That makes it even worse.

A little known fact is that Malta’s patrol boat wasn’t 280km away. It was much closer and could have arrived much sooner, having been on exercises in the area.

One has to keep in mind Italy’s infamous Bossi-Fini act, fishing vessels confiscated after having picked immigrants at sea, their crew accused of human trafficking.

Clearance to all civilian vessels in the area, which would have meant taking these to Lampedusa, the nearest port, rests with Muscat.

There’s another more sickening hypothesis;

Muscat first played cat and mouse and moved in when the situation was critical, sending the one boat 280kms when it was too late. But still prohibiting Xuereb any coordination with the center in Rome.

‘A piece of bravado to gain favour with the EU’.

Could explain Xuereb’s abrupt resignation before he even got to Brussels.

I wouldn’t be surprised, if he’s called in front of the investigative commission demanded by the Cinque Stelle. Guess who’ll be called to provide their testimony as well.

Did Muscat not factor in that a tragedy would be enormous?

Did he refrain from issuing clearance regardless?

Is there nothing or no one that he is accountable to?

The crassness of this bunch is stupifying.

Run this chilling story through Google translate:
http://gatti.blogautore.espresso.repubblica.it/2014/01/24/italia-e-malta-litigano-sul-naufragio/

What it boils down to is that, until Xuereb called, Muscat’s default orders were to leave survivors in the sea. Malta had known for hours that the boat was unstable and about to sink.

According to law, Xuereb was obliged to effect rescue, even before the boat capsized. The only plausible explanation for why he first needed clearance from Muscat is that he had standing orders to the contrary.

Kemm ghajruh, u kemm abbuza mid-drittijiet tal-bniedem u x’naf jien.

Kollha siktu. Il-wicc b’iehor tista’ ssejjahlu Malti.

Please sign https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/Find_the_missing_persons_in_Lampedusa_Shipwreck_11_October_2013/?pv=12