Malta must leave Schengen arrangement - KMB
Malta must withdraw from the Schengen area immediately because the arrangement is nothing more than another form of colonialism, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, chairman of the Campaign for National Independence, said today.
Referring to the Swiss decision to blacklist 188 top Libyans, and the Libyan retaliation of stopping all Schengen area visas, the former prime minister said this was yet another example of how Malta was back under the yoke of colonialism.
Malta, he said, was being forced to abide by decisions which were not in its national interest.
This blacklist had been in place for months, he said, but the Maltese government had not acted promptly to safeguard the national interest. Indeed, it even invited Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to come to Malta when it knew that that such a visit was not possible for as long as the blacklist remained in place.
The Schengen arrangement was flawed because the decision of just one country was binding on all the others, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said. As a result, hundreds of Maltese workers in Libya were living through tense times as their jobs were in danger.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici said it was obvious that Libya would retaliate to the Swiss blacklist, and had Malta been in the Libyan position, it would have done the same.
He insisted that Malta should revert to the pre-2004 position of allowing visa-free travel between Libya and Malta, a factor which would also boost tourism.
VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
Dr Mifsud Bonnici also criticised the government for the AFM's participation in EU and Nato-led military missions, the latest being plans for participation in the Somalia anti-piracy operation.
The Constitution laid down that Malta was neutral and non-aligned, he said, and those provisions had to be respected.
45 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Chantelle Mifsud
Mar 17th 2010, 21:58
I agree perfectly
Andrew Agius
Mar 17th 2010, 10:21
lgalea
When you run the country and Malta has left the EU and is standing proudly independent with closed borders and no foreign trade or tourism can my family and I share some of your last loaf of bread?
Mario Desira
Mar 16th 2010, 13:46
I never thought this day would come, but it has.
I agree with KMB with regards to "allowing visa-free travel between Libya and Malta". In addition, he also has a point with regards to tourism.
As A Dalli remarked correctly, Libyan people spend a lot of money in Malta.
So facilitating travel between our Island and Libya would benefit us Maltese in many ways.
Anthony Farrugia
Mar 16th 2010, 09:59
He must be living in a pre-1989 time warp. The Berlin Wall has fallen, the USSR has crumbled into different states, we are in the EU since 2004, the MLP/PL needs him to spout about getting out of Schengen and ultimately out of the EU , as much as it needs a hole in the head. Yesterday's man must realise that the time of "B'xejn jew xejn" are thankfully over and done with, dead and buried.
T.Vella
Mar 16th 2010, 09:17
For God's sake and the sake of hundreds of Maltese and business going on between the 2 countries stop given this serious issue a political image, at least Dr. Bonnici make sense in what his saying.Have a look at the comments below and you will all see for yourselves that most of the comments are against Dr. Bonnici because he is on the PL side and against the Libyans because they don't have an idea how helpful these people are, ask people like me who's been working in Libya for the last 27 Years.Did we forget when the Libyans came over a thousand everyday during the sanctions how much money they spent everyday, how much business was being generated ? I suggest that whoever don't have any interest to see this serious matter solved to keep their mouths shut and don't express their hate for the Libyans on the Maltese news papers, for sure this makes our situation even worse. My other suggestion if for the Maltese news papers not to show such comments, keeping in mind everyone from everywhere can read these comments.
Philip Hili
May 9th 2011, 14:50
"because they don't have an idea how helpful these people are, ask people like me who's been working in Libya for the last 27 Years." The Libyan people might be helpful, but how helpful Gaddafi was when he order his gunboats to attack the oilrig "Saipem ll" when the Maltese Government was drilling for oil in our continental shelf way back in history?
Your suggestions are very well noted, by the way, are you writing this comment from Malta or from Libya. If you are writing this comment form Malta, you have adhered to what Dr. Mifsud Bonnici said!!!!!
Mario Desira
Mar 16th 2010, 09:13
It is the first time since I can remember, but I agree with KMB on this one.
He has a point about the Visas issue. Malta can and should allow visa-free travel between Libya and Malta. Granting a National Visa to Libyans is not enough ... and if we can and are doing this, why not removing the Visa completly.
Kenneth Cassar
Mar 16th 2010, 08:24
@ Denis Catania:
"You can call it whatever you want, but it's still a military operation. Not that I'm against it".
Every operation by the military is by definition a military operation. But that's hardly the point, is it? Neutrality has nothing to do with the army stopping criminals. Neutrality is about states.
But I'm glad you do not oppose this military operation.
Franco Farrugia
Mar 15th 2010, 22:49
I would like to see this scenario as someone suggested: Gaddafi's son being naughty in Malta. What would happen? I'll tell you: there would be a total cover-up, or else he will be taken to the Maltese court in absentia and a 'please-don't-do-that-again-sir' sentence meted out! That's what. And what is sadder and more dangerous - many Maltese people would approve! Simply disgusting! Simply shows where our principles and values lie! In our pockets and in between them!
Kevin Borg
Mar 15th 2010, 19:06
No wonder Malta fell to its lower international status during his time in office. I think he should have been asked what is his opinion about the treats Col.Gaddafi has thrown at the E.U. As for the sacred Mintoff era neutrality.... 'The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in great moral crises maintain their neutrality' - Dante Alighieri
Adrian Cardona
Mar 15th 2010, 20:44
perfect quote!
a.dalli
Mar 15th 2010, 18:51
Do we have any statistics how much on average a Libyan bona fede tourist spends in malta compared to nationals from Germany Switzerland Italy England France and the rest of Europe. Who spends as much as Euro 22,000 over a week - that is spending money only, Libyans do.
Fabian Borg
Mar 15th 2010, 18:44
Well done KMB. That would be the start of finding the right way again. Malta has thrown away its Freedom and Neutrality. It is time we mend things up and go back a couple of steps which were induced by a generation of politicians who did not have Malta and Maltese at heart.
Mary Ann Borg
Mar 15th 2010, 17:20
Mr Joseph V Grech: So I understand you ARE a diplomat?
Adrian Cardona
Mar 15th 2010, 16:47
I'm sorry KMB...I do not want to go back to queuing behind all sorts of non-europeans in endless lines at airports just because you don't like the EU. What you are proposing is preposterous and a massive overkill. As far as I can see the government is doing it's best to try and solve an akward situation, but as far as I'm concerned, I will never vote to give up my hassle-free travelling for the sake of some jobs in Libya. Many more maltese work in EU countries, and I'd rather see them protected. Europe is our home, not some desert country led by a person with a grudge against anything european. And, Igalea, don't bother commenting on my post, your agenda is well-known.
P. Schembri
Mar 15th 2010, 16:36
@Ramon Mizzi. While you're telling KMB to retire, you're at the same time echoing his message!
K Cassar
Mar 15th 2010, 16:28
Wasal iz zmien li KMB jirtira u jekk hemm nies ta eta izghar li jemmnu dak li qed jghid KMB imissna naraw lilhom jitkellmu u jaffrontaw lil media mhux jibqghu jimxu wara ex-"mexxejja" li ghadhom minghalijhom li qeghdin fit-tmeninijiet...
Ramon Mizzi
Mar 15th 2010, 15:52
Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici.
I think it's time for you to retire never to hear your polarized views again. Thanks.
To the other readers
On the other hand, I truly feel for all those innocent Maltese workers who earn a living from employment in Libya and for all their suffering, coming to mind a dear friend of mine. Malta should ignore the Swiss blacklist, after all Switzerland is not part of the EU, thus clearly shows that the Swiss are misusing the Schengen powers given to them. Shame....
S Borg
Mar 15th 2010, 17:22
Although I do not fully agree with Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici views and comments, I ask you where is your spirit of democracy my friend, first you ask Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici to leave the public scene and never to utter any other comment again and then you ask Malta to ignore the Schengen protocol, because by ignoring the Swiss blacklist we would be ignoring the Schengen protocol itself which was signed by all Schengen states. Is this the way forward for our country. Out of all EU member states we where the only state to vote against a total ban on Blue Fin Tuna fishing and now you are saying that we should defy the Schengen protocol. What would be next to further hamper our image. This issue should be solved diplomatically between Switzerland and Libya with all other Schengen states acting as possible mediators and not perpetrators.
Joseph V. Grech
Mar 15th 2010, 14:05
@ Mr. S. Vella -
You declare: ''Civilised people do NOT condone abuse/crime as committed by Gaddafi's son even if it's against our national interest.''
You are certainly entitled to your opinion but how are you so certain that Gaddafi's son really did what you are saying he did? Has he been tried and declared to be guilty?
Will you have Malta pit itself against this or that country? I suggest you don't let your words run away with you - because that is what you are doing unfortunately.
Our Foreign Ministry has enough on its hands as a result of the serious situation our leaders got us into when they blindly committed Malta to observe Schengen arrangements. Stop making their position even worse!
May I encourage you to grow up and always to put National Interests First and Foremost! What a fine mess we would be in if we were all to ''choose a fence and sit on it with everyone declaring their motivation and justifications!''
If you personally want to make a Human Rights point do so by all means but please learn to leave Diplomacy to Diplomats.
Elena Nikolaeva
Mar 15th 2010, 16:45
How could he have been tried if he has diplomatic immunity?
v.baldacchino
Mar 15th 2010, 13:39
Dan iz-zmien tghid li kolonjalizmu mela fiz zmienek x'kont tghid li hu meta hallejt isiru hafna affarijiet li tebbghu l-istorja ta gziritna.?
Ramon Casha
Mar 15th 2010, 13:23
Although Switzerland's abuse of Schengen for political means identifies a serious flaw in its legislation, one can't throw away everything that has a flaw - especially one that can be fixed.
lgalea
Mar 15th 2010, 14:36
the only way it can be fixed is to scrap it and get out of it.
Wilfred L. Camilleri
Mar 15th 2010, 13:15
Neutrality in this day and age is nothing but an illusion by some who believe in fairy tales. Libya is a dictatorship run by an unpredictable leader and we shouldn't have to bow to his rantings and ravings. Should Malta sell its soul for some economic benefit that could be cut short at any time by the whims of Gaddafi? Malta benefits more economically from Europe than from Libya. So let's look at things in perspective and not jump ship at the first sign of trouble.
lgalea
Mar 15th 2010, 14:35
History shows that you are wrong Wilfred. We are paying the eu much more than it is giving us. This is apart form having been made again a foreigners colony of the detested petty eu dictators in brussels.