Joe Camilleri, in blue, stands beside Dom Mintoff during his swearing in ceremony as prime minister in 1974.Dom Mintoff’s former private secretary had predicted Eddie Fenech Adami’s rise to power in 1974, three years before he was elected Nationalist Party leader.
Joe Camilleri had also predicted Lorry Sant would eventually take over the Labour Party, recently declassified documents reveal.
Mr Camilleri, Mr Mintoff’s long-serving private aide, had made the forecasts during a confidential conversation with former US ambassador John Getz back in 1974.
The previously classified microfilm telegram, published by Wikileaks, was sent from Mr Getz to the US State Department.
It describes how Mr Camilleri volunteered insider information that the Nationalist Party was moving towards replacing then PN leader George Borg Olivier with Dr Fenech Adami, Guido de Marco or Mario Felice.
Lorry Sant would eventually take over Labour Party – documents
The document goes on to say how even though Dr Fenech Adami had not previously been mentioned among the forerunners for PN leadership, Mr Camilleri believed it was a possibility that could happen “sometime soon”, highlighting the politician’s growing support.
Dr Fenech Adami eventually became Opposition leader three years later, after Mr Mintoff defeated Dr Borg Olivier in the 1976 general election.
The conversation, which took place during an intimate gathering organised by Malta’s then Ambassador to Belgium, Joseph Attard Kingswell, was taken seriously as Mr Camilleri had good connections because of his position.
“This sort of speculation arises from time to time but the fact that this is coming from Camilleri gives it greater credence,” the document reads.
The telegram also describes unrest within the ranks of the Nationalist opposition.
“There is much talk about Borg Olivier’s lack of drive and the need to replace him,” the document says, adding much of this was being perpetuated by MPs George Bonello Dupuis and Mario Felice.
However, when confronted with Dr Borg Olivier’s electoral success from the 1960s, the two would often back off, the telegram concludes.
Previously declassified US documents from 1974 had repeatedly described Dr Borg Olivier as “depressed” and “ineffective”.
Contacted yesterday for his views on the document, Mr Camilleri said he had always felt Dr Fenech Adami was among those best placed to take over from Dr Borg Olivier.
“I knew Eddie [Fenech Adami] or Guido [de Marco] would take over. I knew how ambitious they both were,” he said.
Mr Camilleri’s insights into Malta’s 1970s political scene, however, did not focus exclusively on the future of the Opposition.
The document confirms what previous documents had suggested, that controversial “Labour strong man” Lorry Sant was touted to take over as Labour leader.
Mr Camilleri had said “if and when” Mr Mintoff gave up leadership, Mr Sant would replace him.
“Camilleri pointed to Sant’s excellent performance as public works minister and well-known backing from the General Workers’ Union,” the document reads.
The former minister, however, is described by Mr Getz as being “very much under Mintoff’s shadow”, despite having gained considerable stature as a minister.
The US ambassador also raises concerns over Mr Sant’s capacity to win support from the electorate.
“Although an MLP strong man, he lacks appeal among labour intellectuals and non-worker MLP supporters,” the document says.
Mr Camilleri still believes Mr Sant would have been the best man for the job: “I still feel Mr Sant would have been the best option at the time. He was so energetic.”
Dr Fenech Adami went on to win a number of general elections before becoming President. The notoriously rough Mr Sant died in 1995. In 2010, a court found him guilty of violating human rights.