using publick transport.Often bus driver say:"FULL UP!",wenn we try to go by bus some where from Valetta...Maybe u try the same with looking for profit Illigal Immigrants?It is 5 to 12 o clock!It s very naive to think that it s people nead really help-it s why they came..Also any integration-cultural,politikal or religious-it s an ILLUSION !WAKE UP-NAIVE MALTESE PEOPLE !

relax people
I mean why worry since we have an agreement with the EU which our govt defended and said it was the best agreement we could get. So now we can lay back and leave it all in the capable hands of our govt. We are in no immediate danger. No such thing as has happened in Lampedusa lately could happen here in malta, could it? see http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090219/world-news/illegal-immigrants-start-fires-clashes-at-lampedusa.
stop worrying unnecessarily ....

It makes nearly 200 immigrants per month which is too excessive for a small island.

This is to much now. Whilst I was first to volunteer my help to these people in the detention centers and even organized for 2 years a summer school for there children. Now this is showing that this is very well organized from them selves cause apart the Police and Army officials there where also there friends or relatives waiting there arrival.

@ everyone
U Iva...why are you worrying??? As if we have any economic crisis are whatsoever :) I very well remember our PM during last March election campaign emphasizing that our economy is at its very best and that jobs are secure and that all is perfect....even "Maghtab qed iwarad"

So none of you should worry....at the end of the day all politicians in this country are accountable.

So since everything is so good and under control why should we worry that ILLEGAL immigrants are coming by the hundreds?? We have jobs secured for everyone not like our brothers in UK and the rest of the world.

If our leaders are not acting on this matter it's because they know nothing is wrong....so we Maltese Nation should not worry about a thing.

Well done Clifford Vella! Are the authorities aware of this?is it true that the government and the Eu thinks these immigrants come to europe to escape from their country? I think it's about time they look into the matter seriously.they want their rights, so they couse riots in detention centre and so on.is this waht they did in their country for their rights? They cause riots while they are in detention, imagine what they are capable of doing if they are set free. not even the armed forces and police force put together will be enough to overcome their riots in the very near future. not to mention the diseases they are getting with them into our island.like tubercolosis.this disease was destroyed from ou country, now there are at least 103 cases! what about that! isn't the government aware of this? roberto marroni italy's minister are sending them as soon as they land, can't we do the same?or is it too much a hot potato to handle?

Is it not possible for the authorities to see that these illegal immigrants (not migrants) are disembarking too fresh. They do not seem to have been at sea more than a few hours. They must have been on a ship most of the way here and were just transferred on a boat a few miles outside our shores.
Why is it this time that everyone is claiming that they are from Somalia?
I wonder if instead of illegal immigrants these were mercenaries invading our islands. We do have some protection from our army.
The army should not help them come to our shores but should force them to go back while they are still out at sea. The International Community is doing nothing to help us, so if they accuse us of not doing our duties, we can reply to them to shut up as they said nothing when we went out of our way and accepted more than we can handle and none of them lifted a finger, so if they did not lift a finger then, they should keep their mouth shut, unless they are willing to take on a few thousands of what we have.

I have been reading some of these comments. While I agree that this is a very serious situation for our country, as, after all is for other countries too, I think that it is very easy to complain and accuse the government when we are not taking the decisions ourselves. Anyone can say what he wants, and what he would do, as long as he is not in the Prime Minister's or Ministers' shoes! I wonder how differently would another alternative government have acted on this issue!! Lets not make this a political issue, but unite all together to try and solve this problem. One suggestion is not to let Maltese citizens employ these people illegally to pay them cheap money!!

The least the government could have done was appoint someone with a spine like Austin Gatt in charge of this national crisis, not a sheepish, inexperienced EU yes-man.

So my thanks go to the government and opposition party. Thanks to you, the country we spent so long fighting and dying for, is no longer ours.

Shame......Are we all sleeping. Shame to all of us.

Farewell Malta! We loved you dearly but now the dream of our beautiful nation has gone, destroyed by the arrogance and inaction of Gonzipn.

Bye bye Malta and welcome Mafrica!

Stop this nonsense of Gonzi pn and Muscatpl and go to George Xuereb's comment below and click on the given website for real substance. Then think and reflect .

@Martin Degiorgio
You are vindicated in what you say! Shame on all who complain and then are afraid to show their face when called to stand up and protest. I am proud to have attended both the successful 2005 demonstration and the 2007 flop which really broke my spirit. But make no mistake, I, Ivan Attard, of Mosta who may be called 'racist' will stand up again and when called to do so as long as a space on this island is still available to us Maltese to stand on.

Another fully orchestrated and organised demonstration should now take place as soon as possible to gauge the overwhelming preoccupation being felt and if it is yet another poorly-attended protest then let the Maltese suffer the consequences knocking on our doors! May the wolf swallow the gullible and naive, short-sighted and sorry population that we are!

Hey anybody out there!
Can anyone inform us about the next boat load of immigrants for a typical Maltese welcome?
How come people from open centre knew of the arrival but no ordinary maltese knew about it?
Another point - how can i get an easy Euro 5,000 to start afresh!! He He He He He - if it was not a tragi-comedie!!!!!

http://euobserver.com/9/27639
Italy creates anti-immigrant vigilante 'patrols'
LEIGH PHILLIPS

Today @ 17:13 CET

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - As the Italian capital moves to destroy Roma homes and its government authorises the creation of vigilante gangs to 'keep an eye' on minorities, EU silence is attracting criticism from human rights advocates.

The mayor of Rome on Monday (16 February) ordered the demolition of dozens of encampments that are largely home to gypsies. The hard-right interior minister, Roberto Maroni of the xenophobic Northern League, said he intends this week to force through an emergency decree creating vigilante "patrols" to protect citizens, after a spate of rapes in Italian cities that have been blamed on immigrants......

And Gonezipn makes them more comfortable and gives them €5000 for coming here ILLEGALLY!!!!!!!!!!

The PM has to start with admitting that the much touted Burden Sharing has been a dismal failure!! I was one of those who pressed for the deal to be signed on condition that the government takes that opportunity to fight out Malta's cause in the EP and lobby incessantly to make sure the Pact bears fruit!! Joseph Muscat had at the time asked the PM to tell us how many immigrants would countries be taking and though at the time I thought it was rather premature to ask such a question a mere 4 days or so after the signing I think that now enough time has passed for that question to be answered!!

HOW MANY IMMIGRANTS WILL EU COUNTRIES TAKE??

Gonzi used to say "iggudikawni b'dak li naghmel u mhux b'dak li nghid" well I think that on this issue (and other issues) Gonzi would get a rather "sad" judgement as he has neither said nor has he done anything up to now!!!

People are fed-up of this pre-March pathetic, posturing, they need action, they need a government and they need the strong pair of hands on the rudder and they need them now!!

Dak li jiġri meta poplu jgħaddi ħinu jpaċpaċ fuq il-frugħat mingħajr ma jinduna li mhux qed jirċievi informazzjoni meħtieħa biex deċiżżjoni tiswa ħabba. Għax ix-xemx fis-sema tgħaxxqek u tgħannqek. U tħossok fiż-żgur. Imma mbagħad tiġi burraxka u ħadd ma jaf x'ser jaqbad jagħmel. Il-problema hi li l-poplu maqsum u ż-żewġ oqsma jħossuhom magħquda. Imma il-għaqda hija tal-wiċċ biss, mingħajr sustanza. Jiddispjaċini. Dan mhux il-waqt ta' analiżi.
Dan il-kliem li ser ngħid fl-imgħoddi kien biss fl-agħar ħolm tiegħi u qatt ma ssoponejt li jiġi żmien ikolli nistqarrhu. Malta u l-Maltin qedin f'sitwazzjoni mwegħra u jistħoqqilhom tweġib fiss u serju.
Fil-gazzetta tal-lum qrajt li l-Ispanjoli, erħi għalihom, qabdu qabda l-barri minn qrunu. Iddeċidew li jwaqqfu kwota ta' ħamsa w tletin frustier mingħajr viżu kull xahar u jiddeportawhom. Il-kapijiet ta' dawn il-komunitajjiet issa qed igergru li dan il-għaġir qed jikser ċertu liġijiet. Dawn in-nies jafu l-liġijiet ħanina w demokratiċi tal-Punent u lesti jagħsru l-qatriet minnhom għall-għan ta' moħħhom (fil-Malti tista'tpoġġi tlitt 'h' ħdejn xulxin?
Ili nieqes madwar ħamsin sena - insejt ir-regola).

Joe Xuereb
(Malti ta' Londra, bogħod minn pajjiżu 50 u qatt ma talab sold Social Security għax dejjem ħadem). Id-diċenti li jtejjbu ħajjithom hekk jagħmlu. Kieku kulħadd kien diċenti.....issokta oħlom Ġuż!

2004 promised Europe
2005 2006 2007 given Africa
2008 Sold Malta (the EU pact of burden sharing)
2009 plus ... silent invasion......................
Nobody took over Malta but now....!!!!
I think by time we will have to leave if nothing is going to be done.

A Fully PAcked boat like that (qishom tigieg go gallinar) spending 3 days and nights crossing the mediterranean in this weather.....
DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH
when will we know the truth?????

According to Fr Joe Bog, commenting against illegal immigration, "is evidence of persons with pea sized brains" "that are plaguing our country". All hundreds of people commenting against illegal immigrationa should visit his link to discover how much he respects you.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/blogs/view/20090212/fr-joe-borg/shipwrecked-the-irony-of-two-incidents

I have noted that these Poorest of the poor arrived in Malta well dressed, fit and happy.I think I can explain why they were happy ,I mean finishing a trip like that safely would make you happy, But well dressed and in such good health means only one thing.We are being officially invaded by Libya...

Undoubtedly very worrying but still very a optimistic country since as our visionary government leader preaches "Flimkien kollox possibli". So please be patient and let our GonziPN fix his falling apart party in peace. Meanwhile keep enjoying the carnival; it's all year round. Watchout for the fantastic summer deals...

Abstaining from the MEP elections will only hurt us more, as the only way to stand a chance is if we have MEP's who will stand up for this Nation once elected. What we have to do is vote for the candidates of the only party who has always made it's position clear regarding illegal immigration.
Azzjoni Nazzjonali have never shied away from it's position, if we want to send a clear message to our authorities we should vote for AN's candidates.

They should be given food and water, put back on the boat and towed back out to sea. The situation is getting beyond a joke.

Attn.Martin Degiorgio
Completely agree with your comments. I, for one, failed to attend this protest meeting and for this I feel guilty and like me most of the Malteseshould feel guilty too. Perhaps another effort would prove otherwise as the concern now is beyond control and the administration seems to have lost control over the situation. We have been let down by one and all but to day the opposition has made a move and for this I (a PN follower untill now) express my gratitude on behalf of my country. People like Neil Falzon who just criticize but has no solutions are doing a disservice to the country and he should jerk his UNHCR to wake up to its responsibility. The EU is taking us for a ride and if this is Europe, all words but no action, I hate the moment that I have voted to be part of it. This is sheer irresponsibility and this moment would mark a black period in the history of our country.

This is nothing but organized crime of major proportion. It is more lucrative and profitable than drug dealing.

There is no way that these people have been on that boat for three days.They were too clean,dry and tidy,there clothes were far too neat and they were mostly clean shaven. When they disembarked they walked normally,not like people who have been cramped together on a small boat.

So those illegal migrants who landed at Marsaxlokk were immediately said that they would be expatriated. These are more lucky because nothing has been said of what will happen to them.
I suggest that we keep them here, and the Government should offer them free lodging in one of the best Hotels. At least the hotels will be full for the winter!!!

The church authorities should make arrangements to have all these migrants baptized in order to save their souls because as we say in Maltese: "Dawn ma jidghux, igghalu lil min jidghi"

It's a pity that the BIG HOLE project in front of our treasure has been scrapped. These illegal immigrants and the many others at the refugee(?) camps would have made good unskilled workers to finish this project and that of the Royal Opera House in four years or less. lol

If they remain coming in these quantities, in summer, we will have to take boats and leave Malta, as we as Immigrants, and go to Italy. No one is seeing that we have a real problem with this issue.
Can someone answer these….
1. How many Police men we have in Malta?
2. How many Immigrants we have in Malta?
Hope that there are still on top the Policemen…………
3. Does the government care about this?
4. What he and EU are doing for this?
5. Is there an EU country that took some immigrants to help us?
6. Are we going to stay waiting till they go back volunteer and giving them 5000Euro present?
7. Do you think they really case from Tunis etc, on that boat?
8. Why don’t petrol boats check ships too?
We are not living in Stone Age, we have satellites etc, to spy Tunis shores etc. at least if not Malta, EU can do this.

A Disgusting situation is happening right on our islands and everybody pointing fingers towards each other and NOTHING is being done... WE MUST ACT NOW!

Part 2..I would like to invite all MP's to board a boat and the Maltese VOTERS will treat you all to a cruise and your destination is to illegal land on mainland Africa.do you think that u will be welcomed with open arms.far from it my friends..we should follow what Australia is doing and send out a warning that all boats will be refuelled and turned back..this is not inhuman and non Christian..it is SURVIVAL..Malta fought off the invaders all through history..in peace time our Government and Opposition have given up and all that our ancestors courageously fought and died for is wasted..SHAME ON ALL THAT ARE ALLOWING THIS..

Enough..I am not racist but Malta cannot take anymore illegal immigrants. We will soon be outnumbered and it doesn't take many more boat loads to surpuss our population. I believe that we have to help others but there is a limit when it is so clear that this boat did not arrive from mainland Africa in these weather conditiions.I would like to invite BOTH sides of our Parliament to stand up and be counted. Not come elections and we get all these promises from political parties and this is to both sides. We have 69 Members of Parliament and just listening now to Parliament on line is way beyond a joke..we have this tragic situation on this Island and the discussion is about pairing, party funding etc..

Ha jiekluna hajjin u qisu ma qed jigri xejn. Ma nafx jien, jekk ha nibqaw sejrin hekk fi zmien ghaxar snien ohra bye bye MALTA!!!!

N. Camilleri: talk to tourists and they will tell you that Malta is going to the dumps not because illegal immigrants come here but because the Maltese have turned Malta into a filthy, over-built and over-polluted place.

Gejjin bil-mijiet meta tibza taqsam il-fliegu! X'se jigri fis-sajf? Hemm xi limitu ta kemm ghandhom jaslu? Se tieqaf xi darba din l-invazjoni? Min qed ihallas ghalihom u kemm? Nixtieq inkun naf min se jirrispondi dawn il-mistoqsijiet u meta.

Until this morning I was wondering and thinking... < SEEMS LIKE THE ITALO -LIBYAN JOINT PATROLS , IN LIBYAN TERRITORIAL WATERS , ARE SUCCEEDING , AND HAVE FINALLY MANAGED TO STOP THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. >..... then looked at the DATE . I was totally wrong ! ! ! ...... Even our Prime Minister + All the CABINET had CALMED DOWN with this RESPITE , and maybe the HENCH MEN in BRUSSELS , were already informed that the PROBLEM IS OVER . ! ! ! !
This arrival also co-insided when most of the Personnel in THE ARMED FORCES & POLICE were off duty , preparing for the MILITARY FUNERAL , about to pay their LAST RESPECTS to their unfortunate COMRADE ......MATTHEW . GOD BLESS HIS SOUL.

I may be over - suspicious , but this EXACT TIMING is worrying ! Now , We even have to put up with disruption . The AFM , MARITIME SQUADRON and THE POLICE FORCE are being stretched to the limit .

LET'S NOT FORGET THAT THE EU HAS PROMISED 128 MILLION EURO FOR MALTA .
THESE ARE FOR NEW PATROL BOATS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT TO FIGHT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION .

Part 2

This is not fair, that our elected leaders –government and opposition- remain with their mouths shut and complacent when faced with such a disastrous situation. We, the citizens of this country have voted for our representatives to defend our rights, but our representatives do not give a hoot of what we Maltese really care for!

Do you sincerely believe that our representatives care for the electorate? My foot! All they care is their poshy position and those Euro 85K per annum and of course plus the perks!

None of the present politician is worthy of our votes and we should choose that candidate that truly defends the interest of Malta. They need to be shocked to their senses!

The idea of Louise Vella for the EP, I think it makes sense!

../..

@Martin Degiorgio,

You are absolutly right Mr. Degiorgio. I remember well that occasion in 2005, i was present and i am proud that over 2000 fellow Maltese attended to that remarkable protest.
I always insist that we should turn off our pc's and turn out to a protest. The difference between 2005 and the present day is that A.N.R was a non political movement, and people felt free to attende without being labeled whatsoever. I urge you to reconsider your decision and unite to stage another protest hopefully a morte fuitful one!

Malcolm Farrugia.

Part 1

Why should we be worried, because tourism in Malta is on the decline?

Isn’t it obvious! Potential tourists who will be planning to come to Malta do read the news and the comments posted on the internet and who is in his right frame of mind going to spend his hard earned money to come for a holiday on an island full of illegal immigrants. He might as well go to Brixton or Clapham Junction, for that matter.

Malta is losing its sparkle as a tourist destination and we shall soon say goodbye to the tourist industry, which currently employs thousands of Maltese; but these jobs will be gone sooner rather than later!

How come the MHRA is so silent in this matter? Aren’t they conscious of the situation?
.
./.. continued

When the politicians knock on your doors or waste paper sending you leaflets to go out and vote for them you know what you must do. Tell them to go to their illegal immigrant friends who have more say in what goes on and benefit more than the Maltese in terms of health care and other benefits when they have contributed ZERO to our society and their own. They have more resources than us and yet they are incompetent in organizing themselves. The Government tells you either be quiet or you will find yourself in prison. The politicians are useless they only care about their pockets and sending you leaflets with their faces to vote for them. The church has never done anything for the Maltese. The UNHCR is an organisation established to impose their will on everyone who listens but not those who break the law graphity well think of the 70s.

If my calculations are right 227 "boat visitors " to Malta compares with approx. 35,000
" boat visitors " to Lampedusa = How come ?....Lampedusa is part of Italian.....It DOES
have an "escape panel " ......Italy's mainland.
Let's have a joke ( not to weep ).....Malta HAS Filfla !
The Government wanted to play soccer in the EU Premier League....."Dwarf Elephant FC "
is NOW the " goal posts " ( stepping stone ) for Africa into Mecca Land....but.....Mecca Land
is saying.....oh,no "Dwarf Elephant FC" ...it's against your net the goals are scored....are you
not NOW a fully qualified EU. Premier League menber ?
Malta withstood the Nazis , yet no one seems capable to stand up seriously at the Bruxelles
"Big Bowl" to say...enough is enough = what a shame !!!!

Illegal immigrants are being brought (sic) to Malta by the hundreds. It cannot be denied that the UNO is aware of organizations trafficking in persons. These persons live in various parts of Libya. The organization spreads the word that it is organizing travel to Malta and Somalis gather at a point selected in advance and they board what one might call a mother ship against payment. Once at a certain distance immigrants are made to board a smaller boat while sending an SOS to be picked up. It couldn’t be otherwise considering the state of the sea and the size of the boat. The mother ship sets off while rescue is on the way. This is plausible considering what is happening. Strange coincidence that illegal immigrants are coming to Malta by the hundreds instead of Pantelleria or Italy, this since Italy and Libya agreed to intervene against illegal immigration.
In France Sarkozy in order to check the arrival of illegal immigrants particularly from the Far East is promising individual illegal immigrants to spill the beans an in return they will be granted permit to stay in France. It seems that this is working. Pity Malta cannot fight those organisations

Any politicians or potential MEPs have a solution for this problem? Obviously besides talking about going to find a solution!!!!

To all commentaters: Grumbling....................Grumbling,some said they will not vote. Sorry but this is wrong, Everyone agrees the TWO parties are the same on illegal immigration. But then there is a party who is strong on illegal innigration. AZZJONI NAZZJONALI. I didn't vote for AN in the last election but I have made it a point that at the next EU election in JUNE I will vote for JOSIE MUSCAT and his two candidates. Lets do it.

Good! I bet in Somalia thery sell maps with routes to arrive here because it seems that 98% of all the illegal boat people come from there. x kumbinazzjoni!

@ Joseph Calleja

.... and then when their backyard becomes like Marsa they might wake up to find out that it is far too late to do anything about it which is what has happened in the UK and other Northern European countries!

Anyway, this is the first time I post here and it shall probably also be the last for a long while ... I guess that healthwise it is better to close my eyes, cover my ears and do what the rest are doing - i.e. put my head in a hole in the ground and pretend that life goes on as usual ... at least until my backyard becomes another Marsa!

I really do hope the Maltese Citizen is aware that both the MLP and PN parties are afraid to even jindirizzaw il-problema...
I really do hope the Maltese Citizen will not be wasting his vote in the coming MEP Elections by voting for any candidates from these two parties...
I really do hope the Maltese Citizen is not stupid enough to just continue voting blindly for these two parties whilst at the same time saying "le jien mohhi miftuh man--m'iniex partigjan"
This is not a propoganda post..I dont care who ppl vote for but remember the 2 main parties are AFRAID to mention this problem..
MALTA IS DYING.......SOMALTA IS BEING BORN....
WE HAVE TO SEND THESE IMMIGRANTS BACK

in response to Martin Degiorgio :

in the last election, Norman Lowell, the only candidate with a clear anti-immigration policy,
got a measly 7 votes.

Malta deserves what it gets!

@ C.Chircop, Stefan Sacco: Agreed: we need a strong line of action before something terrible happens. But not the way Mintoff played the Saipem saga, just to mention one example. We ended up with Libyan gunboats surrounding "our" oil rig and the prime minister of the time running tails between his legs on a panic stricken journey to Nato member Italy for support!

I suggest we build a cruise passenger terminal in Birzebbuga not at St. Elmo (as more arrivals seem to be occuring there) and whilst we're at it to change the name of Hal Far to Somalia.
This situation is well out of hand now and even to the extent of other immigrants going to welcome them as though it is their country and they are welcomig them home.

If they could not be sent back to Libya they ought to be transferred to Filfa under tents until they decide to leave.

As a country now we are paricipants of a human trafficking ring. This is not charity any more but blant abuse of international law by gangs in north Africa. The end result is our country being given to illegal people paying criminals to get them here. The national interest is completely forgotten by our parlament. Our children will curse us for what we are doing and accepting and as if to add insult to injury,we are accused of xenophobia!! Look to what had happened elsewhere.......we are acting like ostriches with heads buried in sand...Shame!!!

A group of 227 immigrants have arrived in Birzebbugia on a large boat packed to the brim

and all this in this weather in winter, so what is going to happen in summer, I think that it is arrived the time that all the unions like they have made unity regarding the tariffs of water and electricity make unity again and make a peacefull protest regarding this problrem, i am sure that they will have all the population behind or nearly all, so we will wait and see we cant continue going on in this situation

@Martin Degiorgio
You are so right in what you say! Maybe a lot of Maltese people don't care as long as it's not happening in their back yard. Sooner or later it will, and then what?

I have been reading about all these illegals arriving here and so far I have not commented but now what really disgusts me is that a retired man is having to pay 900 euro for treatment because the Gov says he is not entitled to free treatment but they have money for these illegals to buy mobile phones and to replace the mattresses they burnt themselves. We should put Maltese people first, my uncle is in St. Vincents and he hasn't had his medication for six months because the Government hasn't paid the agent. Is this what we pay taxes for? Its time this Governement do the job that they are paid to do by the Maltese people.

What is this? Since the other immigrants knew about this boat's arrival and went to welcome them, our police force and AFM, most probably felt quite stupid. We demand that our Government, which strongly argued that it knew how things went with the EU when faced with the burden sharing issue, TAKE ACTION NOW!!!!! We are fast but surely becoming the EU's Cinderella, we do not seem to have people that are capable of governing or making decisions. It is really depressing to see people striving to make ends meet, day by day and government not doing anything to relieve us from this situation. It's as if the sky is falling down on us. I plea for someone to really stand up and take control over this dire situation in which this Gonzi PN has lead us in. ANYONE OUT THEIR CAPABLE OF ANSWERING TO THIS PLEA???

SHAME goes to whom got the idea for 5000 euros bonus! These persons should RESIGN from their job immediately. Their idea is simply urging more immigrants to come here to take the chance and they have nothing to lose.

The 5000 euro grant made news in Africa!!!!!!!

Good Luck Malta !!!! You were warned and voted for all this. And still some compalinants refuse to vote in the MEP elections. This might be the very last chance to put things right.

Do you know what the illigal imigrant said from the boat to the one on land? " I hope that they will still giving us the Euro 5000 until we go out from the ditenstion centre"

The other one of land replied " I hope that by that time there will be still this offer from EU, not like the one of the refregiators AA+ that they had last year, by the way you came exactly in time . Now there is another offer for us as from yesterday. The new one is about the solar heaters and panelles. So you are going to have Euro 465 first and then they will give you another Euro 5000 before you leave. It is good that they will give you Euro 5000 before you leave so you will not spend your money but you will spend Gonzi money in Malta"

The report makes no mention that they were in any distress. So why were they allowed to approach land? They should have been advised that they were in Maltese territorial waters and were thus only permitted, under international law, to continue with their voyage. They had no documentation or permission to enter any of our harbours and our defence forces should have been instructed to ensure they continued on their way.
Jigifieri jekk ikun ghaddej vapur u jfettillu jidhol Malta, hekk, minghajr permess u dokumenti, qisu ma gara xejn? U jekk qed igorr xi mard jew materjal perikoluz?!
Let's get our act together!

It is nice to see that there is so much concern expressed by so-called "keyboard warriors". Pity that when I together with another group of people organised a very civilised and peaceful anti-illegal immigration protest in Valletta in October 2005 we got 2500 participants and when we did one in June 2007 we got just 250!

Unfortunately even if in this country 97.3% (according to a Sunday Times survey of August 2005) are against illegal immigration, you find thousands of people that are ready to waste their time by posting here but hardly anyone who has the spine to take part in some anti-immigration demonstration or (if he does not like what's "on offer") organise one himself!

No wonder I stopped bothering to organise such events and wasting my time. What for?! Such events should instead draw 20,000 people and that would put real pressure on the government, the opposition and the EU. Instead we are doing the only thing we (or I should say most of you) do - i.e. just grumble. Enjoy!

Not voting in the upcoming EU elections would be a big mistake. A silent protest by way abstaining from voting would be an open cheque to people like Neil Falzon and his friends. Instead I propose to vote for that ONE independent person who is prepared to take this struggle right up to Brussels - no other strings attached. I would be the first to endorse the candidature of Louise Vella. At this point gathering 40,000 votes should not be that difficult.

Shouldn't the captain be arrested and sentenced to jail for breaking maritime laws?

Who is that fool to belive this boat made it all the way from Africa? Whoever is in this buisness is making a boatful of money out of this human trafficing.

This is absolutely shocking news! More illegal immigrants being allowed to land on the shores of Malta! Why on earth where they not TURNED AWAY and REFUSED DISEMBARKATION?

Is there no one in authority who can take decisions in this country? They could at least have taken the infants off the boat then sent the rest on their way. The government should have used this incident to show some gumption and highlight this crisis to the world. It could have reached world headline news - MALTA UNABLE TO ACCOMMODATE ANY MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

What can we do, as ordinary people who care for our country and do not want to sit idly by and watch its demise? Our government and Prime Minister are shirking their responsibility and are letting us down badly. The EU don't care what happens here. The UN does not care about Malta either. Sadly, we are on our own.

Will 2009 be the beginning of the end of Malta and the unique Maltese way of life? I hope I'm wrong, but I have a very bad feeling about this...

I HAVE NO DOUBT ANY LONGER THAT THIS TRULY IS AN ORGANISED INVASION.

It`s February, winter at its peak and we are facing this "tsunami". What will occur during summer ? Gonzi, wake up....we are livinving in GONZO LAND. QUM, STENBAH, TAF X`INHU GHADEJJ ??

227 immigrants coming in this type of weather i hate to imagine about the number that will be coming during the summer. Govt should get tough and do what is best for Malta by ignoring everyone and get these immigrant back to their countries.

Where are the "PAR IDEJN SODI"... Dr Gonzi? or with the Maltese only you use them???
We are facing such a bad situation in the world and we have to face this illegal migration problem on our own too, THE EU WASHED THEIR HANDS OUT OF IT AND KEEP A WATCHFULL EYE ON US TO RESCUE THEM BEFORE THEY ARRIVE AT SCICLY AND CONTINUE THE EU INVASION.
kullhadd jifrah bil pulizzija wara bieb haddiehor:-)

In this weather which is foul,plus considering that the condition of the illegal immigrants was good, with no lifejackets and that they just landed in Malta out of nowhere with fellow illegal immigrants welcoming them means ONE thing:they were transported on a mother ship with a boat in tow and then conveniently put on the boat near Malta and there were mobile phones
ringing to get the welcoming committee:to sail from Libya to Malta with such a load would take 2 days on 5 knots with a lot of fuel required.We are not idiots but the maltese authorities should tell us the whole truth!

We need Il-Perit Mintoff back as Prime Minister to solve all the problems we are facing now.

Tiftakruhom il-billboards tal-PN bhal lum sena b' Gonzi sserrah Rasek?
Din parti mis-serhan il-mohh?Fejn spiccaw? Dak li tizra tahsad nies!!
L-AN l-uniku partit li kellu ragun mela! Tghallem ja Malti ghax jaqbillek ghax diga tard!!

Gonzi said: Jien niddeciedi. Jien il-Prim Ministru. Jiena l-Gvern.
Malta's predicament as a result of the crisis of illegal immigration has become Gonzi's direct responsibility. From the beginning - when the crisis was still a 'phenomenon' - he was complacent about it and tried to put us all off with holy platitudes about Christian values. He has avoided taking a firm position to reflect the Maltese people's will and the natiuonal interest. As a result the smugglers of human beings became bolder. Numbers have increased from year to year. What is Gonzi going to do now? Not tomorrow, TODAY

Of cource that now Libya co-operate about immigration. Did any one think that with this wind force 5 to 6 in these last two days, they left from Libya and they are still alive??? These were carried from a ship and they were relised from it few miles away from Malta. Then they called Malta for help because their boat is sinking. The same story.

We will expecting that by tomorrow there will be another fight at Safi detention centre. Where are you hidden Gonzi PN??????????

Dorothy Aquilina: A resounding 'yes' to your idea. Gather and line the shores and wave them past when the news of an impending arrival breaks. They might get the picture that they're not at all welcome and sail on.

Is-soltu kummenti vojta.

227 immigrants in February? I shudder to think how many immigrants will land on our shores during the summer.

But don't worry folks, with Gonzi leading us to glory, we'll have plenty of serhan tal-mohh! Just like we've all got plenty of jobs - NOT!

take a deep look at this video!!....seems that friends of arrival immigrants knew of all this....its like they are greeting them on the rocks !

We are fed up Mr Minister, of this escalating problem. We are fed up of being treated like retards. We are fed up of being called racists by our own politicians and abused with the excuse of our 'christian values'.

I look at a couple of conventions our wise politicians signed, I look at Frontex and the 'Voluntary Pact' and then I look at the end of the tunnel and see no light.

@ Ivan Farrugia
Only two places where you could have read that piece on news, on In-Nazzjon or on Il-Mument. Whichever, it's a good fairy tale.

@Stefan Sacco,

It will not happen, but one has to admit (and both Nationalists and Labourites would agree), that only somebody with the chuzpah of Dom Mintoff would be able to solve this problem. Perhaps in a burleque manner, but more effective than the Neville Chamberlain-style of politics currently in place (on both sides of the Parliament).

We know where the problem is coming from, yet diplomatic and economic relations with that country are impeding us (or rather the government) from making Malta heard in a more emphatic manner.

@Others

Going to the streets and protesting is useless. The media will ignore it (or negatively report it), the authorities will play the racial card (and possibly arrest some), and others will get blackmailed.

Our forefathers battled and died for this country while we're idly waiting to let it go to the dogs. We are being taken for an (expensive) ride and we're smiling into the wind. Let us put our money where our mouth is and do something about this, shall we?

We need tough hands like Mr Dom Mintoff, I am sure of he would have solved this problem ages ago. To deal with this problem you need to have guts, and none of our leaders have this guts. I would say to the EU and there relatives, if we cannot send them back to there origin is not a problem, tomorrow I will send a couple of airplanes full of illegal immigrants off to brussels and relatives.

LAMPEDUSA

The paragraph below fromm www.corriere.it shows the arrogance of Laura Boldrini of UNHCR, who should limit herself to UNHCR's mandate, refugees, but instead interferes on illegal immigrants. She claims it is dangerous to leave illegal immigrants near the fumes they themselves caused. Tries to blame the authorities for injuries inflicted by illegal immigrants on themselves. There is big tension in Lampedusa because of the repatraitions - (but of course, of course!) The ilegal immigrants feel lost and try everything. Boldrini of UNHCR makes herself the Passionaria of illegal immigrants. What arrogance!

APPELLO DELL'UNHCR - Laura Boldrini, portavoce dell’Unhcr (l'agenzia dell'Onu per i rifugiati) ha fatto un appello al governo: «Abbiamo sollecitato un intervento del Viminale perché è pericoloso lasciare nel Cie migranti e operatori vicino alle fiamme e al fumo. È necessario approntare misure urgenti per spostare le persone per ridurre il numero intossicati e ustionati. È una situazione che covava da settimane, fin dagli atti di autolesionismo. C’è una grossa tensione per i rimpatri, i migranti si sentono persi e tentano il tutto per tutto».

Good thing our ancestors shed blood to safeguard Malta from foreign invasions...we welcome them by posting our armed forces, and financing their stay by our plenteous taxes....times did really change !!!! In the meantime, let's prepare the stage for the next arrival.... time scheduled please???

Now they know exactly where to arrive, Birzebbugia, a stone away from the Hal-far open centre.

I cannot believe what I am reading here, "A number of migrants from the nearby open centre also went down to the area to await the boat." Din bis-serjeta???

Who said that these arrivals are not organized? Why don't the Government hire a cruise liner to go and bring them from the Libyan shores instead all this hassle? At least it would be less dangerous for the AFM members at the Air Wing and Maritime Squadron.

In the mean time, a number of soldiers and colleagues of Gnr Psaila where deprived from attanding his funeral because this unlawful arrival of these unwelcome.

People of Malta,your relatives, ancestors,fought and perishied,fighting to save Malta from foreign invaders,
With Malta not the size of a small city in the U.K.how long before your homeland is no longer yours?
The elected,Government is not only allowing this invasion to take place,but seems to welcome these invaders to Malta's shores with open arms.
It speaks for itself,they even have the cheek to come and welcome their friends, relatives to their new home. Remembere there is strength in numbers,and their numbers are increasing at an alarming rate,act now before it is too late,the final nails are being hammered into Maltas coffin

Although I do not live in Malta, it is so sad to read about this huge problem the island is going through. Malta must take a strong and firm action on this illegal immigrant issue just like Australia has done and is doing. The Australian navy are turning their boats around at sea, why cannot the Maltese authorities do the same? When my wife and I emigrated from Malta to Australia at the time, 37 years ago, we did things the right way, we applied and waited, and we did not even have 20 pounds to our name. WE DID IT LEGALLY.

There is no other way to explain the situation .......`sitwazjoni tal-bizza`.
Malta is soon becoming the first African state in the EU.

Why dont we charter a plane direclty from Africa to Malta for these illegal immigrants? Might as well save all the hassle for everyone. We can also include these in the annual tourist figures arriving at the MIA and carried by Airmalta...it would surely make the numbers of MIa and Airmalta look good!!

I wouldn’t like to add more problems to the current situation...but I would definitely scrap the policy of sending migrants back with money to start a new life back home… the word might be spreading around about Malta “mhux talli hanina imma thallas ukoll !”

I suggest a NATIONAL PROTEST not linked to any political party. We should stick together as a whole nation and fight this huge problem. We have a right to live in our country without any invaders. We fought and won many battles in the past, we should work together to beat this problem and send them all home. We should show these people that we mean business and that they should'nt even think of heading our way. Malta wake up! Let's set a date for a national protest!

Who can blame them !!! they pay say $1000 for somebody to transport them here, in return they get €5000 plus all the goodies they get given, ie mobile phones, cloths etc...
If only my family and I is treated the same, then we would do it.
WAKE UP MP's on both sides start really doing something, NO BIG TALK ACTION THAT COUNTS, send them back !!!!!!!!!

Who can blame them !!! they pay say $1000 for somebody to transport them here, in return they get €5000 plus all the goodies they get given, ie mobile phones, cloths etc...
If only my family and I is treated the same, then we would do it.
WAKE UP MP's on both sides start really doing something, NO BIG TALK ACTION THAT COUNTS, send them back !!!!!!!!!

From this video it seems that some of the immigrants welcoming this new boat load of illegal migrants know each other. Maybe they are welcoming their own brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, and cousins. It really wouldn't be surprising.

Does Shengen also apply to people coming from Libja. The boat didn't seem to need any assistance. It came in on it's own steam. Why not use the same boat and give them supplies to send them back where they came from?

It seems that after the agreement between Italy and Libya, we are now getting such boat loads in larger numbers even in the winter months, highly indicating that these do not cross the mediterranean from Libya to here on small boats, but are likely to be lowered in a smaller boat from a bigger ship in the proximity of Malta & italy. Reality is that while we would like to help out as much as possible, Malta is the 3rd most densely populated spot on earth, after Monaco & Singapore, and there is a limit on how much we can help. Organisations like the UNHCR should help out in pushing this point to the international community, instead on hampering on integration!!

Why worry? so long as we have the Eurovision to talk about, the MEP's elections coming soon, the new utility tariffs, the pairing problem, ficticious multi million restoration jobs etc. - that's OK. All our politicians and especially our puppet media consider these as being priority and top news items - but not the organised invasion of our Island.

And the show goes on, feeling spineless, gutless and submissive to all that is going on around us. How degrading and pitiful it is to let everyone taking us for a ride, buying our sovereignty for a few millions of Euros. How is it that those responsible are having a good night's rest when they know that they and their country is heading to destruction. In their shoes, I would shudder to think about it.

As for us, it's no use talking about the consequences as by now everybody must be aware of them. Remember that in this "Mickey Mouse" place your only tool is your VOTE. For once let's show them that we do not care for them as they have not cared for us. It's true it's late but "better late than never". Unite, show them what you mean.

The people have the sacrosanct right to express their opinion, which should mean that no genuine and democratic law, should be enacted to suppress their voices.

We native Maltese are worried because of this. Malta is too small to accept so many people! The negligence on the part on those who should make the appropriate decisions, is appalling!

Should we pretend the EU to care for us more than we do?!

Governement wake up and defend our territory. This is a silent invasion, nothing less.

Lampedusa has been more or less abandoned to its destiny.

http://www.rainews24.rai.it/notizia.asp?newsid=107212

Ignore at your own risk.

KEEP THE SOMALIS AWAY FROM THE SHORES OF MALTA. A RECENT CRACKDOWN BY SCOTLAND YARD IN ENGLAND HAS REVEALED THAT A LOT OF SOMALIS ARE BEING CONVERTED TO TERRORISTS AND SUICIDE BOMBERS. AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM ARRIVED TO THE UK AS ASYLUM SEEKERS.

CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING CHANNEL 4 CLIP (FROM YESTERDAY'S NEWS) AND THE REFUGEE SETTLEMENT WATCH WEBSITE.

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/africa/why+somalia+must+rise+up+uk+agenda/2958407

http://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/incredible-news-the-british-have-somali-terrorists-returning-to-the-uk/

I THINK THIS REALLY IS THE END OF MALTA.

is it just my imagination or do the immigrants on the ground know the just coming in immigrant people on the boat? seems like the airport with people greeting and meeting!!

Dear Dr Gonzi it is your silence and the fact that you do not keep the public informed regarding how we are dealing with this influx that fuels xenophobia.

We demand a full non biased media report on how we are dealing with this influx and what are the plans for the future regarding this silent invasion.

As we can see from the video clip they were happy to arrive here, meeting their friends! And who do they think they are fooling? Do you really beleive they came on that small boat from Somalia or a nearby country and survived it all, in this weather?!!!

Dear public please understand that Prime Minister Gonzi and his government can not do anything about the illegal immigrants situation, they have local businessmen, Brussels, Tom, Dick and Harry to please first.
Duty towards safety and integrity of Malta come last on the list.
Yet please do come and vote next June, so we feel like a happy family.

when will this nightmare end why can;t we put them on a boat and take them back from where they came. i cannot believe this, no one seems to care. how on earth can we take care of these people when there is not enough for us. we that have been bron and bred here this is our home. i real feel ashamed of this no one cares any more we are busy taking care of ourselves and those who we elected to take care of us are in oblivion. i have nighmares about this don't you?

I'm seriously thinking of moving away from this island! This is getting... scary.

@Ryan Bugeja

Just for information, but the USA has taken 600 of our Illegal Immigrants.

I wonder how many have been taken by members of the EU?!?!

Another Cruise liner arrived.
More tourists, more work generated.
More work, ECONOMY full speed ahead

Welcome to Australia (OOOPS Malta)
We need a Prime Minister like John Howard

It is obviously a well orchestrated campaign to destabilse Malta.

GonziPN is completely detached from reality and the people around him only tell him what he wants to hear. He clearly does not know what is being said in the streets, kazini and bars. Sunday mass is hardly the place to listen to the grassroots.

From www.corriere.it

Lampedusa, scontri tra migranti e polizia
Un incendio devasta il Cie: 10 feriti
Sedata la rivolta. Il Centro presidiato da polizia e carabinieri. Alcuni agenti sono rimasti intossicati

LAMPEDUSA - Tensione a Lampedusa, dove prima incendio è divampato nel Cie e poi sono scoppiati violenti scontri tra un gruppo di immigrati e forze dell'ordine, che hanno chiamato rinforzi e usato gas lacrimogeni. Prima che la rivolta venisse sedata - come ha confermato il questore - c'è stata una decina di feriti, non gravi, sia tra gli extracomunitari, sia tra i poliziotti. Alcuni agenti sono anche rimasti intossicati. I tafferugli sono scoppiati dopo che martedì un gruppo di 300 tunisini aveva cominciato lo sciopero della fame per protesta contro il trasferimento di 107 loro connazionali a Roma, in vista del rimpatrio coatto. Nella struttura, trasformata dal Viminale da Centro di prima accoglienza e soccorso a Centro di identificazione ed espulsione, si trovano in questo momento 863 immigrati, in gran parte tunisini.

18 febbraio 2009

On 17 February (5-6 p.m), I took notes as Rudolph Cini, PN European Parliament candidate, speaking with Trevor Degiorgio on radio 101, said something like this:

“Meta naghmel il-home visits huwa veru li l-iktar haga li qed tippreokkupa n-nies hi dwar l-immigrazzjoni illegali. Imma mportanti nzommu f'rasna li fl-ibhra qed imutu n-nies. Dawn in-nies huma ddisprati u mportanti nirrikonoxxu dan l-aspett uman. Dan irid ikun il-qofol tal-argument taghna. Irridu nenfazizzaw il-burden-sharing. Issa l-pajjizi nordici jafu x'qed tesperjenza Malta, imma ma nistghux nobbligawhom jiehdu l-immigranti illegali. Jekk nigi elett bi hsiebni nenfazizza l-burden-sharing".

My conclusions:

(1) The complicit PN and PL leaderships know illegal immigration is the people’s top worry, but are avoiding giving it its due importance – no public consultation process; no issue group; no proper debate in parliament. They are letting the problem grow and fester.
(2) GonziPN has no political will to stop the influx (e.g. by a stronger FRONTEX) and is openly succumbing to blackmail by smugglers of human beings.
(3) by emphasizing burden-sharing, which has only marginal results, GonziPN is making Malta a beggar with its EU partners.
(4) The people expect solutions and not the ‘argument’ of some glib lawyer to shut their mouths.

GONEZIPN RESIGN
YOU ARE ALLOWING WHAT YOU YOURSELF CALLED AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATS INVASION.
YOU ARE INCOMPETENT TO RUN THIS COUNTRY.
ARE YOU WAITING FOR THE PEOPLE TO TAKE THE LAW IN THEIR OWN HANDS?
GONEZIPN RESIGN.

"A number of migrants from the nearby open centre also went down to the area to await the boat."

This shows that everything is being coordinated between those who are already here and those who are coming. Why are they allowed to have mobile phones and internet paid for at OUR expense?

So in 3 months a total of 639 illegal and unwanted immigrants have reached our shores. At this rate a total of 2556 will have arrived in 12months, and most probably this figure will be much larger since the rate will increase during the Summer months.
I eagerly await the next news headline in the coming days boasting that another delightful 9 (yes nine - not nine hundred) illegal immigrants have been successfully repatriated, leaving our country with their pockets full of Euro, and carrying their extra-heavy luggage fully loaded with all kinds of brand new clothes and free souvenirs. Then very soon, yet another boat will be spotted on its way to Malta, bursting with all their relatives and friends. Very nice indeed !

€1,135,000

The above figure is what just TODAY’s boat load will expect in cash under the DAR scheme.

Who was the GENIUS who came up with the DAR idea???
You’ ve made a bad situation worse and this proves it.

HON. Carmelo as a voter and tax pay (hence your employer) I am expecting your immediate resignation.

Resign may be a new word to our politicians’ so please find its definition as defined by the OXFORD dictionary:

Relinquish; surrender; hand over office/task; retire; discontinue; ADMIT DEFEAT

“It was noted that the illegal immigrants lacked life-jackets whilst their overall state of health was generally good”.

The above was quoted in the Times of Malta.

So the question is “Why”?

Answer: Elementary Dr. Watson, these illegal immigrants had just disembarked from the mother ship which was just a few miles away from Malta and that is why they didn’t need any life-jackets and looked so fresh!

This human trafficking is an organized crime at its best and we the Maltese are co-operating with the criminals by giving these criminals the helping hand they need!

Great!

../..

Can the Hon. Members of Parliament please reassure their constituents who are rather worried about the illegal immigration situation that at least government and the opposition doing their best to try and solve the problem. It may have not reached a crises but do we have to come to that stage for something to be seen to be done. It would help if some form of reassurance is given by parliamentarians that the matter is being handled in a serious manner. Do not make the mistake of ignoring people please.

Isn't it obvious that these trips are all organized and this boat's destination was Malta. How would you otherwise explain that immigrants from open centre went to meet them. We need to declare a state of emergency and don't allow any more immigrants to land in Malta. The day will come when we shall all regret our inability to do something to stop this invasion but did'nt.

What a joke,what a country and what a sleeping government Malta have ,so because some hunters shot protected birds ,we bring the German CABS and the UK`s RSPB to spy and report our own people and at the meantime we are invaded by who knows what type of people are these and everything is alright, I`ll bet that by the time that April comes Malta will be invaded by as many migrants as there are people in Gozo.

Until Malta abdicates its responsabilities these people will keep on coming. Obviously our politicians must be privy to some studies pointing to an oil find in this region. I very much hope its not just another pipe dream. On the other hand the SOLAS convention does not remove the onus of providing proper identification. Re- criminalise illegal entry and immigration and the sooner the better. Our national security is being compromised. Wake up Malta - your country needs you NOW!

Joe Mifsud

Xarabank or Bondiplus programme? Are you joking? What for so that they can make more money out of our misery. I will voice my anger to this situation in the next EU election with my VOTE!!!!!!!

GONZI IS STILL ASLEEP. GHADDAFI IS ROARING WITH LAUGHTER.

SHAME ON PN FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN TO OUR PEACEFUL HOME. BAD LEADERS, BAD POLITICIANS, BAD MANAGEMENT.

OUR COAST GUARD SHOULD TAKE OARS AND FOOD OUT TO SEA, GIVE THEM A COMPASS AND SEND THEM TO ITALY OR FRANCE OR BACK TO LIBYA.....

NOT ESCORT THEM TO OUR HOME!!!! WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THE REST OF MALTA AND GOZO.....MAKE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON.....I JUST DID....

On this issue/situation,it's better to be united & do something asap.the alarm bell is much more than red!!! imo.

@ Joe Mifsud

Bondi plus did a program few months ago.

I was told by the minister that thanks to the burden sharing he will have the power to start moving the immigrants.

We are sending a negative message to illegal immigrants.

The latest is the 5000 Euro bonus for those who go back. 5000 euro in Africa is no joke.

They will tell other members of their family to come so they can take more money back to Africa.

You don't need any more programs on illegal immigration. Just use your vote in the next MEP election correctly to send a clear message

Shouldn't immigrants that have just arrived be interrogated? Asked who brought them here?(As clearly it is showing that immigrants in Malta knew that they were coming! So they must be or are involved in the trafficking) Police should threaten them that if they don't talk they will be sent back! Gonzi I gave you my vote last election, you will never have it again if you don't act NOW.

Roll on Summer....Why wasn't the vessel diverted back if it was being tracked by radar? Why aren't the traffickers names in Libya ever established? How do they get hold of these boats, they must have an owner.....

YES -- I LIKE IT.
PEOPLE, IF THEY KEEP ARRIVING EN MASS WE WILL HAVE A BIG PROBLEM
*** THIS IS WHEN SOMETHING IS DONE ***

We have reached a point of no return. It's no use if they keep coming in 20s because in small groups we can manage them, when they are unmanagable and a state of emergency is claimed then the international community helps.

So yes another 6 or 8 boats of these in a month and we will be there! please..please let them come..

Where is the EU? What are you going to do? Frontex?

This is absoutely ridiculous!!!
If anyone thinks they can convince me or anyone who might believe that this bunch actually got to our shores from Libya,Somalia or anywhere else go fool someone else. I'm not interested in listening to politicians telling me it's a phenomenon. This is a poor excuse for a bunch of politicians who have no guts to utter word.This has to be stopped and NO not because they're black they could be PINK for all I care. They are ILLEGAL.
If there hasn't been a goverment in SOMALIA for 15 odd years what have Malta, Italy, Spain and others like us got to do with this.
I'm sorry to have to say this but they must be stopped and the lucky ones who got here must be sent back to THEIR HOME not ours.
It's become abosoutely risiculous. For those of you who think the south of Malta is full why dont you come to my doorstep in Msida and have a look....
They can all possibly fit in one place can they !!!

When is someone going to acknowledge that these people are taking us poor tax payers for a ride. From the video attached they dont look like people that have been travelling long on the sea.
The recepetion committe that was standing for their arrival should be questioned of how and where did they know of their fellow arrivals
Will some person in authority start taking decisions I'm sure that this is one problem that will unite all the Maltese whatever their believes are.
Oh and where are the do gooders parade with there comments they suddenly have really fell silent is this a sign that even they know that this has become a serious problem
This is not a racial thing I would be writing the same comment if these people where blondes from Europe

The silent invasion continues. Soon Malta will be part of Africa and Maltese will be forced to migrate elsewhere in a land which will not be their own any more.

The politicians do nothing about it. I don't think I'll ever vote again...what's the scope? I'm really disappointed. I knew we were a disorganised nation but not to this point.

And we? We just complain here. We need someone to organise a mass meeting to send a clear message. But who will organise it and will people turn up or will they be afraid that they will be deemed racists?

Sadly nothing will be done to stop this. This is our future...as I said in earlier posts in 10 years' time there will be some 30,000 illegal immigrants if not more on this island at this pace and no one will do anything to stop this.

Why did our fathers fight against the Ottomans and the Nazis and lose their lives in vain if we are ready to hand over Malta to others so easily in this day and age?

And with the sum being offered which amount to 5000 euro to go back to their country more new immigrants will come here. They have nothing to lose for coming here, take a chance and if not satisfied they go back with a sum of money. And I pay hundreds of euros in taxes!

Dear Times,

May I suggest this subject be your next on-line poll.....can't wait for its results 'cause everyone seems to be of the same opinion!

@J,farrugia
i for one am NOT goingi to vote in eu election ,infact not even for the council,as there is going to be election in my home town!! & I amtruing to persude my family & friends not to vote, VOTE FOR WHAT?????

What a sweet family re-union!!!!!!

...well we have a "par idejn sodi! par idejn sodi, par idejn sodi".....it still echoes in my ears.....for the good and ALSO FOR THE BAD!!

I agree with Ronald Gauchi.... what are we going to do to stop this? rely on our government? as this is proving to be a total failure....... As D Ellul said... This is the beginning of the end.... seriously!

Brian Fenech
United Kingdom.

Complaining is useless. We have been complaining about everything from car registration taxes to this. Nothing useful happened and nothing will ever happen.

We have a useless government and opposition. Instead of battling out their ideas to solve real problems like immigration and the current economic sitiuation they wasted months alienating people about where the new parliament will be and about the cathedral issue.

As a Maltese tax payer I am very very sad.

What a shame!!! Where is the EC's support? PLEASE MALTA WAKE UP? We have to be cruel to be kind and charity begins at home!!!

From the video above one could tell that the immigrant who went down to Birzebbugia seen talking in his mother language, was aware of the arrival of his collegue/s!!!! "Welcome to Malta, my friend!!! You have made it, see!"

That boat seems to have difficulty in handling even in the calm water of the port....

..this sheds SERIOUS doubts if these immigrants REALLY came all the way from Libya on that boat!!!!

Take a look at the uploaded video. Some of the immigrants from the open centre seem to know some others on board. On actually is trying to sight his acquaintance/s and then waves.
It is far from funny.

Doesn't it tell you that the ones in Malta (At least some of them) are in contact with their counterparts in Africa and actually enticing them to risk their lives and take the trip across to Europe?

Also, the boat is jam packed. Can anybody tell us how come this boat managed to come ashore with 227 people looking pretty healthy when it is clear that these were offloaded from a much larger boat or a ship? I

was listening to Radio 101 yesterday and the presenters said they could neither 'confirm nor deny' that such entries into Malta were coming unaided. A nice way to wash their hands off the subject!

Isn't it high time that more concrete action is taken to ensure that human trafficking is clamped down upon WELL BEFORE these immigrants land on our shores?

Dear President....please call Perit Mintoff in your office and sworn him in as our new Prime Minister.....from what I heard lately he is our only hope for this problem.....if we're not already too late

@ Bill Millam...

NO my dear friend, NONE of our politicians has the guts to stand up and say enough is enough! Our Maltese politicians are too busy in other issues, believe me!

They "talk" (not act) about this issue only once every 5 years, just before the general election.

It is a well organised invasion, don't you see, some of their friends from our open centres even went to give them a warm welcome near the beach, as probably they knew of their arrival BEFORE our policemen and soldiers did!

Its going to be a mess this summer again (i.e. all year round now), and unfortunately our brave policemen and soldiers will once again have to waste time with these landings, rather than protecting and helping us!

(maybe one fine day it will be us Maltese citizens who will stand up and... ACT!)

the MALTESE population is truly fed up, our leaders should taken immediate hard action on this issue. funds are found instantly to accomodate these illegals whilst funds for street / road repairs etc are only found once in a year after a big storm apart from pending urgent issues, like proper safe dressing for police officers are still pending. the majority DEMAND a stop to this uncontrollable invasion NOW

It is an alarm for the Prime Minister. We are still in February and this organized silent invasion is going to destroy us.

These boats should be towed back to 15 miles from Libya and given enough fuel to arrive. All boats should be turned back. This will save on riots and problems of repatriation later on . Voluntary repatriation will cost €1 million for just this one boat.
These people are leaving Libya with the intention of bring rescued . They are abusing the system and it should stop immediately.
The government should give a two week warning and after a certain date all boats will be turned back. It should post notices in the open centres of its intentions as they are the ones in contact with the wouldbe immigrants. When the boats are turned back , any other country which complains be invited to send a plane to pick up the immigrants and take them . If no plane is sent then the pick up will not take place. I am sure there will be no takers. After one or two months the boats will stop. It worked for Australia it will work for us. The only difference is the Australians have politicians who are elected to serve their people .

Ther is a possible solution. An EU wide embargo on any of the countries from which these illegals are fleeing, or passing through to reach Europe.
The EU has preferential agreements with regards to taxes and duties with many of these countries therefore it has quite some clout. With regards Libya, unless this country stops fooling around no business what so ever should be allowed.
The United Nations had sanctioned Libya for ten years just on the allegatioins that Libya was behind the killing of some 300 persons in the Lockerbie incident. The UNHCR knows that through Libya's lack of cooperation, thousands of immigrants are loosing their life every year while trying to reach European shores.
I believe that my propositions are reasonable and would leave tangable results. I am only sceptic about the will, especially since many multinational companies are doing good business with Libya.

Please tell me it is a dream and I did not understand. Fejn se naslu issa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"A NUMBER OF MIGRANTS FROM THE NEARBY OPEN CENTRE ALSO WENT DOWN TO THE AREA TO AWAIT THE BOAT" u le le le le le.

This is a matter of extreme concern. My feeling is Malta is sitting on a time bomb, the extent of the issue is just fuelling the racist sentiment, the size of the problem is providing self justification to those with extreme sentiments. This matter needs addressing as much as all the related aspects such as space, expense, etc. Whatever our morals might be, whichever beliefs we embrace, our country needs to find a workable solution, in the absence of positive and lasting outcomes we ought to brace ourselves for unpleasant events. Racist sentiments do not even constitute a small fraction of the solution however diigging one's head in the sand is a recipe for a disaster.

Integration, Integration, Integration, This is what the EU wants, and this is what we have to do, We should offer them decent housing, plus benefits etc. I.L.EU.

PS perhaps someone can enlighten me - where on earth are you supposed to put these hundreds of people when they land? How are you physically supposed to accommodate these large numbers that are arriving? Is the Government going to end up compulsorily taking over the use of hotels to accommodate these CRIMINALS!?

@Ronnie Gauci
I have expressed disbelief before that the Maltese people have not stood up and said enough is enough, that you have not taken to the streets, protested, striked or done whatever you need to do to stop the total ruination of your childrens homeland and future. Stand up and be counted, do what you must, tell the EU to get lost, to shove it. Your land mass is full up!!!!

WE DEMAND A STATEMENT FROM MINISTER MIFSUD BONNICI.

It is outrageous how the Goverment and minister concerned who WE PAY out of our taxes are remaining silent regarding this invasion. We have every right to demand an explanation regarding how we are currently dealing with this situation and what are the plans for the future.

It is very clear that our National Security is not on this Government’s agenda, since if we keep accepting illegal immigrants at the rate they are invading our shores the demise of our Nation will happen sooner than we had expected.

"A number of migrants from the nearby open centre also went down to the area to await the boat."
Next time why don't we organise a parade complete with national anthems.

Welcome to the ghetto!!!

More of our taxes to be spent to buy them a mobile phone, probably a car, etc.

By the way how come illegal immigrants detained at Hal-Far Centre have cars registered on their names?

where is the minister responsible????????????????????? & also the shadow minister.??????????????????????? please don't remain in a silence mode........ Don't forget we r going to vote in the european elections.......

I honestly do not know whether to laugh or cry. The situation is getting ridiculous - completely ridiculous. How did the other immigrants know more were coming, eh? What is the government doing about these immigrants? A bit fat NOTHING! Because instead of trying to solve this huge problem, the Brussels spokespeople who are getting paid about 84,000 euros a year to give the Maltese a voice are voting on whether homosexual people should get married or not. Wake up and smell the fire! Us Maltese need to protest, and now. The immigrants will not invade us, they have already done so! Put money where your mouth is and let's protest. Somehow, we WILL be heard. The beautiful island for which our ancestors have died in battles to protect it has been turned into an asylum. Our culture is being lost, and we are sitting idly by complaining. Some authority figure, PLEASE organize something. We will participate.

Does this sound absurd? How could the illegal imigrants from the open centre know about the arrivals of their "brothers"? Is there some maltese involved in this invasion or are we being taken for a ride when the UNHCR and goverment say that their intention is not to come to invade our MALTA?

This is just shameful! We are being invaded by hundreds and the authorities are silent!
This cannot keep on going. PM Gonzi do something!

Hi everybody.... I invite all the readers to start following Italian new bulletins to get a feel of the immigrants related problems , Italy is facing.

If us and the authorities are not careful we are going to have the same problems...e.g. in lampedusa there will soon be more illegals than locals & in the rest of Italy drugs, prostitiution, theft, rape,

Do we want to end up like Padova where the locals had to build a wall to defend themselves from such crimes ??

This is not the Malta our ancestors worked so hard for, nor is the Malta we want to leave behind to our children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thankyou MEPs, MPs and opposition, and their business friends!

I weep for Malta - I visit you several times a year and I see the changes when I come. It is starting to put me off your island. If you lose your tourism this will also be the end for Malta. Alas, I already fear it is the end for Malta. Yet another packed boat load, 90 something percent male as always - this drain on your resources, your services, healthcare, education, housing, welfare - the nightmare continues. These free-loaders must be sent home, the entire lot of them. Act NOW to save Malta and your right to live the Maltese way of life.

Dear Hon. Austin Gatt

can you please do something?

I know you are our Prime Minister number 2 and since Lawrence Gonzi, albeit publicly stating that he is the Prime Minister, he is the Government ,is not ready to move a finger, you are next in line.

Can we have a Xarabank or Bondiplus programme on this serious issue not waste time on unimportant topics.

If the member we have elected in parliament are not doing anything about this grave situation, on whom can we turn to? Are we going to remain silent while we are invaded? Those who are against illegal immigration should ( like what I am going to do) invalidate the vote in the next coming EU elections. We need to unite and publicly demonstrate that we do not want these illegal immigrants in Malta. We should be loud enough to bring this matter as headline news not only in Malta but Europe too. Wake up Maltese people before it is too late.

When will the government at least declare an emergency state.

Mifsud Bonnici should resign immediately.

His record is a complete disaster.

Shame on you.

@Bill Millam
Would be easier if some LA governor would have the guts and stand up to accept some of our irregular immigrants...

All of us has had enough but all we do is complain here and afterwards carry on grumbling about other things, why don't we partecipate when protests are organised?? This silent invasion is sponsored by our two big parties, the EU is indifferent with our problem and so our measures have to be drastic and forget about all the agreements we have with them, we must show these immigrants their way to Italy or back to Libya before they reach shore.

"A number of migrants from the nearby open centre also went down to the area to await the boat."

How SWEET!

They are coming in the heart of winter, well prepare yourselves for the summer invasion. And Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici keeps laughing at us. How wonderful. Use your vote wisely come June. DO NOT GO TO VOTE FOR ANYONE. Let's see the SILENT MAJORITY. And tell the EU to keep its patrol boats. We do not need them for us.

...and this is only February!!!! ..when there is supposed to be cold and rough seas!

What is going to happen in Summer? .. they start arriving in jet-skis??

WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH !!!! PLEASE LET US DO SOMETHING !!!!!! Malta is going in the dumps . Who ever lives in our areas knows how sad and sickening the situation is. I am sorry to say but these people have no respect for the country that is accepting them. Come and see them down at the birzebbuga waterfront.

This boat was destined to Malta apparently, forced family unification, with those at the open centre.

This boat was sailing on its own steam it seems, and could have been easily diverted to elsewhere, even if there will was to embark here. So these are the authorities' fault for making it so easy to reach malta.

Our leaders does not have the courage to govern a country.

And the deafening silent invasion continues, while the politicians are oblivious to all that is happening around them.

I"m getting nostalgic to when boats used to carry 27!!!

Hello Everyone. do not worry. Remember the VOLUNTARY burden sharing our fellow EU countries agreed to ......?

Another unwelcome "cruiseship" load of illegals to add more problems to an already dire situation in Malta.
Just unbelievable how this is being allowed to happen unchecked! Doesn't anyone in Malta have the guts to stand up and say enough is enough?

Bill Millam
Los Angeles

Actually, it's the third group this month. A boat containing 115 landed at Marsaxlokk on 6th February. So far this year there have been 766 illegal immigrants landing in comparison to last year when the first was in March.

OH HOW THEY MUST BE LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR FREE EXTENDED HOLIDAY IN YOUR FABULOUS COUNTRY, THEY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO FREE BOARD AND LODGINGS, FIRST CLASS FREE HEALTHCARE, FREE CLOTHING, FREE MOBILE PHONES WITH FREE CREDIT NO DOUBT, FREE NEW TRAINERS, FREE NEW SPORTSWEAR, FREE MONEY EACH WEEK, FREE BUS TRAVEL AROUND MALTA MAYBE ?, WE VISITED MALTA FOR THE 32'ND TIME LAST WEEK, AND NOTHING WAS FREE AND WE EXPECTED NOTHING FOR FREE, IN FACT QUITE THE OPPOSITE WE HAVE NOTICED PRICES RISING ON A REGULAR BASIS AND WE COME TO MALTA OFTEN SIX TIMES A YEAR AND WE SEEM TO SPEND MORE EACH VISIT , NOW I WONDER WHY THAT MIGHT BE ????.

SEND THEM BACK!!!! THIS IS TOO MUCH!!!! US MALTESE MUST DO SOMETHING TO STOP THIS INVASION!!!

GOVERNMENT WAKE UP!!!!!!!!

227 new arrivals.................. minus two repatriated groups of some 30 iilegals,

AH...........................WE ARE STILL IN CREDIT

This is all we need, we send 30 back but 24 hours later we get another 227, when is our Government going to wake up and smell the coffee and by the way we`re only in February. When are our main political parties going to unite and tackle this crisis as a united front and stop heckling each other with their daily trivial garbage. This is what the average maltese man in the street wants to hear about as this crisis is becoming worse every day and not whether to dig a hole or make another car park in Valletta or anywhere else for that matter. L`aqwa li sejrin ghall Eurovision ghall Gahan malti, mhux hekk !!

Hello ..... Dr. Mifsud Bonnici

Are the Maltese obliged to meet these illegal immigrants at B'Bugia to greet them??? It is high time for the authorities to supply these illegal immigrants with enough fuel to see them out of the Maltese territorial waters.

This is the beginning of the end for Malta.

and again..............the beat goes on...............

..just in time for the carnival celebrations!
While other countries are encouraging the keep the wealth in their own countries we are just giving these illegals everything for free!

Welcome to Somalia / Africa in the mediterranean and mickey mouse island.

277 arrived - 70 departed - leaving 200 here plus the thousands we already have Now another large boat is on its way . Come on give us a break. Are we using the new american boats to ferry them in. They are arriving in good time to join the carnival party in our carnival island. Can anyone try and envisage what will happen in summer. They are arriving in 100's in the cold by summer we will be swarmed like bees over honey.

My heart misses a beat whenever I read such news. Do not let them land just refuel their boat, give them food and water and send them on their way back from where they came or wherever they want to go. This situation is going to lead to our ruin. Wake UP gonzi, wake UP!!

WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH!