Libya thanks Malta for warning of US bombing

P Bonnici

Jan 23rd 2010, 19:02

If Ghaddafi had been killed by the Americans, thousands of innocent Libyans opposed to the Ghaddafi regime would have been saved.

Many innocent people are tortured and killed daily in Libyan prisons. The suffering is beyond one's imagination.

John Azzopardi

Jan 23rd 2010, 18:16

To those who take the opportunity to criticize the US, I say you are jealous. Alos, there are thousands of Maltese Americans today and we are proud of the relationshiop the US and Malta enjoy. The US like any other country does have it's faults, but it's a great country that needs to protect it's interest against terrorist. And that is what was done in the 70's and 80's. Ask any Maltese, except a few radicals from the 70's who they would prefer. Libya or Malta. As for Gaddafi, I really don't care what the man has to say.

G. Curmi

Jan 23rd 2010, 14:53

In 1980, a major incident occurred when Gaddafi sent Libyan gunboats and a submarine to threaten Maltese naval vessels in a dispute over oil exploration in Maltese territorial waters. In 1984, PM Dom Mintoff showed his subservience to Gaddafi for this illegal act of piracy by inviting Gaddafi to Malta. In 1986, in another show of subservience, PM Karmenu Mifsud-Bonnici violated Malta’s neutrality – the MLP often bragged about Malta being a non-aligned nation - by warning Gaddafi of an airstrike by US air forces retaliating for Libyan-sponsored terrorist acts in Europe. In 1988, Gaddafi’s agents violated Malta’s sovereignty when they used our airport to smuggle onto an aircraft the bomb that eventually brought down PanAm Fight 103 over Lockerbie killing 270 people. In recent years, Gaddafi has systematically abused Malta by sending illegal immigrants by the boatful to overwhelm our scant resources. In recent speeches, Gaddafi said that the aim of the World Islamic Call Society (sponsored by Libya) is the eventual Islamic domination of Europe. Why would our government even consider inviting Gaddafi to visit Malta? Recall the Maltese proverb, “Ma’ min rajtek xebbaħtek.” With "friends" like Gaddafi, Malta needs no enemies.

Imad Ali

Jan 23rd 2010, 14:12

@ Richard Galea and Colin Borg Cardona: I really wonder where in Libya you guys worked. Not that I disbelieve you but the fact is that both my father and my aunt and her family worked in Libya for many many years and have few positive things to say about that country and especially about its people. And that is a vast understatement. I have never been there but I have noticed this strange polarisation in foreigners that have lived in Libya - they either hate it with a passion or love it to bits. No middle way. I've always been so curious about that.

Denis Catania

Jan 23rd 2010, 00:09

@ Pippo Guilano: Make sure you know what you are talking about when you write that the U.S never helped Malta. The U.S still helps Malta. Also you should check with the people you are talking about in the 70's, which companies they worked for while working in Libya. Most of those company where Texan companies. Yes Texas U.S.A. Those are the companies that paid big money to Maltese workers working in Libya. The U.S is helping Malta more than all of the EU put together when it comes to illegal immigrants. Who gave Malta their x-ray machine for the sea port. yes the U.S. Who just gave Malta patrol boats to keep you safe, yes the U.S. Should I continue. Go back and see how much money was given to Malta by the U.S since ww2. Please go check the facts. Are you telling me there is no American companies employing Maltese workers in Malta. Check your facts. The main question you should ask Gaddafi while in Malta. When will he let Malta drill for oil in our water. So maybe those Maltese workers can work in Malta instead of going to Libya and leaving families behind.

Pippo Giuliano

Jan 22nd 2010, 20:36

Those that are writing against Col. Gaddafi and the Libyan people unfortunatly, dont know what happened in the past, even so, what is happening today. Who saved the Maltese in the 70's, the than labour goverment had no money for wages, let alone for infrastructure ? Col. Gaddafi and the Libyan people. Who helped Malta during difficult times ? the US, Europe NO, Libya. What about now, we are passing again through difficult times, were are a big number of Maltese companies getting contracts, in the US, Europe NO Libya, were are the big number of Maltese workers earning a living, in the US, Europe NO Libya. A big thankyou to Col. Gaddafi and the Libyan people for their help during difficult times and always.

Joseph A Borg

Jan 22nd 2010, 19:45

In 1963 Harold MacMillan (British PM) wrote privately: "It is repugnant to political equity and prudence alike that we should so often appear to be supporting out-of-date and despotic regimes and to be opposing the growth of modern and more democratic forms of government." Colonial meddling in the middle-east has been going on since the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Let's get off our high horse please. If the Libyans feel that Gaddafi is not worthy to be their leader, then they should bring change, not the US or UK.

gaffarena joseph

Jan 22nd 2010, 19:23

Re I Galea Your arguments cannot be taken seriously .You are always on the negative side. Try to make this year ,a year ,more on the positive side, and always learn from other writers,than you will feel more stabilized in your thinking. Dear lord grant this gentleman a positive lateral thinking in his writings .

Ernest Vella

Jan 22nd 2010, 17:03

Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici knew what was happening in the air but didn't know about the various violences, some people with the Police were doing @ tal-Barrani, what was happening in Malta during these dark times for democracy. Unbelievable. Instead of a thanks, we will accept more happily right now, some oil barrels at low cost if not free.

Philip Paris

Jan 22nd 2010, 14:29

@lgalea

Please! Even after all the rants Gaddafi has done most resently in the United Nation, in Italy, how can you support this man.
You sir need to examine the truth.
Thats is all for me on this subjuct.

D Phillips

Jan 22nd 2010, 11:44

@Charles J Buttigieg,
Surely, pacifism could be defined as an opposition to or a refusal to engage in war or violence because of ones principles or beliefs. So pacifism as a reason (or excuse) is not entirely accurate in this situation. The position of neutrality however was, irrespective of how you want to dress it up or twist it, compromised by the passing on of an alarm. Unfortunately the constitution is very specific on the subject of neutrality, not so much on pacifism.

@IGalea, the article is about Malta & Libya, try and keep to the subject matter, without heading out to the usual conspiracy theories.

Denis Catania

Jan 22nd 2010, 09:43

@Igalea: Now that we have this information, not only I think the bomb on Pan Am left Malta, I believe that Malta knew of the bomb and closed their eyes. Remember this is the same Libya who threatened Malta in the past and is helping with the invasion of Malta as we speak. I just wish if ever in the future the U.S.A will have problems with Libya, the U.S.A would knock out Malta's radar system and hopefully done without hurting or killing any Maltese. The problem the U.S.A have is when there is a problem in the world, the world BEGS the U.S.A to act and yes in somewhat I agree with you. The U.S.A should let the world fix there own problems. But than again Europe couldn't fix it's own problem in ww2, couldn't fix it's own problem in the Baltic's, can't get a grip in the middle east. I'm one to believe that the U.S.A should not put one American soldier in danger to save anyone outside the United States not a one.WHEN WILL LIBYA LET MALTA DRILL FOR MALTA's OIL? WHEN WILL LIBYA STOP THE INVASION OF THE MALTESE ISLANDS ? Answer these two questions, please.

lgalea

Jan 21st 2010, 23:55

Philip Paris
You consider Libya as a regime. Others do not.
How about the regimes supported by the USA and the UK and other NATO countries?
But then they are the USA, UK and NATO puppets aren't they?

Denis Catania The shame is on the USA for bombing another country on an extremely flimsy excuse which is now being clearer than ever that Libya was not involved in the Lockerbie incident. How about the US shooting down a civil aircraft? HAve a look at the links in my previous posting. If you want to I can supply you more to see what "saints" the USA, its soldiers and its ambassadors are.

M.Gauci Prove your allegations Gauci because even the non-American families believe that the whole issue was a set-up by the USA/UK secret services.

c. camilleri MAlta has agined a lot and it is clear that there are foreigners kowtowers who are acting in concert with the US Ambassador to attack our neutrality, but it is going to remain in our Constitution whether you, the USA and NATO want it or not. It's none of their business.

Mary Brincat

Jan 21st 2010, 22:23

My family too, we are in debit for Libya.
I have my husband and other three members of my family and about seven friends are currently working in Libya (four of my friends lost their jobs in both the UK and Italy). I take this opportunity and sincerely welcome the Libyan President in Malta. I also wish I could give a big hug and a flower on behalf of my kids. Looking forward for the day I visit your lovely country and meet with your kind and warm peoples.

Regards.
Mary

steve elliott,uk

Jan 21st 2010, 22:13

back then, very little funds, you do what you got to do. viva Malta ghal dejjem

Philip Paris

Jan 21st 2010, 21:04

@Charles J. Buttigieg

I never said the Pan Am bomb originated in Malta. Yet, Malta was involved with the suitcase.

Philip Paris

Jan 21st 2010, 20:36

@lgalea You are dragging other things into this one particular article. Libya was a friend when it threatened Malta over drilling for oil and turning a blind eye to letting human smugglers work of there shores. The Americans are not innocent but that does not give the GOM the right to support another regime.

martin saliba

Jan 21st 2010, 19:13

@Brian Farrugia and the like. In the 1970's Libya didn't send thousands of imigrants but millions upon millions of cash with which we are still benifiting from to this day. What has Europe given us ? Taxes , penalties fines and the sorts. Ask the shop owners in Valletta and Sliema how the use to stock up every couple of days because they couldn't keep up with the sales they had to the Libyan tourist. True that some unwanted were here as well but that is the same for every nationality . As EFA once said of a criminal , some good quakiteis and some not so good. No fire away PN apologists.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 21st 2010, 18:52

@ Philip Paris How sure are you that the Pan Am bomb originated in Malta? Millions of people worldwide believe that the whole Lockerby trial was a frame up against a Libyan National. The UN had good reasons for not imposing sanctions on us and the USA and Britain could not retaliate against us due to world opinion, the risk of the domino effects by the then other superpower and its other allies, the non aligned countries and the very fact that Italy, a NATO member, also sent the red alert to Gaddafi.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 21st 2010, 18:36

@ Paul Farrugia Malta can't waiver the Visa requirement because of EU regulations. Can't have the cake and eat it.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 21st 2010, 18:32

@ D Phillips Pacifism, passive and neutrality have different meanings. To remain neutral is not about remaining passive. Alarming a neighbouring country of imminent danger to its national security is a sign of respect to peaceful coexistence irrespective who the aggressor is and the potential victim. Had Malta remained passive in those circumstances it would have been siding with the aggressors.

Denis Catania

Jan 21st 2010, 18:19

One must wonder if Malta and Libya planned the Pan Am bombing. Shame on Malta for turning their back on the U.S.A. Shame on Malta.

Shaun A Camilleri

Jan 21st 2010, 17:44

I do not understand many people's comments here. True Libya is not perfect but they are our neighbours and closer to us than Poland, Sweeden or other northern parts of Europe. The languge we speak is closer to 'Libyan' than any language in Europe. With comments like some how do they expect the Libyans to help Malta regarding illigal immigration? Helping our neighbour against an aggression from someone outside the mediterranean was good and we should not care about what others say or may think about us. I also earn my living with Libyans and from my wages I contribute and therefore indirectly Libya contributes towards NI and other taxes. Many have ties with Libyans in one way or another. Mr. Ghaddafi if you read this WELCOME to Malta and hope you enjoy your stay here. Shaun 'Amyn'. Ps. No I am not a Labour party supporter.

Colin Borg Cardona

Jan 21st 2010, 17:03

Brother Simon - obviously you are prejudiced....when you work and live in Tripoli/Libya, I am convinved that you will have a different perception of Libya and it's people...c u soon!

M.Gauci

Jan 21st 2010, 16:51

Let us all remember History. K.M.B ( Prime Minister at the time) always complained and still complains that Malta is not Neutral the same period he was in office his illustrious government and Party gave them the Heads up. Well Minister then you should thank KMB for saving Gaddafi's life and give the world a break Al Megrahi was the mastermind behind the Pan Am bombing. Give us a break

c. camilleri

Jan 21st 2010, 16:38

And at that time we were suppose to be neutral. Is this the kind of neutrality so much at heart by many leftists? Did not KMB considered the danger that his action might have had on our islands? Suppose the Americans decided to bomb our island because of their failed attempt.? About the drilling for oil our neutrality did not bring any results. The story of being forced out by Libyan's navy from our drilling position is well documented. Now Libya is compensating us by offering us free of charges thousands of refugees. Neutrality has always been a farce from the very beginning and will continue to be until we finally realised the banality of the whole thing. Malta has gained nothing from neutrality but trouble as in an other case of the Egyptian disaster when our blind pursuit of neutrality did not allow American officials to lead the Egyptians troops. The result as we all know was disaster. We now wait for results of these talks and the official visit of Col. Gaddafi. Libya has been taking us for a ride for a very long time indeed.

victor aquilina

Jan 21st 2010, 16:12

Shame on Malta when Mr Gadafi came to Malta and built us a Super Hotel in Marsascala and now look at it Rifled and robbed of all its Best bits and now Just an empty space! Shame ,it WAS a Super Hotel

lgalea

Jan 21st 2010, 15:41

Philip Paris, Peter Korsten That's what friends are for. DO you expect that friends should not be warned that they were going to be attacked by the USA? Have a look at http://www.krysstal.com/democracy_whyusa02.html to see how many illegal invasions of other countries were carried out by the USA. Silly of you to continue to believe that the Lockerbie bomb was the work of the Libyan agents and that Malta was used. Perhaps you need debriefing from the US brainwashing to which I am sure you have been subjected. D Phillips read my comments above CharlesJ.Buttigieg, ChrisFinch,S.Vella The USA trained and helped Bin Laden and those who were fighting the USSR forces in Afghanistan and they were called freedom fighters. They were only called terrorists when they did not continue to be subservient to the USA. The axis of evil are the USA and NATO. Anthony Formosa Very good comments. john micallef We have no obligation to the western world. They are the ones who kept our country colonized and used us for their dirty wars that have caused havoc and the death of many Maltese citizens.

cecil herbert jones

Jan 21st 2010, 15:12

We are a nation of smilers and we won't say no to anything or anyone who might benefit us. Yet we lose our sense of what justice is all about everytime. I hope that the Prime Minister reminded Gaddafi of when he sent six Destroyers and threaten to blow up the only oil rig that Malta had commissioned to drill for oil in Malta's territorial waters. I hope he thanked him for that. Now we welcome him to Malta. Oh btw how much are we paying for every barrel of oil nowadays? Pray excuse my sarcasm, its really disgust. Oh....and Pan Am 103, do we thank Gaddafi for using Malta for that too?

Philip Paris

Jan 21st 2010, 15:00

The fact Libya is thanking Malta now is a farce.
I did not know Malta warned Libya and I am shocked that the government put the people of Malta at risk with sanctions or even retaliation from the US and the UK for helping a country that even used Malta to murder people over Scotland.

Simon Borg Cardona

Jan 21st 2010, 14:58

Hallina Colin !!!

D Phillips

Jan 21st 2010, 14:14

@Charles J Buttigieg
Irrespective of whether you think the bombing was right or wrong. Irrespective of whether you think the bombing was legal or not.
You cannot “enhance your principles of neutrality” by applying that neutrality clause when its suits and categorically ignoring when it doesn’t.
Issuing the warning, was/is in direct contradiction to what is written in the constitution.

Paul Farrugia

Jan 21st 2010, 14:00

As a Maltese working in Libya I urge Maltese and Libyan authorities to waiver the need for a VISA for Maltese workers working in Libya and for the waiver of the need of a VISA for Libyans travelling to Malta.

I appreciate that due to Maltese EU membership Schengen VISA requirements still hold but then if Libyans want to travel to other EU countries then they can get a Schenegen VISA in Malta. There is a market for such travel. Grab this opportunity Maltese travel agents.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 21st 2010, 13:59

When the USA and Britain found it convenient for them to join forces with the USSR in spite of the fact that Josef Stalin was sending his fellow countrymen to freeze to death in Siberia,we did not complain.

Anthony Formosa

Jan 21st 2010, 13:59

I have great respect for Libya and their people, and I hope our friendship will get stronger.

To all the negative comments.

1) why we not drill in Sicily, they also have oil?

2) Why not the illegal immigrants be taken by those European countries which colonized them for many years, and rob them from their resources and created conflicts before they left.

Those who think that today we are Europeans because six years ago we joined the EU they are mistaken.

R. Gauci

Jan 21st 2010, 13:12

We don't want gratitude, we want oil!!

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 21st 2010, 13:04

@ S Vella
Now even the righteous of the Western World are embracing Qaddafi because its convenient for them. If they are now realising where their bread is buttered we anticipated them when we needed Libya and its Leader.
Why should the enemy of our friends become our enemy?

john micallef

Jan 21st 2010, 12:57

The least he can do for the Maltese to thanks us, is to let us workers enter libya without Visa, or at least agevolate us!!


Im confused how to interpretate the reasons of the decleration in the article.

Martin Cassar

Jan 21st 2010, 12:55

‘During his meeting with Dr Gonzi, Mr Koussa said Libya was grateful for the advance warning Malta had given Libya in 1986 when US airplanes bombed Col. Gaddafi's residence.’

Is this called a state-sponsored terrorism? Or the USA was trying to democratize Libya? I bring Iraq’s experience to my mind!
Now I grasp the conditions for terrorism and world’s instability bit by bit.

The real jeopardy we are facing is coming from the New-cons , the far-rights and the Zionists.

Charles Muscat

Jan 21st 2010, 12:49

Malta has alway acted according to which way the wind is blowing. Malta cannot afford to lose Libya on the other hand how would Malta look with the US?

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 21st 2010, 12:42

@ Chris Finch
The American bombing on Libya was a breach of the Geneva Convention because a declaration of war should have been made prior to the air raid. Furthermore the attack wasn’t planned to bombard a military installation or a strategic point, the aim was to assassinate Col. Gaddafi which also goes against the official remit of the CIA as well as the laws of the USA, the UK and Malta. Colonel Gaddafi might be considered a monster by the Western World however we still do not accept assassinations more so when innocent civilians women and children are exposed to obvious danger.

By allowing the US to use its air bases to mount the attack on UK soil the British Government became an assessor to a war crime yet that was accepted because they were helping their American cousins. The shame, according to some of our foreign friends, is on Malta because we alerted our neighbours, which we found when we needed them, about the planned assassination of their Leader and his innocent family.
Our principle of neutrality is enhanced when we refuse to allow the big boys to interfere in our home affairs.

Colin Borg Cardona

Jan 21st 2010, 12:38

Having just retired from a 23 employment span in Libya, engaged by foreign petroleum companies, I can only shower praise on the Libyan people. Without fail, I was always shown great respect and hospitality; it was a great pleasure to deal with the Libyans connected with our business and be acquainted with a very friendly population. For record purposes, Maltese nationals during the 90's were the only citizens allowed to enter and work in Libya with just an ID card. The doors were flung open by the Libyan leader for those who wanted to better their livelihood. One may brand the Leader as a terrorism sponsor but there are several methods of implementing terror campaigns and the West has no shortage of this either. I can only say a big thank you to Col Ghaddafi for having hugely improved my family's standard of living, for employing so many Maltese - making vacant job positions in Malta for others to occupy & thus pumping foreign currency into Malta. One needs to understand the enormous suffering by the Libyan people having been drained of natural resources by occupying powers until the revolution and through the contested UN sactions during the late 90's.

Gerard Cassar

Jan 21st 2010, 11:49

The P.N. government has finally Invited Colonel Gaddafi who governs Libya to visit Malta. In the meantime P.N. activists are competing between each other on how to condemn the visit and try to debase the Leader of a Foreign country.
There are some that would have been delighted had the raid by the USA been succesful. They must remember that we are neighbours and as neighbours we must try and be friendly just as we are with Italy.
After all Gaddafi freed his country not just from a king's regime but also from foreign exploitation
and knew how to enrich his people.

C.ZARB

Jan 21st 2010, 11:37

I doubt that it was the Libyans who dragged us into a war which wasn't ours and thanked us for our loyalty by reducing the work at shipbuilding and giving us pocket money (not to spoil the colonies) to rebuilt our country. Ah I forgot, we were also awarded with the George Cross, quite handy to have when your country is in shambles.

It is easy to point the finger at the Socialists for seeking refuge towards 'rogue' nations like Libya NOW. Stating that things aren't as easy as one portray them to be/ Our countries needed serious help and only countries like Libya stepped in to provide us with some serious help.

The truth is that both Malta and Libya (who are both former colonies) is carrying the consequences of years of colonization which made certain Northern European countries FILTHY rich. No wonder they are both complaining about it.

John Doe

Jan 21st 2010, 11:37

Neutrality does not exist in this world. Choose your friends wisely.

sean grima

Jan 21st 2010, 11:34

saving innocent people's lives is an end which justifies the mean. on the other hand i do not feel that malta should be seen to be welcoming dictators such as gaddafi. people now look back with disdain at situations when heads of european states welcomed dictators, and this is how this will be judged in the future. imbaghad out of all governments, libya is the one accusing NGOs of propoganda!

Maria Camilleri

Jan 21st 2010, 11:31

I recall very well the PN attitude towards Col. Gaddafi and the Libyans during the 70's and 80's. Now it seems that the PN 's previous position has completely turned around. How times change and oponions change too!! Interesting to read that Dr Gonzi welcomed the announement of Col. Gaddafi's visit and insisted it was important for both countries to maintain good relations." .. And thanks go to Mr Mintoff who through his political abilites established such strong and important relations.

Godfrey Camilleri

Jan 21st 2010, 11:16

Re oil exploration they'd better finalise it and give us permission to go along alone or jointly rather than just say it is active, which has been the case for many years. Finding oil is our only solution to get the deficit in line and improve social services like the disgusting taxable pensions and many other projects we would love to do, like a decent opera house instead of an open air aquarium. Gaddafi is not welcome unless he resolves this issue rather than keep all the oil selfishly for his people.

Ramon Casha

Jan 21st 2010, 10:55

You're welcome. There are areas in oil exploration and repatriation of immigrants in which Libya could show its gratitude in a practical manner.

C Cassar

Jan 21st 2010, 10:49

Malta is now in the EU, so why publicise something like this that will only bring negativity to the Maltese Islands? The days of Malta effectively being a North African state encouraged by the governments of the 1960's & 1970's are completey over, thankfully.

Countries such as Libya just dump their problems on the EU because they are jealous of a way of life they will never have in 500 years. They won't make the effort to improve their own so they think they can simply take it from others who have worked hard to achieve what they have.

S. Vella

Jan 21st 2010, 10:38

So Malta is thanked for helping out a state that sponsored terrorism on western targets at that time. Shame on us.

Alfred Bugeja

Jan 21st 2010, 10:36

@ Peter Korsten

And one wonders if Pan Am 103 would still have been bombed had the USS Vincennes not downed Iran Air Flight 655, for which the US has still not apologised.

Joe Portelli

Jan 21st 2010, 10:28

Peter Korsten, I would add, one wonders even further, if the people in Libya would have thanked us just teh same, if they did not get a warning at all.

Anyways, Mr Blair welcomes him back , despite his furious anger at Prodi when he invited the Libyan leader to Rome.

Politics is hyprocary paid for with peoples lives.

Its not all bad news, I too worked in ibya for 7 years and identify with Richard Galea, I have nothing but praise for the Libyan people, from my experience. Always felt safe, too. It goes to show, how perceptions can make things look so far from the truth.

Joe Grima

Jan 21st 2010, 10:12

I have every respect for Libya, its people and its Leaders but there is no point in confusing recent histiory with statements such as this one. Although KMB may have taken it upon himself to inform the Libyan Leader of the impending attack by US aircraft, it was revealed last year that it was the Italian Government that had given Ghaddafi the first warning and that, as things turned out, the Libyans credited Italy for the advance warning call. It is gratifying that Libya still recognises KMB's effort to avoid bloodshed from the attack but to continue to associate Malta with the warning is to heighten the resistance of Raeganites to anything that can be interpreted as the strengthening of relations between Malta and the US. I was engaged on trying to open up a dialogue with the US, first by Mintoff as his special envoy and later by KMB. My contact was a close aide to Ronald Reagan, Washington Lawyer Edward Bennett Williams.. Bennett Wlliams used to say that when he mentioned three particular countries to Reagan, Iran. Libya and Malta, and enigmatic smile would bring Raegan's shutters down on the conversation .

Stephen Farrugia

Jan 21st 2010, 10:02

Gaddaffi has been sweet talking Malta for to long and doing nothing. They made promises, got us in trouble and now even send immigrants to take away our country. Regarding oil, just disgraceful.
His motivation was only to remove the British military base and control our political elite with tokens of little national worth.
The Maltese have to move on and fend for themselves because Libya has been a waste of time and only a drag on any progress. Basically, they let us down, over and over again.

Stephen Farrugia

Rightwing

Chris Finch

Jan 21st 2010, 09:53

Two points,
1. By warning Libya, didn't this contravene Malta's neutrality stance?
2. If Malta did the same thing today, by siding with a rogue nation, they would be called part of the Axis of Evil.
Its good that times have moved on.

E Gatt

Jan 21st 2010, 09:08

Like anyone else, Col Gaddafi is welcome to Malta and to speak here.

Col Gadaffi’s speech at the MLP mass meeting in 1986 had to be sanctioned by minister Dr Alex Sceberras Trigona. Other fellow Europeans, such as Sen Flaminio Piccoli, were denied their right of freedom of expression by the Progressive “Foreign Interference Act”. Luckily PN was there to defend our rights and freedom.

john micallef

Jan 21st 2010, 08:32

thanks mr minster for mentioning this incident again, through your 'thanks', young people can now know that we betrayed the whole western world by giving your country the heads up. once again thanks for mentioning history

Miracle Xeruse

Jan 21st 2010, 08:22

First of all I would like to thank Malta of being beside Libya all the way. I appreciate all it's effort toward my beloved Libya. and i would like to express all my respect to the malts nation since we share the past, present, and the future ....

Peter Korsten

Jan 21st 2010, 08:10

One wonders if PanAm flight 103 still would have been bombed, had Gaddafi not found shelter in time.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Jan 21st 2010, 08:05

That Mass Meeting was held in Pretty Bay at Birzebbugia precisely where they have the Bus Terminus. Besides the women bodyguards there were also armed soldiers in red caps mingling with the crowd to its disgust. Gaddafi delivered his monotonous and repetitive discourse in Arabic and translated in Maltese by an interpreter.

The meeting did not attract the anticipated big crowd contrary to the Labour Mass Meetings in the 80s.

Richard Galea

Jan 21st 2010, 07:54

For 30 years I worked in Libya......I have nothing but praise for the Libyan people of how I was treated there.......May I take the opportunity to thank the Libyan People for letting me earn my living with dignity for all those years.
Unfortunately some young Libyans did taint the reputation of the Libyan people here in Malta........ very similar to what the Maltese did in UK in the 60's

Richard Galea.

Brian Farrugia

Jan 21st 2010, 07:43

Yes thank you very much Malta for saving our Glorious leader. In return we send you thousands of Sub Saharan Africans.