Comments on immigration frightening - Prime Minister
The level of “racism, intolerance and animosity” in comments on immigration was more than frightening and shocked Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.
Speaking this evening during a seminar organised by the Pro Pontefice Centesimus Annus Foundation on the encyclical Caritatis in Veritate, Dr Gonzi said the problem of immigration could only be solved through strong international cooperation.
Malta was working within the European Union and United Nations institutions for an international solution to be found.
Like the Pope in this encyclical, Malta always insisted that every immigrant had fundamental rights which should be respected by all in every circumstance.
Dr Gonzi said that whenever he read comments on the subject, he always asked what had happened to the values of love and hospitality towards those suffering, which had built up this country.
In saying so, the Prime Minister said, he did not want to seem that he was mitigating the extent of the problem for Malta.
EU assistance could help the country mitigate the financial burden and the social burden could be eased through education.
Civil society, led by the Church, should help the people understand these people, who came from different cultures, better.
The problem, he said, would become more burdensome if it was transformed into a political ball.
The Prime Minister also touched on other issues including family and bioethics.
Both, he said, were fundamental to society and were becoming more complex.
The government believed in the value of the family and that it was its duty to safeguard and strengthen it. It also believed that marriage was the best foundation. However, there were marriages that failed and people who chose to build a family outside marriage. What should the government do when faced with such a reality? How should it safeguard the rights of the vulnerable in such situations?
The government, Dr Gonzi said, also believed in protecting human life as from conception. On the other hand, technology was developing and everything was becoming permissible because of lack of legislation. So it set up a parliamentary committee on assisted procreation.
The solution was not easy but it was not right to avoid current realities.
Dr Gonzi appealed to the foundation organising the seminar and others to commission technical studies on how aspects of Maltese society and its social and economical structures could be inspired by the encyclical being discussed.
These studies should bring together the vision of man’s complete development and the country’s situation.
They would provide an important voice to society and serve for the Church social teachings not to remain hidden, he said.
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Joe Fenech
Nov 24th 2009, 18:00
W Spencer : Spot on!! I'd add Slough, Hull, Reading, Oldham... Yorkshire 30 years ago was the pride of the UK, today you'd be crazy to go and live there! A country which dishes out council houses to immigrants from third world countries, a country where graduates are being allowed to wear Burkhas for university graduation, where the Black Police Association thrives, where Mosques have mushroomed, where Islam is being on imposed on the natives, where tribal-gang wars are constant - SHOWS NEITHER INTEGRATION NOR COHESION!!! It just shows a country that's been raped and taken over by intolerant, societies.
W Spencer
Nov 22nd 2009, 20:03
@ benjamin wood Diversity that other nationalities and faiths give to the Uk ??? Please go and take a look at London, Birmingham, Leicester, Wolverhampton, Bristol, Manchester, Burnley, Blackburn, Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, etc, etc, and then tell me all about how such diversities have benefitted the the indigenous population. Fortunately, the ambiguous word " racist " has had its day. It was always the response from people not wanting to hear the truth.
FRANK MERCIECA
Nov 22nd 2009, 19:52
As someone who have left your shores 45 years ago, I must say what a wise and humane, diplomat you,ve elected in Mr. Gonzi. I got no axe to grind, I do not support either the PN or the MLP, but boy you have a truly international statesman, who is respected worldwide. Of course all these problems have got to be solved internationally and respect for human rights, as our Prime Minister, here in England advocates. I am always amazed when racist bigots bring up Britain as an example that immigration did,nt work. IT DID, and and this country have been seeing its benefits for tens of years. Enoch Powell was wrong some fifty years ago, because apart from a few minor incidents, we of all different nationalities, consider ourselves to be British , and respect for one another. Britain should be a beacon of how to promote multi-culturism and be succesful.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 21st 2009, 09:49
I agree with the PM on the immigration issue. But equally frightening and disheartening are the daily scenes at Marsa. It appears that he doesn't drive frequently at certain times through there.Also equally frightening are the violence and the unrest that illegal immigration necessarily gets, in mainland Europe and sooner or later, this will hit our shores, as with everything else.
Understanding these people and their cultures - hmmm... the PM needs to say exactly what he means by that. Understanding is one thing, but to accept a culture and becoming subservient to it is quite another.
'Political ball' - he cannot expect the Opposition to sit idly by and say nothing; so, immigration is a political ball, along with so many things! Everything is a political ball, even the last electricity blackout should not be a political ball.
I am sorry to note that the PM's comments and participation in such a seminar does not bring out the secular office that he represents.
colin stanley
Nov 21st 2009, 09:28
I can understand the concern of our Prime minister,as regards comment by us Maltesem about illegal immigrants, but he should also understand our concerns. I don't think that it's right to have all these immigrants here in Malta, WE should leave a better Malta for our children. because of all the injustice that the europeans did before , we shouldn't be forced to become like them, full of foreigners.no matter what the dogooders say , it's not for the better, we are already having problems ,Religon, housing them,look at most of the drug traffickers,mostly foreign
Martin Frendo
Nov 21st 2009, 09:01
Charity begins at home -utopic speeches will get us nowhere - yes immigrants have rights as long as they do not destroy what we have built throughout our historical and religeous believes. and this is not only in Malta. take a month off and live in disguise among your citizens. than prepare another speech . let us not loose our fundamental values.
Mike Farrugia
Nov 21st 2009, 08:39
Can anyone tell us if there is any other country with only 30% of its' population gainfully employed and with 2% of illegal foreigners?
Is this sustainable? And what about 15 years from now, when they get older, who is going to pay for their pensions, electricity, telephones, food, medicines, education etc etc etc.
This is what is worrying us Maltese not their colour.
Andy Towler
Nov 21st 2009, 08:29
"Civil society, led by the Church"
And that illustrates Malta's core problem in one sentence. When your premier himself can't separate church and state, what hope is there?
S Dalli
Nov 21st 2009, 08:21
Focus on Returning them all back home.
Stephen Farrugia
Nov 21st 2009, 07:46
We appeal to our ex prime ministers, all four of them,to pressure the PM. Save the situation, regarding illegal immigration. He does not understand the dangers and what we are risking.
cc DM,CMB,AS, EFA
Stephen Farrugia
Sliema/Rightwing
Joseph Sammut
Nov 21st 2009, 05:44
I don't think that PM Gonzi's shock reaction has anything to do with his Christian values; more like EU values! I do not know why anyone including PM Gonzi should be shocked by anti-illegal immigrants comments: take a look inwards and reflect on the hatred we have for each other on anthing from the village festa to the queen of all - politics. Our politicians, on both sides and for a very long time now, have fuelled hatred between us - they build their strength on us hating each other. They depend on it; they cannot afford that we simmer down on politics. Shameful realy.
benjamin wood
Nov 21st 2009, 01:43
Oh dear! I too am shocked at racism and intolerance, but so pleased when I see good in people. Like the woman in a band club in Marsa who went out of her way and put the fryer on especially for one of the immigrants round Marsa. She stood up to the hostility of a few members and put them in their place, serving her customer with care and duty! @ Tony Dimech 'English have been cleansed from their own cities' by 'immigrants'. Dont forget the immigrants children and granchildren ARE English. Were 'mixed' thats all, and I love the diversity that other nationalities and faiths have given England! I love it and so do all my friends! I think you listen to the media too much and the expats who live in Malta.
K. Mifsud
Nov 21st 2009, 01:04
You disgust me. Perhaps the majority in this country, who have brains and human compassion, should throw you and some of your disgusting, racist, xenophobic ilk out of our country.
Your lack of humanity makes me want to feel sick. Do you even realise that hundreds of human beings are dying, some drowning while hanging onto tuna pens for hours, fighting for their lives, watching loved ones go before them? How can human beings become so ignorant, selfish and blind?
John Abela
Nov 21st 2009, 00:40
Dr Gonzi said the problem of immigration could only be solved through strong international cooperation. wrong.what cooperation? like your burden sharing dr. gonzi? it could only be solved through a strong government.
George Mifsud
Nov 21st 2009, 00:31
Worldwide there's around 6 million refugees and no man is an island, hence illegal migration is part of the reality. The cause of this is these people have been displaced due to wars and other civil unrest. No western human being would dare to travel unaccompanied in some parts of Africa because of violence. The Prime Minister and the govenment has the obligation to protect the island and more efforts is needed for border security since the Maltese see a threat and do not wish to help these peolpe because the color of their skin. This leaves racsism is alive and well in the Maltese island - the no 1 Catholic country that has given refuge to St.Paul when shipwrecked many years ago - times have changed
Joe Fenech
Nov 21st 2009, 00:06
>
You left the word ILLEGAL out, Gonz!!!!!!!!!!!
Edric Micallef Figallo
Nov 21st 2009, 00:02
"...In saying so, the Prime Minister said, he did not want to seem that he was mitigating the extent of the problem for Malta." - Excellent, because that is exactly what it seems like to concerned Maltese and Gozitans whenever certain comments are made while the people feel that the immigration problem is not being adequately tackled. The problem is dire and the position must be tough and determined. The government has acted in such manner in last summer's cases with Italy and also in supporting Italy's policy of respingimento.
As EU Commissioner Barrot had said the situation in Malta is "impossible". It is important not to send out conflicting messages to the public, that is rightly deeply concerned and expects solutions. When the latter fail to come adequately, especially from the EU, certain emotional reactions beyond reason can be expected. They are easily wiped out of the political thought of the public by taking a positive direction on the question and effectively applying it. Then, and only then, "racism, intolerance and animosity" will be a thing of the past. This is being realistic, the rest is wishful thinking and a failure to understand the people.
SDemicoli
Nov 20th 2009, 23:26
"what had happened to the (Maltese) values of love and hospitality (?)"
Have you not yet realised, Mr. Prime Minister? The Maltese values of love and hospitality have been ABUSED time and again, by their lack of respect for Maltese laws, lack of respect for these same values and by paying back our kindness () in breaking the same facilities that we provide for them, throwing back the food and drink we supply in the faces of our policemen, soldiers, correctional officers and nurses while in hospitals, using the pocket money and resources we provide for communication (supposedly with their families) to conspire with other would-be illegal immigrants awaiting for a trip to Europe and advise them exactly what to do, where to approach the island to make detection hard when they arrive etc. Is it that much of a surprise if our values of love and hospitality have been abused so many times and so flagrantly that they are now starting to change? Politicians need to realize that turning a blind eye to this phenomenon will only serve to harden the feelings of animosity, potentially leading to intolerance
T Mifsud
Nov 20th 2009, 23:10
Dear Prime Minister,
I am shocked you are shocked at our comments on immigration. You are the Prime Minister and that means you have to be in tune with the sentiment and general feeling of the people you lead. Failing to feel the pulse of the people is a failing leader. Instead, you would do better to understand the population WHY there are problems and what they are. the people do not believe in the EU to solve the problem. Everyone knows that political correctness is bringing our downfall. And this we are paying for it, literally! Please, enough rhetoric about hospitality. We treasure our tourism, but that's tourism not immigration!
Listen to the people! And Don't be shocked. I still hope you were pretending to be!
Citizen
Franco Xuereb
Nov 20th 2009, 23:00
First and foremost, I regret to note that my resent comments on the subject of illegal immigration have not been submitted for other readers to read thus I wonder why? Perhaps because I'm one of many that don’t want to see my country ruined? And that I do not think that this Government is capable in solve this situation once and for all?
Slowly but surely these illegal immigrants are taking over our country, and with the influx which keep coming in year after year and the amount (?) that are here sucking our country and us the tax payers, with in ten to fifteen years we the Maltese will be in the minority, one does not have to look far away see what happened to England, France and Holland for an example.
@ TonI Dimech & Jimmy Vella I could not agree more with you.
Thus apart from the excuses that GonziPN hides under that is the Christian values, in my opinion the real story is that he is unable to tackle this situation and that he is afraid of the EU member states.
The one and only solution to this problem is repatriate
Francis Borg
Nov 20th 2009, 22:47
Speaking from a distance, in Liverpool UK, I have to agree with the PM here. Unnecessary and unhelpful comments are both insensitive and sometimes quite hurtful to all. Respect for others provides dignity to all.
Your previous correspondent was concerned about what is happening in the UK which in his terms is all bad! Far from it. Since the 60, many have come here including myself in the 70's and overall the benefits outweight the drawbacks created by the change in culture in some areas.
I do appreciate that Malta as a small nation is quite different where a small number of different ethnic groups can have a greater impact on the make up of the society. As the PM said, the solution lies with international agreements and unhelpful and xenophobic comments are less than helpful.
Malta must not forget the thousands of Maltese emigrants that created their own communities and affected some of the indigenous cultures in the host country. Finally, immigrants have come to Malta over many years through conquest or colonisation so this is not something new.
Francis Borg
Liverpool
Albert Zammit
Nov 20th 2009, 22:22
i am more shocked with the water and electricity bills dear dr gonzi.
J Farrugia
Nov 20th 2009, 22:06
dear PM while appreciating that you have your christian values which are also mine, because I too profess the same values, you are failing to notice that if we continue going this way, that is accepting illegal immigrants and not sending them back to where they came from, Malta will lose its true catholic and national identity. You have to shelter these people, they have nowhere to escape to like in Italy. They are prisoners here in Malta. There culture is not our culture - we dont want multiculturalism. We dont want to end like UK or France or Italy of Germany. We are too small and fast becoming liberal and anti catholic and immoral. That's the mistake you are making and in doing so you are alineating those who voted for the PN to be in Government. You are also hardening the people to contnue beign against these illegal immigrants. There must be a solution, the italian one. Send them back to where they came from. It is useless to continue explaining to us that we have to accept them. NO NEVER. We are not ready to destroy what our forefathers had built with many sacrifices.
joe camenzuli
Nov 20th 2009, 21:43
I wonder if our PM would be of the same opinion regarding illegal imigration if the number increases which makes it intolerable for the security of these Islands and the fabrics of our society. One must take note that the number taken by other countries regarding burden sharing is peanuts so far when compared with the number on these islands plus there will be quiet a few of them remaining in Malta which will be a burden on our social security system for the simple reason these won't be accepted in any country for they do not speak a word of english to make themself understood, lack any form of a trade and do not easily integrate with any host society.
Stephen Farrugia
Nov 20th 2009, 21:38
I have been offended by the comments of the prime minister over illegal immigration from day one.
Stephen Farrugia
Sliema / Rightwing
Tony Caruana
Nov 20th 2009, 21:36
What is frightening is the fact that our Prime Minister does not realise the truth.
Do something before it is too late. !!!
Joseph Calleja
Nov 20th 2009, 21:34
Dr Gonzi, you should listen to the people that voted you in. Listen attentively to what they have to say. If you read the comments on illegal immigration, you can clearly see what the people want. If you have any doubts look at Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and yes the USA. They all have big time problems with illegal immigration, and none of them are as crowded like Malta is. You cannot fit 5 liters of water in a one liter can.
carmel pace
Nov 20th 2009, 21:33
Beam me up Scotty no intelligent life down here
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Nov 20th 2009, 21:30
Dr. Gonzi sounds like a mouthpiece for the Vatican.
Malcolm Seychell
Nov 20th 2009, 21:20
I am more worried about the comments recently made by the Imam who wouldn't oppose the introduction of Sharia Law.