Italy sends more migrants back to Libya
A group of 89 migrants located on a dinghy in the Sicily Channel has been ferried back to Libya by an Italian warship.
The migrants were spotted late yesterday some 30 miles off the Italian island of Lampedusa. They were intercepted by the Orione which immediately took them back to Libya waters, where they were transferred to a Libyan launch.
The migrants included nine women.
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Charles Grixti
Jul 5th 2009, 16:52
@ Edward Mallia
If you truly believe what you are saying and would like to follow in Christ's foortsteps, as you see them, anything less than opening up your own home to these poor 'illegals' will not suffice.
Anything less than that will not convince anyone. Therefore, forever hold your peace.
malcolm seychell
Jul 2nd 2009, 00:12
Charles Sammut explained everything perfectly.
Berlusconi is without any doubt, the best leader in Europe.
m azzopardi
Jul 1st 2009, 21:07
charles sammut you are right 200%
Michelle Dali
Jul 1st 2009, 19:44
I think Italy is doing the right thing taking illegal migrants back to Libya. This is the only way to beat the human traffickers at their own game. Ultimately, word will get round and this action will dissuade others from paying criminals to try to get into Europe illegally. Let's hope our government will do the same.
Edward Mallia
Jul 1st 2009, 19:01
@ Charles Grixti. What a pity mobile phones and NGOs never featured in any of the recipes "to attain eternal life"! Pity Christ did not stay around to pronounce himself on "today's situation", and to take up Grixti's fine distinction between being kind and being a fool. In fact Christ's use of the term "fool" was reserved for the man who was kind to himself, whether he was the man with full barns, or the other who insisted on having a slap-up meal every day while the "illegal immigrant" Lazarus lay dying outside. By Grixti's standards Christ was the biggest fool ever known, choosing a way most inconvenient to himself for putting us back on course.
Raymond Sammut
Jul 1st 2009, 18:34
@ Edward Mallia
What makes you think that political men and women in Italy do not read Luke and the other three canonical Books?
Those in government are obliged to govern in accordance with Law. They are under oath to do exactly that. The four canonical Books do not constitute the law of the land. Those in Malta who think like you need to remember this important fact, or else much social harm will be caused especially in the long run. Malta, thanks to Dr Gonzi, is now in a precarious situation with thousands of aliens occupying considerable areas of Maltese land.
Charles Sammut
Jul 1st 2009, 18:23
Please, all those whinging about the money Berlusconi "gave" to Libya should consider one thing. That money is over 20 years. The projects which will be be accomplished using that money (mostly a motorway along Libya's coast) will end up in Italy because the contracts will be awarded to Italian contractors.
So Berlusconi, wily old fox that he is, found a way to hit at least 3 birds with one stone. He buried the bad relationship which had existed between Libya and its past coloniser, Italy. Put a definite stop to illegal immigration from Libyan shores and gave a healthy boost to Italian enterpreneurs who will carry out the works. Not bad for someone who is portrayed by his sour, socialist adversaries as a corrupt womaniser. I would have him as prime minister any time.
lgalea
Jul 1st 2009, 18:17
Edward Mallia
Did Luke advise them where to get their boats and outboards, satellite navigators and satellite phones, fuel, etc to illegally invade other countries and impose themselves on the natural residents and live like leeches on their taxes?
Gonzi should take heed of what the vast majority of Maltese citizens want and expel all illegal immigrants back to Libya and not allow one single illegal immigrant to set foot in Malta.
M AZZOPARDI
Jul 1st 2009, 18:10
MR PULIS ...BERLUSCONI DIDN'T GIVE LIBYA SOME OF HIS MONEY. HE GAVE THEM STATE FUNDS AND AS WE KNOW ITALY HAS A DEFICIT TOO.
I AM NOT SAYING TO GIVE LIBYA ANY MONEY, ALL I AM SAYING IS TO CLOSE OUR FRONTIERS LIKE ITALY IS DOING !!!
Charles Sammut
Jul 1st 2009, 18:01
@ patrick bellia
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that you misunderstood my post. I admire Berlusconi and Maroni for putting Italy's interests before all else. But I am afraid that our dear leaders put their personal misguided religious convictions before the interest of the country.
I can assure you that I am very much aware of all the social, medical, security and economic problems that these uninvited guests bring.
@ Edward Mallia
Luke 10 30 is a parable, fiction, never happened. You can spin as many stories as you like in a similar vein. How about some real stories? A Japanese boy studying in Malta is befriended by some Africans. They invite him to their abode, the Marsa Open Centre and he accepts their hospitality. When they arrive, he is raped, and robbed of his mobile phone, ipod and wallet. He spends several days in hospital nursing his lacerations. Same story for an 18 year old French student. This time he is dragged on the rocks at Dragonara. Luckily the perpetrators were caught in the latter case by CCTV. Good samaritans indeed.
Charles Grixti
Jul 1st 2009, 17:29
@ Edward Mallia
You forget that when Luke 10, 25-37 was written, people did not have satelite phones and co-ordination by NGO to help them invade and take over other countries without the need of war. At least in those days, people would know when they were being invaded and would raise an army to fight and resist.
I am sure that Christ would have had something quite different to say for today's situation. There is a big difference between being kind and being a fool. And Christ was no fool.
Guze Xerri
Jul 1st 2009, 17:21
The less illegal africans there is roaming around Europe, the better it is for all europeans.
Edward Mallia
Jul 1st 2009, 17:05
I suggest that all those cheer leaders for Italy, for the italian right (?) wing, for Silvio Berlusconi, for Maroni and all the other rag-tag have a look at Luke 10, 25-37.
v.pulis
Jul 1st 2009, 16:54
It beats me why there are some who are thanking italy for standing up to HER rights. They have done nothing for malta with their actions. Have we forgotten what they tried to do to us some weeks ago? They wouldn't care less if we were invaded this Summer as long as the migrants don't land on Italian soil. Do we know what kind of agreement the Italians have reached with the Libyans? we know that berlusconi gave them billions of euros and some patrol boats recently. Money talks and that's something we don't have.
louise vella
Jul 1st 2009, 16:50
Dr Gonzi should remember that in a recent online poll by maltarightnow.com (admittedly not a scientific poll but still significant) 90% of respondents agreed with Italy's policy of sending back illegal immigrant boat people and only 7% were against.
Dr Gonzi now has to take a public position. Does he support Italy's recent action of sending back 89 illegal immigrants, or does he agree with organisations, like UNHCR and JRS, who are against?
malcolm seychell
Jul 1st 2009, 16:38
Well done to the Italian right wing.
A united Right will solve the problems.
patrick bellia
Jul 1st 2009, 16:31
@ Mr Charles Sammut
Why you don't think so??? you mean that Italy is not doing the right thing in protecting their country and its people? We are doing the good thing by letting them in with all the problems that they bring with them to mention some, diseases, social benefit and i stop there because 200 words are not enough
Galea. L
Jul 1st 2009, 16:10
Charles J. Buttigieg
That means that we do not have a Prime Minister and a government at that..
m azzopardi
Jul 1st 2009, 16:05
c buttigieg.... what do you want us to do??? get invaded by illegals ???
m azzopardi
Jul 1st 2009, 16:03
Prosit,Bravi Italy!!! I appeal our authorities to do the same
jimmy vella
Jul 1st 2009, 16:02
Well done to the italians they truly are patriots I wish these one`s that are suppose to proctect us will praise them for saving us just in the nick of time.
Thank you Mr Berlusconi
c. camilleri
Jul 1st 2009, 15:22
Well done MARONI . Wll done Cavalieri. Malta needs Ministers like you.
Mario Attard
Jul 1st 2009, 15:16
Finally somebody is taking concrete action against illegal migration. When words lead to nothing except more words, action is needed. The EU talks a lot but nothing really changes. The USA is proof of this. They said that they will help us and put words into action. Take Sweden for example. They have already made it clear that they are full-up with Iraqis and so they don't need more problems.
So I'm glad that Italy has succeeded to reach an agreement with Libya.
Jesmond Mizzi
Jul 1st 2009, 15:11
Well done Italy, this what we should do!!!
louise vella
Jul 1st 2009, 14:58
We expect the Maltese government to issue a statement expressing its full support and agreement with the Italian action.
T.gauci
Jul 1st 2009, 14:38
good job Italy. you're the true nationalists.
Charles Sammut
Jul 1st 2009, 14:35
@ patrick bellia - I don't think so.
Alexander Morana
Jul 1st 2009, 14:20
Bravo Italia!
Joanne Micallef
Jul 1st 2009, 14:18
GOOD JOB, hopefully the word will spread and fewer migrants will tempt to make it to Europe illegally.
lgalea
Jul 1st 2009, 14:13
Good Job.
Well done.
When are the AFM going to start doing the same including those illegal immigrants who are already here?
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jul 1st 2009, 14:09
We can not do the same as Libya will send them back to Malta.
patrick bellia
Jul 1st 2009, 13:52
Good job we shall do the same
D.Bonello
Jul 1st 2009, 13:43
Good for the Italians. Will the maltese government do the same now. Mr PM this will be a good test of the wills for you.