Malta on US migration failures watch list

Mr Joe Xuereb

Jun 30th 2011, 20:07

@ Simon Abela, allow me to quote you, Sir: '........give the Maltese Government tools to combat these illegal activities......'.** I don't know if you've noticed but I certainly have done.....via comments posted here, I often get the impression that Malta HAS no problems. To these, uppermost in their minds is the welcoming of strangers because it the the Christian tradition and this is expected of them. They listen and obey like the infants they have been reduced to. If proof were needed, we can cite the divorce debacle. That involved the saving of the soul so issues like the situation in Libya and the influx of illegal immigrants were somehow of lesser priority. Now this is the sort of thing that the Maltese need to sort out for themselves. No foreign aid, from whatever source is going to change this.
This smacks of denial, evident in so many aspects of Maltese life and dictated by too much allegiance to Blue, or Curia, or Red.

Simon Abela

Jun 30th 2011, 00:48

Regretfully I must admit that the State Department is wrong for such comments. The US should not criticize the Maltese authorities, instead they should work with them and give the Maltese Government tools to combat these illegal activities, as an American Mrs. Clinton should have visited Malta herself before making such comments. It’s time for new leadership as this administration certainly out of touch with the rest of the world.

Mr Joe Xuereb

Jun 29th 2011, 21:14

@Christian Ellul, talking about the USA: 'Drugs, prostitution, organised gangs.....'. Blow me! Could have been Malta. Plus we have omerta' remember.
It sounds like the USA and Malta share the same problem with people coming from the South. America is, of course, America. Malta, it's often forgotten right off the maps (I'm not kidding). I like to think that the USA is addressing it problems with some degree of success (it IS a big problem). How well is Malta dealing with its influx, other than whinging that others should share the burden balanced by the many who breast-beat and plead charity for the unfortunates. Many on the island fear for its future and yet, yet again, the people are divided. In a tight corner they prefer to churn up the dirt of others, real or imagined. Anything but growing and up being mature. Difficult in a country where people are infantilised to keep them vulnerabl and needy and gullible (although there is some slight shift with the recent referendum result).
Someone below said something about the USA not having the divine right to police the world. No, it's not a right, divine or demonic. But the world is like a nursery with too many unruly children. Some of these children are 'grown up and oil-rich with ideas of their own pertaining to dominance). Were it not for the USA (and the West generally), the world could be a very different place and whoever it was that spouted this inanity (about divine rights) would be whistling a different tune, I bet!
Following the report the Maltese could do the next best thing (I'm sure they're quite expert at it by now). I mean, they could ask themselves if nobody else why the rest of the EU members are so reluctant to share their burden (I get the feeling that many believe that with immigrants off their hands, Malta will be 'saved' and back to 'normal' as I said earlier; and pigs might fly. Maybe - and given the Maltese mindset this may be difficult to grasp - the Maltese, in spite of their real travails do not exactly manage to endear themselves to the rest of Europe. This could be because of corruption in the country (as in, underhanded dealings/mindsets) or sheer spinelessness. Maybe some clever dick could come up with examples of both. Food for thought at least. Hint! hint! We plead poverty but we squander millions hoping to put names on the map come 2018.

@Carmelo Micallef (I think it was). Yes, the Maltese are known for their kindness and generosity of spirity. Sounds wonderful! Except that if you repeat a quip often enough it starts to sound true/loses its meaning. How many generous Maltese give with their right hand making sure the left hand is aware of the transaction? How many practise generoristy without thinking of heavenly rewards? I'm being cynical but again, it's food for thought.

Mr Alex Buds

Jun 29th 2011, 19:26

The USA has bigger problems than Malta in this department, so this criticism is pretty arrogant on its behalf. Mrs Clinton may be due for retirement, I think.

On the other hand, it is the only country which gave Malta concrete help on migration, taking in 600 migrants - more than the EU, even though the EU is supposedly the organisation we belong to.

Mr Martin Cassar

Jun 29th 2011, 14:24

How far the USA 's war machines, illegal wars and USA war crimes are reasonable directly /indirectly for the immigrant’s phenomena and displacing millions of people world wide?

Charles Sammut

Jun 29th 2011, 13:42

The US is right. There is only one way to stop this mega million euro industry. Turn back all illegal immigrants' boats. That is what Italy does and that is why Italy is not on this shameful watch list.

Here in Malta, you get fined €11,600 for taking your dog to the beach but nothing is done about the hundreds of Africans loitering in the Marsa and Hal Far areas waiting to be picked up for illegal day labour. Nothing is done about casual immigrant labourers working illegally on building and agricultural sites. A country gone completely bonkers.

Mr carlos ellul

Jun 29th 2011, 13:37

At least the US criticize and help in the issue. What had we achieved through our 'blood' brothers despite they are handed so wisely by our 'expert' politicians? I am sick of seeing the Gonzipn party making excuses to cover up the EU arrogance and egoism regarding this issue.

Victor Vella

Jun 29th 2011, 13:29

What about the cheap labour(human traficking) in the Great USA? Latino women chainganged into prostitution, porn and rape when working as house maids. Women sold into prostitution all over the continent, men worked like slaves for meagre pay, and what about the chinese mafia in USA? Clinto would be better off cleaning her own house before hitting out at other nations.

Christian Ellul

Jun 29th 2011, 13:03

oh my the US is talking?? the US should better look at the situation at its Mexican boarder! That's the worst case of Human trafficking in human history! Drugs, prostitution, organised gangs, you name it! Then again the US prefers to gather intel on the international situation rather than solve its problems first! Typical American!!
Malta has been unfairly classified in this report! I wonder were Italy stands...

Morgan Lerner

Jun 29th 2011, 13:01

What a bunch of cry babies, an issue is is raised and all you can do is lash out at the person pointing out the issue. Not one comment posted on here refutes the claim by the US State Department! Sure the US has issues but that does not excuse Europe of anything. And the comment about racism in the U.S., please...it will be another 1000s years before a European nation elects a non-white as their head of State.

j brincat

Jun 29th 2011, 12:43

The USA thinks it has some divine right to watch/control the whole world.

Remember Chile's Allende?

(jb)

Stefan Zammit

Jun 29th 2011, 12:35

What a joke! And how would the southern US states fair with their system? Can't they see their own mess in handling Mexican illegal immigrants?

Mr Joe Xuereb

Jun 29th 2011, 12:32

The red herrings. They not only don't disappoint, they amuse.
Someone said, 'the public executions in USA. We're talking about the USA baby, not Iran or Saudi. Where many of these so-called refugees should be heading to practice whatever it is they practice. Instead they want to practice it in Malta and Europe. Joe Micallef, please note. And do something about it or you, and your', days may be numbered.
I can't help feeling that the people who prefer a Libya as it was have a monetary investment in it. Money first, people - who gives a damn! Very Catholic! Very Malta! Someone foolishly suggested that 'america' smashed up Libya and we, Malta, are reaping the disaster. So Malta's relationship with Libya was hunky-dory prior to the bloodbath was it?! Quite! It is sad to witness such self-seeking, self-justifying arguments. I often think that people deserve every scrap of crap that comes their way, I really do! Oh well! as long as they see their name in print.
@Catherine Sultana. People-trafficking is deplorable, especially women's and children's for whatever reason. But Catherine, this problem is much much more than the trafficking of women. Do not be side-tracked and miss the bigger picture. Don't forget that women in many countries are not so much trafficked but rendered invisible, treated are fifth-rate objects. And all this sanctioned by their laws. Do not knock America.
America has its own huge borders, vulnerable to traffickers, clandestines, etc. ONE CAN NOT GET ON A RICKETY BOAT FROM THE NORTH AFRICAN COAST AND SAIL TO MIAMI. But as we know, it is easy to sail from the North African coast to Europe via Malta. One could say this is not America's problem, but for Europe to sort out. But of course the USA is well-aware of the knock-on effect and Europe's health is America's. Surprised?! I'm not. So w hat's the problem, matey?!
Malta is a dry little island with no resources other than a beacon belief-system, tourism - did I say tourism?! - a lots of good stuff inherited from the British. Why does it have to be 'the mouse that roared' to hide its many complexes? Sure, it has been humbled, quite often at the hand of those who are supposed to administer it (spiritually and politically, both) but maybe it's time to practise a little humility. Deal a bit more with the here and now rather than with a head buried in the sand of a future never-never-land.

As a humanist, living away from a culture and a Curia that gets curioser and curioser, both veritable strangleholds, I believe in helping people. But I also recognise that the helpers need to be helped too by dealing with the problem at its root (shades of Louise Vella here). Otherwise, what exactly is the point?

Don't bite the hand that feeds you? You want the USA to take all of your unwanteds, the current ones and any in the future? What if America did just this? Pray for it to happen and then - what?! Malta can go back to being the island in the sun with a flourishing tourist industry - and the Middle Ages. Be careful what you pray for, says I. Just food for thought.

Apologies for any typos. I feel enraged. My concern is the content not the style. I just happen to give a damn for my little island. And I have nothing to gain, now and certainly not later, when I kick my clogs off . I did my graft and now subsist on a pension. That is more than enough for me. Monetary ambitions! such a no-no!

Mr John Azzopoardi

Jun 29th 2011, 12:23

a lot of people are very naive to take the report lightly. It shows how small minded the maltese are and how they thing. Don't you people out there realize that the migrant issue is a government and human traffickers run enterprise where the majority of maltese and gozitans are against all this in their vast majority.

a borg

Jun 29th 2011, 12:01

the report by the US is a textbook case of "The pot calling the kettle black".

a borg

Jun 29th 2011, 11:56

look who's talking!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_%E2%80%93_United_States_barrier

the 'backsliders' all happen to be border countries, aren't they? the ones away from the border wage war, while those at the border have to face the immigration problem and be chastised by the warmongers for it!

ara vera wicchom tal-landi dawn in-nies!

US: 0 points on this one.

Mr Josef Laspina

Jun 29th 2011, 11:39

The American 'intelligence' is usually right. I do believe their reports, but many times it is pointing fingers at others while not exactly being strict with itself. The Americans and the Mexicans have a sort of hushed up drug war going on between their borders, where many are murdered and nobody seems to report by whom, or who perpetrates these atrocities occurring In Mexico on the USA southern borders. So yes they are excellent at pointing fingers while weak at tackling their own issues. Take that Hilary.

Mr John Azzopoardi

Jun 29th 2011, 11:28

Totally agree with this report. I have always said that there is a link between what is going on with this illegal migrants, refugees and human trafficking. It's a shame that we seen in this light. WE never asked for this problem, only our politicians and the criminals who make a profit of these illegal migrants want this problem. We maltese grumble, but we never asked for what we have right now. IT's creating social problems and the report is not far from being totally accurate.

Luca Mondavi

Jun 29th 2011, 11:20

Yes Mr President. Of course Mr President. We'll work harder Mr President.

Jesmond Micallef

Jun 29th 2011, 11:12

Perhaps people here should also consider just how many refugees the United States of America has taken from Malta over these last couple of years or so. Come on sweethearts, give praise where deserved, please !!

Mr Jimmy Magro

Jun 29th 2011, 11:11

The US has the divine right to watch over the world; this is what they believe so this is not the first time that the US comes with these sorts of reports. Whatever the conclusions are, and irresepctive of what the US states about other countries, we need to take stock of the remarks about Malta.

When the Government of Malta keeps harping that since we are Christian Democrats we will continue to give shelter to those breaking international law, and being part of a human trafficking ring, we are encouraging the criminals to continue to load more boats into us.

I have many questions about:

1. how come these illegal immigrants have satallite phones when they have been unemployed for many years?

2. how come these illegal immigrants have the contact numbers of the AFM?

3. how come the AFM could not find a Maltese boat in distress, but can easily locate a boat with illegal migrants?

I strongly believe that there is a well organised network in Malta that is making millions of euros out of the call to save illegal migrants and the Government is an accomplice to all these illegal activities.

Mr Joe Micallef

Jun 29th 2011, 10:42

When one is told off by a country where public executions is a national hobby, race and religious discrimination is rife, destabilising of regions is a political election winning ambition and persecution of whistle blowers is alive and kicking well then.....next please.

Ms Louise Vella

Jun 29th 2011, 10:41

Easy. Stop the influx of illegal immigrants. The human trafficking will stop automatically.

Mr M Farrugia

Jun 29th 2011, 10:39

nothing but American propaganda which Hilary Clinton is expert in. she is of the opinion that the only good things are done by the US only. Ignore what she is stating avout Malta. @ Mario P. Sciberras. If you do not mention the Catholic church it ant be you. If there is someone who dictates what is right and what is wrong in this country is the politician and I am sure that you know this. I pity you

Mr Joe Xuereb

Jun 29th 2011, 10:37

Some Maltese, and that includes the incumbent Administration, are parochial in their attitude to this real problem. Moving 'immigrants' onwards to the North MAY temporarily solve Malta's problem. Malta does not exist in isolation. Malta is part of the world community. David Ganado and Phil Humphries, is it so very difficult to get your heads round this one. So the USA is founded on immigrants. It was a huge expanse of land with unimagineable natural resources. And yes, it was up for grabs. Same could be said for Africa, South Africa in particular. And oil anywhere else. Without Western technology the oil would lie, unused and going to waste under the sands. The diamonds in Soouth Africa too. What would African tribes do with diamonds even if they get get at them. Diamonds need extraction and nurtured for so many uses (not only necklaces you know). So let us stop knocking the West. Ask yourselves, what is the alternative to Western dominance? Nobody is squeaky clean when it comes to money but demonise the West and you're done for.

These are some links to programs shown on British television about Nigerians, men and women, trafficking Nigerian women to Europe for the purpose of prostitution. Money does indeed have a corrupting influence. But much depends in whose hands it falls. And one must also keep in mind that the West had so much positive influence ocross that troubled planet. Now I wait for the usual red herrings.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/unreported-world/articles/nigeria-sex-lies-black-magic-reporter-feature

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/unreported-world/pictures/nigeria-2011/94df2620-e7a9-4263-b1cb-5a78e3e968e2

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/unreported-world/episode-guide/series-2011/episode-a

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/unreported-world/articles/nigeria-sex-lies-and-black-magic-related-links

In Malta's case at least, the irony is that the many who welcome 'migrants' of allsorts do so - someone correct me if I'm wrong - for religious reasons(and little do they know!). And then Malta wants to be taken seriously by the EU. An organisation that is well aware of the recent joke of a debacle about the introduction of divorce in Malta. Only in Malta. And by being 'holier-than-thou', those Maltese who are, well! little do they know what will happen to their dear belief-system in the longer term. The intentions may be good. The end result disastrous.

Catherine Sultana

Jun 29th 2011, 10:35

As much as I dislike the US for the power that it is and that it holds over other countries, especially small nations such as ours, I have to say I am concerned! Put away your pride and prejudices for one moment and think about the women and children that are in danger of being exploited, all for wanting a better life! All I have ever bore witness to is a mere exhibition held by the 'Helen Bamber' organisation, and even that made my stomach turn, so we do have to protect these vulnerable people from being used as pawns in the sex trade!

Mr Ernest Vella

Jun 29th 2011, 10:29

The US is on the black list of the countries which failed to guarantee peace because of the selling of armaments to third world countries. The US is an arrogant nation, if it thinks it can speak to us Maltese is that manner. Malta, with its courage and kindness, is a nation US must admire and not blame.

Imisshom jisthu...l-arroganza tal-pajjizi tal-punent gabet l-ekonomija fejn hija llum...huma misshom jisthu

Mark Amaira

Jun 29th 2011, 10:23

L-ewwel ifarrku l-Libja, imbagħad jitfgħu l-problema fuqna.

Ara vera wrapping paper biss da'n-nies!

Mr R.E. Saliba

Jun 29th 2011, 10:08

Italy got full marks? Easy to pick on smaller countries isn't it?

Mr Mario P. Sciberras

Jun 29th 2011, 10:07

The US is like our Catholic church. It wants to dictate to everybody what is right and what is wrong. At least our church hasn't got tomahawk missiles. Of course I am against human trafficing, who isn't, but I don't like more and more people telling me what to do. Talk about people in glass houses throwing stones.

Mr David Ganado

Jun 29th 2011, 10:00

What cheek!
And how much are they succeeding to stop migration into their own country from their southern borders?

Tim Gauci

Jun 29th 2011, 09:57

Take note CMB

Phil Humphries

Jun 29th 2011, 09:23

Isn't it ironic that a nation founded by immigrants and built by slaves should be telling the rest of the world that it should do more to stop people trafficking ?