Dalli again challenges OLAF findings
John Dalli has given a fresh interview to New Europe internet site where he again challenged the findings of the OLAF investigation.
He also said that the victim of the current controversy in the new Tobacco Products Directive which the EU was about to issue.
See interview below.
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69 Comments
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E. Azzopardi
Oct 21st 2012, 00:21
Challenging them is not good enough and I suppose we all know this.
Now one must prove them wrong, if it is the case and the sooner the better.
R. Gauci
Oct 20th 2012, 22:41
Guilty until proven innocent!!! Viva EU
Joe Brincat-LL.D
Oct 20th 2012, 21:27
@ Victor Zammit. To make things clear, I did not mean that JD was "trading in influence", as you seem to have understood. In "trading in influence", the offender is the one who presents himself as having some power to influence the decision maker. He presents himself "as able to exert an improper influence over the decision-making". That person is different from the decision maker !!!
Victor Zammit
Oct 20th 2012, 23:19
Your “trading in influence but excluding that JD asked for money” are too inextricably linked not to imply connivance. If they are not as you say where does JD come in all this? It is too oracle-wise, Dr Brincat.
Angelo Cassar
Oct 20th 2012, 21:20
This reminds of a book I have read by John Gresham 'The Jury' if I am not mistaken. The tobacco industry is mighty. Most probably they had a helping hand from Malta, that's how money talks as there is a lot at stake.
Mike Hunt
Oct 20th 2012, 19:43
I find the PN and the tabacco industry slinging mud at each other highly entertaining but, for Malta's sake, I hope JD had no knowledge or involvement and is cleared in the public eye beyond any shred of doubt. What I find rather odd is the 60 million. That's a *lot* of money even as a kickback from a multi billion industry. I'm no accountant but that is going to take some creative book keeping!
carmel cassar
Oct 20th 2012, 19:22
You are innocent until you are proved guilty. will it always applies????????????????????
Julie Spiteri
Oct 20th 2012, 19:03
The Tobacco Industry will do all it can to continue making billions at the expense of millions of smokers who die early thanks to the habit thay acquire when young and gullible to the tricks of the trade.The film- The Insider showed the tip of the iceberg. Dr.Jeffrey Wigand was a Whistleblower who exposed the deceit of the industry which simply stays afloat thanks to the tax money it generates!
joseph gaffarena
Oct 20th 2012, 18:33
in my humble opinion the more you do not open your mouth about the matter is better.
OLAF,may have a solid proof,and Barosso was intelligent enough to give you only 30 minutes.
These people are not nationalists but opportunists.
We are the true nationalists,those who cast their vote and want no personal favoours in return.
Mr Mario Mifsud
Oct 20th 2012, 18:23
Dalli deserves a hearing regarding whether he was involved as is being alleged in the Silvio Zammit case, but it was correct on his part to resign- even if as he says , he was persuaded to take this step by Barroso.
Francis Farrugia
Oct 20th 2012, 17:49
From this interview, according to what Mr. John Dalli said, It seems that there is someone else or some other people who have their fingers in the pie. The Directive has been ready for quite some time. Mr. Dalli has been doing his best to push this directive which has been postponed for two or three times. So the question is WHY??? Now we hear that it has been postponed or rather killed, WHY ??
manuel lia
Oct 20th 2012, 16:35
jien nahseb li jekk is sur john dalli ma kienx jaf li dan il businessman malti beda jinnegozja jew anke jikkuntattja lill din il kumpanija minn wara dahru....triq wahda hemm.....john dalli jiehu passi kriminali kontra dan il businessman malti.......jekk ma jaghmilx hekk......sinjal li kien jaf.......
Carmel Ellul
Oct 20th 2012, 16:22
The ONLY WAY Barroso can show that he is not under the influence of the Swedish Tabacco Companies is by going ahead with the Directive next Monday.
Else he is simply confirming that he is protecting the Tabacco Companies.
Check Mate Mr. President.
E. Vassallo
Oct 20th 2012, 20:12
Skond l-Olaf u ha nikkwota l-OLAF.....kien jaf u ma qal xejn....
Pauline Busuttil
Oct 20th 2012, 16:21
Milli qed nara jien il-kumpaniji tat-tabakk ma jridux li din il ligi tghaddi u skond John Dalli diga issospendewha ghall tlett darbiet........ F'hija x'tomghod!!!!!! fl'ahhar qacctu lill kummissarju biex jieqaf kollox. Sadanitant ser tkompli issir hsara bis-sigaretti u jmutu nies.
R Axisa
Oct 21st 2012, 10:28
Naqbel 100%. Jidher li kollox mahdum bizzilla - nahseb li hemm bzonn issir investigazzjoni shiha mal-istituzzjoni kollha tal-EU - jekk Barroso jrid ikun kredibbli, imissu jhalli d-direttiva tat-tabakk tidhol minn ghada kif suppost. Allura jekk le, ikolli nahseb li hemm xibka shiha imdahhla f'dan il-kaz!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 20th 2012, 16:09
Even the infamous Court of the Star Chamber was more just and transparent than the precipitate forced resignation of Malta's Commissioner on very dubious allegations, hinted at, but not proven so far!
Malta's international reputation is the biggest loser - not Dalli.
Joe Brincat-LL.D
Oct 20th 2012, 15:35
My legal instinct tells me that OLAF may have proof about "trading in influence" but exclude that JD asked for any money. That would have been corruption. Dr Giov. Kessler speaks of bits of circumstantial evidence about JD. Even according to Italian law, circumstances must be unequivocal, concordant, and substantial (gravi).
Have you seen the film Madame X ? It is based on such evidence.
Victor Zammit
Oct 20th 2012, 19:34
Dr Kessler was histrionic and legalistic but not legally focussed. He dwelt on circumstantial evidence and non-reporting. The latter is of an ethical nature here. Circumstantial evidence can be conclusive but not always and not in such cases where persons and facts are still fresh. Had he proof of ‘trading in influence’ he should have said as much and pre-empt any instinct, legal or otherwise
Paul Haul
Oct 20th 2012, 15:10
It is Silvio Zammit that should be hauled before the Courts for this issue.
E. Vassallo
Oct 20th 2012, 20:10
Don't be daft...why do we always insist on small fish?
Robert Lewis
Oct 20th 2012, 14:59
If I was in John Dalli's position I will do the opposite of what he is doing, don't make any statements once I'm innocent. I will immediately proceed with a legal battle against the Swedish Company to clear firstly Malta's name and secondly ask for a big sum of money to compensate for the salary he lost and the bad image he's put in. Mind you I dont think Mr Dalli needs my advise.
Peter Murray
Oct 20th 2012, 16:19
he certainly needs some advice
Cecil Herbert Jones
Oct 20th 2012, 14:21
I believe John Dalli speaks not only the truth but the perspicacious truth as well. What I cannot understand is why resign? With him as Commissioner he would have been in a better position to fight the tobacco industry's manipulations. By resigning he has given them the victory they hoped for, at least temporarily for some years. So, Mr Dalli I augur you to get back on the horse asap!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 20th 2012, 16:01
"What I cannot understand is why resign?" (CHB)
Because a hasty Barroso gave him no choice other than resign within half an hour or be dismissed.
j brincat
Oct 20th 2012, 13:36
@Joseph Cauchi Senior
"When in a hole, stop digging!"
Veru?
Ara ma kontx naf.
QATT ma smajtha din!
Min jaf ghalfejn, hux!
Tikber u titghallem jew ahjar thabbat rasek mal-hajt bid-disperazjoni!
(jb)
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 20th 2012, 16:03
Those in the hole are Kessler and Barroso - not Malta's ex Commissiner.
Peter Murray
Oct 20th 2012, 16:19
FAO FRANCIS SALIBA,
Get real please as these guys are fireproof and bombproof and dont occupy holes only lofty positions of unaccountable arrogance and elitism.Are you seriously suggesting they can be found cuplable of any wrongdoing and by whom and that Dalli is truly whiter than white?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Oct 20th 2012, 21:12
@PeterMurray.
I do not venture any prophecy about anyone's come-uppance in this corrupt world. Time will tell.
I did not comment anywhere on the colour of Dalli's complexion. I commented on the corrupt practices of the tobacco industry and its henchmen.
Peter Murray
Oct 20th 2012, 13:33
If I was subject to totally unfounded allegations I would stand my ground ,thereby compelling my accusers to sack me .This would then have the effect of being in a position to claim for unfair dismissal,and other, damages if subsequently proven completely innocent Q.E.D.
j brincat
Oct 20th 2012, 13:31
@Joseph Cauchi Senior
"How can an ordinary man like Silvio Zammit get in contact with Swedish Match and demand €60 Million to change EU legislation that EU Commissioner John Dalli was involved in and Dalli not knowing anything?
Does John Dalli know Silvio Zammit on a personal level?"
What a pathetic question! Seems that you have not followed this matter attentively.
(jb)
M. Zammit
Oct 20th 2012, 12:59
What I suggest is that the PM shows his support to Mr Dalli, if he believes the work he was working on is beneficial to EU citizens, and confirm him as EU Commissioner so that next Monday the directive Mr Dalli was working on goes ahead as planned, thus, putting a spoke in the wheel of the tobacco industrial and those who's interest is for this legislation to be delay.
Joe Spiteri
Oct 20th 2012, 12:41
If JD is truly innocent he should take legal action against OLAF. If no such action is carried out then we know who to believe!
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Oct 20th 2012, 12:26
When in a hole, stop digging!
JC.
Edward Farrugia
Oct 20th 2012, 12:12
The case has been passed to the AG for its consideration which to me it appears that the the case is not yet closed and sealed. In the meantime JD has resigned or forced to do so by the EU President. What if the AG finds in JD's favour. Would JD be re-installed if in the interim a new commissioner is installed. I find this a bit confusing. Can someone explain.
Austin Farrugia
Oct 20th 2012, 12:11
i think you have been framed by your friends.If it was not so all the spade work you have done should have never been stopped to accommodate the tabaco industry they make 400 million so what is 60 million for them.
Jimmy Ventura
Oct 20th 2012, 12:07
Nahseb li meta Austin Gatt qal li l-industrija m'ghadx ghanda futur f'Malta ma kienx qed jirreferi ghal industrija ta' l-imqaret u tal-frames.
Jay Oatmon
Oct 20th 2012, 12:02
The EU investigation is not done by a bunch of partisan amateurs it is handled by experienced professionals with no axe to grind - I think that Dalli was caught with his hand in the cookie jar and he knew it so he resigned.
Sandro Pace
Oct 20th 2012, 12:53
Exactly. But people still doubt the seriousness of OLAF, either out of blind loyalty, or ignorance. I tend to be eurosceptic, but I trust that these institutions do not commit to anything unless they have strong tangible proof, however circumstantial. I think such investigations does not work by the 'innocent until proven guilty' concept. If there is a serious doubt, you are out, sorry.
M Borg
Oct 20th 2012, 13:21
He did not put his hand in anything, even OLAF said that he did not commit any fraud
S. Vella
Oct 20th 2012, 13:43
He was forced to resign which is even worse. Logic dictates that OLAF had some pretty convincing evidence. we will get to know if and when the AG or John Dalli himself take action.
Claudia Spiteri
Oct 20th 2012, 16:16
Spot on. We need to know what is in the report to determine this. If I were OLAF I would have monitored the deal up to the end. Maybe they wanted to be lenient on Mr Dalli.
carmel parnis
Oct 20th 2012, 17:16
Dr Arnold Cassola in a programme on TV hemmm said that if DR J Dalli is innocent then Dr Kessler must be mad . Surely one of them is correct
E. Vassallo
Oct 20th 2012, 20:08
Yes, it happened that Giovanni Kessler used to be a magistrate himself and was an Anti Mafia magistrate during his career.
Joseph Cauchi Senior
Oct 20th 2012, 11:45
How can an ordinary man like Silvio Zammit get in contact with Swedish Match and demand €60 Million to change EU legislation that EU Commissioner John Dalli was involved in and Dalli not knowing anything?
Does John Dalli know Silvio Zammit on a personal level?
JC.
Charles Sammut
Oct 20th 2012, 12:52
What a silly question...of course they know each other on a personal level..ta' L-imqaret was the canvasser for Johnnie....
J Martinelli
Oct 20th 2012, 14:42
If, in order to arrange a meeting with Dalli, the asking price was 60 million euro, then what kind of a fee would be asked by lobbyists trying to arrange a meeting with President Obama? A billion, euro, perhaps?
Without taking sides on this issue at this particular moment, it seems the figure mentioned by Swedish Match is grossly exaggerated verging on fictitious and therefore less believable
m. borg (slm)
Oct 20th 2012, 17:31
How can an IMQARET seller become a nationalist deputy mayor of Sliema?
Mr Cauchi snr can you answer that?
Sandro Pace
Oct 20th 2012, 11:44
No one has any high moral ground in this PN internal fight. Some sin by commission, others by omission. Stop being fools making heroes or victims in all this. All parts are villains. "Jigifieri, iijvil", as Franco likes to say. There are all the elements in it, arrogance, greed, persistence in error, incompetence, coverups, lies, backstabbing..Worse, no one admit anything. Bad and untrustworthy
m. borg (slm)
Oct 20th 2012, 17:35
What you say is true, but up till now Dalli hasn't been given the opportrunity to defend himself in front of an accusing board.
If anyone would love to see the back of these people is me, but will not be so biased so as not to have someone defend his position, then if he/she is guilty of misconduct he/she should bear the full consequences of their actions.
Sandro Pace
Oct 20th 2012, 11:41
No one has any high moral ground in this PN internal fight. Some sin by comission, others by omission. Stop being fools making heroes or victims in all this. All parts are villains. "Jigifieri, Evil", as Franco likes to say. There are all the elements in it, arrogance, greed, persistence in error, incompetence, coverups, lies, backstabbing..Worse, no one admit anything. Bad and untrustworthy
Lawrence Fenech
Oct 20th 2012, 11:29
Gonz ghax ma tibghadx lil-Busuttil flok Dalli, dan qieghed ghawn Malta nofs qalb.
m. borg (slm)
Oct 20th 2012, 17:37
He's the annoited one as foretold in the good book :
A bible according to RCC.
Mr Ludwig Flask
Oct 20th 2012, 11:17
@ Peter Murray: well if I was him I would have done the same, and make whatever possible to prove I didn’t do anything wrong if so. Some MPs have done or took much wrong decisions, and didn’t bother to at least resign for their inefficiency!
Lawrence Fenech
Oct 20th 2012, 11:14
Keep it up John this sounds more like a frame up to me. Clear your name for the second time.
Claudia Spiteri
Oct 20th 2012, 14:16
Once bitten twice shy.
E. Vassallo
Oct 20th 2012, 20:06
I think you forgot how much you and your labour friend s used to criticize this man on the Daewoo scandal, Mid-Med Bank sale..etc...why all this sudden acts of compassion?
j brincat
Oct 20th 2012, 11:11
Makes interesting hearing!
(jb)
Jimmy Ventura
Oct 20th 2012, 11:03
Sixty million coming Malta's way went up in smoke!!!!!!!!!
Unless they just turned out their route.
M Cachia
Oct 20th 2012, 11:00
Mr Murray - it is considered norm outside this small island that if you are mired in any form of controversy and you hold any public office, you resign, even if you are compleatly blameless.
Anthony Pace
Oct 20th 2012, 10:53
If blameless then Mr Dalli you should have stayed on and refused to resign especially if it was an entrappment by the Swedish company or an attempt to delay the directive on smoking by them.
Ronald Cauchi
Oct 20th 2012, 11:52
We are so not used to a culture of resignation that when it happens we are astounded. It is the gentleman's way of doing politics and if it doesnt happen here it's because gentlemen are in very short supply in local politics.
Adrian E. Camilleri
Oct 20th 2012, 09:57
Very interesting situation indeed!
Peter Murray
Oct 20th 2012, 09:47
Why did you Dilli-Dalli John in providng such and why did you resign if completely blameless and without fault?
Victor Zammit
Oct 20th 2012, 10:53
Resignation was an honourable way to go in such convoluted circumstances. If the AG finds no blame I think he should be re-instated, if he so wished.
B Ellul
Oct 20th 2012, 11:01
Peter before commenting YOU should read/listen to all news. John Dalli was given 30 mins to resign
James Bonello
Oct 20th 2012, 11:16
Even if innocent, resigning is the politically correct thing to do - gives time to clear your name and let the legal process play out.
Peter Murray
Oct 20th 2012, 11:25
FA O James Bonello
Resigning is the poitically correct thing to do .Really!Never mind telling that to the Marines tell it to the majority of Maltese politicians-as,I would argue , they have never heard of the word nor understand its meaning!Would you resign if completelt(and this is the operative word)innocent?
Victor Zammit
Oct 20th 2012, 11:29
The tobacco lobby is strong indeed. Remember John Grisham's "The Runaway Jury" is about the effects of smoking, but the film changed that to arms smuggling. Was that fraudulent too?
Please choose the reason of your report below: