Libya coup anniversary tomorrow

lgalea

Sep 1st 2009, 09:32

For the eu DEMOCRACY is spelt as THE MOCRACY.

Vincent Pace

Sep 1st 2009, 01:17

From the London Times

Other European states are sending ministers, ambassadors or delegations; the President of Malta is thought to be the only European head of state Mr Siala denied his Government was upset that so few Western leaders were attending today’s celebrations, which are supposed to mark Libya’s return to international respectablility. “It’s up to them to come or not,” he said.

Kevin Zammit

Aug 31st 2009, 23:44

A successfull coup is a revolution ... a failed one is a despicable act of treason and terror :)

W Spencer

Aug 31st 2009, 23:38

@ Paul Farrugia,

Are you for real ?? I seem to remember that Malta has tried Libya before, then China ! Will it be those mighty economic giants Bulgaria or perhaps Albania next, clutching at straws comes to mind.

A. Muscat

Aug 31st 2009, 20:47

What democracy? Is there any democracy that not built on blood and or terrorism? The cradle of today democracy the USA itself is a project based on terrorism created by squatter of other people’s land and annihilation of original inhabitants (Indian Rouge). What about the European model of democracy? Was it blood free? If we have a democracy in Europe, the Irish No VOTE for Lisbon should have been respected.

J Micallef

Aug 31st 2009, 20:20

Even a dictator like Putin realized that he should not attend such an event, let alone the President of a democratic country. Malta is always at the forefront to embarass itself.

lgalea

Aug 31st 2009, 15:15

Franco Farrugia
They have good reason to celebrate because they got rid of a King.
Who do royals think they are to rule a country?
Besides, the Libyans got rid of the British and American foreign military bases in their country.
Isn't that reason enough to celebrate?

Paul Farrugia

Aug 31st 2009, 15:00

I agree with Ray that it is a positive thing that our President visited Col Gaddafi. I have been in Libya on and off working for an American company and the fact I am Maltese opens a number of opportunities in Libya as we are considered close friends by the Libyan people especially Malta was their bridge to the outside world when there were sanctions imposed on them. On a political level we need to address some issues like Visa waiver (Maltese and Libyans should be free to visit each other's country without Visa) for both Maltese and Libyan nationals.

Paul Bonnici

Aug 31st 2009, 14:58

@Ray Agius You can only but praise Ghaddafi if you work in Libya, you have no other choice, the other choice if you criticise Ghaddafi is prison in Libya and/or expulsion with one way ticket from Libya to Malta.

Ghaddafi deprived oil-rich Libya of real democracy.

It is true, Libyans unlike their Tunisian neighbours, are very friendly hospitable and respectful people. I have only been once in Libya and I really enjoyed my stay there. Libya would be richer than other UAE countries had it been a democratic country, yet there is a lot of poverty.

godfrey grima

Aug 31st 2009, 14:43

I doubt tomorrow's Libyan celebrations will include photographs of the 13 'free' officers who in 1969 toppled King Idris. By my reckoning only six have survived. I was one of the first three journalists working for international papers who made it into Libya through Sudan even before Major Abdasallam Jalloud had taken over the radio and tv station in Tripoli- a firefight that went on for days.By sheer luck the thee of us found ourselves behind Jalloud's approaching troops. Eventually the Revolutionary Command Council, as they then called themselves, threw a press conference for us and a sprinkling of Libyan journalists at the old Boy Scouts headquarters which went on for ages with the victorious officers hiding their faces behind broadsheet Libyan newspapers- much less would they reveal their names. I went on to cover that country for another thirteen years. Our question then was- and remains- which superpower was behind the coup?

Incidentally in 1969 we were all- including then a junior officer in the signals regiment who eventually emerged as the group's leader, Kedhaffi- 28 years old, not 27.

R Pace Bonello

Aug 31st 2009, 14:39

I thought western leaders were boycotting the celebrations. Even Berlusconi made sure that he will be away from Libya during the celebrations. Shouldn't Malta have followed suit?

Andrew Paris

Aug 31st 2009, 14:38

Absolutely disgusting that Malta is sending someone to celebrate an illegal and undemocratic change of power. Libya under Gaddafi has been linked to terrorist and criminal organizations. Malta's government is truly showing off its colour’s and where its loyalties lie. The rest of the western world will see this.

rcauchi

Aug 31st 2009, 14:03

No matter what the occasion is or who might be visiting, please pass them on a world about OUR OIL which we need now, very badly.

Ray Agius

Aug 31st 2009, 13:23

It's absolutely no shame for our President to attend the 40th anniversary of the Revolution. I have been working for 20 years in Libya and always enjoyed a very good relationship with all Libyans. One has to experience living or visiting Libya in order to see how Libyans threat Maltese - it's always with open arms and a warm welcome plus the typical - Malta hanina hobza u sardina!! It is a pity all this hype about al-Megrahi release, the man is in his final days - let his family be around him - after all, deep inside everyone knows that he was the scape goat convict. Like to take this opportunity to Congratulate all the Libyan people during these celebrations. May Colonel Gaddafi live long...!!

Franco Farrugia

Aug 31st 2009, 12:30

Quote: '27-year-old Gaddafi overthrew King Idris I in a bloodless revolution. The King was undergoing medical treatment at a Greek resort at the time.' unquote.
What 'revolution' was that? A king was desposed and another 'king' took his place! Some celebration!

I Jones

Aug 31st 2009, 12:02

Controversial?? But if he doesn't go the Old Colonel will impose a trade embargo on the export of twistees and Calypso Mayonnaise!! Unfortunately Malta relies on Libya as a major trading partner and I guess needs to be seen at this event celebrating a regime that has allegedly been responsible for numerous terrorism activities including the Lockerbie bombing.

P.Pulis

Aug 31st 2009, 11:53

Since when do western democratic states celebrate totalitarian regimes? Since when do western democratic states send their armies to topple totalitarian regimes?
Answer: When there are giant financial gains to be made, especially where oil and gas is the ultimate prize.