What Fenech Adami thinks

Published: March 20, 2011 at 9:08pm

On timesofmalta.com, today

Former Presidents discuss Libya, divorce
Christian Peregin

If allied forces need to use Malta to carry out the UN-mandated military action against Libya, “we should accept”, according to former President Eddie Fenech Adami.

He said this morning that Malta’s constitution allowed it to take full part in action as long as it was sanctioned by the UN’s Security Council, as happened in the case of Libya.

However, he did not criticise the government’s cautious approach so far, where allied forces have been permitted to fly through Malta’s airspace but military support was not being offered.

“Yes, I have no doubt that Malta is doing enough. I don’t think [the allied forces] realistically need their planes to take off from here instead of Italy… But if the request is made with the blessing of the UN, according to our constitution, we should accept.”

“I think that if what is happening is done with the blessing of the Security Council, we are… I would not say obliged…but free to accept that decision. We should not go against the concrete resolutions of the UN.”




19 Comments Comment

  1. Ragunament bazwi - the Allah be with you edition says:

    Us big boys are in charge – comment on timesofmalta.com

    http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110320/local/former-presidents-discuss-libya-divorce

    A. Brincat
    Malta is not EFA’s and therefore he should just stay quiet and enjoy his well paid pension. If he wants to get in the middle of a war then he should send his own sons on the frontline.

    Keep us out of all of this and let the big boys do the job.

    As for the Libyan people they should now take the opportunity to shift the tide. May God / Allah be with you.

  2. Ragunament bazwi - the gasbag edition says:

    Bring on the gas masks, the gasbags are coming – comment on timesofmalta.com

    http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110320/local/us-wary-of-gaddafis-mustard-gas-stocks-mullen

    Ian Busuttil
    In my opinion the government should specify what are the chances of Malta being hit with a mustard gas attack from Libya. If there is any risk people should be informed on possible protection and /or first aid measures.

  3. A Camilleri says:

    And I think that on the basis of Gonzi’s track record and past performance history we should have some more faith in his decisions. It would not be unreasonable to presume that in this scenario there may be issues which he cannot discuss publicly in the national interest.

  4. Matt says:

    If there is a nation which should not have been yellow and which should have taken the initiative in removing Gaddafi for crimes against humanity, it is Germany.

    German society has not yet shaken off the heavy burden of looking the other way as tens of thousands of citizens of that country were carted off and killed by the man they elected to power.

    Japan, which suffered the destruction of two nuclear bombs, will not have nuclear bombs in its arsenal. It will not countenance inflicting on others what was inflicted on Japan.

    Too bad Germany doesn’t share the shame approach for the sake of humanity.

  5. iro says:

    I cannot in all fairness be critical of our PM’s decisions and actions as I am not in possession of all the facts by which to judge him.

    What is certain is that so much legalspeak from him and other government spokesmen when other free world leaders spoke so clearly has not been well received.

    I hope that Dr Fenech Adami’s words will inspire our elected representatives into taking a stronger, firmer position before we become totally irrelevant.

    As a people, when faced with oppression, we should act as we would like others to act had we been the victims and not comfortably sitting at the back, protected by the actions of those countries who could and in fact did.

  6. Albert Farrugia says:

    If our former President is so wise regarding Libya, I would suggest that his opinion regarding divorce should also be considered for the weight it carries.

  7. Dr Francis Saliba says:

    We should never have tried to shelter behind the obviously flimsy excuse of the “neutrality” clause in our Constitution. The coalition would readily have accepted the evident fact that Malta’s military effort could only be a negligible and small token contribution and not indispensable to the coalition.

    That small contribution, coupled with our clear, unstinting moral support, would have been highly appreciated by the coalition and also by the suffering people in Libya. It would have spared our blushes and our shame whilst boosting our prestige worldwide, particularly with the future leaders of our Libyan neighbours.

    The only loser would have been a merciless Gaddafi regime on its last legs.

    • mark v says:

      Do you know already the final outcome of this complicated conflict?

      Gonzi has not yet put a foot wrong since the trouble started. I have full faith in his wisdom and decisions in the interest of all Maltese.

      Cameron is happy with what we offered so far so why should we be complaining because Gonzi kept us out of this conflict?

      [Daphne – ‘Cameron is happy….so far’. How do you know?]

  8. Etil says:

    Matt – was it only German society who was looking the other way – what about the rest of Europe?

  9. TROY says:

    Fenech Adami is truly a man for all seasons, a champion of democracy and a true statesman.

  10. kev says:

    Kemm ma nifilhux! Why has Eddie Fukuyama come out to undermine the prime minister? Ara veru Daphne ittimbratlu titlu tajjeb: once a village lawyer, always a village lawyer.

    • ciccio2011 says:

      So Kev, how do you explain that you once were a communist and now you claim to be a libertarian?
      Ma naghmlux mod li “once a communist always a communist” as well hux?

      • kev says:

        Ciccio, communism is a political conviction, a ‘village lawyer’ is a state of professional being.

  11. GiovDeMartino says:

    Kev ghandu ragun ma jifilhux ghax it-tkaxkir li ta hu, Eddie, lil-laburisti ghandu post fil-Guiness Book of Records.

  12. carlos says:

    Yes, a village lawyer who proved to be one of the best prime ministers Malta ever had. His achievements will long be remembered in Malta’s history.

  13. Silvio farrugia says:

    Well, I used to admire Dr E Fenech Adami but after I heard him speak about divorce I was disgusted. I think he belongs with the Arab dictators. He would not respect the outcome of a Yes vote.

    He also feels that on morality he knows better then us the ignorant great unwashed who should not be trusted with their opinions. He belongs with the Mullahs. His son has the same views too.

    • mark v says:

      Be honest, you never admired Eddie. You would not be talking about him this way, had you ever shown respect to the great statesman. He always stood by his principles, unlike some present politicians who wait and then stand where the votes are.

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