Editorial
Hypocrisy in addressing illegal immigration
Nationalist member of the European Parliament, Simon Busuttil makes a very bold and daring statement in The Times today. Referring to the rescue of a group of migrants, half of whom were returned to Libya and the rest transferred to Malta, he says: "Over the past years, I have consistently adopted a moderate line on immigration and received my fair share of opprobrium from hard-liners. But on this case I stand with the government." Presumably, he means he agrees with the government when it accepted that some migrants should be taken to Libya notwithstanding the North African country's track record on human rights and the handling of illegal immigrants.
To his credit, there were cases in the past when, despite his political background, Dr Busuttil did give the government a hard time and even took an opposing stand. This time, however, he seems rather rash in making such a statement when there are doubts about what really happened on the high seas when two patrol craft - one belonging to the Armed Forces of Malta and the other to the Libyan coastguard - moved in to rescue a sinking dinghy with just over 50 migrants on board on July 17.
He gives reasons in his article why he opted to back the government on this issue. Perhaps he knows more than most of us do. Or is it that more of these situations are likely to emerge in the coming weeks?
Shouldn't Dr Busuttil, usually a very reasonable person, have insisted first that all facts are established? This could only through by a proper, independent inquiry especially in view of conflicting accounts of what took place.
Who were the Italian-speaking members on board the rescue vessel/s? On which boat were these individuals stationed? What exactly was their role? Were the migrants transferred to the Libyan boat told exactly what that entailed? Yes, indeed, you first effect the rescue but, once safely on board, there is nothing to stop the crews to do what needs to be done. Indeed, the Maltese armed forces have said those who boarded the Libyan boat did so voluntarily. So some sort of communication between the crew and the migrants there must have been. Would any lives have been compromised had the rescued migrants been offered a choice?
Dr Busuttil rightly insists that hypocrisy must stop: "It is all too easy to condemn and to play the moral card. But there is more than a hint of hypocrisy in those who do so at the international level. For they have no reply when we ask them who is going to shoulder the responsibility." How right he is! But responsibility goes beyond accepting burden sharing - which is, of course, crucial too - and indeed becomes paramount when saving lives and safeguarding human rights. Does one stem the flow of illegal immigrants at any cost, including human life and the deprivation of fundamental rights?
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi stuck his neck out on more than one occasion declaring that when people's lives are at stake he would continue to direct the armed forces to go to the rescue and then shoulder the political burden. Did this happen this time? Did some migrants go from the frying pan into the fire? Only a serious and independent inquiry can seek to establish that. Why has Dr Gonzi ruled out such an inquiry?
Like Dr Busuttil many will ask: What now?
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S. Pisani
Jul 30th 2010, 11:19
Pt3
This is not only that we do not want them here. This is just because they have broken the same la you are so keen to mention. Many of them come here and do not have respect for our laws, for our religion, for our traditions. They think they can abuse of everyone. Ask those who live in Marsa or those who have to work with them. Few of them have done the famous 'trip of salvation'. I was fully understanding and prepared to give my help to the first boats that entered because they showed it was a real need to leave their country. Then it became just another fashion trend, then it was not right anymore because it became an abuse on Europe.
Dear Sean, whoever is in the right cause fr searching asylum does not come here with highly fashionable mobile phones, clothes, shoes and bandanas. They just come here with the worst clothes because that's the true picture of real poor people. Whatever you may comment does not have grounds. It's easy to speak when you haven't touched reality. You live in fairytales.
Sean Grima
Jul 30th 2010, 18:31
i have african friends and consequently i am not prejudiced like you are.
everyone has the right to seek asylum: it does not mean that all will get it. the solutions being bandied around mean that nobody's case would be heard.
S. Pisani
Jul 30th 2010, 11:14
Pt 2.
In fact we know just nothing about them and we can never be assured that what they say it's true and whether they will bring any diseases with them or not (remember sanitation in their country in almost non existent)
I would also urge you to do an enquiry with the Police or the AFM authorities and ask on how much expenses these two besides others incur on food, medications, clothes etc. Do you know that the AFM purchase even sunscreen for them, shoes and personal products? Do you know that before these are purchased samples are received to be sure that they are excellent products? Do you know that all this treatment is given to people WHO BROKE OUR LAWS?
Don't come and tell me about rights. Their rights are being fully respected. What do you and they pretend, that they can come out of a boat when they want and go roaming in the streets as nothing happened? Try it yourself, try to go to Libya and then tell me how is it easy to do whatever you want there.
Sean Grima
Jul 30th 2010, 18:30
all financial and economic arguments are irrelevant if the proposed solution is illegal.
S. Pisani
Jul 30th 2010, 11:10
@ Sean Grima
I hope that the Times publish this comment since they have beencensoring many of my comments even though with no grounds at all.
I would like to point out to this Mr. Expert in law that whatever he says has no grounds at all let alone his continuous words as asylum and law. First of all I would like to ask for your qualification in law, because since you seem to know that much about it I would like to learn too. All here would be so eager.
Second I would like to tell you that through out these pages you have just been irresponsible by answering to other comments with the same answer all the time - this proves how much you do not have an opinion on the matter, since someone with valid reasons would be keen to put arguments and proof to his saying and not just the same song going on and on for days.
Third, I just wish that you have some experiences with these ILLEGAL Immigrants. They broken our law, entered in our country without us knowing who they are and whether they are terrorists, criminals or just normal people.
Sean Grima
Jul 30th 2010, 18:28
you are only capable of questioning my legal qualifications instead of trying to rebut my arguments, knowing that what i am saying is the legal position.
charles caruana
Jul 29th 2010, 19:06
@Sean Grima
‘what about the agenda of anti-immigrants? A collection of negative, militant people, who want malta to remain isolated and egoistic.’
Mr Grima, I do have a qualified admiration for your idealism, but the problem is that said idealism runs the risk of turning you into a Don Quixote, and ultimately harms your own cause. Why? Don’t you see that your uncompromising and self-righteous stand and tone by their very nature strengthen the hand of those you so militantly call militant anti-immigrants? Failing to acknowledge the very real anxieties and fears of your own countrymen faced by the serious and threatening problems created by illegal immigration, you are actually exasperating the resistance to your arguments which does not help at all your pro- immigrant cause. So don’t overplay your moral card, as the editorial itself in some ways did, insisting like Shylock on the letter of the law. This applies to you and all those NGO's who one-sidedly and obstinately take the moral high-ground on this issue, while dispensing with a more realistic and balanced view of the whole issue.Show a bit of your bountiful charity to your own countrymen too - they also have their rights.
Sean Grima
Jul 30th 2010, 08:56
which of their rights are being breached by the presence of migrants?
S. Pisani
Jul 30th 2010, 11:26
Id-dritt li jkolli nismaghhom kuljum bilfors jaghmlu it-talb musulman taghhom minn go l-ufficcju tieghi il-marsa - u ghalxejn naghlaq it-tieqa, ikolli nissaporti siegha fis-saghtejn ta wara nofs in-nhar u ohra fis-sitta ta fighaxija mill-inqas.
Id-dritt li jkolli nmur ghax-xoghol u nhallas it-taxxi biex niffinanzja lil min kiser il-ligi.
Id-dritt li jien naqlahha jekk nikser xi ligi u dawn jigu ippremjati b'xi 12000 euros per ezempju.
Id-dritt li ghax niddefendi pajjizi jigi xi wiehed bhalek jipprova ibieghu
Id-dritt li hadu ix-xoghol ta hafna maltin ghax il-kuntratturi jaghzlu lilhom ghax ihallsuhom cucata u mhemmx NI, leave etc.
Id-dritt li ghamlu il-Marsa taghhom u kompla intela kullimkien aktar bil-prostituti li jmorru maghhom hafna minnhom.
Id-dritt li hafna nies telqu mid-djar taghhom fil-Marsa u ma rnexxilhomx isibu il-bejgh taghhom.
Inkompli Sean, jekk trid nibghatlek lista shiha imma nahseb qas hekk ma jkun bizzejjed biex tinduna li mghandekx ragun. Iggelna nisthu bl-attitudni tieghek.
Fil-kaz nistiednek tigi tahdem il-Marsa kuljum u tkun taf fi xhin ma tikkumentax aktar. Kuljum inhossni qed nghix is-somalja mhux malta.
probabli naf x'se tirrispondini - li ghandhom id-dritt ghal azil - mela good luck b'dawn l-ideat tac-cajt li qerdu lil pajjizna f'dawn l-ahhar ghaxar snin minhabba min irid jaghmila ta qaddis
charles caruana
Jul 30th 2010, 11:34
You don't get the point do you? I am afraid YOU are your cause's worst enemy.
B. Cachia
Jul 30th 2010, 12:00
@ Sean Grima: The right not to have their country turned into a large-scale refugee camp for decades to come, for example. For that is what was happening before push-back, when we were getting an average of around 2000 immigrants per annum, with no end in sight and, indeed, with the prospect that the annual figure would continue rising as it had done in the past.
And that's not even taking into account that people with your political views may in a few years' time be campaigning for these people to bring their families over to Malta (as has happened in other European countries) and maybe even for them to be given citizenship.
Sean Grima
Jul 30th 2010, 18:27
none of the rights you mention qualify as fundamental human rights in terms of the constitution or the european convention of human rights.
B. Cachia
Jul 30th 2010, 20:32
@ Sean Grima: As everyone knows, people have a lot of rights and legitimate interests that do not qualify as fundamental human rights under the ECHR but are legitimate and vital nevertheless. The ECHR does not give peoples the right to self-determination, for example, but most peoples are willing to do anything to establish and preserve their own countries. Only the most biased and narrow-minded observer would disagree that the determination of the Maltese people to defend their right to enjoy their own country in peace and not to have other peoples move into it en masse is completely legitimate and natural.
Sean Grima
Jul 31st 2010, 09:03
what i disagree with is that the right to self determination is being breached because of the presence of migrants exercising their right to asylum.
B. Cachia
Jul 31st 2010, 16:04
@ Sean Grima: Obviously self-determination was an example I was giving of a legitimate interest or right not listed in the ECHR. It is not under threat in Malta, at least so far.
The right in question here is the right of the Maltese to enjoy their country in peace, without having it turned into a refugee camp. No country, whether European, Asian or African, would accept mass inward migration.
Sean Grima
Aug 1st 2010, 14:47
in fact, there is no mass migration to malta.
Dr Francis Saliba
Jul 29th 2010, 16:14
"it is not what the majority wants, but what is right or wrong" (Sean Grima)
And who decides what is right or wrong?
Obviously Sean Grima and those who think like him!
Nobody else.
Sean Grima
Jul 30th 2010, 08:54
1. the law
2. the Church, which according to our Constitution, has the right to teach what is right or wrong.
Charles Alamango
Jul 28th 2010, 19:39
@ Sean Grima
Can you please let us know how many illegal immigrants are you supporting? Do you keep some of them at your residence? If not, how are you helping these people to obtain a better life? Maybe your actions not your comments would help some of us" militant anti illegals' to change our opinion!!!
By the way Malta can never be isolated since we are in the EU and share European views. Most countries abhor illegal immigrants and only suffer them. As regards being egoistic, well if we are protecting our country from invasion and also the future of our children then yes we are egoistic.
Sean Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 11:27
all that is irrelevant.
what counts is that they have a right to seek asylum according to maltese law.
Robert Calafato
Jul 28th 2010, 18:04
"A collection of negative, militant people, who want malta to remain isolated and egoistic "
Or.... " A majority of realistic people who want Malta to remain Maltese for the Maltese" ........anything wrong with that????
Sean Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 08:44
yes.
1. our own law makes it illegal to deny immigrants the right to seek asylum
2. the Church has said that such a position is unChristian.
3. the media has criticised such a position too.
B. Cachia
Jul 30th 2010, 09:25
@ Sean Grima: Unfortunately you continue to misinform people about the law. There is no right for people to claim asylum before they have reached Maltese territory. There is likewise no right for people rescued on the high seas to be transported to Maltese territory so that they may lodge a claim. It's quite simple really.
In the past, Libya used to refuse to take these people back so there was no option but to bring them to Malta or take them to the nearest port when possible. Once in Malta, they could lodge a claim. That is not the case now, Libya has accepted (some of) them back.
S. Pisani
Jul 30th 2010, 11:30
Ma taghmlilnix differenza x'tghid il-knisja, thallatx il-laham mal-hut. Bhal ma ghedna hafna drabi f'artikli fuq id-divorzju, hawn Malta mhux kulhadd kattoliku. Din l-ideja antika. Illum in-nies saru jaraw ir-realta u mhux x'jiddeciedi dak u l-iehor. Kulhadd juza mohhu biex ihares lejn ir-realta u jifforma opinjoni. Fil-kaz dawk li iridu jaghmlu ezatt kif tghid il-knisja, tajjeb, jiehdu erba minnhom id-dar u jiffinanzjawhom huma bhal ma imissek ghamilt int flok qadt titeb argumenti bla sens hawnhekk. Ghamlilna lista tal-volontarjat maghhom li qed taghmel please. Ghall-inqas ghati support lil diskorsok bil-fatti.
Il-gvern il-hin kollu jimponi taxxi godda fuqna ta bilfors ghax ghandna deficit qal, imbaghad imur jahlihm fuq dawk li qabel kollox KISRU IL-LIGI TA MALTA.
Sean Grima
Jul 30th 2010, 12:23
i am misinforming no one. malta's jurisdiction extends to its territorial waters. moreover, malta is obliged to rescue migrants found in it's search and rescue area, which exceeds the territorial waters.
B. Cachia
Jul 30th 2010, 20:46
@ Sean Grima: Yes, I'm afraid that, whether intentionally or not, you're providing incorrect information. Malta has the obligation to rescue those in difficulty within our search and rescue region but not necessarily to bring them to Malta afterwards. And they cannot apply for asylum unless they actually are in Maltese territory.
Sean Grima
Aug 1st 2010, 14:47
you are obliged to take them to the nearest harbour, which is malta.
Adriano Spiteri
Jul 28th 2010, 17:39
Dear Sean Grima,
these 'militant 'people who want Malta to remain egoistic and isolated, according to your own Prime Minister, are a majority.
The Times poll is also showing that 80% want immigrants to go back to where they came from.
I trust you recognize the minority you belong to.
And as always, people like you go on moaning and groaning like a poodle in despair.
In all honesty, it is people like you that annoy me not an African illegal.
Get a life dear friend. It's beautiful!
R Borg
Jul 29th 2010, 06:52
Good one! But there must be a reason for all this moaning and groaning...
Sean Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 09:07
they are a majority in an online poll. even if they were truly a majority, that does not make them right.
S. Pisani
Jul 29th 2010, 13:05
Imma alla jbierek kieku kienet bil-kontra il-maggranza tirbah - ghax hekk jaqbillek. Iddawru il-fatti kif jaqblilkom. Meta tridu il-maggranza tirbah u meta ma jaqblilkom il-minoranza tghidx kemm ikollha drittijiet. Ipokrezija ohra for a change.
Sean Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 14:20
it is not what the majority wants, but what is right or wrong.
B. Cachia
Jul 30th 2010, 09:41
@ Sean Grima: In a democracy it is actually what the majority wants that counts. Rights do not exist in a vacuum, they are established and enforced by laws made by the will of the majority.
In Malta, a very large majority clearly wants mass migration to end - this has been confirmed repeatedly in all sorts of polls (conventional scientific polls, as well as online ones) done over the past years.
Sean Grima
Jul 30th 2010, 12:24
wrong again. the majority elects the MPs - it is parliament which enacts laws. malta is also bound by any international convenations to which it is a signatory.
c. camilleri
Jul 28th 2010, 16:16
We all agree that these people are not welcomed here and are a burden to this tiny island. So why all this fuss? Every means of getting rid of them is welcome. Perhaps many of those who write in their favour know nothing about the problems that these people bring with them. including diseases long unknown in these islands. We are being pushed back to the 50s..
Sean Grima
Jul 28th 2010, 16:13
what about the agenda of anti-immigrants? A collection of negative, militant people, who want malta to remain isolated and egoistic.
Joe Borg
Jul 28th 2010, 18:42
Sean Grima, it's better to be isolated than become a fifth world country invaded by illegal immigrants.
George Cassar
Jul 28th 2010, 21:46
When I voted for the EU I voted for Malta to become a European country and I did not vote for Malta to become an African country.
Sean Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 11:27
this is all scare mongering hysteria
Louise Vella
Jul 28th 2010, 15:37
The ordinary Maltese men and women have full trust in the word of the Armed Forces of Malta. By systematically lying, Somali immigrants have lost their credibility. They deliberately put their lives in danger. Then they ask to be rescued. They were rescued from drowning. Then we find that’s not what they really wanted. They called Search and Rescue to use it as a ferry to the shores of Europe. European countries have the duty to defend their borders, their laws and their way of life. We all know this. There is absolutely no need of any inquiry.
Sean Grima
Jul 28th 2010, 16:11
if they have lost all credibility, it means they are in the same boat as you.
Stephen Farrugia
Jul 28th 2010, 15:35
This editorial is shocking bad. I think they should give a full explaination to its readers. The board of directors of the Times should look into this disgraceful political position taken and action should be effective as soon as possible to correct the lost credibility of your newspaper.
Stephen Farrugia ( Rightwing)
Sean Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 13:05
better think of the so-called "Rightwing" getting some credibility in the first place!
Maria Pisani
Jul 28th 2010, 15:32
@ Louise Vella
Do me a favour, express your own opinion if you must, but please refrain from speaking on behalf of Malta and the Maltese: it really is too much.
Samantha Grima
Jul 28th 2010, 18:43
Maria Pisani, your answer lies on the right-hand side of the page.
Sean Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 11:28
an online poll where one can vote as many times as he or she wants!
Anna Spiteri
Jul 28th 2010, 14:59
Well Mr editor, this is only half of the story you touch here. The other half is:
If the migrants boarded the Libyan vessel voluntarily, why the the pregnant wife that got separated from her husband..got "freed" from prison in Libya, on the request of the Maltese prime minsiter ..when this issue was raised? As reported in the Times. Does one go back to prison voluntarily? And indeed how the Libyan coast guard with Italian speaking personnel appear on site immediately the call for rescue was out. Who were these Italian speaking persons? Where they indeed Italians posted on Libyan vessels to ensure Gaddafi stuck to the deal, after the Gonzi/Berlusconi/Gaddafi deal?
And who called the Libayn vessel?...an occurrence that has never happened before! On whose instructions? Who divided the migrants into 2 groups? What will happen to the other half in Libya now? Will they remain in prison, in horrendous conditions? It is not a question of Dr Gonzi sticking his neck out at all. It is a question of doing what is correct and humane in all circumstances...that is what separates shady politics from statesmanship. Rightful actions!
George Cassar
Jul 28th 2010, 21:45
Anna Spiteri we are not as gullible as you Anna. The illegal immigrants lie through their teeth to get what they want.
Sean Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 15:31
of course, africans can only lie and laze about!
Chris Frendo
Jul 28th 2010, 14:47
If the writer wants answers; maybe next time he should go out on a boat and rescue them himself... and while he's at it, he may also pay for their lodging.
We're tired of illegal immigrants.
Josephine Callus
Jul 28th 2010, 14:18
The only thing decent Maltese people care about is getting rid of all the illegal immigrants in Malta and sending them back to Libya or to their own countries. The poll clearly shows that the Maltese people do not want them and it is folly for the political parties to disregard the Maltese people.
Sean Grima
Jul 28th 2010, 14:14
once again i comment the courage of the editor in standing up for what is right, in the face of criticism from the ignorant masses.
P. Borg
Jul 29th 2010, 11:26
Sure, as long as he agrees with you he is a good writer. Right Sean? Hallina ghid.
Sean Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 13:06
yes
A. Azzopardi
Jul 30th 2010, 07:21
I believe it's better that you shut up and leave these pages. You are just showing us your intollerance and lack of opinion. Whoever is so intelligent as you portray yourself to be has arguments to discuss with. Answering P. Borg questions showed your ignorance. An intelligent person gives facts and not just two same answers like 'law' and 'asylum' like a recorded song.
A good writer in this argument is not the one who is good when he reflects your views and a bad one when you do not share his views. A god writer is always a good writer. You are just portraying your close mind and hypocrisy maybe that's why you love so much illegal immigrants because you reflect their lack of education.
Sean Grima
Jul 30th 2010, 08:55
whether a writer is good or not depends on what she or he writes.
as regards facts, there is no greater fact than what the law states.
A. Azzopardi
Jul 30th 2010, 12:00
Sibilna il-paragrafi please tal-ligi u kif tkun hemm ghidli x'tip ta degree ghandek ukoll. At least nitghallmu xi haga mill-intelligenza tieghek Sur Asylum Law. Wehlitlek id-diska caqlaqha please.
Sean Grima
Jul 30th 2010, 18:32
goodgle Refugees Act and Immigration Act, go through them and you will find the answers.
Joseph Cauchi
Jul 28th 2010, 14:08
The editorial of The Times is really surprising, today!
Is the editor conscious of the fact that Malta’s interests are first and foremost and no matter what?
Why is the media trying to throw spanners in the Government’s works; and isn’t the media feeling the pulse of the nation in this whole saga of illegal immigration?
Malta First and Foremost!
Viva Malta!
JC.
Emanuel Cilia Debono
Jul 28th 2010, 13:42
I agree that the international community should step in to provide African migrants regulated access to Europe. The continued irregular movement of migrants across the Mediterranean shows that the international community has failed in its obligations, For Malta to shoulder the burden alone would be heroic; but to demand that it should do so in the name of justice is cheeky. The E.U. Director General Mr. Manservisi - who is no doubt well acquainted with the situation - is not so convinced as local NGOs that migrants are badly treated in Libya. How could it be explained -may I ask - that many Africans spend many years in Libya before embarking on a risky clandestine voyage to Europe in un seaworthy boats?
Sarah Attard
Jul 28th 2010, 13:28
An excellent editorial. Well done!
patrick zammit
Jul 28th 2010, 13:02
Re your comment "from the frying pan into the fire".
Taking the case of Somali illegals, they started their travels in a direction heading to Libya (frying pan or fire?) than onward to Europe with some of them returned to Libya (again frying pan or fire?).
From Somalia they could have travelled in any direction, maybe to Egypt or South Africa.
Since they choose Libya on their free will, I am still doubtfull wether to call Libya a frying pan, a fire or anything else.
However I am convinced that S Busutill is not the only one suffering from an attack of hypocrisy.
Louise Vella
Jul 28th 2010, 12:32
There are hundreds of thousands, probably millions, of Africans living and working in Libya. According to the reports by the Refugee Appeals Board, many of these Africans live in Libya for up to ten years enough to save money to pay to people traffickers. The boat trip alone is said to cost about $1000. They have to bribe other people too. These millions of Africans are economic immigrants. Being footloose they will go to any country that provides them with better opportunities. Germany is the biggest honeypot that attracts them, followed by the UK, Sweden, France and so on.
Problem is these rich European countries do not want these unqualified people waiting in Libya. These economic migrants then do it the illegal way by taking a boat trip to reach Sicily or to be picked up. They put themseves deliberately at risk to put the moral burden on do-gooder countries. Some of them end up in Malta. How many millions of African economic immigrants can Malta take in the name of human rights and Christian values?
Sean Grima
Jul 28th 2010, 13:42
there are only a few hundreds here, no millions.
s.koludrovic
Jul 28th 2010, 17:07
Dear Sean,
Thank God you are not an accountant, your few hundred are closer to 10,000 .
J Micallef
Jul 28th 2010, 18:01
"Problem is these rich European countries "
Actually that should have continued as "Problem is these rich European countries - which for centuries have oppressed African nations through exploitation, slavery and literal expropriation of assets under the excuse of imperialism...."
lgalea
Jul 28th 2010, 18:50
We have 5,955 refugees and 1,828 Asylum seekers as of January 2010. A total of 7783 who came here ILLEGALLY. A few refugees did you say Sean? See this data on http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/page?page=49e48eba6
Of course the figures do not include the other thousands who did not qualify for anything and are still roaming our streets and also those from every country in the world who stayed here although their visa expired and are working on the black economy.
Go to Bugibba etc and see how many foreigners are working as hairdressers, beauticians etc with no certificates or extremely dubious ones that you get from the internet.
Sean Grima
Jul 29th 2010, 09:10
there are no 10,000 migrants in malta. if at all, that is the total number of arrivals - doesn't mean they are all still here.
lgalea
Jul 29th 2010, 09:41
s.koludrovic 10 miljuni l-hawn u 10 miljuni l-hemm.....
K Bonello
Jul 28th 2010, 12:27
Great editorial. Well done.
Louise Vella
Jul 28th 2010, 12:26
Malta is not a humanitarian organization. Malta is a serious country with borders to be respected, with a government and an opposition, armed forces and a police force, laws to be observed by everybody, citizens who vote and pay taxes. We, the ordinary people of Malta care about all this. We intend to defend our way of living in a civilized country.
We have full confidence in the Armed Forces of Malta. Search and Rescue is meant to save people from drowning not to be a ferry service for illegal immigrants crossing from Libya to Italy. In any case illegal immigrants are known to say anything that helps them go to mainland Europe and get refugee status. In the timesofmalta.com 80.9% have voted in favour of sending the illegal immigrants back to Libya. Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat are following the will of the Maltese people by supporting the AFM against NGOs and illegal immigrants.
Sean Grima
Jul 30th 2010, 12:25
the government rules according to laws, not online polls!
Adriano Spiteri
Jul 28th 2010, 11:59
At first I thought it was a letter written by a scum.
But then I realized it was an editorial.
It's obvious that The Times has got an agenda here.
Sean Grima
Jul 28th 2010, 13:42
yes, the correct agenda.
Joseph Cauchi
Jul 28th 2010, 14:00
@ Adriano Spiteri,
I concur 100% with you.
Not an agenda, but WHAT an agenda!
JC.
Joe Grima
Jul 28th 2010, 11:45
I agree with Simon Busuttil that hypocricy must stop, but then, that woiuld not be the end of the story. How about the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?. Has Dr Buusttil ready answers for the questions put forward by the Times namely:"Who were the Italian-speaking members on board the rescue vessels? On which boat were these individuals stationed? What exactly was their role? Were the migrants transferred to the Libyan boat told exactly what that entailed?" and then, does he really beleive what "the Maltese armed forces have said (that) those who boarded the Libyan boat did so voluntarily." Only a gullible Prime Minister such as the one we are sadly saddled with, woiuld swallow a red herring such a that. So while hypocricy is not to be condoned, neither shouild what I beleive to be blatant lies, flying in the face of a population, wanting to know the absolute truth about this whole incident with too many coincidences. .
Albert Farrugia
Jul 28th 2010, 11:32
Simon Busittil is gearing up for the embryonic PN leadership battle, therefore the positions he adopts now need to become more of the "popular" type. And his boss, Gonzi, is also now moving towards that line. The "Valuri" days of the 80s seem ever so distant now. Who knows, maybe we would need a new Eddie Fenech Adami in the future to take us out of the mess all politicians in Malta are presently contributing to.
James Dimech
Jul 28th 2010, 10:46
it is interesting that Joseph Muscat is playing tough for the local audience by saying he is four-square behind the government on this. In the meantime his MEP team in Brussels (larger than PN) are nowhere to be seen and Busuttil is taking this head on by himself. PL is all words and no action.
John Zarb
Jul 28th 2010, 12:22
Well Muscat is all talk and image - the important thing is that he tells everyone what they want to hear. Nevermind that he does not have the clout to do what he says. Mur afdalhom pajjiz...!