EU Representation explains George Cross mistake

J.Grech

Dec 13th 2009, 20:09

It is pitiful and shameful that there are people out there who want to remove the George Cross from our flag. It's not a representation of a foreign colonnial occupier, it's an award to the bravery and courage of our people during the war, and a permanent reminder of the hardship they've been through against nazism and fascism!!!.........lest we forget.

I found this website really interesting with lots of ww2 photos of Malta. You will realise the importance of Malta's George Cross.

http://www.killifish.f9.co.uk/Malta%20WWII/Index.htm

Raymond Sammut

Dec 3rd 2009, 12:32

@ Mario Tabone -- "Also can somebody tell me who decided that the eight pointed cross is actually Maltese ?"

Most likely, the Rev. Dr Michael Foster provides the best answer. (www.orderstjohn.org/osj/cross.htm)

As I understand, the straight geometrical lines are unique and are found only on Malta. The first time they appeared was on the 2 tari and the 4 tari coins. Later they studded just about every facade of the knights' cathedral interior, and were present on every architectural piece belonging to the Order. But only on Malta, and at none of the other places where the knights had been before they set home in Mdina in 1530. The cross, therefore, is Maltese not because it ever belonged to the Maltese people, but because it was adopted only on Malta after a very long passage of evolution seeded by the Greek Cross in the 12th century.

Mario Tabone

Dec 2nd 2009, 22:43

Reading some of these comments makes me ashamed to be Maltese !!
We again try to argue over a topic, in this case the GC and the hatred can clearly be seen .
Do we know what the GC stands for ? Do we realise that until fairly recently when the RUC in Northern Ireland received the GC , Malta was the envy of the whole of the commonwealth for having been awarded this honour for gallantry as a nation rather than any particular individual.
For those of you who are against our colonial past, may I remind you that Britain was asked to come to our island . Those who believe that Malta would not have been occupied had the British not been here during the war must live in cuckoo land.
Also can somebody tell me who decided that the eight pointed cross is actually Maltese ? It is the symbol of the Knights of St John Hospitaliers who were multi national and therefore many others could lay claim to it !!!
Let us respect and be proud of our history and freedom curtosy of the United Kingdom.

e.cortis

Dec 2nd 2009, 18:45

@Colin Stanley
Please refer to "STORJA TA' MALTA" Vol.1 of the late Professor Andrew P.Vella. On page 80 he stresses that the popular belief that Count Roger gave us the Maltese flag is just a fable, a tale. What's more, according to the same professor, flags and national standards only appeared many years later. In a note (41) on page 102, T.Baker,"The Normans" (Cassell-London 1966), p.110 says "Heraldry, the adoption of personal and hereditary devices, did not appear for another hundred years...."Just for your information.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 2nd 2009, 17:34

@ philip turner

That's why an "explanation" is also required from the EU Rep.

philip turner

Dec 2nd 2009, 17:22

@ Raymond Sammut
Personally, i'm not bothered about an official apology, it makes no difference to me. My concern is that the blame seems to have been placed on the 'contractor' and him/her/the company only.
also, why the flags were still placed on the table and used. If i order something i would make sure i receive what i have ordered. If it is not what i have ordered i would contact the appropiate people. Someone must be on the moon if they havn't realised from before that the flags were incorrect.

D Attard

Dec 2nd 2009, 15:57

@Colin Stanley

Only tradition holds that Count Roger gave Malta its flag, there is no historical proof.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 2nd 2009, 13:22

@ philip turner

As I commented earlier on, I would expect that President George Abela issues a formal request to the EU Representative in Malta, on behalf of all Maltese people, to provide an explanation and to make an official apology.

M. J. Magro

Dec 2nd 2009, 13:17

Why are we talking about removing the George Cross? It should be there in full view since it is nothing to be ashamed of. Our children should be taught that it was given to us for bravery and courage shown in war. It is usually soldiers who receive such honours, not a whole country who paid for it with blood and sacrifice. If we're talking about changing the Maltese flag - I was taught in school during history lessons that our flag was given to us by Count Roger the Norman who invaded in 1090. We had no flag before then, and Count Roger was not Maltese! So what exactly should a Maltese Flag look like?

E Grima

Dec 2nd 2009, 13:00

We have a state right here in Australia that has the Maltese Cross on its flag. Don't ask how it got there. The state in question is called Queensland (Google it and see). Now, if a state in Australia is not ashamed to sport the Maltese Cross on its flag – okay, so it has the Union Jack high in the corner of the mast and the crown superimposed onto the Maltese Cross – what's wrong with the sovereign Nation of Malta to have the Maltese Cross on its own flag?

William P Flynn

Dec 2nd 2009, 12:19

@VictorVella

Given a choice I'd go eeny-meeny-miny-mo. They were all bad. The Maltese cop-out is looking for masters who could have been worse; like Monty Python slaves comparing whippings. Things could have been better; but after the war (GC or not) the Brits couldn't care a toss about us.

The British used their knowledge/technology to subdue nations. Compare that to the magnanimity of the USA for example and how they use and share their knowledge/technology.

Yes I do believe in the Holocaust; I have actually met people who survived it.

It is a mistake to believe the Maltese were going to be burned in ovens.

The Maltese students with Italian/Fascist leanings caught in Italy when war broke out voluntarily raised a regiment and sided with Mussolini and weren’t placed in concentration camps.
The Nazis also recruited thousands of Moslems. They had regiments with their own Imams etc. Don't believe war propaganda and anyway the British were willing to give Malta to Mussolini in 1938/9.

Do you realize that more than half of the Anschluss (and most likely half of all the Wehrmacht) were Catholic?

Stephen Vella

Dec 2nd 2009, 11:47

@Michael Galea. I have........last week actually. Spent some time of my life living in the UK Mr.Galea and I can say that it was a very fulfilling and enriching experience. But anyway I have a suspicion that your comments were fuelled by the same old silly England v Italy divide (imbasta niftahru li Maltin imbaghad).

Stephen Vella

Dec 2nd 2009, 11:18

Oh I did just that so many times Mr.Flynn! The reaction I usually got was a nice smile and a nod. Irish people today watch BBC, support Man Utd and Liverpool and horror of horrors marry English people as well!!!! Get over your resentment Mr.Flynn can't be doing you any good.

Michael Galea

Dec 2nd 2009, 11:13

I cant understand all this adoration of the English... Has anyone of you been to England lately?? The english themselves consider their country as a sick, dying country... What land of hope and glory???? more like land of hoodies and "guests"
Yet, in Malta ppl still thank the crown for kindly letting us in the empire... piff
Throughout history Malta was always LATIN. Tanx to the english, most of that latin soul was lost.. Morru dellku il-butir fuq il-hobz u hudu it-te' bil-halib tal-bott.. ax hekk ghallmukom dawk from the land of vindaloo

E Gatt

Dec 2nd 2009, 11:01

The British legacy is part of our culture and there is no doubt that Malta did benefit from the British era. The English language and certain customs have benefited us, and allowed strong social, business and cultural bonds between Malta and other Commonwealth countries, which I hope will continue in the future.

This GC on the Maltese flag is another matter altogether. It was given to Malta by the King (thank you your Majesty) but then pinned on to the Maltese flag without consulting the Maltese people. We have never been given the opportunity to ratify or revoke the British governor’s decision. In my opinion we should be given that opportunity.

William P lynn

Dec 2nd 2009, 10:51

Stephen.Vella what are you talking about? When in Irish company I suggest it would be wise to refrain from saying that the Irish benefited from English magnanimity.

philip turner

Dec 2nd 2009, 10:40

Just because the 'one contractor' was hired it doesn't mean that DG JLS &/or EU Representative can shift the entire responsibility. Excuses. The Flag was placed one the stand and i doudt the 'one contractor' physically placed it there.

Regarding punishment, i would think a lawful punishment is too serious, but its a shame no one can admit to the error and the 'one contractor' is the only one responsbile/ being blammed.

S Atlamyob

Dec 2nd 2009, 10:12

It seems like a few of us need a history lesson based on facts not extremism.
If it wasn't for the unselfish bravery of the Brits, and other members of the British Empire, such as the Australians, New Zealanders, and Canadians, the cross on the little known White and red flag might now be the Iron cross.
Now, about the George Cross, which I believe was awarded with thanks and kindness to Malta for her endurance… during WWII and not the contrary.
The ancient Semitic Arabic and Italian which constitutes much of the Maltese language were forced upon us by conquering empires in times gone by, should we get ride of that too?
Oh and we must not forget the city of M,dina, because it looks mighty un-Maltese, but considerably Islamic to me.
Oh and Speaking of Yanks, in America the symbol of the Maltese cross is synonymous with outlaw gangs, bikers, choppers, and the whole hot rod industry, for the past fifty years.
See for your selves on the internet.
The bottom line is a simple mistake was made. No body was injured, show some compassion, understanding, humour, and good old Maltese friendliness, or is that foreign too?

Stephen Vella

Dec 2nd 2009, 10:12

Oh dear! So not only do we have the anti-British Maltese brigade spouting out their same old rhetoric now we have the Irishman playing the victim as well. Mr.Flynn what about the thousands of Irish men and women who emigrated to the UK and were actually able to build a future for themselves and their family thanks to their hard work and BRITISH MONEY! What about the British investment in Ireland over the years ? Both countries have moved on since the potato famine...........time for you to do the same.

e.cortis

Dec 2nd 2009, 09:56

@Raymond Sammut
According to an official publication commemorating the 25th anniversary of Dun Karm's demise ,penned by Guze' Cardona ( Dun Karm's biographer ), Dun Gwann Azzopardi and Frans Sammut, page 23,...."Bhalma l-qawwa ta' kliem Churchill tat sahha morali lid-Dinja Demokratika, hekk ukoll is-sunetti tal-Gwerra ta' Dun Karm taw kuragg lill-poplu Malti. Ezempju ta' dawn huma LIL-MALTA (wara elfejn attakk mill-ajru) u LILL-BANDIERA MALTIJA...."
Turning to the "Prophetic" Dun Karm.... What are we "bickering" about ?. The removal or otherwise of the GC from the Maltese Flag !!. And this after all these years !.And he warned everybody in the last line of the poem..."...Imbagh'd...ma jiswa xejn tibki l-warrani." !!! And that's what we're doing. More prophetic than that one cannot be. Still, you can stick to your guns and I'll stick to mine. After all we are all supposed to be free thinking persons.

James Formosa

Dec 2nd 2009, 09:36

@ Flynn - I can't agree with you more. The GC means nothing to me other than the reminder of the Maltese under foreign rule and oppression, being given a cookie for their troubles. Troubles that would have never come to pass if the Brits where never here!!!

victor vella

Dec 2nd 2009, 07:45

@ W.P.Flynn.
Please answer the folowing.
In days where all countries without military power were colonised by countries with military power, Under which nation would you have chosen to live?
Italy, France,Holland,or Germany.
Take a Look at Libya, Tunia,South Africa, and well We hope you believe in the holocaust.

William P Flynn

Dec 1st 2009, 22:10

@Raymond Sammut

Please. Who was the "British Governor" after independence?

Please think this GC thing through. When you believe it you will see it. The GC medal originated in1942. Our White and Red is the oldest National Flag in the world. It got us together to Freedom's Gate and she still waits outside while we honour The Painted One.

This isn't about the GC Medal but where it was painted and by whom and for whose glory.

My history compels me to give credit to the British for one thing - their leaving.

William P Flynn

Dec 1st 2009, 21:57

@Claire Spiteri

The cruiser in Msida wasn't the Firth of Forth but HMS Forth. It berthed next to my father's ship the Fort Duquesne. As a boy, I used to go past it when my mother and I visited dad on his ship for dinner when he was on duty and couldn’t come home.
He was one of only two Maltese engineer officers on the Fort Duquesne. My father’s cousin was a naval surgeon on HMS Penelope.

My Irish great-grandfather came to Malta on HMS Hibernia which was the USS Nimitz of its time.

But I glorify Maltese Independence and The Republic for while I personally never suffered, the British treated my Maltese brethren very badly and my birth-country even worse. The British empire was a blood-sucking parasite.

@E.Gatt

We who lived under colonialism didn't accept it; but we had to live. It was a long, slow journey to independence my friend. They used to say they’re going to “pull the plug” when they leave and Malta would sink to the bottom of the sea. I heard this said in naval circles on occasions.

But look at your generation and Malta now. The pristine, ancient White and Red united us.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 1st 2009, 21:38

@ William P Flynn

I have recollections of us visiting this territory before.

"Governor Gort never spoke to/consulted any Maltese person whoever about the GC in 1942." I agree. He did the wrong thing.

"The alterations to the blue happened 22 years later after Independence." We still had a British Governor at the time, and he agreed to the change. Surely we should give him credit for that.

"The Maltese didn't object to the GC on the Flag in 1942 for they never saw it. They objected to the GC Medal chanting, "Zommuh il-George Cross; aghtuna il-hobz"." The trouble with this point is that there was no bread to go around. The convoys were still trying to get in. The Brits themselves had not much left either. The pilots at Ta' Qali, for example, were getting skinnier by the day and going through hell.

E Gatt

Dec 1st 2009, 21:14

@clare spiteri

I can assure you that I am definitely not anti British, feel very much at home when visiting the UK, and enjoy British culture. I am also appalled and concerned about the deteriorating standard of English in Malta.

The economic aim of the Empire was to benefit the colonising power – Britain. Some of the benefits spilt over to the colonies but in imperialism, democracy was never part of the equation. Undemocratic systems are ‘bullying’ by their very nature. Malta had to struggle for self government from the Empire. The brief periods of self government ‘awarded’ by the Empire were stopped at the whims of the unelected governor when the Maltese 'misbehaved' .

The George Cross was pinned on the Maltese flag by an unelected governor, without consulting the people of Malta. It may have been the norm for someone brought up in a colony to accept such decisions. However for someone like me, who was born after Malta gained its independence, such attitudes are undemocratic and therefore ‘bullying’.

William P Flynn

Dec 1st 2009, 21:09

@Raymond.Sammut

Governor Gort never spoke to/consulted any Maltese person whoever about the GC in 1942. The alterations to the blue happened 22 years later after Independence.
The Maltese didn't object to the GC on the Flag in 1942 for they never saw it. They objected to the GC Medal chanting, "Zommuh il-George Cross; aghtuna il-hobz".

@Pat Camilleri

You're not the only one who lost his grandfather during the war. All the war dead would be horrified to see the GC on the Flag for they never knew it. Their Flag was the White and Red. That's the last Flag they saw before they died. That was the Flag of my youth.

@all Maltese

Thanks W.Thornton for the object lesson, to those too young to remember, of what I and Maltese my age had to put up with in colonial times before we kicked them out, for ever; as every other colony did. Think: English soccer hooligans with guns.

The British empire was destroyed totally and quickly after WWII;and they say they won the war(really the USA won). Funny, what would have happened had they lost.

@Ray Gatt

And Gatt is Italian. So whom do you hate? How silly.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 1st 2009, 21:04

@ GiovDeMartino

You speak of molehills and mountains, Mr de Martino. It is clear that you have nothing constructive to say.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 1st 2009, 20:48

@ e.cortis

My understanding is that the poem "Il-Bandiera Maltija" was published in 1946. You may want to correct me on the year.

Assuming 1946 was the year of publication. This would mean that Dun Karm would have written the poem much earlier. It is generally agreed among Maltese scholars that Dun Karm reached his peak in the 1930's. For this reason, my guess is that he would have written his verses somewhere during that time. Publication would have come much later. Many poems, in fact, are published even posthumously.

It is also agreed among scholars that "sibbien" refers to the early raiders in Malta's history, and not to the aerial bombers. The colours "blu" (Britain) and "ahdar" (Italy) are not related to prediction but were merely something he wanted Malta to reject and which both were related to the past (for example, his first poems were in Italian). There is, therefore, nothing to indicate that he was predicting that the colours will not change. He was only warning about certain specifics -- British and Italian influences. I have no reason to think that he saw the GC on the flag as a mark of British influence.

GiovDeMartino@RAY Sammut

Dec 1st 2009, 20:07

My molehill? YOUR MOUNTAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

clare spiteri

Dec 1st 2009, 18:56

Mr Gatt refers to 'The bullying attitude of imperialism' during the British period in Malta. Where on earth were you living sir?Who bullied whom?I was born at the end of the war, and grew up with the British here. I have nothing but wonderful memories, and I too, wish that the Firth of Forth would glide into Pieta. I went to a school which the British built, my father was a civil servant which the British established on the island.The language I speak, apart from Italian, Spanish and Maltese is English.....actually the queen,s English which we were taught then, and not the appalling pidgin English with a touch of Americanisms, which the majority of the younger generation speak now.Let us not forget who had asked the British for assistance when the French occupied this island.

e.cortis

Dec 1st 2009, 18:40

@Raymond Sammut.
Dun Karm wrote thid poem together with others during the war not years before !!. And let me indicate where he was prophetic, and I quote:
Hekk, bajda u hamra biss; kull lewn barrani,
Li jithallat ma' lwienek, ikun blu,
Jew ikun ahdar, ihassarlek ismek,

Surely here he is referring to the British (Blu) and Italian(ahdar). While referring to colours he was referring to asnything that had to do with the two warring nations .So ?

Raymond Sammut

Dec 1st 2009, 18:28

And what is your "molehill", Mr De martino?

GiovDeMartino@ Ray Sammut.

Dec 1st 2009, 18:10

Yes I have: I never make a mountain out of a molehill.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 1st 2009, 17:46

@ GiovDeMartino

People have been reading the "volumi" here all along. Have you got a constructive opinion of your own to give?

Raymond Sammut

Dec 1st 2009, 17:40

@ W.Thornton -- Looks like you've said something you should not have said.

GiovDeMartino

Dec 1st 2009, 17:30

Ghad baqa' xi proxxmu li jemmen li haw, ahna, ghandna xi problema wahda? Zgur li le! Aqraw ilk-volumi li haw hawn taht u taraw hux veru jew le!

E Gatt

Dec 1st 2009, 17:22

@ W.Thornton
I’m afraid that your imperialist views are well past their sell-by-date and not appreciated by the vast majority of Maltese. Admittedly there are some Maltese who are still conditioned by the idea of Malta being British colony but these are few, far between and on the wane. I also believe that your condescending views of Malta are not representative of the British people.

Malta has and will continue to have a strong relationship with Britain, especially on a people level. The bullying attitude of imperialism, led to a strong movement for independence, which was acquired in 1964 through hard bargaining whilst keeping a friendly relationship between the two countries. Now both counties are equal partners in the European Union.

Malta was re-christened Malta GC – but that never caught on. Removing the George cross should not be seen as rejecting the medal or worse still, as a form of Brit-bashing. Try and see it from a Maltese perspective and then answer the question: if Malta bestows its highest award on the people of Britain, would you be pleased to pin this to the Union Jack? Hardly I'm sure.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 1st 2009, 17:11

It's actually "il-ħobz biz-zejt". Very healthy, too. Best thing ever.

@ William P Flynn -- The Order never awarded anything to the Maltese. Even if they had left the islands, their wealth was to be bequeathed to the Church. This is the reason why the Church "xewxet" the Maltese to expel the Order. Little they had anticipated that Vaubois would later cede everything to the public; a state of affairs to which the Protestant British Administration gladly obliged.

colin stanley

Dec 1st 2009, 16:50

@ D. Attard.L don't know how old you are, I am sixty two, when I was young, we used to say, Iva kien il conti ruggieru, li taghna din il bandiera. someone was lying to us at the time, or could you be wrong?

W.Thornton

Dec 1st 2009, 15:52

The Maltese becoming power-mad again. Glad the Maltese doesn't have nuclear capability, otherwise half the world would be under threat, because the hobz-biz-zeit hasn't been recognised as an international cuisine, or the Maltese language hasn't been taught in every classroom across the world, or that there are no pastizzi kiosks in England. Please wake up, Latin is a more important language than Maltese, and Latin is an obsolete language. The maltese language is a bulk mix of different languages, mostly Arabic. England had soverenty over Malta when the flag was created, so yes the George Cross should be present. Oh and Malta is a DUAL LANGUAGE COUNTRY, just like canada. if Maltese citizens cant speak english (which is taught in EVERY SCHOOL) then its your fault for not learning. Sometimes i wish the HMS Ark Royal would just roll into the Grand harbour and Get Britain to reclaim soverignty over this island. Malta is such a sweet, beautiful place.

D Attard

Dec 1st 2009, 15:34

@Colin Stanley. Count Roger never gave us any flags.

Pat camilleri

Dec 1st 2009, 14:52

Yes ,I was insulted by the fact that they put on the wrong cross. Ignorant people who do not have a clue about our illustrious history.Yes I want the George Cross on my Flag because I lost my grandfather in the war fighting for the likes of people who now reject what he did.Yes I want the cross because my family lost all their possessions , and endured terrible hardship to help BRITAIN win the war . We did win, and a lot of us died , together with thousands of other Britains fighting to do so.Our family had pensions from Britain which enabled us to live comfortably. Thank you Great Britain.Many think like I do and are proud to have been part of an Empire which was a force for good. Yes we want the flag with the George Cross on, because my ancestors earned it and thus were rewarded by His Majesty King George.

William P Flynn

Dec 1st 2009, 14:07

@E.Gatt

Why the third option? The Maltese already "voted on the third question. They had 270 years to inset the Knight's (Maltese) Cross on the ancient White and Red; they didn't.

Let's keep asking for that referendum even though none is required. Just a vote in parliament is all it takes and some political courage from our elected representatives. Big ask?

Raymond Sammut

Dec 1st 2009, 13:57

E Gatt -- The British governor, in fact, "pinned" the GC to the Maltese flag on a blue background. Malta’s leaders at the time objected to the blue background but not to the GC. The governor obliged, and removed the blue colour. Malta's leaders went even further and added a red fimbria around the emblem to keep it distinct from the white and red. It was a very strong statement by Malta's leaders at the time. There is nothing on the national flag which is not ours. Every element has been hard earned -- the white, the red, and the GC. In fact, there is hardly a flag in the world that has been more earned than the Maltese flag.

William P Flynn

Dec 1st 2009, 13:52

@FrancoFarrugia

No, I'm Japanese born in India of Mongolian parents…. Of course I'm Maltese and it's my flag just as much as it is yours; and it is an issue to me and many others. No one is asking your permission or your conclusion.
Surely you can make a distinction between a medal and a flag?

@G.Azzoppardi

Stick to the subject, one flag at a time; we’re talking about the Maltese Flag. Look up “restore” in the dictionary.

@ others

Yes we suffered during the war; I was born in the war. How does that mean we had to be rewarded by some Englishman ruining and defacing our White and Red, the oldest Flag in the world? No Maltese ever voted for the GC to go on the Flag.

Yes, Count Roger gave us the Flag and he was a foreigner and our ancestors honoured it and kept it pristine for 900 years. What right did the English Colonialist foreigner governor Lord Gort have to deface it without asking one single solitary Maltese person's permission?

What happened the other day was an error or negligence. What Lord Gort did was deliberate, unauthorised and sacrilegious.

Please, fellow Maltese, think this through.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 1st 2009, 13:10

Is President George Abela going to formally ask the EU Representative Office in Malta for an official apology or is he going to let down the Maltese people?

Ray Gatt

Dec 1st 2009, 13:08

I agree that whoever made this gross mistake should apologise to say the least. Now, by the same token, I expect those who burnt the EU flag in Marsa to make an apology as well, even though they've accepted it now and love waving it during PL manifestations. As for the GC, that was awarded to Malta and the Maltese for bravery and nobody has the right to take it off our national flag.

@ Mr. Flynn - that Irish isn't it? No surprises here why you hate the British so much.

Raymond Sammut

Dec 1st 2009, 13:06

@ e.cortis -- Your sentiments in regard to reparations following WWII are understandable. To be honest, I do not know the details. You clearly know more than I do. Nevertheless, the issue here is the GC on the Maltese flag. There is no evidence to suggest that Dun Karm ever objected. An objection from Dun Karm would have been taken very seriously by everyone. Your remark: "the prophetic Dun Karm as he foresaw a British or Italian "blot" on our colours" is only conjecture. From the many poems that are available for reading, nothing indicates that he ever indulged in prophesy. In fact, "Il-Bandiera Maltija" shows that he was anything but prophetic. Let's take another look:

Hekk, bajda u ħamra biss, irridek jiena,
Bandiera ħelwa ta' din l-art ħanina,
Għax kull meta s-sibbien ħabtu għalina
Hekk, bajda u ħamra biss, rawk il-ħajjiena. (Dun Karm)

He is referring to the past, and not to what may yet come. WWII was still some 10 years away. When the next "sibbien" (Italians and Germans) struck, the colours seen by "il-hajjiena" were still the same. One of these "hajjiena" was Dun Karm himself who saw the colours change but did not object.

E. Azzopardi

Dec 1st 2009, 12:49

Unacceptable. Nothing else to say.

E Gatt

Dec 1st 2009, 12:36

The George Cross medal was awarded to Malta in 1942. A British governor then pinned it to the Maltese flag apparently without consulting the people of Malta, or Malta’s leaders who were either interned or not properly organised.

How about holding a referendum to decide the issue?
a) Do you agree on keeping the George Cross on the Maltese Flag?
b) Do you agree on removing the George Cross from the Maltese Flag?
c) Do you agree on replacing the George Cross on the Maltese Flag with the Maltese Cross?

K.M. Fiorentino

Dec 1st 2009, 11:59

Forget the George Cross or any other cross on our flag.
The issue here is this offense that the EU Rep Office is not familiar with our flag, the Maltese Flag, an EU Member State. Shame.

Adrian Archer

Dec 1st 2009, 11:19

@ Michael Galea

With all due respect but the George Cross is a recognition to all those who died and suffered in Malta. Remember Malta survived heavier bombing than London and Coventry.

If we remove the George Cross we should remove
1. our language which has a basis of Phoenician & Arabic
2. feasts as they are influenced by Italian traditions
3. our laws are influnced by English laws.

If we remove the George cross because it was given to us by foreigners we should remove whatever we are because essentially we are a mixture of all the people who have conquered us. True if the British were here we might not had war here but the Allies would have lost the war in Africa and that means that the Nazis would have won the WWII.

So please let us stop these ideas that some people have against the GC just because some hate the British. I am not proud of what the British did here but at least I am proud at what the Maltese did under the British. AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE GC.

colin stanley

Dec 1st 2009, 09:58

What is happening in Malta lately, since we joined Europe,a lot of people have become very clever and liberal,complaining about our religion, it's not good anymore, complaining about the flag it's not Maltese, because there is something that some foreigner gave us. correct me please if I am wrong , Count Roger gave us OUR flag !!! was he Maltese.

Michael Galea

Dec 1st 2009, 09:34

@ Peter Grech
The British Empire just did what the Spanish Empire did before it and the USA does today..That is policing the world. Where is your pride? Only countries like Nigeria and India still think they were lucky to be trampled by the English. I went to a graduation last week and the Orations were in English... so much for your beloved Maltese Language...
@ Raymond Sammut
The eight pointed cross originated in Amalfi (11th century Salerno, Campania). Imbasta inparlaw ras....

The GC on the flag is a shame on our whole country. As someone said I would prefer the Mambra monument than it...

e.cortis

Dec 1st 2009, 09:33

@Raymond Sammut and Carmel Aquilina.
Dun Karm was disgusted by the Maltese colonial attitudes,Pro British, Pro Italian and never Pro Maltese. Let us not forget whole legislatures wasted by our illustrious representatives discussing the Language problem (!!) at the expence of the real problems facing the people. Today, with hindsight, I appreciate more the prophetic Dun Karm as he foresaw a British or Italian "blot" on our colours, as in fact happened with the inclusion of the GC on our Flag !!.
With regards to the GC. Yes, for our forefathers' bravery and for the moral, material and psychological losses, among others, Malta received the George Cross and a couple of hundred thousand sterling as compensation for the damages !!. The perpetrators of all the destruction Malta suffered during the war, were rewarded with bilions of Marshall Aid Dollars, making them three of the top eight economies in the world. They still are. Unfortunately we still harness a colonial mentality.

T Pace

Dec 1st 2009, 09:17

K.M. Fiorentino,
A slight correction of your wording is needed. We never served the British. Servitude implies slavery! May you be reminded that amongst the many artifacts on this subject left by our fathers there is the monument in the Lower Baraka Gardens which is there to remind the Maltese that it was us who chose to join forces with Great Britain following our victory against the French, and moreover its states that all Maltese must never forget they are no subordinate of Great Britain! Besides Malta is the only country in the world to have recieved an honour bestowed upon an entire nation, this makes our flag unique! We realy have to learn to accept the past, our past with its good and bad and we should be proud for it has given our little islands their identity which by far out does their size! Lets end this constant urge to rid our country of all reminders of the British Empire. We need to learn from the past and focus on more important things! Here I must say that indeed it is an ebaressing event to issue flags which do not display the correct emblems.

David Dinh

Dec 1st 2009, 09:12

@ Edward Demicoli - What you are saying is not enough. You failed to make a point in the run up to the EU elections and you are failing to make a point yet again. Not the most convincing of personalities.

The flag is sacred. And the contractor should pay for damages, or didn;t you make a relevant clause in the awarding contract?

lgalea

Dec 1st 2009, 09:05

The Maltese flag is white and red only. Any other color or symbols are ALIEN and not welcome as part of our flag. The George Cross was IMPOSED by an ex-governor and should be removed.

Edward Demicoli
This is nothing less than a diplomatic insult to Malta and the Maltese citizens.
The eu should have checked the flags before to make sure that there was no mistake.
That is how much the eu petty dictators have Malta and the Maltese citizens to their heart.

"The Commission was in no way trying to insult the Maltese flag and any indignation this incident might have caused is greatly regretted. The organisation of this event had to serve the purpose of informing as many people as possible of their rights as EU citizens something which was still achieved despite the incident," the Representation said."

How about informing the Maltese citizens that they are going to pay €182,192 EVERY DAY as ordered by the eu petty dictators apart from all customs duties and levies while we pay the customs officers to collect them, a share from VAT and other payments that they have to make?

K.M. Fiorentino

Dec 1st 2009, 08:37

I think it's embarrassing to be so proud of such an award (the george cross) to place it on our national flag. We SERVED the British... let's not be so proud of that. The knights' eight-pointed cross is much more significant so it makes more sense to place such cross or
no cross at all on our flag.

Norbert Bugeja

Dec 1st 2009, 07:51

this is the list of who was awarded the george cross

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_George_Cross_recipients


we are the only country to be given this medal....should we feel honoured or else insulted that we have the same value of just ONE BRITISH SOLDIER?.....

K.M. Fiorentino

Dec 1st 2009, 07:42

What a shame! So nobody from the EU representation in Malta noticed this offense before
delivering the flags to City Gate? Or were they delivered to City Gate by the Contractor (obviously not Maltese) himself??! Who are they trying to fool? Do they think we are that stupid? We are not expecting the EU representation to be fully aware of our constitution but not being familiar with an EU Nation's flag is a total shame and only shows what
kind of personnel such representations employ.

Bernard Agius

Dec 1st 2009, 06:59

Agree entirely that the flag is our national symbol, and not one that should have foreigners' medals or symbols planted on it - it is the most obvious symbol of the remnants of our colonial mentality that we think that a foreign country's medal is worthy of being placed on our flag. Don't get me wrong - the GC is something we should be very proud of, but please take it off our flag, which is meant to represent Malta and ONLY MALTA, not some foreign country's view of how wonderful and courageous its people were 60 plus years ago. Only a few former colonies persist with symbols of their previous owners on their national flags - the fact that most Maltese seem to think there is nothing odd about a foreign medal on their flag just confirms how much of an inferiority complex we obviously have. Get a bit of pride in being Maltese!

Emanuel Scicluna

Dec 1st 2009, 06:39

This is not a mistake its just an insult towards the Maltese people. We (Maltese people) all know our flag without any doubt cause that was one of the first things we have learned in our schools since the kindergarten. Our National flag should be respected within the highest level. Anyone responsible for this joke should be severely punished.

S. Vella

Dec 1st 2009, 04:52

For some of us it's simply a case of:- It's just a flag, who cares. Symbols of national identity are overrated and obsolete in a globalised world. Some of you just don't know it yet :-)

joseph cachia

Dec 1st 2009, 00:09

@John Doneo

I'm 75 years old and during the war ,although very young , I was in a far better position than yourself and other's to notice the daily life of MALTESE personel who where called by force
to serve as soldiers.
Never seen or noticed any one fighting the German's / Italian's forces. Both bombed MALTA from air.. Only the few that survived from shot down aircraft that landed on our soil.
The MALTESE suffered a lot from short of commodities, the demolishing of homes, from SKEJBIL ,but not fighting any german.
The george cross was printed on our WHITE/RED FLAG a waterwash in lieu of funds due for damages suffered by the MALTESE.
Hope you remember the two shilling sixpence a month awarded to widows with children who lost their husband while serving the british forces.

Sandro Agius

Nov 30th 2009, 22:10

What a world...is this truly the Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse?...after wanting a disgusting newspaper to be publised....wanting to remove the cross from public places....now an attack on the Geroge Cross...nice to have freedom of opinion but wait opinions must respect at least the sacrifice of our fathers to gain the George Cross Medal...that is not a colonial medal that is a medal for bravery...lets be serious for once and imitate such courage that be cowards and hide ourselves after a blog to say such idiocies.

By the way, here we are speaking about a mistake...well the important that they retreat the flags and ordered new once....with tis mistake we showed that we love our flag...good thing to see...lets hope to learn loving our heritage now....still illegal dump sites can be found in the country side...what a pity

Clive Gerada

Nov 30th 2009, 22:04

In my opinion we should remove the cross and place the nowadays iconic monument of the Mambra instead.

Franco FArrugia

Nov 30th 2009, 22:00

@ William Flynn - Are you Maltese? With what right do you speak about, and denigrate our Flag? The George Cross on the Flag is not even an issue! It is OUR Flag!

Henry S Pace

Nov 30th 2009, 21:33

The explanation is not justified at all.

Govenrment of Malta should lodge a process verbal to the European Commission protesting with determination that such a gaffe should not have occured. Had the organisers looked at the Constitution of Malta or some other source they would have displayed better our national flag at this event.

Once again I wish to state that whoever is responsible should see to the logistics of at official functions.

It is also observed that manufacturers of the National Flag fail miserably because they do not even know how the George Cross should be displayed on the white half of the flag.

G.Azzopardi

Nov 30th 2009, 21:32

@Flynn

Restore our flag? Restor to what? According to whom?

We love our flag as is thank you very much. Your comments about OUR flag, are but whiff in the wilderness.

But of course you have every right to complain about the Union flag you have on your Australian one. Now that's a cherry isnt it mate?

William P Flynn

Nov 30th 2009, 20:51

This takes the cake! People are angry and hurt over a mistake; but they glorify a deliberate vandalism of the oldest flag in the world by a foreign colonial occupier. The Flag is above all medals. I read elsewhere, we are restoring a pair of 400year old Chinese vases. Let's restore our 900 year old Flag. Remove the GC from the Flag; it just doesn’t belong there.

Joseph Vella

Nov 30th 2009, 19:56

Much ado about nothing. Neither the eight pointed cross nor the GC are appropriate for inclusion on Malta's one and only traditional flag. The former would have been a reminder of oppression visited upon the indigenous Maltese population by the Knights of St. John, the latter a vile act of desecration by a colonial power thru a unilateral act of a single individual, probably while under the influence of malt whiskey Both instances are best forgotten.

JOHN Doneo

Nov 30th 2009, 19:45

@ Mr Galea You must be the most miserable person in Malta, always complaining about the BRITISH. I am 71 years today and I remember how hard our fathers fought against the NAZI's. The George Cross was not imposed on the MALTESE but awarded to them for VALOR. But I am sure that you do not know what that word means Nobody imposes anything on the MALTESE NATION. GERMANY and ITALY did not do it. ENOUGH SAID.

victor pulis

Nov 30th 2009, 19:29

It has become very convenient lately to pass the buck onto someone else be it MEPA, ADT, the law courts or now some contractor who doesn't know what the George Cross looks like.

R. Caruana

Nov 30th 2009, 19:13

Not quite enough as an explanation. A Google search will bring up several sites with all details, such as: http://flagspot.net/flags/mt.html Not only does it give all the details, but also presents all variations, from the President's flag to the that of the Police, etc. No one can claim ignorance in these things anymore.

Gerard Cassar

Nov 30th 2009, 18:57

In the dictionary of the Second World War(Pierre Montagnon)in the episode of the granting of the George Cross to Malta there is this short comment by the population:" You can't eat the George Cross". This was referring to the food situation in Malta. Quite a natural reaction when famine was on the door step of the Islands.

GiovDeMartino

Nov 30th 2009, 18:33

WE HAVE NO REAL PROBLEMS IN THIS COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!All this fuss because of such a minor incident. What do you expect? Shall we imprison whoever is responsible? Or shall we hang him?

L. Attrd

Nov 30th 2009, 18:16

Pathetic to say the least

J Xerri

Nov 30th 2009, 17:51

But the The European Commission Representation cannot shrug off all responsibilty. They should have checked the flags before displaying them on the stand and starting distributing them. It seems that they stopped distribution when someone not connected with the organisers drew their attention.

Rachel Attard

Nov 30th 2009, 17:47

@Christian Gauci. The subject is not the George Cross but the blunder of who was responsible of mixing the George Cross with the Eight pointed cross.

christian gauci

Nov 30th 2009, 17:34

The George Cross is the emblem of a foreign occupier given to a mesmerised Maltese people to hide his misdemeanors when he left his colonized people hungry and to avoid riots. Take off that cross of shame!

Franco Sciberras

Nov 30th 2009, 17:17

I hope that the comments flowing here do not result in another cross being removed from a public place :)

The George Cross is a recognition earned by the NATION for the courage shown by the NATION under the most dire of circumstances. Its place is on the NATION's flag to remind us all of what we as a NATION are capable of.

The Order's Cross is part of our culture and heritage and is the quintessential emblem of all that is Maltese, but it is not something that we as Maltese have earned, but is rather the sign of a 400 year rule by a foreign ruler - irrespective of the tremendous (beneficial) impact it has had on our life, culture and heritage..

Although it appears to be a case ofa geniune mistake, it is so crass that I believe that a press statemtn is not enough. Maybe the flags were made in China where everything is a poor imitation of the original.

Christian Gauci

Nov 30th 2009, 17:12

The insult has been perpetuated since the British put their medal on our flag and endorsed it in the 1961 constitution. OUR FLAG IS WHITE AND RED. Other colonial nostalgia is a shame to our identity.

Raymond Sammut

Nov 30th 2009, 17:11

@ Edward Demicoli -- Press Officer - European Commission Representation

This is just not good enough. The European Commission, through its representative on Malta, owes an official apology both to the President of Malta and to the Maltese people worldwide. Simply "regretting" is adding insult to injury.

B Zammit

Nov 30th 2009, 16:58

@Peter Grech
Rest assured that after reading your comment, many including Shakespeare if he were alive, would have mourned the fall of the British Empire.

Franco Farrugia

Nov 30th 2009, 16:50

I don't think that the intention was to insult. Just ignorance, that's all.

Joe Genovese

Nov 30th 2009, 16:40

What's the bet that who's ever "responsible" is a University of Malta graduate?....at the first attempt

Edward Demicoli - Press Officer European Commission

Nov 30th 2009, 16:19

The European commission representation in malta would like to clarify that the whole event was part of a series of events organised in various member states, directly by DG Justice, Liberty and Security (DG JLS) – European Commission. For all the events DG JLS had one contractor, obviously not Maltese, responsible for the printing of material to be handed out in the stand.
When the mistake in the flag was noticed, the giveaway flags were removed. The Representation in Malta informed the organising Directorate General directly of the mistake in the material that was handed out so that they can deal directly with the contractor. Neither the European Commission Representation in Malta nor the Office of the Prime Minister were involved in the contracting of this event.
I hope the above serves to clarify the incident. The Commission was in no way trying to insult the Maltese flag and any indignation this incident might have caused is greatly regretted. The organisation of this event had to serve the purpose of informing as many people as possible of their rights as EU citizens something which was still achieved despite the incident.
Edward Demicoli
Press Officer - European Commission Representation

E. Azzopardi

Nov 30th 2009, 16:18

Should never have happened. But whilst we do not even know which cross should go on our national flag, why don't we change it with a "crane" seeing that we are so fond of them being all over the place and on many occasions they are in the news?

Henry S Pace

Nov 30th 2009, 16:04

SHAME..

Where are the ministerial and Parliamentary secretariat staff really are, if ever they do exists.

Such people never learn that staff in the communications section of a secretariat should visit the site or place prior of official function where the Prime Minister, a Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary. are to attend such functions.
Their absolute duty is to see the setting prior to the respective official function is all set with the least detail for the event.and see that all is set and inaccordance to the official protocol.

I cannot understand how the Hon Chris Said did not leave the place until the flags were removed from the Stands. In that way he would have shown his disapproval that Malta deserves better treatment especially from the of European representative in Malta.

Time and again such things do occur as what appeared on the arrival of King Juan Carlos landing in Malta. The Cockpit crew displayed the National flag with the wrong end on the mast. I have to say that Official protocol leaves much to be desired vis-a-vis our country locally and abroad.

I y urge the MFA Protocol to see that such pitfalls do not occur in future

Peter Grech

Nov 30th 2009, 15:45

@Michael Galea

The British presense in Malta was not just in WW2.They were here almost 150 years before that.They ruled the whole mediterraneanea to our advantage as they stopped all piracy and slavery making it possible for the Maltese to live safely in coastal villages without fear of being kidnapped which was the norm before the British put a stop to it.
The Maltese played a full part in the Empire taking up positions in the armed forces and civilian posts around the world.Thousands emigrated and thrived in their new surroundings living safely and comforably under empire rule.The British Empire was the greatest form of good since The Christ and anyone with a knowledge of history and current affairs will mourn at its passing.

john borg

Nov 30th 2009, 15:24

@ giancarlo refalo

Those are typing mistakes (three in all), u tippruvax iddaħħak dwar il-verita'.

Giancarlo Refalo

Nov 30th 2009, 14:12

@ John Borg,

Dear John, before you post such comments... PLEASE PLEASE and PRETTY PLEASE check your own spelling!!!
cos you fall for the jokes siehbi!

@ J Baldacchino
well said. Mediocrity, although being slowly curbed, unfortunately still plays quite a role in Maltese society. However, I have seen an improvement over the past few years :)

E Gatt

Nov 30th 2009, 13:35

I think we have become accustomed to having a cross on our flag and it would seem bare without one.

Replacing the George Cross with the Maltese Cross should not be seen as an anti-British move but an expression of our nationality. It should also not be seen as a rejection of the medal or British legacy, but simply the reversal of an almost unknown governor’s decision who decided to pin it to the Maltese flag, without consulting the Maltese people.

True, the eight-pointed cross did not originate in Malta, but through the centuries has come to be known as the ‘Maltese Cross’. It is depicted everywhere from lace tablecloths, humble buildings and palaces, and business and cultural logos. When the general public was recently asked for a national symbol for the Euro coins, the Maltese Cross received the widest support. If I am not mistaken the GC did not feature at all.

g.c.Forte

Nov 30th 2009, 13:12

@ Ray Gatt...........I am very sorry for hurting you. I hope that I did not qrastek fil laham il haj. Even yourself are doing the same as I am doing,because you are writing in Maltese on an English paper, Thank you Mr. Editor for let me express my comments the way I feel comfortable.

carmelo aquilina

Nov 30th 2009, 13:06

@ Michael Galea
are you saying.... George Cross (Birtish, foreign, bad) no and the Maltese Cross (Knights foreign, good) yes ? please explain your logic !

@Mr Cortis if I remember correctly Dun Karm Psaila's poem was written before World War 2 and he was happy to accept an Order of the British Empire from the Queen in 1957... can you show me where he was objecting to the George Cross itself rather than objecting to flying foreign flags over our country ?

My grandparents were proud to have earned the George Cross and to have played a part in the fight against Fascism and Nazism. It was was a struggle worth joining and the cross shall bear witness to our courage. Stop indulging in out-dated colonialist posturing and let's get on with the real problems in our country ....

wally vella-zarb

Nov 30th 2009, 12:44

Had the Maltese flag been retained in its traditional form, as correctly depicted on BOTH the PN and the PL emblems, i.e., two vertical stripes, white at the hoist and red on the fly with nothing else added, this embarrassment would not have happened.

Raymond Sammut

Nov 30th 2009, 12:41

@ e.cortis

If I am not mistaken, "Il-Bandiera Maltija" was written way before WWII. We cannot tell, therefore, how Dun Karm's muse would have been affected retrospectively by the war trauma in regard to the colours of the national flag. Dun Karm passed away well after the war, and so far as I know he never expressed, at least not publicly, any objections. And BTW, thoughts are never expressed "bluntly" in a poem -- at least not Dun Karm.

patrick attard

Nov 30th 2009, 12:35

and all this for a medal that the English pasted on our national flag.
we should obliterate it form our dear flag, not fight over its correct depiction.

Ray Gatt

Nov 30th 2009, 12:34

@ g.c. Forte - Il-kitba tieghek hallata ballata. Tahlita ta' Ingliz u Malti u imbghad trid tiggudika lil haddiehor. Hallina sur Forte. Min jghix f'dar tal-hgieg, m'ghandux jitfa gebel.

Raymond Sammut

Nov 30th 2009, 12:20

@ Michael Galea

There is nothing "latin" about the eight-pointed cross. In fact, one of the points originated from the English langue.

A Galea

Nov 30th 2009, 12:10

@ C Scerri: And who takes care of the European Commission in Malta, apart from the EU? As usual trying to cover your government's embarrasing initiatives!

C.Scerri

Nov 30th 2009, 12:02

Read well before you comment or else you risk making a fool of yourselves!!

"organised by the European Commission in Malta" - neither Chris Said nor the Prime MInister nor the government and even less the PN were the organisers! Chris Said was a guest int he opening ceremony.

Insinuations are just that insinuations! I could insinuate that it is some anit EU mole within the Maltese section dealing with the EU that did this on purpose, but I would just be insinuating as I have no proof. So just stop makinga fool of yourselves!

marthese mussett

Nov 30th 2009, 11:56

'JC Micallef good comment lol. My five year old would ve probably done a better job.

J.Tonna

Nov 30th 2009, 11:39

@ David Dinh - If Chris Said designed and printed the flags himself I agree with you, otherwise you are talking rubbish.

Antoine Grima

Nov 30th 2009, 11:28

X'MISTHIJA.Ma nahsibx li kien Malti min ghamilhom

john borg

Nov 30th 2009, 11:23

X'tistenna minn dawk imħallsa minn Brussell. Anki l-ilsien Maltin qed ifarrku. Araw ftit t-traduzzjonijiet li qed isiru għar-Regolamenti u d-Direttivi. Flok jużaw il-Malti li għandna, isibu t-triq faċli billi jużaw il-kliem Ingliż u jibdlu l-ittri għal kif jinħass fil-Malti. Għadni kif itlqajt ma' traduzzjoni ta' kelma li darditni: framework qed jittraduċuha bħala kwadru, meta fil-Malti diġa' għandna l-kelma qafas!

Joe Cutajar

Nov 30th 2009, 11:19

More than likely they were made in China!! It was up to whoever organised the distribution to check them before handing them out. Surely, a claim on the supplier would be in order.

JCMicallef

Nov 30th 2009, 11:11

wait a minute...now I know...it's the New National Flag for Gozo!!! :-)))))

d farrugia

Nov 30th 2009, 11:02

made in China !!! lol

n. saliba

Nov 30th 2009, 10:57

Sheer "Pride and Patriotism" ?????

I wonder what salary does the IDIOT who was responsible to order these flags, gets!!!

Very Typical of giving jobs to the blue eyed boys.

e.cortis

Nov 30th 2009, 10:56

IF there should be a rethinking about the Maltese Flag, it should be the removal of ALL things marring our National Colours. Our National Poet, Dun Karm Psaila, put it bluntly in one of his nationalistic poems: "Hekk BAJDA w HAMRA BISS irridek jiena ". Any further comments are superfluous.

Rachel Attard

Nov 30th 2009, 10:40

Who was responsible should pay for this blunder

Michael Galea

Nov 30th 2009, 10:36

It's about time that shame of a George Cross is taken off the Maltese Flag.... Why do ppl still want to show their "gratitude" towards the UK for having so kindly let us take part in the 2nd world war...
OFF with that english symbol and put a good latin eight pointed one

S.Darmanin

Nov 30th 2009, 10:27

The flags were most probably made in China and sometimes these gaffes happen. I noticed the same farce on 'Knights of Malta' souvenirs. Emblems, crosses and crests depicted on these figurines demonstrate anything but Maltese Chivalry!

r cutajar

Nov 30th 2009, 10:26

this reminds me of Maltese translators who at the time some time ago tried to do a job and what a job they did ! I blame the office which had hired them and not themselves individuals concerned .
An army of Maltese organizers in such a gaffe deseves some

J. Baldacchino

Nov 30th 2009, 10:22

yet another witness to the famous "Uwiiiijaaa" attitude of the Maltese!

Galea. L

Nov 30th 2009, 10:07

E Gatt
Agree with you.
However, this is a great shame and shows what respect they have for our flag and country. Shame and shame again.

JCMicallef

Nov 30th 2009, 10:07

What a shame.

This could be the result of any combination of factors - no checking before confirmation of order, irresponsible people tasked with a job they have no idea about, ignorant staff responsible with the putting of these flags on display not noticing the mistake. Or perhaps it may have been sheer negligence.

Still shows that the levels of stupidity and carelessness in this country is reaching record levels.

john micallef

Nov 30th 2009, 09:47

hope someone will take responsability for this doing and squadering of funds. SHAMEFUL

David Dinh

Nov 30th 2009, 09:42

Chris Said should resign for being so naive about something important like our flag

Daniel Bonello

Nov 30th 2009, 09:33

We must be ashamed of ourselves!!!! Il-vera gharukasa!!!!

J Farrugia

Nov 30th 2009, 09:23

Is it possible that in today's day and age, the organisers were so dumb as to distribute flags which weren't the real maltese flags.

Emmanuel Vella

Nov 30th 2009, 09:20

Daqshekk ahna stupidi li ma nafux il-bandiera taghna?

a abela

Nov 30th 2009, 09:07

Shameful. The relevant punishment in accordance with law should be given.

E Gatt

Nov 30th 2009, 09:06

Actually it would be quite a good idea to replace the George Cross with a Maltese Cross (not the one on the picture but the same silver and red colours and proportions of the present GC).

The Maltese Cross is one of the few symbols that most of us associate with our country.

g.sinagra

Nov 30th 2009, 09:05

Of course the maltese and european tax payers will be footing the bill for this gross incompetence as per usual,with the added phrase'dawn affarijiet jistaw jigru'.

Lorraine Vella

Nov 30th 2009, 08:42

who will pay for this silly mistake? this surely cost some money to the tax payer...

g.c.Forte

Nov 30th 2009, 08:37

I do not think that using the wrong cross over the Maltese flag makes any difference today. Under this government every thing goes, as long as it diverts the public from the real problems of this country. We have a Prime Minister jaffeg kollox wahdu, stories about Ministers involved in corruptions, and kollox jghaddi wara xahrejn ta bumbardament ( ghal xejn) mill l-oppozzizjoni, Blackouts like our grand fathers use to have during the war of 1944, and nobody is accountable. We have an opposition like I said, barking for two months, then nothing happens.It is like a dog without teeth, and the citizen ........jibla kollox... basta inzomm ma l-ahmar bhali ,jew ma tal blu bhalek. The most important thing isto keep that parliamentary seat. We have forgot the Christian Democratic Party ( P.N. or right wings ) and The Socialists Party ( M.L.P or left wings ).We are now like a one state party, because both parties moved to the center with the excuse " for the benefit of the country " .

Lewis Balzan

Nov 30th 2009, 08:34

And yet another "Only in Malta" gaffe! Or better still, shall we declare it as the official flag of our "Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse"?

R. Caruana

Nov 30th 2009, 08:04

Thank goodness that it was noticed and the flags removed! I thought I saw something wrong with the cross during a short news clip on TV and was shocked to see an eight-pointed cross within the outline of the George Cross.

Whoever thought of this should respond to his actions. Hopefully this was a genuine error and not someone messing up with our flag, enshrined in our Constitution.