Comments on: Malta’s toy soldiers

By: Gladio

Gladio — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:16:00 +0000

After successive PN governments had restored the Armed Forces of Malta’s dignity and respectability we are back to Labour’s good old days ragtag army.

By: H.P. Baxxter

H.P. Baxxter — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 19:20:00 +0000

In reply to Joseph Aquilina. I don't think so. "On their way to Libya" means on their way to an offensive mission. It means combat aircraft with live ordnance (behold the oft-abused magic word) on the tarmac at Malta International Airport. No one needs Malta to load crates of baby milk onto transport aircraft. They can do that in Germany or the UK. Malta's only use is as an airbase closest to the strike area.

By: Joseph Aquilina

Joseph Aquilina — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 18:42:00 +0000

I would answer yes for A and B at this point. The government seems to be focusing on the fact that it will not be sending troops which sounds to me as a political tactic to alienate those PL supporters who still think that calling yourself “neutral” will actually keep enemies away. In other words Metsola was proven right as the government, IMHO, seems to be ready to do what it should have done from the very beginning, i.e. – join the EU wide anti-IS countries.

By: H.P. Baxxter

H.P. Baxxter — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 18:29:00 +0000

Damn shame. That gucci Multicam would have looked a treat against the desert backdrop.

By: Another John

Another John — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 16:23:00 +0000

The reason for not sending any troops abroad is rather more cynical.

One casualty abroad would create loss of ratings at home and would no doubt rock the placid boat of the Maltese psyche.

I’m sure this is the real and calculated reason as to why no troops would be joining the fight against ISIS.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 14:13:00 +0000

In reply to H.P. Baxxter.

I don’t think it’s about neutrality. If it were, at least, there is a value judgement based on an ideological belief. With a few exceptions, Labourites never make those kind of rational judgements.

It’s as someone above says, AFM is a Labour Party Club and we wouldn’t want to irk voters by sending them into a possible combat zone. In add, bullies are usually cowards.

By: A Mallia

A Mallia — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 13:30:00 +0000

Oh my God….I have a strong suspicion that Muscat and his lot really believe that if we sit on the fence, ISIS will say, “Ah Malta hanina, hobza u sardina”, and piss off past us on the way to conquering Rome.

Maybe Muscat can strike a deal with them: send the Jihadis for some R & R to Malta, where Nuxellina can hand out some sugared almonds to them on arrival.

What a bunch of deluded incompetent twats.

By: H.P. Baxxter

H.P. Baxxter — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 13:28:00 +0000

Because it has more than one regiment.

By: H.P. Baxxter

H.P. Baxxter — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 13:19:00 +0000

That’s the usual problem with Times of Malta file photos. That photo shows recruits undergoing training.

By: H.P. Baxxter

H.P. Baxxter — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 12:24:00 +0000

Where DAFUQ do I even start? Stupid politics, stupider politicians, and ignorant journalists.

For a start, Maltese soldiers do not participate in “EU fora”. Fora are for lawyers, politicians and MEPs. Soldiers participate in missions. And ours have.

Secondly, C Company is not an “arm”. An arm would be infantry, artillery, engineers etc. We only have infantry. It’s UNIT, not arm.

Third, the only way you can participate in a UN mission without sending troops is by paying for it. So we will be paying for someone else soldiers. All right. It seems the coffers are overflowing. So let’s pay.

Fourth, if the mission is UN-mandated, you can, on Xarabank, claim to be part of the mission by allowing aircraft to land on your territory. But in the real world it doesn’t really count as participation. Don’t whine when Maltese businessmen are left out of the post-war contract iced bun process.

Fifth, the minister didn’t explain why. If this is about neutrality (again) he should spit it out.