10 years ago - The Sunday Times
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Frendo told Richard Muscat: ‘You’re in my way’
Former Ambassador to Ireland Richard Muscat is claiming he was told to resign his diplomatic post because he was “in the way” of former Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo’s bid to become Commonwealth secretary general.
Mr Muscat said in an interview that when an allegation of sexual assault was made against his son in Ireland in August 2007, the foreign minister felt this would deal a blow to his campaign.
“Michael told me clearly: ‘I have to take a position. We don’t believe what the papers are saying, and as ambassador you’ve done a very good job and we’re very happy with your performance...
“I’m in the thick of things with the Commonwealth campaign and I need Labour’s backing. This attack, no matter how unjust, puts you in my way. I risk losing Labour’s backing’,” Mr Muscat said.
When his family packed their bags to return to Malta in October 2007, the Irish Director of Public Prosecutions announced that no charges would be brought against Mr Muscat’s son.
Now, after feeling he was made a scapegoat, Mr Muscat is waiting for the Prime Minister to heal the wound: “I leave it in his hands. I’m not asking for the moon. I’m asking for nothing, except that truth prevails and justice is done.”
25 years ago - The Times
Tuesday, November 23, 1993
Higher water rates announced
Persons who consume the national average of 16 gallons of water per day will be spending between five and six cents per week more on the commodity as from January, when new rates come into effect, Environment Minister Michael Falzon estimated yesterday.
Announcing the new water rates at a press conference, Mr Falzon said that although water for domestic use would continue to be heavily subsidised by the government, expenditure on subsidies was expected to drop by between Lm2 million and Lm3 million, to Lm9 million.
The price of water for industry will be increased in 1995 after talks with the sector.
Mr Falzon said the new water rates were aimed at reducing wastage, encourage water conservation, and reduced the dependence of Water Services Corporation on subsidies from the government.
A sample survey had shown that the average consumption of water per person was 16 gallons a day, Mr Falzon said.
From January 1, the government would be subsidising 5.5m3 of water for every person every four months by 90 per cent. One cubic metre of water would thus cost 7c5.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Saturday, November 23, 1968
Prime Minister in Bombay
The Prime Minister, Dr Borg Olivier, has arrived in Bombay, where he will be meeting Cardinal Gracias.
In the evening, Dr Borg Olivier was guest of honour at a dinner given by the governor of the state of Maharashtra, of which Bombay is the capital city.
Yesterday, Dr Borg Olivier visited Agra, one-time capital of the Indian Moghul Empire, where he toured the famed Taj Mahal, the magnificent white marble mausoleum built in 1631-1653 by the Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Muntaz Mahal. The party also visited other outstanding sites.
After Bombay, the Prime Minister will visit Calcutta.
Special flight arrangements for Christmas period
Malta Airlines have just announced special arrangements for flight schedules into and from Malta for the Christmas period.
There will be no flights into or out of Malta on Christmas Day, either on the Malta Airlines or for that matter of their associates British European Airways or the Kingdom of Libya Airlines. Also, BEA are cancelling flight BE 197-197 on Boxing Day, December 26.