Comments on: Career diplomat to be new ambassador to Paris

By: Amigos

Amigos — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 11:26:00 +0000

In reply to Daphne Caruana Galizia. I think that the sheer breadth and depth of the US global diplomatic network and structure means that they can afford to dispense a certain amount of patronage without necessarily stunting the ambitions and aspirations of 'career' people, whereas in micro Malta by comparison we appear to have a wholesale politicisation of the system.

By: Daphne Caruana Galizia

Daphne Caruana Galizia — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 08:26:00 +0000

The United States is one country which (in)famously uses ambassadorships as a reward system for campaign donors.

By: Evarist Saliba

Evarist Saliba — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 20:35:00 +0000

Patrick Mifsud was my First Secretary when I opened Malta’s first embassy in Madrid in 1993. I was completely satisfied with his competence and I wish him well in his new assignment.

By: Daphne Caruana Galizia

Daphne Caruana Galizia — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 10:36:00 +0000

I hardly think so.

By: Daphne Caruana Galizia

Daphne Caruana Galizia — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 08:41:00 +0000

In reply to Pino. Have you read the post? Clearly not. It says clearly right there that the tours of duty of all the political appointees at the European embassies, except for Vincent Camilleri in Paris, have been renewed for another three years.

By: Pino

Pino — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 08:21:00 +0000

I’m sure we will see more of this as the general election approaches. They will then be able to say that they have learned the lesson and are trying to remedy things. I bet they will name some PN leaning people to government posts too.

By: pacikk

pacikk — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 07:57:00 +0000

Or rather none of their cronies want to go to Paris in the current world circumstances. So they typically get the upper hand by playing the good governance card, and appointing someone fit and proper for once.

By: Joseph Spiteri

Joseph Spiteri — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 07:55:00 +0000

There is nobody left from the potential political appointees who were fluent in French, let alone anyone from the list who could be entrusted with running the Embassy in Paris, especially under the current environment in France.

And Mr Mifsud already has experience there, having been First Secretary several years ago.

By: J Sammut

J Sammut — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 07:50:00 +0000

Maybe George Vella threatened to leave if he did not have it his way. Toni Abela was next on the waiting list.

Vella is not happy at all with Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri. People can only take so much.