PM says he suggested to McCain that the US send hospital ship to Malta
John McCain seen speaking at the Corinthia Tripoli hotel last week
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi revealed this evening that it was he who suggested to US Senator John McCain that the US could deploy a hospital ship to Malta to help injured Libyan fighters.
Sen McCain speaking on CBS Television yesterday, said that the US could send a hospital ship to Malta or Tripoli to treat injured Libyan fighters.
He visited Tripoli last week after a stop-over in Malta, where he had talks with Dr Gonzi.
"They've got thousands and thousands of wounded. They say that they've lost 25,000 people killed, 3,000 have been maimed, 60,000 injured. That's their government figures," McCain told CBS television's "Face the Nation" programme.
"We should be helping them," said the influential US lawmaker, a Vietnam War aviator and prominent voice on US military matters who also was the Republican Party's losing 2008 presidential candidate.
McCain said aid workers on the ground in Libya were ill-equipped to cope with the gathering crisis.
"I think we could do enormous things by helping them with the casualties that they've experienced which have been horrendous," he told CBS.
McCain said his travels took him and two other lawmakers to a hospital in Tripoli among other sites.
"They don't have the medical expertise and talent to take care of these people. There are amputees there," the Arizona lawmaker said.
McCain said providing aid to the injured in the conflict was the least the US government should do, with Libya in the final throes of a months-long battle to end more than four decades of Gaddafi's dictatorial rule.
He suggested some of the wounded could be sent to a US military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany and that an American hospital ship should be sent to Tripoli, or if not Malta.
"We can help them. They don't have the medical capability to care for all of these wounded. More are still coming in," McCain told CBS.
Dr Gonzi said that when he suggested to Sen McCain that the US Navy could deploy a hospital ship to Malta, the senator liked the idea and asked if the proposal could be made in writing. The proposal was made as requested.
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Mr J Curmi
Oct 3rd 2011, 22:58
Fuq stazzjon Amerikan, jien smajt lil McCain jghid li l-America jmissa tibaghat vapur sptar lejn il-Libja, imma jekk kien ta' periklu ghal vapur u ghal l-ekwipagg, il vapur seghta jmur lejn Malta. Allura dawk il kummenti kollha fejn xi jmissu ghal McCain huma kollha bla bazi...issoltu kummentaturi jaqbzu ghal konkluzzjonijiet qabel ma' jafu l-fatti!! Issa xi huma l-motivi ghal xiex kien ser jinbaghat dan il-vapur huma kollha sekondarji....l-ewwel l-ghajnuna lil min ghandu bzonn......
Mr Hans Borg
Oct 3rd 2011, 21:29
Maybe GonziPN forgot to tell McCain that Mater Dei cannot even cope with the demand of the Maltese !
Lino Busuttil
Oct 4th 2011, 13:20
Mater Dei is the product of our recent Political generation, both parties, between PN who started and finished it and the MLP who changed the whole design in the late 90's. The mistake is of course, not Mater Dei but the lack of vision of not keeping a parallel Hospital where St Luke’s was and start charging fees for Health or compulsory insurance and admit that we simply cannot continue to bankrupt the country and use its finances to get elected on the free Health ticket! We would have had invested more in human resources and less on Hotel look alike interior, on which one would also have to mention the rampant corruption with which Mater Dei was built from public funds which were spent on a project which should have cost less than a third of it's cost, making the greedy contractors fat pockets explode and the country's coffers implode!
.
Mr Henry Mifsud
Oct 3rd 2011, 21:16
Remember the story of Pinocchio? He lied so much that not only his nose became longer but he actually started to believe himself. I am afraid that our PM is suffering from a chronic state of Pinocchiatis.
Mr Stephen Borg
Oct 3rd 2011, 21:15
Why is it that when the United States involves Malta in any plan many Maltese start to criticize the United States and create all kinds of conspiracy theories which could be hidden behind such plans. The United States helped many nations in times of need and expected nothing in return. It is up to the receiving nation to maintain or start good relations with the United States. Please stop criticizing a sovereign country without any hard or real evidence of a hidden plot.
Mr Martin Cassar
Oct 4th 2011, 13:41
@ Mr Stephen Borg.
Because Malta, despite its small size is a key country in the Mediterranean basin and equally Malta plays sign can’t role in peace and wars.
At the bottom of each global issue that reflect badly at the entire world such as finance,Justice,enviorment, terrorism and wars, illegal immigrants, drugs….etc you can trace USA’ fingers that create the conditions for more disasters, insecurity, instability …..Etc.
Right now the global economy at the edge of collapse and we are facing bankruptcy not because Somalia or Libya but because of the USA
Mr Colin Camilleri
Oct 3rd 2011, 20:01
"PM says he suggested to McCain that the US send hospital ship to Malta" .............wahhhhhh we have such a bright Prime Minister. If it weren't for him the sun would not rise in the morning! God bless his intelligence, vision and leadership ....(sigh)
May be he also suggested McCain how to build a hospital for €580 MILLION or more and still have people being treated either in the corridors or else when they are already dead!
Mr Jo Camm
Oct 3rd 2011, 20:56
You forgot to say that Dr Alfred Sant called it state of the art hospital.
M Vella***
Oct 3rd 2011, 19:36
USA,you are always welcome in Malta,may God bless America.
Mr Martin Cassar
Oct 3rd 2011, 18:09
Interesting to note that earth almonds (this is how EFA dubbed Libyans) has become the most valuable citizens on planet earth. Charity begins at home Mr. McCain. USA citizens are in worse health service conditions than their backyard neighbors in Cuba!
What would Mr. McCain suggest next? A USA military base in Benghazi to protect the civilians Zionists ....ops I mean the civilians of Libya? Such scenario is likely to happen given the fact that the USA’s security guard of Egypt (Mubarak) is no longer there to immune Israel.
Money and oils does wonders!
Ivan Grech Mintoff
Oct 3rd 2011, 16:03
Would it not make more sense to send it directly to Libya itself?
This way patients requiring treatment can get it immediately rather than days or even weeks later...
Mr Alfred Cassar
Oct 3rd 2011, 21:08
Why ... does it takes weeks to get from Libya to Malta?
Mr edward ciantar
Oct 3rd 2011, 14:50
Send the ship to Libyan ports. Should be closer to the conflict and 'wiser'. No need to send it to our ports. Nice way of using us as a base. Thank you.
Kurt Galea Pace
Oct 3rd 2011, 20:01
Very stupid and ignorant comment. A base for what?
Mr edward ciantar
Oct 3rd 2011, 21:22
@ Mr Galea Pace
and who the hell are you to judge me and call me names? tkunx maledukat u pastas.
j brincat
Oct 3rd 2011, 14:38
Send to Italy if they let you cause it seems that ONLY Malta accepts anything which is dictated to her (Malta)
jb
Mr Joseph E Briffa
Oct 3rd 2011, 20:43
@ j brincat...as usual only stupid comments from your end. Everybody should learn that better to keep mum than blurt out stupidities.
frans camilleri
Oct 3rd 2011, 14:33
senatur intom toqtlu u ahna ifejqu. prosit go tell it to the marines
MALCOLM SEYCHELL
Oct 3rd 2011, 14:27
Send it to Libya directly.
R. Gauci
Oct 3rd 2011, 14:20
Good for the Libyans and good for the Maltese as we all know Americans are big spenders once ashore.
Charles Micallef
Oct 3rd 2011, 13:40
Excellent idea Senetor, can you PLEASE action your proposal asap as innocent people are dying for lack of treatment in the meantime!
Mr Martin Cassar
Oct 3rd 2011, 13:23
@Mr Paul Caruana
'Now that the situation in Tripoli has been stabilized, the most reasonable solution would be for the hospital ship to go directly to the Libyan port.'
This is what BBC, Al-Jazeera and Skynews report, however the reality on the ground in Libya is totally different.
TNC In Chaos: 80% of Tripoli under Green Banner.
Read the full report at::
http://nsnbc.wordpress.com/2011/10/01/tnc-in-chaos-80-of-tipoli-under-green-banner/
Mr Martin Cassar
Oct 3rd 2011, 12:53
Quote:
"They've got thousands and thousands of wounded.
Unquote:
In a country like Libya with relatively small population of 4-5 millions, at this sad stage one must ask how many fit Libyans are still there please.
Are these casualties a result form Gaddfi’s forces attacks or a result from NATO’s bombing? Both ways, this mean NATO’s mission in Libya was for too many economical and political calculations and protecting civilians was the cover up for this crime. Anyway too many people are now accustomed to USA's lies and crimes.
Mr Angus Black
Oct 3rd 2011, 14:03
"a relatively small population of 4-5 million"?!
A few thousands wounded/maimed.
Do the math Martin and you will perhaps find out how many 'fit' Libyans there are.
Whether the result of bombing by nATO or shot by either force, do you not think that they deserve being looked after the best way possible?
Do you consider this generous offer, if ever it comes to fruition, a 'crime' ?
@ Joe Gatt
Cheap comment from a LP elf.
Joe Gatt
Oct 3rd 2011, 12:50
USA pls. send the Hospital Ship to Malta and help us with our Backlog too.
We need it badly.
Mr John Said
Oct 3rd 2011, 14:47
Good idea, as long you take your private insurance policy or credit card with you, if not don’t expect anything for free cause it’s not the case. Ask the American citizens, I was there a few months ago, and a relative of mine, who is an American citizen, fell down the stairs and hurt his back, so we took him to hospital, they kept him under observation for 24hrs, and handed him a nearly 2000$ bill.
Mr Saviour falzon
Oct 3rd 2011, 12:41
McCain suggests US could send hospital ship to Malta to help Libyans
????????????????????????????????????????
Why not send it to Libya? Personally I don't like your countries politics !
USA is BANKRUPT!
Mr John Azzopoardi
Oct 3rd 2011, 12:24
This is one of the best solutions I have been suggesting since last month. Bravo Mc Cain. Finally, someone talking some common sense.
S. Camilleri
Oct 3rd 2011, 11:50
Now THAT is one tangible offer for help ... for Libya but also for us; indirectly.
Thanks ... as long as there are no strings attached! :)
Mr Paul Caruana
Oct 3rd 2011, 11:20
Now that the situation in Tripoli has been stabilized, the most reasonable solution would be for the hospital ship to go directly to the Libyan port.
Mr Paul Sciberras
Oct 3rd 2011, 11:05
This is a very generous gesture Mr Senator, as long as there are no strings attached.
Mr carlos ellul
Oct 3rd 2011, 11:03
Why Malta? Why not Benghazi, Tunisia, Italy or Egypt?
Mr Joseph Sammut
Oct 3rd 2011, 10:58
It's a sensible suggestion; and while they are at it they could also send some ophtalmic and orthopaedic surgeons to cut down on the Maltese patients waiting lists.
Alfred Grech
Oct 3rd 2011, 10:45
That's a great idea and hope it will materialize.
Charmaine Marmara'
Oct 3rd 2011, 10:34
thank you mr mc cain , unlike our incompetent government you are actually doing something to help us , because by helping Libyans you are helping us as well , since they are getting first preference in EVERYTHING !!!!!!!!!!
Mr Paul Micallef
Oct 3rd 2011, 10:27
Americans to the RESCUE, thank you Mr Mc Cain, I think that we should get out of EUROPE ASAP, and join your great nation as the 53 state.
And if you dont mind question to our Prime minister, if all woes where blamed on the EU for our situation, how come you are talking like we are a genna ta lart???? jew ha jigrinna bhal GRECJA,ITALJA;PORTUGAL, and Ireland??? u jekk vera ghawn dan il gig kollhu, tinna ftit. GOD SAVE AMERICA, AND A DOUBLE DOWN WITH EU EUROCRATS.
Mr A Spiteri
Oct 3rd 2011, 11:10
America is in worst shape than the EU my friend!
look at what is happening in the streets of New York right now. look at the value of the Dollar, the massive unemployement, the massive debt!
America is finished...and thanks to warmongers like John McCain!
Jon Vercellono
Oct 3rd 2011, 12:39
America may be suffering an economic downturn; however, freedom and opportunity still exist there to a MUCH greater extent than the "emerging economies" - especially the one furthest to the east. Before knocking the U.S., look at the other places China with infrastructure troubles and state intervention to move people around, and I'm not certain I'd like to live in Indian chaos. A gesture like this exemplifies the true giving, generous nature of America and the Americans.
Wilfred Camilleri
Oct 3rd 2011, 12:57
@A Spiteri What is happening on the streets of New York pray tell? Have you ever been there? The US is not in worst shape than the EU. Greece is on the edge of bankruptcy and if that happens the EU is in for years of hard time. The difference between the US and the EU is that the US is extremely resource rich as compared to Europe not to mention that it has a much bigger economy.
J. Scicluna
Oct 3rd 2011, 10:22
Good idea...and while here they might even give us a hand in getting rid of all the waiting lists at Mater Dejn...I meant Mater Dei, sorry!
Mr Jo Camm
Oct 3rd 2011, 10:41
You are totally out of subject. A big ZERO mark.
Mr ADRIAN GRECH
Oct 3rd 2011, 11:21
Get real
Alfred E. Zahra
Oct 3rd 2011, 14:10
How very petty. How very stupid. How very ready to tarnish Malta's name. Grow up. Get a life.
J. Scicluna
Oct 3rd 2011, 20:58
@ Alfred E. Zahra
There was a time when we had the whole PN party in OPPOSITION that smeared Malta's name purposely to scare investments away from our shores!
La verita offende!