Edward Demicoli, press and political officer, EC Representation Office in Malta, Valletta
Wrong cross
With reference to the article Wrong Cross On Maltese Flag (November 30), we 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 at 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.
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Henry S Pace
Dec 2nd 2009, 18:52
@Joe Portelli
." Mintoff could not have even uttered the thought to remove the GC because most of the folk that earned this brave recognition were still alive and would have not stood for it (the brave came from both PL & MLP) and Mintoff left well alone".
The National Flag is neither a Regimental Flag nor a Band Club Flag.
As far as I know Medals should be worn on one's chest to show the bravery and honours that one has achieved through one's career.
The George Cross should be only displayed in our National Museums and no more.
Hands off the National Flag which should be RED and White only.
Joe Portelli
Dec 2nd 2009, 00:55
re Henry Pace's comment - "with all Mintoff's anti British (sic) stant he did not have the guts to remove the George Cross from the Maltese National Flag." Mintoff could not have even uttered the thought to remove the GC because most of the folk that earned this brave recognition were still alive and would have not stood for it (the brave came from both PL & MLP) and Mintoff left well alone.
So who gives us the right to remove it now? It belonged to a brave generation and we must not forget what they went through. Its like selling Gozo to an Oil Company so todays young people can buy their BMWs
Gerry Cowie
Dec 1st 2009, 20:05
I value the opportunity to be able to express my opinion in this democratic arena.
It would seem that a very small number of people blog on here in a most angry way in order to make their point.
I suggest that those who feel strongly about removing the George Cross should get themselves democratically elected to the Maltese Parliament on a "remove the George Cross from the Maltese flag" ticket!
Before I am told to "butt out of the argument" by anybody thousands of miles further away from Malta than I sometimes am, I would add that everybody has a right to their opinion.
It is up to the Maltese nation to make up its mind.
Henry S Pace
Dec 1st 2009, 18:00
@William p Flynn
When Lord Gort presented the George Cross to Malta in April 1942., nowhere did he say that award should be on our National Flag. The reason was simple because the British Government never recognised the Maltese National flag.
The George Cross found itself on the National Flag with no Government Decree, Notice or otherwise. This was painted there by the then maltese lackeys of the Imperial Government.
However, when Malta attained Independence our constitution stated that the National Flag should be Red and White with the George Cross in the canton of the White Half.
This remained so even when Mr Dom Mintoff amended the Constitution when Malta became a Republic on the 13th December 1974.
The reason was simple with all Mintoff's anti British (sic) stant he did not have the guts to remove the George Cross from the Maltese National Flag.
Henry S Pace
Dec 1st 2009, 17:47
Mr Edward Demicoli's letter does not justifiy the gaffe made by the European Office in Malta.
From the onset I have to say that Mr Demicoli as a press officer failed miserably in this matter because he did not carry out his duty to see all the logistics of the event to the least detail before the arrival of the Parliamentary Secretary. Even so the Hon Chris Said should have left the scene as a protest to what was taking place.
This was an insult to the nation.
Allow me to give a brief advice to Mr Demicoli that whenever such events would in future take place his duty is to follow each and every detail otherwise he would once again ditch himself in great trouble.
Such a blunder should have never happened had he was well aware of his duties.
Respect to our National Flag is respect to each and every citizen.
A. Zahra
Dec 1st 2009, 15:51
William Flynn, I love my flag, George Cross and all. I, like the majortiy of Maltese, voted for it when I voted yes to the Independence Constitution way back in 1963.
apgrech
Dec 1st 2009, 14:26
The European Commission Representation in Malta should be exiled to Filfla for a period of 10 years for such a crime :))
Why such a big fuss about all this?
William P Flynn
Dec 1st 2009, 10:48
That's OK. Had everything gone well, you'd have had the right flag with the cross where it doesn’t belong.
Everyone would be assured that no insult was intended and anyway you'd have been 68 years too late when Lord Gort, English Colonial governor of Malta delivered the ultimate insult by defacing the oldest Flag in the world - our own White and Red.
Our Mother Flag who saw us through thick and thin for all those centuries when freedom wasn't even a dream - just a better despot was all we could hope for.
But Freedom came at last; and when it did we left our Mother at Freedom's Gate where she still waits and we took The Painted One inside.
Restore our ancient flag, remove the GC - we can do it for no one can stop us except ourselves.
And please, fellow Mlatese, make the distinction between a medal and a flag.
lgalea
Dec 1st 2009, 10:30
The Commission and its parrots can tell it to the marines.