Update 2: Italy accepts migrants but "does not recognize" Malta's reasons

Franco Xuereb

Apr 21st 2009, 17:26

@ Moses Mula


As to my comments on Iraq, these were based on actual facts, that I read and watched documentary. You see it’s not just you who reads
Ah! According to your good self to have prove one has to be there (in the place where history is being written) Then my friend
A) Why is it that the ex President George Busch did not go to Iraq and see for him
Self as to whether Saddam Hussein had weapons of human distraction?

B) Why don’t you come to Malta your self and see with your own eyes the
Situation Malta is being put in with the influx of all these illegal immigrants?
Perhaps then you will have second’s thoughts.

Of course you have the right to comment, and I respect your opinion.

Franco Xuereb

Apr 21st 2009, 17:22

@ Moses Mula

These are not fears because being a small Island nor are we conservatives.
But as stated previously do not want my beloved country to end in the hands of any foreigners, whether they are Africans, Arabs, Chinese etc.

95% of the Maltese do not want integration with these illegal immigrants, notwithstanding, it’s our fundamental duty to leave our country if possible better then we had found it, for generations to follow.

Can you imagine these influxes continue month after month, year after year……there are thousands and thousands waiting to cross form Libya (HAVE YOU READ THIS?) and yet you expect us to welcome these Africans with open hands, for them to suck all our benefits, were we are already experience the fact that we are being treated as second class citizens and yet we are in our own country.

As to your comment to the French winning squad of 1998 world cup…..precisely you had hit the nail on it’s head……in other worlds you have proven my point, I will give you an other example look at the French national team of the 1950’s and look at the one of the 2000’s!!!!!!! I rest my case.

Ronald Zarb

Apr 21st 2009, 15:17

Weil done Malta for standing up to the Italian demands that Africans near their territorial waters of Lempedusa should be taken to Malta.
These people should be taken back to the African continent and let their respective government deal with their situations. It is not Malta's responsibility nor is it Italy's to support these individuals. If other nations in the EU object, then they should step forward and accept the illigal immigrants into their own country.
Malta is for Maltese and for those that enter the country legally.

John Carmel Navarro

Apr 21st 2009, 14:25

Please let’s have some decorum the Government consist of all the elected members of parliament, in this very sensitive issue both the Parties representing our interests agreed in the stance against Italy. It would be an extremely positive step if now both parties try and work on a long term solution for Illegal Immigration, a problem of magnitude which is fast getting out of hand. So for once let’s credit both Parties without any stupid minded comments.

R.Gatt

Apr 21st 2009, 12:45

@Pat Muscat - You've got to be kidding me. Well done PL for what? Sitting and watching from the balcony maybe.

Prosit Dr. Gonzi u Dr. Mifsud Bonnici - fullstop.

Steven Brockwell

Apr 20th 2009, 19:52

mr mula again, we did not insult your country so why you ours. cut our benefits? as it so happens there is a debate going on whether we are paying the EU more then we are receiving. also you condemn our poor, over crowded facility then say why. don't we take in more???? mr mula i don't see any Swedish ships out there risking their life to save these people do you ??? no because all there is are Italian and Maltese ships doing the air sea rescues around our parts. so what are you condemning?

Joseph Borg

Apr 20th 2009, 19:19

@MOSES MULA

I have read in your previous postings that you live in Sweden. What doesn't a underpopulated country like Sweden or Finland share some of the burden instead of just talking?

GiovDemartino

Apr 20th 2009, 15:58

Thank you Dr. Joseph Muscat and thank you Lejburisti for solving the problem of these illegal immigrants. You've shown Gonzipn how to solve problems.

Mary Zammit

Apr 20th 2009, 00:32

I'd like to congratulate MSF for biting their tongue, just for once.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Apr 19th 2009, 23:57

The winners of this saga are the African outlaws.

Pierre Agius

Apr 19th 2009, 23:44

Well done PM and Minister for the Interior. All for one and one for all. In this challenge we face there is no Government or Opposition but only Malta.

Alfred Bugeja

Apr 19th 2009, 23:29

So Italy does not recognize Malta's reasons... Strange, because Malta's reasons in this case were no different than those that it has used for the past 45 years. The only party that tried to change the reasoning here was Italy... and it failed... miserably. Well done to Carm Mifsud Bonnici for standing firm and coming out strong (maybe too strong) against Maroni's hogwash on Friday and hail to the Prime Minister for delivering the coup de grace this evening after receiving a call from Berlusconi.

ray spiteri

Apr 19th 2009, 23:18

finally mr. gonzi woke up from coma. thats the way PL was insisting the government to do. how patetic to comment about PL. they are in opposition and cannot impliment action. its mr. gonzi who needs to take a stand . rspiteri fgura

Moses Mula

Apr 19th 2009, 23:17

Congratulations to both Malta and Italy for leaving over 100 people in precarious conditions to prove a point. The E.U., I hope, will give a reprimand to both countries or maybe even a fine. The E.U. has to realize that both Malta and Italy are clear were they stand on immigrants, and so to avoid these incidents from happening again, and considering that both Malta and Italy have been lacking in offering proper living conditions to immigrants, it has to come up with immediate solutions. One could be to direct these immigrants to other countries which are more capable and responsible to deal with their cases. Of course this should be followed by a cut to allowances to both countries. From what I read from many comments here, Malta is in no need of help from anyone.

joe camenzuli

Apr 19th 2009, 23:14

Malta has to be on the alert from now on as any ship that picks illegals at sea will say that they were picked up in malta's water to prevent a repeat and a standoff especially cargo ships, so as not to lose income in the process. Who is to say that these ships are not the ones transporting these illegal imigrants.

c.caruana

Apr 19th 2009, 22:56

Maroni is just a far-right person that saves the life of the immigrants just because it's his obligation. I wonder why the EU is still silent on this issue while thousands of immigrants will die at sea this summer, will face problems in Malta and abroad. What about the problems why these immigrants are escaping? why did they invade iraq and not sudan, eritrea or somalia?! I wonder....maybe they don't have oil, or maybe some countries are gaining money from selling weapons!!

lgalea

Apr 19th 2009, 22:55

R Agius It's a good job that the Government did not give in to Italy's threats. However you are mistaken Agius for the Government heeded PL who gave its support to the stand taken by the Government and to all those who posted their comments here apart from the few usual lackeys. International relations and issues are not for those who are ready to submit to what foreigners order and are afraid of their own shadows. This should show to everyone that when we stand united we shall not be overcome.

Michelle Dali

Apr 19th 2009, 22:48

Once again, well done to the Maltese government for taking a firm stand and not giving in to bullying from Italy. Malta must remain vigilant, though, since the Italian government has already said it wants all illegal immigrants picked up by Frontex to be taken to Malta. They could use all sorts of under-handed tactics in future to steer boatloads into a position where the nearest port of call is Malta. The Italians tried to bribe Gaddafi to stop sending illegal immigrants to Europe by giving Libya billions, but that strategy clearly was a total failure. Now they are trying this new tactic of attempting to bully Malta to take them in, knowing full well that Malta is unable to accept anymore illegal immigrants due to limited resources, especially land mass. This is unacceptable. The EU should show a united front and refuse entry to all illegal immigrants. This is the only way to beat the human traffickers and avoid further loss of life at sea.

Noel Barry

Apr 19th 2009, 22:38

IS-SEWWA JIRBAH ZGUR. U mela nuzaw il veto. U fejnhom il baleni li se jibilghu lill pajjiz zghir bhalna. Prosit lill Gonzipn u lill Ministru tal Gustizzja.

Robert callus

Apr 19th 2009, 22:32

R Agius What AD said is what CMB has done, no need to fuel conflict Cheers above all to the govt for not having succumbed to the Italian fascist bullying

Mark Casha

Apr 19th 2009, 22:10

One of the few occasions which makes me feel proud to be maltese! And if it happens again, please repeat it, no more illegal immigrants on this island please!

godfrey ellul

Apr 19th 2009, 21:41

Would have preferred some other country in the EU club to tell us or Italy, "Bring them here.... we'll share the burden as agreed" In any case, good show Malta...

Ronnie Gauci

Apr 19th 2009, 21:41

The port of call should have been Tripoli not Agrigento. This is not fair!! Fra i due litiganti il terzo gode.

laurence schembri

Apr 19th 2009, 21:28

@ R. Agius When will we ever learn. We are talking about human beings. What has the LP or AD to do with this. Please, have a heart, utterly disgusted at your comments, what right have we to call ourselves Christians. Shame on you all. And, before any of you says, `open your front door and let them in`, if needed I will. Mixing politics with human life for the sake of reading your stupid comments on this site is beyond comprehension.

Ivan Attard

Apr 19th 2009, 21:27

This must surely rank as Gonzi's (and CMB) greatest hour. What I would like to know now is whether when the next similar incident (and there will be many this summer) occurs, will our government reciprocate the Italian (at face value) capitulation? As long as our SAR area remains what it is (naively accepted and signed by our former President) we shall long remain in hot water for the lecherous EU's scrutinizing!

Sandro Zahra

Apr 19th 2009, 21:26

this seems to be a good news for Malta but I think about it .....it isnt! I don't know why African ports are never taken into consideration!!

jbusuttil

Apr 19th 2009, 21:23

@ Ansa.it:ARMATORE ACCUSA: RESPONSABILITA' ITALIA In giornata era stato l'armatore turco della nave, Baris Erdogdu, ad accusare l'Italia addossandole la responsabilita' di una situazione che sembrava destinata allo stallo. La Pinar e' stata per quattro giorni ferma a largo di Lampedusa dopo aver soccorso i clandestini che con due barconi cercavano di raggiungere la costa. Il caso è finito al centro di un braccio di ferro diplomatico tra il governo italiano e le autorità maltesi in quanto entrambi hanno negato l'autorizzazione all'approdo. Ma secondo l'armatore Erdogdu la responsabilità dei soccorsi era dell'Italia in quanto la nave era ancorata vicina alle sue coste. "La nave si trova a 21 miglia da Lampedusa, quindi in territorio italiano. Se si fosse trovata più vicina a Malta allora spetterebbe al governo della Valletta intervenire", ha detto Erdogdu.

Chris Tanti

Apr 19th 2009, 21:13

Well done Minister Mifsud Bonnici and the government for this important diplomatic victory. Now, let's do our best to settle this problem in a permanent way by making it clear with the Italians and the Europeans in general, how this system should work.

v.pulis

Apr 19th 2009, 21:13

If one goes to La Republica there is a video clip showing the SAR regions of Italy and Malta. Malta's SAR is placed in such a way as to provide a screen between Italy and Libya. This fact says a lot and one can understand why Maroni is speaking the way he is. Malta is acting as a buffer for mainland Europe. We must keep insisting that migrants are landed at the nearest port. meanwhile, we had better keep a sharp eye on the italian navy in case they try to direct any migrants towards Malta. We shall need visual evidence in the form of videos, photos etc.if such a thing happens.

Guze Xerri

Apr 19th 2009, 21:11

The time has come for Malta and the EU to put pressure on Libya to put a stop to these illegal boat crossings that are costing human lives. The Colonel KNOWS exactly what goes on in his country through his secret police and informers. What good is Malta's membership in the EU if the EU has no teeth or willpower to deal with the Colonel?

Joseph Micallef

Apr 19th 2009, 21:10

Quoting: "Now that Italy might feel humiliated by this saga,..." - let's just hope that Malta will not be humiliated instead!

Sandro Pace

Apr 19th 2009, 21:03

Well done to the government for standing firm against the increasing of our obligations from insensitive hostile neighbours.

Though, it is not the end of the story. The Italians are saying that this in no way means that they are surrendering to Malta's case. And it does not seem a face saving statement.

Questa estate, vedremo delle belle. Remains to be seen what they are going to do in a similar case, which may happen as from tomorrow.

The EU apparently did a Pilate. So for those who say that hell break lose on countries that break international obligations. It did not.

Maltese people will remain vigilant on their government. Frontex is now defunct and a failure. 'One down' for government's political judgement.

Joseph Calleja

Apr 19th 2009, 21:01

Congratulations for taking such a hard stand to Prime Minister Gonzi and CMB. This illegal immigration exodus has to stop and this might be the first step. I do believe that the Italian Government has to join in with Malta and start sending these boats back to where they came from, cause that's the ONLY way one can stop the illegal immigration exodus. If the EU or UNCHR cannot stop them, then all parties involved should join up together and start implementing this rule. Malta does not want more money, Malta and Italy both want to put a total stop to illegal immigration and convince the other EU states to share some of the burden.

R Agius

Apr 19th 2009, 21:00

Thank goodness the Government did not heed any advice from PL or AD. Is sewwa jirbah zgur!!

Joseph Cauchi

Apr 19th 2009, 21:00

Now that Italy might feel humiliated by this saga, let us keep our eyes wide open for the eventuality that the Italian navy won’t direct the boats carrying these illegal immigrants closer to our shores, when found to be closer to Lampedusa and thus lump on us the full weight of the problem, in order to pay us back for this Italian debacle!

Malta should be vigilant and be on the look-out that these sorts of tactics won’t be employed against us by our supposed friends and cousins!

Every effort should be made, both by Malta and Italy that any boat carrying any illegal immigrants is directed back to its country of origin and in this case it could be Libya.

Malta should stand firm now, otherwise we might lose “il-qaleb u ‘l-gbejna”!

../..

Mario Bonnici

Apr 19th 2009, 20:59

From 'La Repubblica'
"Secondo il ministro degli Esteri Franco Frattini "governo di Malta non ha rispettato le regole sulla ricerca e soccorso in mare che affidavano a Malta la responsabilità di accogliere nel proprio Paese gli immigrati a bordo del Pinar".

"Il ministro Maroni - fa sapere una nota della Farnesina - sta già predisponendo un dettagliato dossier sul caso, che sarà portato agli inizi della prossima settimana alla diretta attenzione della Commissione Europea".

Guze Xerri

Apr 19th 2009, 20:56

Good job PN

Mario Bonnici

Apr 19th 2009, 20:53

What will happen now? And if the story repeats itself? So far the EU remained silent.

E Gatt

Apr 19th 2009, 20:50

Malta and Italy must avoid similar squabbles in the future. We must appear as united allies determined to convince Libya to shoulder responsibility for its fellow Africans.


The boatloads are getting bigger (300 landed in Sicily a few days ago) which means that the possibility of a large ship being rescued close to Malta later on this year is almost certain.


The EU should consider offering a reward to the illegal immigrants to disclose the names of the criminal ring of traffickers.

Robert Dimech

Apr 19th 2009, 20:43

@ Pierre Attard Please note that Malta's SAR area is the same as Malta's Flight Information Region (FIR), which renders millions in revenue to our country annually from traversing aircraft . If we had to reduce the present area, there will really be no difference, especially southwards and eastwards. In any case, as evidenced in this case, SAR / FIR area obliges one to coordinate such efforts, not take 'survivirs' in, unless one happens to be the nearest safe port. And once given up, forget about any change of mind.
The whole of Europe should have a united front against illegal immigration in all its forms and prohibit entry to all illegals. Especially considering they are routing from a peaceful country (mainly Libya and to a much lesser extent Tunisia).
And SAR obligations should be limited to bona fede cases. Relative conventions should be amended and it is made known that SAR services are no longer applicable to people who wilfully put themselves in distress because they know 'civilised' countries are obliged to pick them up! It is best to pull the carpet from under the traffickers' feet. As it is, they are taking ewverybody for a ride!

Joseph Micallef

Apr 19th 2009, 20:42

Let's see what international repercussions this incident will bring. According to the Italians it was Malta's resposibility and that Malta misinterpreted international laws! Without entering in into the merits of whether the Maltese government took the right decision, let's hope we really acted according to the rules in this one or it will be a great international and diplomatic embarassment for Malta!

Muscat Pat

Apr 19th 2009, 20:41

Taking a firm stand gives results. Well done to PL and PN. !

ray pace

Apr 19th 2009, 20:39

Great job.....We should be aware of any tricks by the Italian and Libyan authorities as a retaliation to Malta's stand. The Turkish Captain's stand this morning, arguing that it had to be the Italians to accept the immigrants since he was closer to an Italian port than Malta defeats Maroni's stand. Well done Dr Gonzi and Dr Mifsud Bonnici.

E. Azzopardi

Apr 19th 2009, 20:39

We should have said ' We DEMAND EU support on the issue"
I think we should be ready for a difficult summer, a very difficult summer in fact.

Damian Fenech

Apr 19th 2009, 20:34

Well done to the Maltese Government, now please adress "Roberto Maroni" at the first EU meeting.

J.Spiteri

Apr 19th 2009, 20:34

We should expect some sort of retaliation from the Italian authorities for not giving in to their demands. Our country's SAR element must keep a sharp lookout to ensure that no immigrants' boats are guided closer to our shores by either Italian or Libyan patrols for the sole purpose that we shall be forced to accept them. We are not receiving any co-operation from ANY European country with regards to this problem; we are totally alone. SHAME ON THE EU !

Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi

Apr 19th 2009, 20:31

That is GREAT Leadership Sur Gonzi !!
You have shown the world, the true grit of the Maltese people.
Please continue on this path !!!

Pierre Attard

Apr 19th 2009, 20:27

Wahda tajba! izda issa irridu naraw li Frattini ma jiprovax ibezzana bl EU.
Bhal din l-istorja li grat illum, ser ikun hemm hafna zgur. L-ewwel haga li jrid jaghmel ig-Gvern hu li jnaqqas is-search and rescue area li tappartjeni lil Malta, ma nistax nifhem kif
ahna ghanda din l-area kolla. Nixtieq naf kif il MSF ma fethux halqhom fuq din il bicca. Ma nistawx nibqaw nihdu aktar immigranti illegali.

louise vella

Apr 19th 2009, 20:27

I congratulate Dr Gonzi and Dr Carm for standing firm. I also congratulate the Jesuit Refugee Service and Neil Falzon of UNHCR for having kept their peace this time.

Karl Littlejohn

Apr 19th 2009, 20:25

Well done to the maltese govt! This is what happens when you do not surrender.

Sandro Zahra

Apr 19th 2009, 20:23

Good One!!

malcolm seychell

Apr 19th 2009, 20:22

If it was for AD we would have give up part of our area.

Prosit Gonzi on this one

J Busuttil

Apr 19th 2009, 20:18

Well done GONZI and Carm Mifsud Bonnici. Surely a SAFE PAIR OF HANDS.

M. Mercieca

Apr 19th 2009, 20:16

Prosit CMB and Dr. Gonzi - This is the right port where the ship should enter.

Justin Spiteri

Apr 19th 2009, 20:16

David won over Goliath!!! Cheers everyone, a day or two of joy until the next boatload :).

Martin Farrugia

Apr 19th 2009, 20:16

Bonnici's finest hour...

Ronald Galea

Apr 19th 2009, 20:12

Ghamel xi haga sura fl-ahhar dal-gvern!!
Prosit sur Mifsud Bonnici!!

Matthew Borg Cardona

Apr 19th 2009, 20:08

Also:

http://quotidianonet.ilsole24ore.com/2009/04/19/166165-italia_accogliera_clandestini.shtml