I too cringed at the Prime Minister’s mispronunciation of the word “circumstances,” where the initial accent was misplaced on the second syllable–instead of where it belongs, on the first syllable. And for the duration for the David Frost interview, the PM’s English was so unnaturally stiff.

It seems always to be so, either from Castille or in Brussels, whenever he is speaking to a “foreign” audience, even if that is an audience of one visiting dignitary.

In front of a Maltese audience, when speaking in English, the modulation of his speech and other oral and temporal characteristics of his speech become more natural and effective. [The temporal performance of language use is my international area of professional expertise]. Otherwise, his overly careful diction and stiffly puppet-like pose becomes terribly offputting.

Just a small update on this – Trapani is now closed for civilian traffic – http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE72J0QU20110320

I am not disputing or discussing what is right or wrong.

I am only saying that the PM has been elected to represent the majority of the Maltese. It seems he is doing what he was elected to do – represent the view of the majority of the Maltese.

It was a 3000 mile round trip.

After showing the world what we are made of, we shall have to spend a lot more, in future, on defence and reduce our health budget accordingly.

Just before the Libyan uprising, Prime Minister Gonzi was the last EU leader to visit Gaddafi and this week, Malta was meant to host a delegation from Tripoli as a mixed committee – to finalise a ‘Friendship Treaty’. We all seem to be forgetting that Malta was working hard to set an agreement with Gaddafi’s Libya, on the lines of what Berlusconi had signed for, and was widely criticised.

A spokesperson from Misrata speaking on Al Jazeera (Abdulbaset Abumzyreeg): ‘To those opposed to UN actions please come to Misrata and you will see why it’s needed!’

Maybe Joseph Sammut would care to oblige.

When Italy offers Fiumicino we offer MIA and we would be doing far more than the Italians.

[Daphne – How childish. What is this, a playground?]

That’s the bottom line.

They’re not surprised about India, China and Russia. And they still think of Germany as the former Nazi-Germany (perception). But they’re surprised about Malta, considering the proximity to this evil regime.

These people think Malta is refusing to participate in upholding UNSC resolution 1973. I KNOW that is not the case and it’s more complex than that. But it didn’t need to be.

This perception exists because none of our public figures went on record, on the international stage, taking a firm stand against Gaddafi’s oppressive regime.

I think it would have been the easiest thing to do. What better time to stand up to a person who’s bullied you for decades than when you’ve got your friends covering your back? Not even that!

Your friends are going to beat him up for you!

So actually, all Malta needed to do was state unequivocally that it supports fully the international community’s move to protect the innocent civilians of Libya and get rid of Gaddafi.

Malta doesn’t actually have to do anything else. What else could it do? Send in a couple of helicopters and a few coastal guard boats?

Just offer our moral support and show that we are a principled country. Instead, the perception here in Britain is that the Maltese are opportunistic cowards.