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Final salute to Dom Mintoff as state funeral ends

The state funeral of former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff was held today in Valletta and Floriana. Hundreds of people lined Valletta's streets and packed St John's Co-Cathedral for the final farewell to the 96-year-old former Prime Minister, who died on Monday.

The funeral was led by President George Abela, accompanied by Malta's political leaders.

A particularly poignant moment was reached when, as the coffin was carried out of St John's Co-Cathedral, the crowd burst out into spontaneous singing of the National Anthem.

Another emotional moment for those present was when, at the end of the funeral, the Maltese flag which had draped the coffin, was presented to Mr Mintoff's daughters by the Commander of the AFM, Brig. Martin Xuereb.

This is how today's funeral unfolded (pls go to the bottom and scroll up):

The coffin is placed in the hearse for the final journey. Picture - Jason Borg.The coffin is placed in the hearse for the final journey. Picture - Jason Borg.

1 p.m. The coffin is lifted from the gun carriage. Soldiers at attention line both sides of the road. Applause breaks out as the pall bearers pause, then march slowly towards the hearse. More shouting of Mintoff, Mintoff. The coffin is gently lowered. The Maltese flag is removed, folded and presented to the family. The coffin is blessed by, among others, Fr Dionysius Mintoff. The coffin is then placed in the hearse. The funeral will continue privately.  

12.46 The gun carriage approaches the War Memorial at the end of the State Funeral. An AFM Guard of Honour forms up for the last salute. Arms are reversed. The people applaude.

The state funeral winds its way down Glormu Cassar Avenue. Picture: darrin Zammit Lupi.The state funeral winds its way down Glormu Cassar Avenue. Picture: darrin Zammit Lupi.

12.31 p.m. A poignant moment as the coffin is carried in front of the Auberge de Castille, which Mr Mintoff made his office. There is silence, other than the band playing a sombre tune.

The funeral in its final stages. Photo: Jason Borg.The funeral in its final stages. Photo: Jason Borg.

12.25 p.m. The funeral arrives at the top of Merchants' Street, below the monument of Mr Mintoff's predecessor, Sir Paul Boffa. People continue to applaud and shout Mintoff, Mintoff.

12.08 The crowd breaks out into spontaneous singing of the National Anthem, followed by applause and cheers.

The Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Justice and the Speaker walk behind the coffin.The Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Justice and the Speaker walk behind the coffin.

12.06 p.m. The President, the Mintoff family - holding hands -  the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, former Presidents and other dignitaries take their place behind the gun carriage bearing the coffin. They are followed by members of the Judiciary, senior civil servants and the crowd.

The cortege is led by an AFM escort party and the AFM band, officials of the political parties, constituted bodies and trade unions and the members of theDiplomatic Corps and the Cathedral Chapter.

12.00 A salute is fired from the antique guns at the Upper Barrakka by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna.

The coffin is carried out of St John's Co-Cathedral. Picture - Mark Zammit Cordina.The coffin is carried out of St John's Co-Cathedral. Picture - Mark Zammit Cordina.

11.56 a.m. The coffin is carried out of the Co-Cathedral by the AFM pall bearers to long applause and the singing of Ave Maria by the choir. Many touch the coffin - now again draped with the Maltese flag - as it is carried down the aisle. Even more applause by hundreds of people who had waited in the sun at St John's Square. Shouting of Mintoff, Mintoff and Salvatur.

11.46 a.m. The funeral Mass ends.

11.40 a.m. Applause as a blessing from Pope Benedict is read out. In the message signed by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, the Pope assures the President and those present of his prayers for the deceased and invokes God's blessing.

11.38 a.m. Mementoes are handed out to those following proceedings in St. John's Square. Some people snatch them from each other and arguments briefly break out.

Mementoes are handed out to those following proceedings in St. John's Square. Picture - Mark Zammit Cordina.Mementoes are handed out to those following proceedings in St. John's Square. Picture - Mark Zammit Cordina.

11.10 a.m.The offerings are taken up to the altar by Yana Bland Mintoff and Anne McKenna Mintoff.

People follow the Mass on a big screen. Picture: Mark Zammit Cordina.People follow the Mass on a big screen. Picture: Mark Zammit Cordina.

11.05 The bidding prayers are read by relatives including Mr Mintoff's brother Raymond and his daughter Yana, his sister Mary Grech and friends Fr Gordon Refalo, Fr Mark Montebello and Rose Buttigieg. Dr Yana Bland Mintoff's prayer is greeted by applause as she prays the Lord that the people appreciate the good work done by her father for their better well-being.

10.56 a.m. In his homily Mgr Cremona says funeral Masses should not be about eulogies. There were other places for that.

Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi.Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi.

He, however, points to two virtues which distinguished Mr Mintoff. The first was his interpretation of the Lord’s command to Love thy neighbour, especially the poor.

While not everybody could agree with Mr Mintoff’s methods, no one could deny that he sought better conditions for the workers and the poor, Mgr Cremona said. 

Secondly, Mr Mintoff loved his country He negotiated with the leaders of other countries to achieve the best for his country.

These were two virtues which distinguished his life.

10.46 a.m. The readings underway. The readings are being made by Emma Packard, Mr Mintoff's grand-daughter (Anne Mintoff's daughter) , former Drydocks chairman and Mintoff collaborator Sammy Meilaq, and Cetta Mainwaring, another Mintoff grand-daughter (Yana Mintoff's daughter). Fr Dionysius Mintoff will read the Gospel.

10.35 a.m. The funeral Mass starts. The leading celebrants are Archbishop Paul Cremona and Bishop Mario Grech. Other co-celebrants include Archbishop Emeritus Mgr Joseph Mercieca.

10.30 a.m. The President and Mrs Abela arrive at the Co-Cathedral.

10.27 a.m. The Prime Minister and Mrs Gonzi arrive. The President is due shortly.

10.25 a.m. The coffin is carried into St John's amid applause from the congregation. It is placed before the main altar and the Maltese flag which had draped the coffin is ceremoniously removed. Soldiers take their place at the four points around it, arms reversed.

10.13 a.m. The people's shouts of Mintoff, Mintoff, reach a crescendo as the coffin arrives opposite St John's Co-Cathedral, where the bells toll. More applause as the gun carriage stops, the band forms in front of the Co-Cathedral. There is momentary silence. The pall bearers smartly march into position and raise the coffin. The shouting resumes. Somebody shouts Viva s-Salvatur ta' Malta. Then the crowd bursts into Mintoff, Mintoff as the pall bearers slowly climb the low steps into the Co-Cathedral.

The funeral arrives outside St John's.The funeral arrives outside St John's.

10.09 a.m. As the funeral turns into Republic Street people cry out Mintoff, Mintoff.

Mr Mintoff's daughters Anne and Yana follow the coffin.Mr Mintoff's daughters Anne and Yana follow the coffin.

10.05 a.m. The funeral arrives opposite the law courts. The crowd is several lines deep. The scene is solemn, and dignified but the applause is constant.

10 a.m. The funeral marches off slowly to the playing of Chopin's Funeral March. The people applaud. Many take pictures and some throw flowers. Grown man are among those sobbing.

Dr Muscat and his wife Michelle. Picture: Ian Pace.Dr Muscat and his wife Michelle. Picture: Ian Pace.

9.55 a.m. The family mourners take their place behind the coffin. They are followed by Opposition leader Joseph Muscat and his wife Michelle. The AFM band forms in front of the gun carriage.

The coffin is carried out of the Palace. Picture: Jason Borg.The coffin is carried out of the Palace. Picture: Jason Borg.

9.51 a.m. The state funeral starts. The coffin is carried out of the Palace by AFM soldiers. It is preceded by Fr Dionysius Mintoff and Fr Mark Montebello. Applause from the waiting crowd. His daughters and other members of the family including brother Raymond Mintoff struggle to hold back their tears. The coffin is mounted on the gun carriage.

9.38 a.m. An AFM Guard has formed outside the Presidential Palace alongside the gun carriage on which the coffin will be placed. The soldiers are wearing white ceremonial uniforms and helmets The drums are draped in black.

People wait outside St John's.People wait outside St John's.

People line the route to St John's Co-Cathedral, standing behind police barriers. Some are carrying umbrellas as protection from the blazing sun.

Dr Eddie Fenech Adami arrives for the funeral march.Dr Eddie Fenech Adami arrives for the funeral march.

St John's is already practically full. Those present include Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri, MPs from both sides of the House, former Presidents Eddie Fenech Adami and Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, Mr Mintoff's successor Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, Speaker Michael Frendo, former Mintoff Cabinet ministers such as Vincent Moran, Joe Debono Grech, Alex Sceberras Trigona, Joe Grima, Reno Calleja and former Speaker and minister Daniel Micallef and Violet de Marco, Guido de Marco's widow.

Other present include the Imam.

A funeral route marked by important symbols

The state funeral brought to an end a political journey that was as long as it was controversial.

Mr Mintoff  was Labour leader for 35 years until 1984 and prime minister from 1955 to 1958 and 1971 to 1984.

The route that the funeral followed, although similar to previous state funerals, had huge significance for those who followed Mr Mintoff's political life.

Mr Mintoff alongside Sir Anthony Mamo when Malta was declared a republic.Mr Mintoff alongside Sir Anthony Mamo when Malta was declared a republic.

The Palace in Valletta, where lying in state continued this morning, was the seat of Parliament, where Mr Mintoff served for a record of almost 51 years. It was from the Palace balcony where he waved to the people in the rain swept evening of December 13, 1974 when Malta was declared a republic.

The funeral cortege marched out to the Palace Square - the scene of the last parade by British and Maltese forces before the British base closed down on March 31, 1979.

The funeral then continued to St John's Co-Cathedral, where funeral Mass was led by Archbishop Paul Cremona.

Dom Mintoff with his rival Archbishop Gonzi.Dom Mintoff with his rival Archbishop Gonzi.

The funeral then emerged from St John's, opposite the bust of Nationalist leader Nerik Mizzi, Mr Mintoff's first political opponent from the PN. He served as prime minister for just three months in 1950 after having been exiled by the British in the war years. Mr Mintoff later called him Malta's greatest patriot.

After the Mass, the funeral proceeds up Merchants' Street, past the Foreign Ministry. Mr Mintoff had, for most of his years as prime minister, retained direct ministerial responsibility for foreign and home affairs, instead of appointing ministers for those areas.

The funeral then passed in front of the monument to Sir Paul Boffa, Mr Mintoff's predecessor as leader of the Labour Party. Mr Mintoff had split the party and ousted Dr Boffa in 1949 amid differences over compensation by the British for Malta's war damage and eligibility for funds from the Marshall Plan. Many felt he had humiliated Dr Boffa. It was Mr Mintoff himself who later issued instructions for the building of the monument.

A few metres on and the funeral pased in front of the main door of the Auberge de Castille. It was Mr Mintoff who converted the building into the Office of the Prime Minister - moving it from the Auberge d'Aragon. He will be remembered for the way how he used to bound up the steps on arrival for work.

The funeral then proceeded past the monument of Manuel Dimech, whom Mr Mintoff admired, and a waving George Borg Olivier. Many will doubtlessly wonder how long it will take for a monument to Mr Mintoff to be erected close by.

The funeral then proceeded down Glormu Cassar Avenue, like Dom Mintoff, one of Malta's best known architects. 

A section of the crowd this morning. Picture: Mark Zammit Cordina.A section of the crowd this morning. Picture: Mark Zammit Cordina.
People gather outside the Palace.People gather outside the Palace.
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Joseph Farrugia

Aug 25th 2012, 20:17

tal-Germanja ma nafx, imma naf li persuni (Maltin) li kienu jahdmu fl-Ambaxxata Maltija fil-Libja fiz-zmien sebghin kienu imorru ghand l-inglizi u jghidulhom x'kien qed jipprova jiftiehem Mintoff ghal meta jitilqu l-inglizi (investiment Libjan f'Malta, prezzijiet taz-zejt baxxi, self b'imghax baxx hafna, ecc).

Din l-informazzjoni setghet nehhiet hafna mill-"bargaining power" li kellu il-gvern malti mal-Inglizi; tassew kaz ta' imgiba traditura lejn pajjizhom stess.

Eddie (Privitera?) m'hemmx ghalfejn jispjegalek xejn Angelo, ara l-ostruzzjonizmu tal-PN ta' Borg Olivier (RIP) li fil-kwistjoni tal-bazijiet militari mhux talli kien izomm malinglizi, imma talli ghamel kampanja shiha ta' dak li illum jissejjah FUD ("Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt").
Aqra id-dibattiti tal-Parlament ta' dak iz-zmien u sors iehor vicin tieghek: il-gurnali nazzjonalisti ta' dak iz-zmien.

simon vella

Aug 26th 2012, 09:06

hallina ANGLU, mela kont qed tejx fdinja ohra biex ma tafx min hu, taf Malta kollha min kien u xebba jissemma fhajtu imma nahseb li kien ghadek zghir dak iz-zmienijiet.

mark borg

Aug 25th 2012, 23:52

jelousy gets you nowhere.....no offence to you .

Joseph Farrugia

Aug 26th 2012, 00:03

Why have you had enough? Aren't you glad that a such a person existed and brought us what we deserved during his tenure as Prime Minister in the 70/s. He can claim fame? what can you claim? Let us just stop bickering about trivail things and concentrate instead on the good that he did. I believe that all the hoopla that was done about him and for him is deserved, Maybe when you get recognized you might be lucky and have people beside your family who will miss you as we do miss out Perit.
Joseph

Charles Attard

Aug 26th 2012, 00:49

if you had enough of it..imissek titlaq minn Malta because wherever you look around you ..you will see Mintoff. Even though I did not always agree with his politics 100%. He is without a doubt the greatest Malta ever had .. and will have. NO ONE is perfect. Who in Malta deserves better>???

stephen mifsud

Aug 26th 2012, 01:24

then be quiet and dont read

Eugene Sapiano

Aug 25th 2012, 19:21

Min ivvinta l-kelma mizbla ma nafx, imma milli jidher kienet ilha b'dan il-laqam sa' mill-bidu tas=seklu l-iehor; il-bicca hi il ghaliex nies maghrufa bhala Laburisti gew midfuna hemm la kienu mghammdin. Kien hemm atturi tal-films li gew moghtija funeral Nisrani minkejja li kienu ddivorzjaw ma nafx kemm il-darba!

Anthony Grech

Aug 25th 2012, 19:22

L- hekk imsejha IL-MIZBLA kienet il-parti tac-cimiterju li kienu jindifnu fiha dawk li ma kienux ta' twemmin Kattolik Apostoliku Ruman. Din il-parti tac-cimiterju kienet tkun mifruda mill-parti l-ohra fejn kienu jindifnu dawk ta twemmin Kattoliku Appostoliku Ruman, permezz ta hajt gholi biex l-anqas tkun tidher. Il-lum dan il-hajt twaqqa darba ghal dejjem fdawk ic-cimiterji li huma propjeta tal-Gvern. Dan il-pass kien hadu il-Gvern ta Mintoff. Il-Kurja u mhux il-Knisja Maltija kellha kull dritt li ma thallix qassis jattendi funeral ta min trid hi, dejjem bir-responsabilita quddiem Alla ta dan l-att anti Krisjan, imma ma kellha l-ebda dritt li iccahdek milli tindifen gewwa propjeta tieghek. Min wettaq jew ordna dawn l-affarijiet ghandu jirrispondi lil Alla u mhux fuq il-gurnali.
Ic-Cimiterji ta' Marija Addollorata f'Malta u ta Santa Marija f'Ghawdex kienu u ghadhom propjeta amministrata mil-Gvern tal-gurnata. Hafna mill-oqbra huma propjeta ta' familji u individwi, imma l-anqas gewwa hwejgek ma kont tista tindifen, ghax hekk riedet il-Kurja.
U dan sar bi ftehim,bil permess u bir-ridea tal-Gvern tal Partit demokristjan Nazzjonalista tas-snin sittin.
Fl-ahhar sur Angelo Vassallo, nistiednek xi darba izzur ic-cimiterju ta' Santa Marija ta' Ghawdex u tara kif thalliet il-parti hekk imsejha IL-MIZBLA wara xi hsarat fil-hitan. Ghandek issib sal-lum oqbra sfrundati wara li hajt li jifred ic-cimiterju mill-ghelieqi ta warajh iggarraf. Imbghad wara ejja u ghamlilna lecture fuq il-Mizbla.

G Schembri

Aug 26th 2012, 08:47

Sur Vassallo, Il-Mizbla kienet post fejn jitfghu l-fdalijiet tal-Oqbra, ghalek jghidulha l-Miabla, jew fil-50ijiet nies li mhux ta' religjon Nisranija kienu jindifnu fic-cimiterju tal-Inglizi jew Tat-Torokk u mhux fl-Addolorata. F'din il-Mizbla ghamlu post fejn jidfnu lil tal-MLP. Ghandi nghidlek li hadd hlief tal-MLP ma qatt gie midfun hemm.
Ghndi nghidlek li kieku l-funeral sar fuq il-Fosos konna nimlewhom ukoll. Jien wasalt il-Belt tard waqt il-quddiesa, kien hemm nies li kienu diga serjrin lura d-dar, u ohrajn li bhalli kienu ghadhom dehlin. In-nies kienu mferxin f'hafna postijiet differenti u meta ghada minn quddiemhom kien hemm minn telaq lura lejn id-dar u kien hemm minn nizel lejn il-Furjana. Igiefieri l-folla qatt ma kienet f'post wiehed fl-istess hin.
Il-Gimgha il-folla kienet kullumkien mhux biss fil-Kottonera. Jekk int qatt tara n-Net mela dik bicca tieghek, imma tipprovax iceken dak li kien hemm, u hallina nibkuh fil-paci.

Alfred Cauchi

Aug 25th 2012, 18:05

Ha ha That's good but never forget that these were paid from our poor pockets , and not Gonzi PN paid from his

M Degiorgio

Aug 25th 2012, 18:08

ifhem, ma nahsibx li Gonzi seta ma jaghtix importanza li jisthoqlu dan l- avveniment, meta tikkonsidra l- ammont kbir ta followers le kellu dan il bniedem !! Li kieku Gonzi m' ghamilx hekk kien ikun qed jonqos mir- rispett lil dawk kolla li jew marru l Belt illum jew inkella qaghdu jsegwu kollox mid dar ! !

T.F. Busuttil

Aug 25th 2012, 18:31

organizzazzjoni perfetta, ma nafx Anglu innutajtx li flok ktieb kif kien hemm fil funeral ta Prof Demarco b'ritratt bil kulur din id darba kienet kartuna mitwija forma ta Santa black and White.

G Schembri

Aug 26th 2012, 08:57

Kull ex Kap ta stat u prim ministru min Dr Gorg Borg Olivier l-hawn inata funeral statali. L-ewwel funeral statali kien dak li Dom Mintoff ta lil-Gorg Borg Olivier. L-organizazjoni ma saritx min Lawrence Gonzi. L-aktar li hadmu kienu l-Forzi armati u l-Puluzija ghamlu xoghol eccelenti. Il-Partit Laburista kellu sehem kbir f'din l-organizazzjoni ukoll. Tant hu hekk li Ray Azzopardi kien wiehed li deher il-hin kollu jmexxi u stajt tara hafna Laburisti marufa jmexxu.

A Tonna

Aug 26th 2012, 11:14

@ Angelo, aqra sew pls. 'Partiti politici' jinkludu lill kulhadd. Ma qadtx insemmi Gonzi jew Muscat imma kulhadd minn ha sehem

Alfred Cauchi

Aug 25th 2012, 18:01

Mr Vassallo
What do you call a location where you put all rubbish from the cemetery including remnants of coffins and rubbish from graves ? This is what the location ( mizbla ) was and it's named right

Mary Borg

Aug 25th 2012, 18:22

Hekk hu imma dik il-"kull ma kienet" hi offensiva. Ghal min ir-religjon hi importanti u parti essenzjali minn hajtu, hi tradiment min naha tal-knisja li jidfnuh f'parti mhux ikkonsagrata tac-cimiterju. Fl-ahhar mill-ahhar hafna min-nies li ndifnu hemm ma kienu xejn hlief persuni komuni li zammew ma' Mintoff habba l-principji favur il-haddiem li kellu. Dawn ma qatlux nies jew kienu xi terroristi. Jigifieri kinitx bhal-Maghtab jew le hija weggha ghall-familji li garbuha.

T.F. Busuttil

Aug 25th 2012, 18:29

sejjer zbaljat, din il parti ma kienitx ikkonsagrata sa hawn ma jimpurtax imma ma tahsibx li kien insult li bniedem kattoliku prattikant, tidfnu f'parti mhiex ikkonsagrati ghal semplici raguni li kien Laburist. tahseb li sewwa?

M. Mifsud

Aug 25th 2012, 18:33

@ Angelo Vassallo

Int b'min tried tqarraq Sur Vassallo? Il-mizbla kient parti mic-cimiterju li ma kienetx ikkonsagrata. Hemmhekk indifnu Laburisti Nsara kattolicissimi li kienu nies twajba u li kienu jemmnu daqs kull Malti iehor. Il-htija taghhom kienet wahda. Il-htija taghhom kienet li kienu Laburisti. Tista timmagina l-ghajb u l-ugigh li hassew l-familjari taghhom meta dawn l-imsekjna spiccaw midfunin fil-mizbla. Sur Vassallo tippruvax izzeblah lill dawn il-Laburisti li kellhom l-isfortuna li jmutu fi zmien l-interdett u fi zmien l-impozizzjoni tad-dnub il-mejjet. Dawn kienu vittmi ta' l-arroganza u tal-prepotenza ta' istituzzjonijiet kbar li dak iz-zmien daru kontra l-Partit Laburista. Dan mhux kapitlu sabih fl-istorja ta' Malta. Pero' tippruvax terggha tpingih kif jidhirlek inti sabiex, minghalik, tnaqqas mill-kruha tal-hruxija li ntweriet mal-Partit Laburista u mal-partitarji tieghu dak iz-zmien. Kien zmien ta' tbatija u zeblih ghal-Partit Laburista u l-partitarji tieghu. Zmien li nisperaw li qatt ma jerggha jigi fuq Malta. U allura mezz ewlieni biex ma jergghax jigi fuqna hu li nirrakkontaw l-fatti kif verament graw u mhux nippruvaw intuwhom il-laqta taghna. Dik mhux storja imma propaganda.

Andrew Cumbo

Aug 25th 2012, 18:34

Jibqa il- fatt li kiem hemm xorta diskriminazjoni. u dan ma bnedmin li kienu hallew id-dinja. U xi tghid ghall dawk li zewguhom fi sagristija u dawk li ma kienux jinataw l-assuluzjoni?

Louis Galea

Aug 25th 2012, 20:03

tidher li m'ghandek il-hadd midfun fil-mizbla ux, mela ghalaq dak il-kbir halqek ghax nghidlek x'kienet "il-mizbla" li qed tparla fuqa, trid tidfen lil xi hadd jigi minnek hemm? le ux? jien ghandi habib ta. isma minni ghalaq halqek!

Alfred Vassallo

Aug 25th 2012, 20:37

Iva dik kull ma kienet il Mizbla. Mela ghax ma tefawx il L-arcisqof Gonzi go fija l-ghadarba ''dik kull ma kienet il mizbla''.

Eddy Privitera

Aug 25th 2012, 20:55

Angelo Vassallo: Mela skond INT , dawk li ndifnu fil-Mizbla, ghax ma kienux ta' fidi Nisranija ! Guze Ellul Mercer nahseb li kien nisrani aktar minnek, ghax qatt ma nsulta mejtin !

U Liza Zammit mill-Imsida, li wkoll difnuha fil-mizbla ghax kienet laburista ferventi, kienet mietet ezatt b'accident waqt li kienet ghada kif harget mill-Knisja fejn marret tisma quddies ! Allura dik ma kienitx ta' fidi nisranija , kif ghidt int, Profs ????

Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

Aug 26th 2012, 03:48

Id-decizzjoni ta' Mikiel Gonzi u shabu hi xhieda tal-kattiverija tal-knisja ta' dak iz-zmien. Din kienet knisja klerikali li kienet tqis il-lajci bhala zibel. Misshom diffnu lil Mikiel u shabu hemm ghax vera ma kinux insara minkejja li kienu f'unjoni ma' Ruma.

G Schembri

Aug 26th 2012, 09:05

You are wrong, people of other religions where either buried in the Church of England Cemetry in Pieta', or in the Muslim Cemetry in Marsa.
Only MLP supporters were ever buried on this sight called IL-Mizbla because it was were the remains from cleaned graves were thrown.

A Tonna

Aug 26th 2012, 11:25

Daqshekk biss sur Vassallo? Dik kull ma hi l-mizbla? Ara veru hawn nies bla skrupil! Jaqaw hadt il-virus ta DCG? X'tghid kieku xi hadd mill-familja tieghek jindifen hemmhekk minghajr il-barka tal-qassis??

Rose Grima

Aug 25th 2012, 17:35

You must be too young than, for you to comment that Mintoff's funeral was the greatest that Malta has seen. I to like you, have only seen the latest state funerals, but my father who s in his late 80s remembers Nerik Mizzi's state funeral. T that time we were still under British rule, so his state funeral was a funeral where there were all the armed forces, all the dignitaries. The British treated Nerik badly during the war, but they honoured him in his death

Mr J. Bonnici

Aug 25th 2012, 19:07

Rose I was at Borg Olivier's funeral. You should have seen that. Mintoff's was just a corner meeting compared to it. The picture above taken from the barrakka says a lot.

mark borg

Aug 25th 2012, 23:58

@rose grima

yes i do not remember Nerik Mizzi's funeral, but my father does and he is saying that he barely had a couple of hundred people ..counting the british invaders.
also lets not forget that mintoff resigned from PM nearly 30 yrs ago ! so immagine the thousands of people that are not around anylonger that would have attended !

Alfred Cauchi

Aug 25th 2012, 18:03

COMMON SENSE IS NOT SO COMMON AFTER ALL

Joseph Grech

Aug 25th 2012, 18:05

Amen! I have watched and read all that is available on the internet and although I have been away from Malta since 1966, I felt part of the Maltese nation once again. Joseph Grech, West Hollywood, California.

M. Mifsud

Aug 25th 2012, 18:39

@Maria Vassallo.


Diskors u paroli fil-vojt bhal dan ma jaghmilx gid. Anzi diskors bhal dan jistgha jaghmel hafna hsara specjalment f'dan il-mument. Jidhirli li l-moderator zbalja meta ma ccensuralekx dan il-kumment. Ippruvaw immaturaw ftit u ppruvaw ghamlu kumment bis-sens ghal-darba.

Mr Luke Vella

Aug 25th 2012, 19:48

Who knows dear Maria who is resting in peace??
Kummenti bla sens bhal tieghek ghadni qatt ma rajt!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alfred Vassallo

Aug 25th 2012, 20:26

We sincerely hope that the pn will be resting in a few months time. They certainly need it.

Alfred Falzon

Aug 27th 2012, 10:56

@ Alfred Vassallo

Just like Alfred Sant who seems to have disappeared into thin air lately!

Alfred A. Falzon

Pat Hobson

Aug 25th 2012, 18:28

@Robert Buontempo. Il-Partit Laburista ta il-vot lin-nisa mhux Mintoff. Mintoff kien deputat Prim Ministru.

M. Mifsud

Aug 25th 2012, 19:32

@ Roberto Buontempo.

Nispera li tammetti li Mintoff kien il-forza maggura wara l-ksib tal-vot lin-nisa. Nispera li taf li l-Perit kien laghab parti importan ti fin-negozzjar mal-Gvern kolonjali Ingliz ghal-ksib tal-Kostituzzjoni tas-sena 1947. ?Roberto nahseb li bhali taf li Mintoff kien il-forza maggura li kienet qed tmexxi agenda moderna u liberali fil-partit Laburista. Kien hu li kien organizza r-rapprezentanti/delegati tal-kazini tal-banda u ta' Ghaqdiet socjali ohra biex flimkien mar-rapprezentanti tal-Partit Laburista stinkaw u ristew sabiex idahhlu certu kuncetti modernu u liberali fil-kostituzzjoni tas-sena 1947. Mintoff irnexxieu jaghmel dan billi irnexxielu jiddomina l-Assembleja kostitwenti -li kienet twwaqqfet apposta sabiex tiddrafftja l-kostituzzjoni tas-sena 1947 - billi holoq allejanza bejn ir-rapprezentanti tal-Partit Laburista u r-rapprezentanti ta' diversi kazini tal-banda u ta' diversi Ghaqdiet socjali ohra. Iva dak iz-zmien ir-rapprezentanti tal - Kazini u ta' l-Ghaqdiet socjali kienu jigu mistiedna sabiex jiehdu sehem fl-iddraftjar tal-Kostituzzjoni bhala rapprezentanti tal-poplu. U dan kollu Mintoff kien ghamlu minkejja li kien ghadu mhux il-mexxej tal-Partit Laburista u kien ghadu mhux il-Prim Ministru. Fil-fatt ta' min jghid lil-Partit Laburista kien irnexxielu jikseb id-dritt tal-vot tan-nisa meta kien ghadu lanqas biss tela fil-Gvern. Fil-fatt fl-elezzjoni tan-1947 in-nisa ivvutaw ghal-ewwel darba u hargu ghal-ewwel daba kandidati nisa ghal-elezzjoni generali. Wahda minnhom kienet is-sinjurina Agatha Barbara.

Fil-fatt fil-ktieb tieghu 'Rajt Malta Tinbidel' il-mibki Dr. Herbert Ganado kien ilmenta dwar il-fatt li nr-rapprezentanti tal- forzi konservattivi fl-Assemblea Kostitwenti kienu dizorganizzati u bla dixxiplina ta' xejn bla ko-ordinament bejniethom u kollha kienu jfittxu l-kumdita u l-interessi persunali taghhom. Minn naha l-ohra Dr. Ganado rrimarka li r-rapprezentant li kienu jirrapprezentaw lil-Partit Laburista u l-Kazini tal-baned u dawk socjali kienu kollha maghqudin, uniti fl-imgieba taghhom u ko-ordinati fil-mod kif jiddiskutu u jivvutaw fl-Assemblea Legislattiva.

U wara din l-organizazzjoni kollha kien hemm il-mohh tal-Perit Duminku Mintoff. Jigifieri veru l-Perit kien ghadu mhux Prim Ministru imma kien diga kif isejhulu bl- Ingluiz ' a prime mover'.

Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

Aug 26th 2012, 03:55

And may God have mercy on your self!

Mr David Ganado

Aug 25th 2012, 16:47

From the photos i would have to agree.....with the report..
Whatever the case, stop SHOUTING

W. Grech

Aug 25th 2012, 13:44

Well said

Alfred Cauchi

Aug 25th 2012, 18:10

Well. Said and good written prosit

mark borg

Aug 25th 2012, 16:43

thanks to dom the island is in Peace lucianne ...jew daqsek servili li lanqas indunajt li ma ghadniex bazi tal barrani u nigieldu gwerrer ta haddiehor ?

Mr Clayton Mangion

Aug 25th 2012, 18:56

To Be Honest The Island Was R.I. P Since1998 & 2004 The Eu Fiasco But The Maltese People Doesnt Seem To Be Bothered !

A Trapani

Aug 25th 2012, 21:00

iddehhaqx mark please

Eddy Privitera

Aug 25th 2012, 13:49

J. Bonnici: L-ewwelnett INT qatt rajt funeral b'daqstant nies jattendu ??? Taf kemm eluf marru l-bierah jghatu l-ahhar tislima lil Mintoff ?? Taf kemm eluf ohra taw it-tislima lil Mintoff nhar il-Hamis ???

Possibbli ix-xokk li rajt l-akbar funeral li qatt sar f'pajjizna, tak gewwa daqshekk, li tiliflek mohhok ??? Daqstant tobghodu lil dak li tant tghak beneficcji socjali etc..etc.. ?!

M. Bezzina

Aug 25th 2012, 14:39

Mr.Bonnici yr comment is so patetic and boring from the 1st word till the last one!!! If Mintoff wasn't so dear for people like you for many others was.If you are a pensioner praise for him!!!

G Schembri

Aug 25th 2012, 15:20

Mr Bonnici in what part of Valletta were you? Or were you attending a different funeral? I suggest you reveiw TVM coverage to tghe funeral and then you would know if there were crowds or not. I was there, and saw thousands of people. When everything came to an end there was a traffic Jam with the Arriva busses alone, let alone the private cars.

A Abela

Aug 25th 2012, 15:21

"The crowds did not turn up in large numbers as expected" Am i living in another planet?

Joseph Brincat

Aug 25th 2012, 16:06

Mr J. Bonnici
Today, 13:06
I was there >>>> The crowds did turn up in large numbers as expected. THOUSANDS !!!

mark borg

Aug 25th 2012, 16:41

what !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! mela anke l-ovvja trid tmeri jew !!!! kien hemm eluf kbar ta nies mal belt kollhu ....u xi tghid ghal meta il hamis tellghu it tebut min quddiem il kwartieri u min gol villaggi ???? lanqas qatt ma rajna funeral daqshekk kbir hawn malta ! u isma mela qed tahsiba malta ic cina u hawn si 6 mitt miljun ruh ???
mela tikkumentax fil vojt pls

Joseph Grech

Aug 25th 2012, 18:08

Can't we give this pettiness a rest for just a few days!? Joseph Grech.

Mr J. Bonnici

Aug 25th 2012, 19:12

The camera doesn't lie. There is a picture above of the coffin leaving Valletta and there's hardly anybody watching. Even the article says 'hundreds' not thousands.

The Labour supporters are experts at manipulating the truth. Pretty soon they'll be saying that the picture was altered by Photoshop.

A Trapani

Aug 25th 2012, 20:59

... the crowds did turn up Bonnici... in fact it was a perfect day to go to the beach today.... there was a good sense of quietness and peace.

Marita Magro

Aug 25th 2012, 14:14

one of the best comments so far ....

A Tonna

Aug 25th 2012, 15:07

Mr Trapani, you are where you are and what you are because of our history. It is good to look at the future but one should never forget the past and our predecessors. One learns from the past so that one will try to optimise the future. May all our politicians believe that Malta is first and foremost!

From your writing, you show that you do not care about the history of Malta, the sufferings the people went through, especially during the war, and where we came from. You should thank God you weren't born in those days to a poor family.

And who are the most of us? You and DCG ? I think you should have said the few of you. Don't generalise please!

michael catania

Aug 25th 2012, 16:13

@A. Trapani reading your statement i conclude that you have cerainly NOT moved on. Still eclosed in that small cocoon mind

tonio grima

Aug 25th 2012, 17:56

Well said Mr Trapani.Once he was consigned to history Malta started making huge strides forward.

A Trapani

Aug 25th 2012, 20:53

@ A.Tonna... Indeed, I was born during those days to a relitively mediocre/poor family and because my family happened not to be Mintoffjana, I had to suffer consequences and discrimiation whilst the Mintoffjani (who for obvious reasons, years after are crying at the loss of this man), were enjoying a better living.

@ Michael Catania.... we have the choice and freedom to move on today and believe me.... i did move on like everyone else in this country except for those who (like you) would never admit it and are nostalgic for the mintoff era. And you calling me in a small cocoon mind?? ... you're the one who got stuck in the past and are considering an old time politician who has been out of the scene for more than 2 decades as your hero in this day and age.

S.M. Cuschieri

Aug 25th 2012, 15:10

You thanked everyone.....prosit.... but you forgot one very important entity Mr. Mifsud. The AFM, who made this beautiful state funeral possible, with sheer dedication to their uniform.

John Mifsud

Aug 26th 2012, 08:34

@S.M. Cuschieri

Apologies, but I assure you it was not out of disrespect. Lapsus....

Prosit AFM, a job well done. Bravi. Proud of you .

G Schembri

Aug 25th 2012, 15:59

Crowd broke into spontaneous singing of the National Anthem- clapping started before the vers you said and it reached its climax at that vers. There is nothing to understand. WE were sing the National Anthem to the Saviour of our Nation, we clapped for HIM and HIM alone, it was our last goodbye to a great man who has changed Malta for the better.

Denis Pace

Aug 25th 2012, 15:51

Bla dubju.....wara dak kollu li ghamel kemm fil-passat mbieghed kif ukoll f'dak recenti!

Ivan Falzon

Aug 25th 2012, 14:31

people like you make me feel ashamed to be Maltese

roderick mamo

Aug 25th 2012, 13:51

Karl jekk inti illum ghandek dinjita ta' bniedem ghid grazzi lil perit duminku mintoff ghax il- kontra ta dak li qed tghid kien hemm hafna politic qablu li ma ridux li bniedem ikollu dinjita x' tghid x' tghid inti siehbi dan huwa ragel kbir il- gid li ghamel la inti m' inti ha thassru hu lanqas hadd il- kelma tieghek qisu bhall hmar mahnuq jghajjat wahdu fid- dezert ma' jisimek hadd !! il- kelma hu l- ghajta tal- poplu MALTI HU GHAWDXI ILLUM KIENET WAHDA LI DWIET B' SAHHA KBIRA MA' DIN IL- GZIRA TGHANA MALTA GRAZZI MINTOFF INTI IS- SALVATUR TA' MALTA

M camilleri

Aug 25th 2012, 13:51

Jien nisugerilek trodd il gvern kull centezmu li tak il gvern ta mintoff umbad tkun tista tejd li mintiex laqi..

M. Bezzina

Aug 25th 2012, 14:41

veru Karl ax oxxenitajiet kienu jsiru fi zmien Mintoff u ghadhom isiru!!!

Nazzareno Cortis

Aug 25th 2012, 15:11

Karl Brincat------filwaqt li nirrispetta l-opinjoni tieghek----la qed issemmi dan------nixtieq infakkrek ukoll li hawn magoranza kbira ta nies-----(il-lum nghid anke nazzjonalisti genwini) li ma nsewx dawk il hnizrijiet li kien ghamel l-arcisqof Gonzi bil farsa tas seklu ---dik tad-dnub il-mejjet!!! Fil waqt li nispera li tirrispetta l-opinjoni tieghi ----- inheggek biex ma taqlax hama---ghax l-izbalji saru minn kull hadd u f'kull zmien----wara mintoff minn Eddie---(u dan gie mmultat mill qorti) u patafjun ta zbalji mill amministrazzjoni prezenti !!!!
Jiena nemmen li kull min mexxa l-pajjiz f'kull zmien----kellu ntenzjonijiet tajbin----kull min mexxa l-pajjiz ghamel kemm gid---kif ukoll zbalji---- (mela le -----anki Kristu gholla l-imwejjed meta qabzitlu) mhux hekk.
Mela ejja nhallu l-poplu jitghallem---jikber u jkompli jimmatura---u namettu li li sar fil passat kien zmien li l-partiti kienu jpattuha lill xulxin----maz zminen l-affarijiet bdew jinbidlu----alla hares le----u serrah rasek--li l-affarijiet ikomplu jinbidlu fil futur---u jibqaw jinbidlu sa kemm jibqa jezisti l-bniedem fuq wicc din il pjaneta dinja!!!!

Andrew Cumbo

Aug 25th 2012, 18:50

Min jaf x'kontu taghmlu li ma sibtux dak il- gid li hall il- Perit. Min jaf min fejn kontu ha gibu dawk il- miljuni li gibtu biex taghmlu tajjeb ghall dan id-dejn kollu. Mela nsejt li ma kienx dan il- bniedem ma kontux issibu il- Mid Med bank, Is- Sea Malta, il- Freeport nerga nghid biex taffu naqra mi dejn li ghamiltu u li ghadkhom taghmlu.

Sharon Avola

Aug 25th 2012, 12:13

Totally agree

Marita Magro

Aug 25th 2012, 12:23

cant agree more with you :) lets keep him in our prayers ....

Ms Sandra Grech

Aug 25th 2012, 13:19

Yes everyone makes mistakes but not everyone's mistakes ruins people's lives and gives the country a bad name abroad lol

Eddy Privitera

Aug 25th 2012, 13:42

Sandra Grech: Il-propaganda hazina barra minn Malta xerrieda l-PN.Per ezempju b'dak il-ktieb : " Is Malta burning " ?

U kien persuna prominenti tal-PN - ma nsemmix ismu ghax illum mejjet - li mar il-Germanja u appella biex investituri Germanizi ma jigux jinvestu f'Malta !!!!

David Bezzina

Aug 25th 2012, 14:40

@Ms Sandra Grech : He might have gave us a bad name but he never no other country's lackey.After all,he brought things more important than a bad name from abroad.....he brought the money to build Malta from the doldrums.

Pat Hobson

Aug 25th 2012, 15:37

@Sandra Grech.
"Yes everyone makes mistakes but not everyone's mistakes ruins people's lives and gives the country a bad name abroad lol "

Just mention where Mr. Mintoff gave Malta a bad name? Mintoff placed Malta on the political map. Few people knew where Malta was! From an unknown piece of rock, Mintoff placed Malta where it should have been in the first place, with other countries.

G Schembri

Aug 25th 2012, 15:44

Sandra Grech it is people like you who give Malta a bad name, people who said Malta was burning, people who told foreigners not to invest in Malta,people who planted bombs behind private house and police stations. And most of all people who will not let bygones be bygones. The MLP has long ago stopped mentioning mortal sin, Mintoff attended Mons Gonzi's Funeral and gave Borg Olivier the first ever State Funeral. Get a life and start doing what the MLP have been doing for a long time putting " Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox"

S Scerri

Aug 25th 2012, 10:59

Bravu , s- Suttana mhux il Knisja ! Nittama li meta kont tifel ghalmuk id-differenza. Kien hemm hafna bis-Suttana li zbaljaw anke ma' l-innocenti. Imma Alla hanin u gust ghalekk hu mahfra .. dak hu l-kobor t' Alla

jason cassar

Aug 25th 2012, 11:06

andek zball habib !! il knisja darba batet anki nies jidnifnu il mizbla !

S Scerri

Aug 25th 2012, 11:27

@ jason. Il knisja mhux l -isqfijiet jew il-qassisin imma l-poplu t- Alla. Id-dfin fil-mizbla irid jintrefa min min ha dik id--decizjoni hazina u zbaljata dak iz- zmien. Kull min jghamel il- hsara irid jghati kont l-Alla meta jidher quddiemu

Gino Caruana

Aug 25th 2012, 11:32

INT TEHODHOM L-BONUS, CHILDREN ALLOW U JEW IL-PENZJONI FILKAZ DAWK KOLLHA TAFHOM LILL DAN IL-BNIEDEM KBIR

Franco Farrugia

Aug 25th 2012, 12:05

Zmien ir-revizjonizmu! Zmien il-faccolizmu esagerat!

Eddy Privitera

Aug 25th 2012, 13:43

Pierre:Jekk smajt l-omelija tal-Arcisqof, HADT IR-RISPOSTA ! M'hemmx ghalfejn inzid aktar milli qal l-Arcisqof dwar il-perit Mintoff !!!!

T.F. Busuttil

Aug 25th 2012, 14:20

possibli qatt ma smajthom jghajruh, tiftakar idoqqu l-qniepen waqt il meeteings? tiftakar li jekk kont laburista ma kontx tista tqer, tiftakar kemm difnu nies fil mizbla? donnok qampiena wahda ghandek f'widnejk. u dan kliem li tghid illum. donnu l-editur qed jiehu pjacir igib dawn il kummenti.

Pat Hobson

Aug 25th 2012, 15:41

@Franco Farrugia.

"Zmien ir-revizjonizmu! Zmien il-faccolizmu esagerat! " Quite right. But you know what? Revisionism has started by learning the true history of Mintoff's time, not some half-hearted attempted to re-write history to accomodate the political platform of a party. The true history of Mintoff's time is being re-written. It has already been discovered that Mintoff was no communist, as many purported him to be. And he always loved his country first. But still, there are other things that will be coming to light now that he's in his resting place. We'll just have to wait and see who was the real culprit behind all the misdemeanours that happened during his time. We have had already a taste due to Profs. Jaccarini's case. I'm sure there are more to come!

A Abela

Aug 25th 2012, 15:26

I agree. Well done!

ALBERT FENECH

Aug 25th 2012, 11:05

John Mifsud ... are you one of those who went into a shop but was told that Mars bars are not available? You should start praying for God's forgiveness right now ... when you still have the opportunity.

ALBERT FENECH

J. Scicluna

Aug 25th 2012, 11:19

Albert Fenech

how purile!

MARS bars?

Get a life.

VV Bartolo

Aug 25th 2012, 11:45

@ j. scicluna

bil-mars chocolate bars nghixu konna my friend?!

A DALLI

Aug 25th 2012, 11:59

albert fenech, are you for real?
mars bars people can do without
there are things that are important today and you are told they are not available
like medication
in those days some things were scarce but in this day and age you dont expect to be told your medication is available

Sharon Avola

Aug 25th 2012, 12:06

Mr.Albert Fenech, you really did a noneless statement at this moment in time. I wonder how many Mars chocolate you are buying? Don't eat too much cause they are harmful!!!

S Farrugia

Aug 25th 2012, 12:20

Mars bars?? Are you for real? You can have all the Mars bars now, but probably you won't because the give you cholesterol.

R Axisa

Aug 25th 2012, 12:39

Albert Fenech - Ic-cikkulata Mars issemmi???? Jekk inti ghandek rispett lejn il-mara, infakkrek li kien dan il-bniedem li ta l-vot lin-nisa, li bdew jiehdu l-istess paga daqs ragel, li jithallew jahdmu mal-gvern wara li jizzwgu, li tiehu l-maternity leave. U nfakkrek li meta dawn kollha vvutaw kontra taghhom il-patrit li inti tant tghozz. Minix nghid li dan il-bniedem m'ghamilx zbalji - imma li tigi ssemmi c-cikkulata Mars veru waqajt bla sens!

Charles Grixti

Aug 25th 2012, 14:37

@Albert Spiteri

Mars Bars! Would you rather have had the chocolately gooey confection then say, children's allowances, the welfare state and labour legislation that prohibites the exploitation of the workers, such as a minimum wage? Do not worry, you have your Mars bars, but at the same time all the gains that the Worker had made are being stripped away - that should make you happy and others with such a ridiculous sense of justice.

ALBERT FENECH

Aug 25th 2012, 14:47

Once more, fools rush in ... and obviously just do not have the i.q. to read proper English and to understand a sarcastic comment. My reply was to a comment made by a John Mifsud (who does not seem to feature now !!!!!!!!!!!!) who asked God to forgive Mintoff and I asked him forgive him for what ... because Mifsud went into a shop to buy a Mars bar and could not? For God's sake ... mine was a purely SARCASTIC COMMENT - so wake up and read properly.

ALBERT FENECH

anthony borg

Aug 25th 2012, 15:42

Albert Fenech kemm tiftakru fejn triedu fil hazin dejjem tahsbu u it-tajjeb hadt ma jfahru .. Ghal bicca Mars qijad taghmel plejtu .. Li ma cahdeks mill penzjoni u children Allowence, ta il vot li nisa u ghajn lil istituti tal knisja li taghom 50c lil kull tifel u tifla li kienu go istitut ma tiftakrux u medicini u b'sptar b'xejn ... Illum Mars hawn kemm tried u B'two Euro tixtri sieta jekk trid.. Imma kif gejna illum mhux mars ma nafordjawx imma lanqas qatra ilma zejda li tohrog mill vit ... Ghax illum l-ewwel it-tieni u tielet u raba dejjem ghal kontijiet nahsbu... Mella fil mars ..

michael catania

Aug 25th 2012, 17:46

A.Fenech
Am I Mmistaken but I am sure that what you wrote is not being understood by the replies you received. I am sure you meant to ridicule the statement made by the "bright"conservatives about the lack of mars availability.

ALBERT FENECH

Aug 25th 2012, 18:03

EXACTLY as Mr Michael Catania wrote - my comment was to ridicule John Mifsud and people like him who base their economic, social and international politics on whether they can buy a Mars bar or not. Thank you Mr. Catania. My comment was in reply to one made by a John Mifsud who asked God to forgive Mintoff!!!!!

ALBERT FENECH

Antonia Vella

Aug 25th 2012, 21:14

@ Albert Fenech nippreferi jkolli children's allowance u l-pensjoni milli l-Mars ghax il_mars obezita u thassar is snien tista

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