Updated: Malta's SAR zone too huge for country to manage - Frattini

cecil herbert jones

Aug 24th 2009, 22:55

@Igalea
Illegal is illegal but dogma is no way to go about. The reasons I outlined in support of rendering the possibility of an amnesty to the 'illegal' African immigrants were the following>
1) They are desperate for a better life in mainland Europe.......don't blame them.
2) The area SAR is unmanageable by us in confront to the moral behaviour expected of us in terms of constant rescue and monitoring missions...........the area is too big.
3) Our maritime borders are now as much ours as they are the EU's.......they should intervene but they're not. Frontex is a failure because it is not aided by a federal force.
4) Our detention centres are not a pitiful sight and also lower our humanitarian status.....think standard please. The detention centres should be scrapped so we can save face with the international community.
5) We should thus create conversion programs for the African migrants and prepare them for a successful life in mainland Europe. Following graduation they should be given a Maltese citizenship by way of a Maltese/EU passport (with an 'M' not an 'A') and a ticket to fly to any country in the EU.
6) The EU don't like it, tough!

Joseph Bartolo

Aug 24th 2009, 12:41

To the Guys from Italy,
Dear Sir's even if your government gave us all the wealth of Italy a trillion times over, we will never give an inch of our seas. As what we lack in land we have an abundance of sea and all its treasures. So keep out of our waters and leave us alone to do what we must do, as no one is willing to provided the equipment and training to get these poor souls and take them safely back to the shores to where they first came from.

D. Scerri

Aug 24th 2009, 12:41

It is clear that Italy wants to grab hold of more territorial waters so as to enlarge their stake in fishing and other potential resources. Instead of cooperation with the Maltese to minimize loss of human lives as much as possible they are using the resulting situation to usurp what is rightfully ours. Shame on you Italy!

A. Sammut

Aug 24th 2009, 11:53

Hon. Frattini e Maroni,

I write this in English as you Mr. Fattini understand English very well.

Please understand that our territorial waters have never been, are not, and NEVER will be up for sale, the area known as the SAR Zone is only a search and Rescue Zone which although large has ALWAYS been very well managed by Malta, and it is only now that Italy is taking advantage of the illegal immigration situation to grab a part of it – something that Italy has wanted for a very long time. I wonder if Oil or some other resource is at stake here?
What should be done is joint and coordinated effort between two long time true friends possibly also cousins, and not bicker between themselves and to the EU. Also Italy should not use the size of the nation and the size of the population only for this reason, but maybe Italy should use it also with regards to the numbers of the illegal immigrants as well, let’s see then, what the proportions are.

Sig.ri Frattini and Maroni, Lets let common sense prevail.

Peter Bonnici

Aug 24th 2009, 11:37

Bessie Felice is obvious, that sympathy is expressed more on Frattini's game to snatch as much territory as possible from Malta. Such a humanitarian tragedy is being manouvered by Italy for enlarging sea bottom probabilities for oil, gas and other rich deposits lying thereunder. Italy should be ashamed to use such 'meschini' tactics in an attempt to bully a small nation as Malta. This nation although small has through its track record proved that its foreign policies are credible enough to attract support from our European partners in Brussels.

Claire Busuttil

Aug 24th 2009, 11:32

ITALY has been ridiculated many times, in the last few years with EU, a clear example, was the mismanagment of domestic waste, some time ago( all streets in southern italy were just packed with rubbish, like a 3rd world country) , the `malasanita` that is almost mentioned everyday in their news and many other similar episodes, now frattini, is trying to show, italy`s `great power` :) with our tiny lovely but strong MALTA !! just to show, that they are bigger than us!! povera italia!!

Adrian Wirth

Aug 23rd 2009, 16:55

The key to Fratini's position appears mainly to be for consumption by political sympathisers in Italy's Lombard League territories north of Rome. We well know the 'political flyer' statements made by our own politicians. There's no difference - except if we take Mr Fratini seriously, which I trust we won't. The size of the Malta SAR zone of responsibility was known to the Italian Government prior to our accession to the E.U. and no objection raised. To raise the matter now if not for 'local Italian political purposes', smacks of 'testing the waters'. If Fratini manages to leverage a favorable response from our government to negotiate an understanding of responsibilities on a common interest basis for example, then the precident would have been established to introduce other 'commercial interest' considerations ( Oil and Gas ) into the negotiation pot. Falling into that 'thin edge of the wedge' scenario must be avoided at all costs.

Steven Brockwell

Aug 23rd 2009, 16:48

Italy just want our waters for fishing and oil exploration nothing more ?? as for fact if Italy does have the power and man force to monitor some of our waters. how come it was a Maltese ship that found these immigrants first and not an Italian ship ????? there are two ways to ask and answer this question ??? italy may have the man power imma are they doing there job properly ???

Mario Bonnici

Aug 23rd 2009, 10:32

Enough to this bullying from Italy...

E. Azzopardi

Aug 23rd 2009, 10:07

Further to my previous intervention.: And also an oil deal besides other things. Let them dig for oil at their expense and we get 50% of it free or whatever. Never say never. If we get a fantastic deal which will get us more revenue than at present, why not.

lgalea

Aug 23rd 2009, 09:52

To all those who want to give Italy part of our S&R area look a little further than your own noses. Italy is after more than just the S&R.
How about the oil and other natural resources?
Why this interest from Italy when all they want is to expel illegal immigrants as they have been doing?

cecil herbert jones "Of course we haven't been using it much."
The necessity to use the S&R area should only arise when LEGAL ships or aircraft that are legally using their right of passage find themselves in difficulty and was never intended to be continuously used for irrational and irresponsible illegal immigrants who undertake their journeys on overloaded small boats, without proper crew, traveling illegally without any identification papers with the criminal intent to enter into another country illegally. That makes their boat illegal cecil.

The Government has my full support on not surrendering any part of our S&R area.

r mifsud

Aug 23rd 2009, 09:51

How short sighted can we be!! With a smaller SAR the Italains would start spotting illegal immigrant boats as soon as thet are very close the the nearest safest port and that would be Malta. In that case we would be receiving all the immigrants that manage to cross. This is what lies beneath! Can't you smell the rat! The Italians will turn the joke on us exactly what we are doing to them now. This goes to all those who cannot see as far as their nose!!

Dennis Zammit

Aug 23rd 2009, 07:39

Well Malta can exchange part of the service for a physical area in the Mediterranean Sea where there are confirmed oil wells.

M Attard

Aug 23rd 2009, 07:00

@Mr.Vella Zarb.

I apologise for my misreading of your comment. I can only put it down to the overwhelming criticism that most here have for Libya,a people who through the long years have helped us morally and to a greater extent financially..and they are still doing. Your comment somehow merged in the pile!.

cecil herbert jones

Aug 23rd 2009, 03:46

The area SAR is not just a line in the mediterranean sea, its a whole big patch there. If we give it up we will give up a lot. Of course we haven't been using it much. nor do we seem to value its worth much either, but all we have to do is decide to make it an important territory for us.

Within the area lies potential oil exploration and we shouldn't give up the hope that one day we will return to the original drilling hole that Gaddafi had once chased us away from. We must keep that hope alive.

lgalea

Aug 23rd 2009, 01:47

Bassie Felice
GET LOST BASSIE.

Lina Caruana
The eu is the biggest joke of the century.

Bassie Felice

Aug 22nd 2009, 22:06

I agree with Mr.Frattini, to take over and control the area. the Maltese just haven't got the right expertize to control it. simply let the man do the job that the boys can't handle. Arrivederci tutti.

Lina Caruana

Aug 22nd 2009, 21:48

The EU is of course a Union based on the history of the past so that what happened will not happen again amongst neighbours . The fraternity is about peaceful dialogue against force. It is not a sick joke except for people who do not know what dialogue in diversity is all about. The mentioned SAR is a case in point, too obvious to be overlooked.Therefore dialogue must ensue.

wally vella-zarb

Aug 22nd 2009, 16:38

@ M Attard

I suggest that you read my comment again, carefully. Even a top British Judge agrees that the 'trial' was a farce and that Megrahi was wrongly convicted. I and many others, including most relatives of the British victims, agree with him 100%. I hope that I am clear now? ;-)

D Delia

Aug 22nd 2009, 15:29

What does the SAR zone has to do with the Maltese continental shelve (applicable for oil exploration)?
If it was for me I would give Mr Frattini most of the SAR zone if he wants to.

Roderick Peresso

Aug 22nd 2009, 15:06

Dream on Mr Frattini!

malcolm seychell

Aug 22nd 2009, 15:04

I hope this is not true.

Not to be critisized by some NGOS the government is ready to give out everything .

Use the Italian policy on illegal immigrants. Send them back. and we can also keep our SAR zone.

Cecil Herbert Jones - K.U.L. EWROPA

Aug 22nd 2009, 14:56

Surrendering the SAR area to Italy or anyone else is out of the question.

However it is not enough to just sit on it any longer. The advantages this vast area, that the British regaled to us and that we never bothered to thank them for it, provides us with fishing rights and oil mining rights too. However in the face of the phenomenal human migration from Africa, ever ever on the increase, our area SAR becomes a responsibility that threatens to expose our humanitarian values.

Let us not forget that this is a EU problem as much as it is ours. They are being surprisingly silent, never sending someone to overlook and monitor the goings on. While we of course cannot on the other hand shift every single problem onto the EU, we can however make sure that because of our small size, and because we are squashed in between the two gigantic continents, that we can move out of harm's way. We are not ready to handle a major surge of migrants from Africa, as much as we are not ready to become major contributors to the EU.

Yet we need to survive.

M Sciberras

Aug 22nd 2009, 14:41

@Malvin Debono

Get your facts right. This IS about soveriegnity and resources. Nothing else. The SAR gives Malta the right to collect fees from every plane that traverses it. Also, if oil is found within the SAR, although the SAR does not give Malta the automatic right to exploit it, in any arbitration the SAR gives Malta additional weight to make its claims. Malta has a big SAR because we were a British colony - Britain not Italy was the dominant power in the Med and hence claimed ths huge SAR. We inherited it - as the foreign minister has said, this is a bonus inherited from colonial rule. Malta must never give up the SAR, much less to Italy, who have shown time and time again that they are unreliable friends of Malta, with policies changing drastically with each change of govt. Nobody can expect the likes of Frattini or the Lega Nord, which is part of the govt, to a true friend of Malta. Have you forgotten Frattini's contemptuous reference to Maltese politics as 'Mediterranean' a few months ago. I have enought experience of Italy to know how these clowns think, with their Africa commincia a Napoli mentality.

M Attard

Aug 22nd 2009, 14:35

@Mr Vella Zarb.

Rightly or wrongly libya has always said that the man accused of the bombing of the airliner had nothing to do with it. In the circumstances what do you expect the Libyan's to do? Malta too would be happy if a Maltese had been wrongly accused and imprisoned and had finally been released.

Wheter he is guilty or not I don't know but the truth will out though maybe not in our life time

M. Vella

Aug 22nd 2009, 14:20

@Malvin Debono

Who mentioned Malta's national resources here? Who mentioned that Malta should give up SAR zone to avoid bringing immigrants to Malta? Sure I didn't! Check better before you comment! Your superiority complex has obfuscated your mind I guess! And re: your politics comment you are just ass-u-me-ing!

I am not in a position (like it seems you are) to state what Italy will gain if it takes over Malta's SAR zone - I just said that it's worth evaluating why Italy has been keeping the mentioned agreement for 10 years on its table!

"With your reasoning this government should continue taking on a responsibility that it simply cannot handle at the cost of HUMAN lives".

Re: this point that you brought up perhaps the EU must give a hand by providing the necessary transportation means whilst Malta provides the human resources to run a proper S&R operation in this zone. If this is impossible, the SAR zone mustn't have been accepted or agreed upon in the first place! Or the losing of human lives wasn't considered at the time?

C.Sammut

Aug 22nd 2009, 14:09

Mr Debono
Kindly note that Malta's resources are too limited.. even if we had to give the country and all our resources up, to manage the immigration problems that we are facing.
The problem is a political one and should be managed by the whole world... not one tiny island. And the solution is not to send people back but create them a situation where they do not want to leave.

lgalea

Aug 22nd 2009, 14:01

c.caruana
Have you not read the Refugee Appeals Board Report which stated that some of them have been living in Libya for 10 YEARS? And do you expect us to take all the millions of Africans that want to get out of Africa?

Lina Caruana
The eu a fraternity? WHAT A SICK JOKE.

Anne Marie Micallef
Go to their own countries and help them there Anne because the vast majority of Maltese citizens who are the rightful owners and residents of Malta do NOT want them.

Malvin Debono, John Azzopardi
Would you care to look a little bit further than your nose Malvin. This is a TROJAN horse by Frattini.

Anthony Baldacchino If you are ashamed the rest of us are NOT.

I will always support MALTA whoever is in Government when facing foreigners and foreign governments.

T.gauci

Aug 22nd 2009, 13:59

@Anne Marie Micallef

quote "it would be more fruitful to open up spaces of discussion about this country's level of 'social consciousness' which is sadly lacking on all fronts."

it would be more better to define illegal and legal.

Malvin Debono

Aug 22nd 2009, 13:47

@ M Vella

Your comment makes no sense at all. This is not about resource exploitation. This is not even about sovereignty. With your reasoning this government should continue taking on a responsibility that it simply cannot handle at the cost of HUMAN lives. Your comments and those of a lot of other people on this news item smells of political philandering or misplaced nationalism.

I'll repeat this just to make sure you understand, This is NOT about soverignty and NOT about resources. Yes the government might lose some revenue for giving up this service. But after all a lot of people moaned a few months ago that Malta should actually give up it's SAR as Italy was insisting that immigrants found in this zone should be taken to Malta. Are we really going to change our tune according to the wind that blows??

Paul Borg

Aug 22nd 2009, 13:26

Why dont the Italians ask Libya to hand over its SAR area since the Libyans are not capable of looking after.

Eric Gahn

Aug 22nd 2009, 13:17

What of any future Oil and/or Gas deposits discovered in this area? Who will own it? Us or Italy? Italy is not wanting to do us, or any human being, a favour. They KNOW there are deposits down there and are playing this 'trick card' to steal them from us. I hope Gonzi and Co do not mess this one as it would mean this little country of ours missing out on a natural resource that could give us, the citizens, a lot of respite (if managed well).

Yet again we see how the scourge of these Illegal immigrants is causing havic in our (Maltese people) lives. I wonder what the bleeding hearts have to say about this.

Sandro Pace

Aug 22nd 2009, 13:16

This is not a legal or a resources matter. As things stands, if thousands
of immigrants are left close to Malta on self-deflated dinghies, international obligations obliges us to collect them and stay here. Physical, social and other inescapable realities shows that this is impossible. The issue must be tackled politically, and not legally or administratively.

The agreement between Italy and Libya has left Malta in the cold, and with no option but to resort to such 'aiding migration' tactics and shifting the burden elsewhere. Which should persist. The EU should have intervened on our behalf. Malta cannot rely on voluntary, insignificant agreements anymore, accumulating them here.

We have to protect Malta and its touristic industries as much as the Italians do in Lampedusa. If Berlusconi wants to defend Italy from immigration, so want we. No one ever mentions that Malta up to last week collected 115 immigrants, or that we are almost always at the limit.

We have to stand four square behind the government and authorities in this. Malta has nothing to be ashamed of defending itself. Then, its up to the politicians to defend Malta politically, and ignore attacks.

T.gauci

Aug 22nd 2009, 13:14

@c.caruana

People are not being killed in Libya, Actually there are Maltese working in Libya. we must send all illegal immigrants back to Libya with no expectations. your conspiracy theory is nonsense

@Anne Marie Micallef

they died naturally no one killed.

Vivienne Grech

Aug 22nd 2009, 13:13

T. Pulis said: "Bl-istess argument il-gvern Taljan missu jcedi 'il Sqallija u 'l Napli lil xi hadd ghax hallewhom fi stat ta herba!"

Excellent comment.

John Azzopardi

Aug 22nd 2009, 13:09

Malta should not have this huge SAR area. It's too small and open's up problems for the Maltese Islands. The illegal immigrants are just that. They have no business passing through our waters. As has been said, we don't know what percent of criminal elements make up these illegals. If it weren't for Italy, we would have thousands of illegals on our shores this summer. Finally, does anyone hear a beep from Gonzi. Is he in power or. Who is running Malta.

Henry Calleja

Aug 22nd 2009, 13:06

Every time there are similar tragic episodes, Italy tries to put the blame on Malta. The Italian media splashes false blames on the Maltese Government and its approach with these illegal immigrants. The local authorities are doing well to resist the Italian's arrogant approach by insisting on taking some SAR areas. Let's hope that Tonio Borg and Co. will keep firm in refusing to give in to this Italian arrogance. See what happened to Britain for being kind and generous on the Lockerbie saga. Immediately the Libyan arrived in Tripoli he was given a heroic welcome. Within three weeks we will get to know whether it's true that he has a terminal decease! Neither Libya nor Italy were ever kind with Malta.

M. Vella

Aug 22nd 2009, 13:03

@ Anthony Baldacchino, Melvin Debono

1)Do you really think that Italy wants to just "help out" in Malta's SAR for nothing? So I am taking it for granted that THERE IS some kind of gain (without the need of doing a research about the SAR and what priviliges it implies.)
2)If I and the others who think on the same lines are moaning, we just try to look a little bit further without having a mentality that reminds me of how some of the colonised Maltese people used to think...
3)If I had to choose a side I will choose the Maltese side! And I'm proud of it!

Christopher Farrugia

Aug 22nd 2009, 12:59

So, the reason why Italy has being trying to discredit Malta.... The Italians believe they should have jurisdication over a wider area... indeed a Maltese zone at at that

I sincerely hope that ALL our elected politicians are able to stick to what is indeed ours. We have already yielded too much of our sovreignity to the EU...

I shudder to think at the consequences this might have...

Anthony Gaffiero

Aug 22nd 2009, 12:42

For the last months now, it is very evident that relations between Malta and Italy have hit a low they had never reached before. It almost seems as if the countries are not even on speaking terms. Apart from incidents concerning migrants, it seems that Maltese fishermen are having to face harassment in Sicilian ports, after the recent incident concerning a Sicilian fishing boat which was apprehended after fishing in Maltese waters.
I believe that Malta cannot afford to be on bad terms with its only European neighbour. The Maltese public should be informed fully what is exactly going on between the two countries. The dispute regarding immigration had been called a "dispute between friends" by Malta, but Frattini´s interview suggests that there is something much more deep going on.
It is also very ironic that all this is happening now that we are in the European Union, that we belong to the same "family", which one imagines must have structures to deal with such problems between member states. I believe that most Maltese, who are familiar with Italy, its language, its culture, its music, and admire it, want nothing else than maintaining "best of friends" relations with our neighbour.

Anthony Baldacchino

Aug 22nd 2009, 12:30

Typical Maltese attitude, everyone is obliged to give to us, but when it comes for us to honour our obligations, do not bother us, SHAME,SHAME, SHAME.

Christian Ellul

Aug 22nd 2009, 12:27

We expect a response from our PM so we know our governments stand on this. Although the answer gave it Frattini himself....Malta resisted any negotiations! If i'm not mistaken Tonio Borg recently said on TV that he will never give an inch of the SAR region since it gives us very important advantages!! I agree!
But i think if there's the need for further investment in the Maritime Squadron i think the government should do so! It may be the time!

wally vella-zarb

Aug 22nd 2009, 12:26

@ Franco Farrugia

"Frattini, Malta and the whole of Europe would be fools if they trust Col. Gaddafi. Look at the way he is treating the Lockerbie bomber"

Greater fools would be those who still believe that the Lockerbie trial was fair, that witnesses were not groomed (against CIA payment), that pertinent evidence was not suppressed, and that Megrahi was justly convicted.

Malvin Debono

Aug 22nd 2009, 12:16

@all who are moaning about SAR

SAR has nothing to do with Malta's natural resources. Malta's territory is determined under international treaties and not SAR. Sar is an obligation which Malta took on for search and rescue operations for which I believe the Government gets an income. Now whether we should keep this or not is an issue on which I will attempt to comment. But those who are suddenly feeling an unusual surge of nationalism please get your facts right before you comment.

Steve Calascione

Aug 22nd 2009, 12:15

Would the minister concerned kindly confirm that the planned acquisitions of rotary and fixed wing aircraft types to be used by the Air Wing in their SAR and patrol duties over the next 10 years, are adequate to the task?

d. borg

Aug 22nd 2009, 12:10

Mr Frattini, it is the Italians who have obligations towards these immigrants as you were the ones to colonize them. So please do your duty and leave us Maltese in peace.

V Raimondo

Aug 22nd 2009, 12:05

@c.caruana Yes to Libya where they are coming from. What you are saying is a contradiction in terms. If the illegal immigrants were being killed in Libya they would be dead and once dead unable to set out on a sea journey. Also I hope that you are not implying that animals should be treated badly Finally please note that it is rude to shout!!

David Muscat

Aug 22nd 2009, 12:04

@c.caruana

"SEND IMMIGRANTS BACK?? BACK TO WHERE? TO LIBYA WHERE THEY ARE TREATED AS ANIMALS AND ARE BEING KILLED?!"

Are the thousands of Maltese working in Libya treated like animals and being killed? No? Neither are they.

I think you need a reality check. Where do you think they got the cash to pay for the trip? The reason they come to Europe is because they get free accommodation and welfare benefits in certain EU countries such as the UK without ever having to work again.

Those that encourage them to come and to stay are indirectly responsible for their deaths when things go wrong . Not sending them back is like telling them to tempt fate and try their luck.

M. Tabone

Aug 22nd 2009, 11:59

Italy should stop bullying tiny Malta. Malta is not part of Italy Mr. Frattini.....so please do not get involved in our domestic issues. Just shut up!

Charles Sammut

Aug 22nd 2009, 11:58

It sems that the much vaunted agreement between Berlusconi and Ghaddafi to send back all illegal immigrants to Libya has already fallen through. Nowhere in the Italian media does it say that the illegals on several boats that have made it to Italy have been sent back to Libya.

Joanne Micallef

Aug 22nd 2009, 11:56

For all those who try to make us think that in Libya these illegal immigrants are treated as animals please follow link http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=92712 This guy had the peace of mind he deserves, he had been working in Libya as a plasterer but and I quote 'Europe was always my aim, for there are more opportunities,”

M Vella

Aug 22nd 2009, 11:56

http://www.siciliainformazioni.com/giornale/cronaca/61889/immigrazione-italia-malta-gelo-accuse.htm


Please check out this link to see how our dear neighbours have come up with their version of facts. Mr. Frattini can rest assured that the S&R area agreement will remain to warm up his table ad eternum! As the Italians say: Il lupo perde il pelo, ma non il vizio. What they did in the past, seem to be their agenda at the present.

M Merceica

Aug 22nd 2009, 11:55

Let's face it...all Italy has to do is raise it's voice even lightly and we cow down.Witness the Italian Ambassador recently when he shouted and humiliated us and we said nothing. Brothers in Europe...my eye!

E. Azzopardi

Aug 22nd 2009, 11:55

It is true that we do not have the tools to cover our SAR. Only fools would deny this.
Now our government says that this area is a source of revenue for the country. Obviously, nobody will give this away for free and without any favourable conditions and that includes immigration.. So, yes why not negotiate with our "dear friends and neighbours" and get a good deal out of it. If they refuse, tough luck. Everything stays as is. If they want this so badly then they will accept.
On the other hand, to get a good deal you must have a good and clever negotiator. Unfortunately, we do not have any in our government. At least I cannot even name just one person. The past proves this very clearly. Very sad indeed.

James Dimech

Aug 22nd 2009, 11:31

our SAR area has NOTHING to do with oil or natural resources. Nevrtheless I see Italy's insistence as cheeky...Malta giving up its SAR just because of illegal immigrants

The solution is to stop immigrants from coming and not give our SAR to Italy!

Franco Farrugia

Aug 22nd 2009, 11:24

Frattini, Malta and the whole of Europe would be fools if they trust Col. Gaddafi. Look at the way he is treating the Lockerbie bomber: The US President, the PM of Great Britain and others wrote to him to tone down on the welcome, and no sooner is the bomber on Libyan soil, what happens? Well, read for yourselves.

Mark Portelli

Aug 22nd 2009, 11:14

Caro Frattini, il SAR non si tocca!

Alfred Agius

Aug 22nd 2009, 11:11

Very Kind of Signor Frattini to heed our national plight & to offer remedial solutions.
Management dictates the categorising of major solutions under 3 distinct headings:-
Win-WIN, win-lose, lose-win. The latter type best befits Mr. Frattini's ideology & intentions I bet besides other FISHY & OILY reasons!
This might be the real reason behind our Govt's 10 year delayed decision.
God only knows the extent of bargaining & bartering encounters being organised behind the scenes. I bet our Govt. is fully aware & will act in the most cautious and diplomatic manner. It will navigate safely through such an intricate maze which comprises different types of waters surrounding our Island. In turn these waters are subdivided into territorial, contiguous and fishing zones prior to plying out into international WATERS.
One can only hope for the best & pray that GOD will do the rest.

John Mizzi

Aug 22nd 2009, 11:05

I agree with Mr. Frattini. Please note that actually it is Flight Information Region which we inherited from the British. It then was also called SRR.

Anne Marie Micallef

Aug 22nd 2009, 11:01

I've neen reading the comments re: this article which have elicited a myriad of emotions in me. Disgust that people can write RIP with such nonchalance to persons' dreams ending uo face up floating in water, whilst we are calmly sunbathing during our summer holidays. Re: "our home being too large" arguement, no, we usually do not sell it , but we get help and support to keep it clean & safe. As a nation, we need to call a spade a spade, acknowledge we need resources... and contribute to saving lives. What if one of our relatives were on the boat? Im sure we would have written differently... that is if we believe in human values any more, because believe me, I think we are all sailing astray....perhaps instead of debating cliche' issues like divorce, it would be more fruitful to open up spaces of discussion about this country's level of 'social consciousness' which is sadly lacking on all fronts.

Alfred Bugeja

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:58

Those who are suggesting that Malta should give up part of its SAR zone to the Italians should realise that once they take it over, there would be nothing to stop the Italians from giving a detour to the boats heading towards Lampedusa and instead send them straight to Malta. That is what they have been after all this time. Lump the entire problem straight onto us.

Lina Caruana

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:56

So many brave men lost their lives on those sea territories especially when Maltese people lacked food and convoys were destroyed before they reached the harbour. In memory of all those who lost their lives let us not give in to stories on the media. We will manage as we always have managed as a border to Europe. Let us not revive bad wartime feelings. The EU is meant to be a collaboration of fraternity amongst all countries not to exert pressure to take away what was once wanted to be taken away by force .The Italian media should be careful not to raise antagonism amongst people who forgive and forget even champion Italian football teams and many other activities. Please let us live in peace.

Tonna J.

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:53

WELL DONE MALTA GOVERNMENT.

Take good care of our few assets.

Instead of wanting our SAR area why does'nt Frattini offer us help. For example, if there is something we could not cope with we will ask for their help, without TIES.

Sandro Pace

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:51

Relinquishing S&R areas without an automatic repatriation agreement with Libya like the Italian one, may only aggrevate our problem and not solve it. On the other hand, if we have such an agreement, we will not need to relinquish any S&R areas.

Our main problem is not salvage of those deliberately putting themselves in distress, but reducing the influx.

In the status quo the government is urged as he promised to assist migrants on their intended way north. Even after this incident, which will probably be followed by international pressure, the government and the AFM should stand their ground and keep this operational policy.

Allowing our country to be bullied by larger neighbors or the EU will have local political consequences.The numbers per boat has now increased drastically.

jbusuttil

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:50

We expect an immediate explanation from out authorities as this is news. Gonzi explain please, a pity that most bloggers a politically sick.

C. Agius

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:47

Frattini - calm down - no way we give up an inch - and if we do we would blame the Maltese government of betraying the Maltese people. Caro frattini, it was the Italians who had exploited these countries, so please tell your counterparts and especially the lega nord, that now it your duty to help these people as you were the ones who had taken and exploited their riches. Malta and the Maltese never exploited anyone, in fact it's was the Maltese nation who was exploited. Frattini- again calm down, now the only thing that you're after is to exploit our seas. Easy boy, easy as the Maltese (those with blood in their veins) will never give in and will be prepared to fight for their rights. You should help us by giving us the means to control our territorial waters if you don't want that the people you exploited will ask for your help (as it's their right). MALTA WILL NEVER BE A GHETTO just to pease you. The Maltese will help these unfortunate people in their homeland. Frattini - give these people back what you've taken from them - their dignity.

T. Pulis

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:44

Bl-istess argument il-gvern Taljan missu jcedi 'il Sqallija u 'l Napli lil xi hadd ghax hallewhom fi stat ta herba!

S Vella

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:41

There is a hidden agenda. The Italian Coast Guard have been after this for years and years. They want to buy ships and want to justify their necessity by enlarging their SAR Region. With friends like these! Who needs......

Eric Camilleri

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:40

Is there a connection between the ZAR zone and the potential natural resources underneath ? Is this what Mr Frattini might "altruistically" actually be targetting ?

lgalea

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:37

To all those who want to give Italy part of our S&R area look a little further than your own noses. Italy is after more than just the S&R.
How about the oil and other natural resources?
The Government has my full support on not surrendering any part of our S&R area.

c.caruana

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:36

@lgalea
SEND IMMIGRANTS BACK?? BACK TO WHERE? TO LIBYA WHERE THEY ARE TREATED AS ANIMALS AND ARE BEING KILLED?!
I HOPE YOU'RE NOT SERIOUS...TRY TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK WELL BEFORE GIVING YOUR OPINION!!!!

Jeremy J Camilleri

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:34

So perhaps the oil in Maltese water conspiracy theories might have some truth in them after all....

John Inguanez

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:34

The Italians are in a hurry to take up our SAR Region, but in no hurry to sign the agreement on the division of international waters for oil exploration. If we lose the SAR that will affect our rights on oil exploration also. Dear Italy, why don't you go and tell it to the marines!

Mary Borg

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:21

What about the passing ships who refused to give them help? Could it be because, the authorities give the owners and crew of such ships hell once they get the people to safety? So the crew reason that it is best if they are not involved. This shouldn't have been done however...those people should have been helped...but maybe the authorities should make it easier on those ships who stop to help these people.

C.Sammut

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:13

So Mr Frattini, because my house is too big for me to manage, I should give away part of the house, or get help?

Mario Tabone-Vassallo

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:10

Hasra li nisimghu b'dawn l-affarijiet minn intervisti lil gazzetti Taljani

lgalea

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:08

MALTA DO NOT ABDICATE YOUR RIGHT TO THE AREA BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER INTERESTS INVOLVED. JUST SEND BACK EVERY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT. FRATTINI, WE REMEMBER YOU SAYING THAT YOU WANTED TO TURN MALTA AND CYPRUS INTO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OPEN CENTRES. THIS IS ANOTHER TROJAN HORSE BY FRATTINI.

Adrian Wirth

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:07

Ah here we go again - Memories of ambitions of 'Mare Nostrum' - what's about comes about.

(For those of tender years, the key Mediterranean strategy of the Italian government of the years following the ascent of Benito Mussolini was Italian control and domination of all waters bordering Italian territorial waters and that included what today are ours.)

Randolph Peresso

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:00

There's another solution. How about the EU helping us to acquire more ships and engage more personnel?

T Mifsud

Aug 22nd 2009, 09:58

This doesn't sound like good news at all and definitely the end of the Gonzi assertiveness. We can never ever give an inch away from what we have. Once done, that will pave the way for our resources to be scavenged upon. Our SAR area, even being huge, must remain completely our domain and never allow any other country to meddle with our affairs.

After all Gonzi put the Maltese minds at rest that no agreement/surrender of rights/surrender of part of the SAR responsibility etc will happen. The government is COMMITTED not to negotiate on this issue.

Our SAR is a major resource as a bargaining tool in terms of permissions etc but never to SHARE any responsibilities. Frattini the answer is Thank you but No Thank you.

Joe Xuereb

Aug 22nd 2009, 09:57

Why would Malta resist a Search and Rescue Agreement with Italy over a ten year period? As the report says, the area for which Malta was responsible was too extensive. Any thoughts please.

Kenneth Galea

Aug 22nd 2009, 09:56

Gonzi you simply cannot have the best of both worlds. You must give up a chunk of the SAR. This will mean we will not be responsible for rescue operations of illegals should they be out of the SAR zone. Actually the Italians deport them to Libya forthwith if the illegals are found out of the SAR zone. Fenech Adami and Gonzi made a huge mess of illegal immigration and it is time to reflect now about the betrayal of the national interest.
And it is time to drop this subject now about the 75 illegals who lost their lives. They knew about the risks they were taking. RIP!

c.caruana

Aug 22nd 2009, 09:52

It seems that the Italians want to take not only part of MAlta's search and rescue but even our sea territory.