The Labour Party this afternoon criticised the government's programme to mark March 31, saying the government wanted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Freedom Day in just 30 minutes.

The PL said the official programme confirmed how right it had been to say that the government was not interested in celebrating the 30th anniversary of a national feast.

The party said the official programmke consisted only of an AFM band march between 9.30 a.m. and 9.55 a.m. This, it said, should shame minister Dolores Cristina, who is responsible for culture.

Earlier, the government said the official celebrations on Tuesday start at 9.30 a.m. when the AFM band and a Guard of Honour form up and march off from Gavino Gulia Square to the Freedom Monument in Vittoriosa.

The President will arrive at 9.55 a.m. He will inspect the Guard and then lay flowers on the monument accompanied by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

A regatta will be held in Grand Harbour in the afternoon, starting at 1.30 p.m.

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