Labour spokesmen criticise government handling of Libya visas issue

reno calleja

Mar 14th 2010, 10:10

to put the record straight, what Dr Alex Sciberras Trigona actually said in the programm was that the EU counries were even CONTEMPLATING to ask Switzerland to withdraw from the Schengen treaty. He was not the one who suggested that
With regards to the matlese workers, AST blasted Minister Tonio Borg for not calling a meeting for the workers who work in Libya and were trapped in Malta and for the companies that were affected by the Libyan ban.

reno calleja

Joe Vella

Mar 13th 2010, 21:21

@ Robert Henry Gauci

Where did I state that Switzerland, or any other Country for that matter, can act unilaterally? So what is your point?

@ John Micallef

The Schengen Area is an agreement between a block of Countries, to which Countries outside the EU area are also signatories. The Schengen Area have nothing to do with the EU and being EU member Country is not a prerequisite to join the Schengen Area. So the issue of one having voted for the EU or not is irrelevant. Money have no boundaries. As there are EU firms doing business in Libya, I can assure you that there are Libyan businesses doing business in EU countries as well.

Martin Cassar

Mar 13th 2010, 18:15

What about sending both KMB and EFA?

The Col.in Libya is actually playing the trick of the trek with the EU. Have you really read what’s the Col. message behind this visa spat? Probably both Ministers Borg and KMB well read this message, understood the message and acting accordingly while many people didn’t even bother to use their brains as they simply got stuck with either let-us-hate Libya campaign or the illegal immigrant’s issue. Sluggish economic growth coupled with a high rate of inflation and unemployment should make resuscitation with our relation with Libya a priority. I reiterate: Malta-Libya relations are solid enough to make many other BIG countries envy our little Isle. I am ready to bet my last euro that a telephone call from either our old man Dom Mintoff or any of our ex presidents Guido de Marco or Eddie would end this farce. Surprised?You shouldn’t actually as Libya’s Col. is friend with all our polotical colors and political directions. By the way what could be achieved by any of our ex presidents by a telephone call with the Colonel can easily be doubled-gain by our beloved George Abela by mean of 2 cents SMS.

Muscat Pat

Mar 13th 2010, 14:18

It seems as if GonziPN is unable to defend the interests of the thousands of Maltese that seek their bread and butter in Libya. It is only the PL that have the Maltese interest at heart otherwise how can one explain how a non EU country -Switzerland- control who should enter or not enter in Malta? We all know how much Switzerland protects her financial interests, and rightly so, but we expect GonziPN to do the same and defend our interests too. It seems as if this is going to be an other "illegal immigration" fiasco, whereGonziPn weak leadership waits for "others" to help us!

Sergio Galea Vincenti

Mar 13th 2010, 13:50

Why can't we Maltese shut up and think before blurting out inane comments on blogs? It seems quite clear that the notion of a unified national front to solve bilateral issues with foreign countries is as alien as the notion of political tolerance in this blessed country of ours. It seems also quite clear to me that the people who so liberally comment on Libya have no inkling or understandings of what those of us who have invested or work in Libya have learnt about the ways things are done in Libya and the way Libyans should be respected on various levels.

Yes: There is no question that both Dom Mintoff and Dr. Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici are still held in very high regard by the Libyan leadership. There is also an undeniable fact that - from the Libyan perspective - Malta's entry in the EU did not materialise in any benefit for it and, in fact, has resulted in us Maltese being shouldered out of many sectors by our friends in Europe such as the Italians, Germans, British, Spanish, etc.

We already missed plenty of opportunities: Let's not ruin what's left of the market for Malta in Libya.

Daniel Genovese

Mar 13th 2010, 13:31

Bhala haddiem li nahdem gewwa l-Libya ma kumpanija rinomata, ovjament din il-problema tolqoni b'mod dirett kemm lilna li nahdmu hawn kif ukoll lill-familji taghna. Ghal dan l-ahhar xahar ilkoll kemm ahna qed nghixu f'dilemma li hadd ma jaf x'ser jigri. Il-verita li ninsabu bhalissa fija hija wahda allarmanti u bir-rispett kollu lejn kullhadd, jekk wiehed ma jarax il-munita miz-zewg nahat ma jistax jikkumenta.

Il-vera problema tal-Gvern Malti ma hijiex biss li jsolvi l-problema li tezisti bejn il-Libya u l-Isvizzera, izda aktar min hekk irid ihares l-interssi tla-haddiema kollha Maltin li jahdmu hawn gewwa l-Libya.

Ghalina ma jinteressaniex min jista jintervjeni jew le ghalina f'di is-sitwazzjoni. Bir-rispett kollu ma nistaxw nippolitigizzaw il-hajja ta aktar min 4000 haddiem u l-familji taghhom li hawn jahdmu gewwa l-Libya. Ejja nahdmu ghal interess tal-Maltin l-ewwel u qabel kollox.

Il-Gvern ghandu jaghmel min kollox biex ahna 'lkoll ikollna mohna sikur gewwa l-Libya u mhux kollha kemm ahna mhawwad dwar dak li jista jigri minna.

Daniel

ROBERT HENRY BUGEJA

Mar 13th 2010, 13:22

@ Mr.J. Vella

If I was you I will keep mum on the issue Mr.Vella cause clearly you have NO CLUE what you are talking about. I hope that you do not work at the Foreign Office cause for sure you will not be of any help to resolve diplomatic issues, even if they are of minor importance. Switzerland just cannot act unilaterally in the name of all the other Shengen States. Period. We, Maltese, are suffering directly the concequesnces due to such irresponsibile decisions. Go tell that to the workers and businessmen who are earning a living in Libya for so many years!

Brian Micallef

Mar 13th 2010, 13:13

Is this the best Joseph Muscat's new Labour has to offer? Going back to KMB? Old rag coats covering up for him like Reno Calleja and AST? He must disown them immediately if Joseph Muscat wants to be taken seriously. We are three years away from an election and labourites dont want to loose this one too. We already had two on our plates. This one will break the camel's back. It would be better for old labour to hide its face inshame and let the new ones shoulder their new responsibilities.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Mar 13th 2010, 13:12

Good to see so many people writing about something they know nothing about...oh well..as long as they re writing anti PL, then that means they're happy!Bless em!

john Micallef

Mar 13th 2010, 13:04

@ Mr Gauci, Mr Vella.
I understand you are some peole working in Malta & every night you sleep with your wifes & kids, but unfortunately you cannot save 5 min from your life to understand how things works in Libya.

But people like me, i voted for the EU for a better future. But unfortunatley we ended in Libya (africa). What i say is: How can that all EU countries are looking to doing busniuss in Libya and Africa? Why not in the EU.

No one has the stomack to admit that Schengen is a farse, out of it only countries like libya benefit. While we are here crying for their mercy!! When we talk to Libyans about the fatigue we have to go trough to get a visa for Libya,they wave their passports into our faces, showing their Schengen Visas. What's our benefit from Schengen?Can MIA tell us how many Maltese nationals travel to Schnegen countiries without passports? I bet those who do it has the passport ready in their pocket.

This is far then living on the moon, you have to accept the reality, wether you like it or not!

Joe Vella

Mar 13th 2010, 13:01

@ Christian Gauci

Actually, to correct you, the issue is between Libya and Switzerland and not the Schengen countries as you suggested. Other countries within Schengen zone have been caught in the middle of all this. The issue has to be resolved by finding a solution between Libya and Switzerland. Oh wait, perhaps the Schengen countries should take Alex Sceberras Trigona advice and threw Switzerland out of the Schengen Zone. I guess that will resolve the issue as well.

a.dalli

Mar 13th 2010, 13:00

Libyan are haveing a feast their split and rule policy is becoming evident with Maltese Nationals that enjoy no Nation any longer.

You must be ashamed of yourselves. Woring in Libya could be a choice but also every individual right if choosing so, always in compliance with local rule of law.

These people are also contributing towards the maltese economy perhaps much more than any of you big mouths. For the sake of Malta and the maltese community working in Libya - stop this b...s...

christian gauci

Mar 13th 2010, 12:39

@Joe Vella, FYI this issue is between Libya and Schengen countries because of the unilateral decision of the Switzerland to restricting the Libyan state to function by banning its government to travel to Europe. If this world has changed because we are living in 2010 then someone is living in the moon!

Joe Vella

Mar 13th 2010, 12:20

@ John Micallef

As the problem is between Malta and Libya for that matter. Sure, Mintoff in the past was able to resolve any and all problems with Libya, to the extend that Libya send its' navy with its' Guns pointing at all of us. Mr. Micallef, this is the year 2010, the Cold War is over, circumstances are different, and unless you haven't noticed there is a new World order.

Roberto Buontempo

Mar 13th 2010, 12:19

I was and am still a Nationalist. However, on this issue I agree with the comment made in this article with regards to KMB. It is true he has a very negative record as a former Prime Minister and froms part of the so called old labour. However, in this particular case, his excellent friendship with the Libyan leader should be exploited to safeguard the thouasands of jobs that could be lost if this saga continues. Let us show we are a united front on this national issue.

k.pace

Mar 13th 2010, 12:03

Joseph should be sent. After all the last time he was there he was made privy to a secret document.

Christian Gauci

Mar 13th 2010, 11:56

With all the prepotence of this Gonzi government and all the experts in this government, they do not know how to tackle this problem. After years of taunting the Libyans, they try to evoke the times of friendship between the Maltese and Libyans to solve the problem! True friendship is respect, something which was missing from Gonzi and his fellows. Go to Brussels and cry and stamp your feet, maybe someone takes pity of us and solve the problem for us. If old Labour is so disgusting why do you need their help?

g.c.Forte

Mar 13th 2010, 11:52

@ All ..............Il Malti jghejd " Habib fis suq jiswa daqs mitqlu deheb fis senduq " u " ghat tela` kull qaddis jghejn " KMB, ghadu cittadin Malti u jekk jista jghejn x`fiha hazin, zgur mhux ser ineffaqna flus.

R Gatt

Mar 13th 2010, 11:41

Oh my God; I'll just have to pretend I didn't just read this article so that I can move on with my day.

Anthony Farrugia

Mar 13th 2010, 11:38

Reno Calleja, Alex Sceberras Trigona, KMB : all yesterday's men. Is this the best that New Labour with is moderate and progressive stance can offer ?

Joe Vella

Mar 13th 2010, 11:36

Same old people, same old mentality. No surprise that Malta went to the dogs when Labour was in Government.

John Micallef

Mar 13th 2010, 11:34

First of all i remark that here we are not talking 100's but 1000's, & comfortably i say that they are over the Malta Shipyards number (There are also plenty of ex shipyards people working in Libya )

I think the problem is this island are people & politicians, that instead of joining forces & contacts to solve an issue, they stay sticked to pride. As they don't have their job treathened. Only when ETC will report an incline of un emplyed people that are ex Libya workers showing up on their list, & take action.

Whoever says for example that Dom Mintoff was not able to sort the issue in a matter of hours should think it twice.

To comment on this subject you have to know & be familiar with the Libyan way, as to meet the primeminister & ambassador it can be only a waste of time, you have to use your contacts at the very top level to make things happen. And people working in Libya knows what i mean. Why these have not been used? thanks god we have some of them on this island, but for political pride we are not using them.

J.Borg

Mar 13th 2010, 11:26

Haha the PL leader suggesting KMB to help us on this issue imagine what he will do if the PL leader is in government. Back to the olden times it is.

Denis Attard

Mar 13th 2010, 11:16

Is this "New" Labour??????? KMB ??????

Martin Triganza

Mar 13th 2010, 10:49

Dr.Gulia and Mr.Sciberras Trigona fejn kontu f'dawn il-gimghat li ilha din il-kwistjoni? Hemm bzonn li l-Gvern jikkunsulta maghkom. Tridu l-bajtra taqa f'halqkom biex tiehdu azzjoni u inizzjattiva inthom. Ahna imwehhla l-Libya ghax il-kollegi taghna ma jistawx jitilaw. Inthom ghandkom soluzzjoni dicenti jew tajbin biss biex tikkritikaw lil Gvern bhas-soltu? Il-Gvern mexa fit-triq it-tajba ghax halla l-visas ghal Libjani johorgu regolari halli ma tinholoqx "friction" bejn iz-zewg pajjizi u ha inizjattiva biex jibghat lil Dr.Tonio Borg personalment il-Libja biex tinstab soluzzjoni b'mod diplomatika. X'Berne Berne!! Il-problema hawn qeda u minn hawn tigi solvuta.

Franco Farrugia

Mar 13th 2010, 10:21

Regarding last paragraph: u tghid mhux hekk, kont nghidlu! Over my dead body! Shows the PL has not separated itself from the past!