Frattini insists Malta's SAR should be reduced

S. Camilleri

Aug 26th 2009, 13:56

@Graham
I think we would settle for Lampedusa, Pantelleria and Linosa :)
I'm sure the residents of these same islands would be the first to benefit. After all they are the forgotten citizens of the Italian state!

Then I'm sure that we can all agree to let Italy take on part of our SAR

Graham Crocker

Aug 26th 2009, 00:57

Frattini, You have way too much land and we have way too much SAR... Give us Lampedusa and Sicily and we will give you the equivalent of Sicily in terms of SAR.

There is no such thing as a free lunch, I know it must feel that way for 'Mafiosi' (taking but not giving), but the world doesn't work this way Frattini my boy, you have got a lot to learn.

lgalea

Aug 26th 2009, 00:31

Alexander Morana, Anthony Baldacchino, wally vella-zarb
Mussolini wanted to take Malta, Frattini wants to take our S&R. They are both after our assets. Any difference between them? Mussolini tried it with war, Frattini is trying it with diplomatic and not so diplomatic pressure and threats. It is only those who are naive who do not see the threat to our sovereignty and assets.

Vince DeBono

Aug 25th 2009, 21:49

Maybe we should listen to Hon frattini and give some SAR responsabilities to ....... Greece... and Libya. ?

ONLY

C.ZARB

Aug 25th 2009, 21:27

Well according to the Corriere, Bossi said

«È grande come uno sputo, non ci stanno neanche i maltesi»

Its big as a spit. There isn't space even for the Maltese

http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2009/agosto/23/Barconi_Bossi_critica_Chiesa_dette_co_8_090823013.shtml

This version is backed by

http://www.piazzarossetti.it/e_view.asp?E=44771

and the messaggero

http://sfoglia.ilmessaggero.it/view.php?data=20090823&ediz=20_CITTA&npag=2&file=D_68.xml&type=STANDARD

I think someone is misunderstanding things.

Joseph R Aquilina

Aug 25th 2009, 20:44

Well done Malta Government and Opposition in speaking with one voice on this matter. The SAR region is an icon of our sovreignity - and has to do with actual and potential substantial income from the assets related to the SAR area, that is income from Malta's Flight Information Region, potential oil and gas fields, and geothermic energy hot spots between Malta and Sicily, which with improvements of technology could soon be tapped to produce clean energy and electricty. This is why Malta cannot give an inch from its SAR area.

Dr Sandro Vella

Aug 25th 2009, 19:45

Quoting a sister newspaper (MaltaToday): http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2009/08/23/t4.html ''Referring to Malta, Umberto Bossi said: “Malta is small, it’s just like a gob of spittle, I doubt if there are any Maltese left on it!” Italy is becoming a threat to Malta's national security. Shame!

S. Camilleri

Aug 25th 2009, 19:42

Mr Frattini is amazed that a SAR area the size of Italy is the responsability of a country the size of Rome.... I thought that Rome is the capital of Italy and the seat of Government of a whole country... Qual' e' la differenza Signor Frattini?? Are you suggesting that Padania should become a different country because Italy is too big to be managed from Rome??

George Cremona

Aug 25th 2009, 18:23

Does Mr. Frattini think us to be so imbecile as to give him part of which our ancestors had defended so bravely but with much bloodshed and sufferings during the last world war and many others before it?

Ray Buhagiar

Aug 25th 2009, 18:13

Mr Frattini, I suggest that you give up Lampedusa and Sicily to the Govt of Malta. That would balance out the SAR Zone.

Otherwise keep on dreaming

louise vella

Aug 25th 2009, 17:03

What Frattini really wants is the first thing he ever said about this problem - turn Malta and Cyprus into big refugee camps for African illegal immigrants not wanted by mainland Europe.

Saviour A Ellul- Bonici

Aug 25th 2009, 16:21

But of course there are ulterior motives. Without going into great detail suffice it to say that giving up part of our SAR area also means diminishing a large portion of our valuable air space. This in turn will greatly hinder us in any subsequent negotiations with Italy and Tunisia regarding oil exploration. AND THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT Sig. Frattini !!

Carmelo Nenu Aquilina

Aug 25th 2009, 16:18

IMMA KEMM INT IBLAĦ ONOREVOLI FRATINI! MA TARAX LI AĦNA L-MALTIN MHUX SER INĊEDULEK FARKA WAĦDA MINN DAK LI GĦANDNA! DIK HIJA S-SOVRANITA TA' MALTA. QATT MA KONT NOBSOR LI T-TALJANI GĦANDKOM INTELIĠENZA FQIRA DAQSHEKK, BIEX TASLU BIEX TAĦSBU LI L-MALTIN HUMA TA' SUBGĦAJHOM F'ĦALQHOM! kEMM MORTU ŻMERĊ SINJURI TALJANI! L-ISTORJA TGĦIDILNA KEMM IL-DARBA IPPRUVAJTU LI TAĦTFU LILL MALTA TAĦT IDEJKOM, U QATT MA IRNEXXIELKOM, ANKE META ĠEJTU ARMATI BL-AJRU U BIL-BAĦAR GĦALINA, B' XIBER IMNIEĦER BQAJTU, U HEKK SER TIBQGĦU DIN ID-DARBA, SUR FRATINI. AĦJAR TMORRU TITGĦALMU IĠĠIBHU RUĦKOM SEWWA MAL-ĠIRIEN ONESTI U ĠENTLOMI MALTIN U MHUX TIPPRUVAW TIRRIDIKULAWNA U TEĦDULNA ĦWEJJIĠNA. ITGĦOLBU SKUŻA LILL MALTIN GĦAX DIN L-AZZJONI MHU SER NAĦFRUILKOM QATT! U LILL DAK IL-PASTAS BOSSI GĦIDLU LI GĦAD IRID JILAQ DIK IL-BESQA KBIRA DAQS MALTA U JIBLAĦĦA FL-ISTONKU TIEGĦU! AĦNA IL-MALTIN QATT ĦADD MA ĦALLEJNIEĦ IKASBARNA, U MGĦAQQUDIN KIF AĦNA FUQ DIN IL-ĦAĠA ŻGUR SER NIRBĦULKOM U SER INĦALLUKOM B'XIBER IMNIEĦER ONOREVOLI ! DAK LI INTOM TRIDU TEĦDULNA HUWA R-RELIKWA TA' STORJA KBIRA GĦALINA L-MALTIN. MELA KURAĠĠ ĦUTI MALTIN, EJJEW F'DAN IL-MUMENT INKUNU ILKOLL FLIMKIEN,VIVA MALTA U L-MALTIN!

wally vella-zarb

Aug 25th 2009, 15:26

LGalea, be serious for once! What on earth has Mussolini to do with illegal immigrants? Do you have to see conspiracy lurking behind each and every corner?

Wilfred L Camilleri

Aug 25th 2009, 15:19

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini should be told to take a long walk off a short pier! With friends like the Italians, who needs enemies? The Maltese government should insist that the Italian government cease and desist these poor attempts at power grabs. Perhaps the Italians should solve thier unending and obscene financial and political problems before trying to interfere in other countries' business. Tell Mr. Frattini that Malta will not turn to anyone, including the EU, with him. This guy is not credible and obviously Foreign Affairs are totally "Foreign" to him!

Raymond Sammut

Aug 25th 2009, 15:05

"Redistribution of illegal immigrants among all member states was the solution to the problem, Mr Frattini concluded." And how does he come to this conclusion? Who are the demographics and economics experts that carried out the analyses that led to this conclusion? If African illegal immigrants into Europe are going to be allowed to enter Europe and be distributed among the 27 member countries without breaking Maritime Law, the first thing that is going to be needed is a fully equipped and registered passenger liner between Tripoli and Rome. And, of course, a bus service from the pier directly to Fumicino airport. Whatever has happened to Sarkozy's el Dorado. Why can't Malta just cut off from these lunatics, and start doing her own thing in peace and with real and sensible friends.

E Gatt

Aug 25th 2009, 14:54

What about trading an area close to Lampedusa (which is in Malta's SAR zone) with the same area between Malta and Sicily (which is in Italy's SAR zone)?

Dr EMMY BEZZINA - EU Candidate

Aug 25th 2009, 14:49

The situation is potentially very serious. For the historians among us, we all recognize that veiled threats can have an ominous foreboding as to the events that will effectively follow.Thus MALTA must brace itself: THE PM has to address the NATION on this issue - are contacts with the EU COMMISSION,THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS,& THE EU PARLIAMENT on? What are our MEPs [ even in the midst of their illegalities ] doing on this preoccupying situation ? ITALY seems determinedly bent on ACTION - well what about Malta ? EVENTS swoop upon you in next to no time - do we have allies to fall on in case of EMERGENCY? THE AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY & JUSTICE is the domain of the whole EU - has the EU CALLED FOR A CONCILIATORY MEETING BETWEEN MALTA & ITALY ? LIBYA & ITALY have warm relations between them,so have LIBYA & UK in the light of the Lockerbie outcome:so where does our tiny MALTA stand in uncertain moments like this ?Securing the referred to AREA is difficult for our Country - MALTA has been realistically complaining about this UNSHARED BURDEN,but now see what BURDEN SHARING is implying!!

Alexander Morana

Aug 25th 2009, 14:38

. Galea: Franco Frattini is NOT Mussolini and Italy of 2009 is NOT Italy of the 1940s! Ask our know it all foreign Minister whether Franco Frattini has an ultra motive with regards SAR, since he mentioned it.

S.Aquilina

Aug 25th 2009, 13:57

Frattini insists Malta's SAR should be reduced THIS IS MALTA INCOME AS TOURIST INCOMES WE SHELL NEVER SURRENDER IT. ITALY HAS ALL THE RESOURCES ( ITALY DON’T BE GREEDY )

Stephen Farrugia

Aug 25th 2009, 13:40

The Vatican as a state refuses to take any immigrants. We should follow their example. Frattini wants our oil and gas and our weak government does not even get offended at a person, that wants to steal our land. Thank God, this is NOT a Nationalist government because it would be a disgrace ! I think that Italy should give up Sicily because the government has no control over that island for over 60 years. We should be given billions of Euros in compensation for war damage and I believe that Sicily should belong to Malta because it has always been part of our history. If the Maltese government follows, what our Rightwing friends, Lega North do regarding immigrants, we would not have these problems. So lets hope Frattini takes a walk and leave us enjoy in peace our blue sea and summer sun !

M.Gauci

Aug 25th 2009, 13:39

Well said Minister Mifsud Bonnici. The whole of Malta is behind you on this one. Perhaps Mr. Frattini needs to be reminded that we know only too well that our SAR is as big as Italy and Malta is as big as Rome but than again Italy at the present is ruled by one person in one place at any one time.

john micallef

Aug 25th 2009, 13:26

mr frattini, we will keep our areas and not give them away, you should shoulder your contry's responsabilities and give aid to the countries you conquered in the past. don't keep bullying us because we are tiny compared to italy. you did not conquer us in the 2nd world war and will neither take away what is ours.

Albert Spiteri

Aug 25th 2009, 12:58

Our SRR is an infinitely small asset that Malta enjoys after two thousand years of colonial abuse, exploitation, and untold sufferings in countless European imperialistic colonial wars. Italy has for years been applying pressure, directly and indirectly, so it can take over a portion of Malta's SRR. The benefits the Italians perceive range from the funding for the Italian Guardia Costiera, to fishing zones and rights, and oil exploration rights.
"In reality, giving up a portion of the area would cost Malta, since the country earns millions of euros a year from air traffic control charges on aircraft using the area, known as the flight information region (FIR). Malta had originally inherited a much larger FIR, including most of Libya, but ceded those parts later on." - Times of Malta 26/04/09 (Shrinking Malta's search and rescue area is 'not an option'). Italy and the rest of Europe are infinitely responsible for today's African tragedy because of their disgracefull colonial past and their criminal present-day capitalistic arms industry.
We would truly be spineless fools should we even blink an eye in accomodation of Italy's unwarranted and illegal ambitions! What's ours, is ours, shall remain ours. And Frattini should learn his place!

N.Calleja

Aug 25th 2009, 12:57

At long last Joseph woke up from his siesta! Better late than never!!

simon micallef stafrace

Aug 25th 2009, 12:47

lest we forget. The Government last year with much pomp and circumstance signed an agreement with other EU states with regard to illegal immigration. The Labour Party criticized the Government, correctly, that since the agreement did not have an burden sharing policy it really had no theeth. The unintended spat between Italy and Malta is but one result of our Government's inaction and general kow-towing in previous years.

However, basic rule of thumb on this one must be simple - the Government must have the full support of us all.

Joe Sammut (Ta' Harrbat)

Aug 25th 2009, 12:33

If Italy wants a chunk of SAR Rescue Region of Responsibility (SRR) that, oh by the way, doubles as a Flight Information Region (FIR), then they best assume a chunk from Libya's own SRR/FIR !!
Why muscle in on the small-fry Malta with the biggest pie, when the oil-rich and grade-surplus beneficiary Libyans can hardly manage their own?
Minister Frattini is suddenly turning to Europe, where he spent time there as a Commissioner covering such much debated migration issues. He wasn't capable of getting anything done then at EU level, we wonder what miracles he's invoking now from the Brussels' debating society.
To spice up matters, Italy is like a lap-dog to Libya even more, now that even their Prime Minister and Air Force aerobatic team are scheduled to attend Libya's commemoration of Colonel Ghaddafi's seizure of power.
Europe forgets that this country's regime still hasn't signed the UN charter on human rights, and gave a hero's welcome to the convicted Lockerbie bomber, a former intelligence officer posing as an airline employee in Malta.
Dr. Tonio Borg, as Dep. PM and Foreign Minister is choosing too soft a manner of words on all this!

j.spiteri

Aug 25th 2009, 12:32

What about all the bull we were fed by the PN prior to the EU referendum regards Malta's sovereignty? After all, the PL was right in warning us then that bigger countries will start dictating on our internal affairs.

Pierre Agius

Aug 25th 2009, 12:32

Caro Frattini ... domani! Dream on!

Joann Bugeja

Aug 25th 2009, 12:19

Spot on Mr.Azzopardi

Anthony Baldacchino

Aug 25th 2009, 12:09

Dear Mr Igalea, Mussolini was a racist who also hated immigrants, nothing in common with On.Frattini,but more in common with most people who write comments submitted to this newspaper

C. Agius

Aug 25th 2009, 11:59

Frattini, please don't even think of it. Leave us in peace and shoulder your responsabilities. You're reaping what you had sowed - so accept these people as the UK and France had accepted people from their former colonies. When you exploited these countries Malta did not benefit, so please shut up and don't blame Malta.

Joseph Micallef

Aug 25th 2009, 11:54

Why doesn't italy try help us in securing our SAR by giving us some military frigates for example?

m zammit

Aug 25th 2009, 11:49

how arrogant can mr frattini be in telling the maltese to give up part of sea territory would he be willing to give up part of his home ,he should appologise to the maltese goverment and stop insulting us with his comments

S.J. Scicluna

Aug 25th 2009, 11:43

These threats can be compared to the time between the two world wars when Germany was annexing country after country and the EU, with its silence, is the League of Nations.

Christian Camilleri

Aug 25th 2009, 11:34

Iridu Imma inaqqsu L area biex huma jkollom iktar fejn jistadu !!! mla habba is search and resue

Albert Spiteri

Aug 25th 2009, 11:23

Our SAR is an infinitely small asset that Malta enjoys after two thousand years of colonial abuse, exploitation, and untold sufferings in countless European imperialistic colonial wars. Italy has for years been applying pressure, directly and indirectly, so it can take over a portion of Malta's SRR. The benefits the Italians perceive range from the funding for the Italian Guardia Costiera, to fishing zones and rights, and oil exploration rights.
"In reality, giving up a portion of the area would cost Malta, since the country earns millions of euros a year from air traffic control charges on aircraft using the area, known as the flight information region (FIR). Malta had originally inherited a much larger FIR, including most of Libya, but ceded those parts later on." - Times of Malta 26/04/09 (Shrinking Malta's search and rescue area is 'not an option'). Italy and the rest of Europe are infinitely responsible for today's African tragedy because of their disgracefull colonial past and their criminal present-day capitalistic arms industry.
We would truly be spineless fools should we even blink an eye in accomodation of Italy's unwarranted and illegal ambitions! What's ours, is ours, shall remain ours. And Frattini should learn his place!

Joseph Cauchi

Aug 25th 2009, 11:23

“Italy doesn’t need our SAR, it has a large-enough area to watch over, unless there are ulterior motives,” Dr Mifsud Bonnici said.

Yes, Dr. Carm; Italy has ulterior motives.

Once Italy grabs part of our SAR, Italy in turn would negotiate this part with Libya and God knows what price Libya would be prepared to pay to Italy!

JC.

John Azzopardi

Aug 25th 2009, 11:20

Let's all quietly analyze this situation. Maybe we can make a suggestion to the Italians and have the Italians and other EU partner with Malta. I am still wondering though how we don't hear a beep from the EU. The EU is running away from it's responsibility on the whole immigration issue. Malta should under no circumstances accept any more illegal immigrants as there numbers are a large threat to our security and society itself no matter what anyone says.

lgalea

Aug 25th 2009, 11:11

NO WAY FRATTINI
WHAT MUSSOLINI DID NOT SUCCEED IN DOING YOU SHALL ALSO NOT SUCCEED.