Six migrants escape from Safi - four re-arrested

Emma Xerri

Mar 5th 2009, 23:11

M. Mercieca. We need babies and more humans like we need a kick in the head.

"Homo Rapiens" has raped and pilaged this planet and at this rate of overpopulation the biosphere has become unstatainable. Why should there be billions of humans but only 13 Siberian tigers left in the world? Who gave us the right to pollute, destroy forests and animals and pollute everywhere? We are not so smart after all.

If Governments and Religions really had our welfare at heart and that of our planet, including all the animals who are becoming extinct on a daily basis and at an alarming rate due to human intrusion into their habitat, they would promote and enforce a curb on human reproduction.

Imagine a planet were there is a variety of life and all cohabit together happily and peacefully, where we do not have to destroy other species to make room for more of us, imagine a world as the Universe intended it to be.

Obviously, there are vested interests in keeping humans stupid, and over-reproducing.

And ultimately, this policy will be the death-knoll of us all.

lgalea

Mar 4th 2009, 09:01

M. Mercieca
You do not keep calm during an invasion and you use all the means at your disposal to get rid of the invaders.

As for the 77,000 new jobs this is simply propaganda to try to brainwash the Maltese citizens to accept the illegal immigrants because those in authority are seeing that the vast majority of the Maltese people do not want one single illegal immigrant to remain in Malta.

As for faith in the government the vast majority except the pn apologists do not have any.

L..Galea

Mar 3rd 2009, 22:52

Roderick Formosa
NO international and any other agreement binds a country when that agreement results in damage to the country/population and they have a right to not observe and renounce the treaty.
Indeed the refugee convention itself provides for its renunciation at any time.
We should renounce it and if the eu doesn't liker it they can do us a favour and kick us out, but they won't because they need Malta.
M. Mercieca Maybe the eu does but not us. We do not need and illegal immigrants. period. If the other european took over other lands we did not. So they should lump them not us. As for the article that you referred to it is simply an attempt to brainwash the Maltese citizens into accepting the illegal immigrants because they are now seeing the mass opposition to them remaining her. As for Gonezipn and CMB we no longer believe them.

v.pulis

Mar 3rd 2009, 19:02

I think M. Mercieca's comment vis a vis we need African migrants to solve our (his imagined) worker deficiency is disgusting. I bet s/he is one of the persons who call us racists. We don't need foreign workers to guarantee our pensions. And another thing, if as M. Mercieca says not enough babies are being born that also means that in the future there will be less pensioners! so the problem will balance itself out. If Europe is to blame for the situation in Africa (We were occupied but we survived) he African nations had enough time to learn to live in peace but most of them still have a tribal mentallity which they bring with them to malta hence the frequent fights at the detension centres.

P debono

Mar 3rd 2009, 17:58

Fear not my friends.... Our dear, competent Minister has told us "M'HEMMX ALLARMIZMU" over and over again, as if we're some ignorant imbeciles. Each time he uttered those words, another nail was stuck to his coffin as Minister.

Resign now while you retain a shred of dignity.

John Borg

Mar 3rd 2009, 17:41

Louise Vella: if some Maltese are afraid to sit next to someone of colour that is their problem but then they shouldn't complain that there is no where to sit.

Michelle Dali

Mar 3rd 2009, 17:18

@ M. Mercieca

In case you hadn't noticed, Malta is actually OVERPOPULATED. Your suggestion that Malta needs African immigrants to compensate for your imagined 'population deficit' does not make sense.

The last thing this country needs is for the continued influx of thousands of young men who come with no identification papers, often carrying diseases, who have absolutely nothing to offer Malta, since they cannot even work legally.

Do you know that Australia, which is a huge country, is extremely strict about who it allows to enter and settle in its territory - and I am speaking of LEGAL migrants, here. How irresponsible for the government of a tiny country like Malta, to allow anyone who chooses to do so, simply enter its territory ILLEGALLY at will.

At this point, I find it hard to believe that anyone who speaks in favour of illegal immigration does not have a hidden agenda.

Marcelle Cini

Mar 3rd 2009, 17:16

After hearing the minister on Bondi Plus ,can he please tell us when will this situation be urgent for him? And when it becomes urgent FOR him,is he prepared with a plan to overcome this crisis or not ?Please stop insulting our intelligence.

S. Calleja

Mar 3rd 2009, 16:40

@ M. Mercieca

I know it's none of my business, but if you're insisting so much that people have babies, I hope you're doing your part as well. And since you're so keen about it, I trust you'd manage half a dozen. Poor husband of yours! :-)

A.Gauci Cunningham

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:51

Its useless all this endless blogging!!! Everyone and his brother saw how the Minister reacts when someone disagrees with him....he takes everything personal, starts making funny facial expressions intended to ridicule and patronises those like JPO who "jahasra" know too little about the situation to talk about it!!!!

M. Mercieca

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:40

@louise vella

The key word to calm down YOUR never stop critizsizing the government comments is: WE NEED BABIES to remedy our and EU population deficit and secure our future. (Please note, we don’t need babies out of wed-lock or of single parents ‘by choice’ as this would bring further disasters)

Our kid’s future and pensions may depend on an African immigrants whom you don’t stick to see in front of your eyes today. I could feel it’s hard for you to swallow this fact, but fats remain facts I am afraid.
If I were you, I would, instead campaign for youth to get married and have more babies so we can build a healthy society.

Can you please have a look at:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090303/local/country-needs-77-000-more-workers

louise vella

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:10

Some SERHAN IL-MOHH!

A friend from Balzan, a diehard Nationalist, informed me that some Balzan residents went to the parish priest to ask him to start a petition about illegal immigrants but he did not want to take the intitiative. She adds that the Good Shepher sisters are not overjoyed at the situation they have been thrown in. The old people of Balzan used to sit on the public benches. They are now avoiding them because they are all occupied by illegal immigrants. More significantly my PN friend from Balzan says that parents have been advising their children not to open the front door, in no circumstances. Dr Gonzi, do you call this SERHAN IL-MOHH,

Charles Sammut

Mar 3rd 2009, 15:05

Can Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici tell us on what grounds and after what verification, are ID cards being issued to illegal immigrants? Is the ID card office simply accepting any details given to it by these people? How many of them have been registered under the name "Friday"? The ID card office has become a joke as far as this is concerned. Another case where control has been lost.

Of course where Maltese citizens are concerned, the slightest discrepancy is not accepted.

deb bugeja

Mar 3rd 2009, 14:36

What kind of security do they have?

Charles J Buttigieg

Mar 3rd 2009, 14:02

@ J Farrugia

“I believe Mr Charles J Buttigieg was one of those who was appointed Commissioner for Asylum seekers by the Government.”

A case of mistaken identity Joe.

Pauline Galea

Mar 3rd 2009, 13:56

All the Maltese that have voted yes in the EU referendum didn't just vote yes to all the money to be pumped into our country they were voting yes to all illegal & non illegal immigrants to come in with open arms.
Well done! Now look where it has got us!!

Maybe everyone was busy watching Bondi+ at the detention centre yesterday while the Tunisians were doing a Scofield!!

M. Mercieca

Mar 3rd 2009, 13:53

Calmness and no hysteria please.

Minister CMB talk in Bondi+ is factual and reflects the government responsible agenda to solve thorny issues. The minister including many of us acknowledge the problem, however we must solve our problems with prudence, not by easy talks.
Yes, I am optimistic, despite our size we will manage to pressure and rigour the EU to help us without any showdown with any entity or any country.
The problem we are facing today was created by Europe long ago and we are in victimized in between. Europeans who landed in the Americas and Africa "took possession of thousands of hectares of land, mines, natural resources and exploited, while immigrants in Europe "are not exploiting anyone - they are not taking possession of thousands of hectares of land and mines; they are not destroying the natural resources."
Believe me; we have many, yet too many other serious problems. Phenomena such as that of global warming, in future might result in people having to leave their countries for reasons other than economic or political. In the coming years we may see immigration talking opposite direction. Who knows?

Franco Xuereb

Mar 3rd 2009, 13:50

R ellul my friend, I agree with what you wrote 100%. You are a true patriot to your beloved country.


Oh! I just wonder when and if ever this GonziPN will ever woke up to reality and take a stand in the interest of this great nation and not act like the ostrich.

Yesterday, the program Bondiplus issue was on the illegal immigration, and thus the Minister responsible Karmenu Mifsud Bonici said there's no problem with the illegal immigration and every thing was under control....... Am I living in the same Country? Or perhaps I’m dreaming? let alone that last night six more illegal immigrants escaped from the detention central ..........or perhaps the Minister is so used to these escapes that now it's part of our normal routine........??????

Joseph Cauchi

Mar 3rd 2009, 13:27

Is Malta finding the necessary co-operation from the Tunisian authorities in order to facilitate the repatriation of illegal immigrants from Tunisia?

If not, then what should we Maltese do?

Very simple:

BOYCOTT TUNISIA and

NO MORE TOURISM TO TUNISIA

If we Maltese are really PATRIOTS, we should immediately BOYCOTT everything that is Tunisian, until Tunisia treats Malta as a respectable nation!

Stand Up and Be Counted!

../..

lgalea

Mar 3rd 2009, 13:21

This is part of the rosy picture that you VAINLY tried to present yesterday CMB.
I am going to ask you how many AIDS as distinct from HIV illegal immigrants are in Malta?
Awaiting your answer CMB.

Carmel Camilleri
We should renounce the refugee convention as we have every right to do and then we will be able to not accept anyone. One violent foreigner is one too many whatever the number of Maltese citizens in CCF. And if you are not concerned about health problems the vast majority of the population is. http://www.cnimalta.org/il.html

Charles Sammut
Not show on radar eh? Hahahahaha. How about the EP scanners that shows naked pictures of persons?

Joseph Sammut (Ta' Harrbat)
As the saying goes, Naħqa ta' ħmar qatt ma telgħet is-sema.

Chris Mifsud
Agree with you 100%

Dr. John Damai
We shall make sure that they ALL leave John, whether you like it or not. They are ILLEGAL immigrants who destroy their papers and many are disease carriers spreading their exotic diseases in Malta.

Why do you think the Maltese government made an agreement for Maltese doctors to train in Libya in african diseases?

J.Pace

Mar 3rd 2009, 13:19

Again ......

I didn't see yesterday's TV program on immigrants, But this morning I heard from someone that we have more immigrants than policemen and AFM ! WOW what a safety place we are living in and what is our government doing to keep it safe ? Hearing these escapes, I don't know !! What is the government expecting us to do in June (summer) host them in our houses. Can someone do something about this?? Or as usual we will wait till something really bad happen, then like speed cameras, we install them !

Bernard Mallia

Mar 3rd 2009, 12:12

I would also like to join the chorus of people who are disgruntled about the way that the illegal immigration issue is being mishandled.

Therefore, I too would like to call for Dr. Mifsud Bonnici's immediate resignation.

Shame on you for trying to depict a picture that you know is false Dr. Mifsud Bonnici !

Carmel Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2009, 11:45

@ Charles Sammut

No, that wasn't my point. My terminal point was that an escape for a detention centre is not as serious as an escape from the CCF. Your mention of Tunisians being the most violent inmates at CCF was aimed at drawing a comparison.

The detention centres are centres for administrative detention, and not criminal detention - these people are detained while the Government processes their asylum applications or tries to repatriate them. So the security in these centres is bound to be less than what you find at the CCF. And lest you forget, since 2002, our laws do not consider illegal immigration to be a criminal offence because they were in breach of the UNHCR convention.

One last thing, just in case you missed this one too on Bondi+... the Tunisian Government is giving travel documents to the Italian Government at the rate of 2 a day for the over 1000 Tunisian illegal immigrants that it is seeking to repatriate. We're getting 10 a week, which compares quite well.

Roderick Formosa

Mar 3rd 2009, 11:41

I am not aware of which international agreements are binding for life. Moreover if they were, no one would be party to them. Thats why countries join these agreements because they have an option to walk out when they please, make the neccessary reservations or if that is not possible, demand a period of months in which that agreement does not apply to the country concerned because of a current problem. Countries like the USA have done this for years believe it or not.
International cooperation is a joke, countries speak of others when they are not concerned, otherwise they set off back to their watch tower. The government will either have to face the international community or else its people. History has always repeated itself that way. The worsening of certain grey zones in Malta together with emergence of new ones is a scary reality in a country of our dimensions. A fire behind the sofa while you watch the latest program on arson.

Aaron Bugeja

Mar 3rd 2009, 11:28

If they don't have a pen to sign the resignation, I will give them mine, no problem.

J.Tonna

Mar 3rd 2009, 11:22

Can anyone explain to me what 'resign' means? I never heard it in the past, but nowadays I read it many times everyday.

Is it a new invented word or a new mentality?

Charles Sammut

Mar 3rd 2009, 11:19

@ Carmel Camilleri

So according to your reasoning, since the Tunisian who was involved in the bar incident was an overstayer and not an escaped migrant, then we don't have to worry about these continous escapes. Hawwadni ha nhifmek.

But let me pick on a point in which I agree with you. Yes the Tunisian authorities' stance is disgusting.

I can tell you from personal experience that Tunisia guards its national borders very jealously. Yet we have hundreds of their nationals who entered our country illegally and they are dragging their feet in providing passports to take these criminals back. So it is a case of two weights and two measures. Or simply a case of a weak diplomatic machine on our part.

chris camilleri

Mar 3rd 2009, 11:18

those in charge of the centre shouldn't resign as they are wotrking with very limited resources made available to them. . . In turn the government should use the EUR5m which he allocated to develope a centre for these immigrant and use that moeny to build proper fencing. The current fencing to hold in these immigrants is a joke!!!!

A Abela

Mar 3rd 2009, 10:59

Those responsible from the centre should resign.
Even the minister is responsible.
We've had enough escapes.

Joseph Cauchi

Mar 3rd 2009, 10:56

If sending migrants back is not an option, then what is the option?

What we, the citizens of Malta, are demanding is that our elected representatives find a solution to this problem.

No one can deny that this is a major problem, however only those elected by us, can provide the solution. If they cannot manage to find a solution to this problem or are not capable, then I am sorry to say that our representatives are not up to the job.

We are tired of hearing that certain decisions cannot be taken because of certain international agreements and obligations. We all know that.

What the citizen demands is that his interests are safeguarded in his home-land.

If these representatives are not up to the job, then very simply, all they have to do is to relinquish their position and pass it on to somebody else who can!

Our elected representatives are there to first and foremost safeguard Maltese interests and to serve the people and not for the people to serve the elected representative!

The clock is ticking, ticking, ticking,….

../..

Carmel Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2009, 10:46

@ Charles Sammut

The Tunisian illegal immigrant that was involved in the bar attack last week was not one of the Tunisians that escaped from the detention. He was an overstayer who entered the country through legal channels. As I said earlier, those that escaped from detention have probably already left the island illegally.

Also, if you were to visit the CCF, you'll probably find that there is only one Tunisian who is renowned for his voiolent behavior, and he is well identified by people in the know. Admittedly he does give a bad name to his co-nationals. But the number of violent Maltese inmate outnumber him by far.

Re your comments on Bondi+, I do not feel that the Minister was treating everyone like they were stupid. But it was pretty evident that there is a lot of ignorance on the subject. I, for one, learnt that the Tunisian authorities are giving us a hard time in sending the required documents to repatriate the Tunisian illegal immigrants and that repatriations are not a done at the touch of a button.

Roderick Formosa

Mar 3rd 2009, 10:33

From the research i have been doing, im not even aware of what the UN can do to Malta if it doesn't conform to this aid policy. If the other countries do not bare with us and burden share our problem then why should be nodding Senor SI? Large countries have been not conforming with particular UN policies for years, they simply pull out of agreements when they find their national security is threatened. What are we waiting for to make our point? the International community needs action to acknowledge the problems of a country. I believe the time has come to assert a point we have been enduring for 8years. Italy is in a better position with its repatriation agreement with Libya than Malta is and that places us in a different basket altogether.

Roderick Formosa

Mar 3rd 2009, 10:30

Dr. John, you seem to negate the fact that malta does not share the vast expanses of land and networks that other EU countries have and because of the open border policy these immigrants can move through the EU freely. Malta has its borders fixed geographically and this will dictate the fact that we shall always get an unfair share of illegal immigrants simply because the authorities will have to realingn the situatiuon. In other EU countries the problem to an extent stabilizes on its own because they can move. We have the population of a town in an EU country, of course the EU is not as concerned. Unless we show that we will simply not take anymore, whatever the UN says, the country should put its national Security agenda first. Im not sure if you are aware but here in Switzerland and Germany there are rumours that these immigrants are Maltese, for most european nations they do not distinguish between what you know as Maltese and whats an illegal migrant. Im not sure you would being compared to an asylum seeker because thats what is coming out of our country into Europe.

Joseph Sammut (Ta' Harrbat)

Mar 3rd 2009, 10:20

The Government is burying its head in the sand in denial on having lost control on the influx of illegal migrants leaving Libyan shores. Its voice in the halls of the EU and its border-control co-ordination agency FRONTEX is lost in the wind. It fails to appreciate or assess correctly that the Libyan people-trafficers or 'facilitators' have changed tactics, given the successful FRONTEX clamping by its Spanish 'Operation Hera' on the West African coasts off the Canaries. And this coupled with compounded problems in East Africa, like Somalia, Sudan, Erithrea or Ethiopia.
Government has become a EU lap-dog, who have had this illegal migration problem out of Africa lumped on it without adequate help. Repatriation efforts and stats are pitiful, screening of each migrant's health status and real emigre` status (if politically persecuted or not) are disgraceful, & Malta is weighted down by its own sense of politcal-correctness or self-righteousness, disregarding Maltese society's calls to seriously address this problem in tangible ways.
The AFM is NOT responsible for the MJHA's Detention Service's compounds' security apparatus, although the latter finds itself obliged to fallback on the Army for logisitics' management and maintaining of personnel levels. They should address their framework's lacunas.

MATTHEW LAFERLA

Mar 3rd 2009, 10:18

Dear Hon. Carm Mifsud Bonnici,

Enjoy your numbered days as minister and MP. Your poor 'performance' - no pun intended - as minister (and on TV) is a National Joke.

Good luck and goodbye.

Yours,

Matthew Laferla (Sliema)

Chris Mifsud

Mar 3rd 2009, 10:12

I would make them do hard labour (fixing the roads?) ... That would contribute to paying the costs to send them back to Tunisia .

We have had enough of these illegal immigrants .

Dr. Gonzi's government (which i voted for) has become a joke gone bad .

Leo Mario Haber

Mar 3rd 2009, 10:02

Very very interesting. I am remembering my childhood when at school we played the game of "puluzija and hallelin''. Its the same situation at the detension center. Never mind, something big must occur in Malta to act against all this.

H Dempster

Mar 3rd 2009, 10:01

@Dr John Demai.
These are not immgrants..... they are ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS no papers, no passport, pre arranged transport with a recieveing comittee at b'bugia. Soon we ill have bands playing upon their arrival and given flowers.

Charles Sammut

Mar 3rd 2009, 10:01

@ Carmel Camilleri

YOu are of course joking. But this is not a matter to be taken lightly. A man was seriously injured last week when he was attacked by a Tunisian illegal immigrant in a bar.

Some of the most violent and dangerous inmates in CCF are Tunisians.

Of course not all Tunisians are like that, but we seem to get more than our fair share of those who in fact are like that.

Yesterday's Bondi+ performance by CMB, was a clear indication to what level of contempt this minister holds us simple Maltese citizens. He seems to be under the impression that everybody is stupid. From the comments here, he is very much mistaken and he will get the message come election time.

Carmel Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2009, 10:01

@ D Cardona

There is no war in Tunisia, but from the report above (read the last paragraph of the story) it seems that the Tunisian authorities are a bit slow at providing the required documents to deport these illegal immigrant. Minister CMB on Bondi+ yesterday said that the Tunisians are only providing 10 such documents a week.

Maybe you are suggesting that we should go to war with Tunisia to make them gives us these blessed documents IMMEDIATELY, but then again having a war in Tunisia would make Tunisian illegal immigrants eligible for asylum...

Ignorance is truly bliss in most cases.

Carmel Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:36

ALL the break outs reported since February 1st were by Tunisians who never intended coming here in the first place. It is obvious that the Tunisians are doing their best to beat the system because they have no reason to stay in detention if they want to go home (as the protest at Lyster barracks a fortnight ago amply proves).

From the reporting over the past month, it is pretty evident that the detention services are only having a hard time with Tunisians, who are as civilised as us and typically not suffering from any particular diseases.

Talk of Government having lost control of the situation in detention centres or that these escapees pose a health risk are both exaggerated and out of place, particularly when considering that those that escaped have only done so because they want to leave Malta as soon as possible.

Alex sciberras

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:30

Mr. P. Debono u r 100% correct.....

D Cardona

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:29

is there war in tunisia as well?? we should send them back IMMEDIATELY. i don't understand why the process has been delayed.....just send them back to their country. there are no wars over there....

malcolm azzopardi

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:29

the minister was in denial yesterday!!! he said the immigrants want to go to italy,so how does he explian when a group a migrants went to greet a boat last month.

He was very happy that France took 80 immigrants..... let's throw a party because they took 30% of one boat load.

C. Azzopardi

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:29

and the blunders go on and on and on and on...................................
Carmelo Mifusd Bonnici - resign NOW - you are a shame to our country!

Michelle Dali

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:25

It is no surprise that the residents of nearby towns and villages are concerned, when we read every week that more and more illegal immigrants have escaped from the Detention Centre and are roaming the streets of Malta!

It is obvious that security needs to be seriously reviewed and stepped up to meet the demands this massive influx of illegals is creating.

It is about time the government owns up to the fact that Malta is not in a position to bring in, or allow to freely enter, anymore illegal immigrants. The situation, no matter what our ministers would have us believe, is obviously out of control. Facts speak for themselves.

Emmanuel Caruana

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:21

During Bondi plus, parliamentary secretary Mifsud Bonici said that he is going to check what was agreed between the HalSafi major and AFM for better security and fixing of fence around the barracks. Just less then 24 hrs 6 migrants managed to escape. This is shameful and both parliamentary secretary and who was responsible for the security of the barracks should immediately resign.

The prime minister should treat this issue as high priority with the EU and if no one in the EU is willing to help and share the daily cost of each immigrant, screaming each and every immigrant for AIDS, HIV and TB.

If the men in power cannot do anything about this issue should leave it in the hands of those people who know.

Dr. John Damai

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:17

Why even perturb with this senseless bickering? The immigrants are here to stay and that’s the end of it. Lest we forget the majority of our populace were immigrants at one time or another.

R ellul

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:14

In the very near future Everything that was MALTESE will be history, Our Legacy to our children and our children s children will be that we allowed our land to be over taken without a shot being fired.
If the people of Malta wish to turn a blind eye thinking the problem will go away, or someone else will deal with it ? They are wrong.

If One is Proud of this land then make a stand to save this country, so we may pass on to our children and our children s children The blessed islands of Malta & Gozo.

Protecting ones country from this invasion is not wrong!!! It is wrong to stand by and do nothing!!!!

C Vella

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:13

AN & PL made a lot of sense yesterday in Bondi+ Programme. I was far from impressed by Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici's statements.

Paul Bonnici

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:08

Another escape takes place within a few days of a previous escape by Tunisians - will the government learn how to handle these illegal immigrants?

Tunisians do not qualify for any form of asylum, therefore if they enter Maltese territorial waters without the appropriate visa and passport, they are committing a crime and should be charged and put in prison or repatriated.

john micallef

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:07

what a farce, weren't detected because they were wooden boats lol. and some time back, we were told that we have a state of the art coastal surveilance system manned by afm. mickey mouse!!!!

John Zammit

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:06

Yesterday i watched Bondi+ and I feel no better where the health issue is concerned. Last Friday I needed to go to the ETC and therefore had to take the No;13 bus whose final destination is the Hal Far Open Centre. Whilst waiting to pay the fare to the driver I observed a woman illegal immigrant spitting in a tissue paper and throwing it in the floor of the bus. When it was my turn to pay the fare I told the bus driver about the matter so that he would not pick the tissue up with his bare hands. The driver took the right action and made the woman to pick the tissue herself. Mr. Minister this may be of no concern to you as you have a luxury car and a driver or may be more to commute about, ( paid out of our taxes) while we poor citizens have to use the public transport.

paul ellul

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:03

AAAAAhhhhhh and yesterday the minister said that everything is under control and therefore no need for immediate action! Well how about this dear minister?

r ferriggi

Mar 3rd 2009, 09:01

i tend not to be as extreme as many maltese are vis a vis the ways to go about the immigration problem.

but,,,, the government needs to understand the peoples concern. is it too difficult to see or do you need to be a future-teller to KNOW FOR SURE that this problem is going to escalate and in a BAD way??

If the authorities cannot see this ( or prefer not to face this) we are in very deep in it!

Reuben Abela

Mar 3rd 2009, 08:58

this is much better than watching Prison Break... atleast now i have 3 episodes a week...

bye bye scofield !

Sandro Pace

Mar 3rd 2009, 08:58

If they are making the final phase of the journey on wooden boats, the mother ship unloading them cannot escape radar. And the probability is that they are operating freely into our waters. I dont buy the excuse that they are undistinguishable. Technology can do everything nowadays.

Ships that have an irregular radar path can most probably be either fishing boats, or trafficker's boats. Where is Frontex? There should be a war of attrition on traffickers' boats. They should be followed and stopped, with targetted ammunition towards the engine if necessary. As the Greeks do. We have the right to that action on our waters. Even boarding for inspection.

As Edward DeBono said, depriving the middlemen is the solution. Make it not worth it. So far. crime is paying. Take one boat today, arrest a trafficker tomorrow. The non-confrontational attitude being taken by this government is pathetic and undignifying.

Traffickers are getting rich over our country. They should be arrested or neutralised (if they pose further danger to personnel), whatever nationalities they are. The less there are, the better.

J Farrugia

Mar 3rd 2009, 08:53

I believe Mr Charles J Buttigieg was one of those who was appointed Commissioner for Asylum seekers by the Government. Am I right? Coming from him it seems to me that NOW ALL OF MALTA IS up in arms against illegal immigration and against the Government inertia and inaction. Only those who are profiting from these illegal immigrants are shouting NO LET'S KEEP THEM INOUR HOMES.

d. borg

Mar 3rd 2009, 08:47

There we go again. All these illegal immigrants roaming our streets, you don't know who they are or what their real intentions are. What a pathetic show the minister made yesterday on Bondi+. Very unconvincing in his arguments as also AD. How gullible does he think the Maltese are? No matter what he says, we still do not want them here let alone integrate. No way!

Joseph Sammut

Mar 3rd 2009, 08:22

Is it a coincidence that everytime there is a breakout, it is always 6 or is there something behind this number?

P Debono

Mar 3rd 2009, 08:22

I firmly believe that the appointment of Mifsud Bonnici as Minister in charge of illegal immigration was the final blow for Gonzi's chances of winning the next election, however far it may be.

Gonzi made a huge mistake appointing an EU yes-man in charge of this crisis instead of someone with GUTS like Austin Gatt.

H Dempster

Mar 3rd 2009, 08:21

From the number of recent escapes , it is evident that they are already out numbering our security. Come on Gonzipn & all, dont remain standing there like Idiots and puppets on a string . Save Malta for us.

Charles J Buttigieg

Mar 3rd 2009, 08:15

Difficult times difficult decisions.

The time has come for our security forces to start patrolling our streets and demand identity documents from suspicious looking and obvious illegal visitors. We can find a thousand reasons why this couldn’t be done because it may look a suppressive move; however the need for national security at this time demands drastic measures. Our security forces already do road blocks don’t they? Isn’t that inconvenient and suppressive for the honest motorist?

Charles Sammut

Mar 3rd 2009, 08:10

Yesterday we had Mnister Carm Mifsud Bonnici on Bondi+, acting all indignant when it was suggested that the government has lost control over the immigrant situation.

He also brazenly said that these big boats which arrived on our shores last month were wooden and so could not be seen on radar! If he has been told this, he should reassess the credibility of whoever told him so. Unless he made it up himself.

Fact is that the Honorable gentleman has allowed himself to be manipulated by various NGOs whose survival depends on a never-ending stream of illegal immigrants. So now we have the sorry situation where, to avoid criticism from NGOs that represent only their own interest, the government is not even in a position to control those illegal immigrants in detention. Never mind those in open centres.

Stephen Mumford

Mar 3rd 2009, 07:58

Those that escaped were surely watching Bondi Plus yesterday. What a pathetic programme, they all think that the Maltese population is so naive and primitive. Minister how can you explain that only boats that are sinking are entering or being escorted in Malta... when both large boats entered malta on their own steam with fellow illegals waiting for them on shore. Go and tell it to the marines. What a shame the AD rep is to Malta, no wonder no success was ever achieved. Why shouldn't the illegals give something back for the free food, lodging, health care that we provide. Next time you should have said to place them in a 5 star hotel. Hypocrisy at the highest level on national TV. What about the health issues mentioned yesterday. The minister had no answers to the health risks that we citizens are facing namely HIV & TB. TB was eradicated from our islands and now these illegals have sown it once again. Face the facts. Send them all back to Libya. That will be the detterent and not placing them in tents.

Alex Sciberras

Mar 3rd 2009, 07:57

Who is responsible for such escapes?????????????????

Joe Galea F

Mar 3rd 2009, 07:47

And on Bondi+ Mifsud Bonnici tells us that everything is under control and that we don't have a problem. how many of those who escape have some kind of disease? With the arrogance Dr Mifsud Bonnici (who is responsible for illegal migration) spoke yesterday on Bondi+ it confirms why we are in this sad state.
Thanks to AN & PL at least we have someone who is speaking in our favour.

Joey Borg

Mar 3rd 2009, 07:20

should we still keep calling it a detention centre?