Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
Dispute turns into war of words
Maroni cancels Malta visit
Distances showing how far theTurkish cargo ship was from Malta and Lampedusa. Map: AFM
Italian Home Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni yesterday launched a scathing attack on Malta accusing the island of failing to respect international obligations and dumping immigrants on Italy.
"I have asked, and continue to ask, that Malta respect the commitments it decided to take on through international agreements, which they are currently not doing, thereby harming Italy," Mr Maroni said.
What started as a technical argument between Italy and Malta on the rules of engagement of the next Frontex patrols in the Mediterranean, yesterday became a fully-fledged political dispute between the two neighbouring countries on Africa's doorstep.
Addressing a conference on illegal immigration in Rome in the presence of representatives from the European Commission and Frontex, Mr Maroni, known for his outspokenness, accused Malta of shedding its Search and Rescue (SAR) responsibilities. He said he had called on the EU to intervene to make Malta shoulder its responsibilities.
Claiming that Malta often left it up to Italy to rescue boatloads of immigrants, even if they were in Maltese waters, Mr Maroni said that "relations with Malta are not all that good".
"I have called on (EU Justice) Commissioner Jacques Barrot to intervene because there is a clause which allows Malta to offload the rescue responsibilities that are its own. The areas of competence are well defined but often those who should come to the rescue do not," he said, pointing a finger at Malta.
"Last year, we intervened 80 times and we do so because human life must always be saved. However, I have brought the question to a European level because whoever commits to perform sea rescues should do so otherwise the rules must be changed."
Mr Maroni's outburst, which has been in the offing as various Italian media this week quoted sources from his ministry making the same accusations, was strongly rebutted by Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici.
"These accusations are totally unfounded. The Italians seem to be trying to shift their immigration problems onto us because we are small. First they couldn't control Lampedusa and created a pull-factor where all illegal immigrants arriving on the island are flown to mainland Italy and now they want to dump all illegal immigrants found near Lampedusa onto Malta," Dr Mifsud Bonnici argued.
On the accusation that Malta was not intervening in its SAR area, which was vast and covered international waters off Lampedusa, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said Malta always offered its assistance in line with its international obligations.
"We have always maintained that illegal immigrants have to be taken to the nearest safe port and if this happened to be Lampedusa they would have to go there. We can't take everyone in. For the past 45 years Italy has always respected this position, even last year when Maroni was already in charge. It seems the Italians now want to change the rules."
On Mr Maroni's plea for the EU intervention Dr Mifsud Bonnici said Malta had no problem as the island was fully respecting its international obligations according to established procedures.
This escalation of events goes back to a recent dispute reported by The Times last week over this year's Frontex operation. This mission, which was planned to start last month, was postponed as Malta and Italy failed to agree on the rules of engagement to be used during the operation.
While Italy insisted all immigrants saved during this mission should be taken to Malta, even if the closest safe port was Lampedusa, Malta argued that according to international law rescued immigrants should be taken to the nearest safe port.
Frontex sources in Poland yesterday confirmed this issue led to an official postponement of Frontex patrols and more discussions among member states interested in taking migrants were scheduled to take place in "the coming days".
Although Frontex was officially keeping a low profile, refusing to answer any questions on the matter, The Times is informed that the agency sent letters to member states informing them of the issue.
In the letter addressed to 11 member states, Frontex an-nounced that air and maritime operations, which were scheduled to start on April 16 as part of the Nautilus 2009 operation, had been postponed due to the dispute between Italy and Malta.
The European Commission is also following the situation closely and a spokesman said: "The Commission encourages... participating member states to find a solution between them on the operational plan, including the question of disembarkation".
The Times was also informed that, at the eleventh hour, Mr Maroni cancelled a visit to Malta this week to hold talks on pending immigration issues.
Although the official reason is that Mr Maroni cannot travel due to a heavy workload, related to the recent earthquake in L'Aquila, observers believed this was a diplomatic snub. On Thursday, Mr Maroni had no problem travelling to Tunisia for talks with his counterpart.
Despite attempts since Wednesday to get a reaction from the Italian Home Affairs Ministry over this issue and his planned visit to Malta, no reply has been forthcoming. A spokesman yesterday informed The Times of Mr Maroni's speech about Malta minutes after it was made in Rome.
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J Galea.
Apr 19th 2009, 11:53
I'm a univ student currently studying in Italy. Well actually the majority of the Italians are ignorant, like the rest of the european states about this problem. For them we are not doing our utmost in accepting, 'nd protecting the incomming immigrants. Once some ita guys even had the guts to tell me that having this atitude we are behaving as racists. I simply answered with a question... Have you ever been 2 Malta especially 2 Marsa??? Obviously they said "no". I'm sorry to say but bhal ma qal Gesu' Kristu "Tharisx lejn il fraka li andha ghajn sihbek jekk ma tarax it travu li ghandek f ghajnek". So my question to the italians is this... How about your roumanian problem? Is your anti-roumanian, 'nd anti-maghrebian campaign in the italian parlament not racist??? Come on Mr. Maroni...
Margaret Richards
Apr 19th 2009, 11:31
Ms. Sharleen, what are you studying may I ask??? A good dose of Int'l Relations and diplomacy will do you a world of good.
philip pace
Apr 19th 2009, 11:30
Vergognati Signor Maroni.
The Maltese Governent is right about this as all the European nations who invaded Africa for their own personal glory and personal gains and colonized these poor nations and took as much as they wanted as they grew fat with the natural resources are now complaining about this boomerang effect.
Malta is not a big as Italy. Malta is not a rich as Italy. Malta does not have the resourses. And also Malta NEVER INVADED AND COLONIZED THESE COUNTRIES FROM WHERE THESE REFUGEES ARE COMING FROM.
Signor Maroni non venite qui a Malta perche non sei benevenuto. Ce centra l'Aquila quando e sotto la personale responsabilta del vostro PM Berlusconi. E una scusa povera .Vergognati!!!!
Dr.Mifsud Bonnici DO NOT GIVE IN. Realistic Malta is behind you. Kompli hekk.
Michelle Dali
Apr 19th 2009, 10:48
This incident should highlight the severity of the problem of illegal immigration in southern Europe to the other member countries which are not so badly effected. The European Union should unite as one and from now on all boats carrying illegal immigrants should be forced to turn back to the point of departure, usually Libya. If the EU were to adopt a united front on this issue, the problem of human trafficking would soon cease to exist.
Instead, we have Italy, a neighbouring EU country, trying to bully Malta into taking in all the illegal immigrants found in the Mediterranean, knowing full well that Malta is the smallest EU country and already the most heavily burdened with this problem. Shame on Italy for its cowardly tactics! It will be interesting to see how the EU intervenes in this dispute, after all the nice (but empty) words we've had recently from various diplomats.
Well done to Dr Mifsud Bonnici for standing his ground - please continue to put Malta's interests first and foremost. We are under attack from all sides - you have a grave responsibility to defend your country in this difficult time. God help us!
ROMAIN GALEA
Apr 19th 2009, 09:16
In my view the EU is looking weak in this dispute given clearly the distance when rescued to Lampedusa compared to the distance to Malta is three times that. Where is the EUs' commitment when it comes to resolving illegal Migration? - this should be an eye-opener for all especially the political parties and candidates for the EU Parliament.
Michael Neville Cassar
Apr 19th 2009, 09:11
This was bound to happen, and it’s going to get worse ,because a hard action should have been taken from the start. To be kind is at times cruel, but at the end much kinder then being pushed about, where no one can or will not accept you as an illegal.It is said that they do not show their identity So!!!!! what are investigations for???Note have you watched U.K. boarder control??? Please do maybe you would learn something.
David Ellul
Apr 19th 2009, 04:36
So the true face of the European Community or the so called European Union is becoming more apparent. Does anyone really believe that Europe is, or will ever be UNITED? Dream on people.
Study the Englishman in compare to the Frenchman, Italian, German, Polish, Greek and all the rest, We're talking chalk and cheese here.
There is that old saying, "You cant teach an old dog new tricks." (think of Europe as the female gender.)
Compare with the United States (that is what the EU Founding Fathers envied and wanted to copy) The United States of America are all in one accord. The EU is EACH MAN FOR HIMSELF. (If Italy was united with Malta they would be concerned about our situation) The truth is that Italy are concerned about their own affairs and do not give a hoot what happens to little old Malta.
The foundation of the EU is a mix of Iron and Clay, they just don't mix. Then add the conspiracy to turn Europe back to Islam and you get our present situation.
Only God can help us now.
Sandro Pace
Apr 18th 2009, 20:39
@Mr. J. Borg
They can abandon their international obligations viz immigrants as much as they like, but not at the expense of Malta. In fact, they (or both countries) should take it against the country from which they are departing.
Your same argument shows how much the government with his burden sharing illusion, is just digging in the water.
Lawrence Martinelli
Apr 18th 2009, 20:37
Poor Signor Maronini = 154 " boat visitors " to Malta compares with ONE - UNO - EIN -
visitor to Lampedusa . Lampedusa is Italy....it HAS the mainland " escape panel.
If he is crying wolf for ONE.......What should Malta sing-cry ?....Cry for me........ Argentina ?
John Borg
Apr 18th 2009, 16:20
Well, some people on this forum have been babbling that we should abandon our international obligations. Except, of course, that other countries can play that game too. Now you are now getting a taste of your own medicine. Are you having fun yet?
Alex Spiteri
Apr 18th 2009, 16:13
does Simon Busutill still believes in his bogus Burden Sharing idea?!?!
Stephen Sultana
Apr 18th 2009, 16:04
Sharleen,
Do you think that pizzas at Maltese restaurants are shipped direct to eat from Italy? Do you think the foreign and domestic policies of the Italian government are determined according to how much support their football teams have abroad? May I suggest that you think your thoughts through before putting them in writing?
Philip Micallef
Apr 18th 2009, 15:50
Mr Maroni must be rather frustrated lately, having been taken for a ride by Col. Gadafi, time and again.
Sharleen Galea (student)
Apr 18th 2009, 14:45
This is the last time i am going to support Italian football, maybe even stop eating pasta and spaghetti now that the slimming season is starting for the summer beach.
Sandro Pace
Apr 18th 2009, 14:33
@ Mr. James Debono
Do not bet much on international obligations being on our side on this one. On this case they are murky. Nearest port vs SAR country. The latest maritime obligations says the latter. Malta had not signed these and hence we are not bound, so far (so good).
Would you continue supporting international obligations if pressures mount on malta to start observing what the majority of countries signed for? By the way, we are not even coping with the present obligations.
Besides, it is not a question of ideology. European governments and people are fed up with immigration. As much as we are.
J. Bonnici
Apr 18th 2009, 14:22
Malta will be in mourning next week as Italian home affairs minister Moroni has canceled his scheduled visit to Malta in the eleventh hour! Well something good has come out of this, we will save some money which is normally spent when ever a foreign dignitary comes to Malta.
Peter Vella
Apr 18th 2009, 13:59
I'm a labourite but on this I'm 100% behind the govt. Maroni reminds me of his clown-leader Mr Bossi.
It's time the two major Parties manifest unity on this issue.
V. Zammit
Apr 18th 2009, 13:57
Libya is merely testing EU slogans of burden-sharing –solidarity –human rights rights-tolerance …. etc.
For decades, the European Union has been criticizing and lecturing all African countries in general and Libya in particular for its Human Rights records.
Now, with every boat-load Libyan Col. Gadafi is simply testing EU values by sending humans that would like to find their lost rights in Africa to see if the European Union really walk the way they talk.
European Union’ failure to observe ‘illegal immigrants human rights’ would prove to Gaddafi and the whole world that EU values are mere slogans and worthless words. This is of course, unless the EU got a different definition for humans.
Charles Sammut
Apr 18th 2009, 13:45
We all know that these immigrants want to go to Italy and Europe and not stay in Malta. In their own words, "Malta no good."
So either Italy and the rest of Europe do something to make it less attractive for these immigrants to travel there or else just open all the doors and stop pretending that there is any form of border controls in the EU.
Robert Callus
Apr 18th 2009, 13:41
@LGalea and James Debono
Perfectly agree. Italy has a history of changing govts very frequently. Hope this regime won't last long.
Ted Baker
Apr 18th 2009, 13:36
What strikes me is that if anyone lands in MALTA at the airport, without any form of documentation we send them right back on the same plane that they have come with. So what is the difference when they come by sea?
lgalea
Apr 18th 2009, 13:24
Moroni should stop opening his big mouth to criticize Malta and only open it to tell Berluscone to take all our illegal immigrants. After all, the vast majority are from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia who are ex-Italian colonies whom the Italians robbed out of their natural resources and left their countries in disarray.
james debono
Apr 18th 2009, 12:50
That is what you expect from far right parties...they do not care about international legality. The Lega Nord is turning Italy in to a pariah state. Our only safeguard in this case is international law. Those who question Malta's international obligations should learn this lesson.
Joey Borg
Apr 18th 2009, 12:29
So, CMB refers as "pull-factor" what the Italians did when they moved the immigrants to the main land Italy...
So what would HE have created if he was taken seriously by the eu countries on burden sharing??
it seems the Italians have gone nuts in this issue though... lets see how this episode is going to end... and i hope it does not create a negative precedent for us... the "fratelli d'oltre mare"
Matthew Saliba
Apr 18th 2009, 12:20
How can Frontex work effectively in Malta and the Mediterranean when its head offices are burried somwhere in the middle of nowhere called Poland? Isn't Poland a former USSR country? Thank heavens Frontex has not started yet. The only reason why this year we haven't been inundated with illegals more than we already are is because Frontex is not operating.
The minute Frontex starts, we will be getting an avalanche after another of illegals on a daily (and nightly) basis.
This dispute is a blessing in disguise for the Gonzipn government. God forbids Frontex starts, Gonzipn can kiss the office goodbye.
v.pulis
Apr 18th 2009, 12:01
Malta's SAR regoion extends from Tunisia to Crete which means the entire length of the Libyan coast.This region forms an invisible barrier pritecting Italy and the rest of Europe.
If maroni gets his way all migrants leaving Libya automatically must pass through this region thus ending up in Malta eventually. Not one single migrant will touch italian soil. When one remembers that there are over two million migrants poised on Libya's shores ready to make the crossing one quickly realises the problem we are facing.
Robert Dimech
Apr 18th 2009, 11:55
May I suggest to Sig Maroni to aim his broadsides at the third, 'invisible' ,party involved in these situations? Why does Libya, the departure point, never get a mention?! It seems that whoever does not subscribe to international rules, conventions etc, gets off scot free and is exempted from criticism. It is truly ironic that two close members of the EU end up having such a spat with the 'instigator' laughing at the sidelines.
Joanne Micallef
Apr 18th 2009, 11:47
I think that Mr Maroni knows very well that the AFM's resources are very limited compared to the Italians, and most probably that is why they had to intervene so many times in the past year. No matter how good our intentions, and how dedicated our armed forces are, there is only so much they can do with what they have when it's high season in the human trafficking trade.
Given that Mr Maroni is trying to safeguard Italy’s national interest, I personally am behind Dr Mifsud Bonnici on this one for trying to safeguard ours. What I expect to see though are our fellow EU member states, who in the past had very nice and comprehending words towards us regarding the illegal immigration issue, come forward and offer to voluntarily take these illegal immigrants to share the burden with us.
Joe Grima
Apr 18th 2009, 11:27
Maroni shoudl not overplay his hand with Malta. The Italians have never succeeded yet in browbeating Malta into any kind of submission at any time in our history even when their firepower was the threat against us. I am pro Italian in almost everything and my opinion of Minister Mifsud Bonnici does not rank high but my concern for Malta does. Today I join the many Italians who from time to time have advised Maroni and his Lega friends to shut up. Maroni may take courage out of the Lega's recent skirmish with Berlusconi making their own Presidente del Consiglio lose face over the date and manner of holding the coming European elections.According to Berlusconi, the Lega threatened to bring down the Government if they did not have their way. We are not Berlusconi and we don't owe the Lega anything. Maroni should first look up Malta's history to understand what mettle the Maltese are made of. What a moron this Maroni is !
Charles Sammut
Apr 18th 2009, 11:22
We don't need any more visits and meetings. The time for discussion is over. We now demand concrete action. Italy is impotent against Libys because it depends on that country's gas and oil, not to mention huge Italian projects there. So in typical fashion it is trying to dump on tiny Malta.
Well they should be reminded of a black shirted big head who some 60 years ago declared that he would bomb Malta at 6am and be having breakfast in Valletta at 8am. we all know how that ended.
JF Vassallo Ebejer
Apr 18th 2009, 11:12
Moroni is from the Lega Nord – do I need say more?????????
John Spiteri, Information Secretary AN
Apr 18th 2009, 11:00
@Franco Farrugia - Maroni is doing what he has been elected to do - namely to protect Italy's interest - and it seems he's giving it his best shot. Our representatives have to do likewise. In truth the illegal immigrants should neither be sent to Italy nor to Malta - but back where they came from. they have no right being in either country. that would be end of stand-off and end of story. but it seems no one wants to state the obvious. this should be turned into an opportunity because both governments should be collaborating for a common repatriation agreement - the only solution to the problem.
T Mifsud
Apr 18th 2009, 10:52
Maroni did well to cancel his visit here. He had no choice! Hobson's choice.
Franco Farrugia
Apr 18th 2009, 10:25
Well ... that's the Berlusconi govrnment for you ... and then, we come talking about the importance of right-wing governments in Europe!
'Coraggio, fuggiamo' still resonates. Th Italians want to treat Malta like a Lampedusa, fully ignoring the fact that Malta, unlike Lampedusa, is mainland!