Government rejects Sant claims on Gnr Matthew Psaila
The government has rejected claims made yesterday by former Labour leader Alfred Sant about the manner of recruitment of Gunner Matthew Psaila, the soldier who died in a training exercise at Chadwick Lakes earlier this year.
It said that Gnr Psaila had all the required qualifications to serve as an officer cadet and it was his choice to serve as a gunner. Therefore, the implication that he was admitted (dahhluh) despite lacking qualifications was unfounded and without basis.
It was also not true that Gnr Psaila had been engaged because of the elections, since AFM recruitment was made every year.
Therefore the conclusion of political patronage was totally mistaken, the government said.
It said it was shameful that during the interview, a soldier who had died tragically was included in an argument over the loss of a general election. What Dr Sant had said also reflected a lack of appreciation of the service of the AFM soldiers in the interests of the country and its people.
PN REACTION
The Nationalist Party in a statement also referred to Dr Sant's comments and said this had been an insensitive declaration by the Opposition.
It said that Dr Sant, in an attempt to justify the reasons why the PL lost the election, had alleged political patronage and implied that Gunner Psaila had been recuited despite not having the required qualification. The facts were completely different. He had the required qualifications, and he was actually recruited after the election.
The PN said it expected PL leader Joseph Muscat to disassociate himself from Dr Sant's comments.
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Stephen Bezzina
Oct 22nd 2009, 03:30
Still bitter. A word of advise: MOVE ON
M Frendo
Oct 21st 2009, 17:33
ALFRED SANT IS A LABOUR MP AND THUS IT IS NOW JOSEPH MUSCAT'S RESPONSIBILITY AS HIS LEADER TO CONDEMN SUCH SHALLOW ATTACKS BY ONE OF HIS MPS.
I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I HEARD ALFRED SANT MAKE SUCH ALLEGATIONS ABOUT A YOUNG MAN WHO LOST HIS LIFE TRAGICALLY!
YES, MUSCAT HAS TO CONDEMN OR DISASSOCIATE FROM SANT'S COMMENTS
Roderick Bajada
Oct 21st 2009, 16:14
Sant should not have mentioned this case in such a matter.
And the PN should not have rode it to attack the opposition. It was Sant who made such a statement in his personal interview and not as a Labour spokesman.
So they are equally in shame!
Is there any measure / limit were prominant politicians fell any shame of any type?
Hemm xi tip ta limitu jew?
C. Sapiano
Oct 21st 2009, 15:41
In typical left-wing fashion the Labour party never misses a chance to attack the armed forces. Shame on you.
N.CALLEJA
Oct 21st 2009, 15:37
It would have been better for Dr.Sant not to have accepted to be interviewed because after seeing it, we were reminded of his political tactics-blaming others for his blatant mistakes. He had the cheek to imply that Gunner Psaila was favoured as he was recruited before the election when he was engaged after. He insinuated that Mintoff was manipulated by the Nationalists when Sant himself defied the advice of his own collaborators and called an election. These are all part of his failed strategy. But after more than a decade he has never learned.
Vincent Galea
Oct 21st 2009, 15:36
It has been said that one can measure how civilized a culture is by the way
the dead are treated.
Merciful God in Heaven grant perfect repose to the soul
of Gnr.Matthew Psaila
who has passed to eternal habitation. May his place of rest
be in paradise.
Mereciful one keep his soul forever alive.
The Lord being his heritage.
May he rest in peace.
May we all live and be well.
c. camilleri
Oct 21st 2009, 15:35
I think that the Nationalist Party should demand the right to reply to the false allegation made by Dr, Sant. As for the rest it was a very presentation with Dr. Sant evading the mild questions put by the presenter.Dr.Sant having a turbulent past should have been faced with more pungent questions.
Vincent Busuttil
Oct 21st 2009, 15:30
Unbeilivable, how certain people resort to anything to try to coverup their failure.
C Buttigieg
Oct 21st 2009, 14:58
Can Politicians in Malta stoop any lower than they already have? How dare they mention a dead Maltese soldier to gain political mileage. This soldier joined the armed forces because he was true Maltese, a true patriot and (if I remember the correct words used by his parents) it was the only thing he wanted to do since he was a child. So please, ALL POLITICIANS, no matter which party, stop trying to make personal achievements out of a tragedy. All I can think of saying is Shame on all of you.
Frank Cachia
Oct 21st 2009, 13:58
Some things never change! So much for New Labour and new way of doing politics.
J Martinelli
Oct 21st 2009, 13:33
Dr. Sant has always been known for clutching at straws.
In the end not even a bale of straw saved his political life.