Government investigating 'treason' claims
The Foreign Ministry is investigating newspaper reports quoting newly declassified British records claiming that Ives Debarro, a former Second Secretary at the Maltese Embassy in Tripoli had, in 1971, passed “sensitive” information to D. K. Haskell, an official at the British Embassy, regarding meetings between Maltese delegations and Libyan ministers, the Prime Minister said today.
He was replying to questions in Parliament by Labour MP Alfred Sant, who asked whether the government had any statement on this disclosure, which he described as “a most serious case of national treason”.
The Prime Minister said that on the basis of the investigations, the government would seek legal advice and then act accordingly. The case, he said, dated back 38 years and one had to verify facts.
Dr Sant said that this act by Mr Debarro was public information in the UK under the Freedom of Information Act, and it did not follow that the case should be forgotten because it was 38 years old.
Mr Debarro is at present responsible for arrangements for the repatriation of illegal immigrants.
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J Martinelli
Apr 30th 2009, 23:14
@ laurence schembri
"...The sensitive information passed to Tripoli during Reagan`s time saved a lot of lives..."
Not Maltese lives, since we had nothing to do with American-Libyan relations but it did affect Maltese -American relationships for many years following. We had no business sticking our nose where it did not belong in an attempt to be on a two bit dictator's side.
While we know the nature of the 'sensitive information' passed on to the Libyans, we still do not have any information on the Debarro's case, so speculation at this time is just a wild guess.
If this case proves to be detrimental to our nation, then justice should take its course. The only difference between this case and the tip to Libya, is that at the time the mere suggestion that the perpetrator should have faced the consequences, would have earned one a good beating or worse. Instead the whole nation paid an undetermined price, being treated by the US as a second class nation until a change in the Malta government took place.
I would like to remind Mr. Schembri that whatever the US policies are, good or bad, we are not responsible for them.
m spiteri
Apr 30th 2009, 16:33
1971 british colony? get your dates right at least
R. Gatt
Apr 30th 2009, 11:50
@ Ernest Vella - we got our Independence in 1964. How does that make us a colony in 1971?
R. Gatt
Apr 30th 2009, 11:47
Don't be ridiculous Mr. V. Vella. Why don't you get a life.
If proof is presented and found guilty he should be punished accordingly.
Ernest Vella
Apr 29th 2009, 21:20
I need an explanaytion!!!...But back in 1971, were we not still a British Colony? What's the guilt being imposed here? For defending the empire of that time? Don't we have much more major issues that can be discussed than a 38 OO7 old story?
laurence schembri
Apr 29th 2009, 19:48
The sensitive information passed to Tripoli during Reagan`s time saved a lot of lives, regrettably not Gaddafi`s adopted daughter she was killed in the raid. What is the problem with Mr. Martinelli? What has politics to do with treason, if the said case is proven?
In otherwords Mr. Martinelli approves of the transgression used by the USA, not only on Libya, thousands of innocent people died and still dying in Iraq today because of the American and British lies about Weapons of Mass Destruction...years have passed, no weapons only killing of the innocents is still going on. Besides this person still hold a resposible position in today`s administration.
victor vella
Apr 29th 2009, 17:06
If it is true I hope he gets life without chance of getting out.
SMuscat
Apr 29th 2009, 15:12
Dear Mr Lennon,
I know from personal experience the huge number of British who have such a close tie to Malta and only have the deepest affection for Malta but as Lord Palmerston once said nations have no permanent friends but permanent interests. I assure you that the Foreign office fully followed such a maxim. Malta during the negotiations with Britain for renting the military infrastructure had to use a meagre set of tools for leverage. These negotiations were for Malta to be able to achieve the funds necessary to build an economy not dependent on the British defence budget, an economy which the British Government never helped in diversifying or helping to develop. I will not comment on the actions or not of Mr ives Debarro as these have to come only after facts are verified by competent authorities however a diplomat divulging sensitive information to a state which his government is negotiating at the time is action that has serious repercussions.
Aimee Fenech
Apr 29th 2009, 13:37
My Debarro should now be suspended until his name is cleared.
austen lennon
Apr 29th 2009, 13:32
Treason? To talk to some one British? I thought we British were your friends and always have been. I know I am a huge supporter of Malta and always will be. It is a strange world we live in.
joanna farrugia
Apr 29th 2009, 12:03
@ j martinelli and if all this was the other way what song you will be singing?? as usual pn apologists when its concerned them they come full out and if its something abt the opposition or they twist words or they just say leave the past the past GHAX JAQBLILHOM
Marcel Dingli
Apr 29th 2009, 10:35
@ Mark Portelli
Anything which happened during that time should prove interesting. The PN are not so saintly after all.
Mike Magri
Apr 29th 2009, 10:23
Spying against your OWN COUNTRY in Time Of Peace, for partisan political beliefs in Catholic Malta....!!!!!!! Wowww... This is really Unbelievable, Shameful, Disgusting and Absolutely Intolerable.. If it really happened, their should be no pity to such traitors and should be heavily punished for treason, irrespective of when it happened... PERIOD...
A Abela
Apr 29th 2009, 08:00
The country has more important stuff to think of rather than issues which are irrelevant today if they really happened.
J Martinelli
Apr 29th 2009, 00:41
"...the Maltese Embassy in Tripoli had, in 1971, passed “sensitive” information to D. K. Haskell, an official at the British Embassy..."
One wonders what the 'sensitive' information was.
Was it as sensitive as the information passed on by 'Malta' to Tripoli during President Reagan's time?
Anthony Mizzi
Apr 28th 2009, 23:22
Party or the National Interest should prevail ?
Malta ghandha dejjem tkun l-ewwel u qabel kollox ghal veru Maltin , u tigi qabel il-passjoni politika.
Stephen Farrugia
Apr 28th 2009, 22:56
uhh let the past be the past!
C.Portelli
Apr 28th 2009, 21:42
A treason is a treason, regardless whether it was done yesterday or a hundred years ago. If it is proved, this man should be given an exemplary punishment.
Joe Cassar
Apr 28th 2009, 21:36
@ Mr J Micallef
Would you say that ANYTHING that happened in the 70s is "acqua passata"?
Andre Chetcuti
Apr 28th 2009, 21:01
Nothing else better to ask Dear Dr Alfred Sant ?
Mark Portelli
Apr 28th 2009, 20:49
Well, we need investigate everything which happened between 1971 and 1987, that would be interesting.
J Micallef
Apr 28th 2009, 20:34
Petty politics as usual. Acqua passata.
Francis Attard
Apr 28th 2009, 20:14
It seems that, for the government to start investigating any allegations, these must first become public through the media, which is strictly absurd.
Therefore, since this is the government's attitude, one must act accordingly.
Mario Mallia
Apr 28th 2009, 20:13
Any bets nothing will come out of this and everything will be swept under the carpet?
Anthony Magri
Apr 28th 2009, 19:55
The Prime Minister has already expressed his reservation referring to the time lapsed. We do remember that Yves Debarro contested national elections in the name of the Nationalist party and has been given new responsibilities though he is retired from the service.
Gonzi is asking for proof, to verify facts. Who will give proof? Mr Yves Debarro himself, or his alleged English correspondents if they are still alive?
V.Micallef
Apr 28th 2009, 19:44
I bet Mr Debarro, if he was involved, was not alone in this. Who knows how many other "Nationalists" (a huge misnomer if there ever was one!) were involved in passing on info to the British colonialists when Malta was demanding her REAL independence from Britain! This is certainly a case of name and shame! And, after that, punish the culprits in order to set an example to others!!!!!