Government denies that former UK diplomat advised PM on appointments

Mario De Bono

Mar 15th 2010, 05:16

All this was an inventin of some elf in the MLP, who desperately want to avoid any questions regarding the meals Mr Chetcuti organised for Joseph Muscat. I have not heard the PL leader deny that he ever went to these meals, and i'm sure that any number of people can testify that Joseph Muscat presided over proceedings at these meals. So spin on, Mr Galea et al, Spin on. The truth will out....i mean the truth about those lovely meals at Madleina Cottage, and other places.....Dumping Sandro w'ont help at all you know!

A. Mallia

Mar 14th 2010, 22:03

Click here to see how some Labour spin managed to make Malta a laughing stock :

http://charlescrawford.biz/blog/help-i-ve-entered-a-parallel-universe-

(I must say I love the dry British wit, though - which, sadly, many fail to understand.)

Charles J. Buttigieg

Mar 14th 2010, 19:58

@ Joe Vella

Spin Doctors like Doctors of Medicine are ethically, morally and legally bound to protect the confidentiality of their clients. If you are satisfied with the Government’s official denial and the spin doctor’s good luck to you. Austin Sammut, a prominent PN apologists and OPM insiders seem to have a different story to tell. Official denials fail miserably to impress me in as much as you do not get impressed when the PL issues official plausible denials. I tend to rely more on common sense than on denials made by people after getting caught red handed.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Mar 14th 2010, 19:37

@ Dominic Fenech

I’d like to assume that part of your comment had a hint of sarcasm. We don’t even need the intelligence ( as in information about secret plans) of insiders to tell us the real reason of Crawford’s visit was camouflaged by a lecture to teach officials how to write and present brisk official English.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Mar 14th 2010, 19:19

@ jbusuttil

Are you impressed? Did you expect Gonzi to put on his traditional smirk on his face and admit to any of Labour’s accusations? Good luck to you.

@ victor vella
For your info the first political consults(spin doctors) brought to Malta were Saatchi & Saatchi, by the PN during the 1992 General Elections. Labour hired the services of Phil Nobel in 1996. Check your facts before hitting the keyboard.

Dominic Fenech

Mar 14th 2010, 17:27

This is what Crawford wrote in his blog: "In short, I have made no recommendations to anyone in Malta other than to show some officials how to write and present brisk official English".

I personally have no difficulty believing it (or not), but that would beg the question of why the Ministry for Foreign Affairs needs a retired British diplomat to do that. The University boasts an excellent English Department and a fine Academy of Diplomatic Studies. Surely between them they could have rustled up something?

J Galea

Mar 14th 2010, 17:21

Malta's own civil servants being trained in diplomacy by a foreign ambassador? Where are Malta's own ambassadors to do this?

victor vella

Mar 14th 2010, 15:48

@ R Spiteri
Thanks for the link, I have nothing to add except that spin doctors in Malta were invented by Alfred Sant

jbusuttil

Mar 14th 2010, 15:27

Charles J. Buttigieg please take note of above.

In reply to your post:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100314/local/i-never-doubted-backbench-loyalty-pm

Victor Laiviera

Mar 14th 2010, 14:48

In one of his more memorable one-liners, Jim Hacker said "In politics, you should never believe anything untill it has been officially denied".

P. Schembri

Mar 14th 2010, 14:30

@R. Spiteri. I would do just the same if I'm paid handsomely. I would lie to kingdom come if need be!

lgalea

Mar 14th 2010, 14:29

"The Foreign Ministry said a story appearing today in the newspaper KullHadd was ‘an invention'."
Such as the inventions that realized themselves over and over again and the PL, KullHadd and Maltastar were proved correct?

lgalea

Mar 14th 2010, 14:24

Let me tell Charles Crawford and the Foreign Ministry the definition of a diplomat because I am not sure that they know it.

"A diplomat is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually enjoy doing it"

That is my diplomatic message to both Charles Crawford, the Foreign Ministry and the pn apologists.

By the way, it should not be referred to as the Foreign Ministry but the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Dr V Camilleri

Mar 14th 2010, 14:03

Funny reply by the ministry... is it a coincidence that he was here during the same time Lawrence Gonzi started coming with the fabulous idea of having aprentices paid by us. It-torca claims we will have to fork out €240,000 to buy out a few rebels. Great idea Mr Crawford....

Let's just quote one very prominent PN columnist on the times, Austin Sammut, who knew of the plot:

He seems to have placated his backbenchers by offering some sort of pairing with ministers. Mind you, it has been reported that some ministers, at least, are not terribly pleased with this proposed arrangement. But then we must remember that, rightly or wrongly, the prerogative to assign ministerial responsibilities in any democratic country lies with the Prime Minister.

Yet, I for one, am not totally convinced with Dr Gonzi's strategy (and it would be interesting to know who has advised him - we have heard of a foreigner; totally unnecessary in my opinion).

laurence schembri

Mar 14th 2010, 13:37

That`s Mr. Crawford`s version, to believe it or not is up to us.

R Spiteri

Mar 14th 2010, 12:32

Here is Crawford's reply

http://charlescrawford.biz/MSH8MB288721

It's a funny opposition party....editor of Kullhadd is Toni Abela...that says it all.

laurence schembri

Mar 14th 2010, 12:02

We will ask Mr. Charles Crawford, shall we!

Anthony Mizzi

Mar 14th 2010, 11:33

This must be the first lesson in "diplomacy"! - Economising in the truth......