Updated: Unlikely that dinghy carried many more people - Brigadier

j attard

Aug 23rd 2009, 07:28

well done afm they should track who supplied them with a dingy for the long sea journey

k.falzon

Aug 23rd 2009, 03:38

Some comments below are asking that soldiers are equipped with a camera.
Have these commentators actually read the last paragraph of the article?????

lgalea

Aug 23rd 2009, 01:19

Everyone must remember not only that the illegal immigrants are illegal but they are also breaking maritime law by sailing without proper papers, on dangerous and overloaded boats, without knowledge of navigation, with the criminal intent to enter into another country illegally. That makes their boat and voyage illegal and they should be prosecuted not simply kept in detention and then let off to roam about in our streets.

Yohannes Afewerki

Aug 23rd 2009, 00:57

Expressing my gratitude to AMF for its continues effort and success in saving life, I don't see why these five rescued Eritreans would have to tell the untruth regarding the number of those lost their lives aboard. five, ten , twenty or seventy-five lives are lost anyway.

john micallef

Aug 22nd 2009, 20:03

big thanks goes out to the afm who apart from serving our country, are sometimes faced with criticism from both local and international media.
as i have previously said, are we a european UNION or are we DIVIDED europe? this is the second time 2 eu nations are in 'diplomatic conflict' because of the failure of another non eu country to guard its borders. or is this some secret plot made by berlusconi and gheddafi to secure what is probably a rich oil field which belongs to us? and as already said, afm both onshore and ofshore patrols should start recording such incidents as proof of our obligations. probably, these wouldn't be published in the media because of certian sop's but it would serve if once again malta would be accused in international court of lack of obligation doing

muscat.pat

Aug 22nd 2009, 19:49

Why always put the blame on the Armed Forces of Malta but NOT on those racking millions of $ from this trafficking? The UN should do its best so that the traffickers be brought to justice rather than put the blame on tiny Malta. We are full up and cannot be held responsible for the day in day out illegal immigrants who cross the seas with so much risk. With so many people risking their lives accidents are bound to happen. Those who exploit these fellow humans should be condemned and not those who risk their lives in their call of duty.

Maicon Vella

Aug 22nd 2009, 19:43

These people are really selfish and they are ready to do anything as long as they can get what they want. What if we are involved in a political situation with neighbors Italy. It is about time that we show an iron hand with these irresponsible people. I think that what we need is to get in closer ties with Italy and anyone caught out at sea will be escorted back to Libya without any arguments. It is useless sending some 35 illegal immigrants to the US when they are quickly substituted by 84 others. Time is running out and enough is enough.

Damian Fenech

Aug 22nd 2009, 19:27

Just a small suggestion, can't army personel be "armed" with cameras to prove the same people both local and foreign that Malta is in fact doing it's part.

Marion Pace

Aug 22nd 2009, 19:25

Lets give our support to brig. Vassallo. We should all be united in this.

noel buttigieg scicluna

Aug 22nd 2009, 19:22

I think the moral of the story is that AFM personnel should always carry a camera and register conversations and situation in a clear manner. Thus any future controversy like this one could be proven without any doubt.

A Cassar

Aug 22nd 2009, 18:56

I have no doubt that the AFM would have rescued these immigrants if there was the slightest doubt about their safety! They have risked their lives in the past to save anyone...and I'm sure they would do it again.

Dr Francis Saliba

Aug 22nd 2009, 18:36

Brigadier Vassallo's account rings true. It is much more credible than the illegal immigrants' version being endorsed by Frattini in an attempt to succeed where the axis powers failed during World War II. It is inconceivable that such a large number of illegal immigrants were on that boat for so many days before the last five survivors were detected in such a healthy condition only to deteriorate suddenly to such a miserable condition only a couple of days later when landed in Lampedusa! This is only a stupid attempt to frame us up.

louise vella

Aug 22nd 2009, 18:05

And let's not forget those members of the Armed Forces who have the thankless task of guarding the detention centres where they are the object of insults and other abusive behaviour by the detainees.

Joseph Tonna

Aug 22nd 2009, 18:04

@ louise vella.
You are completely right too !

Joseph Tonna

Aug 22nd 2009, 17:53

I have no doubt, that the AFM ( soldiers & nowadays D.S.O's ), which is represented by Commander Carmel Vassallo, is doing as always its utmost for our community ,with the least help from our surrounding countries !

louise vella

Aug 22nd 2009, 17:50

Our thanks go to the Armed Forces of Malta who are doing more than their duty to save the lives of those who embark on near-suicide trips on un-seaworthy boats. Let us not forget that these illegal immigrants want to go to Italy and from there perhaps to some other rich and big European country. None of them want to come to Malta. They are unwanted by the countries of mainland Europe. So let Europe stop the traffic and not dump all responsibility on Malta.