Priority is Libyan ‘massacre’, possibly ‘genocide’ - Simon Busuttil

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil today said there was no doubt that a “massacre” was taking place in Libya, which could possibly verge on “genocide”.

He said the possibility of an influx of immigration should be secondary to the human tragedy unfolding and he thanked the Maltese public for being mature enough to recognise this.

“My first priority is the massacre going on in Libya. Although we cannot verify everything we hear there is no doubt a massacre is taking place. And if the numbers we are hearing are true, and if the methods being reported are really being used such as jet fighters being used against the people, we are not only talking about a massacre but also about genocide,” he said, during a foreign affairs parliamentary committee meeting.

He thanked the Maltese authorities for ensuring the safety of the Maltese people in Libya and the Opposition for taking a “serious stand” of cooperation on this issue.

“(But) while Malta’s position is what it should be, I feel we should be totally clear about our position regarding the loss of human life and murder of people which is intolerable in today’s world,” he said, appreciating the Prime Ministers condemnation without reservations of the violence.

Although he held back from offering solutions, he wondered whether an end to the massacre would require military intervention, pointing out that such issues were being raised in the EU.

Dr Busuttil said he was recently on a radio programme where he was pleasantly surprised that all of the callers expressed concern about the situation in Libya rather than the threat of immigration.

“As politicians, we should learn from this maturity.”

He said Malta was being exemplary in helping foreigners evacuate Libya.

“But let us not fall into the moral trap of refusing Libyans escaping Libya. We need to help form public opinion so as not to let people think it is ok to help foreigners leave Libya but that we do not want Libyans who are trying to escape the same dangers because they are immigrants.”

Dr Busuttil stressed he was not calling for Malta to open up all its doors. But he expected all those countries currently sending vessels and planes to evacuate their nationals to also help evacuate refugees if the need arose.

Dr Busuttil said he was perhaps an eternal optimist but he truly believed that when push comes to shove, the EU will show the solidarity necessary, even if for now many are beating around the bush.

The European Parliament, he added, called for an urgent meeting next week so that the authorities, including the director of Frontex, can explain their plans in case of such a humanitarian emergency.

He said he agreed with the government and the opposition that Malta should take a cautious approach with regards Malta’s relationship with Libya.

“We have to see how the situation develops and respond accordingly,” he concluded.