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‘Mess’ created by Debono is unbecoming – Fenech Adami

Former Prime Minister and President Eddie Fenech Adami yesterday criticised Nationalist backbencher Franco Debono, saying he was “creating a mess” at a very delicate time for the country.

Contacted yesterday in the wake of a vote of no confidence in Transport Minister Austin Gatt, which was only defeated by the Speaker’s casting vote, Dr Fenech Adami said: “I think it is most unfair on the Prime Minister, who has been delivering, and delivering as best he can and with results. Creating a mess out of the situation is not something I approve of. I dislike it and think it is really unbecoming to create such a situation,” he said.

Dr Fenech Adami added: “It’s what Franco Debono is all about... I disapprove completely, I disapprove of what he is talking about and I disapprove of how he is behaving.”

He also described Dr Debono’s comment, that the national broadcaster was in a worse situation than the 1980s, as “ completely out of this world”.

The former President confirmed he had had a meeting with Dr Debono last week before Friday’s vote, after the backbencher revealed the encounter on the PBS discussion programme Dissett yesterday evening.

“I don’t think I should be discussing my meetings in public but I did meet him,” he said.

Asked about the contents of the meeting, Dr Fenech Adami said: “We obviously did not speak about the moon and the stars, but about matters that are pertinent to recent days.” However, he insisted on keeping the contents of the meeting private.

Dr Debono last night told Dissett presenter Reno Bugeja he had not taken Dr Fenech Adami’s advice. When questioned on this point, Dr Fenech Adami said: “That’s his business.”

Looking ahead, Dr Fenech Adami said although the government was facing an unhappy situation, the Prime Minister had proved he could manage the situation.

“I think the government has to carry on doing the work it’s been doing with very effective results, and think one has to go along and deal with the situation as it evolves. I don’t think now is the right moment to disturb the progress that is being made.”

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Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 7th 2011, 14:44

@ Alfred Falzon.

You ask: "Otherwise why has he (Dr Franco Debonoo) opted to declare himself in favour of a vote of confidence in his Government come next Tuesday?!!"

The answer should be obvious to you! Dr Debono knows "on which side his bread is buttered". He is is "intelligent and wily enough" (your words!) to understand that, not giving the NP government a vote of confidence tomorrow, would be tantamount to committing a political hara kiri - and he is not ready for that just yet.

Alfred Falzon

Nov 7th 2011, 17:26

@ Francis Saliba MD

You are jumping to conclusions because you seem to be unaware that only constructive criticism can make a party regenerate and forge ahead in time. The Mintoff saga that the failed leadership of the local Labour Party tried to muffle in the 1990s is a mirror of what could happen to the PN in the not-too-distant future!

You prefer to remain bogged down, unable to move as if caught in a quagmire, pulling your party down with you by obstinately refusing to acknowledge what is black on white!

If all the Maltese were to follow suit, then Malta would be in dire straits, for it's much easier and rewarding in the long run for MPs to toe the party line in spite of the harm inflicted on the nation.

PN member of Parliament Dr Franco Debono is fully aware of what is at stake: he is being renounced by some of his fellow MPs, on one hand and, on the other, goaded by the Opposition.

Yet his stand is one that should inspire all political parties in power or those in-waiting for, to all intents and purposes, everyting is pointing to a new dawn in local politics: a gradual fading away of crippling polarization leading to "what's in a name?" approach by way of putting the nation's and, for that matter, the people's interests, above all other considerations including monolithic party rule that makes of its members sheer numbers and humiliated yes-men!

Dr Franco Debono must be feeling a lonely man today, but he may rest assured that he has all our sympathy, for he is among the few honourable men who have learned to stand up to be counted!

May all the other MPs on both sides of the House emulate his shining example!

Carmelo Mamo

Nov 7th 2011, 20:14

Saliba is in denial Mr Falzon. He has always been even in the referendum for divorce. He was and always will be as it seems from his very selective contributions to the blogs. I understand that it is not easy for someone to accept that all that he believed in was just an illsuion and a lie so i do suggest to you not to waste too much effort in trying to persuade the 'doctor' to admit he believes in fairy tales !

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 7th 2011, 23:22

@ Alfred Falzon.

What I am aware of is that a political party like the PN who has retained power, almost uninterruptedly, for twenty-four years does not need to “regenerate and forge ahead in time”. What it needs is loyalty by its representatives in parliament to the promises they made in the party’s electoral manifesto in so far as those aims remain achievable.

You seriously over estimate my ability to pull the Nationalist Party down with me, anywhere, and especially not into some “quagmire” where I have never been and where I do not intend to get “bogged down, unable to move”. Much less do I believe that “all the Maltese” would ever “follow suit”. Your generous overestimate of my unknown powers to lead all the Maltese, and to induce the NP to follow me, make me blush.

Unlike you I do not claim to be privy to what goes on in Dr F Debono’s mind neither am I aware that he has been “renounced by some of his fellow MPs” so I will not allow myself to become bogged down in that quagmire.

I am all in favour of “honourable who have learned to stand up and be counted” but only if they stand up for an honourable cause. Disloyalty to the members and the leader of one’s political party, and to the party’s electoral manifesto is not one of those causes.

Patrick Zammit

Nov 7th 2011, 08:15

Dr Saliba

Unlike you, I am a floater and so can see things in their perspective since I am not blinded by allegiance to any particular political camp.

And despite finding time to attack me personally as a "labourite", you have conveniently ignored my comment (yesterday @ 11.41) to yours which blows your claim that Debono wants to "destabilize the Govt".

But don't worry, I will repeat my counter argument again;

"If Dr Debono truly allied himself with an attempt by the opposition to destabilize the government, he would have voted in favor of the motion."

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 7th 2011, 11:21

@ Patrick Zammit.

I am actually another "floater" but, up to now, I have not been provided with a credible second choice.

The answer to your query is simple and obvious to an intelligent person. Dr Franco Debono did not vote "in favour of the motion" because, as matters stand at this moment, that would consign him to instaneous political oblivion - and he is not yet ready for that catastrophic destabilising of his own party in government.

Carmelo Mamo

Nov 7th 2011, 14:43

@ patrick Zammit ---- Saliba's moto is simply " Minn mhux maghna .. kontra taghna ! " .. Don't waste time my friend !

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 7th 2011, 17:38

@ Carmelo Mamo.

" Minn mhux maghna .. kontra taghna ! " is a labourite motto - it is not my motto and I find the idea repulsive.

I do not attack people - I criticise the strange notions some people express in these comments. When they do not know how to reply they chicken out under the pretext of "not having time to waste". That is what you have just done, my friend.

Patrick Zammit

Nov 7th 2011, 18:15

Dr Saliba

An intelligent person would come to the same conclusion you expressed now (and my previous counter argument) when you said;

"and he is not yet ready for that catastrophic destabilising of his own party in government."

So, it follows that contrary to your accusation yesterday @10.38 against Dr Debono himself, he has not allied himself with an attempt by the opposition to destabilize the government.

What he is doing is done in all democratic countries and for that, he should be applauded and not condemned.

Carmelo Mamo

Nov 7th 2011, 20:27

I am actually another "floater" but, up to now, I have not been provided with a credible second choice.


Now let's see.... " A floater " .... and at the same time wasted with rage at the idea that a PN back bencher attempted to put some sense in the PM ! .... hallina dot !

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 7th 2011, 22:16

@ Patrick Zammit.

Of course there is a contradiction but the contrariness is not in my comments. It resides in Dr Franco Debono’s political shenanigans. He has placed himself on the horns of a dilemma. He aims to achieve a meteoric rise over the heads of his seniors in the government party but he can only succeed by blandishing his power over his party due to its slender one-seat majority in parliament and by threatening to forge some sort of alliance with the opposition.

This unholy alliance is dangerously counter-productive if it actually precipitates an early fall of his own party in government. Hence his erratic brinkmanship; one pace forward, one pace backward, to the extreme annoyance and despair of both political parties whose hopes/fears are capriciously raised to high heaven then dashed to the ground according to his whim. That exasperating vacillation is not going to endear him either to his party or to the opposition - as he will find out for himself soon enough at the next election.

To you that is an acceptable regular feature of “all democratic countries”. To me it is rank Machiavellism.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 7th 2011, 22:32

@ Carmel Mamo.

Annoyed at the antics of a Nationalist Party backbencher? Yes! Because I am one more person who considers those antics “unbecoming.

But, most definitely, I am not “wasted with rage” at all. That impotent rage is manifested by persons who are bereft of the ability to engage in a reasoned dialogue and yet they insist on writing something, even if it only “ … hallina dot !”

Jeremy J Camilleri

Nov 6th 2011, 19:24

Why didnt you ask that question BEFORE the vote? Are you asking the question to other Mp's as well?

R Axisa

Nov 6th 2011, 19:02

Niftahru tant bid-demokrazija!!!!! Imbaghad ghax issir kritika lill-partit tieghu tghidlu li fadallu triq wahda biss ....biex jirrizenja???? Ghandi dubju kemm taf xi tfisser il-kelma demokrazija biex lanqas taccettaw self-critisism. Ghal certu nies id-demokrazija tfisser biss ' yes sir yes sir ......' bhal ma jkantaw it-tfal iz-zghar!

Carmel camilleri

Nov 6th 2011, 15:15

Dr. Adami only replied to questions put forward by 'The Times' He did not try to dictate as Mintoff used to do.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 6th 2011, 15:57

@ Carmel Tabone et al.

Dr Eddie Fenech Adami does not refrain from exercising his Fundamental Human Right to express his opinions because his opinions carry much more weight on intelligent voters than Dr Franco Debono will ever carry. This is proved by the flurry of agitated comments by labourites who would like to suppress his freedom of speech!

B Attard

Nov 6th 2011, 18:44

Donnu EFA ghadu ma tghallimx mill l-paroli zejjed wara r-referendum tad-divorzju. Jidhirlu li dak li jghid hu vangelu.

S Vella

Nov 7th 2011, 13:33

Mela EFA fis-satra tal-lejl f'kongura tajjaru lil Borg Olivier u hadlu postu, sar Prim ministru fejn anki iccalngja lil Labortisti "fejn huma l-Laboristi?" tiftakruh?, umbghad ghamel lilu nnifsu president ta Repubblika li vvota kontriha u sar president "tal-Maltin Kollha" u suppost irtira imma mid dehra ghadu ma xebghax....ara tergax tithajjar tohrog ghal elezzjoni? Indipendenti of course !!
Inti li tant kont tippriedka d-demokkrazja, daqshekk inti demokratiku? din kienet manuvra biex il Dr F Debono jdaghjjfuh u elezzjoni ohra ma jitlax ghax dawn li jippretendu li huma allat tad demokrazzija, min mhux maghom kontra taghhom, u jekk ma tbaxxix rasek ghad dittatura tal-partit jaqtawlek rasek.
Mhux ahjar tgawdi l-familja u thalli l-politikanti tal lum imexxu minghajr indhil?

W Azzopardi

Nov 6th 2011, 13:36

It seems you were born this morning.

Alfred Cassar

Nov 6th 2011, 18:52

Charles can you please try to get an intelligent comment for once. please

... and the thirst for power goes on ... and on... and on...

Charles Sammut

Nov 7th 2011, 01:14

@ W.Azzopardi..

I wish I were born this morning...if I were,I would be oblivious to all that is going on under this regime and I would not be wasting my time trying to get people like you to remove your blue blinkers and take a good look around you and also take a deep breath so that you will be able to smell" the smoke without fire"!

@ A.Cassar.....

I promise you that in future I will endeavor to comment in a simpler fashion so that you and others like you might be able to comprehend the message I am trying to convey.
I take it to understand that you meant to write " can you please try to post an intelligent comment "....


...and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on.......

Carmel camilleri

Nov 6th 2011, 15:19

A well written answer. Well done.







Mr Tommy Vella

Nov 6th 2011, 10:14

Does becoming a president deprive a person of a fundamental right we all have to have a political opinion and to try to propose and air your opinion wherever and however you think fit as long as it is not done in an illegal manner? Isn't that what we all are doing in these comments we pass in various blogs.

The president is only required to be, and show that he is, apolitical while serving in that office.

Luciano Borg

Nov 6th 2011, 10:07

Dear Franco, Thank God there are people like you who have some common sense and are willing to criticise those who destroy the PN' - and the government's -credibility. If anything, you should be hailed for listening to the people and not simply toe the party line. You have made it clear that you are there to serve the people and not be a party puppet. What a pity, Dr Fenech Adami should know better!

Jo Meli

Nov 6th 2011, 10:16

Keep strong Franco

Francis Saliba M.D.

Nov 6th 2011, 10:38

@ Dr Franco Debono.

Your mistake is to assume that the on-going improvements and corrections of the freely admitted defects in the original routes are due solely to your unaided efforts and that they would not have occurred without you.

Your second mistake was to abuse your position as a Nationalist Party backbencher because, instead of pulling on the same rope as your party colleagues to facilitate the necessary improvements, you allied yourself with an attempt by the opposition to destabilize the government.

J Mangion

Nov 6th 2011, 11:00

Dr Debono,
Even though these are difficult times for you, I would like to let you know that you have the backing from many people and loads of respect the way your not scared of speaking the truth and reality that the Maltese people are facing. Don't let certain people try and intimidate you as I am sure that Nationalist cronies are all out attacking you.

Keep up the good word and I can assure you that you will have my vote in the next general election. This is coming from a floating voter.

Joe Busuttil

Nov 6th 2011, 11:22

Why didn't you ask EFA ,who seems unable to just stay put and shut up, why he did not say the same things he said about you , to Mintoff when he did the same thing to A.Sant?

J Mangion

Nov 6th 2011, 11:32

@ F Saliba

May I remind all politicians that they are elected to represent the people of Malta and they all get our votes to say the truth of what really happens to us !!! Political parties aren't football clubs where the players have to abide by the rules of the team. This is not a game. This is the real life we all face so every now and then having someone with 'B*LLS' that speaks the truth makes us 'COMMON MORTALS' believe that people elected to government are there to do good for us !!!!

Patrick Zammit

Nov 6th 2011, 11:41

Dr Saliba

If Dr Debono truly allied himself with an attempt by the opposition to destabilize the government, he would have voted in favor of the motion.

R. Gauci

Nov 6th 2011, 11:57

An MP is not there for his party but for his countrymen, when you became an MP you didn't kiss the PN coat of arms but the crucifix, that says it all and people must understand that. Well done Dr. Debono, keep up the good work.

Charles Sammut

Nov 6th 2011, 12:53

Franco....you threw the chicken amongst the wolves and stirred up a controversy !
Ok...for having the guts to highlight the inefficiency and ineptness of the minister for everything austin you earned yourself a few kudos.
However all you did manage to do, is alienate yourself from your mates in the aligonzi regime and his cohorts...you are now an outcast...a leper among gonzi's den of thieves!
You should have had the balls to go ALL the way ( like Mintoff did against his boss Sant) and vote with the opposition.
By doing what you did,you only managed to destroy your political career and make yourself a few enemies within the corrupt regime which is bleeding us dry with its corruption and arrogant mismanagement.
It is a pity you failed to rid us of aligonzi and his mates!
Bearing in mind,the Svengali hold austin has on lawrence and the rest of the Castille parasites....Me thinks that next week you will be working full time at your Law Firm!

...and the beat goes on....and the beat goes on...

Noel Zahra Diacono

Nov 6th 2011, 13:04

Jien bniedem indipendenti u ma nzomm ma l-ebda partit politiku. Kellu bzonn hawn Malta hawn iktar politikanti bhalhekk li jghidu car u tond l-opinjoni tahhom minn ghajr ma jibzaw li sezjoni tal-Media tista' tahdem kontrijhom.

Il-poplu itella lil min jiraprezentah fil-parlament biex jiraprezenta lilu u mhux biex jiraprezenta l-interess tal-Partit.

Charles Sammut

Nov 6th 2011, 13:07

...and anyhow, you must have been fully aware that frendo would be obliged to cast HIS vote in lieu of yours and you do not need to be a Rhodes scholar to cut through the bullshit and forsee what frendo's vote would be...the outcome of the vote of course confirmed this!
So, what your aim in abstaining was..is very vague and very foggy...you have achieved nix except to cast yourself into political oblivion and alienate yourself from gonzi's den of parasities!
That austin is arrogant and is doing a mess of being minister for everything is no secret...the whole electorate is aware of this.
So...you should have had the balls to go ALL the way and cross the floor!

...and the beat goes on....and the beat goes on.....

Victor Caruana

Nov 6th 2011, 13:13

Dr Debono, keep it up well done Malta needs politicians like you other wise were STUCK!!

Ben Agius

Nov 6th 2011, 13:27

proof, if one was needed, of the meddling in by partisan politics by someone who pretended for a while, that he was above it when he was President. I suppose, back to the trough! Where he always belonged.

B Attard

Nov 6th 2011, 18:58

Franco, min jaf kemm hemm deputati u anke ministri li fis-skiet jghidu kemm int kuragguz. Dan int zgur thossu ghax wara kollox dawn shabek u deep down taf il-feelings taghhom.
Prosit talli ma intix yes man bhal ma hafna partitarji nazzjonalisti jippretendu li ghandek tkun.
Keep going strong. Illum il-maggroranza tan-nies ma ghadhomx mohhom maghluq u jbellawlhom ir-ross bil-labra anzi intelligenti bizzejjed sabiex jaghrblu u jiznu dak li jkun qed isehh.

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