French assault ship in harbour
The French Navy assault ship Mistral (21,000 tons) arrived in Grand Harbour this morning on a short break from operations off Libya. It is the ship's first visit to Malta.
Mistral class vessels can carry up to 16 heavy helicopters as well as landing craft and a marines unit. The ship also has a communications suite enabling it to serve as a headquarters ship.
The Mistral was commissioned in 2006. A sister ship, Tonnerre, followed a year later and a third ship is nearing completion.
A similar ship of the Royal Navy, HMS Ocean, arrived in Malta yesterday.
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Albert Ostimani
Aug 11th 2011, 17:04
I don't know why some people here are taking this too seriously. As we don't get attacked, or fined, then I don't mind if a hundred military assault ships arrive every week.
Alan Cordina
Aug 12th 2011, 12:04
AH ! At long last ! ..... so, some people like you do still exist !!! Good News !! Phew !! and Mr Fitzpatrick, those 70 persons, were not murdered civilians and families, but military personnel hiding behind a small number of scattered ordinary people like cowards and "godardi" ...... ok, so .... who to believe ?? Nato or Gaddhafi spokesman ?? anyones guess ?? ... NO !! ..... Gaddhafi forces cleared the rubble, live on their own TV and other global networks, and spoke of 33 dead children, but could only come up with 2 bodies. Of course I cry my heart out for those 2 kids ...... but it only shows that its media spin by the cowards and "godardi" ...
Carmel Zammit
Aug 11th 2011, 16:35
We have not been told the reson or reasons for this unwanted visitor. I presume that this time it is a combination of fuel shortage cum technical faults!!!
Mr Joseph Calleja
Aug 11th 2011, 18:15
Mr Zammit who said these are unwanted visitors? This time it is for the crews of this ship to have a bit of R&R and hopefully spend a lot of money in Malta and that is not a bad reason for wanting these ships inside our harbour. If you object to Navy ships visiting our little island, close your eyes for a minute and pretend that these are cruise ships. Let's call a spade a spade.
Reg Fitzpatrick
Aug 11th 2011, 20:47
@ Joseph Calleja
I wonder if the 70 civilians murdered this week just outside Tripoli, or their families would have enjoyed some R & R in Malta?
Is money your only motivation or don't you have a conscience?
"Neutral" Malta (according to the constitution) should have no part in these atrocities
Alan Cordina
Aug 11th 2011, 16:19
..................................... AND ................................... for the 2000th time ......... (perhaps it needs to be told another 1000 times, until it is enough widely known, even by some on here ...) .................. MP George Vella, ASSURED you, that we are NOT going against ANY Neutrality (obsolete) / or constitutional laws !!!! ..................... and still ......... incredible !
Awaiting the crew to take out some helicopters on deck for some photos, thanks.
Reg Fitzpatrick
Aug 11th 2011, 20:45
You may feel the constitution clause on neutrality is obsolete but we are neutral because the constitution says so!
We are a democracy so it would take an act of parliament to change that fact!
In the meantime it is the law, and you can't just ignore it because you don't agree with it.
Alan Cordina
Aug 12th 2011, 11:52
Mr Fitzpatrick, its not me telling you .......... its MP (ex Foreign Policy Minister) George Vella telling you. Not that we needed telling anyway !
Mr Joseph Calleja
Aug 11th 2011, 14:31
For the Gaddafi sympathizers just think of how much money that French Navy assault ship is going to leave in Malta. Gaddafi is a wanted man and for a good reason. What Gaddafi did for Malta, if any, was all in his interest. When these ships come into port, they do not come to fight us but to give a bit of R&R to their men and women who have been trapped on this ship for probably a long time. We welcome the student teens to come visit, because they bring in the money, so why not the sailors who are looking forward to some R&R on this beautiful island in the middle of the Mediterranean? After all tourism is our main source of income. We welcome these ships and their crews like we welcome all other cruise ships in our Grand Harbour. Malta needs these visiting ships, and the more visiting ships the better. Ones downfall might be someone else's salvation. Do like Alan Cordina, take lots of pictures.
Alan Cordina
Aug 11th 2011, 13:00
Yes ! What an opportunity to photograph as yet new helicopters types at Malta from the French Navy !
Reg Fitzpatrick
Aug 11th 2011, 20:41
Photograph them quick before they break down like their jets!
Alan Cordina
Aug 12th 2011, 11:50
Mr Fitzpatrick, sadly ...... this week there have not been many breakdown ! ...... last week was one to remember ....... but this week, alas (!) has been a bit quiet ....... perhaps we'll have a good long weekend around the airport perimeter ........ before the visit on the French Navy Mistral next week ! want to join us ?
Mr deo cassar
Aug 11th 2011, 10:52
This ship again confirms the FACT that in Libya there isn't and never was any anti-government demonstration, or uprising, or ribellion but simply a US led INVASION. All those fighting in Libya against the legitimate Libyan governemnt of Tripoli are US, British, French Canadian and Qatari slodiers. Some of them claim to be of Libyan origin though most don't even speak Libyan. If any of your readers would take the rouble to come to Paceville they would see for themselves that as From February, that enertainment place is packed with marines hailing from Canada, France and the UK. Two weeks ago I asked a drunk British marine why he was here and he did not hide his mission purpose; "To go to Libya and kick Gathafi's A..." Lets not forget that Resolutions 1970 and 1973 specifically forbids any foreign ground troops on Libyan soil. So let us be clear about what we have in Libya. There is no revolution or reblellion. But simply a US led military aggresion and invasion of that country and a MASS GENOCIDE OF THE LIBYAN PEOPLE by NATO planes and warships and NATO ground terror squads. Period.
Mr mark johnson
Aug 11th 2011, 11:05
I suppose the international arrest warrant for Le Colonel is not worth the paper its written on.
Joseph Borg
Aug 11th 2011, 12:34
Do you think that gaddafi was a legitimate governent for libya. For you and other countries have considered him that way for their interests but I never considered gaddafi and others like him legitimate when he took the role by a coupe in 1969. Ask the people of libya if they have for once considered gaddafi as their legitimate ruler.
Cecar Prada
Aug 11th 2011, 13:23
Why this ship that enter the port confirms that a where no anti-government demonstration?
On you tube there are thousands of videos that proof anti Gaddafi demonstrations.
And i have news for you! even if the NATO leave, the Libyan freedom fighters from the east , west and the Nafusa mountains will keep fighting on until the criminal Gaddafi and family is removed from power.
And there is more news, the Libyan freedom fighters have almost surround Tripoli.
42 YEARS OF KILLING, FEAR AND TERROR IS ENOUGH.
NATO AND MALTA PEOPLE BIG THANKS FOR HELPING US IN OUR FIGHT FOR OUR DIGNITY AND FREEDOM.
Mr Joe Cardona
Aug 11th 2011, 10:16
Sur Borg
I think before I write not like you. I again tell you send your son to fight for another country and then CRY if he returns back in a box like what happened in other countries. But then it is too late.
Don't forget that that madman you are referring too helped us financially when MALTA was left without any money to pay even to Public Sector employees in 1970s.
Don't forget that the countires you are referring too like UK, Italy, France, Germany left us in ruins.
Mr Joseph E Briffa
Aug 11th 2011, 10:29
I'm sorry...but you are living in a bubble. When Gaddafi advanced money to Mintoff in 1972 it was in recognition of Mintoff's booting NATO out of Malta. Rest assured that Gaddafi didn't do it for the love of the Maltese. So according to you, should we be supporting Gaddafi?
Pierre Ciappara
Aug 11th 2011, 11:29
YES Mr Briffa, we should be supporting Ghaddafi, he s the man that gives his ENTIRE population a free home, a monthly wage, free education (and if you make it to university you get free scholar ships), built the Great Man made river for them to have water in the whole country, hospitals and much much more. So before you hear both sides of the story dont judge Ghaddafi by this corrupted Western media that we hear every day. Also of course he has people that hate him in country, even the pope does. Why dont you see who killed more people now , if its Ghaddafi or NATO?!
Good Day
Christian Sciberras
Aug 11th 2011, 15:10
Mr Cardona, if you had an ounce of sense, you would realize Col Gaddafi systematically dismantled Malta's economy and military by offering money for "little" favours, such as shutting off the Mediterranean Radar System.
Mr Tony Gatt
Aug 15th 2011, 12:20
Mr Cardona
The Luftwaffe left Malta in ruins. I know because I was in Malta during the war, so get real, please.
Mr mark johnson
Aug 11th 2011, 10:14
France is NOT in NATO.
Mr Joseph Stafrace
Aug 11th 2011, 10:38
Mr. Mark Johnson, France IS in Nato. There was a time when it did not take active part in Nato operations but that is years ago.
N Galea
Aug 11th 2011, 10:49
Sorry Mark, but yes, France is part of NATO.
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/nato_countries.htm
Having said that, I don't see where the breach of constitution is, whenever these vessels visit our ports.
francois esteva'
Aug 11th 2011, 10:13
Bienvenue.....Salut. Welcome to Malta Bienvenue a' la Valette!
Mr Joe Cardona
Aug 11th 2011, 10:11
Prosit Sur Gatt u Sur Borg.
Hekk triduha lil Malta tiehu sehem militarment u TAPIT TAL-BARRANI. Ghandkom ghal qalbkom il-poplu Malti. Ara tibghatux lil ulidkhom man-NATO biex jattawkkaw lil xi pajjiz iehor biex turu kemm intom Bullijiet.
Imbaghad jekk jigi xi hadd f'kaxxa bhal kif qed jigrilhom pajjizi ohra qoghodu ikbu. Imbaghad ikun TOO LATE.
Dak ridt infisser DO NOT PLAY WITH FIRE Sur Gatt.
Mr Henry Spiteri
Aug 11th 2011, 10:22
Mr Joe Cardona,
Remember HMS Brazen visit to Malta in August 1986?
Mark Galea
Aug 11th 2011, 12:19
@Mr Joe Cardona
tridniex niftakru fis-suldati tan-North Korea li gab ir-regim ta' dak inhar ghall-konsulenza?
Mr Joe Cardona
Aug 11th 2011, 09:38
Can someone tell me from when Malta again started to accept military ships taking part in action against other countries. What happened of our Constitution. Aren't we non-aligned and no more military base???
I think that we are playing with fire but no one cares anymore. When something happens then we take action, but then it is too late.
Please Mr and Mrs NATO members leave our beloved Repuiblic of Malta alone.
Mr Tony Gatt
Aug 11th 2011, 09:59
Wakey,wakey, Mr. Cardona- Malta's in NATO and that's that.
Mr Stephen Borg
Aug 11th 2011, 10:02
What fire are we playing with? Our constitution is obsolete and needs to be revised. We are part of the international community and part of the United Nations and in this particular case there is no single country attacking another country but the international community attacking an illegitimate regime run by a mad man that in order to keep his grip on power is ready for anything. Please think before you speak.
Reg Fitzpatrick
Aug 11th 2011, 20:35
@ Mr Stephen Borg
I thing it is you who needs to think before you speak Mr Borg!
We are neutral because the constitution says so!
We are a democracy so it would take an act of parliament to change that fact!
In the meantime it is the law, and you can't just ignore it because you don't agree with it.
In any case remember the United Nations approval you refer to was for action to "protect civilians" not bomb the hell our of their capital city, killing many civilains in the process!
colin wilcox
Aug 11th 2011, 21:07
if you dont want nato shps and planes in your country
stop all the planes and cruise liners from landing that
come from nato countries