US embassy: Mintoff will create mini Orwellian society

Barely a month after Dom Mintoff was re-elected to power in 1976, the American Embassy warned of Malta’s deterioration into an “Orwellian” state, according to the Kissinger Cables published by Wikileaks. “We do not want, at this stage, to overdramatise...

Barely a month after Dom Mintoff was re-elected to power in 1976, the American Embassy warned of Malta’s deterioration into an “Orwellian” state, according to the Kissinger Cables published by Wikileaks.

“We do not want, at this stage, to overdramatise the situation in which Malta finds itself following Mintoff’s narrow re-election victory. It certainly would be an exaggeration to claim that ‘ 1984’ has come to these islands in 1976,” reported Ambassador Robert Smith, referring to George Orwell’s dystopian vision of totalitarianism.

“On the other hand, given Mintoff’s character and the fervent unquestioning support his militant followers provide him, the elements and opportunities for a miniature Maltese version of an Orwellian society are obviously available,” said the cable.

Full story in The Times.

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