JPO to back Opposition motion against Cachia Caruana
CONSTANTLY UPDATED -Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando declared this evening that he would back an Opposition motion calling for the resignation of Richard Cachia Caruana.
He stressed when speaking in Parliament however that he would continue to back the government and the prime minister therefore did not need to call a vote of confidence.
In a speech in the House, Dr Pullicino Orlando lashed out at Mr Cachia Carauna, accusing him of ignoring democratic norms and being disrespectful to the institutions of the House. He said there were some 10 other Nationalist MPs who also wished to back this motion.
Dr Pullicino Orlando was speaking during the Full House debate on an opposition motion calling for Mr Cachia Caruana's resignation over meetings with American officials in November 2004 during which, it claimed, he had negotiated behind Parliament's back to take Malta back in Partnership for Peace. The meetings were revealed in a document revealed by Wikileaks.
Richard Cachia CaruanaDr Pullicino Orlando started off by referring to the no confidence motion against Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici and said he disagreed that he should have been singled out. (As Dr Franco Debono rose to interject Dr Pullicino Orlando asked him to sit down)
Turning to Mr Cachia Caruana, Dr Pullicino Orlando said media reports of a bad personal relationship between him and Mr Cachia Carauan were wrong, They cooperated over issues of the Malta Council for Science and Technology. They recently met at his (Dr Pullicino Orlando's) home. There were no personal or professional problems between them.
At issue, he said, was the motion's claim that Mr Cachia Caruana had ignored parliament. An analysis was needed of how Mr Cachia Carauana acted within the country's democratic norms including respect for parliament and the free press.
Did Mr Cachia Caruana exert undue influence? In the press, it was clear that Mr Cachia Carauna was a major influence. Some journalists were his acolytes, including Daphne Caruana Galizia, Lou Bondi, Fr Joe Borg, Ivan Camilleri and Andrew Borg Caruana.
Those who disagreed with Mr Caruana were targeted. Roger Mifsud, a former deputy editor of The Times had written how Mr Cachia Caruana tried to intimate him and Mr Mifsud reported him to Dr Eddie Fenech Adami.
Those who were attacked through some of Mr Cachia Caruana's acolytes included Guido de Marco, John Dalli, Jesmond Mugliette, Louis Galea, Michael Frendo, Robert Arrigo and Jean-Pierre Farrugia.
This, Dr Pullicino Orlando said, showed Mr Cachia Caruana's disdain to democratic norms.
Martin Scicluna, defence adviser at the Office of the Prime Minister had written that: "ministers and parliamentary secretary were treated with utter disdain by him and his remark on bicca deputat with regard to Franco Debono rings true."
Dr Pullicino Orlando said that at least 10 Nationalist MPs wanted to back this motion as they felt that Mr Cachia Caruana had exerted his influence so that some of them were removed or worse, showing disdain for the democratic system. This was evidenced by the small number of Nationalist MPs who wished to speak on this motion.
His view, Dr Pullicino Orlando said that when he could no longer tolerate a particular situation, he had to act. He had decided not to stand for re-election. Before the general election he was used as the sacrificial lamb. He was a puppet in Mr Cachia Caruana's hand when Dr Sant was unfairly accusing him of corruption.
His initial reaction was to ignore Dr Sant but the prime minister had asked him to follow Mr Cachia Caruana's guidance and everything he did or said was according to what Mr Cachia Caruana instructed. They managed to convince hundreds of voters to see that Dr Sant was acting as a bully.
But after the election Mr Cachia Caruana worked to try and force his resignation from parliament because he had become too popular. He knew that he could not be depended upon to always bow his head. He instigated everyone in the media to press for his resignation form the House for allegedly disobeying the prime minster, something which was not true. It was Mrs Caruana Galizia herself who told him of those efforts. She had written: All efforts by some elements in the PN to force JPO to vacate his seat drive against our form of individual democracy...that seat does not belong to the PN but to JPO. MPs are answerable only to their constituents. No one has the right to work for the removal of an MP except those who voted for them at an election..it's called democracy as against stalinism.
Mrs Caruana Galizia had revealed that she too was at the receiving end of a telephone call, a call, Dr Pullicino Orlando said which was part of the instigation to remove him from parliament.
Dr Pullicino Orlando said Mr Cachia Caruana himself had admitted that he called off his attacks on orders from the prime minister.
His actions, however, continually showed disrespect for democracy. His actions had put off genuine Nationalists. He did not have the least doubt that what was said in the Wikileaks cable was true. He had no doubt that Mr Cachia Caruana had negotiated with senior American officials behind Parliament's back.
As Wikileaks revealed, Mr Cachia Caruana had also had talks with the Turkish ambassador and against the sentiments of the Maltese people and the members of the European Popular Party, he had backed EU membership for Malta, a stand then taken by the Maltese government.
Dr Pullicino Orlando said he would therefore back the Opposition motion against Mr Cachia Caruana.
Earlier in the debate, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said that the Opposition's motion against Richard Cachia Caruana was only a smokescreen by the Opposition to hide its own U-Turn on Partnership for Peace.
He said Joseph Muscat in 2009 had a meeting with the US ambassador where he said that Labour had concluded that PfP membership did not violate Malta's Constitution. That meeting was not revealed for two years, until Wikileaks published a document about Dr Muscat's meeting. Labour then presented this notion as a smokescreen to hide its own U-turn.
The Opposition's motion, calling for the resignation of Richard Cachia Caruana, Malta's representative to the EU, is being held in the Whole House after several meetings of the House Foreign Affairs Committee where Mr Cachia Caruana and the prime minister were questioned by MPs.
See details of motion at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120421/local/Labour-wants-our-man-in-Brussels-to-go.416386
The debate was opened by Labour MP Luciano Busuttil, who said that this was not a motion against any country or against Nato itself.
Dr Luciano Busuttil.This motion, he said, stemmed from a document leaked by Wikileaks which revealed meetings which Mr Cachia Caruana and other Maltese officials held with American and other officials where talks were held on possibly taking Malta back into Partnership for Peace. Those talks were held behind parliament's back.
The government was now saying that those talks were about access for Malta to Nato/EU security documents. Even so, Dr Busuttil said, parliament was never informed of what had been going on.
It was being claimed that Malta had been arguing that a Security Agreement (Security of documents agreement) signed before Malta joined the PfP for the first time in 1996 should be used for Malta have access to those documents - even though Malta left PfP later that year. No one knew of this agreement because it was never ratified in Parliament, Dr Busuttil said.
Dr Busuttil said the government's argument that it did not go before parliament did not hold water. Once the government was saying it was against Malta returning to PfP in 2004, there was nothing divisive in this issue and the two sides could have worked for a solution to the documents issue.
It appeared that the proposal to use the old Security Agreement was first proposed - and then discounted - by the US and the Wikileaks cable even said that Mr Cachia Caruana was awaiting 'guidance' from Washington despite what Mr Cachia Caruana was now saying.
It was clear that Mr Cachia Caruana knew things which the prime minister himself did not know at the time. And then, in order not to make a bad situation worse, Mr Cachia Caruana claimed he had not known that Malta would rejoin PfP as soon as the 2008 general election were past, even though Dr Gonzi had even told the US ambassador of his intentions.
If nothing else, this motion showed how under this government repeatedly acted behind Parliament's back, another case being when ministerial pay was raised in secret.
THROWBACK TO COLD WAR POLITICS
Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said this motion was Labour's throw-back to cold war politics.
Labour had been staunchly against PfP membership and up to some time ago Labour had been saying that PfP membership violated Malta's constitution. Although Labour was now claiming that it had now changed its position, it seemed that some had not. For example, Charles Mangion after the 2008 general election declared that Malta should stay out of PfP.
Foreign Minister Tonio BorgEven Joseph Muscat, on 18 May 2008 - when not yet PL leader - said he disagreed with PfP membership.
This motion, Dr Borg said, was a smokescreen to hide Labour's own u-turn on PfP, one of several u-turns which the party was making.
This motion was announced in September last year, when it was also revealed, through another Wikileak cable, that Joseph Muscat had a meeting with the US ambassador where they said that they had concluded that PfP did not contravene the constitution. That meeting was held in 2009 but it was not revealed until the document was revealed by Wikileaks.
Dr Borg spoke at length on how the Opposition's motion was debated in the House Foreign Affairs Committee and criticised the Opposition for relying on a document written by a US official who himself was not present to the 2004 meetings which the document referred to, when minutes of the same meetings were also held by Maltese officials.
He said that those meetings were only focused on how Malta could gain access to EU-Nato security documents without having to rejoin Partnership for Peace.
Dr Borg said Mr Cachia Caruana was acting within instructions of the government and the Wikileaks cable did not show that he was trying to circumvent Parliament.
Dr Borg said the issue of access to the security documents could not be taken to parliament because the issue was ongoing. No government made public any talks which it was holding with another government. Agreements were only taken to parliament once they were signed, if they required ratification.
Dr Borg said this Opposition motion was dangerous because the Opposition was holding a civil servant accountable whereas, to date, it had always been the minister who was ultimately responsible for the actions of the people in his departments. This move was dangerous for the Civil Service and could lead to a situation where civil servants were scared of giving advice lest they were criticised by the politicians.
Labour MP Owen Bonnici insisted that the Framework Document for PfP membership should have been presented for parliamentary ratification in 1995 because the invitation for membership was issued and signed by the heads of state and government of the PfP member states.
Dr Owen BonniciA wrong method was adopted once more in 2008, when, as soon as it won the general election, the government took Malta back to PfP without consulting the Opposition, without public debate, and without going before Parliament.
In this issue, Dr Bonnici said, the prime minister and his ministers violated the ministerial code of conduct which said that they had a duty to give account of their actions to parliamrnt, its committees and the public. As had been shown, the US ambassador was informed of Malta's return to PfP several months previously, and well before the Maltese people were informed.
NO EVIDENCE AGAINST CACHIA CARUANA
Dr Francis Zammit Dimech said the Opposition should have the decency to withdraw this motion because no evidence had been presented to back any alleged wrongdoing by Ambassador Cachia Caruana.
Had the Opposition made its claims against Mr Cachia Caruana outside the House, it could have been sued for slander.
It was the opposition which was being unethical, making accusations which it did not substantiate and resorting to political opportunism.
Lino Spiteri had been among those who described this motion as a waste of time which had seen MPs asking irrelevant questions such as how much Mr Cachia Caruana was paid.
Why had this motion presented now, so many years after the 2004 meetings it refered to. And why did the opposition wait seven months after Wikileaks published its document? The reason, obviously, was because of declarations made against Mr Cachia Caruana by a government MP.
The Opposition was only working to trip the government. This was the worst of old Labour, Dr Zammit Dimech said. The people would judge the Opposition over how it dealt with civil servants such as Mr Cachia Caruana, without a shred of evidence, and over its views on Partnership for Peace.
Dr Zammit Dimech said Labour MP George Vella had based his argument on whether or not the government should have gone before parliament on the advice of the Attorney General, and then the AG said the PfP framework agreement did not fall within the Ratification of Treaties Act.
Leo Brincat (PL) said the government had been reluctant to give details on Mr Cachia Caruana's pay packet during the committee meetings. Maybe that was because Mr Cachia Caruana had a terminal benefit and transitional facility in the same way as ministers.
Leo BrincatIt appeared that Mr Cachia Caruana's pay was as disproportionate as his powers. Mr Cachia Caruana was the power behind the throne and since he was paid out of public funds, his compensation should be revealed, otherwise the people would be right in arguing that he had something to hide.
Mr Cachia Caruana had acted like Zeus in the committee meetings but he appeared to be ill at ease. He was informed that he was even given training ahead of the meetings.
This issue, Mr Brincat said, was about parliamentary democracy. The opposition was not respected during the hearings and the information it sought was not given in full.
Mr Brincat said Mr Cachia Caruana could not be believed when he said that he had not known that Malta would join PfP immediately after the last general election. What he most likely knew was that had this intention been made public, it could have had an impact on the general election.
Mr Cachia Caruana also showed disrespect to Parliament by only meeting the Foreign Affairs Committee three times in four years when meetings were supposed to be held every six months.
Mr Brincat said PfP was a non issue for the PL. However a document published by Wikileaks on 10 November 2004 showed how the US government knew of Mr Cachia Caruana's proposal on the use of the PfP Security Agreement, even before the Maltese government. What would have happened if the Maltese government rejected that proposal? This would have been a national embarrassment. Mr Cachia Caruana wrote to the prime minister on November 9, 2004 but did not take a decision until three days later. Clearly Mr Cachia Caruana had sidelined not only parliament, but also the government.
Opposition leader Joseph Muscat, who spoke after Dr Pullicino Orlando, said the Opposition stood by its motion because Mr Cachia Caruana had acted behind Parliament's back. The Opposition had been cautious and sought information and it as now convinced more than ever before that the motion should have been presented tot he House.
PM - POLITCS, BLOODY POLITICS
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this motion was an injustice. The Opposition was demanding Mr Cachia Caruana's resignation for reasons which were very different from, say, his influence in the media. The evidence presented by the Opposition did not back what was alleged in the motion.
He was inclined to believe what Lino Spiteri recently wrote in The Times: Politics, bloody politics, Dr Gonzi said.
He stressed that Mr Cachia Caruana had always followed the government's instructions. If anyone should have been targeted, it should have been himself, because he was politically responsible, Dr Gonzi said.
It was shameful that the Opposition had claimed in its motion that Mr Cachia Caruana sought the interests of other countries more than Malta's. He always acted as directed by the government.
The prime minister said the Opposition was showing itself to be grossly incompetent in the way it had interpreted the Wikileaks Cable. But, after all, this was not about what was in the cable because its contents were not proven.
This was politics, bloody politics.
Dr Gonzi said the Opposition's actions were harmful to the country. Malta's parliament, the ultimate democratic instrument, had been used for unjustified attacks at a person who could not defend itself. What was taking place was shameful. A person accused in court of rape had more rights that a civil servant when faced with serious accusations. The Opposition had nothing to back its claims, and yet it was the civil servant who had to prove he was innocent.
Concluding Dr Gonzi asked MPs to consider that Parliament should be used in such an unjustified attack against a civil servant who had done his duty? Were they on the side of truth? Dr Gonzi said he had no doubt to declare that he would vote firmly against this motion.
Dr George VellaWinding up, Labour MP George Vella denied that this was a case of political opportunism. GoniPN, he said, did not have a monopoly over the truth. This motion was about parliamentary accountability and scrutiny and it was a Nationalist MP himself who had spoken of how Mr Cachia Caruana sidelined parliamentary norms.
Mr Cachia Caruana was not some anonymous civil servant but a person who thought he was untouchable. He was a person who was feared by ministers and who used journalists for his own attacks. It was no wonder that the government was mounting a strong defence for Mr Cachia Caruana. What a contrast with John Dalli. This was a person who was arrogant and looked down on the members of the opposition.
Mr Cachia Caruana claimed to be acting on instructions from the government, but in many cases it was the prime minister who was obliged to follow his instructions.
In his speech Dr Vella criticised Mr Cachia Caruana for not holding regular meetings with parliament and for making proposals and commitments to foreigners before they were made to the government or to parliament. And then Wikileaks also revealed that Mr Cachia Caruana was 'awaiting Washington's guidance on the matter' and that 'Washington was still encouraging him to proceed with his plan of action.
The Opposition, Dr Vella said, was not stupid and knew how to read English.
It was clear that Mr Cachia Caruana was the originator, proponent and executioner of a plan to take Malta back in PfP in 2004 behind parliament's back.
A civil servant - however politically powerful - should not decide national policy, more so on foreign and security matters, Dr Vella said.
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101 Comments
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Jonathan Caruana
Jun 19th 2012, 16:08
Blue psin relief....Prime Miniset, int taf xi jfisser!! Ghada ssolvilek il-problemi Maria Hammett.
Jonathan Caruana
Jun 19th 2012, 15:44
Fr Joe Borg, a priest mentioned in parliament by JPO.How come are these priests so influential to political parties? What is the Archbishop' s stand and how does he give permission to priests to get involved in politics? How can you trust the church? Was Jesus a political figure? Do I have to laugh or cry?
Andy Farrugia
Jun 19th 2012, 17:13
I suggest you should cry, copiously, at your sheer idiocy, your crass generalisations and your illogical extrapolations. What do the Church and Jesus have to do with an allegation made against an individual (Fr Joe Borg) by "a politically bankrupt individual" (Dr Alfred Sant's words not mine) under cover of parliamentary privilege?
Tony Borg
Jun 19th 2012, 17:44
Mr. Caruana.............Religion is the Oldest Political Party in the World !!
Jonathan Caruana
Jun 19th 2012, 15:41
Now we know who the prime minister and his deputy was. RCC and Austin Gatt. Well done JPO for an impeccable speech in parliament and for showing the truth to the electorate.Maybe Gonzi us the one who wants to be a prime minister of a day and he came up with the idea as he knows that he's not the true leader of the nation. He's just there as an image.
Jonathan Caruana
Jun 19th 2012, 15:37
Jpo's speech makes us understand that the PN is backing DCG and all the other bloggers mentioned in parliamnet last night.Wasn't the PM the one who urged the opposition not to attack personally?A PM in a state of denial.The more he cliNg to power, the more damage is done to the PN and the country overall.
Jonathan Caruana
Jun 19th 2012, 15:34
Wasn't CMB resignation supposed to be the end of instability and the beginning of a new chapter?We have a PM who is very inconsistent and denies that he has not the full support of his team.
Alex Cutajar
Jun 19th 2012, 08:10
We now know for sure that anyone who doesn't follow gets hit hard by gonziPN.
Noel Damato
Jun 19th 2012, 08:09
Nistghu inkunu nafu ghala John Dalli ma thallix jixhed. Jaqaw kellu hafna affarijiet ohra x'jaqla.
Noel Damato
Jun 19th 2012, 08:06
Ta min isemmi li kien vot carissimu. Ghalhekk GonziPN ghadu jaghmel il pass ta l-irgulija ghax jaf sew li l-Gvern tieghu tmermer minn gewwa sew. Jekk GonziPN hu hekk kif isejjah lilu inifsu li jirispetta lil pajjizu ghandu jaghmel il-pass li jmiss halli ma jibqax jisagrifika lill familji taghna ghal sempliciment kapricc biex jibqgha mas- siggu...Kun ragel u ibza ghalina..... halluna nejxu hajjitna kif jixraq please.
Alfred Vassallo
Jun 19th 2012, 08:01
Ikbar ma tkun int (jew timanuvra biex tkun) ikbar tkun is-sabta tieghjek!! U hadd wara hadd taghsal ta kullhadd, gharaw l-affarijiet kif huma sejrin!
John Attard
Jun 19th 2012, 06:47
Of course he only would take this course of action cause he no longer needs his party. Good luck to good riddance.
K CASSAR
Jun 19th 2012, 01:19
For all those who said that PL was using Franco Debono... as you can see you really did't require any help to self destruct. Gonzi PN is more than able to do so all by itself!!! Happy meltdown.
M Farrugia
Jun 19th 2012, 00:43
dawk li tkellmu fil-parlament kollha kellhom il-privilleg tal-kamra, allura seghtaw jghidu li riedu minghajr ma hadd ikun jista jiehu passi kontra taghhom anke jekk dak li jkunu qalu ma jkunx minnu jew nofs verita, jew inkella l-fatti taqgu kif qabilhom. Ninsab cert li jekk xi hadd jaghmel mozzjoni sabiex jitnehha il-privilleg tal-kamra din il-mozzjoni ma tghaddix ghax hafna huma dawk li jkunu iridu jibqaw jinqdew b'dan il-privilleg sabiex ikissru lil min ma jaqbilx maghhom. Din hija id-demokrazija tas-seklu 21.
J Micallef
Jun 19th 2012, 15:36
Prosit M Farrugia, tassew ghedt il-verita. Jista jkun hemm MP li jghid li jfettillu fuqi, fuqek u fuq min irid u ma tkun tista' taghmillu xejn.
Mr Joe Micallef
Jun 19th 2012, 00:15
The Opposition, Dr Vella said, was not stupid and knew how to read English.
What matters is not reading but understading what one reads, and that gives away you crass stupidity!
Joe Fenech
Jun 18th 2012, 23:20
So after the start of democary in North Africa, is it going to be the start of democracy in Malta?
Jessica Smith
Jun 18th 2012, 22:44
Sewwa kienu jikkummentawlek Dr Gonzi.
Inti sraqt l-elezzjoni u ma tgawdihiex ghax dak li tisraq ma tgawdihx.
Mario Vella
Jun 18th 2012, 22:25
min jilghabli mhatra li ghada tissejjah elezzjoni generali?mux ovvja jew
Joe Fenech
Jun 18th 2012, 22:19
Francis Zammit D, why don't you resign gracefully?
Fran Abela
Jun 19th 2012, 08:23
So FZD is next on the list Mr. Fenech. I see that the peasants have put down their pitchforks after yesterday's vote. But 'off with their heads' will be back soon no doubt.
Joe Fenech
Jun 18th 2012, 22:16
Are we following in the north-African's footstep in fighting for democracy? Is this a revolution? At last, a breath of fresh air!
Evarist Saliba
Jun 18th 2012, 22:16
What Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando has found objectionable in Richard Cachia Caruana's alleged behaviour is something that he should have raised within the Nationalist Party. It has nothing to do with Richard Cachia Caruana's performance as Malta's representative to the EU. Stating that he believes what Wikileaks allegedly claims without quoting one single shred of evidence is not responsible.
The pettiness and personal agendas shown recently in parliament are the greatest disrespect that this institution has experienced for very long years.
Sandra Camilleri
Jun 18th 2012, 22:05
What a shame JPO! Heard your speech not very convincing really - jealousy gets you no where.
Our Prime Minister is too good.
Matthew Tanti
Jun 18th 2012, 21:55
Skond GonziPN il-problema t' instabilita' kienet solvuta. Bhas-soltu r-realta' differenti. Ir-realta', sa ftit ilu tilef vot ghax membru minn tieghu ivvota kontrieh, illum wiehed ivvota kontrieh u iehor wera bic-car li ma jaqbilx mieghu. Il-problema ghal GonziPN kibret. Issa zgur li m'ghadx ghandu maggoranza fil-parlament u minhabba dan l-istil ta tmexxija l-instabilita' kompliet tikber. Ghal gid tal-pajjiz Sur Gonzi warrab!
Thomas Mifsud
Jun 18th 2012, 21:53
Is-sewwa jirbaħ zgur! U hekk qed jiġrilu dan il-gvern inġust. Darba xi ħadd qal; "You can fool all of the people some of the time, you can fool some of the people all of the time BUT YOU CANNOT FOOL ALL OF THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME. Hopefully justice will be done when the election is called.
RONALD ARRY
Jun 18th 2012, 21:44
issa biex ha johorgu??lewwel li il pl approfitta ruhu mis sitwazzjoni ta debono, issa xiex??aprofitta wkoll min jpo??qisu li qed jigri fil pn tort tal pl,qisom debono ,jpo u issa mugliette ukoll mumhiex nazzjonalisti,karozza bi 3 punctures issa sur prim, il klikka ha tibqa tow truck tal gvern ??sakemm twasslu sa lahhar tal legislatura?? tasal kif tasal basta naslu u ma nbaxxux rasna inkella jejdu ara bhal sant gralu gonzi pn u nahseb dik li qed izommu iggranfat mas siggu tal poter, what a shame
William Caligari
Jun 18th 2012, 21:43
On Monday another 'vot of confidence' fil-Parlament. Il-mozzjoni ta' l-oppozizzjoni ghaddiet 35 vot favur
u 33 kontra vot wiehed astenzzjoni kontra RCC. Mhux Franco Debono,issa tfacca JPO u JM. u dejjem sejrin,
b'xi haga gdida.
Meta u kif sa' tispicca din il-melodramma!!!!????
David Farrugia
Jun 18th 2012, 21:42
"Is-sewwa jirbah zgur" translated Justice and Truth Will Prevail used to say the ex-President Fenech Adami. And this what happened at the Parliament this evening. Is the Prime Minister going to go for another vote of no confidence in Parliament for the FOURTH TIME? If yes then I prefer the Christmas Pantomime to be transferred to summer.
M Grima
Jun 18th 2012, 21:39
If our PM is consistent he should go for a vote of confidence at the first possible occasion. But, didn't we hear him say that he wants clear and unconditional voting in Parliament. Well, Dr. Gonzi you have once again lost a vote in Parliament by not one but even two votes. Ghamel il wisa Prim ghax il-kotra tkellmet!!
Jessica Smith
Jun 18th 2012, 21:36
Just announced voting result.
35 in favour, 33 against, 1 abstention.
Motion carried.
JPO voted in favour, Jesmond Muliett abstained.
You have lost Dr Gonzi.
R Grima
Jun 18th 2012, 21:26
“When bad men combine, the good must associate, else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle”
Alfred Falzon
Jun 18th 2012, 21:22
RCC has no option but top resign., Shame on Dr F Debono. This motion proves that what you didi to Hon KMB was nothing but personal.
Alfred Falzon
Jun 18th 2012, 21:21
well done JPO. You are a man of principles. Pity you are retiring from politics.
Hon PM JPO said that you have at least 10 disgruntled MPs. Why do you insist to retain power?
j brincat
Jun 18th 2012, 21:20
@ J Pisani
"How could the Maltese Parliament ever present a motion against a foreign country or against NATO?"
You mean like when the PM MPs sided with the Dom in 1998 to bring Dr Sant's government down?
The pot calling the kettle black!
(jb)
Joseph Borg
Jun 18th 2012, 21:19
I am absolutely disgusted at JPO. It was so evident that he had an axe to grind and is using this motion to take revenge on RCC. Instead of acting in the best interests of the country, he is using his parliamentary vote to exact that revenge. Shame on him. I do not know RCC at a personal level but by all accounts he has served our country well and it would be a shame to lose him. If anything Labour would do well to state that they would keep him on if they got elected.
I was inclined to vote Labour at the next election but these recent antics make me convinced that they are still the Labour of old. Moreso these recent moves show them to be totally opportunistic where they are seeking to destabilise the government and the country to force an early election. Whatever for? It is round the corner anyway. This constant sabotage at the taxpayer's expense just hurts the country and our economy and it just shows them up that they are more interested in grabbing power than the good of the country. Politics in Malta has reached a new low where Parliament is used for personal agendas. Shame on you Jeffrey. You were no scape goat at the last election, If anything you got elected so handsomely thanks to RCC. I thought you were a decent man. You have proved me wrong.
Paul Saliba
Jun 18th 2012, 21:47
We do not need someone like you to vote Labour. Stick to your party if you are blind folded
Joseph Borg
Jun 18th 2012, 22:51
@ Paul Saliba.
I have no party. I will never be owned by one party or another but vote according to my conscience.
If you fail to realise just how disgusting what happened tonight is, you fail to realise the real threat to our democracy. Parliamentary has been used to exact a personal vendetta.
This is just so wrong. The President should step in here and make this right again. Whilst RCC has to resign now, I can only hope that the PM does not accept his resignation or that the President intervenes. JPO has already declared he will not contest the next election so in the meantime he has decided to bring down others. Shame on him. He abused of his Parliamentary privilege and that is plainly and simply wrong.
Ms Rudi Mcbeal
Jun 18th 2012, 21:18
The amount of ignorance which still exists in this country amazes me big time - many of the comments here are more than proof enough.
I feel so sad for my country and what is yet to come.
A Dimech
Jun 18th 2012, 21:13
Pari Idejn Sodi ukoll!!!!
Kull gimgha b'xi wahda gdida - l'aghar PM li Malta qatt kellha ghax tilef il-kredibilita' totali.
(Times - you keep ignoring my comments....)
J Pisani
Jun 18th 2012, 21:11
Ghall PL the end ALWAYS justify the means !!!
A Dimech
Jun 18th 2012, 21:20
correction - not for PL but for the majority in parliament!!
and another 10 MPs on PNs side who whilst they want to back PLs motion, they don't do this only out of loyalty!
Joe Busuttil
Jun 18th 2012, 21:10
Bicca deputat ! At least he got elected democratically by the people ,not like you Mr RCC. What Franco slipped a dozen notches in my esteem for him ,is that he has the power to cut you down to size but he won't do it,for one reason or another.
Matthew Tanti
Jun 18th 2012, 21:08
Wara "vot car, kategoriku u bla ebda kundizzjoni" (LG) ftit jiem ilu kellna nerghu lura ghal bussiness as usual. Illum ergajna koppi GonziPN? Issa l-mistoqsija hi x' ser iggalu jaghmel lil Gonzi l-klikka?
Jessica Smith
Jun 18th 2012, 21:05
Now it is becoming clearer why the Government backtracked and did not want John Dalli, ex-Minister and EU Commissioner to give his testimony on these cloak-and-dagger shady affairs. The whole thing stinks like a cesspit. No wonder there was that critical carnival float in the 1930's which depicted the PN as devils with the caption "Mangia santi, caga diavoli".
Matthew Tanti
Jun 18th 2012, 21:01
Ufficjalment pajjiz bla maggoranza parlamentari. Ma nistghux inkomplu sejrin hekk hemm bzonn par idejn sodi Sur PM!
Darren Agius
Jun 18th 2012, 20:58
M'hemmx fejn iddur iktar! Talk is cheep, elezzjoni bikrija l-unika ghazla!
Marija Falzon
Jun 18th 2012, 20:56
Will gonzi hold himself to the same standards he himself set? he said he wanted a clear vote. No he has it.
R Axisa
Jun 18th 2012, 20:53
Wasn't it going to be a closed chapter last week?? Until .....................
George Cutajar
Jun 18th 2012, 20:52
He has finally shown himself for what he really is. He has been waiting for this moment to get back at RCC for what he perceives as the latter's hand in him not making it to becoming a minister.
If an election has to be called let's go for it sooner rather than later and get it over and done with. At least the PN will rid itself of the likes of JPO who have caused the party enough embarrassment.
Alfred Falzon
Jun 18th 2012, 20:51
If what JPO said today in parliament is true than he is duty bound to do what is right and not what the party dictates (ehhm RCC dictates). RCC is no civil servant but a super minister.
J Pisani
Jun 18th 2012, 20:47
Incredible ! In his debate speech JPO said very little at all on the motion itself and practically gave his 'personal' reasons why he wants to vote in favor of the motion !! That's unfortunate of course since in his own words he needs to vote on the proof presented and that is nearly nil !! One suggestion would be it would be in order if the PL members say what they are saying on RCC outside parliament and so be fair to RCC to sue them in our courts and then the truth of the matter will come out in an unbiased way ! Just one final comment never forget 'what goes round, comes round always !!
Ivan Grech Mintoff
Jun 18th 2012, 20:43
1) "Did Mr Cachia Caruana exert undue influence? In the press, it was clear that Mr Cachia Carauna was a major influence. Some journalists were his acolytes, including Daphne Caruana Galizia, Lou Bondi, Fr Joe Borg, Ivan Camilleri and Andrew Borg Caruana.
Those who disagreed with Mr Caruana were targeted. Roger Mifsud, a former deputy editor of The Times had written how Mr Cachia Caruana tried to intimate him and Mr Mifsud reported him to Dr Eddie Fenech Adami.
Those who were attacked through some of Mr Cachia Caruana's acolytes included Guido de Marco, John Dalli, Jesmond Mugliette, Louis Galea, Michael Frendo, Robert Arrigo and Jean-Pierre Farrugia.
This, Dr Pullicino Orlando said, showed Mr Cachia Caruana's disdain to democratic norms."
CHEAP(?) SHOOTERS (taken from il-bocca's blog(sic!)) or does it all make sense?
2) "Dr Pullicino Orlando said that at least 10 Nationalist MPs wanted to back this motion as they felt that Mr Cachia Caruana had exerted his influence so that some of them were removed or worse, showing disdain for the democratic system. This was evidenced by the small number of Nationalist MPs who wished to speak on this motion."
Wow...!!!
3) "It was Mrs Caruana Galizia herself who told him of those efforts. "
"Mrs Caruana Galizia had revealed that she too was at the receiving end of a telephone call, a call, Dr Pullicino Orlando said which was part of the instigation to remove him from parliament.
Dr Pullicino Orlando said Mr Cachia Caruana himself had admitted that he called off his attacks on orders from the prime minister.
His actions, however, continually showed disrespect for democracy. "
4) "He did not have the least doubt that what was said in the Wikileaks cable was true. He had no doubt that Mr Cachia Caruana had negotiated with senior American officials behind Parliament's back."
Does this leave ANY doubt that:
- the Liberals wish to break away (and have nothing to do with the actions of ) the PN Conservatives?
- that the PN can truly Govern?
Malcolm Farrugia
Jun 18th 2012, 21:16
Well said Ivan,
GonziPn has failed, no matter how many votes of confidence are voted upon and pass, the fact that two different mp's from the government's fold have voted with the opposition on two consecutive votes, clearly indicates that the government is in shambles and cannot drag itself any further!
m. borg (slm)
Jun 18th 2012, 23:04
Sometime in opposition might give you the party back cleansed of the oligarchy and the closed circle of friends that excludes other nationalists.
You have a choice either continue with gonziPN or chuck out gonzi and his band, no need to elaborate on what you have to do,
V Caruana
Jun 18th 2012, 20:43
Melvyn, Alex, George & PN Co. Empty vessels make more sound Don't be so hysterical.
Carmel camilleri
Jun 18th 2012, 20:41
In my opinion a censure motion against a civil servant should never have made and should never have been accepted. A civil servant is answerable to his Minister and not to Parliament. The motion if anything should have been against the MIniser concerned and not against RCC. So long as RCC has the confidence of his Minister no one can remove him. Is it possible that this was not considered by the PM.
m. borg (slm)
Jun 18th 2012, 23:06
Whining will get you nowhere.
A civil servant who disrespects parliament is subject to parliamentary censure, even public personalities had to face parliamentary proceedures what is special about RCC.
M Grima
Jun 18th 2012, 20:40
Par idejn sodi rega koppi!! Possibli li GonziPN u s-segwaci tieghu ghandhom ma ndunawx li il PN huwa gvern tas -sulluzzu.
Martin Saliba
Jun 18th 2012, 20:40
Had wara had jasal ta kull had. Qatt ma tista tijid minn ha tigi bzonn laqas jek ikollok kemm ikollok sahha.
J Busuttil
Jun 18th 2012, 20:39
To all the PL bloggers
In parliament this evening Jeffrey said that he wanted to make it clear that although he was voting with the opposition the prime minister does not need to call for a vote of confidence as he will continue voting with the government through out the whole term. GET ALL.
Mark Borg
Jun 18th 2012, 20:38
Bil-qatra l-qatra timtela' l-garra u bhal buzzieqa tinfaqa' f'wicc GonziPN!
M Grima
Jun 18th 2012, 20:38
It seems that the PM's wounded vessel has developed another gaping hole. This time it is JPO, last week it was Franco, who will be next this coming week?
anthony bartolo
Jun 18th 2012, 23:45
Who will be next this coming week?............... maybe Adrian or he has been cut to size.
Joseph Attard
Jun 18th 2012, 20:37
Ghaziz PM tinkwetax. Issa jkollna lil PM for a day winner u tghinek issolvi l-problemi. Wara kollox min jaf kemm ghaddewlek suggerimenti tajbin dawk li kkompetew f'dan il-konkors
Toni Borg
Jun 18th 2012, 20:35
Kummidjant wara liehor ghanda go dal pajjiz!!!
JPO issa jrid jiskongra lil hadd iehor??? Insieh il kaz tal Mistra!!
Martin Saliba
Jun 18th 2012, 20:41
u ir ring master jew master of cerimonies minnhu Toni ?
M. Grech
Jun 18th 2012, 20:33
I am hearing the Prime Minister right now on the radio. He repeatedly refered to RCC and also to himself at the same time on this issue! I hope he does not tie this motion as a vote of no confidence in him as well. He would have to resign and go for a general election! Maybe this is not the right time for Malta!
R. Saliba
Jun 18th 2012, 20:33
Moviment gdid u liberali? Moviment vendikattiv more likely.
Joseph Camilleri
Jun 18th 2012, 21:47
spot on! Taking each stupid opportunity to grab onto power!! Dak hu il Lejber... il periklu hu pero li in nies se jivvottaw Lejber BLA MA JAFU GHAL XIEX DEHLIN!!!
And that really worries me, because there are still people who believe that politics is a game of footie, and they have no idea that a government can change the way we live, which we have taken for granted and as a right. A right the PN gave us!
Peppi Borg
Jun 18th 2012, 20:31
It will be surely be a very interesting day with the pm for Maria Hammet tomorrow! Joseph Muscat was right when declarin that the vote of confidence would only serve until the next storm! Is the Pm going to play the funny and call another vote of confidence?
Malcolm Farrugia
Jun 18th 2012, 20:30
Altough there was all that pathetic arugemtation in favor of Richard Cachia Caruana, in particular the speech made by Francis Zammit Dimech, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando did not agree with RCC's actions. What will happen now when in less than a month the government would have two different mp's amidst it ranks vote in favor of a motion presented by the opposition, will the "Prime Minister" Lawrence Gonzi, ask for another vote of cinfidence in an act of panic?
lilly vella
Jun 18th 2012, 20:29
jahasra gonzi ifferucjat taparsi ghal oppozizzjoni imma minflok mahruq ghal jeffry issa jiskatta l benchmark li ghamel hu stess , voti cari.
Charles Massa
Jun 18th 2012, 20:28
Bhal issa hemm il Euro 2012. Teams maqudin imorru tajjeb. Dawk li ghandhom inkwiet diga marru dar. Gonzi l ewwel kellu inkwiet ma Franco Debono li spicca biex jirrizanja ministru. Gonzi li ftit xhur ilu tellaq wahdu, sejjah vot ta fiducja u tghidx kemm ferah ghax dan il vot ghadda. Imma issa qam JpPO fejn anki ikkonferma li hemm aktar deputati Nazzjonalisti li kienu lesti li jivutaw mal mozzjoni tal PLMinkejja tqnazih tal kelliema Nazzjonalisti, il mozzjoni tal PL se tghaddi ghax RCC mar kontra rieda tal poplu u qabez il Parlament Malti. Imnalla kixfuh l Amerikani ghax konna nibqa fil ghama, bhal Euro 500 zieda fil gimgha li hadu GONZIPN u shabu. Dawn kollox bil mohbi jaghmlu u min jaf kemm hemm affarijiet ohra li saru minn wara dar il poplu Malti. Mhux ta b xejn iridu jibqu imwahlin mas siggu. U xi nghidu ghas salarju fenominali li ghandu RCC. Min approvah dan is salarju. Mhux ta b xejn wiehed mil l istrgesisti tal pn. Gon\i se jaghmel issa, ghandu partit miaqsum, mohhu fl inkwiet li ghandu fil partit. Suppost prim ministru ghandu jffoka fuq il pajjiz specjalment meta waqajna fi ricessjoni. L unika alternattiva ghal GONZIPN hija li ghada imur ghand il president u ixolji l parlament.
Geoffrey Farrugia
Jun 18th 2012, 20:24
Sewwa jghid il-Malti - Hadd wara Hadd tasal ta' kulhadd! Fl-ahhar il-lunga manu ta' dan il-bniedem ser tinqata'. U dak li qed nisimghu hu biss dak li jidher u dak li gara fuq semplici ftit laqghat wara dahar il-Parlament.
Iva hadd ma ghandu l-guts jghid il-verita fuq dan ir-ragel li nghata poter illimitat li tgawda biss minn ftit nies ta' madwaru u l-familja stretta tieghu! JPO qed jitkellem sew ghaliex jaf sew x'isaraff RCC u ormai ma ghandux x'jitlef jghid il-verita' fuqu. L-omerta f'dan il-pajjiz mill-Parlament tibda.
Matthew Gatt
Jun 18th 2012, 20:19
I thought it was over and we had political stability again!
RONALD ARRY
Jun 18th 2012, 20:16
habat ma iceberg ohra titanic mexxi mil kaptan b'par idejn sodi!dr pullicino orlando,ha jamlu xi petizzjoni ohra issa kontra da wkoll" shabu stess" biex iwarrab, ajma x'ifaqqsu hej il backbenchers imwarrbin ,issa mux puncture biss anda lkarozza tahdem fuq tlieta qeda lmagna,guzi abela ghogbitni di "enjoy my nationalist friends" and keep smiling like nothing is happening,business as usual sur prim ministru dan ukoll??
Joseph E Briffa
Jun 18th 2012, 20:13
What a pathetic lot some Labour spokesmen are. Surely they know in their heart of hearts that they botched it, otherwise they are not even fit to be members of a bandclub. Yet, they persist in carrying on with this charade. It's true that if they withdraw the motion at this late stage, people might think that it's being done now simply because Franco told everybody a couple of days ago that he would be voting against the motion. Labour are probably thinking they are being clever by not withdrawing the motion, and in their efforts to appear convincing, some of their MPs are bordering on the ridiculous. Labour are also wasting Parliaments time. One would have thought the House would today be discussing JM's idea to enlarge the surface area of Malta and Gozo through land reclamation; and that the House would be considering whether to start the process by starting reclamation works in an eastwards or in a northenly direction. One would assume that it wouldn't make sense to proceed towards the west or south, because of the sheer drops and the depth of the sea. But it seems nothing is beyond some people.
anthony bartolo
Jun 19th 2012, 00:02
How about reclaiming land in the direction of Gozo.That would save us the trouble of building a bridge or digging a tunnel.
Peppi Borg
Jun 18th 2012, 20:13
JPO tonight confirmed that RCC acts againts democratic norms. It was also confirmed that whoever try to oppose RCC have to pay harsh consequences. RCC was behind articles against Guido De Marco and behind manouvres to oust valid persons like John Dalli.What about the benchmark you have set Dr.Gonzi? No abstentions.... let alone a vote against!!!????
lilly vella
Jun 18th 2012, 20:11
vot iehor mitluf , nafu cert issa li jekk tkun kontra gonzi jew rcc taqlahha . b mod iddispjacut jeffry qal li hemm 10 ohra li jaqblu li rcc ghandu jispicca , min huma? harget cara li dalli qalahha minghand cachia caruana . gonzi pn kisser lil pn , u l pajjiz.
Oliver Grech
Jun 18th 2012, 20:04
Just heard JPO....what a shameful person. In his speech he clearly showed that he wants RCC out just to pay him back on what he argues was his fault on his issue on the Mistra disco!! Imissek tisthi JPO.
Moreover it was clear that labour exponents already knew about the way JPO would vote. Constant updates on JPOs speech on facebook and twitter clearly showed that they were expected such a decision. This leads me to conclude that the motion is another opportunistic vote. Now I understand the statement of Joseph Muscat before the confidence vote. You think you would fool us Muscat?
Guzi Abela
Jun 18th 2012, 20:00
"Dr Pullicino Orlando said he would therefore back the Opposition motion against Mr Cachia Caruana."
Enjoy what remains from this legislature my nationalist friends.
j brincat
Jun 18th 2012, 19:40
@Angus Black
How could the Maltese Parliament ever present a motion against a foreign country or against NATO?
Mr/Ms Black who said what you are saying?
Who is dumb, then?
(jb)
Angus Black
Jun 18th 2012, 19:23
Dumb, Luciano, plain dumb!
How could the Maltese Parliament ever present a motion against a foreign country or against NATO? What if such a motion passes, will NATO fold? Would any other country come on bended knees asking for forgiveness?
Mr Stephen Borg
Jun 18th 2012, 20:56
If you read the article you would maybe understand that the motion is against RCC not NATO.
j brincat
Jun 18th 2012, 19:19
@Ray Buhagiar
"It seems that PL slipped badly on this one. I can't believe that PL want to govern with such amateurish attitude"
Seems that you have not heard of the PL's concrete proposal which are gathering the support of one and all!
(jb).
George Cutajar
Jun 18th 2012, 19:28
which concrete proposal? Ah the one placing concrete in the sea to reclaim land? or the one which guarantees work to all school leavers? or is the one about opening day care centers? no perhaps it is the one about Malta staying in the EU?
I have heard nothing concrete yet, just pies in the skies and 51 hot air balloons!!
M Grima
Jun 18th 2012, 20:46
@George Cutajar
For you they may be pies in the sky, for others, because they do not have blue thick blinkers over their closed eyes, are doable proposals. GonziPN says a lot, even going as far as printing glossy brochures about ghost projects, but then he leaves them to gather the dust. Remember the promise about the Whistle Blowers act and a thousand other unkept promises. The vessel is taking water and 'par idejn sodi' is lost!!!
j brincat
Jun 18th 2012, 19:16
@Melvyn Mifsud LLD
"If elected, will this amateurish attitude characterise the running of the government?"
And how professional is a government that takes us from one recession to another and does not admit it!
How professional is a government under whose reign we have a new concept known as the working poor?
How professional is a government which persists in living in the past?
How professional is it to have a state of the art hospital and then have patients in the corridors?
(jb)
Ray Buhagiar
Jun 18th 2012, 19:11
It seems that PL slipped badly on this one. I can't believe that PL want to govern with such amateurish attitude.
Mauro debattista
Jun 18th 2012, 20:12
such a non sense comment based on immagination. Pullicino Orlando said in parliament that at least ten PN mps wish to vote with the opposition. This motion is surely justified.
Doreen Rizzo
Jun 18th 2012, 20:12
Kulhadd amateur... minbarra gonzipn.
j brincat
Jun 18th 2012, 19:08
@George Cutajar
"Jo Camm - if Debono led anyone by the nose on this one it was JM and the movement of progressives and liberals. The PM was certainly never led on by Debono and will surely never be"
Did you forget that because of Franco GonziPN had to enter into a contest where he was the sole contender, had to call two successive votes of confidence and lost a minister on the way!
(jb)
Jo Camm
Jun 18th 2012, 18:28
Prosit Franco, irnexxielek tmexxi lil-kulhadd min imniehru, inkluzi li-PM u l-Kap tal-Oppozizzjoni.
George Cutajar
Jun 18th 2012, 18:59
Jo Camm - if Debono led anyone by the nose on this one it was JM and the movement of progressives and liberals. The PM was certainly never led on by Debono and will surely never be.
George Cutajar
Jun 18th 2012, 18:16
Labour are still in time to withdraw the motion, admit that they made a massive mistake, excuse themselves with RCC and the people of Malta and life will go on. It is very clear that this motion will be going nowhere and has only served the opposite purpose showing to one and all that the PL, although having morphed into a so-called movement of progressives and liberals ,is still the MLP of old with no sense of what is right and what is wrong and always ready to hit the headlines but always for the wrong reasons.
Melvyn Mifsud LLD
Jun 18th 2012, 17:59
I am presently listening to Minister Tonio Borg explaining in detail the facts surrounding the whole saga - or apparent saga .
Once again, it appears that the Opposition's motion should be close to a non starter - I suspect that it was a very risky stand taken and not enough homework was done, before taking the plunge.
If elected, will this amateurish attitude characterise the running of the governmnet?.
Alex Ellul
Jun 18th 2012, 17:55
These PL-orchestrated shenanigans are not doing good to the PL itself. Every time the PL, ex MLP, reminds us of it's pro-hardline socialist past and its insistence to keep living in the past even though it changed its name to try to make us forget;every time we rare reminded that it was once called MLP and that it basically was an ally of the iron curtain, we, the voters shirk back from considering giving the PL our vote.
This PfP thing is proof enough of what I am trying to say. After all Partnership for Peace is an organisation meant to keep the peace in these parts of the world. So what's so wrong with being partners with the peace lovers, Joe?
michael catania
Jun 18th 2012, 20:08
Alex Do you call the partners in PFP are really peace loving nations. If you r. Just look at who these partners are and then look at their past record and who are they lead by.eally think so then your conservative mind is certainly brainwashed. Icould give you a history lesson but I would rather keep you inignorance for the time being
Mr Michael Debono
Jun 18th 2012, 22:14
Gonzi remember your speech in Parliament that you will not suffer another negative vote. Were you serioous or not as usual. Pity you will not be there to uncover the Valletta project because although called to do it by the L.P. you will refuse. Time will tell.
Please choose the reason of your report below: