Gaddafi's warning 'must not be ignored'

J Brincat

Feb 28th 2010, 11:00

The Swiss are obviously in the right here.

There is no need for Dr Mifsud Bonnici to tell us that Gaddafi's warning "must not be ignored" because the whole world knows what he was up to in the past.

J Oatmon

Feb 28th 2010, 08:49

The Swiss quite rightly don't want people in their country who consider themselves above the law and untouchable. To avoid having to turn a blind eye to these untouchables beating their servants which is against Swiss law - Switzerland has banned their entry.
I think the Swiss have done the honest and correct thing, if a foreign dictator's family breaks the laws of the host country - then kick them out, Switzerland can easily survive without Libya. Malta would not be able to do the same because it has much less power and needs Libya more.

The correct solution is for Ghadaffi to instruct his family etc., not to misbehave when overseas, because their bad behaviour brings Libya's reputation into disrepute - end of story.

deniscatania@yahoo.com

Feb 28th 2010, 08:36

@Eric Gahn: THE U.S.A should stay silence on this issue. Just like Europe stayed silence and made back door deals to release the Pan Am bomber.

D.Pulis

Feb 28th 2010, 05:00

Col Gaddafi was insulted by the Swiss when they denied him Visa for Switzerland. It was very forseeable that Gaddafi, a man in dictatorship rule would use his extended powers to retaliate against Switzerland. It is unfair that the rest of Europe has to face the consequences of Swiss ignorance.

Libya was once a thriving nation that gave gave world many innovations. Its a pity that nowadays Libya is a total failure in economic and social terms.

Stefan Vella

Feb 27th 2010, 23:10

"So Switzerland black list some Libyans VIP’s including Gaddafi meantime let North Korea's leader’s families to stay in Switzerland to study and live. This is called hypocrisy and goes to prove that human rights are another useless EU slogan." Martin Cassar

Please note that Switzerland does NOT form part of the EU though it does participate in the Schengen Agreement. You cannot attribute that hypocrisy to the Union.

Christian Sciberras

Feb 27th 2010, 22:01

Norman Zammit - I agree, however it isn't Switzerland that barred entry or anything, but Libya which has retaliated against Europe.
Malta shouldn't fall for the bullies (Libya) to please them.

N. Baldacchino

Feb 27th 2010, 20:32

and here we are once again evaluating history and whether our recent moves were right or wrong!!
this proves that unfortunately not even "SVIZZERA fil Mediterran" would have been so fruitful for our "once upon time Indepent and Republic small country"
this shows, that like we have already given away our currency, we also have given away our freedom as a nation. we kicked away all what our fathers and grandfathers fought for, a few decades ago. neither the "iva" nor the "schengen" allow us to decide for our own interests.
if it was really "ghalina u ghal uliedna" we should have kept on investing on what our ancestors struggled to give us.
in this situation i dont care whether the swiss are freed from libya, nor whether the libyans are allowed into switzerland. our concern at this time should focus more on all the maltese enterpreneurs who invested in libya and all the maltese family men earning their living their!!!!

M. Cardona

Feb 27th 2010, 19:43

Martin Cassar - I'm amazed, really. All this anti-EU crap seems to have stayed permanently in people's brains.
In related news, you would agree with Malta limiting construction of mosques because "Malta is catholic".

I see hypocrisy....but elsewhere...

However, you do a great job of turning tables and arguments to your benefit.

Martin Cassar

Feb 27th 2010, 19:11

Part two:

Would we still be approving the Egyptians or the Iranian right of democracy? Would we still be siding with either the Iranians or the Egyptians? Would the EU keep mum? Would EU Human Rights apologists keep quite? I very much doubt!

Any way If what the Swiss did was a product of democracy I would say no tahnks, I don’t want this democracy as I equally disapprove a democracy that produced Hitler.
Using human rights as political tool is ugly!

Somehow I find myself defending the Col. of Libya as he never poses himself as a human right advocate and Libya never lectured other countries about Human rights.
The Col. of Libya is welcomed because he is honest for being dishonest!

John Azzopardi

Feb 27th 2010, 18:50

I think that Libya and the Swiss need to sit down and try to resolve. THe UN or the EU presidency are the only ones that may be able to solve this issue if the other two cannot. Malta has no power to play a broker. As for Italy, it may have a chance given the fact the Italy is one of Libya's biggest trading partners.

John Matthews

Feb 27th 2010, 18:44

@ Robert Callus.
Thankyou, that's how I interpreted it. My next point is, why don't the religious leaders come down on the side of peace and renounce Gaddafi's statement.
@ Eric Gahn
You are so right.

Martin Cassar

Feb 27th 2010, 16:35

Straight to the point.

"The Swiss have set a dangerous precedent by using Schengen rules as a political tool. It defeats the scope of Schengen," he said, insisting the blacklist had to be removed.

-----------------------------------------------

I would also say the Swiss have set a dangerous precedent by putting HUMAN RIGHTS’ related matters into referendum. Can we just envisage what would have been the ‘democratic’ west reaction if for example Iran or Egypt banned some churches to have steeples?

Switzerland knows whom they're dealing with, so if you play hard, be prepared for it. Swiss just wants more business; they don't care for human rights. So Switzerland black list some Libyans VIP’s including Gaddafi meantime let North Korea's leader’s families to stay in Switzerland to study and live. This is called hypocrisy and goes to prove that human rights are another useless EU slogan.

Norman Zammit

Feb 27th 2010, 16:06

I have already stated this comment earlier..This issue of visas is a problem between two countries, Libya and switzerland. I think it is an abuse of the Schengen treaty by Switzerland that has caused problems to all the EU nations including Malta. Before we rush into judging Libya for its deeds and words said we have to first see what the situation really is and who brought it upon us. I am working in Tripoli and cannot return to Malta for the time being as I would not be let back in. Many Maltese companies have business with Libya as other European countries but our ties with the Libyans are much stronger and need to be kept into perspective. This situation is only giving American companies the opportunity to move into Libya and take over the work that is in the hands of countries from the EU. With the world economic situation as it is we as Europeans and especially us Maltese cannot afford that. An issue between 2 countries should not keep all other EU countries as hostages

Andrew Battenti

Feb 27th 2010, 15:13

Alfred,

I am sure common sense will prevail and the Libyan Jamahirija will, in due course, become an open democratic state with religious and political expression enjoying protection under the law.

Eric Gahn

Feb 27th 2010, 15:10

One must note the silence from the US sinc ethis matter started. After removing the embargo and getting some very wonderful concessions where to drill for oil, now they do not care what the man says or does. Viva Le Capitalism.

Robert Callus

Feb 27th 2010, 14:34

@John Matthews
Every religious textbook can and is used, interpreted and manipulated according one's needs, most of the time political. What the Colonel is doing is definitely the case. In fact this rift is not really between Libya and Switzerland, but between him and his son and the Swiss govt.

Lke the bible, the kuran is a book of peace. However it can be interpreted in devious ways. To many people have been killed because of these texts.

A small message to the Colonel - since you believe there is God, and that he hates the Swiss, why don't you leave it to him to kill them? He surely has the means, no?

John Matthews

Feb 27th 2010, 14:19

Can somebody explain to me why muslims, when things don't go their way, declare a jihad. What would they do if the democratic world declared a similar sort of thing against them. I thought the kuran advocated peace but then again maybe I am being a little bit naive.

Andrew Battenti

Feb 27th 2010, 13:20

Ms. Vella,

It is worth remembering that the Roman Empire was enriched by migration flows, both culturally and economically. What started off the process of final decline, starting in the 3rd century AD, was the over-taxation of the agricultural sector, the main economic engine of the day.

I needn't remind you, that Malta's measure of her standing in the "Imitation of Christ" is the true and lasting value she brings to the European Union.

Alfred Aguis

Feb 27th 2010, 12:58

Perhaps we need to send the local imam with our ambassador to convince Gaddafi that we in Malta had nothing to do with this issue and this could lead to animosity between Maltese and Libyans or Muslims in Malta and therefore since Malta had no part with this controversy Malta must be exempted from this dimplomatic retaliation. For the benefit of both.

louise vella

Feb 27th 2010, 12:33

"There may be implications on the flow of illegal immigrants towards Europe."

Finally we have it from an authoritative source. Illegal immigrants are used by Libya as a weapon against EU countries. We happen to be the closest country and we get the first and strongest impact when this weapon is used. Libya has been stopping the outflow and this is the reason why the influx of illegal immigrants to Malta stopped in recent months. But not only. Italy too has been surveying the Libyan coast. Malta has benefitted greatly from the agreement between Italy and Libya, even though Dr Gonzi has not supported Italy's push-back policy.

Of course Malta is subject to blackmail. It is time Dr Gonzi came off from sitting on the fence. If Libya sends a deluge of boats full of illegal immigrants Malta must make common cause with Italy and help in the push-back policy.

Andrew Battenti

Feb 27th 2010, 12:27

The Imam of Malta rightly pointed out, some weeks ago, that the ban on minarets in Switzerland would become politicized.

Chris Borg

Feb 27th 2010, 11:22

statement, warning or threat???

Frans Sammut

Feb 27th 2010, 10:58

Now, let us, for once, be fair in our judgment. Did the Swiss have to ban minarets in the first place? Church steeples are not banned in Libya. Minarets are used to call people to worship God. Is that a criminal act of any sort? Being a secular state does not imply the right to deprive people of their religious rights. It only infers the duty to deal with ALL religions in a fair handed manner. The fact that one is not a Muslim does not mean that one should not protect the rights of Muslims everywhere. Should the latter fail to reciprocate that would be another argument which is NOT the one here. All arguments should be discussed in their proper context.

Franco Farrugia

Feb 27th 2010, 10:55

Respectfully, I do not agree with the Minister: the 'dispute' is NOT between Switzerland and Libya. The 'dispute' is between Libya and the democratic world where the rule of law is supreme.

John Portelli

Feb 27th 2010, 10:47

Well I can say Malta will be expecting more illegal migrants from Africa.Libya has nothing to lose but all to gain it's that simple.Europe wake up or give up!the future is in your hands
John Portelli
Perth
Western Australia