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Monday, March 28, 2011, 16:01

Update 4: Some 550 immigrants land in Malta

Two boats carrying some 500 Somali and Eritrean immigrants from Libya entered Malta this afternoon.

The first boat arrived in Dahlet Qorrot, the second at Haywharf at around 5.30 a.m. The Gozo boat was also escorted to Haywharf where it arrived at around 7.30 p.m.

The arrivals were the first in Malta this year and since the conflict between rebels and Gaddafi forces in Libya.

The immigrants include many women and children and an amputee, who was in a wheelchair. Those who arrived at 5.30 p.m. said they had spent two nights and three days at sea. Journalists were allowed at Haywharf for about 15 minutes but were then turned away. They were later allowed in again but were not permitted to speak to the migrants.

The AFM said that earlier this afternoon it was informed by the French maritime rescue co-ordination centre at La Garde that a French naval vessel had encountered a 60-foot long vessel to the east of Malta and was escorting them some 12 nautical miles from Malta.

The AFM sent a helicopter and later a patrol boat and the soldiers reported that the migrants onboard were not feeling well, since they had drank seawater and they had requested to enter Malta.

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Sarah Mifsud

Mar 30th 2011, 12:07

Those are interesting facts, Ms. Vella. Puts the whole scenario into perspective. Finally someone seeing beyond their nose and actually putting forward concrete information. We are all neighbours.

Corinne Vella

Mar 30th 2011, 12:37

@Sarah Mifsud - I note that most of the negative reaction here and elsewhere is based on prejudice and fear rather than fact. And once those emotions take over, many become impervious to facts.

VZammit

Mar 30th 2011, 15:26

Quiet please it's siesta time in Malta - when the Maltese wake up they find that the
population has changed colour and language, Action please!!!!!

Fabian Borg

Mar 29th 2011, 23:56

You are most welcome to let them use your spare bedroom , bathroom, kitchen and living room if you wish. I stopped giving money to missions etc just because I am already giving indirectly. When they stop coming I might start giving again but until then save the buck and brace yourself.
When will real Maltese stand up against these invasions ? That is my question.......

cellul

Mar 30th 2011, 05:09

No one is arguing the right to be saved. The problem lie in overstaying in Malta. Malta should not be turned into some sort of detention center were immigrants are FORCED to remain here whether they/we like it or not.

Dion Borg

Mar 30th 2011, 06:38

@Ray..I will be the first in line to, as you put it, "shoot with words instead of bullets". I live in Balzan where the Local Convent keeps more than 200 Somalis,Eriterians etc..they're having a laugh at our expense because all they do all day is drinking at the Kazin,not to mention littering all the playing field with rubbish..!! And my mother cannot even go for an hours peace sat at the local Square because all benches are occupied by West Africans..you'de think you're in Congo not Balzan..! @Fabian..Well said my friend,I agree 100%.

Alex Bugeja

Mar 30th 2011, 19:13

Ray: wake up and smell the coffee. There are simply too many for us. We are not Italy or the UK. Unless you want your country to be overrun by foreigners from a very different culture and background, your point of view is simply wrong. It would be the end of Malta as we know if they keep coming at the rate of the last of the few days. This is very serious.

Ray de Bono

Mar 30th 2011, 22:33

Read: http://euobserver.com/9/32092

We are treating these unfortunate visitors like criminals. We are exaggerating the percentages, and what we fail to ignore is that black on white, figures show we have less migrants than previous years, we keep few than most fellow EU states here...and basically, we allegedly house the remaining ones 9as most are settled elsewhere) in 'barely' acceptable standards.

I still believe Malta can make a better international impression about its much acclaimed hospitability, and extend a more effective helping hand to these poor migrants. This is a crisis, and merits a better national effort. It’s time for the Maltese to show that they really care, as EU citizens and as kind hearted as the Maltese really can be. The way we are being portrayed in the international media is definitely not strengthening our brand identity.

Alex Bugeja

Mar 30th 2011, 19:15

Do you want Malta be a Congo in the Mediterranean? There is nothing wrong or racist about preserving one's own culture in preference to others. It is not a statement that we are better than them. It is a statement that we personally prefer our own culture, thank you very much.

John Azzopardi

Mar 30th 2011, 00:11

Looks like you jealous. SHell and vacant property belong to the people not the government. If that had to happen, the whole of malta will rise. I don't even think the government will ever dare do that.

Christian Sciberras

Apr 1st 2011, 11:57

As was Nostradamus in professing the fall of a tower.

In fact, he's been right only a couple million times with that prophecy alone...

S. Degabriele

Mar 29th 2011, 16:11

You are right. Libyans were right and excused in everything when protesting yet maltese do not have the b***s to protest because the majority would come here to shame their brothers and sisters just to play the cool ones. Complaining from our chairs does nothing because these people will continue with this ruthless addiction they have to enter illegally in Europe.

Lampedusa has protested and people went out in the streets. This is what maltese should do. When is the government going to listen to us once and for all???????? We don't want any sort of illegal immigration. Boat people bring only problems here nothing else.

Corinne Vella

Mar 29th 2011, 13:20

West European Christians, did you say?

Charles Grixti

Mar 29th 2011, 21:06

@Corinne Vella

I stand corrected. Western Judeo-Christian civilisation is what I meant to say.

Corinne Vella

Mar 30th 2011, 10:04

Ah, that would be the 'civilisation' that shipped millions to death camps on its territory, including 1,500,000 children, gassed and burned at the rate of a 1,000 a day, even as they fell to their knees and begged for mercy.

CEllul

Mar 29th 2011, 13:43

Wow, I didn't know that Greece, Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia made part of the coalition.

Corinne Vella

Mar 29th 2011, 21:01

Greece offered the use of an airbase in Crete (that's part of Greece). Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro are not EU members and Slovenia a tad further away from Libya than Malta is.

cellul

Mar 30th 2011, 05:16

The US is not in the EU but is part of the coalition. Germany is part of the EU and could have sent planes but it refused to take such action. Planes could be sent from Tunisia and Egypt but their Arab brothers refused to get involved. The African Union had refused to take action too. Why should Malta offer its only airport when there's so many options around and when the UN didn't ask for it in the first place?

Corinne Vella

Mar 30th 2011, 10:05

'The UN' wouldn't ask for it because Malta had already made its position clear. Why are you only thinking of the airport, anyway?

cellul

Mar 30th 2011, 12:21

So you're saying that the UN had not asked Malta to lend its airport for fear of being refused by the PN? That's hilarious. I hope that we would be able to instill the same fear in Europe. Who knows maybe we'll be able to convince them to allow the illegal immigrants to leave Malta if they want to. While at it why don't we send Gonzi first to China and then to Zimbabwe and Somalia. Considering his fear factor he may end up forcing them to accept democracy and human rights.

And tell me apart from our national airport what can Malta offer to the NATO?

Corinne Vella

Mar 30th 2011, 12:35

@CEllul - Fear was not a factor. And it was not 'the UN', of which Malta is a member. We don't just have an airport. We have a harbour too. There's no need to fear air bombardment now that other countries have sorted that out without our participation.

CEllul

Mar 30th 2011, 13:45

Malta is also part of the EU, the same EU which Germany and many other countries are in . Despite all, apart from France, Italy and co no one participated into this war. We're a small nation Corinne. Our harbour and our airport have not been asked by any military coalition to be used against Gaddafi's regime. Why do you keep insisting on seeing Malta being dragged into something no one asked her to be dragged into in the first place? Don't you think that Gaddafi's regime can topple with or without us being dragged into this mess?

Corinne Vella

Mar 30th 2011, 16:15

@CEllul - You’ve forgotten about Spain and Greece, which are also southern European. Cyprus fudged the issue, but the British air base there is being used for refueling anyway. Denmark is not the world’s biggest country and is nowhere near Libya, but it’s involved. Need I go on?

Yes, Malta is a small nation and can’t do much alone. Now it has a chance to do a little bit along with everyone else, but doesn’t. Even our much touted 'humanitarian aid' has so far largely consisted of action by NGOs and by private enterprise.

This is not about ‘being dragged into’ something. It’s about shouldering responsibility for action from which we all stand to gain - you included.

N. Pace

Mar 29th 2011, 12:10

Stop being holier than thou and smell the coffee.....where do you propose to keep all these illegal immigrants in your garden??

Daniel Soler

Mar 30th 2011, 13:11

@N. Pace, Its not like you are keeping them in your garden, no? We Maltese are known to be a helpful nation. Let stop for a while and reflect what is going on and stop thinking as us and them.

Corinne Vella

Mar 29th 2011, 11:16

Asylum seekers have the right to enter the country and remain here while their application is processed. Malta is obliged to take in all comers while their status is determined.

R. Azzopardi

Mar 29th 2011, 13:02

X'wicc tost ghandu hux! Lanqas jisthi. U jridni nittollera lil niesu dan? Ma tarax!

Melvin Tonna

Mar 29th 2011, 11:38

Fejn ivvutajna ghalihom ahna? Tista' jekk joghgbok tispjega ghax ma nafux ezatti x'inhu l-punt tieghek u fejn Malta vvutat ghalihom? Taf li dawn mhux lil Malta biss qed jolqtu imma anke pajjizi ohra? Inti f'liema pjaneta qieghed tghix?

DGalea

Mar 29th 2011, 01:44

WOULD BE IMMIGRANTS SHOULD REALISE THAT ONCE IN MALTA THEY ARE STUCK HERE WETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT , THE ISLAND IS SMALL AND OUR RESOURCES ARE VERY LIMITED.
THEY WILL GET BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY IF THEY PAY FOR A BOAT TRIP THAT TAKES THEM STRAIGHT TO LAMPEDUSA WHICH IS PART OF ITALY AND FROM WHERE THEY CAN EASILY TRAVEL TO THE REST OF THE EUROPEAN MAINLAND WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

d attard

Mar 29th 2011, 10:02

dear oliver you do not have to justify our humanitarian role in the world because we do our part. The problem in my opinion is that by time we are seeing a tranistion of the role from one which as it should be, voluntary, to one which is obligatory which inversly misses all the point of being a force of good.
Then the migrants from being an asset contibuting to the maltese concience become a liability on the said concience and their pockets something which I am totally agains and if it were to be so I would campain for the migrants expulsion from malta.

scerri j

Mar 29th 2011, 08:13

Dear Sir ,
Can't you understand the logistics implications if the govt. had to offer Malta and it's airport as a military base?
It's not just planes , its bombs and missile storage as well.

And also commercial flights taking off and landing amidst military planes .

Think twice and you 'll find out that Dr. Gonzi as well as Dr. Muscat and all our parliament made a very good decision.


joseph cachia

Mar 30th 2011, 00:05

paroli vojta
jekk gaddafi jitlob biex juza MALTA kontra l'ilpup ta cameron, nahseb il maggoranza
tal MALTIN jaccettaw it-talba.

ray de bono

Mar 29th 2011, 01:52

I stand by my opinions, though I respect all others. I will not stoop low and become personal, I will refrain from ridiculing other peoples' family names, origin... My argument is that scare-mongering about these hapless unlucky immigrants landing in Malta is mostly baseless. These are scared, poor people running from war, they need help, protection, and they need our attention now. We should be less hypocrites about our humanistic reasoning (not to say Christian, so no one is irritated), and help those in need. This is our first duty as EUropeans. Spreading alarmist news of an invasion will only help fuel xenophobia.


.

S. Degabriele

Mar 29th 2011, 08:08

With this trend Europe will turn up into another Africa. Thank god probably I will not be here to see it but maybe with this huge flow it will be more sooner than later. The only two answers to this problem is: Repatriate ASAP and increase detention period as a deterrent. I only hope that I will not have the chance to see Malta in ruins for this "integration" cause.

michael scicluna

Mar 29th 2011, 09:25


exactly :)

CEllul

Mar 28th 2011, 23:21

Mr Mohammed there is a limit of how many people we can receive. Immigrants are not wanted in Europe who created treaties such as the Dublin 2 treaty which keep immigrants at the European borders and they seem not wanted in Africa were they are fleeing for alleged persecution.

Malta is small and already overpopulated. Its time for the African people to start solving their own problems. Face the facts my friend. No one wants you here. Merkel is the last of an endless list who said that multiculturalism had failed badly.

N. Bonello

Mar 29th 2011, 01:33

@abdull osman mohamed
'ARE THEY ORIGINALLY FROM LIBYA?' -
No, so they should be sent back were they originated from.

'SO MALTASE PEOPLE HAS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR GOVERMENT IS DOING WHAT IT HAS ALREADY SIGHNED' -
Yes, these agreements should immediately be withdrawn. The spirit of the agreements signed did not mean what has/is happening and did not cover economic opportunists.

Joseph Schembri

Mar 29th 2011, 05:28

Yes, we truly are "sigh-ing".

M.Bezzina

Mar 29th 2011, 05:51

I am not against the gov in this side because its not his fault..The only problem here is that migrants some of them are arrogant and want to implement their way and pretend to get the refugee status in weeks rather than months.If not they start burning our things or riots!!This is not acceptable!!Im sorry!!

V. Portelli

Mar 29th 2011, 07:54

AND YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE FED UP WITH THE ABUSE OF THESE MIGRANTS. This is OUR country and in my home I have all the right to choose who I want and who I don't. All of your nationals etc have fighted so much to bring down their governments like in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, now stay there and enjoy the coming out of the democracy you want. This is our country and don't be too much possessive. We pay taxes and we pay them for the maltese and for no one else. All these boat people are ILLEGAL therefore against our laws. Who gives you the right to come here and break our laws. We have our problems and the maltese government is to think of us first. Maybe not send them to Libya but to other places. Send them back we are full and fed up now. Even chairyt has its limits. What are you going to do, force us to leave our country too? Because I think that's next. Off your hands from Malta.

michael scicluna

Mar 29th 2011, 09:24

what is your/their government doing to keep them in their own country!
dont try to explain our obligations when you dont even know yours!!!

michael scicluna

Mar 29th 2011, 10:11

and dont mix up MIGRANTS with ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS pls

T Aquilina

Mar 29th 2011, 10:24

How unrealistic can you be? People are not against immigrants - but their NUMBERS - which are infinite. It's like trying to put a whole town in your trouser pocket. Do tell me, do you know of any much larger country anywhere in the world that has no problem with accepting any number of immigrants??

d. borg

Mar 29th 2011, 10:51

We don't give care what we signed for years ago. If this thing is now a threat to our country then it should be changed or abolished. Charity begins at home.

N. Pace

Mar 29th 2011, 11:33

If you are living in Malta legally then thank your lucky stars instead of criticising the Maltese who have offered you hospitality. If you are here illegally you should thank us even more as we do not have the infrastructure to support so many migrants.

If you are so worried or disappointed at the situation in Libya why don't you do what your fellow countrymen are doing and fighting in their country for a better life......but then it is easier to comment when you are comfortable in front of a computer.

We would very happily offer asylum to people who deserve it but others should be sent back

Corinne Vella

Mar 29th 2011, 12:06

@ N Bonello
The conventions protecting asylum seekers do exactly that. Agreements cannot be unilaterally ‘withdrawn’.

J Borg

Mar 28th 2011, 23:13

Corinne Vella Your constant harping to involve us militarily shall not serve you or your masters. We shall not be involved militarily not only because ti is against our Constitution but also because it is precisely the military intervention by the western powers that has precipitated this present illegal immigrants invasion.

Charles Sammut

Mar 28th 2011, 23:59

It is not "Malta" that does not want to allow the island to be used as a military base to enforce UNSC 1973. It is Gonzi and KMB. So please do not generalise as you know full well that the vast majority of Maltese are willing to let the island be used for that purpose.

Corinne Vella

Mar 29th 2011, 10:31


@Charles Sammut
Government policy is Malta’s voice, more so on the international stage.

@J Borg There is no constitutional barrier to speak of. Military action relating to Libya is backed by a UN resolution. The rest of what you say does not follow and a few hundred souls are not ‘an invasion’.

Charles Fenech

Mar 29th 2011, 06:56

I share the thoughts and preoccupations of Mr Matthew Charles Costigan in full. Please, whoever has the power to do something, hasten to act!

CEllul

Mar 28th 2011, 23:27

Out of curiousity but how many of these poor human beings are you willing to accept in your home? Thinking that we can integrate and accept thousands of immigrants in such small island is naive and equally dangerous. We lack the space, the natural resources and the job opportunities needed to give these people a decent living.

Alfred Falzon

Mar 29th 2011, 10:56

@ C Ellul
We have done our best to demonstrate to the whole world that we are a CARING NATION.
But as the saying goes, "Charity begins at home"!
I don't think we should accept more illegal immigrants than we can manage, for their number is growing rapidly and now close to saturation point.
Malta has done its best!
The only solution left to us now, in order to avoid a grave economic crisis (our tourism industry could suffer) and spare our people more hardship , is to send our small fleet of patrol boats outside our territorial waters and redirect towards Sicily the thousands of illegal immigrants heading for our shores after providing them with all the necessary assistance. They can then move on to other European countries until the so much vaunted BURDEN-SHARING scheme is implemented.
Berlusconi and his coalition ally Bossi, a xenophobe, both reluctant to condemn despot Gaddafi, will then have to strike a second deal with the dictator if he is still in power.
But that's their headache not ours!

k Busuttil

Mar 28th 2011, 22:57

Sarah Mifsud put your moeny where your mouth is and go help them there because the people have shown they do not want them in Malta.

Sarah Mifsud

Mar 28th 2011, 23:23

I actually do my fair share of volunteer work and have even done so in Africa, thank you very much. And who is 'the people' you talk about? I too am 'the people' and do not associate myself with others such as yourself.

Alfred Falzon

Mar 29th 2011, 08:42

A national flag hoisted by whichever Government does not represent ethnicity or for that matter any specific racial group.
Our present flag symbolizes national unity, irrespective of the racial origin of our people, be they white or coloured!
So let's not mix race with politics and let's cast aside our blind prejudice.

M. Debono

Mar 28th 2011, 22:11

I think you should inform yourself what it takes to become a voter in Malta before you go off on one of these pointless rants.

E.Callus

Mar 28th 2011, 22:28

Somalis and Eritreans cannot be send back because their respective countries are not safe.
Libyan Gaddafi supporters can come and ask for refuge here once Gaddafi is toppled, like tthe Tunisians leaving for Lampedusa.

J demanuele

Mar 28th 2011, 23:29

E.Callus all africans have all africa where to go to. We have nowhere to go. We are being illegally invaded and all invaders must be pushed back.

Alex Riolo

Mar 28th 2011, 22:42

veru ekk kont qed nejd! issa xser namlu!

Charles Sammut

Mar 28th 2011, 21:01

Do not expect any Eu country to help us. They have serious problems themselves with immigrants. It is everyone for himself. The time will soon come when we citizens will have to defend that which this weak, spineless, Curia run government will not defend.

rosemarie jones

Mar 28th 2011, 21:21

My first feeling is that these people should be medically checked and if found to be ok repatriated.your island is too small to take on many more people. The eu will give no help at all. We here in uk are one of the most cosmopolitan places in the world, i hope this does not happen to you over there in my favourite place Malta

Sarah Mifsud

Mar 28th 2011, 21:36

It is vile to refer to people as 'illegals' in their time of extreme need. I suppose you also refer to yourself as 'Christian'?

N. Pace

Mar 29th 2011, 11:36

if they come here illegally then they should be referred to as such Sarah. Stop being holier than thou, wake up and smell the coffee.

We have a problem with supporting so many ILLEGAL immigrants.

Instead of fleeing their country they should pull up their socks and do something about it rather than trying to live off the 'rich' white man

Silvio Meli

Mar 28th 2011, 21:02

Fairly soon our lives will be at risk from the continuing influx of illegals and their culture and where do we go?

Josef Abela

Mar 29th 2011, 08:21

Dear Ms.Farrugia , If I were you i would further strenghten my argument of love and solidarity by taking a couple of these immigrants to your doorstep ! That would relly prove your point.

G Caruana

Mar 28th 2011, 22:18

S Borg forget any help from the EU except a token one. They must be sent back to their own countries to rebuilt their lives and their own countries. We cannot allow them to remain here come what may. e have our own culture and people to look after and not become subordinate to any foreign culture and people. Charity begins at home.

MuscatD

Mar 28th 2011, 20:58

According to the refugee commission, 70% of arrivals only have a primary level of education. So much for good qualifications. If the UK is anything to go by, only 12% of new immigrants will work, if they are Somalis compared with 90% of Australians.( the lowest figure for a list of 50 countries.) The figure will rise to 38% for settled immigrants.( second lowest in list) There are the Uk figures too (73%) in the link as a comparison.

You call this an opportunity. You need a reality check.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/born_abroad/economics/html/overview.stm

Salv Lia

Mar 28th 2011, 21:10

Do you know why africa is the way it is Paul?
Have you any clue?
Keep dreaming my friend.

R.Formosa

Mar 28th 2011, 21:13


@Paul Attard

More slaves for the construction industry.........

What's wrong with being a single parent?

Edric Micallef Figallo

Mar 28th 2011, 22:16

"Point is, a good deal of these people probably have good qualifications and if they’re allowed to use this potential they’ll be a good boost to us as a human resource." - This is at best wishful thinking, at worst an illusion on which no serious political consideration should be made. With a good deal of probability it is to be rejected altogether as a notion, let alone as a practical application.

As far as 2008 was concerned, back when the influx of people with incredible potential was gracing us strongly, the Refugee Appeals Board highlighted that 47.2% of the applicants never attended school, 31.6% attended up to primary school, 19.3% attended up to secondary school, 1.1% attended up to "high school" (I suppose this means post-secondary school), and a whopping 0.8% attended University (one of those excellent African Universities I presume). This excludes those that didn't apply, and those of other years

Yet, if 2008 statistics would be indicative I would change the expression "a good deal" to a "negligible and not indispensable few". The argument that illegal immigrants could do menial jobs which the Maltese do not want to do any longer holds more water.

jscerri

Mar 28th 2011, 22:20

and when other countries 'help' they choose the ones with the highest potential (qualifications) and leave to us the rest. This effectively lowers the potential employment skills of the remaining people drastically.

Paul Attard

Mar 28th 2011, 22:37

@MuscatD
“According to the refugee commission, 70% of arrivals only have a primary level”
What about the other 30%?
A link please to this source would be handy

“You call this an opportunity. You need a reality check.”
Thank you oh profit of doom

@Salv Lia
"Do you know why Africa is the way it is Paul?"
External exploitation, internal conflicts and the list goes on

@ R.Formosa
“What's wrong with being a single parent”
I'm not referring to single parents who contribute to society and raise their children well
I’m referring to freeloaders

MuscatD

Mar 28th 2011, 23:48

@ S Attard

It was in the Times a few years back. Google it, I'm sure you'll find it. Mr Micallef Figallo was mentioning the same report in his post. I believe that 28% had a secondary level of education, but I don't really remember.

I think you meant prophet of doom ,however you are wrong. a prophet would be able to see the future. I'm looking at the past and learning from it. That way i get to know what the future has in store for us. I suggest you do the same. It won't be any different from the UK experience.

PS I could have posted figures for Norway, they follow the same pattern.

Salv Lia

Mar 29th 2011, 00:28

Look around you Paul Attard.
Any of the technology that we use daily was ever developed out of the genius of sub saharan thought? I can think of none what so ever, but there is plenty from the european mind, if not most of it.

Brian J Camilleri

Mar 29th 2011, 09:37

Sad but true. Things are not looking good.

Andrew Diacono

Mar 28th 2011, 20:21

500 per day...for a year....At this rate we,ll end up on boats migrating to Sicily.....

Frans Muscat

Mar 28th 2011, 20:18

What do you mean they were not in distress? We have a 60-foot boat with 300 people on it (including women and children) who have been at sea for 3 days and forced to drink sea water - and you want them to continue on their merry way?

K Darmanin

Mar 28th 2011, 22:31

Frans Muscat the only way they should be helped is to give them food, water and fuel and escort them out of our waters to make sure they don;t turn back. That is the only help they should get and nothing more.

H Bugeja

Mar 28th 2011, 22:32

Frans Muscat They knew the risks they were taking so let them face their own consequences.

Frans Muscat

Mar 29th 2011, 00:07

Dear Darmanin and Bugeja: fortunately you are not the ones who have to decide in this situation.

Frans Muscat

Mar 28th 2011, 19:57

Int iddiskuti li trid u li jogbok u haddiehor jaghmel l-istess. X'tahseb?

I.Azzopardi

Mar 28th 2011, 20:30

Hux Mr Carbonaro? Bhalek kont qed nahseb dalghodu.

N Frendo

Mar 28th 2011, 22:36

Clare Caruana Maltese people speak against all illegal immigration of whatever color. it happens that the great majority is coming from Africa and that is why people speak against them. It is also because they are a great burden upon us which we cannot afford and who want to bring their own culture with them and we cannot allow that in tiny Malta. No illegal immigration must be allowed from whatever country or culture and all must be sent back.

Mikiel Sciberras

Mar 29th 2011, 05:25

I have not seen boatloads of Russians coming into Malta illegally - have you? This is not about racism but about pratical realities. These people have no business coming here in the first place. Africa is such a big country they could have turned to their fellow African countries to seek refugee status - why not go to Kuwait, S. Arabia or any of the other rich nations in the Gulf - why take the risk of a sea journey?

Clare, I sure hope that you do not plan to have a family, because as it is, these people will be doing the reproduction for you and the Maltese will become strangers and a minoritiy in their own land and the day will come when our descendants will have to compete with these 'refugees' and I can assure you that there will not be any charity or kindness once they have the upper hand. Kindness is perceived as a weakness in these tribal cultures and they will steal our country right from under our children's feet. Please do not be so naive.

Corinne Vella

Mar 29th 2011, 11:22

@N Frendo
There are different cultures in 'tiny' Malta. Yours and mine are clearly poles apart.

Noel Cutajar

Mar 28th 2011, 22:09

...and yes, how convenient to blame only Gheddafi...are there any plans to invade or bomb Syria or Yemen? As none of their leaders want to be ousted...so why don't we ask the UN and NATO to bomb their armies as well? But since they do not have oil production it is not convenient...

Frans Muscat

Mar 28th 2011, 19:59

Int mhux l-Amerika thallas it-taxxi tieghek siehbi? Mela ara hwejjgek l-ewwel.

Corinne Vella

Mar 28th 2011, 20:06

This is Malta, not New Jersey.

Saviour Borg

Mar 28th 2011, 20:49

Incredible human suffering. Incredible.

G Sammut

Mar 28th 2011, 22:39

Dennis Catania I agree with you Dennis. Our families have decided that no party which does not take a stand against illegal immigration and promises to expel all illegal immigrants within one month of taking power shall get our vote.

A.Abela

Mar 28th 2011, 22:53

Dear C. Agius 1) there is a fine line between politics and religion, unfortunately if you mix both together you'll get a disaster (believe it or not). The country needs to think of its safety if it wants to continue. We cant keep going in this direction or else we will pay the consequences. Unfortunately today's situation is a disastrous one and uncontrolled having people who are proud to be from a country even though they escape from it (contradicting isn't it?)

2nd) Divorce has nothing to do with this matter!

Corinne Vella

Mar 29th 2011, 12:10

I wouldn't pay two cents for that advice.

Andrew Diacono

Mar 28th 2011, 19:41

Malta can not host any more illegal immigrants...when will we say enough ?

jbusuttil

Mar 28th 2011, 19:01

http://www.corriere.it/

Patrick Bellia

Mar 28th 2011, 19:18

Sewwa qrajt siehbi, differenza wahda hemm bejna u tal Lampedusa, li dawk qeghdin 5,000 ruh u ghandom il gazz jipprotestaw u jimblukkaw il port u hawnhekk hawn 410,000 ruh u ma ghandhiex il gazz li ghandhom 5,000.

Frans Muscat

Mar 28th 2011, 20:02

He's not that funny. Ridiculous yes. Funny no.

R Micallef

Mar 28th 2011, 20:03

Why should Britain take them. They wanted independence like Malta did. so deal with it

Pavia H

Mar 28th 2011, 22:48

R Micallef we didn't even colonize them. Britain, Italy, Germany, Belgium and other european states colonized them so they should take them. They again started another war this time in Libya so they should bear the consequences not us.

C. Farrugia

Mar 28th 2011, 18:57

Exactly my thoughts! HOW COINCIDENTAL!!!!!

axuereb

Mar 28th 2011, 18:24

Valid point, however, why would the mercenaries leave now from Tripoli while the war is still raging? It seems to be more of a warning from the regime that they will flood Europe with illegal immigrants should the coalition/NATO keep up their attacks. As to your comment re countries taking on some of the immigrants themselves that remainds to be seen. We will have to wait and see.

CEllul

Mar 28th 2011, 19:19

@ Mr Xuereb

Geddafi's regime is losing the war. Many of whom know that they will find no mercy amongst the rebels who see them as invaders and unwanted guests. I Guess they have yet to learn what strength in diversity means.

Steve Borg

Mar 28th 2011, 18:26

Why don't you keep your racist sentiments to yourself? Were you, by any chance, one of those who was angry at Giletti's claims?? What would you do if you were living in Libya now??? There goes our solidarity. We haven't the faintest knowledge of human rights.

Z Mallia

Mar 28th 2011, 18:45

malcolm seychell fully agree with you. Where are our politicians? Let's hold a referendum to send the illegal immigrants back to their own countries. If Europe does not want to take them neither do we.

Frans Muscat

Mar 28th 2011, 20:01

Well said Steve Borg!

Ivan Farrugia

Mar 28th 2011, 23:22

Great Idea, but it will never happen cause they prefer to accomodate old people cause its today's best money making business. Most of these old people are paying a very high price, even with their own property. Recently I needed to stay for quite a long time in Rome,so I asked the Maltese Sisters there but I was shocked when they asked me for 60 Euro a day (BB), compared to 36 Euros that I payed for a very decent Hotel.

Tiziana camilleri

Mar 28th 2011, 18:08

is suldati ghandhom bizzejjed u zejjed fuq rashom bhalissa lil dawn jonqoshom

Frans Muscat

Mar 28th 2011, 20:03

Ha ha! Mohh is-Somali ghandu bhalissa Gaddhafi.

John C Betts

Mar 28th 2011, 20:57

Vidkun Quisling was a traitor to his country who collaborated with a fascist and racist regime. Are you proposing racists should go? I'd subscribe to that.

J Busuttil

Mar 28th 2011, 22:53

John C Betts quislings are those who betray their country, race, clan, etc. The CNI has a very good page on Quisling. I suggest you see it. http://www.cnimalta.org/qe.html

Corinne Vella

Mar 29th 2011, 12:12

J Busuttil

The CNI is a defunct political organisation that now serves as a source of entertainment.

S.Micallef

Mar 28th 2011, 18:13

judging from your comment about JRS and Jesuits you seem to know very little about what they do.

Rodrick Bulwer-Montanaro

Mar 28th 2011, 18:31

@ S Micallef,

It seems it is you who does not know what they do or have done.
http://www.joeinvestoronline.com/library/Suppression-of-the-Jesuits.php

Muscat D

Mar 28th 2011, 20:26

@ S Micallef

It seems so do you. Yesterday's news.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8408061/US-Jesuits-agree-103-million-abuse-payout.html

Brian J Camilleri

Mar 29th 2011, 09:09

Prosit... agree with you 100%

axuereb

Mar 28th 2011, 18:46

Can we be sure they will stop once the new Libyan government is up and running?

sciortino m

Mar 28th 2011, 19:49

No nothing is certain. It is only a hope that a democratic Libya would respect human rights and not use these poor people as a weapon against Europe.

M. Spiteri

Mar 30th 2011, 10:01

ma nahsibx li jista jifhmek bil Malti Giletti

axuereb

Mar 28th 2011, 19:45

And when according to you should we stop accepting these people? When they reach the 1 million mark perhaps? Malta and Italy should not be made to bear the weight alone, all the other EU countries should share the burden. As for your comment that Malta sent its citizens to seek pastures new in foreign land, the maltese enetred the country they went to in a legal manner and found gainful employment so as to support themselves and their families.

Willy Apap

Mar 28th 2011, 20:53


No Ray, we do not want these people illegally imposed on us.
This is a tiny barren 122 square mile isle of a nation with one of the highest population densities in the world.
The citizens are getting fed up funding these freeloaders, and something will give and it won't be pretty. The comparison with legal maltese immigrants of yesteryear that were vetted to no end that went to huge rich nations that wanted them with these sub saharans invading our shore in any quantity does not hold water.
Our Maltese brothers who legally immigrated made breathing room for the remaining citizens of Malta so now all that is in vain and we have replaced our citizens of the same blood with these sub saharans that we owe nothing to, not a fair deal at all.

Lucia Davies

Mar 29th 2011, 09:41

I am sorry but I do not agree with you,,,, Maltese who emigrated after the war had to pass all sorts of medical tests and whatever other checks,, they also had to have some relatives or friends to give them a home in wherever country they went,, it took months for their go ahead to emigrate,, how dare you compare our fathers who made that sacrifice, to these blood suckers,, my sons work all day they pay their taxes and can hardly cope with their expences so pleaseeee stop talking b...sh..these people that feel sorry for them should agree to invite a few in their homes and feed them, that will take a bit of a load from our shoulders

Moira Heath

Mar 28th 2011, 17:06

You and your family are welcome to go and join them in the detention centers if you think they're having it so well. I'll pay for the expense don't worry. Why don't you open your eyes and realise these people are not going to stay at our 5-star hotels but in a grimy, dirty tent, for months on end, and then if they're lucky they'll rent a shabby flat somewhere terrible and work some lowly paid job. M'hemmx x'tghir ghalihom, I can assure you.

Corinne Vella

Mar 28th 2011, 17:14

You could ask to move into a detention centre and then write about the experience afterwards.

Christine Xuereb

Mar 28th 2011, 18:17

Dear Jasmine Galea,

You should get your facts right..
According to ETC, we need 2,000 migrants per year in order to have our pensions paid!!

Cassar P

Mar 28th 2011, 19:07

You are right Jasmine Galea. We should start protests like they did in Lampedusa until they are either taken by the mainland European countries o sent back to their own countries.

Corinne Vella

Mar 28th 2011, 22:10

@Cassar P
Lampedusa is Italian. That is why immigrants are sometimes moved to Italy.

T Spiteri

Mar 28th 2011, 23:51

Corinne Vella a kindergarten child knows that Lampedusa is Italian. That is why they are moved to Italy but there is disagreement between France and Italy because France is not accepting them to cross over to France. When they come to Malta they cannot be moved anywhere but have to remain in Malta until they overtake the Maltese population.

Corinne Vella

Mar 29th 2011, 10:34

@T Spiteri
Some ‘kindergarten children’ don’t know that Lampedusa is Italian and many of them post comments on timesofmalta.com. What you say about Italy shows that policy is consistent.

CZarb

Mar 28th 2011, 17:20

Burden sharing lives only in the minds of our amateur MEPs. There will be no burden sharing but only volontary cherry picking.

S.Vella

Mar 28th 2011, 17:56

What burden sharing? Who wants to share a burden? The government should take matters into his own hands and start REPATRIATING.

t gatt

Mar 28th 2011, 16:53

no need to ask for help from this third grade presenter.....he cant read your message for help because he is ignorant of the english language

aaron farrugia

Mar 28th 2011, 16:41


L-istess haga hsibt. Sehetna.

charles cauchi

Mar 28th 2011, 19:33

mhux sehetna gillet, din hi konsegwenza tal gwerra li hemm il libja, issa tehodhom franza u ir renju unit, no problem.

Noel Cutajar

Mar 28th 2011, 19:18

Mela ma tafx li jsir fl-EU ghal pagi u flus fil-hela.

S.Vella

Mar 28th 2011, 18:00

Yes, I am sure the Jesuits are singing, they must be delighted.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003979266_jesuit28m.html

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