We’re the ones eating our hearts out, because there’s no way we’ll ever become NATO members. KMB and Mintoff sealed our fate. And Graffitti can smile all the way to Armageddon.

Then in 1986 it was like the Santa Marija Convoy coming in with all those people lining the bastions. What I remember was the banner on the Brazen with ‘Thank you Malta’ on it.

Now I really enjoy seeing Nato warships again in Grand Harbour every now and then. So eat your heart out, Graffiti.

“I think it’s important because it reminds us that the ‘freedom’ Malta secured on 31 March 1979, when the lease on the British naval base ran out and not when is-Salvatur ta’ Malta kicked out the British, existed largely in the minds of the Socialist political class”.

Declassified Cabinet minutes of the Heath government more than prove your point – as a matter of fact, in response to Mintoff’s demands in 1972, the British government had already made its mind up to wind up the operations in Malta. In other words, it got tired of Mintoff’s tactics by indirectly playing the British against Eastern powers in order to obtain the highest level of charity for which he was so famous for, ie China, Korea, Libya….

Here is an excerpt:

: ‘Conclusions of a Cabinet Meeting – January 11, 1972, marked SECRET but obviously declassified since it can be found on the Internet (filestore.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pdfs/…/cab-128-50-cm-72-1-2.pdf )

“It was also noted that Archbishop Gonzi, during his brief visit to London earlier that week’, had expressed great anxiety about the policies of the present Malta Government. His only suggestion, however, had been that NATO’s offer should be increased to £15 million a year, on the basis that if Mr. Mintoff refused such an offer public opinion would compel him to abandon office. Our position, including our unwillingness to provide any more cash ourselves, had
been made clear to him.
The Prime Minister, summing up the discussion, said that we
had made all the dispositions necessary to complete an orderly Withdrawal”.

There is also an obvious ‘surprise’ which I was not aware of until I read these minutes.

“…NATO’s offer should be increased to £15 million a year, on the basis that if Mr. Mintoff refused such an offer public opinion would compel him to abandon office” (Mgr. Gonzi).

Mintoff abandon office? Could Archbishop Gonzi have been so naive or was he using Mintoff as a lever? I shall always wonder!

[Daphne – He might wish to post his email address here.]