Tuesday, 13th October 2009 - 06:37CET
78 migrants rescued in difficult operation
A group of 78 illegal immigrants was picked up from a drifting boat in rough seas 68 nautical miles south of Malta this morning.
The migrants were rescued by AFM patrol boat P-61 in a difficult operation. The group included 25 women, five of them pregnant, and five children.
The AFM was alerted by a satellite phone call from the boat to foreigners in Malta and the UNHCR office in Valletta late yesterday.
P-61, which was immediately deployed, encountered heavy Force 6 to 7 seas to the extent that its skipper, Captain James Grech, said damage was caused to his vessel and the rescue was 'high risk'.
The rescue was further complicated by heavy rain as the migrant children were transferred, hand to hand, from their boat to the patrol craft.
The return trip to the AFM's Maritime Base at Haywharf was at very low speed because of the conditions. The immigrants were in a relatively good condition except for one of the pregnant women who was in bad shape as she was near the end of her term.
The group was the second to be brought to Malta since 106 migrants were rescued a week ago.
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Comments
These latest are here to stay. Forever. So more importantly, their legacy will not be left. It will supplant all the legacies left before their coming. You seem incapable of understanding this. Or you just choose to reject and resent the truth. I wonder why!
Most of those you mentioned Arabs, British etc..were not immigrants but invaders and occupiers, Phoenicians, knights, Romans etc..they shared our culture and are our ancestors.
It is disgusting that the media keeps showing women carrying newborns to their bosom. This reminds the Maltese of the thousands upon thousands of images of the Virgin and Child that the Maltese are exposed to every day. The media pictures play on people's sentiments and hopes to move them. This propaganda seems to work for many. But for this one, and the sensible A. Camilleris of this land, this footage is disgusting. Disgusting that a woman would endanger her child's life on the high seas. And the faces of the men surrounding her - we are supposed to imagine them as economic migrants? Pull the other one Media. IF YOUR ARE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION, YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM.
Pse let's stop kidding ourselves saying that the AFM "saved" a boatload of immigrants. And let the paper media stop giving us a photo of a woman holding her child every time illegal immigrants make to Malta. I think the Maltese are beyond the compassion stage now as they have realised that they are being taken for a ride by the immigrants themselves, the media, the Govt, and the Eu.
When the next dinghy appears, please don't set off unless first you secure the order directly from Lawrence Gonzi in Castile. Have the order from Lawrence Gonzi himself recorded on tape, log it, and leave the tape with someone you trust. Only then you should go if you have to go.
Their predecessors set a good example - to name but a few:
The immigrant Phoenicians
The immigrant Romans
The immigrant Byzantines
The immigrant Arabs
The immigrant Normans
The immigrant Knights
The immigrant Caravaggio
The immigrant Mattia Preti
The immigrant British.
funny how you blame the men and not both. the women is the prostitute so she's the one spreading diseases and men who goes for prostitute instead of getting himself a women is a loser. you need to provide a source to back up your claim regarding the HIV rates. South Africa has 45 million population and counts for 5.6 est million people living with HIV, Russia (where prostitute come from) has 142 million population and counts for 900k est people living with HIV. that's like 16 in 144 of South Africans are HIV positive compared to 1 in 144 of Russians HIV positive and what makes South Africa worse is the small population compared to that of Russia. globally eastern europe counts for 4% of people living with HIV while Africa counts for 65%. HIV education programs sponsored by the world leaders mostly USA have failed in Africa as more and more are becoming HIV positive.
A Final Solution. That is what we need, and not one single idiot will think about landing ashore.
I hope this second bash makes my meaning a bit clearmore clear.
Its true that no one wants to see people dying, but they're asking for it! Immigrants that have made to Malta are now contacting all their families and friends to come to Malta, since Malta is "HANINA" and will accept them to the extent that they come out in rough seas for you!
What if the scenario was the other way round...that is us Maltese going to Libya to start a new life? What would be the result? Will they come out for us...or will they ......?
I wish the authorities say "ISSA DAQSHEKK" as the Italians have done! We're all fed up! They are bringing so many types of illnesses with them and apart that they're making our country look like a third world country!
I agree with charity, but charity begins at home. There are so many Maltese in need and govt MUST help them first and format from OUR taxes.
blaming increase in hiv in malta due to african immigrants giving it to maltese is in my opinion very immature. the biggest increase of HIV cases in the last years was not in Africa but in Eastern Europe, going with a prostitute from Eastern Europe is very risky too and men going with these prostitutes, Maltese men too, have a big risk of getting HIV or other diseases. why always blame the Africans? men involved in prostition and risky sex behaviour, no matter what nationality and with what nationality are risking, but why blame it all on the Africans?
Talking about Mattia Preti, the Knights and the Commonwealth are just red-herrings.
The truth of the matter is that these ‘immigrants’ are being directed to come here. I am old enough to remember the great Biafra famine in Africa. Not one solitary refugee ever made it to Malta, or even Europe then. And these were “bona-fede” people in need as seeing their pictures even to this day bring tears to my eyes.
No, what we are seeing today are well fed, and well clothed individuals coming in their boatfuls to partake of ‘freebies’ paid by the European taxpayer..
Our EU leaders, the Vatican and Brussels of course are in on this unholy alliance between the Europe and North African and African (mostly Muslims) countries. The project is the Islamization and breaking up all the nations of Europe. Once these people make up a certain percentage in each European country, the trap will be sprung. If you want more proof, look at the photos of Gaddaffi and Berlusconi tête-à-tête together at the last G20 summit. And the Knights of Malta are still actively involved, but this time they are on the other side.
What I see is an all expenses paid life for them - from the boat to the grave. With Maltese Tax Payers paying for everything needed till death - FRONTEX Taxi Service, food, housing, utilities, healthcare, schooling, clothing, accessories and of course spending money.
We are told that we now need/want immigrant workers. Can we really trust our Gurus and their policies ?
What we need (if anything) is a controlled inflow of temporary workers that are properly educated/trained in WHAT WE REQUIRE, people are then chosen and prepared to start work immediately and embrace European life.
What we get now is a ragtag group of people with only one aim - to milk the European Social Security system, in Malta or any other European country to the fullest. Also, if they 'feel' like it they can make something 'extra' on the side without giving any Social contribution at all. Just 100% pure burden.
What a life, not bad and all this for just a thousand bucks.
After paying for all this no money for pension for us.
Why does Malta not do the same ?
Dr Gonzi , LISTEN to the majority of Maltese.
Berlusconi increased his popularity ten fold by sending ILLEGAL immigrants back by force ..
DO THE SAME
i'm sure now we will hear from NGOs lambasting against discrimination and stigma against hiv ppl. However the maltese citizen who is suffering/dying becuase of hiv these people brought onto our shores will never be mentioned for sure.
The AFM, in particular the Maritime Squadron and the Air Wing are held in very high esteem by all. They are the ultimate rescuers for all in difficulty, particularly at sea. They do a great job.
The conditions last night were not easy at all, but the AFM is finally being equipped with advanced new vessels and aircraft, capable of safe operations in inclement weather. I have no doubt that investment is coupled with training of all personnel, which is indispensable for successful and safe operations.
Being an island, it makes sense to have cutting edge SAR components, capable of dealing with every-day events as well as natural or un-natural catastrophes, which by laws of probability alone, are bound to happen around Malta. Training and investment in modern equipment has to be ongoing.
AFM, keep up the good work.
You are more than welcome to take them (illegal or economic migrants) to whichever country you hail from."
Really? I am Maltese and I live in Malta. 8th generation Maltese.
And all that has nothing to do with the comments made in the post I quoted.
You are more than welcome to take them (illegal or economic migrants) to whichever country you hail from.
This is an invasion,make no mistake about it.
Remember,there is strength in numbers,and their strength,is slowly gaining momentum .
Why so?
According to this statement refugees can universally respect no culture and use fire wood in their ovens - oh sorry, paintings (and presumably their frames). Why should they do either of these things? Because they are African? That argument does not hold.
Are all Maltese children capable of even recognizing a Mattia Preti?
Incidentally - poor set of national examples:
The Commonwealth is an intergovernmental organization of nations which were formerly part of the British Empire.
The Order of St John came from across Europe and its members were not Maltese.
Neither Caravaggio nor Mattia Preti were Maltese.
8 Settembre might be the closest to the mark, celebrating victories by the knights (see above) and the British, and the fortitude of the Maltese; pity it's written in Italian in the post I took it from....
Note how UNHCR in Valletta stays mum in regard to children being put on this dangerous dinghy. There is never a public condemnation to this effect coming from UNHCR. No-one is ever charged. When things go wrong, it will be the Maltese skipper who will become famous. It will be Malta to come under the spot-light. It will be more children drowning in Malta's territorial waters.
Gonzi is now caught up in his own petard. The Italians are clearly aware of Gonz's predicament. Gone are the days when 400-men-boats were sailing from Zuarha to Lampi, instead of appearing 80 miles south of Malta equipped with sat-phone.
One cannot blame these people, either. It all comes down to utility. If it is that little bit better for them, they will keep appearing, waiting to get picked up. It is natural law.
I'm sick and tired of reading the praises about the guys who man the rescue boats. What if one or more of the rescuers were to die tragically, and for what? They are doing a difficult job, obeying humanitarian orders. But look at their cargo, the rescued.
I looked at the faces on the boat and I said, what have these people to offer Malta (or anywhere else) for them to be economic migrants. And anyone short-sighted enough to believe their taxes will guarantee tomorrow's pensions, think again. These illegal immigrants' children will not know and much less care about Malta's Commonwealth status, the legacy of the Order of St. John, the Caravaggios and Mattia Pretsi and the rest (unless to use them as firw-wood in their ovens), 8 Settembre. Mdina will mean nothing to them unless to be festooned with awnings and become a veritable souk. Taxes to take care of future pensioners? What pensioners? I do not have a solution to this sorry state of affairs. But unless something is done, the future is not bright.
The Maltese population has increased to more than 14k since 1990, Malta 316 km square rock became over populated country, now with illegal immigrants among us is overtaken...given that unemployment is high, more illegal immigrants = more social benefits , higher taxes to sustain our poor services...most probably you will end up starving. you know your government GonziPN has failed, don't come up with nonsense excuses in order to defend the party you support.
No matter what views one may have about illegal immigrants... all those involved in these operations merit appreciation and praise, being they Maritime, Air Wing or HQ... and humbly this must also include us as their families who spend odd hours of day or night eagerly waiting for their safe return...
The problem is there is no law breaking in phoning a friend in Malta to tell him/her you're in trouble. These people are not as dumb and helpless as some make them out to be. They are organised and know exactly what they're doing.
Simplicity in its self.
Did these refugees ask to come over to Malta?. In the past they used to want to continue their trip to Italy. What is happening now?
How many illegal immigrants arrived?
How many were repatriated?
How many were taken off our back by other countries?
How many are still in Malta?
Where are there staying?
Have they or have they not become a security problem?
This situation is becoming alarming when our country cannot control the continuous influx of illegal immigrants.
The comments in these columns are obvious.
My question is, if the Government is aware of what the general perception is as regards to this matter, then why is it not taking any proper and drastic measures to control these influxes?
As the Italians say “Sopra Corna Bastonate”, our Government does not give a hoot of our concerns and what we all are saying and continues to ignore us with its deafening silence and continues with this “laissez-faire” attitude towards its own citizens!
Isn’t this shameful?
Malta needs a response, NOW!
JC.
And if not, why not?
I feel very sorry for the women and children but not sorry at all for the greedy thugs behind this people trafficking.
Allowing illegal immigrants of whatever color to rob Maltese workers of their work in an overcrowded country which is the smallest in europe and living like leeches on our taxes is not on. The scaremongering about pensions is all crap.
Kenneth Galea
"The government has to fork our for their upkeep..."
You are wrong my friend. We have to pay for their upkeep through OUR taxes.
How about the extremely dangerous situation where our security forces are outnumbered by some 5 or 6 to 1 by the illegal immigrats?
I agree entirely with you regarding "the enemy within:"
We cannot solve the problem unless first we remove any quislings from our midst.
If what happens in other countries is anything to go by, the immigrants you are pinning your hopes on will be taking a share of your pension, not contributing to it. Your attitude is very short sighted, these immigrants will get old too and will expect a pension too. Most probably they will not have contributed much if anything to the pension scheme, so byebye go part of the funds earmarked for your pension.
If you want to see what happens/ed in Norway see the link below.
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/227
25 years later (yes 25 years), 50% of the immigrants were still welfare dependent. If you think they're going work for your pension think again.
The Maltese may not guarantee your pension but you have even less of a guarantee if your suggestions are taken up.
It's like we are in a blackout peroid. The whole administration is in a caos. Every ministry is out of control and our Priminister covering every abuse and mistakes being done.
How can this goverment take action on this issue, when he is struggling to survive himself?
We need to organize ourselves and take to the streets if we want somthing done. We have to protest with every means,it takes what it takes. This Govt has forgotten about us and is litterly destroying our children future. WE NEED TO WAKE UP AND TAKE ACTION NOW....
lejn dan il kontinent
il kaptan bil pipa f halqu
jidderigi l bastiment
kull meta nohorgu
dejjem inkunu attrezzati
f kaz ta emergenza
ikollna l mobile satellitari
dawn jghidu li jaharbu l faqar gwerra etc ma kontx naf li jkollom it telefon directory fuq id dghajsa. ghidilhom ihalluna ha nghixu, meta ha jieqfu u titihed azzjoni ghadna ma nafux, u ahna nhallsu t taxi peress li ma ghnadniex x inhallsu
Now when the new patrol boats will arrives they are prepared for heavy and stormy weather with more power to reach the area in less time hopefully or we going to pay from the nation burden taxes without any bright light at all.
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8303992.stm)
“Australia's prime minister has made a personal plea to the Indonesian president to prevent a boatload of Sri Lankan migrants reaching Australia … The boat, which set off from Indonesia, had 260 suspected Sri Lankan asylum seekers, some women and children.”
Australia is a huge country and its PM intervenes to prevent 260 illegal immigrants from getting there. Malta is a small island and Dr Gonzi does nothing about 184 illegal immigrants arriving in a week. Does Dr Gonzi think that it is in Malta’s national interest to keep bringing these illegal immigrants to Malta? Does Malta have any religious obligation to keep taking an unending number of illegal immigrants? Or is Dr Gonzi’s weakness that is forcing us to take all this lying down?
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091013/local/hiv
Will the maltese people guarantee my pension in the future? I am referring to the dwindling Maltese population. If not, then I would be willing to bet on immigrants, as long as they give them a job and they pay income tax, etc. I do not care less from where money comes, be it of any colour.
Is this a case of 'the enemy within'?
http://www.theage.com.au/national/government-signals-tougher-stance-on-asylum-seekers-20091013-gvmr.html
Australia (pop 20 million and blessed with millions of square kilometres and an abundance of natural resources) makes a fuss because 260 illegals are headed there. Justly so? Arguable.One phone call by the Prime Minister and that problem is solved immediately!
Malta....and its leaders.....where are you? Do you have any telephones?Where are your European so called friends?
Poor Malta and its gentle people..as in the days of old, forsaken and forgotten yet again.
Being born here does not make you a Maltese citizen unless one of your parents is a Maltese citizen.
-Vessel damaged
-Maltese people at risk to aid a planned illegal entry
-Second bunch in one week totalling illegal entries to 184
-Number of children: these would remain here
This is an illegal act. Somewhere, someone, somehow is managing all this and is succeeding. Our solidarity is our weakness, the culprit. I want my tax contribution spent in Maltese interests and not in illegal African ventures.
Loyal leaders should step forth and bring down this Government if need be, our country is at the brink of collapse. Whatever we achieved be it Independence Day, Freedom Day, Otto Settembre...all that would be meaningless in a matter of few years.
As I have had said earlier in these columns that why do we have to risk the lives of our Armed Forces in trying to rescue these illegal immigrants from the seas when we could easily send our Gozo Channel ferries to pick these illegal immigrants from Libya directly and avoid all the hassles that are continuously encountered by our Armed Forces?
Whether we pick them up from the seas or ferry them direct to Malta, the illegal immigrant will still make it to Malta!
This is no win situation and Malta is doomed! Let’s admit it, please!
However there is some consolation as I can see the light at the end of the tunnel – hope not it’s a freight train coming towards us – that after the Gozo Channel has ferried these Sub-Saharan Africans to Malta, which undoubtedly would number in their thousands, then we Maltese, citizens of this country can also be ferried to Sicily and start a new life there and live happily ever after!
This is the DESTINY for Malta, as long as this laissez-faire is allowed to prevail!
Quo Vadis, Malta?
JC.
Is this the reason that they are not being repatriated or sent back to Libya?
Although they may be a far cry from being a navy, but as a coastguard they have certainly held the Maltese flag up and righteously high for all, especially the international community, to understand that Malta fulfils all its international obligations.
Over these years, the Maritime Squadron has grown and evolved in its role and importance, and Government ought to seriously provide more adequate funding, as their operations at sea cost a packet.
Well done, a big PROSIT, Capt. Grech and crew: keep up the good work. God speed and safe navigation, we're proud of you all!
Pretty organised indeed !!!