The Labour Party failed to understand the Wikileaks cable on which it based a motion it moved this morning calling for the censuring and resignation of Malta's Permanent Representative to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana, the government said.

Addressing a news conference outside Parliament this morning, PL European Affairs spokesman George Vella said the motion was being moved following a Wikileak which showed how Mr Cachia Caruana had 'colluded' with the US ambassador in Brussels to bypass Parliament for the reactivation of Malta's membership in the Partnership for Peace.

This, Dr Vella said, was done following the last election but before Parliament's first meeting.

"This is manipulation and goes against democratic principles as it places the interests of a foreign country above ours," Dr Vella said.

He said that Labour had always had doubts about the reactivation of Malta's membership of the PFP and Wikileaks was proving it right.

Nato legal experts had also expressed doubts or reservations about the manner in which Malta had reactivated its membership, Dr Vella said.

But the government said this evening that the Wikileaks cable mentioned in the Opposition’s motion referred to a meeting in November 2004 when Malta reactivated its membership in the PfP in 2008.

The meeting was between Mr Cachia Caruana and diplomats in the US embassy for the EU during which Mr Cachia Caruana requested access to Nato documents related to the EU for Malta to be able to take part in strategic meetings between the EU and Nato.

The government said it was clear that the discussions were security agreements with Nato which Malta signed in 1996. No proposals were made in 2004 for Malta to join the PfP.

Facts were contrary to what the opposition was claiming and Malta, the government said, deserved a more serious opposition.

The full text of the motion is in the pdf link below.

NATO MINESWEEPERS IN MALTA

Coincidentally, six ships from Nato's Mine Countermeasure Group 2 today arrived in Grand Harbour for a short visit.

Officials said the purpose of the visit is to promote cooperation and understanding between Nato and Malta, building on the 'excellent relations' developed under the Partnership for Peace framework (see separate story).