Migrants land in Gozo

PETER BORG

May 16th 2009, 00:08

When 'boat people' arrive in Australia, they are initially taken to a processing centre on Christmas Island_part of Australia but about 1000km away from the mainland. Malta can adopt a similar approach and temporaily locate illegals on Comino.

Robert Callus

May 15th 2009, 23:22

@steve elliot
Is what you are saying a speculation or insiders information?
The difference between illegal migrants and asylum seekers is wheter they qualify for protection or not.
These people have been here for just 2 days. How are you so sure they are the former not the latter? And reliable sources are welcome

@Marvic Camilleri
Up to a certain extent I agree with you. The way we treat migrants, or rather black people, in Malta is obviously the opposite of Christian belief. However there are 2 kinds of 'haters'
A minority do so for political mileage or personal hatred. They just throw fuel in the fire so that it keeps on burning.
The majority, unfortunately, do not actually hate. They are in panic, first of all because it is an issue, but most of all because of the minority of real racist haters. True that these, the majority, are not acting out their Christian beliefs, however I won't like blaming a person who does what he does cause of fear (irrational or not)

Joe Fenech

May 15th 2009, 22:39

Its time for the Gozitans to participate in burden sharing. Maybe they'll start thinking about taking their independence again and walk out of the EU!

Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi

May 15th 2009, 19:45

@ Marvic Camilleri, You can also say bye-bye to Christianity in the near coming Maltese future !

Josef Micallef

May 15th 2009, 19:16

@ Marvic Camilleri What a disgraceful comment! Malta is already overloaded with problems, one of it being over-population! And you are saying these are resources to use? how to use these? by making the Maltese unemployed?!

Raymond Sammut

May 15th 2009, 19:01

@ Fr.John CAruana But you do, in my view, sound like a "religious fundamentalist" even if you have (supposedly) tried otherwise. It is very dangerous for you, and for all of us, to make irrational references (and on our behalf) to the Deity and her "intercession" to protect us. Allow me to remind you that only recently up to 500 people -- including women and children -- from three unaccounted illegal boats have drowned in Libyan waters, all within hours of each other in sudden blustery weather conditions.

steve elliott,uk

May 15th 2009, 18:41

the headline is wrong. it should read "a group of 33 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS landed in Qbajjar" That's what they are "ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS"

John Caruana

May 15th 2009, 15:26

I fully endorse Marvic Camileriís comments and contribution - especially the tone of his writing apart fromhis arguments. We can agree and disagree, but let´s discuss the problem with the seriousness it needs, and not with outburst - sometimes reflecting a childish atitude.
We always said that Malta geographically is surrounded by a cauldron of problems. Thinking well, this is the least of the problems we faced and could have faced all this time. Withou sounding a religious fundamentalist, because I am not, we always said that in the end it is the intercession of Our Lady that is protecting us!
Different opinions are welcome, but opinions that in the end help one understand the problem and help one reach sensible conclusions.

Thank-you.
Fr.John CAruana - formerly of Mosta.

j caruana

May 15th 2009, 14:08

Dear Mr Brian Malloret:

I think you are right but Those days are over . before the gov even paid for their flights after giving them temp ID.

Sarah Attard

May 15th 2009, 10:50

@ Joe Scicluna

Your comment was a huge breath of fresh air amidst all the other comments here. Thank you for that.

Chris Borg

May 15th 2009, 10:34

While I cannot condone some of the more extremist of his suggestions, his warnings were completely spot on: Lowell was right!

Marvic Camilleri

May 15th 2009, 09:42

If we fuel anymore of this hatrid within our maltese, we are fueling civil war upon ourselves or the future generations.

Fact is the goverment is dealing with the situation at best. Sending back who does'nt belong and treating asylum seekers.

It's useless to keep rejecting the situation we are in, filling ourselves with negattive energy and treating the ones that remain without dignity. For if the international legal system allows them to be here, then some good must come of it.

Let's not pretend anymore we are a country of no resources for that is no longer an excuse. These days the sun light is a resource and our country has trived on the human resource so if we were wise enough we would look at the fewer ones that remain here and their children who are Maltese anyway, as resources and stop treating them without any respect.

Fact is the future generations of Malta will be of mixed religon and race. Why are we so bothered with the colour of the skin for future maltese and it is quite obvious that we don't care about the very principles of christianity if we are harvesting all this hate!

N Borg

May 14th 2009, 17:50

Get them back on the boat to Libya. PLEEASEEEE

lgalea

May 14th 2009, 09:15

Gonzi, now’s your chance to show how strong you are and how well you keep your word.
Send them back to Libya or face your downfall.
The people are fed up with them and with you.
Go on.
Don't be a CHICKEN.
Send them back.

Stephen Mumford

May 14th 2009, 07:38

Here we go again. Summer open season and more unwanted - illegals come at will. When are we to stop all this? We are heading to become a somalia in the mediterranean and this diversity and multi culture is not wanted by a vast majority of the maltese population and this must be made clear in the june election. By strange coincidence there are always females in need in every boat load. Open your eyes to this invasion as they are by far outnumbering our local birth rate. See what is happening to europe and above all see what certain muslim leaders have declared that within 20yrs europe will become a muslim state. All our history, heritage, culture, beliefs would have been completely eroded by then. Lets just sit pretty and wait.

Joe Scicluna

May 14th 2009, 07:26

Interesting. Perhaps they thought the hill on the way to Marsalforn was the majestic Etna!
There again perhaps we should have hoisted more Maltese flags.

Indeed they've come to realise that Malta is their gateway to the World and they do now wish to reach our shores rather than Italian ones.

I say, let's see who they are and treat all with compassion.

Yes the asylum seekers join the others while the Economic migrants can do some voluntary community service helping with the needs of the former category of immigrants before repatriation. A lesson in altruism would not go amiss and they might reconsider returning in vain on another boat!

Asylum seekers are the true victims and deserve all the help they can get.

Fellow European states help Malta and persuade Italy to be humane if we really are a 21st Century Civilisation and a responsible caring community !

d. borg

May 14th 2009, 07:26

Let us see what the govt will do now. Send them back to Libya? Send them to Brussels? Let's see action, because if no steps are taken now, let alone after the MEP elections.

Pierre Attard

May 14th 2009, 07:21

These Illegal immigrants must be arrested and sent back to Libya. Entering a country illegally is a crime, these persons have commited a crime, the Maltese government must act tough or else more ot them will bypass Italy and come here. These people work for months in Libya to be able to have enough money to make the crossing, so they are in no danger in Libya. THE GOVERNMENT MUST ACT NOW FOR THE GOOD OF THE MALTESE.

d.magro

May 14th 2009, 07:15

Nispera li mhux jispiccaw Malta. Why not resend to Libya or start an open centre at Gozo. L-Ghawdiex irridu jibdew jaqsmu maghna mhux kollox ghan naha t`isfel ta Malta. Ghandna problemi bizzejjed in naha tas-South.

A.Calleja

May 14th 2009, 05:51

Let's see if our government is going to send them back like the Italians did. Mill paroli naghddu ghal fatti. Election day is approaching fast.

C Cilia

May 14th 2009, 04:04

@joseph cauchi.

Kemm int bravu habib! Mhux hekk jonqos tixthu l immigranti illegali ghawdex ukoll, b popolazzjoni ta 40,000elf biss! Hallina jo trid?

George Cremona

May 14th 2009, 00:17

'Mhux il-gbejniet gew ifittxu', but their relatives in Malta to whom Dom Mintoff in his time used to refer as blood brothers. Of the Maltese, mind you not of Gozitans.

Mark Piscopo

May 14th 2009, 00:15

Can we take them back to libja!!!like Italy is doing. Please dear government..

Raymond Sammut

May 13th 2009, 23:04

There is no way the illegal entrants could have originated from Libya. Things are getting tight in Italy, and the only source would be Sicily. This is, and has always been, hard core crime activity. Those who do not speak out against it are passive abettors to the crime. Those who speak out in a condoning way are active abettors. As time moves on, they will have to be more careful on what they say and how they identify themselves for the law will be onto them sooner or later.

Brian Maloret

May 13th 2009, 21:42

They are probably illegal immigrants leaving Malta and attempting to go to Italy. How else can you explain them landing on Gozo.

Stephen Farrugia

May 13th 2009, 21:40

Now nobody can say " they wanted to go to Italy" because they know they will be sent back to Libya. Now, THEY WANTED TO COME TO MALTA. ....... Ifhem !!!!!

With every day it gets worse...... Now I know why ,the new slogan of Imperium Europa is ' vote safely, vote Lowell'.

J Grima

May 13th 2009, 21:07

Qbajjar? Isn't that on the North East side of the island? How could they have possibly landed there without going around Malta, Comino and half Gozo?

Franco Vella

May 13th 2009, 20:55

Well done to Police,AFM, Malta Red Cross Gozo Branch, for their intervention. They (migrants) were transfered to AFM patrol boat P051 and transported to Malta. The Malta Red Cross were present to offer Humanitarian Need, in the form of sustenance to those in need.

Steve Rogers

May 13th 2009, 20:44

While much is not stated, it is a fact that Gozo is further north then Malta and that Qbajjar is facing opposite Sicily which lies further North. One might want to ask how the refugees had the knowledge to bypass Malta, and land in Qbajjar Gozo. Its apparently clear the criminal rings running the show are trying to adept the to the situation that Italy is taking back illegal immigrants and most possibly hoping that Malta does not have the might to do the same.

Charles J. Buttigieg

May 13th 2009, 20:42

Now what? Are we going to keep them or send them to Libya via Italy?

T Mifsud

May 13th 2009, 19:24

Why do we 'hold' the illegal immigrants while he Italian authorities 'arrest' them?

From another article in The Times (http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090513/local/italy-tightens-the-screw-on-immigration) the Italian govrnment will be "punishing illegal entry or residence on Italian soil with a fine of between €5,000 and €10,000" and also increase the "the period of detention of illegal immigrants for identification from two months to six".

MIGRANTS FOR AL QAEDA SUICIDE ATTACKS
From yet another article in toda's Times (http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090513/world-news/italy-accuses-two-of-leading-role-for-al-qaeda)
"Italian prosecutors have accused two men, arrested last year for links to trafficking in illegal immigrants, of being leading al Qaeda figures in Europe involved in training militants for suicide attacks."

Beef up security in our country!!

m azzopardi

May 13th 2009, 19:18

We have 2 options...Either send them back like Italy is doing(rightly so ,because they entered ILLEGALLY) or send them to Mgr Grech since he had spoken so in favour of accepting them !!!

R.Zammit

May 13th 2009, 19:16

This is not a case of Search and Rescue, this is illigal entry. As far as I know, no law protects illegal entry into our territory. Send them back to Libya.

Joseph Cauchi

May 13th 2009, 19:14

Once we are at it; why don’t we open another open-centre in Gozo?

It is only fair that Gozo also starts to share the burden with Malta!

After all, that is what “Burden Sharing” is all about and the Bishop of Gozo will be a happy man, now.

../..

charlie xrieha

May 13th 2009, 18:59

Nahseb gew jixtru l- gbejniet, ghax Sqallija spiccawlhom...

Joe Camilleri

May 13th 2009, 18:54

What were the AFM, Frontex etc etc doing?
With to-day's technology we could easily detect migrating birds, imagine humans on a boat.

patrick bellia

May 13th 2009, 18:52

I would like to hear in the news tonight that all these illegal immigrants will be deported back to libya from where they came. If Italy will send back the much larger boat rhat entered sicily we will do the same. It's arrived the time to act now.

K Farrugia

May 13th 2009, 18:37

Did they mistake it for Sicily?