Janet Barthet, San Ġwann
Sant and Muscat on EU membership
Last week former Labour leader Alfred Sant again spoke against Malta's European Union membership, claiming that it was not a good thing for Malta. He also reiterated for the umpteenth time that adopting the euro was also wrong.
The present Labour leader Joseph Muscat has not rebuffed Dr Sant's opinion, which he actually seems to be endorsing.
During one of his many passionate speeches, turning on those present he asked those who voted Yes in the EU referendum whether they were happy with Malta's EU membership. If Dr Muscat were truly convinced that EU membership was in Malta's best interests he should have contradicted Dr Sant.
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Jeremy J Camilleri
May 7th 2009, 20:34
Joe Vella(mellieha)....Apparentely, Ms. Barthet is a PN Candidate but fails to tell us so....
Even more interesting is the fact that you have not commented on this issue.......
Strange....seeing that you usually insist....
Muscat.Pat
May 7th 2009, 20:22
Well, it is a pity thet the PN tried to sell us EU as a "reality" that exists above the clouds. It takes a non-European to sell the EU for what it is not. Yet, the EU is a force for good, if it is not used an excuse to stay in power. Janet Barthet must understand that to be sceptical, to be critical, to discuss, to debate and yes to negate, is what being European is all about.
D.Caruana
May 7th 2009, 18:47
I was never a follwer of Dr. Alfred Sant. I used to be disgusted at his scaremongering tactics before the referendum. Today, after all said and done, I KNOW he was right and was telling the truth about AT LEASTone thing.
And for that one thing at least, my answer to Dr. Muscat's question would be NO. I AM NOT HAPPY!!
Fabian Borg
May 7th 2009, 18:01
In my opinion it is very healthy to send people who are against the EU as MEPs.
WHY ? You would ask and here is a reason.
Today I feel disgusted at the way the negotiations between Malta and the EU were done and even more disgusted at the way they were marketed ( remember MARKETED NOT BROADCASTED) as the whole truth was not available neither at MIC nor at PN.
I also believe that the EU wanted Malta badly at the time and we (the general public) was not informed accordingly and it was as if the gentle EU was doing us a big favour of allowing us to join. Had the public known that the EU wanted to expand its borders so badly to have more easy access to Africa (and now we know even vice versa) maybe the public would have been reluctant to sell this land for the misery of a few 100 million Euros.
If MLP are deepdown against the EU its even better so they fight for the rights of Maltese and not succumb to the will of the boys in blue who are interested in our country not in us Maltese citizens.
John Carmel Navarro
May 7th 2009, 15:41
One has to ask are Labour serious about trying to obtain seats in the European parliament? Thus far all that is heard is that Europe has done between very little or nothing for Malta, seems rather strange that Mr Muscat an ex MEP has very little to say in favour of European Union. Doctor Sant just cannot accept Europe. I am trying very hard to keep an open mind as to who to vote for in the forthcoming elections, up to now Labour are sending very mixed vibes to the voters.
Anthony Magri
May 7th 2009, 15:31
Ms.Janet Barthet. Do you attend meetings or gatherings of the L.P? if not fromwhere do you learn of what the speakers said. From the NET TV or radio? True Nationalist your mind is being poisoned.
I would challenge you to quote exactly the words of Dr. Sant about the Euro. But I will help you so that you ma know that there is a true version of what he said. In his statement Dr. A.Sant declared that the adoption of the Euro was made too early. Too early does not mean never. Understood!
g.c.Forte
May 7th 2009, 15:29
If I am not mistaken Dr. Alfred Sant never said that he is against the E.U. or the Euro. He always argued that we weren`t ready to join as FULL MEMBERS, but partnership. If you are against something you do not make partners. As for the Euro, still time will have to tell. I believe that if somebody will do sort of a survey on the Euro now, it will not pass the test. This week the E.U. pulled out our ears because of the deficit. What is going to happen in the very near future, so our deficit will be controlled. More taxes, tariffi, ajustments and more. Believe it or not when John Dalli was the financial minister, we had problems, but he always found a way out. Now the only solution is, taxes, taxes and more taxes.
Gerald Fenech
May 7th 2009, 14:23
Having lived in San Gwann for the past two years I can safely say that the place has been reduced to a dump and needs complete refurbishment. The fact that this person does not seem to indicate that she will be contesting the LC elections obo of the PN indicates that her usual tripe dished out by the PN against Labour and its stance on the EU will only be repliacted in the council if she gets elected. A non starter I would say.
T Fenech
May 7th 2009, 13:20
Ms Barthet, we all know of Dr. Joseph Muscat's EU credentials and its unethical to try to destort facts.
So Dr Sant had a different oppinion and one ought to respect if though you don't agree. Dr Sant has respected the people's verdict and worked in the realities that Malta was then in the EU.
There are certain sectors that have benefitted alot from Malta's EU accession, whilst others didn't unfortunately. Thats the reality and we have to act responsably enough to see that those doing badly wont do so anymore.
Malta's EU accession "wasn't a dooms day event" but it wasn't neither "heaven on earth"
Dr Sant's oppinion not that of the PL. Dr. Muscat is in the helm and no one can question his stand on EU. During his term as an MEP he achieved alot for us all!
Besides Ms Barthet next time please be original and do not recycle articles from maltarightnow.
and as a communications student you ought to know that it is unethical to misquote or twist a fact in your favour....
Albert Grech
May 7th 2009, 12:48
@Janet Barthet
Dear Janet, I was one who voted in favour as you did. But it's seems that it is not the heaven on earth we were promised. They say that the proof is in the eating, and it does not taste good. Mind you, I believe that for some it tasted delicious.
R Spagnol
May 7th 2009, 11:23
Besides it would be ideal for Ms Barthet to listen to the WHOLE part of last Sunday's speech regarding the EU which lasted for nearly 10 minutes and not only the 10 seconds which were featured on Net News, intentionally to bewilder or shock to such an extent people like Ms Barthet.
A Farrugia
May 7th 2009, 11:07
Part 2
What about the fact that Lawrence Gonzi says that 700 jobs where created while john Dalli says that simple arithmetic shows that only 2000 jobs where created? Why is it that Tonio Borg says that illegal immigration is a national crisis while Lawrence Gonzi says that it is not an issue? Gonzi says that all this shows that the Partit Nazzjonalista is a Partit QAWSALLA.
I would very much like to know what you think about the different colours of the rainbow
A Farrugia
May 7th 2009, 11:04
@ Janet Barthet
Part 1
Dear Janet,when writing in a newspaper you have to give additional information besides your name, surname and locality. You have to say that you are representing the Nationalist Party. Secondly, you should know very well that what applies for the goose should apply to the gender. So perhaps in your next article,you will give the readers additional information on the contradictions on the PN`s side such as the one on the car registration tax. the Nationalist Party is not willing to give back the money stolen from the Maltese while MEP Candidate Roberta Metsola Tedesco Triccas is four square with the Partit Laburista. An what about Vince Farrugia`s support on the removal of VAT and his campaign against EU membership. He is now an MEP candidate on the PN list. And what about the controversy on hunting and trapping? Edward Demicoli is dead set against hunting whereas Philip Mifsud, a Nationalist Party MP is in favour of hunting in Malta while Perici Calascione, another MEP candidate on the PN list is respresenting the hunters in the European Court of Justice.
R Spagnol
May 7th 2009, 11:04
Seems that the local elections are near and knowing the Nationalist Party tactics, they tend to bring about certain political amateurs harping the same old rhetoric in pursuit of votes...
Yes, who's next?
Maria Pace
May 7th 2009, 10:56
So?
Ms Barthet, you're just regurgitating what was written in maltarightnow a few days ago.
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
May 7th 2009, 10:55
@ Galea L
Anything that is unti EU is right for you Galea L.
S Schembri
May 7th 2009, 10:50
and what is your point Janet with that?
I guess you are one of those living in luxury and not suffering a living to pay your utility bills. All I care is about my standard of living and if I were to compare it with 5 years ago it has diminished by far.... Now this means only one of two things: or we didn't perform as other countries did in the EU or we had a mismanagement from the PN Government side. Please convince me otherwise.
Galea. L
May 7th 2009, 10:36
And they are right Janet.