So it’s just not true that Dalli doesn’t know what the problem was
Published:
October 26, 2012 at 12:10am
In The Times, today:
Mr Bailly also said that Mr Dalli had all the opportunity to defend himself with legal assistance during the OLAF investigations.
“Mr Dalli was not surprised by the investigations as he was informed about them by OLAF and he was interviewed twice to respond to the allegations. He did this and also availed himself from the opportunity to be accompanied by a lawyer,” Mr Bailly said.
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The problem with Dalli is that he simply thought, and evidently still does, that all that was going on between Sivio and Swedish Match was normal, when it is very evident that it was not.
The backwoods village mentality in Dalli still reigns supreme.
It could be that the advice of his lawyer was that his case is indefensible and Olaf had the right to act the way it did.
Regarding another Dalli, this time Helena, I bet her speech today about “qualifications” was a threat to the civil service (same way as what happened to RCC) in typical Labour min-mhux-maghna-kontra-taghna attitude. I wrote a little thought about it on my blog but would like you to write a post about it.
Mur oqghod ghamel Masters ghal xejn!
Dalli’s statement is ridiculous, talk about village mentality.
“Isa hi, gib erba’ ittri ohra ghal wara ismek.” Igemmahom qishom stickers tal-Panini.
Joseph Muscat should be the first to go then.
Ezattament kif qalet H. Dalli “Mur oqghod ghamel Masters ghal xejn!”
What are Mr. Dalli’s qualifications?
What are Joseph Cuschieri’s qualifications?
What are Debono Grech’s qualifications?
What are Buontempo’s qualifications?
What are Silvio Parnis’ qualifcations?
I want to sit on the interviewing board which checks if these individuals are qualified to be future ministers of Malta. And I will judge them in the next election.
And Franco, you can stick your Form 2 report up your qualifications tube – you are still not fit for purpose.
Johnny Chewbacca knows more than he is saying as other people higher up on the totem pole are also implicated but it might be good for his health if only he takes the fall.
Notice how the EU commission and the PN government joined forces and in tandem are so quick to close the door on this case and move on.
I can understand the EU commission acting this way but Dalli’s his own government and his own political party’s action and statement shows that there is a whole slew of skeletons in the closet and not pink ones either that are better left alone undisturbed.
What happened to the idea of clearing the shame this affair brought to Malta’s good name and all that jazz ?
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121025/local/case-closed-on-dalli-resignation-and-malta-agrees-european-commission.442601
Min Jaf. I do not agree that Dalli thought that what was going on between Silvio and the Swedes was normal.
Over the years he has become so used to these kinds of manoeuvres, more so working in Libya, that he got himself to believe that nobody can get to him and that he can do whatever he likes without taking extra precautions, or only minor ones.
And as the Maltese saying goes. Il garra gejja u sejra fl-ahhar tinkiser.
Daphne, Is it possible for you to find out how many times OLAF interviewed other commissioners in the presence of their lawyers, if any?
I wonder if it’s routine for them or if Dalli was the only one.
John Dalli said that what has happened to him now is parallel to what happened to him in 2004, or something like that.
I never understood what happened to him in 2004. Now I am beginning to understand because more facts came out.
Silvio Zammit in an email to ESTOC: “I should clarify. I am offering these services alone and personally. I use the company below as my consultants on EU law and public affairs. I simply wanted to give you options regarding invoicing should you need to bill an established company with expertise in EU affairs for all or part of the cost… If you don’t need this, please feel free to discard.”
Lovely.
Which company?
Dalli is saying that he wasn’t in the room when Zammit asked the young female Maltese lawyer representing Swedish Match for 60 million.
If we are kind to Dalli and believe him then we have to look further on.
When did Dalli find out about the 60 million request and what did he do about it?
Let’s assume he found out when OLAF interviewed him with his lawyer present.
What did he do to stop Zammit doing things in his name?
He did nothing.
OLAF had to interview him again.
Meanwhile Zammit, having got nowhere with the 60 million request, has gone on to ESTOC to see what pickings they could come up with, all the time saying he is lobbying on behalf of, and with the approval of, Dalli.
OLAF are saying that Dalli was told twice what Zammit was up to and Dalli did nothing about it.
Can they prove conspiracy?
Do we believe Dalli knew nothing of Zammit’s request?
That he left the room moments before Zammit asks for 60 million was pure coincidence?
Either way, for a commissioner to behave like this, it’s game over.
I believe John Dalli found difficulties in explaining to OLAF all the coincidences that have occurred.