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Updated - Fenech Adami denies voting against the party line in 1974

Dr Fenech Adami seen with Richard Cachia Caruana.

Dr Fenech Adami seen with Richard Cachia Caruana.

Updated - Adds explanation by PN General Secretary Paul Borg Olivier

President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami has contradicted Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's claim that he voted against the party line in 1974.

Speaking in a long One TV interview this morning, Dr Pullicino Orlando said that during the vote in Parliament on the Republic Constitution in 1974, Dr Fenech Adami voted with Dom Mintoff and against the party line and that of his leader Dr George Borg Olivier. He did so, Dr Pullicino Orlando said, against the directives of his party.

That, Dr Pullicino Orlando said, was far more serious than his own vote in parliament on the motion for the resignation of Mr Cachia Caruana.

But in a reaction, Dr Fenech Adami said the PN parliamentary group had actually decided to vote in favour of the constitutional amendments in 1974.

"Then there were six dissidents... Among them was (then PN leader) George Borg Olivier, who said everyone should have a free vote since there was no unanimous agreement."

"But the party's decision – and I played a primary role in ensuring this – was that we should vote in favour of the amendments."

Dr Fenech Adami said Dr Borg Olivier wanted to vote 'no' because he wanted to keep the British monarchy as the head of State. However, he was only joined by five other MPs.

He accused Dr Pullicino Orlando of not knowing the facts and making wrong comparisons between his recent actions in Parliament and a "completely different" situation which had developed in 1974.

PN GENERAL SECRETARY EXPLAINS

PN General Secretary Paul Borg Olivier in a similar denial, explained that  on November 29, 1974 a majority of the PN Executive and the Parliamentary Group  voted in favour of the Constitutional amendments but the party leader requested 'a reserve in the sense that the vote of the Executive does not bind the MPs.'

The majority of the Nationalist MPs in Parliament voted according to the vote of the Executive while respecting the reserve requested by Dr George Borg Olivier.

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m. borg (slm)

Jul 17th 2012, 18:29

This a new one can you substantiate your calim about Boffa Mr Saliba?

His relatives do not seem to hold any grudges like some have in gonzipn/pn.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Jul 17th 2012, 19:37

@ m borg (slm)

It is new one to you. Since you are so convinced about what Dr Paul Boffa's relatives seem to do why don't you ask them to inform you if what I wrote is absolutely true or not.

Doreen Attard

Jul 17th 2012, 17:24

Veru tad-dahk certi kittieba. Veru l-proverbju Malti li l-ispizjar milli jkollu jtik. Tista' Sur Cuschieri tqabbel ftit dak li ktibt hawn fuq ma episodji, li minnhom ghandek hafna, li graw min-naha Nazzjonalista. Ma nafx kif ma tisthix tikteb per ezempju "Typical Labour - mill-oppozizzjoni ga qed jippruvaw jghalqu halq in-nies u ma jhallukx tiddefendi ruhek meta attakkat" meta bhalissa ghaddejjin min episodju wara l-iehor ta' nuqqas ta' demokrazija fil-PN.
Dan minn meta qed tikkwotaw lil Dr Sant u by the way dik il-kwotazzjoni mhix originarjament tieghu.
Finalment tistghu please tieqfu tirredikolaw lilkom infuskom u anki l-medium fejn tiktbu u ma tibqghux tghidu li l-PL ghadu l-istess. Jekk tahsbu li b'Dr Muscat il-PL ghadu l-istess jiena certa li m'ghandkomx ideja x'qed jigri madwarkom. Lanqas b'Dr Sant ma kien ghadu l-istess il-PL ahseb u ara issa. Per ezempju Dr Sant kien nehha dawk li bhalhom deheru quddiem il-HQ taghkom minn quddiem il-Macina. Remember ?

Johnny Xerri

Jul 17th 2012, 17:04

& EFA is credible...he has a childs word...ask the hunters whose vote he stole with;

lies, damn lies...& EFA's guarantees.

A Spiteri

Jul 17th 2012, 16:28

La semmiegh JPO kellu jiccara l-istorja ta pajjizna Dr Fenecgh Adami. Bil-fors iridu nemmnu lil JPO. Darba emmintu f' tal-Mistra u mhux se nergaw nemmnuh. Daqsekk biki.

Saviour Fenech

Jul 17th 2012, 16:35

Ghandu kull dritt, illum hu cittadin bhalna. Jew ma tridux tisimghu il-verita

Francis Saliba M.D.

Jul 17th 2012, 15:39

This couldn't be the same Franco Debono who up to now was Sir Oracle personified, ponitificating about his excellent knowledge about everything under the sun, and now reduced to asking silly rhetorical questions.

Anthony Mercieca

Jul 17th 2012, 15:39

Franco I thought you would chide JPO for giving us the wrong facts....but oh your objectivity helps you to see what suits you too..... move out of our party quickly. We gave all our youth, strength and energy out of conviction and you and your like have played havoc with all that was attained. Yes, internal discussions, some dissent and flare ups were not missing those days, but above such there was loyality....and remember that under threats and ultimatum no one gives in!!!!

Anthony Mercieca

Andy Farrugia

Jul 17th 2012, 15:45

If i were a member of the Administrative or Executive committee of the PN, I would copy all these frequent forays you make on these threads and use them as evidence of your crass disloyalty. But I am simply a common citizen.

Eddy Privitera

Jul 17th 2012, 16:00

Well said Franco !!!!!!!!11111

Ed Camilleri

Jul 17th 2012, 16:16

This tirade seems to be Dr Debono's swan-song... Ovvjament (bhalma jghid hu stess), m'ghandi xejn personali kontrih (did-darba, min-naha tieghi,VERU)

Saviour Fenech

Jul 17th 2012, 16:38

Nahseb ahjar tara l-kotba ta' l-istorja sewwa

Francis Saliba M.D.

Jul 17th 2012, 17:39

@ Eddy Privitera today at 16:00 (and his multiple exclamation marks and 1s - why not zeros?)

Dr Franco Debono did not say anything - he only asked questions.

Doreen Attard

Jul 17th 2012, 18:31

Wow ! Is this Dr Franco Debono Nationalist MP ? A Cuschieri please note what this gentleman is saying. Or perhaps he is in collusion with PL ? Have you noticed, dear TOM readers, that the word collusion is being used very frequently nowadays. In fact each time there is a serious accusation against the PN from one of theirs, they immediately say that it is in collusion with someone in the PL.
MUST ADMIT THAT THE PN IS REACHING THE END OF THE STICK RAPIDLY. There will soon be hardly any PN or maybe we'll get two small ones !!!!!!!!! Or maybe three !!! Who knows, just wait a bit more until after the general elections.

E Zammit

Jul 17th 2012, 14:59

Id-demokrazija ma tahdimx kif qed tghid int siehbi. Id-demokrazija tadem billi filwaqt li ssehh ir-rieda tal-maggoranza, tigi rrispettata ir-rieda tal-minoranza. Qed tifhem?

Richard Caruana

Jul 17th 2012, 15:08

It was a free vote, and not playing around with words will change anything. The decision had been taken by the majority of the Parliamentary group; GBO and the other five were gentlemen enough to abstain and not vote against. The PN leader got what he wanted, and nobody voted against him.

George Cutajar

Jul 17th 2012, 15:16

Kevin Zammit - please do not try to change history. The PN is on record that on the Republican constitution the Nationalist MP's were give a FREE VOTE. Dr. Borg Olivier was against the Republican Constitution but he was not willing to impose his will and the decision was that all had a free vote. It was not voting against the party leader or the executive as JPOS did on the RCC motion and Debono on the CMB motion.

The vote than was like the vote given to MP's on the divorce issue. Was anybody censured on that? The answer is NO simply because it was a free vote.

Mr Kevin Zammit

Jul 17th 2012, 15:27

Wow! 3 replies to my comment in less than 30 minutes!

Thats a record :)


Why do the PN apologists jump up and down so furiously at the slight hint of oppression being permeated by their leaders? Do you think that PN leaders are not as human and Maltese as the Labour leaders?

@E Zammit Siehbek ma nahsibx li jiena imma nsomma ... pajzan iva. Mela jiena ghidt li ma kienx demokratiku EFA je GBO!! Ifhem li ghidt jiena l ewwel u mbaghad tkellem.

@Richard Caruana. Not according to Paul Borg Olivier. HE did not mention that GBO gave parliamentarians a free vote. There is a major difference bettween giving the parliamentarians a free vote and not binding an executive decision on MPs ... and now hear that is actually democracy!! Currently the reverse is happening because the executive (a non nationally elected body) is punishing the MPs ( nationally elected members of parliament)

@George Cutajar I'm not trying to change history in any way. I'm only deriving conclusions from what is being said by EFA and PBO. Please read my comments to the above

Eddy Privitera

Jul 17th 2012, 16:03

Was there no Executive and Administration of the PN at that time ? If there were, what was the decision of the Administration and the Executive - not the parliamentary group ?

George Cutajar

Jul 17th 2012, 14:36

Alfred you simply fail to understand that it was a FREE VOTE which by it's own meaning means an MP can vote as he pleases and not incur censure.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Jul 17th 2012, 14:56

They were not dissidents in the absence of a whip and when members of parliament were allowed a free vote. That is why nobody was banned.

That is true democracy in action - but not constitutional democracy a la Mintoff.

Joe Tabone

Jul 17th 2012, 15:03

Alfred, i'm sure the PN does not need your confirmation of their democratic acheivments!
The problem with LABOUR is that it fails to understand the significance of a FREE VOTE, even recently Dr Adrian Vassallo (PL) fell victim to Dear Joseph's retaliation...........................the reason, because Dr Adrian Vassallo, a fervet Catholic, voted according to his consience and beliefs, when Dear Joseph gave him a FREE VOTE!

George Cutajar

Jul 17th 2012, 14:38

Jo Meli - very hard words coming from you. Never heard you speak in this way but then the wind of change seems to be blowing and some people are getting carried away.

Paul Mangion

Jul 17th 2012, 14:47

POOR GUY int sur Jo Meli. Your words have no weight, kieku taf in-nies x jahsbu fuqhekk.

Joe Tabone

Jul 17th 2012, 14:57

Jo,
Kongura?? why don't you check what happened to Lino Spiteri and George Abela in the last 2 leadership battles within PL (MLP).
Eddie Fenech Adami has nothing to be ashamed of, he won Dom Mintoff, KMB and Alfred Sant, hands down, this with the people's support (unlike Mintoff)!!

Francis Saliba M.D.

Jul 17th 2012, 15:07

The replacement of an ageing Nationalist Party leader by a younger statesman was done civilly and democratically in full accordance with internal party rules. There was no "Kongura" and no "treason". The same cannot be said for the rejection of such a worthy MLP leader as Dr Paul Boffa slandered by the false, foul insinuation that he had committed incest with his daughter when he was pushing Malta's case for independence in London.

That was truly a shameful treason that cannot be concealed by opportunistic exhibitions about Sir Paul Boffa held now by a political party that denied him membership during the last years of his life.

M Grima

Jul 17th 2012, 15:55

@Francis Saliba M.D.

The way things are shaping up I wouldn't be surprised if the learned doctor does not take us back to the times when the knights ruled the Island. Bringing up Sir Paul Boffa into the fray just to make a point is a bit too much. This is 2012 and not the 50's dear doctor, but then why should I be surprised; he just cannot stand the Dom. And if you think that the appointment of EFA as party leader was as smooth as silk, then you had better check the history books.

Eddy Privitera

Jul 17th 2012, 16:06

That episode will probably be repeating itself, if not already, to oust Lawrence Gonzi from the leadership, if GonziPN loses the election ! Even Franco Debono has hinted about this !

Eddy Privitera

Jul 17th 2012, 16:11

Francis Saliba M.D. You have confirmed that YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW EFA TOOK OVER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PN. THAT " KONGURA" DID TAKE PLACE AT DR. G.M. CAMILLERI'S OFFICE IN FREDERIC STREET, VALLETTA !!!!! THIS WAS REVEALED, IF i REMEMBER CORRECTLY, BY FORMER PN DEPUTY ALFRED BALDACCHINO, WHO HAD CROSSED THE FLOOR TO LABOUR !!!!!!!

Francis Saliba M.D.

Jul 17th 2012, 20:31

@ M Grima today at 15:55.

No I won't go back to the time of the Knights only back to the days of Mintoff and Boffa whose history either you do not know, or if you know it you are in denial about it and hate to be reminded of it - and with good reasons.

Carmel Borg

Jul 17th 2012, 15:37

Decalring Republic day in parliament would not have been possible without first obtaining Indipendence.

Joseph Cauchi Senior

Jul 17th 2012, 13:47

@ Willie Grech,

In the 1981 general election, there was the GERRYMANDERING of the districts!

Check what gerrymandering means and then comment!

JC.

Joe Vella

Jul 17th 2012, 13:50

Willie Grech, still to this day you still don't know what was at heart with the 1981 Election results. The problem with the 1981 was the gerrymandering that took place in drawing up the Electoral Districts that circumvented the Elections results of 1981. Those Electoral Boundaries where never accepted because it was obvious what the end result was going to be ent against the spirit of the Constitution.

Jessica Smith

Jul 17th 2012, 13:54

Willie Grech ever head of the word HYPOCRISY?

W Azzopardi

Jul 17th 2012, 13:57

No one ever said the in 1981 the LP did not win the elections. The fact is the LP won the election because of the constitution and not by the majority of the electorate. How can a party representing the minority of voters govern the country and for five years do nothing to amend a faulty constitution1

Willie Grech

Jul 17th 2012, 15:13

@ Jessica Smith.

Maybe you care to explain what do you mean?

@W Azzopardi.

If you ever read what PN apologists say about that election, you would immediately realise that these PN try to say that the MLP didn't have the right to govern. Now we have it from EFA himself that he did his utmost to see that these Constitutional changes be made. This same Constitutional changes also meant that a party would be elected in government with the highest number of SEATS, not VOTES. In those days, it was like that, whether EFA or any PN supporter liked it or not. AND THIS WAS ALL VOTED FOR BY EFA HIMSELF. How can you now say that MLP didn't have the right to govern?

"How can a party representing the minority of voters govern the country and for five years do nothing to amend a faulty constitution."

W Azzopardi please check out the facts before you write something. Mintoff went into parliament and invited EFA to discussions to amend the Constitution. It was EFA and co. that preferred to stay for 18 months out of parliament and preferred to stay out and organise illegal demostrations like DIZUBBIDJENZA CIVILI. Remember? It was only after the late Dr. Guido Demarco intervened that EFA bowed his head and the Constitutional changes started happening in parliament.

Mr Duncan Scerri

Jul 17th 2012, 15:16

@W Azzopardi

This is all down to the drawing of electoral boundaries and the gerrymandering that goes on around these. The sad fact of the matter is that because of the above a modification to the constitution was passed that instead of fixing a problem simply created a duopoly that serves two parties.

It's difficult to imagine when we will get back a truly representative parliament, as we last saw in '66.

Jessica Smith

Jul 17th 2012, 15:42

W Azzopardi the Constitution gave the right to the party with the highest number of MP's to govern not the party with the highest number of votes.
The PN tried to do the same in 1971 and would have governed had not PL won the fifth district notwithstanding thousands of votes it had less than the PL.
This also explains HYPOCRISY to our friend Willie Grech because while the PN was ready to govern when they did NOT have a majority of votes, they raised HELL when the same situation happened in 1981.

Jessica Smith

Jul 17th 2012, 15:44

Joe Vella what about the gerrymandering done by PN in 1971 when they not only changed the electoral districts but also changed the number of MP's that could be elected from each district in the hope of winning the election?
ISN'T THAT GERRYMANDERING?
KEMM GHANDKOM MEMORJA QASIRA FEJN TRIDU JOE VELLA.

Willie Grech

Jul 17th 2012, 16:31

@ Jessica Smith.

Thank you for the explanation!!!!

@ all the others.

Thank you for reminding me of the word, 'gerrymandering.' I thought you conveniently forgot all about it.

Joe Vella

Jul 17th 2012, 16:57

@ Jessica Smith, the 1971 Electoral Boundaries were changed by the Electoral commission with all members agreement, both those appointed by the PN and the PL. That is the difference. And the system worked out well at the end because the desired result was achieved at the end.

Chris Mifsud

Jul 17th 2012, 14:40

That is besides the point.

VINCENT WILLIAMS

Jul 17th 2012, 18:06

@ Chris Mifsud

Thank you so much for confirming that what I wrote is the truth and nothing but the whole truth. For such truth clearly shows that in the 1970's the PN was 'il-Partit tal-Le' and also the Negative Party.

M Borg

Jul 17th 2012, 13:51

He is not getting involved , he is being made to " get involved "

Does it mean that if one is or was a president anyone can say anything against you and you cannot put things right ?

He has to correct things said about him if they are false.

Geoffrey Farrugia

Jul 17th 2012, 13:58

agreed but this time he was involved in this by JPO and EFA has every right to issue a statement disagreeing with him once he was mentioned in vain.

Mr David Ganado

Jul 17th 2012, 14:01

So if someone says that you did something and in fact you did not do it, you would just shut up? Get a life!

A Sultana

Jul 17th 2012, 14:13

true. He should just SHUT UP and let others lie about him and/or twist history to their liking

Joseph E Briffa

Jul 17th 2012, 14:19

Eddie Fenech Adami was mentioned by JPO on the media. Therefore it's only natural and obvious that Eddie would come out in public to contradict JPO's unfounded claims and put matters straight. The fact that Eddie is an ex-President does not deprive him as a Maltese citizen from defending himself against lies and defamation. It is indeed difficult for one to believe that JPO is so ignorant about events in his own party, and that his utterances were not meant to mislead the viewers; after all he was on Super One. The sour taste must be in David's mouth, probably due to an hyperacidic stomach.

Andy Farrugia

Jul 17th 2012, 14:29

This is NOT partisan politics....partisan politics involves more than one political party. Or are you admitting, unwittingly that some other party is involved in these shenanigans?

Chris Mifsud

Jul 17th 2012, 14:37

Do you expect EFA or anybody else not to reply when somebody publicly lies about him ?

John Zammit

Jul 17th 2012, 13:39

From my memory they were Dr,G.Borg Oliver Dr P.Borg Oliver Dr. Borg Oliver De Puge, Dr A. Cachia Zammit Dr J. Cassar and there was some one else not so sure who he was

Carmel camilleri

Jul 17th 2012, 14:14

There were five members who voted with DR.G. BOrg OLivier. I remember the following. Dr. A.Cachia Zammit. Dr. Bonnici ,DR. A. Borg Olivier and two others. The rest voted according to directions of the executive committe of the NP. In actual fact Dr. Borg Olivier asked for a free.and his demand was acceded to.
There is similarity with the case of Gonzi's vote in the divorce referendum.

S.M. Cuschieri

Jul 17th 2012, 13:36

Hear Hear!!!!

Emanuel. Vella.

Jul 17th 2012, 13:59

jien nahseb,ahjar taghti break 'il-klikka gonzipn'
lil poplu malti u ghawdxi kollu,billi il-priministru prezenti
imur ghand il-president,u jghidlu biex ixolji il-parlament,

Robert Henry Bugeja

Jul 17th 2012, 14:41

Break twil hafna ser jaghtikhom dalwaqt!!!

George Cutajar

Jul 17th 2012, 13:03

@ Vincent Tabone - the above are the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Nobody, least of all JPOS has the right to distort facts and history. His was not a mistake this morning but a blatant untruth to try and justify his stand.

Joseph Grech Attard

Jul 17th 2012, 15:32

You are very right. Procedures are not the same. What happened after this? How was the late Dr. GBO removed from office?

Andy Farrugia

Jul 17th 2012, 13:05

You got it all wrong....President Clinton took part and assisted in President Obama's election campaign. Get your facts right, inform yourself.

Joseph G. Galea

Jul 17th 2012, 13:24

President Cossiga of Italy was well known for his involvment in politcs after he resigned as president of italy.

Joseph Fenech

Jul 17th 2012, 13:29

And because he is the President Emeritus one can lie about him left right and center, and according to you he has no right to reply.

Miriam Portelli

Jul 17th 2012, 13:32

Pero nahseb li bhala bniedem ghandu d-dritt illi jekk inqtal xi haga u mhix vera, ighid il-verzjoni tieghu!

Michael Magri

Jul 17th 2012, 13:39

Andy Farrugia... You got it all wrong too you know.. An American President`s role, is NOT the same as that of a Maltese `President`. In our case, an American `President` can only be compared to our `Prime Minister`, and not our `President`, as both of them acts in a purely Political Parlament. Our President does not, and so should NOT get himself in partisan politics EVER..

So.. Get your facts right, and inform yourself too Andy...!!

G Schembri

Jul 17th 2012, 13:43

@ Miriam Portelli Jekk ghandu dritt jitkellem dwar dan, ghandu dritt ukoll jghidilna jekk l-attentat fuq il-hajja ta' RCC kienitx fuq haga privata jew le, ghax JPO hekk qal dalghodu fuq ONE. JPO dalghodu qal li ilna nhalsu puluzija biex ihares il-hajja minn dak iz-zmien meta mhux suppost u jien nghid bara dak konna ukoll tajna somma flus lil RCC, u l-uniku wiehed li jaf il-verita barra RCC u Zeppi l-hafi huwa EFA. Din is-somma u l-Pesidential pardon ghalfejn verament inataw?

Joseph E Briffa

Jul 17th 2012, 14:25

Wrong reasoning Albert...so according to you anyone may say whatever they like about ex-Presidents as the latter are not entitled to defend themselves against lies, slander, defamations or whatever. In other words once a president, always an outlaw.This is rich.

Andy Farrugia

Jul 17th 2012, 14:26

President Emeritus Dr Fenech Adami is NOT involving himself in partisan politics...he is merely seeking to protect the legacy of what he and others helped to build from the surreptitious demolition jobs of assorted mischief makers within the innards of the organisation.

Andy Farrugia

Jul 17th 2012, 14:42

@ Micahel Magri

Thank you for reminding me that I need to inform myself....as a matter of fact THIS is NOT partisan politics: this involves protecting one's legacy within the "house" that he and others helped build. Or are you, unwittingly, admitting that some other party is involved in these shenanigans. Possibly due to your political myopia.

Andy Farrugia

Jul 17th 2012, 14:50

@ Michael Magri

More evidence about the fact that this is NOT partisan politics comes from Karmenu Vella MP and Joe Mizzi MP who, in an identical statement, expressed their wish NOT to be involved in an INTERNAL dispute.

Raphael Dingli

Jul 20th 2012, 04:32

Given Malta's history,where Prime Ministers have appointed ex party members as Presidents ( except the last one - although they still appointed an ex politician ) - the dynamic is totally different to the rest of the democratic world that utilises aspects of the Westminster system. If this were not the case, there would be no need for a President or ex President to be impacted by historical or current political issues. Suggesting that an ex politician who also served as President has no right to respond to issues effecting them is denying them the basic right to respond and set the records straight. If, however appointed Presidents, had no political affiliation ( a very difficult thing in Malta although still possible) the issue would never arise. Anybody, including ex Presidents have a right to respond. Their taking on that right does in any way diminish the office they represent or represented.

G Schembri

Jul 17th 2012, 13:47

What exactly is sending our parliament/government/democracy down the drain, is it what JPO is saying, or the way RCC was leading the country instead of Parliament/government. If what JPO is saying is true, the country has been kidnapped for a very long time, and everyone was keeping quite either because they were afraid or because it suited them.

Carmel Serracino-inglott

Jul 17th 2012, 19:20

Who said that ex-presidents should pack up? Are'nt they Maltese? They have all rights to express their opinion.

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