Independence: Muscat calls for joint celebrations

justin borg

Sep 22nd 2009, 21:56

The national day should be on April 1st.- the only day that we really deserve.

Jay Spearing

Sep 22nd 2009, 16:58

Why limit ourselves to one National Holiday? It's a good thing we have 5! I even suggest adding a few more! Such holidays bring about a very good economic flow, with several activities taking place. Also, since most people do not work on these holidays, many people take the opportunity to go out the day before. I noticed most restaurants full of people in Sliema and Paceville this Sunday!

albert leone ganado

Sep 22nd 2009, 13:56

To be honest I do not think that either of freedom or independence day qualify as a unique national day for they are both laced with a lot of partisan political significance. Like many I still remember the enthusiasm with which I and some of my university friends attended every event marking the 64 independence. Labour supporters were conspicuosly absent as were their leaders. Conversely the same can be said of the Freedom day celebrations where every person of Labourite bent thronged the celebrations and most of us who had celebrated independence kept away.
Let us therefore keep all five national holidays as representing a shift to secular holidays as a counterpoint to public holidays which previously all had a religious significance.
Workers must also reflect that once any of the five no longer qualifies as a national day there will be pressure from employers to srike them of the list of public holidays.
In such current turbulent times of economic crisis focussing on such secondary issues only serves as alienating red herrings.

Dr Alfred Galea

Sep 22nd 2009, 13:26

I suggest that the National Day should be on the 8th September and that it should be called The way to National Dignity.

Rudolf Degiorgio

Sep 22nd 2009, 12:44

WELL DONE, Dr. Joseph Muscat you're showing GREAT MATURITY and a sense of national unity, this is the way forward - PROSIT

K.Tanti

Sep 22nd 2009, 12:41

@ Gianninu Saliba
"If Jospeh wants the people to discuss and decide which day should be Malta's National Day, then he must be prepared to contest the next General Elections advocating that if he was to win then Fredom Day will be the National Day whilst the PN will of course opt for Independence Day as the day they will promote as the National Day if they were to win the Elections"
Possibli Mr Saliba li ghandna nivvotaw ghall-gvern fuq liema festa nazzjonali jkollna. Mela m'ghadniex nivvotaw fuq min johloq ix-xoghol jew fuq min kapaci jrazzan l-gholi tal-hajja?

Chantelle Mifsud

Sep 22nd 2009, 11:38

This is how a real politician should act.

Mark Piscopo

Sep 22nd 2009, 11:34

@C.Busuttil
Excellent comments. Hope that Dr Gonzi will not impose the independence day as our only national day like he imposes the drastic increase in the utility tarrifs, the increase in car licences, the increase in fuel and the drastic increase in gas cylinders. Dr Muscat is showing great maturity and comments like Mary Bonello who is only a blue sighted will be ignored because she is trying to demonize Dr Muscat.

L.Zammit

Sep 22nd 2009, 10:58

Since now it is being said that politics have reached a high level of maturity, i wish to see that national holidays are not seen as political related events and would be pleased to see all the parties' leaders together celebrating important historical events for Malta. these evernts are all important dates in our history which with out them our present would not be as it is.

Personally i would prefer that the national day for malta would be the 15th August, the day to remember the day when maltese were saved by the convoys. if it was not for this day . . . most of us will not be here all 'Free' and 'Independent'!!

p.grima

Sep 22nd 2009, 00:12

As if the British would have left their bases in Malta in1979 if we were not really independent.

I would choose the 8th. September for our National day.

p.grima

Sep 22nd 2009, 00:07

@-martin brincat -

Li kien ghal Dr. A Sant, kieku ix-xatt tal-Birgu ma konniex nistghu nidhlu fih l-istessbhal dawk il-postijiet li semmejt in stess, u dan gewwa Malta indipendenti u hielsa.

martin saliba

Sep 21st 2009, 23:30

@ Dylan Oliver. Just to remind you. Labour gave women the vote , childrens allowance , 5 day week , same pay for women as men , free education , free health care , minnimum wage , same leave days for white and blue collar workers and the list goes on and on. The wrong doings of any goverment , the PN included , dose not erase the good. And you also got freedom to go where ever you wanted in Malta, places like Mellieha , Marsa , Mtarfa and others that were out of bounds for Maltese citizens in their own country. Malta as a nation also got control of the Airport , seaport , police , army and other institutions.

lgalea

Sep 21st 2009, 23:16

Carmelo Dalli
Pupazzi huma dawk it-taparsi nazzjonaisti ghax minflok raw kif ghamlu biex Malta tibqa' ndipendenti bieghu lil Malta f'kolonjalizmu gdid taht l-ue.
Mhux ta' b'xejn li l-Partit Nazzjonalista dejjem kien maghruf bhala l-Partit SAHTA TA' MALTA.

Albert Critien and all pn apologists
Malta remained under British rule in spite of officially being given independence. The only independence we got was from being a burden on the British Government while the British Government kept all its previous rights and more.

C.Busuttil

Sep 21st 2009, 22:19

Fiz-zmien il-Partit li dejjem ivvotajt ghalieh, kien jipriedka r-rikonciljazzjoni Nazzjonali, Issa b'dak li qed naqra minn Nazzjonalisti jidher li dak li konna nemmnu fih mghadux importanti. Issa ghax qeghdin fil-poter iriedu ninponu r-rieda taghna. Bl-iskuza ghax hekk ghamel il-labour fl-imghoddi. Allura ghax huma ghamlu hazin naghmlu hekk ahna wkoll. L-Indipendenza ghal qalb il-partitarji nazzjonalisti kemm trid, imma l-verita u l-fatti juruk li mhix festa li jgib Ghaqda fil-poplu Malti. Ha nkunu ahna issa li ngiebu l-firda mhux bizejjed kien hawn firda fil-poplu malti minhabba l-politika. Ejja nkunu onesti maghna nfusna.

Hawn Festa li minn dejjem kienet tal-poplu kollu Festa li tfakkar mhux biss ir-rebha tal-Maltin fuq min ried jeqred il-gens Malti imma li minghajr dik ir-rebha zgur li hadd minnha ma kien ikun hawn illum.
It-8ta'Settembru biss hija l-Festa ta' kulhadd minn dejjem, Imma f'daqqa wahda mghadniex kburin bl-istorja ta' pajjizna qisa din bdiet biss mill-Indipendenza.
Ghax jekk huwa hekk ejja nnehhu t-tempji peristorici, ir-roman villa, is-swar u l-bini tal-Kavallieri, il-George Cross minn fuq il-bandiera w anke il-bandiera stess ghax mhux taghna imma tal-Konti Ruggieru ghax dan ukoll hakem dawn il-gzejjer. Poplu li ma jghozz l-istorja tieghu u mohhu biss fil-firda tal-politika m'ghandux futur.

Michael Seychell

Sep 21st 2009, 22:14

To R. Bondin - When I wrote my comment this morning there were two news items, one regarding the laying of flowers by Dr. Muscat, the other regarding the way the Leaders celebrated Independence Day.

For reasons unknown to me it was mentioned that The President and the PM attended the Pontifical Mass, whilst in both reports it was not mentioned that even Dr. Muscat attended the Holy Mass.

I realised my mistake when I saw the 8 pm PBS news, and therefore whilst regretting my mistake on the relevant part of the comment, I was misled by the two news item published on TimesofMalta.com.

Regarding protocol it seems that there are different interpretations, and a formal clarification by the competent authorities may be in order.

Michael Seychell
Tal-Pieta

Christian Azzopardi

Sep 21st 2009, 21:55

Wow...... hatred against Muscat is getting more and more rampant. Can't imagine what would happen if the PL succeeds in winning a general election.

martin brincat

Sep 21st 2009, 21:15

tiktbu kemm tiktbu fuq l-independenza farsa li gab il-partit nazzjonalista xorta jiqba l-fatt li independenza vera gaba' l-partit laburista meta rebah l-elezzjoni fil 1971 u ha l-Gvern. Minn hemm gurnata wara l-ohra l-poplu beda jhossu jiehu r-ruh bil bdil li beda jsir, l-ewwel wahda it-tkeccjja tan-nato minn Malta mbaghd il-bidla ta Sir Maurice Dorman ma l-ewwel President Malti Sir Anthony Mamo (mhux Laburist) bhala gvernatur f'isem ir-Regina. Ha kmand ta kull propjeta f'Malta u bidel dak il-ftehim bazwi li ghamel Dr.Gorg Borg Olivier mal Gvern Ingliz barra l-miljuni ta liri maltin li faqa lil poplu Malti bil gid sinjuri Seychell u Critien. Wahda favur taghkom li nistghu naqblu forsi L-21 ta' Settembru jibqa mnizzel bhala parti mit triq ghall HELSIEN li bdiet 1955.

A. Grech

Sep 21st 2009, 21:11

Fl-1964 Dr. Gorg Borg Olivier, bil-kapacita u l-gentilezza tighu b'kollox ma' rnexxilux igib consensus dwar l-indipendenza farsa li tawh l-inglizi. Tahsbu li l-lum Dr. Lawrence Gonzi bl-arroganza tieghu b'kollox ser jirnexxilu igib consensus ta festa nazzjonali wahda ta l-indipendenza?

Muscat.Pat

Sep 21st 2009, 21:05

Yes Joseph, YES YOU CAN! Keep up the fresh air ! Tomorrow belongs to the young! Who dares wins!

Elizabeth Camilleri

Sep 21st 2009, 21:01

@ Godwin Cassar

Well said Godwin. Fid-dinja kollha jezisti l-protocol, u fid-dinja kollha l-festi nazzjonali li fil-maggoranza tal-pajjizi huma l-Indipendenza, jkunu celebrati mill-kap tal-istat u l-Prim Ministru. Imkien ma tara l-buzullotti li rajna llum.

Joseph Muscat jahseb illi l-pajjiz imexxih bil-cameras tat-television u billi joqghod jittama n-nies.

Joe Grima

Sep 21st 2009, 21:01

In true Bob Dylan words: the times they are achanging. For Times to change, people who matter have to have the guts to make their bold statements even at the risk of anticipated flak. in my opinion, Joseph Muscat showed maturity and a sense of national unity when he suggested that the President, the Prime Minisiter and the Leader of the Opposition should together celebrate both Independence day and Republic day, The status quo is the celebration of national division not of national unity. I do not want to see the Leader of the Opposition, whichever Party he may be leading, paying tribute to the Independence monument on his own as if he represented no one in this country, The scene at the monument today, first showing George Abela then Dr Gonzi, with full entourages in attendance laying wreaths and then Dr Muscat , surrounded by empty spaces and facing a deserted monument, climbing the unusually high steps of the Independence monument on his own to lay his wreath, was both shameful and demeaning. Perhaps that was precisely what was intended.

Denis Catania

Sep 21st 2009, 20:55

Joseph Muscat thank you for trying to unite the Maltese on a special day. Happy Sept 21st. PN supporter Denis Catania.

Carmelo Dalli

Sep 21st 2009, 20:44

@ PL appologists xi kultant qas nemmen dak li naqra, illum qed tiddefendu lil Muscat minhabba din il-hmerija li qal dwar protocol. Ftit xhur ilu l-istess nies kienu qed jiddefendu lil Muscat minhabba li ma jirrispettax il-protocol u l-okkazjonijiet ufficjali. Niftakar kulhadd jaqbez ghalih ghax mar weekend break flok cena ufficjali. Jew ghax ma marx ghac-cerimonja tas-Sette Giugno. Pupazzi migbudin bl-ispaga.

Emmanuel Ebejer

Sep 21st 2009, 20:24

@jbusuttil Please....It's not that difficut. If I'd made a comment which was loud and clear, I would have been censured. So make an effort and read between the lines.

Joseph Saliba

Sep 21st 2009, 20:24

I just watched news. How can Joseph Muscat speak about unity away from partisan politics wearing a bright red tie. It was a dejavu of KMB during televised debates in the 80's. Dear Dr. Muscat, protocol was not invented in Malta and for Malta, it exists everywhere. Protocol is a rule which guides how an activity should be performed, especially in the field of diplomacy and is commonly described as a set of international courtesy rules. These well-established and time-honored rules have made it easier for nations and people to live and work together. Dr. Muscat is so ambitious that he wants a tailormade set of rules to put him in an equal level of the President of the Republic representing all the nation, and the Prime Minister, democratically elected to govern. Dr. Muscat politics it's a very serious thing, you must me accountable of your statements !

Chris Ebejer

Sep 21st 2009, 20:13

As Maltese Europeans we cannot ignore the importance of 8th September 1565, when Maltese fought to remain Europeans ! In EU Malta, both Independence and Freedom Day are losing their significance as we have lost the right on important key political decisions. Now more than ever, our European Identity needs to be officially remembered by placing 8th September as our One and Only National Day.

C.Busuttil

Sep 21st 2009, 19:29

@John Zammit Jien nazzjonalist u gej minn familja nazzjonalista li baqghet nazzjonalista anke meta kulhadd kien jisthi jghid li huwa nazzjonalist, bqajna leali lejn il-partit u kwazi mietna bil-guh. Imma li tigi tghidli li Malta twieldet bhala Nazzjon 45 ilu ma naqbel assolutament xejn. In-Nazzjon Malti ilu jezisti snin sekli shah anke qabel ir-rumani u mhux mill-Indipendenza `l hawn biss. Din ta' l-indipendenza bhala Festa nazzjonali biss ma taghmilx sens ghax hlief firda ma ggiebx. F'dan il-pajjiz tezisti Festa wahda biss li ghandna tkun il-Festa Nazzjonali t-8 ta' Settembru. Mela nsejna n-nazzjonalisti kemm konna kburin b'din il-festa, kemm kien jaghti importanza l-partit lil din il-Festa. Fejn huma l-principji nazzjonalisti? Minghajr it-8 ta' Settembru la kien ikun hawn Indipendenza u xejn aktar. Dik hija l-vera Festa taghna ghal sekli shah, meta hlisna li nsiru ilsira tat-tork jew li nigu meqruda kollha kemm ahna taht il-germanizi. U din lir-rebha ta' l-assedju nkisbet mill-barranin, turu kemm ghandkom rispett lejn missierijitna li mietu biex inkisbet mhux il-liberta imma s-salvazzjoni taghna minn tmiem ikrah. L-indipendenza kienet terga importanti fl-istorja taghna li grat bis-sahha tal-PN, imma mhux l-aktar grajja Importanti fl-istorja ta' Malta. It-8 ta' Settembru l-Festa tal-Maltin kollha mhux tal-blu jew ahmar.

roderick chetcuti

Sep 21st 2009, 19:20

Xeni u Xeni BISS!!! Qatt ma nistaw ninsew l-istorja li sehhet fis snin li ghaddew u il grajjiet li graw Malta fi 70's u 80's. Kemm pruvaw ikazzbru u sahansitra nehhew id data ta 21 ta Settembru mil kalendarju Malti.U issa ghandna lil Dr J Muscat jippoza f'isem DAWN in nies. Hallina Dr Muscat u bil haqq kif tippretendi li tkun daqs il President jew Prim ministru!!!!! Din demokarizija!!???? isek qied tghid li il kardinali ghandhom dritt daqs IL PAPA.

Albert Critien

Sep 21st 2009, 19:16

@Martin Brincat How can one nominate a day as Freedom Day fifteen years after Malta became officially free, like Mr Seychell said the British services would have left the Island in 1974 had Dr Borg Olivier been returned to power in 1971. If one rents out an apartment or house does he expect to live with the lessee.

Mary Bonello

Sep 21st 2009, 19:10

Illum kellna ezempju car tas-Superficjalita ta' Joseph Muscat. Ma nafx jien kif hawn min joqghod lura milli jikkundanna dawn l-affarijiet. Joseph Muscat illum wera kemm hu pruzuntuz. Dan irid jibdel xi haga li qas hu ma jkollhu d-dicenza li jirrispetta. Dan f'okkazjonijiet injora kompletament il-protokoll u issa jrid ibiddlu. Lanqas nemmen ma rrid. Meta l-Prim Ministru ghamel ikla ad unur il-President Fenech Adami qabel ma spicca minn President qas biss attenda u mar weekend break. Meta kien mistoqsi qal li sincerament jippreferi jmur jiekol burger milli jmur okkazjonijiet ufficjali. Lanqas ghar-riceviment li l-Prim Ministru organizza ghal Jum l-Indipendenza ma attenda baghat minfloku lil Toni Abela, li qas hu Membru elett tal-Parlament, imma li ghandu biss kariga partiggjana fil-Partit. Dr. Muscat - no way li tkun meqjus fil-livell ta' President jew Prim Ministru, pls wait for your turn....li fl-interss ta' pajjizna nispera li ma jasalx

Gianninu Saliba

Sep 21st 2009, 19:09

If Jospeh wants the people to discuss and decide which day should be Malta's National Day, then he must be prepared to contest the next General Elections advocating that if he was to win then Fredom Day will be the National Day whilst the PN will of course opt for Independence Day as the day they will promote as the National Day if they were to win the Elections. Joseph, you will go down in history as the one who suffered the highest General Elections defeat.Come on, boy, take up the challenge.

Claire Busuttil

Sep 21st 2009, 19:09

@Ryan Bugeja.....that`s right....after all these days are all important for our island!! This should not be something political ppl.

A.Gauci Cunningham

Sep 21st 2009, 19:08

Whats wrong with what Dr.Muscat said?? Is there anything this guy does that is considered good for a few of you? Some here just can't fathom how a Labour leader can open his mouth and make complete sense!! Well 'flash news" guys; the Dr.Sant "cow" cannot be milked any longer and these senseless, virulent attacks are just clear signs of panic which will eventually backfire on the few who make them!!

Mario Bonnici

Sep 21st 2009, 19:03

@ Stephanie Falzon So the leader of the opposition tries to propose something that unites the country and you call it a GIMMICK??!! The PN bloggers' comments here reflect the Prime MInisters tactics, that of imposing rather than tryting to achive one goal together.

Godwin Cassar

Sep 21st 2009, 19:01

Joseph Muscat ilu sena Kap tal-Oppozizzjoni u ghadu ma ffitjax fil-kariga li jokkupa. Sfortunatament ghal Joseph Muscat, baqalu x'jaqdef biex ikollu l-istatura tal-President tar-Repubblika u l-Prim Ministru. Anke l-kariga innifisha ma tippermettix dan. Nahseb li Joseph Muscat ghandu bzonn jistudja ftit il-kostituzzjoni. F'cerimonji bhal dawn li jfakkru b'mod ufficjali ir-rapprezentanza tal-Poplu Malti tkun fil-President tar-Repubblika. Hu jkun qieghed jirraprezenta il-poplu Malti. Irrilevanti jekk hux ahmar, blu jew ahdar. Habat tajjeb illi issa ghandna President illi gie maghzul mill-Kamp oppost tal-Gvern. Dan ghandu mertu ghalih il-Prim Ministru Gonzi u hadd iktar. Il-Prim Ministru jkun qed jirraprezenta lil Gvern. Joseph Muscat ma jista qatt jippretendi li f'finijiet ta' protokol jitqies fl-istess livell tal-Prim Ministru u wisq inqas tal-President.

John Zammit

Sep 21st 2009, 18:55

Bhal-llum 45 sena ilu, Malta twieldet bhala Nazzjon. Kieku ma kienx ghal 21 ta' Settembru 1964, kieku wara ma kienx jigri xejn, la Jum il-Helsien, la Repubblika, la EU, xejn. L-ghazla naturali ghal Jum Nazzjonali hi l-Indipendenza, bhal ma hi kwazi f'kull pajjiz fid-dinja. Sfortunatament l-Partit Laburista dejjem ipprova jmewwet din il-festa, sahansitra kienet jum normali ta' xoghol fi zminijiet gvernijiet laburisti. L-ipokrizija llum qed insibu lil min jipprova jiehu vantagg min din il-gurnata tant ghaziza. Jekk ghandu jkun hemm diskussjoni, ha jkun hemm diskussjoni imma mhux bil-kundizzjoni li jrid Joseph Muscat. Imkien fid-dinja ma tisma b'dal hmerijiet. Imkien ma tisma lil Kap tal-oppozizzjoni jitlob li jigi rivedut il-Protokol biex hu jkun fl-istess livell tal-President tal-Pajjiz li hu l-fuq mill-politika.

Stephanie Falzon

Sep 21st 2009, 18:49

Il-Kap tal-Oppozizzjoni kollhu gimmicks. Is-sena l-ohra mar qabel kulhadd, wera kemm minghalih jigi jaqa u jqum mill-protocol, xi haga mfassla apposta biex turi dinjita u rispett ghal karigi diversi. Din is-sena ghax il-Prim Ministru ghamel l-appell, u din ma kienetx l-ewwel darba, biex wara l-pass li jahtar President mill-Kamp oppost, issa naqblu fuq jum wiehed, jigi Joseph Muscat, kollhu pompa u jghid illi hu jrid ikun tratatt fil-livell tal-President u l-Prim Ministru qabel jibda jiddiskuti. Qed isabbat saqajh ta' tifel zghir li hu. Nuqqas serju ta' maturita. Joseph Muscat mhux qed jirrispetta l-ghazla demokratika ta' poplu. Din hi perikoluza !

martin brincat

Sep 21st 2009, 18:37

il-kompromes li ssugerixxa l-Kap ta l-Oppozzijoni naqbel mieghu 100% ghax b'hekk il-poplu Malti jkun jista' jiccelibra l-gurnata li jhoss l-aktar ghal qalbu. Personali ghadni niftakar fi tfuliti kemm il-darba gejna mkeccijja minn postijiet ghal qalb il-poplu malti , li xorta bqajna mcahda avolja jghidu li konna " Independenti". Hu xi nghajdu ghall kap ta' Malta mghazul mir-Regina ngliza, l-airport u l-port uniku taghna barra hafna affarijiet ohra jibqu fidejn l-inglizi. Jekk in-nazzjonalisti jhossu li dik kienet il-vera Independenza hallihom jiccelebarawha, hekk ukoll nhoss li ghandi niccelebra Jum il-Helsien ghax ghalija dak inhar konna vera hadna l-Helsien mill hakma barranija

JM Busuttil

Sep 21st 2009, 18:28

Dr Gonzi was THE FIRST PM to nominate ONE person from the Labour side for President. Not Two. Because we have one President not two. That was a GREAT move for National Reconciliation. But unfortunatley Labour kept this event on a low profile. Only Independence day is the birth of our nation and it should be our National day. The end of the British base that happened in 1979 instead of 1974 is a significant date but not our Nation's birth knowing that Malta has always been under the rule of a foreign country.Sorry for those who do not agree because of Labour's divide and rule policy but 21 st September is our Nation's greatest day.

C.Busuttil

Sep 21st 2009, 18:21

@C.Camilleri Who said it made us free, without the 8th September the Maltese nation would have disappeared or do you believe that the Turks or Germans wanted just to free us from foreigners? Can you imagine what would have happened if we had surrendered. Slavery or genocide. 8th September is also a rememberance of the great sacrifice of our ancestors who fought and died for their survival and ultimately ours. The maltese valiantly bore most of the brunt in both sieges. Neither Independence nor Freedom Day are the great achievements we try to portrait them. The British had lost their interest in these islands and therefore they did not need us anymore. They did it gradually first with a partial independence and later being fed up in paying us to have their bases here, they packed up and left. Thats what is really independence and freedom day. Besides if we are really proud to be an Independent country, 1/3 of this country should use its mother language and not the language of our former masters. instead its encouraged and anything thats Maltese is ridiculed. 45 years later and we are still not completely free.

Edwin Cachia

Sep 21st 2009, 18:09

Dr. Muscat l-maturita politika f'dal pajjiz weriha il-Prim Ministru meta ghazel ghal ewwel darba f'pajjizna President illi kien gej mill-Partit Laburista. Il-Prim Ministru wera wkoll maturita politika wkoll meta qal li wasal iz-zmien li minhabba li l-poplu immatura bizejjed, li niddiskutu l-Jum Nazzjonali wiehed. Donnhu hawn kunsens illi Malta bhala nazzjon twieldet bhal llum 45 sena ilu. U nemmen li dik ghandha tkun il-gurnata nazzjonali. M'hemm ghalfejn inbiddlu protokolli. M'hemmx ghalfejn titla taghmel il-bukkett mal-President u l-Prim Ministru, biex il-poplu jaghzel. Il-Poplu matur bizzejjed, m'ghandux bzonn mutetti zejda. Anzi din is-sena Dr. Muscat, mar fil-hin tieghu jaghmel il-bukett. Tiskanta issa ghax tghallem ftit protocol, jixtieq li jbiddlu biex jakkomodah.

Hector Mamo

Sep 21st 2009, 17:58

Issa jrid li certu protokolli jigu riveduti ! Nesa li kemm ilu kap tal-opozizzjoni kwazi qadt ma rrispetta l-protocol ? Is-sena l-ohra mar ghac-cerimonja qabel il-president tar-repubblika. Nesa li publikament qal illi jippreferi jmur jiekol Hamburger minflok dawn ic-cerimonji ufficjali. Imma Dalghodu qam u xtaq jisraq ftit ix-xena. Hallina Dr. Muscat, x qed tippretendi li tkun fil-livell ta' President u Prim Ministru ? X'qed tghid illi issa l-elezzjoni u l-ghazla tal-poplu m'ghandiex relevanza ? Li nirrevedu l-kostituzzjoni ? Dr. Muscat, il-politika hija lil'hinn minn hekk. Il-politika hi dwar sustanza u mhux stage managed kif qed tahseb int !

Ryan Bugeja

Sep 21st 2009, 17:46

As long as they keep the 5 holidays ... I frankly don't quite care which one is made national :)

Michael Seychell

Sep 21st 2009, 17:45

To Manwel Debono - You have every right for your opionion, however when one keeps in mind that the Prime Minister had written to Dr Muscat in July on agreeing on one National Day, Dr. Muscat did not bother to answer the PM although about two months have passed. Dr. Muscat could have answered Gonzi's letter by suggesting that as a first step he will join the official Independence celebrationsby attending the Pontifical Mass and the flower laying ceremony, and further discussions will be held on the coming years. Instead yesterday during a meeting at St Paul's party club Dr Muscat gave the impression that there is no urgency to discuss the National Day/s Rest assured that I myself would be more than happy to have two National Days, being 21st September Independence Day and 13th December being Republic Day - both of which have a constitutional connotation. With regards to Freedom Day this should not even be celebrated since the 1964 Independence document stated that the military services and financial agreements ends in 1974. Mintoff later extended the date to 1979 to obtain more fiancial assistance. I do not believe that my wish is divisive. Michael Seychell Tal-Pieta

marisa micallef

Sep 21st 2009, 17:44

the pl leader is reading the mood of the nation. we are all maltese first and no longer blue or red first. it is embarrassing for dr gonzi to have proposed this on the eve of independence when he knew half the country wouldnt agree that is not being conciliatory

charles zammit

Sep 21st 2009, 17:35

what are you talking about c camilleri. do you mean to say that those born before 21 sept 1964 are not maltese do you mean to say that all that was achieved before 1964 can be discarded. independence day is another event in the evolution of a nation. its not the begining neither it is the end.

c. camilleri

Sep 21st 2009, 17:29

@ c Busuttil 8th Sept did not made us free from foreign domination . It left us still subjugated to foreign domination.

C.Busuttil

Sep 21st 2009, 17:03

Credit to Dr. Muscat on this one. However 8th September should be the National Day without this historic event the Maltese Nation would have disappeared from history.

c. camilleri

Sep 21st 2009, 16:47

I believe this is the only country in the whole world where the nation's birthday is disowned by a major political party. It is the only country that quarrels about it birthday. The nation's birthday is the day when we became masters of our own country and anything that came after including what they call freedom day is a result of our acquisition of our Freedom from foreign domination. We must remember that the British troops were scheduled to leave earlier had Dom not postponed their departure. It seemed that Dom having missed the boat wanted to minimise the importance of this day. First he went for 8th Sept, than 13th Dec, and then we had a change mind again to 31st March. From this one can see how fragile is the argument to compare any of these days with Independence Day. It is about time that labour should grow up and give this day its due recognition and stop being childish. That day is the beginning of everything. Independence day is the birthday of our country and is the day all the Maltese should be proud of. .

E. Vassallo

Sep 21st 2009, 16:27

31 March part of what history???I still cannot see the significance of this date.

R Bondin

Sep 21st 2009, 16:12

@ Michael Seychell Please check your facts. Dr. Muscat attended the pontifical mass with the president and the prime minister.. He was not allowed (as per protocol) to lay flowers with the prrsident and the prime minister. After mass he had to wait for an hour to lay flowers after the president and the pm. This is a simple request from a very practical person. Let's unite this country.

D. Caruana

Sep 21st 2009, 16:12

Lets face it, it was up to the Labour Party to agree on this matter as the Nationalists always had the intention of finding a solution. Mr Muscat seems to be taking a different attitude from his previous leaders and its a good thing. But I agree with Mr Seychell (below) that Mr Muscat is playing a cheeky attitude to attract votes in the coming election. Smart man I must say...

jbusuttil

Sep 21st 2009, 16:08

@E.Ebejer
Would have liked to understand your comment can you kindly explain in simpler wording and not between the lines comment.

D. Xerri

Sep 21st 2009, 16:04

Ive always beleived that Dr Joseph Muscat is the one for Malta - Young, Energetic, Progressive,Talented. Surely not like most of the old mediocre talk persons that this country has had for a long long time always anchoring this little island to old practices and past times that no-one wants to hear about. I honestly beleive that this country needs a total uplift so that the maltese could really feel united and towards a bright future not promises and lies weve had for years without end that never come true. Its about time to change the chapter !

Emmanuel Ebejer

Sep 21st 2009, 16:00

Quote from Michael Seychell's comment:
'But as in all other cases, Joe Muscat says one thing and do a different thing which
pleases him, to ensure that he gets all the microphones and cameras attention just on himself .'
To put it mildly, this reminds me of a retired President of the Republic, who also happens to be a former Prime Minister.
What goes around comes around.

Manwel Debono

Sep 21st 2009, 15:59

@ Michael Seychell
As long as we have frustrated party die-hards carrying chips on their shoulder like you fomenting division and partisan rivalry, the reconciliation process in Malta will take ages to flourish. Why do you always have to find something to criticise instead of lauding the positives whnever a step forward is made?

A. Schembri

Sep 21st 2009, 15:58

September 21, March 31, December 13.

All part of malta's history. There will always be political differences as long as there is politics and people. Luckily there is democracy to sort things out.

Let us as civilised people celebrate all and unite as one nation patriotic of our past and present adn show that we ore one united nation irrelevnat of our diference in opinions.

Well done to Muscat

Frank J Psaila

Sep 21st 2009, 15:55

This is a sensible proposal for even if no ultimate agreement were to be reached on one national day, it would not be unreasonable or out of line to celebrate two national days.

Indeed, India, the most populous democracy in the world, celebrates two national days - India Republic Day on the 26th January and India Independence Day on the 15th August.

Even Pakistan celebrates two national days - Pakistan Day on the 23rd March and Pakistan Independence Day on the 14th August.

So does Argentina which celebrates Argentina National Day (the formation of the first Argentine Government in 1810) on the 25th of May and Argentina Independence Day on the 9th of July.

There must be other nations that celebrate their nationhood on two differenet days.

On the 10th of this month I happened to be in Belize, the former British Honduras. On that day the Belizeans were nationally celebrating the defeat of the Spanish fleet on the 10th September 1798 which they consider to be their liberation from slavery.

Coincidentally, like Malta, Belize is today celebrating its Independence from Britain on the 21st September 1981.

Dylan Olliver

Sep 21st 2009, 15:44

Just to remind all. Under Labour governments of the 70's and 80's, Independence day was just an ordinary working day.

JB Caruana

Sep 21st 2009, 15:41

I believe that it is part of the protocol that flowers by Dr Muscat are laid some time after President and Prime Minister.

Dylan Olliver

Sep 21st 2009, 15:22

Thank goodness. This is an improvement on past Labour leaders

Johan Mula

Sep 21st 2009, 15:07

Prosit Dr. Muscat this REALLY is the new way of doing politics. Hoping that other politicians will follow this example. Wel Done!

Rocco Cauchi

Sep 21st 2009, 14:08

Four of our national days invariably relate to matters connected with our Constitution, but no one of these days is referred to as a Constitution Day.
The Seventh June events were followed with the granting of the self-government Constitution by way of appeasement. On the morning of September 21 Dr Borg Olivier received the Independence Constitution from Sir Maurice Dorman.
The Thirteenth of December relates to changes made to the Independence Constitution chief of which was the attribution of republican status to the State of Malta, and the Thirty-First March was the day when Mr Mintoff's hopes of absolute neutrality was reached and the concept was later enshrined in art. 1(3) of the Constitution in 1987.
So why not agree on the 21st September as Constitution Day to be accepted by one and all as the day when the new session of Parliament for the year is to start, with the President making a State of the Nation speech prepared for him by the Prime Minister?
We used to have the Candlemas speech on February 2, now sadly missed for the past 40 years, and there is certainly a lacuna in this regard in the Maltese political calendar.

Colin Camilleri

Sep 21st 2009, 13:26

What a difference between the two main political leaders! Where one advocates for joint celebrations and dialogue, the other one wants to "force" one date as the national day that is more or less rejected by over half of the population!
That is what we need! A new face, a new government, a new beginning, a new Malta! A national day that unites the nation and not instill political hatred and discrimination!

Maria Galea Fenech

Sep 21st 2009, 13:25

What is the idea that the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition do not simultaneously put flowers at the Monument together? It demonstrates a big rift and let's face it, it is childish. I honestly believe that young Joseph Muscat has brought a grown up and sensible attitude in the LB and it is about time that peace and harmony reigned in this small country of ours.

A. Mamo

Sep 21st 2009, 13:18

A bit of fresh air for this country. Keep it up Dr. Muscat