Cachia Caruana retains title of ambassador
Richard Cachia Caruana, Malta's former permanent representative to the EU, is continuing to serve as part-time adviser to the prime minister, but has refused remuneration.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said in reply to a parliamentary question that the government considered that it was in the national interest to continue to make use of Mr Cachia Caruana's vast experience in EU affairs.
He said that Mr Cachia Caruana had agreed to serve as consultant on EU matters, but he had requested to do this only on part-time basis and without a salary.
No contract has been drawn up and none is planned.
Dr Gonzi, however, tabled a letter by Dr G. Grima, principal permanent secretary, where he directed that Mr Cachia Caruana should be given the necessary support to carry out his work and should be reimbursed for any spending.
Dr Grima also said that Cachia Caruana had retained the title of ambassador.
Mr Cachia Caruana ha resign his post as permanent representative to the EU after an Opposition motion of no confidence was approved in parliament with the backing of Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.
MP Franco Debono briefly referred to the prime minister's reply, saying in parliament that the fact that M Cachia Caruana had retained his title of ambassador constituted contempt of the House.
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Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina
Oct 9th 2012, 20:33
@ B.Farruġia,
Imma jibqa l-fatt li l-Eċċellenza Tiegħu l-Amnaxxatur Richard Cachia Caruana huwa innoċenti, huwa raġel ta' veru, huwa ċittadin Malti onest daqsi u daqshekk.
L-Ambaxxatur Richard Cachia Caruana ġie imneħħi minn Ambaxxatur b'vot mill-parlament, imma qatt ma ġie ikkundannat għall ebda reat, Sur B. Farruġia!
Jien nemmen li l-ġustizzja vera issir fil-qorti bi' smieħ xieraq, bil-provi tal-fatti, u mhux bil-voti!
Għalhekk huwa sewwa u xieraq dak kollu li għamel il-Prim Ministru mal wisq rispettat l-Eċċellenza Tiegħu l-Ambaxxatur Richard Cachia Caruana!
Jo Meli
Oct 9th 2012, 16:58
Job satisfaction IS non pecuniary REMUNERATION !!!
Carmel (Nenu) Aquilina
Oct 9th 2012, 12:22
@ Eċċellenza Ambaxxatur Richard Cachia Caruana,
Nifraħlek u nawguralek, inti qed tiġi mgħoti lura dak misruq minnek, u dak li verament bl-akber rispett jixraqlek u jimmeritak!
Prositt Sur Prim Ministru wettaqt waħda mill-akbar ġustizji ma dak ir-raġel ta' veru, l-Eċċenza tiegħu l-Ambaxxatur Richard Cachia Caruana, li inġustament qatt ma kien jixraqlu li jiġi stmat hekk minn ħadd, aħseb u ara mill-membri Parlamentari li ivvutaw kontra tiegħu!
B. Farrugia
Oct 9th 2012, 13:49
Bir rispett kollu lejk,
il-kliem tieghek hu bla sens, ghax l-ghola istituzjoni tal pajjiz warbu.
dan hu fatt
Il-parlament jista jwarab, il-prim ministru, u anke il-president ta Malta
ahseb w ara ambaxxatur.
Brian Gatt
Oct 9th 2012, 12:22
If the Ambassador retieres at his own free will or is due for a change due to a change in his country's leadership that is an acceptable practise. However if a ruling in Parliament states that the Ambassador in question has to resign then he has no right to keep the title.
This is a direct affront to Democracy
J Martinelli
Oct 9th 2012, 17:01
If the 'removal' of RCC as permanent ambassador to the EU was based on misreading Wikileaks, fabricated allegations, unproven theories while at the same time ignoring evidence to the contrary, how fair is it to strip the title, which after all, is not costing anyone anything at all/
if one is taken to court on an allegation and found guilty for whatever reason, including a defective judgment, does he not have the right of appeal? Why is this right not extended to RCC, because the Parliament comprised of an opportunistic Opposition and a dissenting government MP, said so?
IF a prominent person having served society is recognized by a University and given a doctorate Honoris Causa, should the University be held in contempt? Maybe we should have honorary ambassadors now?
RCC never did anything to hurt Malta's interests and even if the government decided to remove his title, to citizens in general who owe so much for his work, he would always continue to be regarded as Mr. Ambassador Richard Cachia Caruana.
I wonder who the Labour Party would have appointed Ambassador to the EU if they had a hand in choosing one? Maybe George Vella? AST? Leo Brincat? All champions of democracy, let it be known!
Mr leo attard
Oct 9th 2012, 21:18
@Martinelli...the fact remains that parliament, which represents the people, voted no confidence in RCC. That decision has to be respected. Even if for argument's sake RCC was in the right, the PM cannot go against the will of parliament -- it's simply dictatorial
Mr G Naudi
Oct 9th 2012, 10:43
For all those who are so gullible and quick to criticise. I kindly ask you to research some literature on diplomacy and see who is entitled to keeping the title of ambassador if when his time is up. Secondly if RCC is willing to give some of his time to help out the Government without any pay why are we moaning? Imagine if he was getting paid! Let us admit to one and all that we maltese (myself included) are constantly moaning. if its summer i want winter, when winter comes around i want summer etc.
Emanuel Curmi
Oct 9th 2012, 12:42
Dear Mr. Naudi
If RCC is engaged as a consultant to the PM in a role within the PN party structure, I am sure that nobody would have said a word but to give him an official title, even without remuneration, is extremely unorthodox to say the least and stinks to seventh heaven. If the Maltese are constantly moaning, it is because they may, have nothing to applaud and even so, one should, at least, give the public the benefit of the doubt rather than dismiss them as moaners.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Oct 9th 2012, 08:41
An Ambassadorship entitles the incumbent person the title of Ambassador and the title is retained even after their tenure of office. Similarly, in the USA this practice even applies to former Presidents. Since the termination of the late Guido De Marco’s term of office ex Presidents are referred to as President Emeritus. I don’t know whether this is official protocol and my impression is that they are still entitled to be addressed as Mr. President.
A.Felex Busuttil
Oct 9th 2012, 08:40
Sfida diretta lill ghola instituzzjoni. Dan tkecca min ambaxxatur.
Fran Abela
Oct 9th 2012, 08:36
As far as I know once a person is/was an Ambassador he/she retains that title for life even if one has retired or is no longer active as an Ambassador. I think that is the case overseas. However, please do correct me if I am wrong.
Lawrence Attard
Oct 9th 2012, 08:34
If parliament resolved that Mr R Cachia Caruna is removed from ambassador and he resigned thereafter why is the government still going against this parliamentary resolution?
A lot of ordinary people of different political hues and from different social backgrounds are losing faith in all institutions. This will have repercutions down the line. The only way forward is elections now, stop spoiling our lives!
V Mercieca
Oct 9th 2012, 08:22
What level is the arrogance of the Prime Minister Gonzi going to reach?
Is Gonzi considering himself above parliament now?
RCC was removed by a majority vote of parliament, so what made Gonzi make him retain the title of ambassador?
Mr J Xerri
Oct 9th 2012, 08:12
No wonder that the many of the 20,000 jobs which the Government boast of creating are those of part-timers. We now even have a 'part-time' ambassador and adviser.
Raymond Micallef
Oct 9th 2012, 07:57
The PM or the Principal Permanent Secretary should give details of Mr. RCC position. Ambassor of...... or Ambassor for............. do please explain, even if Mr. RCC has refused remuneration, that was a gentleman's choice, but people should know what the title is for. Or is it another hidden mystery yet to be announced. It is like reading a Harry Potter book!!!!!!!!
Joseph Zammit
Oct 9th 2012, 07:02
Xi dwejjaq ta strategija ta l-opposizzioni, fuq il car park ha jibqaghu jinsistu. mhux bizejjed il U turn grassa li ghamel il gvern. Issa move on u ma nintilfux ma irqaqat. Mhemx li jkolna naqra opposizzioni bi strategisti tajbin ha tixkana lil dan limbarazz li ilhom jaddu zmien bina decenju....
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 9th 2012, 04:21
@ Dr Franco Debono.
Quoting back at you, your own words which do not form part of my usual vocabulary: "hu go fik!"
Peter Borg
Oct 9th 2012, 21:38
This is out of character Saliba. You are normally far more measured in your tone and usually retain some degree of reason in your arguements. The way you sanction this evident abuse of power and slap in the face to our democracy is worthy of the darkest days of old labour.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 10th 2012, 17:48
@PeterBorg.
You need help, badly! The vulgar phrase “Hu go fik” is not mine – it was attributed to Franco and he never denied it. I said plainly that it is “not part of my vocabulary”. You object when I quote it disapprovingly but not when Franco used it in parliament. I do not recognise your “evident abuse of power”. I only recognise crude unparliamentary language.
Joseph Borg
Oct 8th 2012, 23:13
ISTHI GONZI!!! L-ewwel sfidajt il-poplu billi ivvutajt kontra referendum sovran u issa b'din qed tisfida il-Parlament Malti!!!!!! ISTHI ISTHI ISTHI!!!
Hallukom mill-car parks issa mela ha jfittex jipprezenta l-budget halli jaqa l-gvern u nehilsu b'elezzjoni halli tieqaf l-incertezza u din l-ARROGANZA! Hekk biss hemm cans!
Iva possibli il-President ma jghid xejn haga bhal din???!!!!
joseph borg st john
Oct 8th 2012, 23:56
Memx x taghmel sihbi hu pacenzja u stenna sa kemm jiedlek GONZI PN .
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 9th 2012, 04:56
The government is fully within its rights to retain the services of Richard Cachia Caruana as a consultant.
What was wrong was the attempted retention of the diplomatic passport held by Alex Sceberras Trigona when he had never been entitled to such a diplomatic passport and when he had ceased to be a Minister of Government.
John L Galea
Oct 9th 2012, 08:27
@Francis Saliba: "The government is fully within its rights to retain the services of Richard Cachia Caruana as a consultant." - But the title is ambassador not consultant.
A.Felex Busuttil
Oct 9th 2012, 09:54
@Dr Saliba
If Alex Sciberras Trigona had a diplomatic passport when he was not entitled it was the fault of who was responsible at that time your PN government.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 9th 2012, 10:20
@ A Felex Busuttil today at 09:54.
Wrong! Sir!
Alex sceberras Trigona did not acquire the diplomatic passport " ... at the time of .... the PN government". That was during the time of the MLP government. He attempted to retain it even after the change of government.
Fleur Mifsud
Oct 8th 2012, 23:11
L arroganza tirrenja.........sakemm jittiehed dak il vot.
Paul Bajada
Oct 8th 2012, 22:57
total disrespect towards the highest institution in our country! What a mess we are in!
P Azzopardi
Oct 8th 2012, 22:24
RCC is there to stay.......f debono....goodbye very soon....
Eddy Privitera
Oct 9th 2012, 08:07
P. Azzopardi: How will RCC stay, after the election ? F. Debono will not be in parliament. But it will be much more galling for all those arrogant GonziPN MPs, including Lawrence Gonzi, to find them selves sitting on the opposition benches when they think that they have a God-given right to govern for ever !
P Azzopardi
Oct 8th 2012, 22:24
RCC is there to stay.......f debono....goodbye very soon....
Emanuel Curmi
Oct 8th 2012, 22:24
If there is reason needed why politics in Malta need a complete reform this is it. Although the idea of a coalition government is still utopia in Malta, it is undoubtedly a better safeguard for our democratic credentials rather than having one of the 2 major political parties enjoy a dominating majority in parliament. GonziPN is simply exercising the legal rights given to it by the electorate itself and it is ironic that the much maligned mavericks JPO and FD are the only barriers to an absolute power demostration by the present administration. It is a scary scenario and let's face it, none of the major parties will let go it's power base without a struggle and to hell with all rules of fair play and political ethic.
Peter Simpson
Oct 8th 2012, 22:21
So the Prime Minister is above Parliament ? GonziPN lost its compass.
J Busuttil
Oct 8th 2012, 21:53
Franco Debono = Deputat. No chance of him being a Minister not even a Prime Minister on the contrary his school friend Joseph Muscat will have a chance of becoming a Prime Minister and he ( France) will not even be in parliament.
RCC = Ambassador.
Where does this leave Franco ?
Mr Peter Vella
Oct 8th 2012, 22:21
Up the creek with no paddles and a hole in his boat
Alfred Falzon
Oct 8th 2012, 21:51
Dr Grima, it is being reported that you directed that Amb Cachia Caruana should be reimbursed for any spending. Hence, does His Excellency have an open cheque? Is this a new form of public service? Are you aware of the fact that Amb Cachia Caruana had a motion of no confidence approved by the highest institution of the country?
m farrugia
Oct 8th 2012, 21:48
cachia caruana mghandux ghax jisthi jidher quddiem in nies ghax li gara kien biss frott ta lghira mishuta li hawn f'dan il pajjiz. Franco, imissek tisthi tidher quddiem in nies mhux cachia caruana.
M Abdilla
Oct 8th 2012, 21:43
Not only is such a manoeuvre unacceptable when Parliament officially voted no confidence against the man, but it is being done at the expense of our foreign relations, which I'm sure everyone agrees are extremely critical, especially where the EU is concerned. I am appalled that he is being allowed to continue serving. It doesn't matter he's refusing remuneration...if you're voted out of your position, then you stay out of that position.
J Busuttil
Oct 8th 2012, 21:59
@ M.Abdilla
"! but it is being done at the expense of our foreign relations, which I'm sure everyone agrees are extremely critical, especially where the EU is concerned "
Are you serious with this comment tixtiequ l-Labour you had some one like RCC.
By the way I forgot yes you have Alex Scibberas Trigona. Here Labour is serious.
P Azzopardi
Oct 8th 2012, 22:21
SOUR GRAPES
Joseph E Briffa
Oct 8th 2012, 21:36
Isn't any PM in the world entitled to choose his own advisers? What's so strange?
G. Ellul
Oct 8th 2012, 23:16
Was it the PM's choice?
R. Balzan
Oct 8th 2012, 21:19
Irid ikun partity arroganti bhal partit Nazzjonalista biex jaghmel paprata bhal din!. Kif qatt jista' biedem, hu min hu, li gie ccensurat mill-ghola istituzzjoni tal-pajjiz, jibqa' jithalla jaghmel xoghlu ta' konsulent tal-gvern bil-barka tal-prim ministru. Veru affarijiet tal-misthija u li jigru biss f'Malta. Assolutament m'ghandu x'jaqsam xejn jekk hux qed jahdem b'remunerazzjoni jew le. Bhal dak li qallu xi hadd ha jemmen lill-gvern jekk jghid li dan jahdem bla paga!
Darren Micallef
Oct 8th 2012, 22:21
Nistaqsi jien. Ghax ghaddiet mozzjoni ta' sfiducja fuq bniedem li m'ghandux opportunita' jiccara l-posizzjoni tieghu fil-Parlament, b'daqshekk dan "gie ccensurat mill-ghola istituzzjoni tal-pajjiz"?!
Cert li 'ccensurat' hija l-kelma korretta?
anthony bartolo
Oct 8th 2012, 23:07
Bhal dak li qalluxi hadd ha jemmen lill gvern jekk jghid li dan jahdem bla paga!.................bhal dak li qallu xi hadd qabdek biex tindahal.
John L Galea
Oct 9th 2012, 08:25
@Anthony Bartolo: Sakemm persuna qed tithallas mit-taxxi taghna, ic-cittadin ghandu ghalxix jindahal!!
mario gellel
Oct 8th 2012, 20:56
IMMA TEMMINA DIN????????
FOR GOD'S SAKE, DO YOU BELIEVE IT ??????????????
A. Borg
Oct 8th 2012, 20:53
Only in Malta!
John Vella
Oct 8th 2012, 20:52
Ambassador of what??????
J.C. Borg
Oct 8th 2012, 21:03
PLENIPOTENZJARJU?????????????
Jeffrey Mallia
Oct 8th 2012, 21:18
Ambassador for the Dar centrali tal partit ta GonziPN.
Paul Sammut
Oct 8th 2012, 21:29
Ambassador ta Gonzi pn u tahwid fil partit.
Please choose the reason of your report below: