Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi revealed last night that he had suggested to US Senator John McCain that a US navy hospital ship be deployed in Maltese waters, to cater for Libyan civil war casualties.
The situation in Tripoli was improving but it would reach the normal stage when it became more stable
Answering opposition questions after a statement in Parliament, Dr Gonzi said Mr McCain was pleased with the idea and requested him to make it official.
Dr Gonzi said that other countries were also taking casualties from Libya. Nevertheless, Malta should still continue to examine what it could do in light of its limitations.
The International Red Cross had requested space to set up a field hospital, which was a temporary measure to address the crisis. The government had already indicated two or three options where this could be set up.
In his statement, Dr Gonzi covered the latest developments in the Libyan situation and on Malta’s participation at the UN General Assembly and the Eastern Partnership summit in Warsaw.
The Maltese government had successfully concluded a transport operation involving 620 Libyan refugees from Sfax in Tunisia to Misurata and Benghazi. The operation was undertaken after a specific request from the Libyan provisional Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril last August. It was coordinated by the Defence, Health and Civil Protection Departments, Mater Dei Hospital and the Maltese Embassy in Tunis.
The liaison office opened in Benghazi last August would be transformed into a consulate. Contacts with this second largest city in Libya were important and included the possibility of Air Malta operating flights to Benghazi.
Dr Gonzi said the Qatari government had helped in transporting 16 patents to Malta last month. The majority of patients were immediately placed in the Intensive Therapy Unit. Six patents were placed in a private hospital because they did not need intensive care. Another three have since been placed in this same private hospital after their condition improved.
He insisted that services to Maltese patients remained normal adding that certain professionals including nurses were released from their normal duties with their work carried out by colleagues.
Dr Gonzi said that Malta’s actions in the EU and the UN for releasing Libyan assets included the release of an Air Afrikiya aircraft in Malta. He said that, during the conflict the Maltese government had prohibited the transport of oil to Tripoli despite insistence from the then Libyan government.
He referred to the Eastern partnership summit which he said expressed concern at the deteriorating human rights, democracy and rule of law situation in Belarus and deplored the continuing deterioration of media freedom in that country.
Following the Prime Minister’s statement, Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat welcomed Dr Gonzi’s objective statement, he said, contrasted sharply with what had been said during the last few weeks where partisan politics turned to an unprecedented low.
Dr Muscat recalled that during the whole Libyan conflict the opposition had given its total support to the government and had refrained from asking certain questions because it had the national interest at heart.
The opposition representative in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, George Vella had always agreed with the government and showed its unequivocal support in recognising the National Transition Council as the sole interlocutor of the Libyan people and in sending a special envoy to Benghazi.
Dr Muscat asked what steps were being taken to ensure national security and possible threats from security personnel who were close to the Gaddafi regime. He also requested the Prime Minister to say whether EU policy on Libya had changed on various issues as a result of developments in that country. He asked whether Maltese companies operating from Libya were being given additional assistance other than respite in paying VAT.
Dr Vella reiterated that the opposition always supported the government over the Libyan issue, adding that it had been cautious before pronouncing itself.
He asked whether there was any EU agreement to be cautious on the establishment of a Palestinian state with a seat at the United Nations, since some EU countries had clearly shown agreement with the stand taken by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Malta, however, had been cautious and had asked for meaningful and substantial negotiations, when a few days later Israeli authorities resumed with the construction of 1,100 household units in east Jerusalem.
Other questions were put by Deputy Leader of the Opposition Anġlu Farrugia on the issuing of visas and the choice of Maltese businessmen as part of the proposed Malta delegation.
Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that when Malta was not in a position to issue visas in Libya, would-be travellers were given humanitarian status. As from August 7, such service started being provided from Benghazi.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that under no circumstance would Malta serve as a base for people to escape justice.
Answering Dr Muscat on assistance to investors, Dr Gonzi said that such aid varied: some had pending contracts while others needed time to settle outstanding payments. Others just requested the Prime Minister’s intervention.
The situation in Tripoli was improving but it would reach the normal stage when it became more stable. Transition in Libya was not complete: there was still fighting in certain areas, such as Sirte.
The Libyan National Transition Council had asked the government to delay the commercial delegation’s visit until such time as the government was formed and ministers were in place.
Dr Gonzi said that he had no difficulties to hold more frequent meetings with the opposition on such matters. Dr Muscat could confirm that they had communicated with each other when the Libyan uprising started in February.
Referring to the Palestinian issue, the Prime Minister said he disagreed with Dr Vella on the stand Malta should adopt. He said Dr Borg was participating actively in meetings at EU level. Discussions were still ongoing. However, if there were developments, he would be willing to hold an informational meeting with the opposition.