60 migrants reach Malta

Joe Xuereb

Jun 29th 2012, 11:00

@Kurt Waschnig (27th June 13:30). First off, I think you are bluffing. And I find it interesting that you publicise you e.mail address knowing, or hoping, that you will get a heavy response.

That said, how do you know that the guys on the dinghy are desperate and anxious? One cannot read their body language from every picture published but one particular one comes to mind; the guys were teetering on the edge of the boat (not dinghy), hesitant whether or not to join at least two of their friends cavorting in the sea, all jubilant like. If I were desperate and anxious I would not behave like that. And nor would you I shouldn't wonder, you having all your prerequisite four cards earning you respectability in the West. They are in order, so you qualify, and in ascending order, they are you being being christian, white, middle-class, heterosexual. There! ten out of ten. Unfortunately, or should I say fortunately, I only have two of the cards but I get by more than adequately thanks to......no, not the lord, but by my own god-given(?) nous (that means, practical intelligence in case your quaint English does not stretch to that). See how kind I am, mein Herr! About the 'cards' I will leave it to your insightful self to guess which are my two. On second thoughts, don't bother! You're too busy chasing shadows so I'll leave you to it.

If god were truly concerned about these anxious runaways why does he not sort out the problems of wherever it is they come from/running from). god would know where they come from even though they have no passports). In fact I think god would have it easy as most often these adventurous young men are not fleeing from anything in particular, other than themselves and their desire to experience the wealth of the West. And I do not mean spiritual wealth either, so if you think you are going to spread the good word to them, forget it! They come for more mundane things that you wouldn't have nor wish for. Good christian - presumably - that you are. In any case, you would be too busy going through your inbox. One suggestion before I go. Would you write what you write here AND publish your e.mail in a German language newspapers? I am sure there are many christians in Germany - why! you even have a pope - so you could expect quite a heavy response. And a mixed bag I shouldn't wonder.

You know what, Mr. Kurt. I still think you're on to a provocative joke (something about the style) and the inclusion of the e.mail is very telling. Sad or what?! But this comment is apt if for no other reason than, in 2012, it is idiotic to invoke the lord in times of strife. Not in 2012 one doesn't!

Kurt Waschnig

Jun 27th 2012, 13:30

What a wonderful news a group of 60 migrants were rescued and reached Maltese shores yesterday morning.
60 desperate human beings perched on a dinghy, full of anxiety were spotted by the Armed Forces of Malta.

JESUS sees the needy and the poor and it was the will of GOD that the migrants were rescued and brought to Malta.
Always when human beings are rescued and there is no fear for them any longer that their life is at risk we shall be grateful.
The next step which is necessary, is to offer them courses in English and Maltese to achieve a high command of both languages.
And on the other hand jobs should be offered.
This is the best way to integrate the poorest of the poor into Maltese society.

And again let us praise the LORD that 60 migrants were rescued.



Best regards


Kurt Waschnig Oldenburg Germany


e-mail: [email protected]

Joe Xuereb

Jun 27th 2012, 12:26

Following the genocidal war that was World War II, we must have read millions of words, seen scores of programmes, watched dozens of films about the fallout of this infamous period in Europe's history. The horror of it all, the guilt-trips, the never again. Even Malta had its share of traitors, pro-Italy Maltese who were interned in that country (why! even the other day, Maltese youths who should know better were waving the Italian tricolor in spite of Malta's current strained relations with that country)*, and groups of 'holy' Maltese waving the Maltese flag this time, in the Vatican Square, during the war(may god give me patience!). It's all documented.
What this means - and I am only expressing an opinion - is that many in Europe live in fear of saying doing anything that will come to haunt them in the longer term, ie the blood on your hands accusation. The jesuits and their followers, of course, do whatever they do primarily because they want rewards in heaven(just a thought!). I don't buy that. I am more interested in the here and now. If nothing else because there will come a time (if this trend continues) when the jesuits and what they stand for will be no more. But they cannot see this. Not unlike bishop Grech who is more concerned about family values. Family values are worth nothing if everything outside the family-home is crumbling when not being taken over by people who view and experience life differently.
The problem with this European determination to keep one's nose clean is that any concern/help is very tentative and for that reason, begrudged and very little. A family gets relocated to Switzerland of all places. Big deal! In the meantime Malta, with quite a lot of help from too many Maltese of a certain mindset continues to bear the brunt of this terrifying phenomenon never before seen in the history of Mankind. I think it is time that some should start worrying about what is to become of Malta in the longer - but not much longer - term. All it takes is learning to look at what is happening around one beyond one's nose.
* Judging by the report of the open-air concert on the Granaries yesterday, these are the same youngsters who are out to have fun! fun! fun! because life is short and its sole purpose (according to some) is to party, party, and then party some more. I know life is tough, for the young especially, but waving somebody else's flag and partying is not the answer. What's wrong with admitting that life really does suck, and doing something about it (at least in one's head)? They justify this by blaming a gloom-laden media. As if the immigration issue is no more than a figment of the imagination. Someone even said that this concert is a good advert abroad that show-cases Malta, the beautiful holiday island in the sun. 'Bread and Circuses' works a charm in Malta and examples abound. But they wouldn't understand that. What do 'ħobż u kummiedji' have to do with this would be their likely response.

Kurt Waschnig

Jun 27th 2012, 12:24

What a wonderful news a group of 60 migrants were rescued and reached Maltese shores yesterday morning.
60 desperate human beings perched on a dinghy, full of anxiety were spotted by the Armed Forces of Malta.

JESUS sees the needy and the poor and it was the will of GOD that the migrants were rescued and brought to Malta.
Always when human beings are rescued and there is no fear for them any longer that their life is at risk we shall be grateful.
The next step which is necessary, is to offer them courses in English and Maltese to achieve a high command of both languages.
And on the other hand jobs should be offered.
This is the best way to integrate the poorest of the poor into Maltese society.

And again let us praise the LORD that 60 migrants were rescued.



Best regards


Kurt Waschnig Oldenburg Germany


e-mail: [email protected]

Mr Michael Debono

Jun 27th 2012, 10:49

It is impossible for these illegal immigrants to have started their journey from North Africa. They were surely on board a bigger ship and the lowered down into the sea to proceed on their own, What are patrol ships doing?

Jessica Smith

Jun 27th 2012, 09:48

If AFM ferry service is to continue to be a free ferry service for illegal immigrants they should ferry them back to Libya or Tunisia and not bring them to Malta.

Louise Vella

Jun 27th 2012, 09:36

The Malta government website (http://www.mjha.gov.mt/page.aspx?pageid=160) informs us:
Mr. Mario Guido Friggieri was appointed Refugee Commissioner on the 28th June, 2007... Mr Friggieri was born on the 5th December, 1951. He studied at St Aloysius College, from 1962 to 1968 ... He joined the Jesuit Order in 1968. During the thirty years that he was a Jesuit …”

Louise Vella

Jun 27th 2012, 09:20

www.timesofmalta.com is full of information and worth reading. Here are four quotes from Nigerian Lucky Okocha Achebe which show that (1) Eritreans and Somalis are targeting Malta specifically; (2) that Malta’s Refugee Commissioner is being naive in believing all the stories he hears and over-generous in dishing out refugee status and humanitarian protection; and (3) that the more generous he is, the more of them will come.

“I was on boat full of Eritreans and sailed by Egyptian. The Eritreans threatened the Egyptian with knife to come to Malta. and I had to fought them to continue to Lampadusa. See
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120622/local/migrants-destined-for-malta-arrive-in-pozzallo-italian-media.425507

“A total 46 per cent of the people granted positive decisions were Somalis, while 28.6 per cent were from Eritrea. That is why more than 90% of this years arrivals are from those countries.” See http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120619/local/asylum-granted-to-more-than-half-of-last-year-s-applicants.425055

“Only Somalis from the southern Somalia deserve protection. As far as Eritreans are concerned President Afeworki … enjoys big support from his people. The Refugee Commissioner should not be deceived by their lies anymore. How come tens of thousands of them escape each year? … The government is sending them purposely as it fail to create jobs at home.”

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120623/local/Sending-migrants-back-is-not-wrong-.425553
Eritreans “reach Europe and send back 2% of what they earn. All of my Eritrean friends confirmed that to me. If the Maltese Refugee Commissioner granted them only temporary humanitarian protection no Eritrean will come Malta again.” http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120531/local/migrants-boat+.422063

Somali Mr Ahmed Mohammed wrote: “Stop comparing us with Eritreans. Our situations are not the same... They came from a country where the president walks from his office to his home. Here they are favoured because they are in laws with JRS”. See
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120531/local/migrants-boat+.422063