Sunday, 29th November 2009 - 07:25CET
Borg criticises PM's handling of Commissioner nomination
Outgoing Commissioner Joe Borg has criticised the Prime Minister's handling of the European Commissioner nomination, saying he only learnt of the decision after his wife watched the evening news on television last Monday.
The government ended months of speculation last week when it announced in a statement that Malta's next Commissioner would be Social Policy Minister John Dalli, who has since been given the Health and Consumer Affairs portfolio.
While congratulating Mr Dalli on his appointment, Dr Borg told The Sunday Times in an interview: "I have to say that the manner in which the decision was taken and, even worse, how it was sought to be justified afterwards, continues to baffle me."
The Fisheries Commissioner said the very least he had expected was an unequivocal statement that he was not being considered for the post, rather than being led to believe he was in the frame by the Prime Minister himself.
Dr Borg said he realised that the Prime Minister had offered the post to Mr Dalli when he was informed that the Social Policy Minister was in Brussels for a meeting with Commission President Jose' Manuel Barroso.
Dr Borg also criticised the Prime Minister for taking advice on the Commissioner nomination from those who were either "contenders for the post, or were aspiring to another similar post".
Full story in The Sunday Times.
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The end of his reign is surely near.
MOREOVER THIS IS EVEN MORE PRONOUNCED AS IT WAS IN DISRESPECT OF A MALTESE AMBASSADOR WHO FOR 5 YEARS FULFILLED HIS DUTIES WITH DIGNITY AND
RANKED SECOND BEST COMMISSIONER IN THE EUROPEAN UNION .
Thanks for representing the whole of Malta, not just PN. Unfortunately you form part of a party, PN, which is only interested in manouvering to save their own position... let alone yours.
Hopefully, a very near PL government would be willing to use your skills, if youare interested... as we are interested in the good of the country, not our own position.
appreciate if the Time can issue this comment - thank u
Dr Gonzi, please reflect on this: prior to the election, intelligent marketing created a fiction around you..the GonziPN myth. Rather than working hard to really become the myth you still were not, you started to believe you were. This is very unfortunate for you and especialy for us. It explains your so many mistakes since the elections, your burgeoning arrogance. Friend and foe alike are fast dropping their trust in you. You inspire much less than you once did and you are increasingly being perceived as a manipulator, almost in the Macchiavelli style.
You need better advisers, sir, and a lot of humility to listen more. Do remember that 'We Care' and that 'We Can' too!
Taxpayers fund EU chiefs' salary rise
http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/media/2009/11/daily-express-taxpayers-fund-eu-chiefs-salary-rise.html
Daily Express: TAXPAYERS FUND EU CHIEFS' SALARY RISE
http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/142719
TAXPAYERS FUND EU CHIEFS' SALARY RISE
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6936313.ece
Golden payoff for EU chiefs
www.express.co.uk%2Fsearch%2FTaxpayers%2520fund%2520EU%2520chiefs%2F" target="_blank">http://www.google.co.uk/cse?cx=partner-pub-3080337143548609%3A8obi41ner5g&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Taxpayers+fund+EU+chiefs&x=24&y=2&siteurl=www.express.co.uk%2Fsearch%2FTaxpayers%2520fund%2520EU%2520chiefs%2F
Please search Golden payoff for EU chiefs - Times Online
Please search Sunday Express UK news Taxpayers fund EU chiefs
I believe that this was an internal communication/timing problem, an area where the government (and PN) has plenty of room for improvement.
like you I am sure that John Dalli is going to make Malta proud, but this is simply backstabbing manoeuvres in the dark to get rid of a leadership contestant when Gonzi resigns.
Gonzi does not want a repetition of his chosen one being shamed as happened with the election of the PN President where his chosen one was trashed.
Any bets that Gonzi's darling Simon will be pushed as the next leader?
Consider. If Gonzi treats his own close collaborators (in a good sense) in the PN, how would he treat the back-benchers and more so ordinary people?
When you said '' NOT WANT to do another term''
Did you the read this paper of few days ago,when Dr borg himself says ''Dr Borg had publicly declared he was interested in a second term.''
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091125/local/joe-borg-congratulates-john-dalli
You have worked hard and fast and made us Maltese proud within the EU context and beyond. You have proved to one and all, that we (Maltese) are not 'makku' and that we are and can be as good and able as other nationalities. You have set an example and benchmarks for others to to follow.
I wish you well and every success in your future endevours.
He made a fiheries expert of Dr. Borg a lawyer; now he is making a medical expert he needs so much by the nomination of J.Dalli an economist.
I's an original way to go about with people. Gonzi is an expert in manipulation of people.
It could be sure he knew what sphere of action Dalli was going to administer and was surely discussed with Baroso. Congratulations both Dalli and Gonzi. What is not known wll be learned by experience
By by that time the world would have changed a lot.
Here lies the answer!
TONY FORMOSA
TONY FORMOSA
Prosit. Your comments are the most appropriate in this circumstance. Such decisions require a discreet approach. Dr. Borg, your appointment is also the PM's prerogative. As always, the MLP apologists come out crying foul.....but they don' understand a thing being such staunch opponents against EU entry until a couple of years ago...
This was one of the best decisions that our PM took in these circumstances.
Keep in mind that Joe Borg poses no threat to Gonzi's leadership. This underhand manoeuvring has typified Gonzi's tack to enable him to slither to his present position.
..................... u l-kobba tkompli tithabbel................
This culture impacts negatively on all of us in so many ways and for so many reasons. It is a culture to be discussed and analyzed for the good of one and all.
No one is spared from the negative effects of non-communication; from back benenchers, to commissioners, patients, street sweepers...the lot.
Can the Borg Experience become a platform upon which the ins and outs of this toxic non-communication culture is exposed in all its complexities so that society can contemplate on its diligent replacment by other benign cultures of open dissemination of information, open discussion and informed open decisions.
I implore the media not to exploit this important landmark for a quick chatter-buzz but to organize a face-to-face encounter that is openly analyzed by a range of professionals who may be able to pin-point the pillars that support this current non-communication malaise.
"The Fisheries Commissioner said the very least he had expected was an unequivocal statement that he was not being considered for the post, rather than being led to believe he was in the frame by the Prime Minister himself." Now we have it from the horse's mouth. Not only the electorate was misled but even Dr. Borg himself. Shame!!!
Dr. Gonzi statements should inspire trust yet his actions lead to a totally opposite direction. His statements are becoming more irrelevant with time.
The sooner there is another NP leader, I think the better, because it is now very clear that the present one, with all his good and salient points, is unable to handle relations with people - his own people, let alone relations with the Opposition and with others!
Welcome back to Malta. Thanks for the great job your have done as commissioner. Prosit.
However do not try to find any reasoning in the PM's actions. Things have been happening in a very strange manner recently and we all have been baffled, but honestly now have given up. Unless you are Gonzi's blue eyed boy, then you will not be baffled at all as you will know whats happening exactly.
Thanks again
Isn't this the TREND?
Is it possible that Dr. Gonzi could not find Dr. Borg mobile number to call him immediately once a decision has been taken!?!?
I am sure Dr. Gonzi will soon offer Dr. Borg a diplomatic position somewhere ... to compensate him. However, Dr. Gonzi "gaffe" is a replica of what happened with some of the Ministers when GONZIPN was elected and ex-Ministers were not informed or updated with the new decisions regarding the new Govt. formation. Recently, it happened again when backbenchers complained of a similar treatment ..... Lack of communication!! and we are in 2009 were we proudly expose the high figures of mobile phones in hand, broadband internet, etc.