According to former Dom Mintoff aide Sammy Meilaq, the 1984 attack against the Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana by a number of shipyard workers “was of great benefit to the faith in Malta”.

Mr Meilaq made this controversial claim in his book Biċċiet Minni, in which he looks back at major political and social events that marked recent political history. The book was launched this morning as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the General Workers Union.

Mr Meilaq is a former shipyard worker who also served as its chairman for 12 years until 1997, when the Labour government decided to abolish the system through which workers had the majority of seats in the Dockyard’s Council.

He also served for 40 years in various roles at the GWU, until 2010 when he stepped down after reaching retirement age.

In his book Mr Meilaq recounts that at the height of the private schools dispute, tensions were running high. He says that “it was almost certain” that this would lead to violence.

Mr Meilaq was at the forefront of a show of strength which had started at the shipyard in Ghajn Dwieli, after which all those present “spontaneously” decided to march toward the capital. He recounted that at the end of the demonstration “around 30 demonstrators”, headed towards the Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana.

He recounted that “in a matter of 15 minutes, they entered the premises and damaged various items”. Mr Meilaq argues that “ironically” this incident led the Arcbishop to decide to postpone the re-opening of schools after the summer holidays and so avoid further civil unrest.

He added that from there onwards tensions slowly defused, adding that in 1987 the Nationalist administration did not revert to the previous arrangement but built on the one reached in 1984. Mr Meilaq argued that the people had conveyed a clear message that the time for “elitist” Church schools had to come to an end.

Mr Meilaq aide also delved into the political crisis which led to the collapse of the Labour Government headed by Alfred Sant in 1998, at the hands of Mintoff.

Though he acknowledges that Mintoff miscalculated his actions, he remarks that time has proved that Mintoff “was a prophet” who could not implement his plan, as he was no longer “the king”.

Mr Meilaq recounts that in the run up to the 1996 general election Mintoff the party leadership had not heeded Mintoff’s advice to intensify the battle against drug dealers and to expose the country’s financial situation.

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