I subscribe with your first four paragraphs. I have written along these lines on this blog in the first hours of the Libyan revolution.

However, from your fifth para onwards, I do not share your views. While I augur that the Gaddafi clan are set to justice quickly by the new Libyan leaders, I would still think that it would be very embarrassing for any Maltese to go and present themselves in Libya after there has been no direct and clear condemnation of the Gaddafi regime by Malta.

Even if I were to go seek business in Libya and would be asked directly about Malta’s lack of condemnation of Gaddafi, I would be embarrassed, even if I personally have always been against the regime; because who would care what I think when the representatives of my county cowered and played with words at the most important hour?

Germany included. One would think that after Hitler, they would have tried to redeem themselves (“jigbru giehom”) with the rest of the civilised world.

Sadly, Malta too has now lost respect and credibility.

There is nothing to explain. The ‘new’ Libyan government, (whenever that comes to be) and the existing businesses will be most anxious to resume business and not being aggressive enough against Gaddafi, when our input could be measured minimally at best, makes no difference.

The first thing the new Libya would need is all the foreign workers back. The ones with experience that is, otherwise they will have to import unskilled labourers from neighbouring countries as Gaddafi did using them as mercenaries.

Our knickers seem to be tied in a knot because some 200 Maltese worked there before the trouble started and several companies (including Dalli’s) conducted several million dollars worth of business. Veru kas ta, “qed ninfaxxaw rasna qabel ma naqsmuha”.

The inescapable truth is that more construction jobs will need to be created just to re-build what the Gaddafi troops destroyed. Malta stands to share in that market if, for nothing else, its proximity to Libya.

If any of you think that getting rid of Gaddafi is a matter of dropping a couple of bombs and the job is done in a matter of hours, think again.

How long did the US search for Saddam and after months, only came across him by accident, buried in a tiny hellhole? Gaddafi may have more sophisticated shelters and escape routes one can even dream of. One such elaborate quarters were already discovered when one of his houses was plundered by the protesters.

So, finding not only the father (Maummar) but his sons, especially Saif can turn out to be a real headache and a lot of aerial interventions may be needed before this is all over.

The collateral damage to Tripoli could be extensive and Malta’s refusal to let itself be used as a springboard of destruction could very well be something the future peaceful Libyans be thankful for.

Maybe it’s payback time?

He must have momentarily forgotten about Malta.

How does the Prime Minister think he’s safeguarding Malta’s interests by sitting on the sidelines?

What is going on?

Absolutely. We could have been “brave little Malta on the front lines of the war for freedom and democracy.”

Then again, you cannot create a complete fiction and not be caught out.

There’s still room for manoeuvre. Our government might finally see sense.