In the national or international interest

Representing a nation is never easy. The national interest is paramount and Malta’s bela­boured Prime Minister, weaving his way through the current Libyan minefield, can well testify to that. To his credit, he has shown a singularly deft hand and may he continue to do so in the representation of all of us, in the national interest, whatever politics we may or may not subscribe to.

The national, or international, interest, as the case may be, is indeed a sacred trust, one where it has to be clear that one cannot serve it and mammon at the same time.To try to serve both is no light matter, one which would weigh very heavily against those who indulge in such sacrilege. Clear, transparent integrity is de rigeur whatever the personal price and those who would act otherwise may fool some people, some of the time, but they will never fool most people, most of the time (to paraphrase honest Abe Lincoln).