'Hidden hand' which forced out Dalli may have tried to delay his successor - Vella
Dr George Vella
The Opposition’s foreign affairs spokesman, George Vella, said today that a hidden hand which may have created the circumstances leading to John Dalli’s resignation from the European Commission may well have had an interest in delaying the appointment of a new Commissioner and, hence, progress on the EU’s Tobacco Directive.
Speaking in parliament on the adjournment, Dr Vella congratulated Tonio Borg on his appointment as European Commissioner and said that the hurdles and attacks he had suffered for his personal views were unjustified and unfair. No other commissioners-designate had been subjected to such scrutiny, he said. Had there been a hidden hand pushing against his confirmation, the same hand which forced out Mr Dalli as he worked on the Tobacco Directive?
He said he was proud that the Labour MEPs, like the Nationalists, had worked to secure Dr Borg's confirmation.
Dr Vella reiterated his view that Dr Borg had not needed to write to MEPs about matters related to his personal beliefs since he had ample credentials to stand his ground. He was also happy that Dr Borg had remained true to his personal beliefs, declaring, also today, that he was personally against abortion but respected the EU Charter.
It was also unfair, Dr Vella said, that no official reasons had been given so far about the circumstances which led to John Dalli being forced to resign under circumstances which cast a shadow on him and his country.
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79 Comments
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Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 23rd 2012, 09:10
The great pity is that although the LP and its MEPs supported the Malta government choice, most Labourites commenting in the press maintained an unjust hostile and a slandering campaign against Dr Tonio Borg. This created the impression that the LP official support was only a thin veneer hiding an underlying support for the main MEP socialist hate campaign against Dr Borg's Catholicism.
Mario Camilleri
Nov 22nd 2012, 12:29
Now what would happen to John Dalli when it is found that he was part of a conspiracy against him???
Edward Farrugia
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:17
@AlbertFenech - Don't be rediculous saying that the LP puts Malta's interest first prior to anything else. Did the LP in 1981 practised what they say when they governed for FIVE YEARS against the majority's will. -Don't dare to mention to-day's circumstances as the comparison is absolutely different. In 1981 the MLP sole interest stood in holding on to power against the majority's (Malta's) will.
Eve Axiaq
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:04
The tobacco industry has a very dirty past. Manipulation and threats are tools used very carefully against leaders and rivals.
michael catania
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:03
From reading some of the conservative comments below.I come to the conclusion, that they are already back to their old tricks. Labour rose above the local politics in supporting Borg but the conservatives no sooner they are home that they continue to behave like they God's gift to this island.
Edward Farrugia
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:41
Dr. George Vella manifested that he can rise above politics and is therefore to be admired. Part of the EU constituted of Liberals manifested a degree of intolerance to others of opposing beliefs and in my view is damaging the image of the EU as an institution. The EU as a whole is conducting itself in a doubtful manner in not being clear as to what led to John Dalli's dismissal - disgusting!
Mike Hunt
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:41
Takes a great foreign affairs spokesman to speculate like that.
John Zammit-Spiteri
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:02
This is a great moment in history when Parliament is displaying signs of co operation between the two parties.
M Sciberras
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:57
Goerge Vella demonstrates clearly he is not aware of the dynamics of the EP. It includes a great many 'liberal' politicians who find the personal views of Tonio Borg repulsive. This is the simple and only reason why Borg received alot of NO votes. There is no 'hidden hand' of anyone anywhere and if Vella wants to earn the respect of his peers, he shouldn't talk like a cheap demagogue of the 70's.
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:38
@ EDDIE privitera
The facts show that, although the four Maltese socialist MEP's did work in favour of Tonio Borg, unfortunately it can be clearly seen that they do not enjoy much credibility in the socialist territory of the European Union. In fact they did not mange to convince their comrades to vote for Tonio Borg.
Mr Tony Gauci
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:04
@ Angelo Vassalo
So what's your point???? my god why you people never appreciate that they did there utmost and FULL STOP.
Labour was from the start in Favour so grow up people and be more Maltese.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:12
Angelo Vassallo: True to form, whatever the PL does, even if this time the work of the 4 MEPs was crucial for Dr. Tonio Borg's approval , you will always criticize it !. If anything, it was Dr. Borg's lack of credibility which convinced a number of socialist MEPs not to vote for him, despite the hard work of PL MEPs to convince them. In fact Dr. Tonio Borg has thanked Dr.Muscat & PL MEPs !
Anthony Scicluna
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:13
Eddy, it is equally true that you do not appreciate the finer points of punctuation in the English language. With such a disregard for basic rules, how do you expect others to regard the Labour Party as purveyors of quality arguments?
George Camilleri
Nov 22nd 2012, 13:39
@ Anthony Scicluna:
To judge political thought and argument on grounds of punctuation is like judging a chimpanzee's intelligence (and it IS a bright creature) on its knowledge of Wilfred Owen and John Keats.
complete nonsense and way out of context. somehow, as time goes by, we really don't expect anything better from certain fanatics.
Anthony Scicluna
Nov 22nd 2012, 21:59
Mr Camilleri, you wouldn't recognise a good argument if it bit you in the nose. Language is central to any argument. The principles of rhetoric exist for a reason. Poorly written arguments lose coherence and meaning because they show lack of clarity in thought and logic. If people do not care to construct their sentences carefully, then their arguments suffer similar fate. For MLP anything goes
twanny borg
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:29
ma niehu xejn bi kbir b'dawk il-miljuni involuti.................l-aqwa imhuh tad-dinja jahdmu fuq hekk.
George Camilleri
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:25
Tobacco is a huge industry with a lot of revenue coming in, thus making it more than capable for lobbying and exerting certain pressure towards an objective... certainly a force to be reckoned with.
Food for thought.
S Portelli
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:50
The problem is that main opposition came primarily from Swedish MEPs. I was surpirsed with the words spelled out by the Swedish MEP. The Questions is Why all this oppositiont? It is like human rights always are used as an excuse.
Anthony Scicluna
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:30
Where does the "hidden hand" feature in all this? Does Dr Vella have any evidence? Or is it pure speculation to stoke interest? Another source of conspiracy theory and superstition. I would expect better from the "progressive movement". Stick to the facts and do not speculate unless you have irrefutable proof that there is a hidden hand.
A M Bonello
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:25
Dr George Vella was the one who froze Malta's entry into the EU.Lets not forget that we would have been better off joining the EU earlier.We would have benefited from much more.
How can we take an OLD HAT seriously?
paul camilleri
Nov 22nd 2012, 07:58
this has always been my opinion and to add fuel to fire to me it looks like the Swedes are at the bottom of all this.
T Mifsud
Nov 22nd 2012, 07:33
Fair comment
Ronnie Callus
Nov 22nd 2012, 07:29
We as Maltese should hold to our principles. No one should make our face to blush. Well done Tonio and the rest of Malta's MEP's who supported Tonio.
ALBERT FENECH
Nov 22nd 2012, 07:26
Well done Malta's MEPs, particularly the PL members who ONCE more showed that for the PL, "Malta tigi l-ewwel u qabel kollox" (the great Dom Mintoff RIP), unlike the PN in 1981 and today's GonziPN which puts their political party and self-interest as "l-ewwel u qabel kollox".
ALBERT FENECH
Vince Deguara
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:00
I shake my head, and weep reading this comment...
moira sciberras
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:14
Majority of labour people before the result wished that Dr.Borg won't pass so they can easily blame the prime minister for his choice .its not as you said Malta l ewwel u qabel kollox for the PL people.a big thank you goes to Simon and David as they convinced not just the people of their party but others and 5 mep s convinced only 50 people when they were so convinced that they had the majority.
John Mifsud
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:31
@Moira Sciberras
Re: Your first sentence, it seems that you are conducting surveys and opinion polls on what labour supporters think.!!
It was an easy task for the PN MEP's to convince the converted, but a much greater task for the PL MEP's to convince a minority and thus get Dr Borg appointed. Try doing some mathematics.
Still, thanks for the 6 MEP's for working in Malta's interest.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:48
@JohnMifsud
In the absence of statistics one would have to rely on such straws-in-the-wind as the opinions expressed by diehard pro-labour commenters in blogs such as this. They were predominantly hostile to the confirmation of Dr Tonio Borg notwithstanding the efforts of LP MEPs to recruit the support of other socialist MEPs, unfortunately with scant success.
moira sciberras
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:52
@ john mifsud
Tonio Borg himself was able to convince 284 people dear mifsud not all of the same party now its your turn to do the mathematics.its just because pn members of parliament belive in what they say not like the PL members leave you in darkness.it showed how pl meps worked for tonio infact one of them preferred Alfred sant instead of Tonio.again do your mathematics.
ALBERT FENECH
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:07
Malta's new Commissioner Dr Tonio Borg, interviewed this morning, stated that even BEFORE his election he had personally thanked Dr Joe Muscat for his backing and Louis Grech representing all PL MEPs for their solid backing. Facts convince whilst the confused become even more confused. I quote again the great Dom Mintoff "Malta l-ewwel u qabel kollox".
ALBERT FENECH
pat muscat
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:23
@Moira Sciberras.
There may be political groupings in the European Parliament but many voting decisions cut across party lines as the election of Dr Tonio Borg has shown.
Brian Gatt
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:31
@ Moira Sciberras & Francis Saliba,
On One of the rare occasions that both parties work together for the benefit of the country there are STUPID people (like the both of you) who find fault in it as well, instead of encouraging this stance they try not only to find fault but try to create a polemical aura and create friction. You must either have a hidden agenda or you are just plain STUPID
John Mifsud
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:33
@ Moira Sciberras
Unlike some bloggers when I evaluate a situation I try to keep my feet on the ground and try to think with my own mind. By now I have learned to read between the lines and when analysing EU politics I prefer to lift myself above our petty politics.
Let the people do their mathematics!
I am Maltese above anything else.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:14
@BrianGrech
The stupidity is all on your part in advertising your inability to understand that I do not find fault with the joint NP and LP to present a united front. My criticism is at those antiCatholics who did not toe the official line on these blogs and who agitated for the rejection of a most worthy Malta government nominee.
Gigi Sullivan
Nov 22nd 2012, 07:15
Why doesn't Dr. Vella refer this to the Labour MEP's so they can raise it at EU level? Surely that is the right platform to bring the alleged mystery to light.
C Muscat
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:35
It has already been done and there was an official request to publish OLAF report. The request was passed to our AG.
Richard Caruana
Nov 22nd 2012, 06:37
Hidden hand? Socialist, what else?
This whole exercise has shown what little influence the PL has within its group. Doesn't augur well for the future, especially if it wins the next elections and has to govern this country.
Leave this group if you want to be credible, you've been badly let down.
victor caruana
Nov 22nd 2012, 07:58
What a sore loser!!!!!!!!!!
Anthony Paul Naudi
Nov 22nd 2012, 02:19
Li ghamlu ma Tonio Borg bl-ingliz jghid.''adding insult to injury '' Issa min oppona li Tonio Borg jinhatar Kummissarjuser joqghod ghassa tieghu. Fiex wasalna, jekk ma taqbilx mieghi allura nara kif nipprova nkisskek. Barroso missu qal lil min ghadda dan il-kumment viljakk u ta' misthija biex jirtirah mimmufih imma ma sarx hekk, U hawn jien nghid ''GHALIEX ''GHAX NISRANI AND STOP.
A.P.Naudi
mark johnson
Nov 22nd 2012, 01:20
Labour just lost my vote. This chap talks rubbish.
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:57
As if! and also I think you must be living in cuckoo land to talk the way you do.
mark johnson
Nov 22nd 2012, 01:18
What has Dalli's resignation got to do with his country?
mark johnson
Nov 22nd 2012, 01:11
I am so glad this chap is against tobacco.
He'll help stop smoking in bars and clubs.
Victor Borg
Nov 22nd 2012, 00:38
Is it healthy to indulge in conspiracy theories about hidden hands in parliament? Parliament should only be concerned with conducting examination and stick to facts.
C Muscat
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:18
GV is asking for facts leading to JD sent off.As a maltese citizen I like to know as well.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:40
Victor,are you ignoring public perception? Do we Conduct examinations and stick to scientific facts in our religion and other denominations?
Mr Victor Fiorini
Nov 21st 2012, 23:33
Vella believes that people do not do things out of their conviction. He thinks that the Greens', Liberals' and majority of Socialists' skepticism derives from hidden manipulation rather than from genuine concern of having Borg in such an important position due to his conservative beliefs.
Goes to show what a poor state our parliament is in. Maybe its time for him to retire?
M Grima
Nov 21st 2012, 23:22
This is what distinguishes Labour from Nationalists. When Labour was in government in the early eighties they went around the globe shuning potential investors from setting up shop in Malta and tying to scare away those companies who had been operating from Malta.
PL - new way of doing politics
PN - politically extinct dinasours
John Scerri
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:27
M.Grima ..'When Labour was in government in the early eighties they ......''....controlled our speech, our choices,our lives,our money, our movements, our imports, our rights, our education, our liberty .
PL - new ways of controlling the people.
PN- politically democratic social justice in freedom .
John Zammit-Spiteri
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:09
I would not like to comment on your very irrisponsible comment but you left me no choice seeing how backward your style of positivity is. Intollerance has always been a very high achievement for Maltese fanatics.
Klaus VELLA BARDON
Nov 21st 2012, 22:59
It is disgraceful that the EU was held hostage by pro-abortionists and a homosexual lobby. European values my foot !! I fully agree with Dr. Vella that the powerful corporate lobbies, tobacco or otherwise have an unacceptable and negative influence on the democratic process. The promotion of GM foods and the interests of agribusinesses is another example.
Hossam Helwani
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:45
you have a chip on your shoulders with homosexuals. You always have and people like you create suffering and pain through your fanatic and intollerant ideas. Homosexuals are part of the human race and whether you like it or not are part of the social order. Reading your past contributions make me shudder if people like you had to have a hand in power. Shameful
A Vella
Nov 21st 2012, 22:58
So this prehistoric bright bulb is claiming that the tobacco industry tried to bribe the majority of the EP? May I ask what use these sensible claims serve Mr Vella and his party? Think about it, why would a leading opposition member go through the invention of such a conspiracy theory to defend a politician that up to a few years ago was the main target of the LP, with Vella more involved.
George Sciberras
Nov 21st 2012, 22:58
So, according to George Vella, "the hidden hand" must be within the Socialists, Greens and/or Liberal. Thank you for pointing this out. Mr. Dalli, please note.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:16
George Sciberras: Don't you know that the company which manufactures SNUS is a Swedish company ? Rest assured that this company would have lobbied ALL SWedish MERPs including EPP ones. And since the vote was a secret one, rest assured that a number of Swedish EPP MEPs also voted against Dr. Borg, as this was in their own country's commercial interest !
Matthew Pace
Nov 21st 2012, 22:39
It's great to see both parties unite behind the welfare of our national entity prosit dr vella
Joe Tabone
Nov 21st 2012, 22:33
We had the Liberals, Progressives and Socialists voting against.......................who knows!!!
Eddy Privitera
Nov 21st 2012, 22:42
Joe Tabone: The socialists had a free vote, didn't you know ?
J Martinelli
Nov 22nd 2012, 00:30
What is curious, is that the EP Socialists did not even support their counterparts in Malta.
Was the 'hidden hand' among those who first promised to support Dr Borg, then changed their mind and voted against?
With regard to Mr Dalli, it is wrong to prejudge until the Police investigation is complete and either exonerate him or press charges based on irrefutable, not circumstantial evidence.
C Muscat
Nov 22nd 2012, 08:21
In my opinion, the success of Tonio Borg is mainly due to the clause stating that the commissioner was requested to sign that the tobacco directive is to be carried forward.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:39
Sur Martinelli, the hidden hands, in any given situation, work a scheme built on fabricated plausible events to sway or confuse the public opinion. Crudely we call that frame-up. Ever heard of 'Covert Operations'? These could take different forms.
Mr Anthony Zarb
Nov 21st 2012, 22:30
Prosit Dr. Vella
Steve M. Engerer
Nov 21st 2012, 22:12
Proset Dr Vella nice words.. it shows that our country in circumstances like these which were not easy, raises above party politics & unites.
Well done PL & PN..
Saviour Cachia
Nov 21st 2012, 22:08
Step 1 is ready, Dr. Tonio Borg has been confirmed EU Commissioner, despite his belief but having to surrender to the conditions imposed on him. Now what about Step 2. When will we know why John Dalli was forced to resign and Malta's name tarnished. Whose competence is it, the Maltese authority or the Member of European Parliament, OLAF, Jose Barroso etc. There must have been a reason?
C Calafato
Nov 21st 2012, 22:05
I think at last we are seeing someone speak un biased in parlament.
Gustav Svensson
Nov 21st 2012, 22:04
Hidden hand???? Let's hope that EU will ensure that a proper police investigation on mr Dalli and if found guilty that he will spend a long long time behind a locked door and stripped of assets. I guess it's no news that this dude got rich when he joined politics..Apart from that I think a good question is where all the EU millions that Malta has received has gone.. you can't see much of it...
Eddy Privitera
Nov 21st 2012, 22:47
Gustav Svennson: Those millions have been used instead of the many millions Malta has paid to the EU. And had to spend to introduce and implement EU regulations. Besides the milions lost in import tax on non-EU imported products, which went to the EU. And the many millions malta paid for the bailout fund !!!
C Busuttil
Nov 21st 2012, 23:03
Foreigners should have the decency not to put their nose in our business, we need no lectures on how we should do things. Besides Why all this venom against Dalli ? Since you seem well informed I challenge you to produce evidence that Dalli got rich through politics, with evidence I mean hard evidence not speculation or hearsay.
gil falzon
Nov 21st 2012, 23:40
With all due respect sir, you obviously weren't here before 2004. I have been away for most of this time and when I go back now I see a country transformed.
A Galea
Nov 21st 2012, 23:42
Which dude who's in politics didn't make good money?
Or is it that in Sweden all MPs are holier than thou?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 06:37
@GustavSvensson
Do you also hope that if no case is made against Mr J Dalli he will be exonerated and compensated for any injustice suffered? Your comment suggests that this "dude" has already been found guilty by a court of law when the correct is attitude to consider him innocent until the contrary is proved.
Carmel Garcia
Nov 22nd 2012, 06:52
What do you know about Malta and the Maltese? If you do not have sin, cast the first stone Mr Svensson. We know who John Dalli is. Why don't you talk about your country's politicians and leave the Maltese alone.
Pierre Axiaq
Nov 22nd 2012, 07:15
@Gustav.....that is a bit unfair. I'm sure that you can actually see the tens of kilometres of fortifications and bastions that have been restored around our fortified cities...to say the least...
Gustav Svensson
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:02
The problem with the maltese is that you accept poor leadership, you accept certain politicians, that you accept poor roads, bad service, you accept tax evasion etc etc.. when was there a proper strike in Malta? An example, if a swedish politician is found out to have used tax money to buy a bar of chocolate or to pay for a private taxi trip then they are immediately hanged by the media.
Charles Grixti
Nov 22nd 2012, 14:11
I must agree with you here, especially your last sentence. I often ask myself that same question - where are the EU millions - this tiny island should have been turned into a little piece of paradise but instead all you see is dereliction and neglect. If it is as some are saying, then the EU is a big scam if the EU money must be paid back to them as membership fees.
Charles Grixti
Nov 22nd 2012, 14:17
Why do the Maltese feel so threatend when a foreigner points out some things that are not too flattering? With all this multiculturalism, do you not think it is politically incorrect to censure him? Would you do the same if he was not European but a member of some minority? Double-standards anyone?
And yes, politicians around the world are in it for the money, lots and lots of money.
Joe Azzopardi
Nov 21st 2012, 22:03
Was the 'hidden Hand' coming from the Socialist Group ? The greens and Liberals stated from the very begining that they will not support Tonio Borg's nomination. The Socialists on the other hand were supposed to support Tonio Borg - they failed miserably
Eddy Privitera
Nov 21st 2012, 22:51
Joe Azzopardi: The leader of the Socialist group appealed for a Yes vote, but as the majority were not convinced, they were given a free vote. Still, what concern us is that ALL the Maltese MEPs worked to get as many votes in favour of Dr. Borg thus showing unity.
Joe Azzopardi
Nov 21st 2012, 21:59
So, was the 'hidden hand' in the Socialist group. Other groups like Liberals and Greens stated from the start that they will not support Tonio Borg. On the other hand the Socialusts were supposed to support him - they failed miserably
Please choose the reason of your report below: