It is a real pity that on Christmas Eve, instead of concentrating on such a beautiful Day we have had to talk politics! Just because Prime Minister Joseph Muscat purposely chose this day to end talks about the sale of citizenship. Really bad timing for a really bad scheme! He originally brought to Parliament a scheme for the sale of citizenship and is keeping it that way: a selling scheme. During the negotiations with the Opposition representatives, Muscat and his companions showed that they were not seeking consensus because they failed to address the fundamental objection to the scheme raised by the Opposition, which was that the citizenship of our country should not be on sale.
The Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, speaking before a committee of the European Parliament, when faced with criticism by MEPs, had admitted that the scheme was a mistake and promised it will be changed. On that occasion Scicluna had promised that the scheme would be tied to genuine investment in a job-creating enterprise, that those who obtained citizenship had to live for some time in Malta and that their number would be capped at 50 persons a year.
We had hoped that perhaps he might have seen the light! But we were wrong. It appears, however, that Muscat ignored the words even of his Finance Minister in Brussels. He has remained stubborn and served us simply with the same warmed-up soup. Muscat only tried to gain time, made some retouches and tried to pass the scheme through in the bustle of Christmas. Typically Muscat.
He’s not interested in contents but only in timing and strategy.
This scheme has already embarrassed us throughout the world. International media has criticised it harshly and our country has already lost much of the good name that took years to build.
Before 1987 we had become known as beggars but that impression was overcome by years of hard work. Now it seems we are again going to earn that reputation. Shameful! This scheme has provoked widespread opposition, even among those who voted Labour. What amazed me was how certain people who should know better have endorsed such a scandalous scheme. – December 28
We want answers
Remember when Joseph Muscat told us to “smell the coffee”, while speaking on immigration last October, as according to him “stamping feet” works? That’s what he told us three months ago! He told us he was not going to come home from the summit of European heads of government if he did not obtain results, meaning that the European countries would bind themselves to take immigrants from Malta. But after obtaining nothing in October, he said he would wait for the December summit. December came and yet he obtained nothing. But, still, he did come home from the summit!
Not only did he obtain nothing but the subject of immigration was hardly brought up! According to international media (but not the PBS or, better known as Super Two) the main subjects of the summit were the banking union and defence cooperation. It appears that even Martin Schultz, the “personal friend” of the Prime Minister was not willing to talk about migration. The results for Muscat on immigration? Not just nil; worse than nil. Not only did we not advance, not only did we not remain at least where we were, we actually lost ground.
The only thing we heard in December on immigration was the appalling report published on the Italian magazine L’Espresso about the death of 55 of the 270 Syrians who drowned near Lampedusa on October 11. A tragedy that greatly saddened all those who believe in the value of life.
This is, however, also shocking because, according to L’Espresso, the Maltese government waited for four whole hours before asking for the Italians’ assistance to save these Syrians.
According to L’Espresso the Maltese authorities already knew that the boat was sinking at 1pm because one of the refugees phoned here.
The magazine claims that the Maltese could immediately have asked for help from the Italians because the boat was 130 miles away from Malta but only 70 from Lampedusa. According to the Italian publication, the Italian navy had a ship, the Libra, sailing just 20 miles from the boat. At 5pm the boat sank, L’Espresso says, and it was only at 5.07pm that the Maltese authorities asked for help from the Italians. Shameful! Even more shameful is the silence of the Maltese Armed Forces and the Government when it has failed to answer questions about this story.
The results for Muscat on immigration? Not just nil; worse than nil
How is it possible that Prime Minister Muscat or Minister Manwel Mallia did not know that the boat was sinking? Who is going to answer for the death of 55 human beings? We are going to continue asking questions and insisting on answers. – December 27
Religious intolerance
As we celebrate Christmas day as Christians in a climate of freedom of expression, we should also think of those other Christians who are being persecuted in many regions, especially in the Middle East, Pakistan and a number of African countries. In some places even going to church can cost you your life. Out of every 10 acts of religious violence committed throughout the world, eight of them are against Christians.
What irony. The Christian message originated in the Middle East but that is right where those who try to live this message are being targeted. Christians in Iraq, in Egypt and, now even in Syria, are suffering many acts of religious violence which have greatly increased due to the political instability these countries are going through. Christians in Egypt and Syria represent 10% of the population.
The religious intolerance of some Muslims towards Christians is actually the work of a few fanatical Muslims who are doing everything they can to hinder the dialogue established between the two religions in the last 20 years. A dialogue that seeks to remove ignorance and prejudices between these religions. Unfortunately the persecution suffered by Christians is overshadowing the dialogue. Emotion is trying to destroy rationality.
The courage of these Christians who, in spite of all threats continue practising their religion, should be an inspiration for the rest of us Christians in the western world who often feel comfortable enough to be able to achieve whatever we want without feeling the need to keep the Lord in the centre of our lives. – December 25
http://georgepullicino.blogspot.com
George Pullicino is a Nationalist MP.