La Stampa wipes yellow Malta off the map
Published:
March 20, 2011 at 11:27pm
The Italian national newspaper La Stampa has uploaded on its online version today an information feature called:
ATTACCO A GHEDDAFI: LA MAPPA DEI RAID
It includes a large graphic image incorporating two maps of the Mediterranean (shown here) and Malta appears in neither. The Italians have wiped us right off the map.
It’s a fine day for Malta when even the notoriously pusillanimous Italians can sneer at us for cowardice, though heaven knows they’ve done themselves proud this time with all those air bases.
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Here’s the link:
http://www.lastampa.it/redazione/cmsSezioni/infografica/201103articoli/64311girata.asp
They did not. The small rock is hidden behind the double elle.
If they hid us behind the double elle, then we are not shown.
Michael, they should have hidden us behind the double L of “YELLOW’.
In other maps by La Stampa regarding the coalition attack on Libya, Malta clearly shows.
Should we enter the war coalition to be on a map?
We entered the European Union to be on one, so yes.
I prefer “coalition ridding humanity of Gaddafi by military means” – with that definition, yes, I want to be on the map.
And so do I.
Good thing Malta didn’t happen to be on the UN Security Council. I’m afraid Malta’s would have been the sixth abstention.
Phew… at least Malta was not marked as a Libyan airfield :)
At this point, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the coalition does not attack us. They might think we are a Gaddafi stronghold.
USA, ‘Land of Opportunity’, big on any map.
Malta, ‘Land of Opportunism’, wiped off the map.
Best option. Malta Yok!
We have always teased the Italians with the ”Coraggio Fuggiamo”. The joke has now turned on us.
You know, a major flaw in your otherwise sane reasoning is that you assume that with Gaddafi’s downfall democracy will reign in Libya.
‘It can’t be worse than Gaddafi,’ is your catch-all phrase.
Be that as it may, it’s still a cop-out.
That’s what happens when you swallow the corporate media news, hook-line-sinker, rod-boat-and-angler. You get the wrong picture believing it to be true.
At every turning, you will be surprised. And you will tend to explain it through the same false paradigm ingrained by the media.
If you take a hypothetical head count, you will find that the majority of Libyan citizens support Gaddafi. This is no credit to him as much as to his media machine, which has shaped the illusion within his Jamahirija paradigm.
(Soon, Gaddafi supporters from across the country are to proceed on a ‘peaceful march’ to Benghazi. Let’s see what the numbers will be. I didn’t quite get when this is planned for; it was stated on a live Sky transmission from Tripoli by someone representing the ‘Tribal Council’, or something to that effect. I couldn’t find one single report on this. I thought at least they’d accuse Gaddafi of using ‘human shields’.)
But back to my point:
Will the ‘democrats’ win? Are they really democrats? Can the West assure their victory, or will a third dog pick up the bone? What does the west really want? Who IS the West?
How will the Libya situation be affected by troubles elsewhere in the Arab region?
I still think the early-90s crescent-and-cross scenario is possible if a specific set of events occur across the region.
We really do not want to be a military base on a superstate’s frontier facing some belligerent Islamic alliance when we can contribute in ways that could hopefully help secure the region and our status within it.
Here’s a report on the ‘peace march’:
Mohamed Sharif, a tribal official, delivered a statement in the name of the government inviting people to join a symbolic procession, “using all means of transport”, from Tripoli to the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi, to open reconciliation talks.
“… we could sit down as one family to discuss the affairs of our homeland and the future of Libya in a democratic and peaceful way,” he told reporters.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/libyan-army-says-immediate-ceasefire-ordered
Kevvy. is he from a big tribe or small tribe? How long does a camel train take to go from Tripoli to Benghazi? (trick question, Kevvy, think hard).
Good. This is an opportunity for the anti-Gaddafi opposition to take over Tripoli while all Gaddafi supporters are on their way to Benghazi.
Kev, since my position is to agree with the PM, which I understand is your position also, let me help you out a bit here. I am now risking getting in the line of fire!
The argument to be made against the map above is not one based on a hypothetical head count.
It has to be based on the title of the article “Attacco a Gheddafi…”
Among other matters, the UN resolution:
1. “Demands the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians” (Article 1).
2. “Authorizes Member States that have notified the Secretary-General, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, and acting in cooperation with the Secretary-General, to take all necessary measures, notwithstanding paragraph 9 of resolution 1970 (2011), to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory, and requests the Member States concerned to inform the Secretary-General immediately of the measures they take pursuant to the authorization conferred by this paragraph which shall be immediately reported to the Security Council.” (Article 4)
3. With respect to the no-fly zone, “Authorizes Member States that have notified the Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, to take all necessary measures to enforce compliance with the ban on flights imposed by paragraph 6 above, as necessary, and requests the States concerned in cooperation with the League of Arab States to coordinate closely with the Secretary General on the measures they are taking to implement this ban, including by establishing an appropriate mechanism for implementing the provisions of paragraphs 6 and 7 above.” (Article 8).
I asked before, and it is now clear to me, that the UN resolution does not request the resignation or removal of Gaddafi or his government. It does not authorise an attack on Gaddafi, but merely the protection of civilians.
Not that I personally will be worried if there is an attack on Gaddafi. But there is now a serious risk that Gaddafi will surround himself with civilians, and attacks on Gaddafi will lead to loss of civilian lives, which is diametrically contrary to the resolution.
I would personally be very upset if a war plane from Luqa dropped bombs on civilians in Tripoli or anywhere else.
This all said, an operation to protect the civilians will lead to the eventual removal of Gaddafi. But now I am starting to think that this may be another long battle.
Ciccio – Indeed, the resolution covers neither ground troops, nor regime change. But they are paving the way to justify assassinating Gaddafi as a means towards accomplishing their mandate.
I have just been watching LJBC TV (Libyan state TV) and they were showing thousands of volunteers gathered around Gaddafi’s compound. The numbers dwindled later in the evening. I have no reason to believe these are not volunteers.
Do not underestimate Gaddafi’s support. It’s their paradigm, constructed by the Jamahirija media. As is usual the case, it is mostly those who have actually suffered that oppose the regime, the rest live the illusion.
Libyan state TV looked like TVM had we again been attacked by Suleiman’s fleet. The people have gathered around the only leader they know.
Any loss of civilian lives is the responsibility of the coalition forces. They entrusted themselves with the job, now they’ll have to show they’re capable of performing.
Do not think for a second that Gaddafi will be ousted by air power alone. Barring a ground invasion (Obama says no ground troops, Cameron says no ground troops YET), it is the armed rebels themselves who will have to do the job. That’s going to be messy.
And would foreign troops solve the problem? Well, yes, if you think Iraq’s problems were anywhere solved. Ask the Iraqi majority.
It’s always best to check what the other media are saying. It might not change one’s view, but it helps to evaluate the situation.
This is Russia Today on ‘the day after’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp0rIPszSQ4
“If you take a hypothetical head count, you will find that the majority of Libyan citizens support Gaddafi.”
I’m assuming you didn’t take a head count yourself, so what’s your reliable source on this one? Please don’t tell me that it’s Kev himself.
La Redoute, was about to post the same thought, you beat me to it. Kevvy’s back on the ‘corporate media’ conspiracy BS. Anyway, what the hell’s a ‘hypothetical head count’? Think you’ve got it right, he ‘made it up’. Some researcher!
@ La Redoute – I have no source whatsoever. It’s clearly an opinion. But it’s based on sound reasoning.
@Purdie – He represents all tribes – big, small, flat and tedious.
It’s a distance of 1000 km, so Gaddafi’s camel train would reach Benghazi at precisely the time the last camel leaves Tripoli.
Not bad, Kevvy. Guess you’re a member of the ‘Tedious Tribe’.
Kev, you know, a major flaw in your otherwise deranged reasoning is that you assume that human rights are the motivation for everyone here.
Not for me. I just want this war because I love it. Human existence is meaningless without conflict. And I don’t start from the assumption that life is beautiful, and therefore must be protected. Mine isn’t, so death is not a problem.
I doubt whether you can ever get your inflated head round this. You’re what – fifty? Married and settled down and riding the gravy train. I don’t expect you to yearn for death in combat.
I hope that clarifies things.
Your sound reasoning, eh?
Very reliable source. I thought you didn’t rely on conspiracy theories.
That’s reasoning is about as sound as your claim that Gaddafi represents all tribes. When was he elected to do so? All tribes – big, small, flat and tedious – would be glad to hear of that. It’ll be news to them that they elected him.
And that’s a fact, not an opinion.
Good to know you are a soldier ant, Baxxter. And thanks for your honesty.
I come from the progressive idealism of the 70s, so I guess you’re from Togo and I’m from Vanuatu.
Good luck on your ventures. But remember, war emerges top down, not bottom up. And when the people yearn for war it is always because they are galvanised to do so by state media deception.
It’s a pity you are not on the profit side of war. The cruise missiles being flung towards Libya cost nearly $600,000 a piece. As matters stand, I can only describe you as wannabe cannon fodder – and proud of it!
To be fair to Kev, he said it was a “hypothetical” head count. How could someone in Brussels build an argument on a hypothetical head count?
I tend to agree with this point of view – give or take the odd conjecture. I don’t think one needs to believe any conspiracy theories to see what’s coming.
What Gaddafi has done (and still does) is objectionable, but I think that it’s highly naive of anyone to expect that democracy is “Plug and Play” in Muslim countries.
Admttedly this is not about religion, but then again religion is deeply ingrained in the “collective pysche” of such cultures. You can’t just replace it the day after Gaddafi’s regime is done away with.
Kev has given up trying to persuade the world that no one should do anything about Gaddafi, so he’s now resorted to arguing that it’s pointless.
The last time we heard of democratic elections in the Arab world the Islamists won and were promptly outlawed before they could execute their mandate.
… and that was in Algeria.
Who told you that Gaddafi represents all the tribes? His own Wafa trabe was amongst the first to disown him when the crises started.
He represents only his own interests and that of his greedy grasping offspring.
CNN’s Nic Robertson, reporting from Gaddafi’s compound: two cruise missiles have hit and demolished.the same building that the Americans hit in 1986.
CNN now reporting ‘whereabouts of Gadaffi unknown’. Also saying that he could do a Saddam and destroy the oil fields.
Gaddafi is going to be proud. It took the Americans 25 years to demolish that building.
Not the least bothered with what La Stampa portrays in its childish graphics. After all the Italians took ample time to evaluate their own odds before entering this wargame (typical of the Italians) and now they bloat about their means and facilities. Fact is this has now turned into a War. As much as you want to portray it as Western Intervention against Gaddafi, the feeling on the ground in Western Libya is that this is a declaration of war against Libya. The very CNN News headings have changed from Libya unrest, to Libya Civil War and now Libya War. Significant title, so much so that the Pentagon has just announced that the US will hand over control of allied military operations in Libya “in a matter of days”. It is clearly getting very hot under their collar and they are looking at the full picture with the whole arab region ready to explode. Gaddafi is a great tactician and he’s been at it for over 40 years, knowing how to play his cards, calculated to the very last one. We are just 350km away from Tripoli, Gaddafi’s hotbed. Nobody has any idea what actual arsenal he has hidden, what axis he can attract and who he can influence in the Arab fundamentalists’ world. The UN and coalition’s intelligence know what is on the ground but they admit they don’t know what is up Gaddafi’s sleeve. One excellent card he is playing is that of rendering the Coalitian’s aerial operations as inefficient as possible by mingling his army and hardware into inhabited areas, with Gaddafi’s Tripolitanians happy to be such martyrs, incredolously even predigging graves. The Arab League is already up in arms against the first bombing raids, now stating that is not what they had in mind by No-Fly Zone operations. Just wait and see how bloody this is going to get and how the anti-West sentiment will propagate in the Arab World. Gaddafi is tempting the West to commit foot soldiers if they want to get him and the West know that the aerial raids (so called No Fly Zone) will get them nowhere in that task. The rebels are incapable of any organized defence, let alone any advance and attack on Gaddafi’s strongholds. So just wait and see this war being played according to Gaddafi’s rules, on his turf and as he stated soon beyond Libyan shores, where yes unfortunately we are only 350km away.
Oops
Just read this article “Coalition attacks wreak havoc on ground troops” by an on-the-ground reporter in Libya.
How long will Gaddafi’s troops and hardware survive this pounding ?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/20/libya-air-strikes-rain-down
Like you I wish they don’t last for long. They will survive for as long as Gaddafi’s propaganda machine keeps working.
Apparently, Berlusconi had to make a choice. It was either the prostitutes or Gaddafi.
Jeez, Oops (nice moniker, fits you). I somehow visualize you wearing a funny hat, shades and a table cloth. Where do you park your camel?
Probably in front of your house.
Doubt it – local council put up ‘No Camel’ signs about a year ago. Probably thought you could be moving in.
Your title should have read:”La Stampa wipes yellow Malta off the WAR map”.
My answer is : “So what?”
I am used to that. I have seen hundreds of Mediterranean maps without Malta.
The Italian Fascists used to consider Malta as “Terra irredenta”.
From what I can see there’s more to it than meets the eye: “Who are we actually supporting?”. History tends to repeat itself.
Is it true that Gaddafi’s main opponents are Islamists ?
Kevin here is being realistic.
Does anyone in his right senses think that Germany opted out of this coalition because it’s Gaddafi’s best friend?
[Daphne – John, please tell us where you stand on the matter of Gaddafi, because from your repeatedly contradictory statements, it is not entirely clear. You say that you are against him, but then you don’t want to do anything to get rid of him. Or it that you want others to get rid of him for you? You’re not being consistent, and you seem to be torn both ways – speaking harshly against Gaddafi but also speaking harshly against anyone who is against the Maltese government’s decision to do nothing about him – so please clear up the matter. Thank you.]
Prosit, John, but don’t expect to ever be right on this blog.
You are not consistent, you see. Here, it is either black or white – no shades, please, and less sense, for that would ruffle their war feathers.
‘Shades’, Kevvy? You mean like the one your friend wears?
So let’s clear up the matter, Daphne.
I am against Gaddafi. This started when he came to celebrate the end of the military base in Malta on the 31st March 1979. It didn’t take long to prove me right, because on the 15th October of that same year he attacked our oil rig Saipem Due with two gun boats.
What could Malta do in that situation? Pack up and leave because we did not have the ‘punch’.
We all know that Malta has a small army which does not even have a general as its highest rank we only have a brigadier. So actually we have a brigade.
We can denounce Gaddafi as much as you want .But would this stop the violence? My answer is a definite ‘no’, and if Gaddafi stays on, or is not brought to justice, everyone would be worse off, especially us.
Do I want to get rid of him? Not even the Americans are saying that they want to get rid of him!
[Daphne – Actually, they are. I quote Hillary Clinton: “The ultimate aim of action in Libya is the removal of Muammar Gaddafi.”]
Are you expecting tiny Malta which sometimes does not even appear on the European map, to put all its assets at the disposal of the coalition to bomb our neighbour? I would not be ready to put my fellow countryman in that danger. We cannot retaliate when we’re left alone, because we don’t have that ‘punch’.
[Daphne – You’re safe now, John. Today the news broke that Gaddafi’s air force has been 100% disabled.]
What is Malta doing? Malta is doing more than many other countries are doing, and permitting the coalition raiders to pass through our air space.
[Daphne – That’s disingenuous, John. Through which other country’s airspace could they have flown to get to Tripoli? More to the point, what would Malta’s excuse have been for saying No? That we only have one airspace and we need it for civilian planes? Come on. What sort of crazy assholes would we have had to be to say ‘Don’t fly through our airspace’?]
The Maltese government cannot give more than it is giving in the circumstances. There could be things which are discussed behind closed doors and which are too sensitive to divulge. What if intelligence says that Gaddafi’s Scuds with mustard gas are pointed at Malta?
[Daphne – Then that same intelligence would know where they, and would have got rid of them by now. Or is that too obvious.]
Even America is feeling hot under the collar for taking a leading role in the preliminary attacks which are taking place in this very moment, and NATO does not want to get involved.
[Daphne – Correction. The United States is feeling pressure from electors back home. It is not feeling ‘hot under the collar’ because it can’t cope. If even you, 200 miles away from Tripoli, think Gaddafi is not your problem, then imagine how somebody in Minneapolis St Paul or San Diego feels about it.]
You are not looking at the whole picture. You point at the Western ‘civilised’ world to how you think it is seeing us, and forget the Arab world, which is mostly Muslim, perceives these attacks as attacks on Islam, and Malta is not part of the bombing.
[Daphne – That’s not so. From what I perceive through the international news, half of the Middle East currently seems to be engaged in behaving in such a way as to replicate the intervention in Libya – deliberately.]
There is no clear-cut solution to this crisis and no one knows how long it will take to solve it, if ever this can be solved.
This is not the 1943 Xewkija airstrip to invade Sicily you want. You want to put our ONLY airport at the disposal of this military alliance to stop this ruthless murderer from killing anyone in sight. I beg to differ, I’m not crazy.
[Daphne – Nor am I, and I take exception at the insult. You clearly don’t get the point, do you. It is not the refusal to grant use of our airport to people who are fighting Malta’s battles that people like me object to, but the utter ILL-JUDGED CHURLISHNESS with which the prime minister announced his absolute and unconditional refusal. Also, you may have failed to notice that at first the excuse was neutrality, then at the press conference no reason for refusal was given but neutrality was suggested despite the UN Security Council resolution, and after a weekend in which the government appears to have received very many messages of disgust and dismay, by Sunday the reason had changed. No longer neutrality, but ‘our airport is a civilian one’. Well, that still leaves Grand Harbour, doesn’t it. And our Armed Forces, should they be needed. But sadly, people don’t think and accept everything because it accords with their desire not to get involved.]
Oops: Not so long ago there were people in Malta who used to get hot under the collar just because Malta was not shown on weather maps transmitted by CNN, Euronews and others.
Malta has been written off as a dodgy, opportunistic, fence-sitting neutral not to be trusted and all the brownie points gained during the “Great Humanitarian Evacuation” (shades of Mao’s “Long March”) are worth zero.
We were also wiped off the map in yesterday’s The Sunday Times (London).
Some very funny comments indeed.
The BBC World Service has never shown Malta ever, not in peace and not in war.
So, La Stampa, if they did it on purpose can stick it where the sun don’t shine, but I am sure that the double ‘LL’ did us in.
I really hate it when Maltese themselves find every opportunity to make our small country even smaller in the minds of foreigners. We often complain that many people around Europe (and the world) don’t know Malta exists and that we should use all means to make them aware of our (small) country.
These negative comments will surely help a lot and screw up Joseph’s tourist opportunity plans at the same time.
Give everybody a break, will you?
Dear Daphne, why are you so bewildered because La Stampa has not included Malta in the map? If you scrutinize the map of Europe printed on the euro notes, Malta does not feature at all, although our nation is a member state.