UPDATED: Italian frigate takes migrants to Sicily after Malta refusal
An Italian frigate is on its way to Porto Empedocle after it was refused permission to enter Maltese territorial waters to land rescued migrants here.
The frigate Spica picked up the group of 69 migrants off Lampedusa last night and by this morning was at the edge of Maltese territorial waters awaiting orders after Malta's refusal to assume responsibility for the migrants.
Malta insisted, as it did previously, that the nearest port where the migrants should have been taken to was Lampedusa.
The migrants include 16 women.
Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni told the Italian media yesterday that over the past week, Italy repatriated to Libya over 500 migrants rescued from the sea, adding that this could be the solution to the migration problem.
“This is an important shift, even if not something absolutely new, but a decisive step in our approach to Libya, the departure point of 90 per cent of the illegal immigrants who disembark at Lampedusa. By stopping the haemorrhage from Libya, we can say that the wound of illegal immigration has been solved. It was not easy,” he said.
Meanwhile, PBS has quoted the head of the Malta Detention Service, Lt Col Brian Gatt, as saying that a camp at Ta’ Kandia near the police SAG compound, has been turned into a reception centre where the migrants will be taken to before being assigned to a detention centre. Officials at the reception centre will question the migrants and conduct health checks.
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Alan Calleja
May 13th 2009, 20:11
Maybe we Maltese should not continue to think so highly of our Italian neighbours!...............
They are not being very supportive in this matter and leaving us to deal with this great burden.
Malta does not have the resources to accomodate these unfortunate people.
m azzopardi
May 13th 2009, 19:16
i just saw an interview with Berlusconi where he said "our doors are more than closed for all those who want to enter our country illegally".
This is the attitude Malta must adopt. We might be criticised by UN or Eu ,but then nobody wants these ILLEGAL immigrants, so why should WE take them. NO thanks
m.cutajar
May 13th 2009, 15:08
TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE WAITING FOR A SAY FROM OTHER SOURCES . LET THEM NOT BABY US. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS INFLUX. I AM REALLY AT A LOSS FOR WHOME TO VOTE FOR EU. VERY, VERY DISGUSTED HOW THINGS ARE HANDLED POLITICALLY.
philip pace
May 13th 2009, 07:49
To Frank Portelli,
Can you be kind enough to explain exactly what is the REAL and ATTAINABLE solution of the problem?
It is certain that all the Refugee Conventions signed in the past count to absolute zero as it is certain that the Voluntary idea which the Maltese Government 'trumpeted' loud was a top egg in the face for your leader.
What do you mean by 'pressure' ?
You can feel for yourself the power that we have as we are now a EU full member!
Well my friend, the problem is not what you naively pointed out-Libya. It is just down south. Just read what happened in the mad rush for Africa in the 1890s and you shall find the real problem. Once you know who were the culpable nations/states involved convince them to be responsible for all the damage that they caused and still causing.
These nations are now the backbone of Utopia (EU). Learn history and facts first then get elected first and then act!
Please be certain that you are not speaking on my behalf.
Don't come up with such cheap political lingo again, ever!!!!!
To
Wayne Hewitt.
Stop blaring out loud empty words.
Alexander Azzopardi
May 12th 2009, 18:11
@ Dr frank
In my opinion If libya isn't in the position to control its border by itself than Than it must fully accept the european proposal which was refused early this year, again a case where money Is leading the issue . if an agreement is set by all concerned goverments It will only last a year of deporting refugees to libya . One must remember that theese imigrants are paying thousands of euros for this magic Trip!!! and Total to milions @ the end of the year
Who will take the trip again if he/she cant reach his/her ambitions ??
or we are supporting Mafia inside libya ?
The answer I guess not !!!
So what are we waiting for ?
we havent seen any improvement from the whole pn gov, accept keeping it clear with the italian gov that refugees must be taken to the nearest port .
Dr Savior Tortell Pisani
May 12th 2009, 18:08
To me things are becoming increasingly clear...The UNHCR is trying to shirk its responsibility off its shoulders onto Malta and Italy. They have the MEANS AND THE MANDATE to handle the situation and YET they try to point fingers.
If they already have offices in Libya that can process refugee applications, then there should be no reason for a *SINGLE* illegal immigrant making the trip on a boat to Malta-or-Italy.
The ONLY remaining explanation is that all these people are either misinformed or they are all economic migrants - which we clearly cannot accept on grounds of sustainability.
Therefore, yes IMMEDIATE repatriation is THE solution. We would not be denying anybody from any rights WHATSOEVER. Nobody will suffer from this. All they need to do, is to go to the appropriate offices in Libya.
But the process of hopping on a boat and testing one's luck at sea has to be thwarted to the point of extinction! And there is no better way than making it so difficult that it becomes unattractive and futile. Sometimes, you have to be cruel to be kind!
Michelle Dali
May 12th 2009, 17:09
@ Dr Frank Portelli
Thank you for informing us that UNHCR has an office in Libya and is responsible for ensuring refugees protection there. This means that they are unjustified in continuing to exert pressure on Malta to accept endless numbers of illegal immigrants coming from Libya. They should be told in no uncertain terms to go to Libya and fulfil their OWN obligations there.
Their callous disregard of the negative effects of illegal immigration on a small country like Malta is disgusting. They criticise the Maltese and Italian governments for finally taking a stand, even if it is almost too late, and do whatever they can to encourage human trafficking.
I hope that the government of Malta realises that this year it cannot allow another tidal wave of illegal immigrants to descend upon this country as they did last year. This madness has to stop once and for all before Malta as we know it today ceases to exist.
Wayne Hewitt
May 12th 2009, 16:23
Next June VOTE those who will really defend Malta from illegal immigration. Do not believe the other parties. They are simply jumping on the bandwagon ahead of next June's election. Once they get elected they will do what they have always done on the issue of illegal immigration, that is, NOTHING, whilst trying to silence people in the process!
NEXT JUNE VOTE FOR THAT PARTY WHO ALWAYS HAD THIS ISSUE AT HEART AND IS ADAMANT TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY IN THE HALLS OF THE EU.
NEXT JUNE VOTE AZZJONI NAZZJONALI.
PARTIT AZZJONI NAZZJONALI, NIDDEFENDU LIL MALTA FL-EWROPA.
Frank Portelli 2BFRANK
May 12th 2009, 14:46
Following Libya’s historic decision to accept the return of a group of illegal immigrants who were rescued at Sea, some have expressed their concern that returning illegal immigrants to Libya can mean the violation of the immigrants’ human rights.
We need to clarify that although Libya is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention; the UNHCR has an office in Libya and UNHCR is responsible for ensuring refugee protection in Libya.
So we need to reassure everyone that the UNHCR is there to guarantee that there will be respect for human rights for these illegal immigrants.
http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/486e48534.html
Meanwhile we must keep up the pressure - to ensure that Libya continues to fulfill its obligations
I have always stated that the source of the problem is Libya.
As a member of the EU we have the power which comes from our membership
We must take all the necessary actions, diplomatic as well as any other appropriate measures - if Libya does not adhere to its legal and moral obligations.
I am certain that I speak for most Maltese people in this regard
Dr Frank Portelli
MEP Candidate
Daniel Cardona
May 12th 2009, 12:22
well done malta!
Antoine Zammit
May 12th 2009, 11:07
disgusted!
Alexander Azzopardi
May 12th 2009, 10:45
@silvan said
They allready use gps which is integrated in a satelite phone they come with !
The solution is "repatriated to Libya"
and the problem is solved
Silvan Said
May 12th 2009, 09:51
Good news for Malta? I think not.
A GPS receiver will solve the problem for the migrants to make sure they make it to Maltese waters and not lampedusa or sicily!
Do we have the same agreement with Libya?
Anthony Cassar
May 12th 2009, 05:24
Well my dear Maltese compatriots I think that all this is just the tip of the iceburg. Hope I'am wrong
Antoine Camilleri
May 11th 2009, 23:43
It seems peer pressure prevails big time!! @E.Camilleri- Most respectable countries you mention legally kill unborn babies. Save Malta from illegal migration group wants to save our children from this invasion. Unlike the Italians and so many EU states, we have never raped African tribes' culture and treasures.
lgalea
May 11th 2009, 21:41
E Camilleri
We cannot renounce to OUR right of rejecting and repealing anyone whom we do not want to come to OUR country. They could have applied for asylum in Libya. DO you expect the potential 2 million African potential illegal imigrants on the Libyan shores to be hosted in Malta of they make it here and apply for asylum? It seems that as they say, it is those who are locked up who are mentally fit.
Giorgio Gori
You are totally mistaken. We do not receive millions of bucks to save and keep the illegal immigrants in our S&R zone and if you think that we are going to reduce it you are grossly mistaken. And even if we did receive money we do not want the illegal immigrants in Malta. You can keep them yourselves in Italy as their ex-colonizers. What about OUR annoyance of Italy trying to dump the illegal immigrants upon us?
mario spiteri Its your reasoning that does not make sense.
Margaret Richards
May 11th 2009, 21:07
Quote 'No one is saying that illegal immigrants should be accepted by on the other hand we cannot take away the fundamental right of asylum' unquote. Am I reading well??? Or something is wrong with my eyes??? Finally an intelligent, objective, down to earth, humanitarian comment. Prosit welld done E. Camilleri. It's a breath of fresh air to read something like this. Please more people take this up. Do show your support to Int'l Humanitarian Law, to Human Rights, to those who are suffering injustices, torture and abuse. After all Human Rights are unassailable.
Denis Catania
May 11th 2009, 20:14
I commend the Maltese government for doing what the facebook group Save Malta from illegal immigration has been asking all along. We also comend the Italian government for sending the illegals back, ASAP.
Franco Farrugia
May 11th 2009, 19:48
@ Alex Spiteri: 'Italy governed by real statesmen'. Real statesmen ... int ghal Berlusconi, Bossi u Maroni qed tghid?
Ohmygod!
David Gauci
May 11th 2009, 18:44
Am I missing something here? Why this time round the Italians did not send back the immigrant to their point of departure, in this case Libya? Is this an Italian U-turn?
E. Azzopardi
May 11th 2009, 18:38
Haven't the Italians understood? It is useless calling each other the best of friends and shaking hands if I still stab you at the back!!! Did we fix this or not? Will this farce be taking place the whole summer? Or this will end after the EU elections? It seems that everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY is taking mileage out of this. I thought polictians are elected to solve problems but it seems this problem is getting bigger!!!! And what will happen when Italy and Libya start the patrols together so that the illegal immigrants (because this is what they are irrespective) will not go near the Italian territory? Where will they be directed to???
Can' t we see what will happen? I pray to the almighty Lord that I am absolutely WRONG.
And during all this time MAMMA EU looks on? I would like to ask them: how does it look from up there? Do you have a good view of the boats and the bickering between two of your members? Don't you feel that you have the responsiblity that you interevene and with urgency to solve this problem?
Mario Cortis
May 11th 2009, 18:19
@ Stephen Farrugia:
Those beds which you refer to were a necessity for the detention centers for the past months and to respect their human dignity. I would really prefer that these immigrants are to be transported back to Libya but at the same time can't imagine those who were really suffering from an abuse in their native country and spending all those money in trying to "escape" from those allegations how they feel.
That's why I believe that Burden Sharing is the right way to tackle this issue.
F J Brincat
May 11th 2009, 17:35
Oh yes. Tgcom.it certainly is interesting. But if you want to read some Italian vitriol against Malta, I would cordially invite you to take a peak at ilgiornale.it
There is a very interesting comment suggesting that our ambassador should be kicked out. Others want a sort of boycott against Malta. One called us a gnat.
You get the gist.
Very nice to see what the actual Italians think about Malta. What the Italian ambassador and the Italian government think seems to be a moot point.
Michelle Dali
May 11th 2009, 17:15
Why has Italy now decided not to take these illegal migrants back to Libya as was first reported? One can only presume that the Libyan authorities did not allow this to happen again.
Does this mean that the 'haemorrhage from Libya' as Roberto Maroni put it, is still ongoing? Let us hope not, for everybody's sake.
E Camilleri
May 11th 2009, 17:13
I cannot understand certain statements. It seems that we are still living in early 20th century Europe. We should be more informed about Human Rights issues and the respective International conventions that protect “US” all. We are members of the UN, the Council of Europe and the EU and simply by our membership in these institutions we should advocate such fundamental rights. I quote Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg who representing the Council of Europe said that ''We hope that Italy and Maroni will no longer pursue this return policy,'' and that ''Italy's initiative tosses up completely the right to seek asylum'' and this is not a ''good'' thing as it ''ignores the possibility of the right to escape from repressive and violent situations''.
No one is saying that illegal immigrants should be accepted by on the other hand we cannot take away the fundamental right of asylum.
Giorgio Gori
May 11th 2009, 16:55
May I kindly ask what are exactly Malta's duties as regards its SAR zone? As far as I know Malta receives big bucks from Europe for patrolling it, but if fact migrants are often rescued by Italian ships even inside the Maltese SAR, and Malta refuse to take responsibility for them. Ok, I understand that according to international laws migrants should be taken to the nearest port, but what is the point of the SAR zone then and why does Malta receive EU funding for it? I think this is what annoys Italian public opinion the most.
N.Grima
May 11th 2009, 16:45
1) This has nothing to do with politics! It is only about international laws which Malta should not break in any circumstance. M.Farrugia said, this has nothing to do with "il-populin". It seems like the word "independence" means "I can do whatever I want" to some people... that same independence comes from the very laws you want Malta to break - how can that ever be a good idea?
2) There is some sort of election every couple of years, and in contrast to giving public jobs (as is obvious from your comments) very few will move from their little blue or red world when it comes to voting irrespective of what anybody does. Don't be so naïve to think things are done for a particular election.
3) The only humanitarian solution is to eradicate poverty... right... The true legal and human solution is to have Libya sign that human rights convention, possibly in return for real EU help - it is in Libya's interest. And to note that Libya has a point when it says that the EU never acted on its promises after it gave up the nurses... there can never be one unilateral solution.
S. Fenech
May 11th 2009, 16:01
Instead of following Italy's example, we are arranging and expanding the open centres to host more immigrants.
T Pace
May 11th 2009, 15:29
We should stand firm in refusing to accept illegal immigrants.
We should also be on the watchout for any such immigrants who are purportedly picked up from Maltese waters. I would not be surprised if we start receiving reports that they had been picked up close to Malta.
The government should resist the pressure, both from within and from foreign pressure groups or individuals, to accept them, whether temporarily or not. All of Malta is behind the government.
Edric Micallef Figallo
May 11th 2009, 15:10
The latest from Italian news agency ANSA, reporting what Italian foreign minister Frattini said a few minutes or hours ago:
''Italia e Malta - ha detto Frattini - si trovano nella stessa situazione. Chiedono entrambi piu' Europa nelle politiche migratorie e che si comprenda che nessuno dei nostri paesi puo' accettare le porte aperte alla illegalita' e alle clandestinita' mentre accogliamo gli immigrati che vengono da noi per lavorare onestamente''.
mario Camilleri
May 11th 2009, 14:53
A detention centre alraedy exist at ta Kandia . It could be that this centre will be changed into a reception centre to be able to determine what kind of status will the immigrants qualify before being assigned to one of the detention centres. It could mean that certain centres will cater for immigrants without status that have to eventually be repatriated.This meke sense and I fully back this policy.
mario spiteri
May 11th 2009, 14:40
Lets think of a hypothecial scenario: The US's SAR extends itself to a few hundred kilometres from the Portughese coast. Its ships manage to locate illegal immigrants sailing up towards the european mainland through the atlantic, just off the coast of Portugal. And every time such happens, the US ships board on its decks the immigrants, and gives them a lift to the next port of call, in Lisbon, or wherever in Portugal.
Wouldnt it seem that the US, if it wants to retain its SAR zone, should take the illegal immigrants to its own homeland. What has Portugal got to do with it?
Likewise, i think malta's defense is flawed. If it wants to retain its SAR, then it should first ensure it can handle it, and secondly, it should organise itself to provide protection to whoever it rescues. Dumping the unfortunate souls on somebody else's land is just not on. Worse still, expecting that others do the job in your own SAR zone, and keep the immigrants themselves, whilst malta retaining its "legal right" to the the SAR zone, is gross.
It simply does not make sense.
joseph camilleri
May 11th 2009, 14:31
@ M Farrugia.
No i have no idea what the result of the MEP elections is going to be like. However thanks for vote of confidence you show in me and my abilities to predict the future.
That said, i reiterate, I can predict the future on malta's position vis-a-vis illegal immigrants being brought over to malta by italy for similar reasons as those happening today. And it is not a Nostradamus trait that assists me in the prediction, but the way the successive PN govts have addressed any controversial issue. Rest assured that post 6th June, things will change. If i'm proved wrong, i will write to you again on this site and acknowledge i was wrong. (I can also predict you wont be willing to do the same when im proved right!!!!!! And thats a Nostradamus thing!!!!)
MT Caruana
May 11th 2009, 14:27
@Stephen Farrugia
I agree with you 101%.
Charles J. Buttigieg
May 11th 2009, 14:13
The Italians are aware that a good number of immigrants received by us will eventually find their way to Italy and would therefore be to their advantage if we refuse assistance and allow the Italians to pick them up and take them to Libya. Maybe this strategy was arranged secretly by the two governments. I see Italy’s alert to us to pick up the boat people merely as part of their game knowing in advance our refusal. Crazy notion? Maybe yes maybe no.
lgalea
May 11th 2009, 13:59
http://euobserver.com/9/28100
Switzerland looks set to limit EU migrants
Faced with rising unemployment, the Swiss government is currently working on a dossier that would see limits imposed on the number of EU workers entering the landlocked alpine country. Under bilateral accords signed with the EU, the Swiss government is entitled to limit the number of workers entering the country from the original EU15 member states, as well as from Cyprus and Malta, if unemployment rises above a certain threshold.....
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news_digest/Foreign_worker_numbers_may_be_cut.html?siteSect=104&sid=10679992&cKey=1241961939000&ty=nd May 10, 2009 - 2:25 PM
Foreign worker numbers may be cut
The government is set to decide whether to limit the number of foreign workers in Switzerland in response to rising unemployment, an economics ministry official says...Unemployment in Switzerland is currently at 3.5 per cent, the highest level in three years.
Georg J. Cutajar
May 11th 2009, 13:57
Please visit www.tgcom.it . Our Italian neighbours seem to think that once illegal immigrants are rescued in our SAR zone than they should bring them to Malta. They are wrong and very wrong at that. The SAR zone is does of itself oblige us to take in all illegal migrants rescued in it. If that were the case we might as well pack up and leave Malta.
Having said that I think that the Italian stand of returing the migrants to the point of origin is the only way out and will go a long way to stemming the crossings. Once word goes out in Libya that any vessel caught with illegal migrants will be returned to the point of departure they will realise that it is not worth paying the human trafickers to make a crossing which might just land them back to the point of departure.
One hopes that Malta, which now endorses Italy's policy on returning migrants will do the same and keep this policy even after the June 6th EP elections.
Stephen Farrugia
May 11th 2009, 13:40
Notice how cunning. It is one way of saying that the government will not be sending them back to Libya, after the election. Strong interests here, in fact, they bought thousands of more beds.
A. Farrugia
May 11th 2009, 13:29
Is the ratio of women-to-man increasing? Is it only me or are more women attempting the crossing as of lately? Any statistics in this respect?
Good stand by Malta - we have to keep this stance going as unfortunately only such an approach can get the EU machinery to work. I can somehow understand Labour's claim that this is 'too little too late', as such an approach should have been taken long before things got this bad, but I'd appreciate PL more if they stopped trying to gain political mileage at this stage. Malta needs a united front at EU level.
RE: Immediate repatriation, I think that it's a pity that things have to go this far. It's sad that there might be some genuine cases that are not given the opportunity to request humanitarian assistance in Italy / Malta, but I'm positive that if this issue is tackled properly, such assistance could be sought from within Libya, irrespective of the agreements entered into by the Libyans to date. I honestly believe that these people should be given assistance whilst still in Africa, not after risking life and limb to come to Malta / Italy or other EU Countries!
lgalea
May 11th 2009, 13:26
M Farrugia Safeguarding of jobs?
The EU through its policies is responsible for the flight of capital and industries from Europe and the more than 20 million unemployed.
Kenneth Galea
May 11th 2009, 13:09
@Anthony Bugeja
Exactly my thoughts............Why not back to Libya??? Has the UNHCR once again got away with it? I hope not.
Don't understand Anthony why they were not taken back to Libya. But something tells me that it is once again the interference of the UNHCR which embraces entirely illegal immigration.
M Farrugia
May 11th 2009, 13:08
joseph camilleri, you seem to be reading the future. At this rate probably you already know what the exact outcome of the june 6 election will be.
Leave such sensitive topics in the hands of knowledgeable people, not necessarily the govt,who can balance the country's needs without damaging international obligations as much as possible in the interest of the country. This is not an issue tan nies fit triq.
Stop all this fuss and realise that although immigration,whether by sea or land, is a big problem for a number of EU countires,after all immigration is not the only issue on the Eu's agenda. What about safeguarding and creation of jobs, education, environment, women's participation in work etc. etc.
J.Spiteri
May 11th 2009, 12:56
By turning Ta' Kandia into a migrants reception centre, are we to understand that Malta will act as a way point for prospective migrants wishing to make it to Europe? My guess is that all detention centres will be closed, and that all migrants will be set free to roam around while their applications are being processed.
Anthony Bugeja
May 11th 2009, 12:34
Why not back to Libya ?
Joanne Micallef
May 11th 2009, 12:31
Refusing entry is our only hope, as unlike Italy we do not have an agreement with Libya to send back any illegal immigrants which have departed from there. Hopefully if we keep this hard stance the EU will have no choice but to open proper negotiations with Libya to try and solve the illegal immigration problem once and for all. My only reservation lies with the fact that after analyzing how our Government has always handled this issue, not to mention the harsh words used to describe the people behind ANR and AN in the not so distant past, most probably this is just a pre election gimmick by our Goverment, and once the MEP elections are over, we'll be back to square one.
C. Farrugia
May 11th 2009, 12:26
@ Galea L. who said: **This is the clearest indication that the stand being taken by Gonzi is simply an election gimmick and will be over on June 6, because if not, why should they prepare another reception centre for illegal imigrants instead of repatriating the illegal immigrants that we have and closing the centres?**
I second that, as it has been exactly my opinion since our Government's apparent HUGE step in refusing the immigrants on the Pinar. The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same. Fool me once, your fault, fool me second time, my fault!
d. borg
May 11th 2009, 12:00
The govt should not accept one more illegal immigrant. We have already more than enough. Italy should take them back to Libya. I hope the govt is not using this stance only as an election gimmick because sooner or later there will be other elections. And what about this new reception centre at Ta Kandja? Repatriate the whole lot of them not open new centres.
C. Scerri
May 11th 2009, 11:58
If you read well the statements from the Italian authorities - they are only taking back to Libya those found in international waters. Those found within their territorial waters are being accepted in (a number were found near Sicily just yesterday). This is because in accordance to international law they cannot do otherwise.
Malta has to follow the same rules so we have to expect that immigrants saved within our territorial waters shall be taken in and thus we need a reception area.
L .Galea
May 11th 2009, 11:56
I personally do not see an end to this faceoff btw malta and italy and at the long run I forsee malta bearing the brunt.....italy has already began taking the boat people picked up at the sea back to libya based on the long running friendly relationship btw both countries....and malta intends to do same....but I am very pessimistic about the posssiblity of that happening.....hence malta and italy contnue to ve this stand off about who takes responsiblity for the migrants and we re not really good friends with libya....for me repatriation would be a very tall order....I am still waiting to see how our government scores with this one....
maria curmi
May 11th 2009, 11:56
Well done mighty Berlusconi What are friends for ??????? keep sending us your unwanted migrants
Paul Borg
May 11th 2009, 11:54
Hope that this stand as adopted by the Maltese Government to refuse migrants and send them back to Libya still stands after the EU MEPs election in June!!!???
joseph camilleri
May 11th 2009, 11:42
Somebody should tell the Italians that until the 6th of June, the Maltese government will refuse all such requests. Post June the 6th, we will, all of a sudden, become more accomodating! For the time being though, the political price is too steep for the gonzipn govt, so it will play the part of the tough and resolute, and refuse similar entries.
And when it really happens that post 6th of June, we will be accepting illegal immigrants delivered by our italian neighbours, do remember, you read it here first!!!!
Sandro Pace
May 11th 2009, 11:40
I am afraid Italy will solve just its own immigration problem. I hope our government will not allow our side of the mediterrenean to become a soft spot. If we give just a hint that we are welcoming and processing them, than we may be in a worse situation. Being less tough than Italy in this new development, which took our softies by surprise is suicidal. And not an option.
As Gonzi promised, boats will have to continue with their journey, or turned down by their own steam. Moral and ethical considerations are unaffordable as things stand. The electorate must give a good message. One must envy the Italians for the caliber of their present leading politicians.
a. sciberras
May 11th 2009, 11:28
very good! so the italians are refusing immigrants on the grounds that they have no more shelters in humane conditions, and tiny, densely-populated malta, which is barely visible on maps is preparing new shelters! so much for burden-sharing!
John Portelli
May 11th 2009, 11:07
I think Italy will solve the problem of illigal migration by taking them back SAFLEY to where they came from and Malta should do the same.
Chris Mifsud
May 11th 2009, 11:04
Malta should keep on refusing ALL illegal immigrants .
Sending them back to Libya is the only way forward . Malta & Italy must make no exceptions and must keep up the practice of sending them back .
Eventually the traffickers & the immigrants will get the message and stop or at least cut down on their attempts to illegaly enter Europe .
Albert Spiteri
May 11th 2009, 10:35
So Italy decided to responsibly Libya and the illegals themselves by returning them to Libya. We Maltese treat the problem differently. We aim to please UNHCR, the NGO's and of course our very own bloodsucking contractors. WE, the littlest, poorest, most populated little island in the universe, open a new reception centre close to SAG HQ at Ta' Kandja, where these illegal invaders get free medic-care, free brand new phones, free brand t-shirts and jeans, cigarettes etc etc and a whole lot of other etceteras. Then after the invading army of illegal criminals are satisfied and nourished, they are gently posted to their holiday complexes (err sorry, detention centres, UNHCR and NGO's will not approve of that).
Then, after the invaders have rested, met with their contacts here in Malta, had a laugh or two on our behalf and did a bit of sunbathing, building contractors, read-cleansing contractors and other blood suckers can go and choose whom to take on. Obviously all will eventually be called.
Meanwhile unemployment goes up. UNHCR, NGO's and their blood-sucking buddies sing praises to our very catholic, modern and European Maltese government.
When will the next GonziPN fund-raising stunt come around?!
Brian Maloret
May 11th 2009, 10:22
I was under the impression that Malta and Italy had reached accord last week on this ongoing problem. Why then are the Italian authorities now "requesting" that Malta assume responsibility for the 70 illegal immigrants who were taken to Lampedusa?
Joseph Cauchi
May 11th 2009, 10:14
.
“ Meanwhile, PBS has quoted the head of the Malta Detention Service, Lt Col Brian Gatt, as saying that a camp at Ta’ Kandia near the police SAG compound, has been turned into a reception centre where the migrants will be taken to before being assigned to a detention centre. Officials at the reception centre will question the migrants and conduct health checks”.
As regards to the above quote: Does this mean that now Malta is being SOFT in dealing with the influx of illegal immigrants, again?
I hope not, as otherwise this might send the wrong message to those MILLIONS on Libya’s shores that Malta is ready to welcome them and all the stands taken by Italy and Malta recently, would have been in vain!
Let’s us stick to our decisions and make the influx of illegal immigrants as difficult as possible as this is the only way for our survival.
Italy’s decision to send back the illegal immigrants to Libya is the BEST AND ONLY OPTION!
../..
Alex Spiteri
May 11th 2009, 10:09
Malta is enjoying the fruits of having a neighboring country like Italy governed by real statesmen!
Try to imagine if Italy was still under the rule of the Liberals, Greens, Socialists and Commies!
And more importantly, try to imagine if our country was governed by real statesmen too, who puts the Nation’s interest above any bogus human rights policy and hypocrite moral obligations!
The problem of Illegal Immigration would be unheard of!
George Caruana
May 11th 2009, 10:04
Maybe 90% of irregular immigrants from the Med Sea, but surely enough still a fraction of all illegal immigrants landing in Italy. But the rest do not draw the attention of the general public, as not visual and covered by media like the boat people.
Mark Bonello
May 11th 2009, 09:44
This is great! I was never of the opinion of burden sharing...this is a real solution...at last!
George Caruana
May 11th 2009, 09:27
Maybe 90% of irregular immigrants from the Med Sea, but surely enough still a fraction of all illegal immigrants landing in Italy. But the rest do not draw the attention of the general public, as not visual and covered by media like the boat people.
Michelle Dali
May 11th 2009, 09:26
It would seem the Italians are still trying to take the illegal migrants to Malta first and foremost! This is totally unacceptable. They know that Malta is the smallest country in the EU, that it is the most densely populated, and also the most heavily burdened with this problem. So much for solidarity!
Let us now hope that the Italian media doesn't continue with its campaign to make Malta look bad in the eyes of the world, as they did during the previous similar incidents. These people were found near the Italian island of Lampedusa and picked up by an Italian frigate. This has nothing to do with Malta. Why should they have tried to bring them here?
In the end, taking them to Libya was the right decision. This tactic is the only way to beat the criminals behind this lucrative illegal business of human trafficking. It will act as a deterrant to would-be illegal migrants and save countless lives which might otherwise have been lost at sea.
One last word. A big 'thank you' goes to the Maltese authorities for standing firm in this incident and rejecting Italy's unreasonable demands.
E Gatt
May 11th 2009, 09:16
Even if the illegal immigrants are taken to Malta, they will eventually want to go to Italy – they do not want to stay in Malta. It is therefore in Italy’s interest to assume responsibility for this boat and take them back to Africa.
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
May 11th 2009, 08:52
100% mal-Gvern fuq dan
Galea. L
May 11th 2009, 08:34
"Meanwhile, PBS has quoted the head of the Malta Detention Service, Lt Col Brian Gatt, as saying that a camp at Ta’ Kandia near the police SAG compound, has been turned into a reception centre where the migrants will be taken to before being assigned to a detention centre. Officials at the reception centre will question the migrants and conduct health checks."
This is the clearest indication that the stand being taken by Gonzi is simply an election gimmick and will be over on June 6, because if not, why should they prepare another reception centre for illegal imigrants instead of repatriating the illegal immigrants that we have and closing the centres?
Therefore those who were hoping that repatriation of all illegal immigrants was going to be the order of the day will be greatly disappointed.
This shows how spineless Gonzi is and how his strings are being pulled by the NGO's which is totally contrary to what Berlusconi and Maroni are doing in Italy.