Ex-PN heavyweights support Gonzi's call for National Day, but Sant dubs it a 'trick'

The Prime Minister's call to make Independence Day Malta's one National Day has been welcomed by former Nationalist Party heavyweights but denounced as a "trick" by ex-Labour leader Alfred Sant.

Malta currently has five national days, but there has been a concerted effort to try and select one date which can be celebrated in a non-partisan manner.

When contacted, Dr Sant - who has refused to make any comments unrelated to his writing for several months - told The Sunday Times: "This is the usual trick by the Prime Minister to deviate from the country's problems.

"It also shows that the PN wants to have its way on everything," he added, without going into the merits of which day should be chosen as the National Day.

On the other hand, former PN leader and President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami said he agreed completely with Lawrence Gonzi since Independence Day was "undoubtedly" the most important date in Malta's political development. Dr Fenech Adami said that in the past he had tried in vain to persuade other politicians to choose one National Day, but he was always convinced that in terms of Malta's Constitutional development, Independence Day was the natural choice.

"This does not mean the others will be eliminated, but everyone should recognise the most important day in our history," he said.

President Emeritus Guido de Marco also said he was in favour of making September 21 Malta's one National Holiday.

Prof. de Marco added that political leaders could not agree on one national date in the past, but as the country was maturing the time was now approaching ripeness to make this step.

Unlike Victory Day, which celebrated the Maltese efforts for sovereignty in collaboration with both the Knights and the British, Independence Day celebrated the effort of the Maltese alone, Prof. de Marco said.

"Independence Day is the day a country is born.

"However, we need to use the politics of persuasion because this is not something that can be imposed.

"We have to be careful not to have division," he said, appealing to both parties to come to an agreement on the matter.

A similar appeal was made by President George Abela and Archbishop Paul Cremona who both called for an agreement to be reached that expressed the will of the Maltese public. However, they were both careful not to take a stand or influence the debate.

Mgr Cremona said this was a "political decision" which should be left to the politicians and the public, but added that if an agreement were to be reached "it would be better to have one national day like other countries".

Dr Abela said his role in this discussion was to be a "moderator" and to find a day with the right historical and political value, but one that also created unity.

"We need to reach national consensus," he said.

Till now, the discussion has mainly revolved around three dates: Independence Day, which celebrates Malta's independence from British rule in 1964; Victory Day on September 8 which jointly coincides with the victory over the Turks in the 1565 Great Siege and the island's perseverance against the World War II bombers; and Freedom Day on March 31 which is when British forces left the island for good.

Although Independence Day is generally associated with and celebrated by the PN, one Labour exponent, Desmond Zammit Marmarà, has made the case for it to become Malta's one National Holiday since it was not a victory only won by the PN.

Meanwhile, PN MP Charlo Bonnici, said that although he would prefer Independence Day, past events had "jeopardised" this possibility because most Labourites would not accept it as a unifying day without partisan connotations. He said Victory Day would be the second-best option.

Despite several attempts, The Sunday Times could not reach former Labour leaders Dom Mintoff and Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici for their comments.

On the eve of Independence Day, Juan Ameen heard what people had to say on whether September 21 should be the one National Day.

Mary Grace Borg, from Paola.
"Yes I agree - it should be Independence Day."

Adolf Attard, from Pieta.
"I agree that we should have one day and it should be Independence Day. It is the country's national feast."

Paul Said, from St Venera.
"We should have one - it should be Sette Giugno."

John Calleja, from Valletta.
"I think the National Day should be celebrated on the day that you were born. Without Independence Day, we would not have the other national holidays.

Lourdes Chircop from Valletta.
"I think it should be Independence Day. This government deserves it as George Borg Olivier worked hard for it."

Roberto Chiappa from Żejtun.
"I don't agree that we just have one National Day - what will happen to the others? They have been National Days for so long."

cperegin@timesofmalta.com