Muscat calls for joint celebration of Independence and Freedom days

Paul Borg

Sep 23rd 2010, 14:43

Independence Day is the birth of a nation. 21st September is the bithday of Malta. nothing more said.

gcForte

Sep 23rd 2010, 12:25

Independence 21 Sept 1964.....then.....Republicans 13 Dec 1974.....then.........Freedom 31 Mar 1979...then.....E.U. Occupation 01 May 2004............what next...........? Quote Mr.Edwin Vassallo P.N. member of parliament " Now we are in the E.U.....and we do whatever they order us to do "..And I say that who thinks that we are independent, republicans,or have freedom,he is living a lie. It is all about politics.

joe gatt

Sep 23rd 2010, 11:19

`I think it's about time we all accepted we have been taken for a ride by our political leaders`

Fully agree and back you out on this one, but allow me to ammend your statement a touch,

`I think it's about time we all accepted we are being taken for a ride by our political leaders, and the end is not in sight, seems to be the trend, worldwide. When the day that day arrives, if ever, (they weild the power to divide and rule) that will be a National Day worth celebrating`

Gradually it seems, that it is a backward trend, going back to, restrictions, control, reduction, including wages & benefits. at the same time increase and taxes, loss of quality, (includes the air we breath the water we drink,) services and standards at comparativly very very high costs. Unuccountabilty and extreme waste of resources seems to be the new order of the day.
I hope I am wrong on this, hope that this is only a perception.

But you may call yourselr free if you so wish.

Adrian Darmanin

Sep 23rd 2010, 10:12

It doesn't matter who did what. The important thing is that it was done. That's the way history works. We are one collective, the human race, and claiming credit also implies resting on our laurels.

John Degabriele

Sep 23rd 2010, 10:09

I think it's about time we all accepted we have been taken for a ride by our political leaders, and start to think with our own minds. The day that day arrives, that will be a National Day worth celebrating.

J Attard

Sep 23rd 2010, 08:50

Imma ghalfejn kwazi kull haga li ssir dejjem ikun hemm fuq il-gazetti li Dr. Joseph Muscat COULD NOT ATTEND???!!! Ma tantx juri rispett u obbligu lejn il-poplu dan!!!

joseph grech attard

Sep 23rd 2010, 01:02

The ONLY time that more than 2/3 of parliament agreed was when Malta became a Republic. It was the MLP who initiated it with the help and approval of most of the PN. What are we waiting to proclaim 13 December as our national day? In olden days 50% + 1 vote was not considered as a majority for a referendum (vide Referendum for Integration). Let's not live any more in the past but learn from it. Citizens are yearning for deliverance from division, hate and corruption. Peace and goodwill are the requisites for survival. Joseph Muscat has voiced both.

alfred agius

Sep 22nd 2010, 23:11

A Vassallo

Still, as I have already replied to your comrade,Marica Vassallo, `Independece ` as granted to Malta in 1964 served only as a stepping stone to Indipendenza Vera u Shiha as attained on Freedom Day and Republic Day.

The contents of the Defence Agreement accompanying the `Independence` portfolio of documents should make you blush when considering that you couldn`t walk on every inch of our `sovreign soil ! Do read the Defence agreement document as you don`t seem to know the level of independence attained by our country by that date.

M. Fenech

Sep 22nd 2010, 18:01

One very important fact, that no one has mentioned is that when Dr. Alfred Sant was Prime Minister, he was the first to go the Independence Monument and lay flowers. He was the one and only who started to promote that these achievments were for all the Maltese people. Then afterwards, Dr. Fenech Adami went on the monument at Birgu on the 31st March. And so both parties began to respect each other at achievments at National level. We must all thank Dr. Alfred Sant for this move because he was the one who was Prime Minister for all the Maltese people. And all the others should follow by facts, not by nice words. Dr. Joseph Muscat is showing by facts his intentions.

A. Vassallo

Sep 22nd 2010, 16:05

@ alfred agius

The PL will never change. When PL says NO to something, the whole world will be saying Yes to the same thing and vice-versa.

This is the truth besides being history that can never be changed about Independence Day.

In 1964 , the whole world represented by the United Nations (except Mintoff’s MLP) acknowledged Malta’s Independence and subsequently we took our rightful place in this very important global institution.

Forty years later, in 2004, the PN won the European Union referendum and the whole world together with the whole European Union (except Alfred Sant’s MLP) acknowledged the result of 53% in favour and again we took our rightful place in this very important European institution.

This is part of our glorious historyand it is cast in stone.

J Brincat

Sep 22nd 2010, 15:50

@ Felix Salerno & O Scerrii

If you want to persist and see history in your own way then it's your choice (and your own problem) and this very small nation would remain divided FOREVER.

Is it possible that you can't accept a sign of goodwill?

JOHN O SCERRI

Sep 22nd 2010, 10:54

There were many years when Independence day was NEVER celebrated by GOVT because according to MLP and MLP leaders this event is a Farse.

Leader presente of MLP is today on the right track although the inital political division was caused by MLP.

Yes .......we all agree that protocols need to be changed in order to include all representatives of the other side of the house now that MLP Leader recognises that 21 /09/1964 is truely MALTA INDEPENDENCE DAY.

Lets start afresh then and work to make it happen in the interest of peace .

Felix Salerno

Sep 22nd 2010, 10:09

It's about time that PL have some courage and accept the 21st Sept.as our National Day.

All the other days are very important for us but the indipendance is the birth of a Nation.
After 1987 PN did not impose the 21st Sep.as our national day.They could do it.
So now it's to Joe Muscat to have some courage and agree that the 21st Sep. should be diclared as our National Day.

joseph grech attard

Sep 22nd 2010, 09:59

Whatever 31st March 1979 represents for some (most of whom are not very well informed, I hope not intentionally), it represents something different for more than 49% of the electorate. Democracy means that the majority rules BUT taking also into consideration the will of the minority! Any other way is dictatorship. We have a pro-labour president. Protocols can easily be changed. In fact they changed completely on the 21st September 1964!!

J Brincat

Sep 22nd 2010, 09:57

@Marica Vassallo.

Your reasoning do not betray the fact that you choose to look at things with thick blinkers on!

J Brincat

Sep 22nd 2010, 09:54

A tactic aimed to sideline the Leader of the Opposition.

If this is not so then Goverment should move to amend the Protocol.

Muscat Pat

Sep 22nd 2010, 09:53

When are we going to end this parrochial biggering? When Labour Party did not take part in the Independence Celebrations, the PN rightly, said its divisive, but now, its saying exactly the opposite. European values are to be practiced on a daily basis; otherwise its just a smoke screen.

gcForte

Sep 22nd 2010, 09:33

Dear Joseph Muscat............Kif tista issib kompromess ma nies bhal dawn. Kienu jafu li sejjer hemm ( ghax qeghedin jigru warajk il hin kollu bil kameras ). Jafu li ghadek qeghed tirkupra mil l-accident li kellek, u xorta ma ghamlulekx il banketti fit tarag gholi li hemm. Ara lil President u lil Prim Ministru, hadu hsiebhom.

Randolph Peresso

Sep 22nd 2010, 09:17

Dr. Muscat is obviously right in saying that the opposition leader should be present in the official celebrations of Independence Day. He is also right in saying that all five National Feasts are linked together.

However, he is not right in implying that Independence Day and Freedom Day are equal. Had Mr. Mintoff not been the Prime Minister of an independent country, he would have not been able to extend the 10 year agreement, signed by Prime Minister Borg Olivier in 1964, for the English forces to use Malta as a military base, by another 5 years.

Dr. Muscat must have the guts to say which day is the pinnacle of them all. Saying that all are equally important is an attempt, in my eyes, to please everyone.

Franco sciberras

Sep 22nd 2010, 08:26

How can a person termiante a contract (such as the British use of Matlese territory) if that person is not recognised as a legal person (an independent and sovereign state)?

I am sorry but in my books, Independence Day comes first - it defines us a nation. If however, we want to talk of a National Day, 15th August is the one for me.

Peter Bonello

Sep 22nd 2010, 07:39

Its incredible that the Leader of the Opposition is not invited to celebrate Independence together with the President and the Prime Minister! Oh, its because of the 'protocol"! What a puerile excuse! Castille's office should be sensitive to all protocols, especially those of "good governace" and public contracts!

C.Scicluna

Sep 22nd 2010, 07:39

In my opinion Mr.Muscat has a good point here. I am not a politics fanatic but I assume he is right.

Maria Muscat

Sep 22nd 2010, 07:31

@ Josephine Borg, it is not a matter of public holidays it is the principle behind them that counts,
@ Marica Vassallo, when someone controls your finances they also control you therefore on that day we took charge and we were able to make decisions to the benefit of our country and its people not to the benefit of a foreign ruler!!! so that day is the day Malta started to belong to the Maltese

R. Caruana

Sep 22nd 2010, 07:28

'Freedom Day' is a misnomer, and puzzles me why it is 'celebrated' at all.

Had the British services left Malta in 1974 according to the agreement made with the Nationalist Government it would have been a non-event and completely forgotten, or made insignificant, like the years when Independence Day was treated with dismay by the Government of the time. Just because Mintoff managed to extend the rent period by another five years it has become a national day! Wonder of wonders!!

c camilleri

Sep 22nd 2010, 07:22

No Dr. Muscat, the PN will never give in to joint celebrations because for the PN this is just a day to commemorate a political milestone and not a national victory. Just look at the disgusting celebrations that take place on the Granaries every year. Instead of being a celebration where ALL maltese, irrispective of their political inclination, unite together to commemorate the independence from British rule, it is used to attack the PL on every ground - whether justified or not.
No one can deny this!
And besides this, lets not forget that the PL and their supporters are only 2nd class citizens in Malta. However that half (I seriously doubt whether that it is still the case!) of the electorate still have to pay their share in taxes.
The PN has never been a uniting party. It roots are based on divide and rule. It lives on conflict, it is nurtured by it. So how can Dr. Muscat think that the PN would give in to his humble request?

l fenech

Sep 22nd 2010, 06:38

Illum mghadiex indipendenza imma integration mal-boss ta' Brussels.

Christian Ellul

Sep 22nd 2010, 00:53

No, i absolutely don't agree with Dr Muscat neither with most of your comments. You can never put Independence day and Freedom day on equal footing. 31st of March was simply a date in which a contract expired...it is just a symbolic date representing the last English service men leaving Malta. How can you commenter's ignore the staggering difference between this and the day our country got its Independence...Malta no longer a colony after a thousand years (probably)!

I don't know but in my opinion its either the idea wrong or the politics!

Michel bencini

Sep 22nd 2010, 00:30

Here, we go again! People re-writing their history. Muscat has nothing better to do by contesting the date of Malta's independence. The date of independence AFTER THE FACT is not a matter of deliberation.It just happened on the 21 of September, 1964. Can you imagine the Americans changing their date of indipendence till later after the last British soldier was defeated? Can you imagine most Latin American countries which just celebrated their bi-centennial date of independece changing the date of declaration till all of the Spanish troops were ousted? This is precisely the nit picking which is so annoying about the Labour Party. They can never get over it and harp at the same old tiring and trivial things. Why is it that people can't ever learn their history or learn from their history? I remember the Maltese flag being raised and the Union Jack going down 46 years ago. Was that a dream? Was it the twilight zone? Was it fake? I remember Mintoff being in power in 1971. Trust me, he did not behave like a colonial prime minister otherwise a British Governor General would not have hesitated to constitutionally kick his ass out!

alfred agius

Sep 21st 2010, 23:30

Marica Vassallo

You`ve got your history facts wrong. Freedom Day, 31st. March 1979, was the day when we became a sovereign nation - Jum l-indipendenza Vera u Shiha. Independence Day still left local territory and air space in the hands of the british. You can`t deny that. The jewel in the crown of our nation is Feedom Day when we attained sovereign right on all our territories - land, sea and airspace. You also need to be reminded that until Jum ir-Repubblika our head of state was an english governor whose first loyalty was to the queen of England, independence and all !

Wayne Hewitt

Sep 21st 2010, 23:03

Prosit. I am sure the PN will agree

Ernest Vella

Sep 21st 2010, 22:11

Jiena nahseb li Dr.Joseph Muscat ghandu ragun f'din il-haga...jekk ahna poplu wiehed mela flimkien ghandhom ipoggi dawn il-kuruni...biex il-festi nazzjonali jkunu tassew tal-poplu kollu u mhux ta partit jew iehor...il-Kap ta l-Oppozizjoni ghandu jkun trattat sewwa....dan fl-ahhar mill-ahhar ghandu warajh nofs il-poplu malti kif jindika l-ahhar rizultat eletorali

j grech

Sep 21st 2010, 22:02

i thought we did away with freedom and independence day when we joined the EU ?

marija falzon

Sep 21st 2010, 21:22

malta can no longer be governed the way it has been in the past years. labour's aim is that our country is the best in europe. we have to instigate national unity. that is the way forward and joseph muscat is an inspiration to all of us. our support can bring change to this country. we owe it to Malta

Emmanuel Mazzitelli

Sep 21st 2010, 21:10

I subscribe to any idea that would unite the Maltese Nation

A. Briffa

Sep 21st 2010, 21:09

I'm very surprised with Dr. Muscat's proposal. Like others I'm still waiting for his reply to Dr. Gonzi's proposal to have a joint celebration involving political parties and unions for the 1st May Celebrations. Seems that Dr. Muscat's proposal is more of an attempt to make the headlines rather than a unifying proposal. Something which already came from the Prime Minister over a year ago about which Dr. Muscat kept mum.

Adrian Saliba Vella

Sep 21st 2010, 21:04

If the protocol says what it says, and Indinpendence day falls on 'one' particular day, whats holding the government back from changing in during the rest of the 364 days ! Protocol or lack of will.

joseph cachia

Sep 21st 2010, 20:29

Marika Vassalo
and the last day the sight of foreign service men on our ISALAND ....... MALTA


Joseph Cachia B'Bugia

Karl Consiglio

Sep 21st 2010, 20:16

Indepedence day IS the true Freedom day. What Labour refer to as "Freedom day" is when, because of Mintoff, we lost our protectors.

rjcostigan

Sep 21st 2010, 20:13

Tghid id-diskors tal-'meeting' li ghamel il-Prim Ministru l-bierah

halla l-frott? Iva Flimkien Kollox Possibli.
(Jekk ma jkunx hemm xi agenda mohbija)

Frank Grech

Sep 21st 2010, 20:06

Billi ghamel hekk, xorta nazzjonalist nibqa ta. U ara tahsbu li se jigbed xeba nies b'din il-mossa. Ahjar jara jekk jitla fil-gvern kif se jnaqqas il-kontijiet ta dawl u l-ilma ghax dak jinteressani jien u hafna ohra. Dawn ic-celebrazzjonijiet kollha cuccati.

Rocco Cauchi

Sep 21st 2010, 19:47

One simple suggestion. Why not diplomatically restyle the 21st September as Constitution Day. It would remove the political stigma of who obtained independence and who opposed it and would instead show political maturity.

reno calleja

Sep 21st 2010, 19:45

The Leader of the Opposition once again came out with a good suggestion. Consistently he is trying to build bridges with those who do not agree with him. Wtness the positive reactions of most of your readers and see what Ms. Marica Vassallo had to say. Her comment is insulting, irritating and typical of those stupid and ignorant fanatics who cannot have an objective have appreciation of history .

Both the former Labour leader, Dr. Alfred Sant and now Dr. Muscat , have shown maturity and accepted that Independence Day was an important consitutional development.

On the other hand for Labour supporters, Freedom Day, solidified Malta into an instrument of peace. How could neutral and non- aligned dedicated to peace have a military base?

Dr Muscat's suggestion that these two events which are so much at heart for the Nationalists and the Labour supporters, would be celebrated as one national day, is in my view, a fresh and brilliant suggestion. Lets hope the NP will at least discuss it.

Gianninu Saliba

Sep 21st 2010, 19:43

What's your problem, Joseph? So now you expect to share the same platform with the President and the Prime Minister. But then, you are so young that you do not remember what used to happen in the seventies and eighties. The Leader of the Opposition used to be beaten up just because he used to celebrate Malta's greatest achievement. Everything else that followed that glorious day is a consequence that followed. God forbid, but we just cannot keep on adding on all the important events that took place since 1964 as national holidays. So in his mind Independence, Freedom Day, Republic Day, Sette Gunio and Victory day should be treated equally. Well then, surely joining the EU is another great achievement as on that day we acquired all the rights that other European nations had. But then what's wrong in adding the day that we joined the Euro? On that day Malta's economy was considered deserving to pass the prosperity test. Let's stop beating round the bush and call a spade, a spade. Independence Day has no equal. On that day, the world recognized us as a nation.

D.Galea

Sep 21st 2010, 19:43

Wake up and take a look around you. Independence from what? A European Union which dictates all what we are supposed to be? Spearheaded by a chosen and unelected people, right ,of course.

Edward Zammit

Sep 21st 2010, 19:30

This statement by Dr Muscat brings in the light of unity and maturity, that this country needs to move forward. Gone are the days of tit for tat politics. We have to work to be the BEST in Europe.

Edwin Mifsud

Sep 21st 2010, 19:21

Very well said Joseph.

"The new generation should be equally proud of of Independence, Freedom Day, Republic Day, the Sette Gugnio and Victory Day."

What about Malta's EU accession day (May the 1st)?

J S Borg

Sep 21st 2010, 19:10

One way or another the Nationalist Party always celebrated Freedom/ Republic Day. So how come that whenever the Labour Party is in Government they had never celebrated Independence Day? On the contrary at one time they did not allow the ecclesiastical authorities to celebrate mass. With labour tendencies I have my doubts about Dr Muscat's on the party's core.

Joseph Camilleri

Sep 21st 2010, 19:02

I too have serious difficulty understanding why 'Freedom Day' is a national holiday? How can anyone possibly think that Independence Day and Freedom Day are of the same historical importance?

Isn't it about time we grow up and agree on just one National Day only?

A.Busuttil

Sep 21st 2010, 18:44

Dr Muscat is a man of the future, his ideas are progressive and modern. He is a man to give a good feeling to our country , which deeply deserve it. Can't the polititians show the people that silly things are over, these ideas will not lead us to no were. The ball is int the PM court now. But its hard to chew because its coming from the leader of the PL. It is up to the PM to offer his hand. Dr Muscat, a leader in waiting has shown that he is capable to agree in the National interestr. Weldone Dr Muscat. Yes I had a good feeling this evening. Thanks.

A. Vassallo

Sep 21st 2010, 18:24

I just cannot understand why, for partisan party politics, certain people keep negating Independence Day as THE Malta National Day. September 21st 1964 is the date of birth of our country. We, as a country and as our rich history shows us, were always dominated by others.

If the than Labour Government and Dom Mintoff as our Prime Minister was not governing an independent Malta, Mintoff and his party would have never, by any imaginative way, made Malta a Republic in 1974. Likewise he and his party would have never told the British to go home, and hence Freedom Day in 1979

For the record, the British actually left Malta on their own free will as in those days the British policy was to minimize as much as possible their colonies, and the truth is that they were never thrown out of Malta.

Alfred Agius

Sep 21st 2010, 18:16

Sounds as a first step to depolorize both sides.
A very agreeable move if both parties aspire real national unity and not empty words.
Its a DEAL
So lets all unite our efforts throughout the whole year & not just for a one year event = in Strina TV programs etc.
What say you?

Another point - The country is squandering too many work days in these times of austerity hype. By celebrating 2 in 1 The country will gain a one working day gift from us all.
I am sure tru patriots can afford it.

D. A . Agius

Sep 21st 2010, 18:11

No matter on which side you stand, this time he IS right. That's National Unity. That's where we should start.

All the piques and statements against statements only show that since the times of our forefathers, when we were servants to the crowns prevailant at the time, the divisions between us only helped to make sure that the crowns were happy.

The day one and all decide to move forward from these divisions will be the real Independence, Republic and Freedom days all rolled into one, honouring the fallen and the national milestone reached through the Sette Guigno and finally enjoying a real Victory Day, all ours, not of a foreigner who was attacked in OUR land and whom we had to help in order to survive as a population which today SHOULD be a NATION!

Jean Gatt

Sep 21st 2010, 18:10

''antiquated protocol''

I don't know if Joseph Muscat knows this but in official ceremonies in every country in Europe and beyond the Leader of the Opposition is never present. And its not antiquated. In Malta it may seem strange because the opposition is made up of a single party that's all. It has nothing to do with him being the leader of the Labour Party and Independence Day being associated to a ''Nationalist holiday'' as is the message he is trying to subtly convey.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Sep 21st 2010, 18:09

Besides_making_us_looking_ ridiculous _four_of_our_five National Days serve only to increase our national divide instead of uniting us as one Nation with a common goal in spite of petty differences on political issues.

Independence Day is the beginning of an oppressed colony changing itself in a democratic and modern Nation irrespective of its constitutional formulation. A child’s life begins when they are born even if they are not born in the best of health. A birth day is always a day of celebration.

The declaration of Malta as a Republic was the result of a national effort to crown the perilous quest of our political leaders and the rest of us-definitely a day to be reckoned with and celebrated by all.

Freedom Day, Sette Gugnio and Victory Day also have a historical value and also deserve to be celebrated but I don’t think that they merit the full glories of a National Day; a public holiday makes more sense.

Whether Independence Day has a greater significance than Republic Day shouldn’t be the question we are debating knowing that they are both the greatest days in our annual calendar and should therefore be the only National Days.

Joe Grima

Sep 21st 2010, 18:05

The barring of the Leader of the Opposition from celebrating Independence day together with the Prime Minisiter and the President, allegedly because of protocol , shows nothing less than the the way successive Nationalist Prime Ministers have despised Labour and all that Labour represents. Protocol is man-made and goodwill could have ended this ridiculous siutation years ago Gonzi, the self-styled Roi Soleil, wants to keep his prime posiiton in these events as during the Pope's visit when the Leader of the Opposition was relegated to an inconsequential position while the PM basked in the Pope's glory. All this must change. Whoever will be Leader of the Oppasiiton when Joseph is PM,( certainly not Gonzi whose name will have been buried by Natioanlists themselves) will have to accept the same humiliation that today's Leader of the Oppositon has to go through. That is what Labourites would wish for but I am sure that that is not what Joseph Muscat will do. Sometimes I think that this man is too good to provide the right antidote for the hatred of vile politicians. But then, this is a new way of doing politics that Joseph is proposing.

albert leone ganado

Sep 21st 2010, 18:01

How silly and divisive can protocol get. I wonder who specified it in the first instance.

v mercieca

Sep 21st 2010, 18:01

I followed the speech of Dr Gonzi on TV.

The positive statement and action by the PL leader is quite the opposite from the impression Dr Gonzi put forward during his speech of the opposition.

In my opinion Dr Gonzi should grow up if he wants to be a seasoned politician as his predecessor.

R Agius

Sep 21st 2010, 18:00

I love the irony of Joseph Muscat criticising protocol. This is a public person that has consistently shunned protocol and left others waiting, not turned up or indeed shared the presence of those he is not entitled to share the presence of and now he has the temerity to criticise protocol. He is in a job for good and bad - this is not a pick and choose position where he can choose what to do and when to do it.

It is also good to see he has now fully recovered from his debilitating injury and can grace us with this presence at official functions - when he should be there not when it pleases him to be there!

Darren Cassar

Sep 21st 2010, 17:59

Just heard the speech by Paul Borg Olivier and I feel it was really saddening to hear a speech full of insults aimed at the opposition party especially on a national day as today. The tone of voice used was also reminiscent of some past 60s and 70s era.
Even the speech of the prime minister a few minutes later seemed to contrast such attitude.
When are we going to learn and grow up???

Anthony Grech

Sep 21st 2010, 17:58

Don't you think that celebrating the Independence Day by both parties will be better?Why are they insisting of doing it seperatly...... one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. That is very very stupid. It seems that both of you have to get together and resolve this in good maners.

Joe Mangion

Sep 21st 2010, 17:58

This is statesmanship.

Steven Brockwell

Sep 21st 2010, 17:57

we are no longer independent so what are we celebrating.

R Camilleri

Sep 21st 2010, 17:57

What should we celebrate on Freedom's Day? Freedom from what?

The British left the country because their contract was up on the 31st of March 1979 and did not bother to renew. But of course the PL wants something to celebrate for. If my memory serves me right, Mintoff wanted integration rather than Freedom. Let us call a spade a spade Dr Muscat.

Dr Muscat, why don't we agree as a nation on one true National holiday. In my opinion (based on the facts of our country) that should be Independence day.

Godfrey Pirotta

Sep 21st 2010, 17:55

The Office of Leader of the Opposition is a constitutionally sanctioned office like that of President and Prime Minister. In fact the person occupying the office of Leader of the Opposition recieves a salary from the state and other associated benefits. Hence on National Days, which are a notch above other public holidays, and which denote a national not sectoral celebrations, all the representatives of the Maltese people should be invited to participate. On the occasion of the 7th June National Holiday this in fact taks place. Why not on other National Holidays? I find the excuse of protocol a rather childish excuse and not quite true. It is also the means to perpetuate old feuds. If those in charge don't set an example they shouldn't expect others to behave differently. The Prime Minister was quoted as saying that every one should celebrate independence day. Well he could start by giving other national representatives the opportunity to participate in the wreath-laying cermony, a harmless enough event I would have thought.

Marica Vassallo

Sep 21st 2010, 17:50

I do not see any valid reason why we should celebrate Freedom day. 31 March 1979 only represented the last day of the financial year of the British. Nothing else.

Chris Vella

Sep 21st 2010, 17:48

I must admit that in the beginning I was not so sure about Dr Muscat, but now I am beginning to admire him. He is definitely moulding himself to become a good PM following the next general election. Well done Dr Muscat!

B.Theuma

Sep 21st 2010, 17:46

Prosit Sur Muscat , wara kollox Jum l-Indipendenza u Jum il-Helsien huma tal-poplu Malti kollu u ghalhekk kulhadd ghandu jkun kburi b'dawn iz-zewg kisbiet.

Josephine Borg

Sep 21st 2010, 17:43

And we will probably lose one if not two Public Holidays...

Mike Farrugia

Sep 21st 2010, 17:40

Somehow, Dr. Muscat is gaining ground in his traditional progressive territory forcing the PN back to their conservative roots.

L. Cutajar

Sep 21st 2010, 17:37

There should only be one national day for Malta. The others may remain as public holidays but not considered as a national day. The question is which day should be Malta's national day? It's better to speak straight to the point than turning round the bush, Mr Muscat.

A.Saliba

Sep 21st 2010, 17:37

Bright ideas from a bright leader...Keep it up Joseph!

ASpiteri

Sep 21st 2010, 17:31

a very good proposition by the labour leader!

it is indeed a good idea that PLPN celebrate the same holiday, because after all Independence Day and Freedom Day are the same...as are the same parties!

Independence Day and Freedom Day for the PLPN...8th September reserved for those who truly loves our country!

Deal!

Frans Sammut

Sep 21st 2010, 17:30

Well said, Dr Muscat, well said.