Hekk, mela – fl-ahhar!
Ah, so Tonio Borg and the prime minister have finally come to terms with the fact that Muammar Gaddafi is a madman, murderer and gross violator of human rights, and that the way things are going, they won’t be embracing him ever again, so it’s better to swing with the victors.
Well, as long as they got there finally, we can’t complain.
Let’s hope that Joe Muscat and his band of brontosauruses have no quarrel with this now.
timesofmalta.com, this morning
Malta backs EU preparations for anti-Gaddafi sanctions
Ivan Camilleri
Malta is backing an EU decision for the setting up of an expert group to prepare possible sanctions against the Gaddafi regime.
Diplomatic sources in Brussels told timesofmalta.com that Malta, Cyprus and Italy, reluctant about the move until last Monday, had now backed the idea “as a result of the deterioration of the situation in Libya and the increased intransigence of Colonel Gaddafi”.
The expert group was set up under the auspices of the EU’s Political and Security Committee (COPS). Malta does not have an ambassador on this committee, but is representated by senior diplomat Stephen Borg.
The sources said that the EU’s possible actions range from the simple freezing of assets, a visa ban for Gaddafi and those close to him or an arms embargo to the complete suspension of economic and financial relations with the country.
Trying those responsible for the repression of the Libyan people in a court of law is another measure that could possibly be taken, the sources said.
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So this is why Kev hides in the loo when he wants to visit this site…
“Some people are saying this is blackmail on Libya’s part, but I don’t see it that way. Combating illegal immigration is costly. The EU should take this opportunity and make sure it paves the way towards a readmission agreement with Libya,” Ms Ellul Bonici added.
http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=3238&archive=1
http://www.timesofmalta.com/mepelections/view/20090531/news/eu-should-accept-libyas-proposal-on-immigration-ellul-bonici
On Porta e Porta RAI 1 late-night TV programme – di Pietro one of the ooposition group in Parliament said that the first thing that Italy has to do is to scrap the latest agreement signed with Libya which includes the sale of arms.
He is quite right and the quicker this Italy/Libya treaty is burnt, the better it is for all. Too many mistakes have been committed to salvage business interests.
Emm… not really.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110225/local/tonio-borg
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110225/local/tonio-borg
Apparently they have not tired of sucking up to Gaddafi yet.
At this moment it appears that the EU is closer to applying sanctions against the Gaddafi regime than the US which is still mulling over the options.
Judging from Obama’s several press conferences, it appears that at the moment he refuses to go beyond the condemnation of violence occurring in Libya as a result of indiscriminate shootings by Gaddafi’s thugs.
You of course have not read this yet then
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110225/local/tonio-borg
The people there have been ruled by a cruel leader who supposedly does everything to help them but really hurts them, and the proof of that is in the fact that he hired mercenaries to kill them.
The opposition on Libya isn’t strong enough, and that in order to rebuild the country, those opposition leaders who fled from the country will have to go back and take it upon themselves to renew life in Libya.
The problem is Europe and the United States, who are very slow. There’s no one to help the Libyans. In Egypt they told Mubarak to step aside. They haven’t said that to Qaddafi yet. It’s the oil and the holdings there that are really talking, and I feel that Qaddafi is in control of his money and his oil. He will stand by his word: if they don’t listen to him there will be genocide in Libya – which is unfolding before of our own eyes.
I pray the hour to see this cruel despot hanging from his legs is close at hand.
Not so fast.
From Maltatoday http://maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/Libya-revolts-Gaddafi
“13:14 Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and shadow George Vella agree Malta must be cautious in talks for applying sanctions on Libya, in a meeting of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee. Concern is especially high due to the repatriation to Malta of all those being evacuated from the country, especially oil field employees in remote parts of the country.
“The UN Security Council is considering the imposition sanctions, and Borg says Malta would follow the UN line but says the government must still “safeguard its nationals and national interests”. Vella also said that imposing sanctions would be premature and that Malta must still maintain good relatinos with Libya “whoever governs it” and condemn any brutalities taking place.”
This explains why the government has been mum about the fighter jets (as opposed to the pilots). He’s waiting for the situation to unfold. A no-fly sanction would give him the courage he needs to take a stand. Otherwise, it is clear that they want Gaddafi to survive.
“Otherwise, it is clear that they want Gaddafi to survive.”
I think that this contains much truth in it. I’ve often heard it whispered around that it’s better the devil you know AND that Gaddafi’s successor might not honour Gaddafi’s commitments (i.e. people are worried that lucrative contracts may stop coming their way)
Joseph Muscat and his herd of billy-goats will hold on to the hope that this is only a nightmare and that soon they’ll wake up and find Gaddafi at St Vincent de Paule hospital in the neighbouring special room to his blood brother Dom.
Here’s a human rights authority learning them wotsits how democracy works on timesofmalta.com
N.S Tanti
Fight your causes democratically Mr. Ahmed. That’s our point. When protesting in democratic countries, people do not go running after other people trying to assault them or whatever. You said your cause now act with manners. Whatever the violence, is going to be condemned no matter from who, even from you. You should understand that if you want to protest you need to do it the right way because we want to live in peace. You should also understand that in order to prosecute someone or arrest him IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY you need what is called PROOF and not allegations. If you have them you should have given them to the police. We do not arrest people unless proof is submitted. That’s how things are done here and in other countries. Stop trying to blame us for everything trying to force us into your cause. Everyone is free here and no one is going to force us into your protests no matter what. Try to understand that we are being dragged in this situation without fault. It’s been years since this is happening starting from illegal immigration till now.
Don’t count your chickens ….. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110225/local/tonio-borg
Both parties are still sitting on the fence:
“He (Dr G. Vella) agreed with the minister’s call for prudence in comments made by Malta on how the situation in Libya might shape up. Malta had to have good relations with Libya, whoever governed it, while condemning any brutality.”
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110225/local/tonio-borg
As somebody commented on timesofmalta.com, “No to divorce, but yes to friendship with mass-murderer dictators.”
I wouldn’t get too excited, Daphne. Here are a couple of quotes from a meeting of the House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting today.
“It was important, they [Dr Borg and shadow minister George Vella] said, that Malta ensured that it had good relations which (sic) whoever governed Libya, thus safeguarding its own national interests.”
“Dr Borg said he agreed with Dr Borg (?) and Dr Vella that Malta should be prudent in its actions towards Libya, depending on the way the situation evolved.”
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110225/local/tonio-borg
Let us not be distracted from the truth. This government’s concern and priority given to the safe return of our compatriots in Libya back to their families in Malta during the present state of bloody emergency is not the same thing as the open courtship, propping up and endorsement of Ghaddafi in the horrible Mintoff-KMB days.
To Dr Francis Saliba
What Labour did with Gaddafi in the bad old days is an embarassment to the Maltese and terrible. However, remember that the open courtship, propping up and endorsement of Ghaddafi was sustained by the PN administration when Ghaddafi was given the highest honour possible in Maltese society, as well as our heads of state travelling a couple of weeks ago to Libya to meet him and endorse his government, just days before the unrest started.
Fl-ahhar stembhu u raw id-dawl bhal Sawlu ta’ Tarsu.
I know this comes from Malta Today but:
13:14 Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and shadow George Vella agree Malta must be cautious in talks for applying sanctions on Libya, in a meeting of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee. Concern is especially high due to the repatriation to Malta of all those being evacuated from the country, especially oil field employees in remote parts of the country.
[Daphne – Yes, but the foreign minister fails to declare his interest: that his brother is still there in Palm City and apparently with no intention of returning. He should be made to return at once, not only because his family are worried about him, but because his ongoing presence as brother to the foreign minister is prejudicial to everyone’s interest.]
True, Daphne about Tonio Borg’s brother, but is his life any less valuable than the other workers’ or vice-versa?
It appears that it is well known that Tonio’s brother works in Libya, so what’s there to disclose?
[Daphne – Nothing is well known unless it is disclosed. It hasn’t been disclosed. The fact that it is known by some people does not mean it is public knowledge. In these circumstances, the foreign minister is in duty bound to make a public statement about it, as he would be in duty bound were he in, say, Britain – before the newspapers went to town with the story. But here in Malta, anything goes. Even if he is not compromised by his brother’s presence there because, say, he doesn’t give a damn whether he is kidnapped (fat chance), the perception is that he is compromised. And in a DEMOCRACY, you cannot afford to have that situation. This is not Libya, where foreign ministers do what they please without respecting the opinion or the intelligence of the public. As long as the foreign minister’s brother remains in Libya, the foreign minister is compromised. No, James Borg’s life is not more valuable than anyone else’s in Libya, but it stands to reason that his life is by far more valuable than anyone else’s, to the foreign minister.]
Had Tonio made special arrangements for his brother to be brought back ahead of the other two hundred or so, then you would have a point.
[Daphne – In that situation, I wouldn’t give a damn, as long as no one gets left behind. What do we care who arrives first and who arrives last? But we should care that the foreign minister is arguing about the risks to those left behind, if Malta takes a firm stand, without telling us that one of those is his ‘baby brother’.]
James Borg -now we have a name- can be used as a human shield by this madman, then we would have known that the foreign minister would be in a compromised situation.
Are you ready to sacrifice your FB ‘friend’ for the common good , Daphne?
[Daphne – He’s not my Facebook friend. I am not on Facebook. And James Borg has had the very good sense to return, having been persuaded to do so by the worried requests of his own children.]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/9407335.stm.
The mother of God will take care of us Maltese, and bother those Libyans (from timesofmalta.com):
“GUZE SCERRI
According to italian minister sig.Maroni, Italy is preparing camps for refugees of up to a number of 5 0’s digit, considering that italy is a much larger country than our small island of Malta, and our polpulation not more than a 5 0’s figure ,we should be prepared for a real worrying time ahead. It is the duty of our people in authority to safe-guard our own country’s safety in the first PLACE. I really hope that the EU show with us the people of these islands, the SOLIDARITY one of the PRINCIPLES upon which this community is based. OUR LADY has ALWAYS , as can be experienced through-out our history, TAKEN CARE OF OUR ISLAND and WILL TAKE CARE NOW in these difficult times.”
Here’s a man with something to be proud of – from timesofmalta.com:
“Carmel Cilia
Yes that is the key word our national interest comes first and foremost. The international sea laws state that if you are on a boat and see two swimmers you are obliged to take them aboard. However if your boat can only safely take five people and there are ten swimmers you are not obliged to risk your life to save them.
Dr. Borg and Dr. Vella have made this very clear. If they do this we would be proud of them.”
So my c(o)untry’s foreign policy hinges on one man’s brother. Fan-fucking-tastic.
You are entitled to your opinion, in a democratic country which allows freedom of opinion however inane it might be.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110225/local/britain-sends-chinook-helicopters-to-malta
comments:
“Mike Ellul – This is getting better than the Air Show !!”
First, the priority is the safety of all Maltese in Libya.
We cannot save Libya but we can ensure that all Maltese get out safely as long as we keep calm.
I think you may be wrong. Here’s what Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and his Labour Party counterpart George Vella said today:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110225/local/tonio-borg
It was important, they said, that Malta ensured that it had good relations with whoever governed Libya, thus safeguarding its own national interests.
Oh, and he also said this:
“…the information available so far showed that the Libyan government had lost control of the Eastern part of the country but the situation in Tripoli was relatively calm. There was, however, ‘panic’ among expatriate workers.”
TRANSLATION: Gaddafi is stil in charge in Tripoli so we don’t need to worry about that bit.
Who approves the sanctions proposed by the EU’s PS Comittee, the Council of Ministers or the EU Commission? If it is discussed by the EU Commissioner, can Commissioner Dalli enforce his (personal) veto without discussing it with the Maltese government?
I suspect that Malta Today will be informed on any discussions held at the EU Commission before the Foreign Minister/Permament Representative in Brussels.
Until their term expires EU commissioners are no longer answerable to their governments and do not need their government’s permission for anything.
A case in point is the current GMO debate.
I wonder what Mintoff, if he is in any way lucid, makes of all this. Also KMB….
Updated: Malta has since denied having anything to do with sanctions.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110225/local/eu-agrees-first-anti-gaddafi-sanctions
Yesterday evening on One radio there was a programme discussing the current Libyan crisis. You should have heard them, especially Joe Debono Grech. Oh Madonna, These people really want to given a chance to govern Malta.
Alla iharisna. Tonio Borg and Gonzi were slow to react sure, but if those who was on One yesterday were in government, then Lord help us.
Jaqbdek il-bard.