Survivor evasive on rescue refusal

Dr Francis Saliba

Aug 25th 2009, 07:09

@Joseph Ellis.

The comparison with suicide is unjustified because not one of the illegal immigrants leaving Libya for the continent of Europe has the faintest intention of committing suicide – their hope is to bypass Malta and join the thousands who successfully reach Italy. It is Frattini’s aim to intercept these illegal immigrants before they enter Italian waters and to foist them on the tiny European outpost of Malta. Failing that, Frattini’s Italy forcibly expels them from Italian territory after they land there. It is not the job of the AFM or of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs to aid and abet him and the Lega Nord in this nefarious activity. He is not acting in any genuine consideration for the plight of these illegal immigrants. He is cynically using them to foster the Italian dream of a Mare Nostrum. Abusing Malta’s geographical position to divert the problem away from Italy and inflicting it on us is shameful and should not be supported, directly or indirectly, by any loyal and intelligent Maltese citizen.

Raymond Sammut

Aug 25th 2009, 00:28

Ms Boldrini has never spoken against people boarding unregistered vessels departing illegally from Libya, even when these unregistered vessels had minors and pregnant women on board. Instead, Ms Boldrini always condoned these unregistered vessels on the premise that the occupants are "refugees" when in fact this is not true. Under international law people are deemed potential refugees only when departing their native country following persecution. In the case of Libya and non-Libyan nationals it is clear that this is not the case. Ms Boldrini, as head of UNHCR in Italy, is under legal obligation to condemn these unregistered vessels departing Libya because these departures have always been against Maritime Law and endangered the lives of children and pregnant women. Children and pregnant women are on record to have drowned as a result.

Dr Francis Saliba

Aug 24th 2009, 22:12

@JosephEllis
You should ask how could that dinghy possibly accommodate seventyfive illegal immigrants and for five of them to survive at all for three weeks.
I have just read a disgusting article about Malta in Il Giornale by Rolla Scolari titled (translation): - “Voyage in the black hole of Europe that throws immigrants into the sea”. It gives absolute credence to an unbelievable fable by the illegal immigrants of a prodigious survival for three weeks in a rubber dinghy and mocks the version given by our Foreign Ministry and the O.C. commanding our AFM. Father Joseph Cassar of the Jesuit Refugee Service, Daphne Caruana Galizia and UNHCR representative Neil Falzon are quoted in support of this most offensive and defamatory newspaper report. I do not believe that any one these persons is so naïve as not to realize of the use that would be made of their statements by any unscrupulous journalists intent on supporting Frattini's interests against the good name and genuine interests of the Maltese nation. They should hung their heads in shame that it was left to an Italian resident in Malta to give a fair account of the true situation.

Muscat. Pat

Aug 24th 2009, 22:08

Is.nt it strange that no one condems the human traffickers and especially the trafficking of children for exploitation. Is it normal to have an open door policy in Tiny Malta to all those illegal people who want to come here? If this is normal, we should change our laws and become a sort of kibbutz island or a communist refuge centre, so Malta will become the first ( and last) politically correct nation in the United Nations! On must not forget that Nigeria, Uganda, Mali, Mauretania, Algeria Libya Mozambique, Angola, Guinea Bissau are all drowning in oil. South Africa, Niger, Congo, and others have coal diamonds, gold, uranium and timber. Frnce have more than 7 military bases there. And we? We don't even have enough rock or water! NGO's and do gooders should spent their energy on the good governance of these mineral rich countries and NOT encourage these fellow humans to risk recklessly their life for the ever elusive eldorado. The ELDORADO is in their country, they should fight for it and local good doers should do the same. Likewise, the UN should condemn and not condone the corrupt ruling class of Africa!!!!

Sandro Pace

Aug 24th 2009, 22:02

Joseph Ellis

The AFM cannot bring them all here.

The Italians cannot incriminate any Maltese person outside of their waters. Malta shall not collaborate in this investigation, and should protect its servicemen.

As the prime minister said, Malta will not bring those that do not want to be brought here. As the brigadier said, a boat without fuel is no distress. Right of innocent passage.

lgalea

Aug 24th 2009, 21:59

L Aquilina,
Agree with you.

lgalea

Aug 24th 2009, 21:55

Joseph Ellis
You should be questioning and criticizing the Italians, the ILLEGAL immigrants, and their traffickers not putting the AFM and the Brigadier in bad light.Read this Ellis.

We are not required to patrol the S&R area to keep saving illegal immigrants who are irresponsible and irrational as to undertake their voyage. We should have the means to give aid if persons who ACCIDENTALLY find themselves in danger, not to continuously patrol the area for illegal immigrants who put themselves in danger. They know the danger of their enterprise. All illegal immigrants in Malta should also be expelled to send the message that they are unwanted and unwelcome in Malta.

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.

MSciberras

Aug 24th 2009, 21:48

@John Ellis

This is the full quote

QUOTE Si fa evasiva di fronte alla domanda diret­ta se sono stati loro a rifiutare il tra­sbordo sulle imbarcazioni che hanno fornito i viveri. Insiste: «Ci hanno da­to solo acqua e cibo, mentre altre na­vi non si sono neppure avvicinate. Noi ci sbracciavamo, gridavamo, chiedevamo aiuto ma loro facevano finta di non vederci». Per Titi il trasfe­rimento in ospedale si è reso necessa­rio per le sue precarie condizioni di salute («si riprenderà presto» assicu­rano i medici)UNQUOTE

Unless you are more knowledgeable that the Italian journalist who interviewed her, yes, the reply was evasive. And that is because it is not LEGAL to stop a boat in international waters that is travelling without the consent of the people in that boat, who preferred to take their chances rather than end up in a detention camp. By being evasive, the woman is hoping to increase her chances of a new life in Europe. And if I was her, lets face it, I'd do the same.

But who cares, lets first bash ourselves because thats the thing to do............. right Mr Ellis?

Joseph Ellis

Aug 24th 2009, 21:12

I wonder why our Brigadier was initially reluctant to own up that his men gave petrol to these Eritreans. And why is he hiding behind the excuse that it was a Frontex operation in refusing to divulge the video of the encounter . And once he did not exclude that the AFM had been informed that a boat had left Libya at the end of July, why does he insist that these people had not been long on the sea when it was approached by the AFM. The Maltese explanation does not explain why the boat was clearly too big for 5 persons and why these five individuals arrived in Lampedusa on the point of death ?

Joseph Ellis

Aug 24th 2009, 21:10

One can read the full article on Corriere here :http://www.corriere.it/cronache/09_agosto_24/sciacca_77412958-906e-11de-b4d7-00144f02aabc.shtml

I wouldn't call her reply evasive. She just stated that they were only given food, water and petrol by the Maltese and food and water by another boat. I saw her interview on tv and her English is not too good.

I think the policy of AFM to give petrol to these people on the high seas is highly irresponsible. Would any police officer allow anyone to commit suicide or would he prevent him from committing the act ? The Italians are angry at us for a reason by fuelling these boat people to reach Sicily, we are exposing ourselves to the charge that our SAR is unmanageable.

lgalea

Aug 24th 2009, 21:09

How about the Italians condemning their own forefathers and colonialists who took over Libya and killed Omar Mukhtar who was the leader of the revolution against the colonizers?

Louis Grima

Aug 24th 2009, 18:09

Reading the italian newspapers about the recent happenings in the mediterrenean sounds more like reading Pravda when the Communist regime was at its peak.Most of the italian media is shamelessly orchestrated to throw mud , exert pressure, and divert attention from their own ultraracist laws as recently enacted and voted for by the same Italian parliamentarians accusing little Malta now.

But of course there are no references or accusations in Libya's direction.Such hypocrites!

C.ZARB

Aug 24th 2009, 18:03

@ Mr Farrugia

The sad thing about it is they are backed by Maltese citizens who should know better then turning their backs to their own country in times of need. (Read the Giornale Article). These people should be ashamed of themselves.

charles zammit

Aug 24th 2009, 18:00

the italians are calling a spade a spade. we should follow their example. just by closing one eye and not having our say with the eu will get us nowhere. the eu should take up this urgent problem and try and solve it. it is not just malta's problem we are all in it so everybody should help, not voluntary but obligatory and proportionally.

jbusuttil

Aug 24th 2009, 17:06

@ J.Farrugia
Yes we should immediately install video cameras , not making it public when we do so . The first time we have an issue like this we will burst their bubble and will show all that that what was said before were all lies.

Dr. Keith Grech

Aug 24th 2009, 17:03

Asked whether the status will be granted, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said that each case will be assessed individually. He called on the EU to show solidarity with the countries that are facing difficulties with illegal immigration. “The EU is all words and no action,” he said, referring to the phenomenon. He emphasised that all 27 member states should shoulder the burden since the “problem is not Malta’s, Italy’s or Greece’s”.

A very interesting comment, considering that until quite recently Mr. Frattini was himself the European Commissioner responsible for dealing with illegal migration. Perhaps he should have done something more when he had the opportunity to do so!

CEbejer

Aug 24th 2009, 16:58

Why is it that now instead of showing solidarity for each other, Italy and Malta seem to be at loggerheads. This is all due to the frustratins being suffered by both nations, while the other countries in the EU couldn't give a toss.
i suggest that the Italian authorities and media instead of degrading malta with regards to these illegals, (I had seen liene show, & it DISGUSTED ME. Instead of showing the maltese in a poor light, they should also have gotten pictures of these illegals, breaking brand new appliances!!!) and the Maltese authorities and media, should get together and fight together not against each other as is happening.
Although to be fair, i think that the attitude italy is taking in sending them back, is the right solution to all concerned.

joe camenzuli

Aug 24th 2009, 16:54

As usual our government is not say much about this latest outburst by the Italian media. The least it can do is to defend the AFM. Come on Gonzi.

L Aquilina

Aug 24th 2009, 16:31

Nothing reinforces the Maltese spirit of unity like an attack from would be usurpers of our territorial land and protection of our designated area of sea. Shame that a local reporter is being shown on italian media (www.ilgiornale.it) to find our patriotism as despicable. Come on, we are only defending our country, and that we are duty bound to carry out with our life.

Louis Spiteri

Aug 24th 2009, 16:26

According to today's issue of 'Il Giornale' Malta is 'il paese piu razzista d'Europa'. Vide

http://www.ilgiornale.it/a.pic1?ID=376667.

One comment to this article runs as follows:

Sono un italiano residente a Malta. Francamente leggendo questo articolo pensavo di essere capitato per caso nel sito di Repubblica.... Qui abbiamo da una parte la parola di persone che per le attuali leggi italiane stanno commettendo un reato (immigrazione clandestina), dall'altra la parola di ufficiali di polizia; non vi sfiora il dubbio che questi siano furbacchioni che sfruttano il buon cuore degli Italiani dalla commozione facile? Qui a Malta la popolazione è incattivita perché vede queste persone fare nulla tutto il giorno, telefonare a casa con cellulari pagati dal governo, andare in banca ad incassare gli assegni del governo.. altro che buco nero! Lo sapete quel è la loro frase preferita quando arrivano con i loro barconi? "Non distruggeteli perché presto serviranno a voi..." (E non è una leggenda metropolitana...). D'altro canto ammettere in Europa chi fugge da guerre e dittature comprende 2/3 della popolazione africana; dove li mettiamo?

A Cassar

Aug 24th 2009, 16:16

@Wilfred L Camilleri

this is typical of the Italians, in WWII the Italians thought they could win Tiny Malta over in a short time and rub us off the map! Yet here we are, independent and in the EU and they made a fool of themselves! The great Italian navy ended up surrendering in Malta!

The Italians should know that after they destroyed our homes, harbours, and killed fellow Maltese with their daily bombings, the least they should do is shut up and stop trying to bully us! Instead of licking Gadaffi's behind they should be investing their millions to fix up the damage they did to us in WWII. My first two bills would go for rebuilding the breakwater bridge and rebuilding a proper roofed opera house in Valletta.

Why are they suddenly so good hearted and want us to reduce our SAR area?

Michael Neville Cassar

Aug 24th 2009, 16:13

What now, since when the AFM come under criminal investigation by Rome .It would be more appropriate to condemn the actions by the Italian forces when they occupied Libya and for every Italian solder they used to shoot 10 Libyans. There are things that are never forgotten and it would be wise to strengthen our radar capability as well as one or two drones so we will know what’s going on.

J Farrugia

Aug 24th 2009, 15:51

In my opinion it's about timne that the AFM have either a video camera or a camera so that when on the high seas they document everything they find on their way in such important cases. It's only their word against other navies' words. Who are we to believe, the AFM or the Italians? Any tangible documentation in your possession like the ones showing babies in the hands of AFM personnel.? I dont doubt for a minute what the AFM says, BUT the world at large has to know who is saying the truth if it is Malta or Italy. The national interest is at stake here. And no ifs nor buts. The OPM has to give its coast guard the tools to work with. We are purchasing 4 patrol boats, are we going to take the plunge for just a camera or video camera worth say 400 euros for each patrol boat? Remember, AFM personnel may be accused of a serious crime in Italy unless there is concrete proof of how things happened on the high seas. Al buon intenditor poche parol. All that goes on on a patrol boat MUST be documented for future reference.

Wilfred L Camilleri

Aug 24th 2009, 15:48

Can someone in the government tell the Italians to cease and desist? It seems that the Italian government is trying to take advantage of this human tragedy for territorial influnce and gain in the Mediterranean. Perhaps Malta should launch a magisterial inquiry and consider a criminal case against those responsible for refusing entry to refugees a few months back. If the parrocial magistrate in Sicily and the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini think they can intimidate Malta into giving up its SAR responsibilities and associated benefits they have another thing coming. The government must haul in the Italian ambassador to tell him in no uncertain terms that we are sick and tired of their games. Let's ahve some backbone and put them in their place.