Lawrence Gonzi's press conference
Published:
March 18, 2011 at 4:54pm
Please be patient and give me time to count to 10, and 10 again, before I tell you exactly what I think.
I need to compose myself.
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Well said, Gonzi. No military base! Perhaps the BBC will now stop setting us up.
[Daphne – The prime minister should really be worried when most of the praise he’s getting comes from people like you, Kevin.]
I just hope this is not a trump card, to be traded for treats at the first opportunity. But so far, his response has been reassuring.
At this rate – and for this alone – he’s got my vote.
This is our sovereignty’s last remnant: the right to say, ‘No, Malta will not serve as a military base’ and you want us to sacrifice it on the altar of your obsessions.
So this is what it’s all been about, Kevin. Our blasted sovereignty. Which came in very handy when you needed to embrace a cause to salve your conscience and construct a public persona.
Not that it would affect you, seeing as you no longer live in Malta.
The right to say ‘no’ is not renounced by saying ‘no’.
I’d like to see what all the squealers will have to say – you included – if there is any attack that affects Maltese civilians.
Kev, you have to acknowledge that the PM has handled the entire Libyan crisis very well. Like he did with the financial crisis. Do you think you can procure Sharon’s vote as well?
(I declare I have no specific interests in connection with these remarks).
Irrespective of one’s views about Malta being used as a military base, I do not think we have the infrastructure to do so. Our airport is a civilian airport, and it is privatised. I do not think that military flights, loaded with ammunition, can be allowed to take off from the same runways used by planes loaded with passengers.
Ciccio2011 – naqta rasi ma tghoddx aktar minn 20 sena, x’int naive. You can re-establish Malta as a military base in a matter of days.
La Redoute – We say Yes just once and there’s no turning back. This is clear. But perhaps you still think the EU is an economic club and the Lisbon treaty a Portuguese sweet.
Baxxter – no, it’s not about sovereignty but about our ability to ensure our security in a dangerous world. Malta cannot be a huge aircraft carrier extending from Benghisa to Gharb.
We say no once, and then expect everyone to come to our rescue if things don’t go our way.
You can stamp, scream, and throw all your toys out of the pram but the fact remains that you pontificate as you do while living in a country that’s put its military resources at the service of an international effort from which Malta benefits.
What makes you so sure that Malta won’t be attacked even if there’s no military base here? And what makes you think that you are safe if that never happens? Bombs on trains, planes and ships are just as lethal as those that drop from the air onto a military airfield.
@Kev
“Ciccio2011 – naqta rasi ma tghoddx aktar minn 20 sena, x’int naive. You can re-establish Malta as a military base in a matter of days.”
You have to tell me how, Kev.
As for my age, I will keep you guessing.
Qisek pennur, Kevin Ellul Bonici.
Kevvy finally shows his true colours–yellow, with a reddish tinge. Grow up, enter the real world and, maybe, go to the gym.
That makes him orange, and just as bitter.
More like a lemon, Redoute. That’s really yellow. Ever try to ‘blow your own horn’ while sucking a lemon? Doesn’t work. Wonder whether Kevvy works (wifie keeps him) as he blows his own horn.
he’s already chickened out
I agree with the PM that Malta should not be used as a military base for an attack on Libya – this is what I expected him to say.
This is the best position for us to take with one of our neighbours. Let us not forget that it was us who made business with Gaddafi and his regime, and in doing so, we were as illegitimate as he was in our dealings.
However, I have my doubts that in his call to Dr. Gonzi, the Libyan PM did not threaten our PM with consequences if Malta is used as a military base against Libya.
Bombing in Misurata after Libya announces a ceasefire:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_OU9qp2vNk&feature=player_embedded
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110318/local/malta-will-not-be-base-for-enforcement-of-no-fly-zone-pm
“He hoped that the enforcement of a no flight zone would not be necessary once there was a ceasefire. ……He replied that in order to the ceasefire to be credible, the Libyan government needed to withdraw all weapons used against the people.”
What does Gonzi expect – a ceasefire with Ghaddafi still in control of the east and free to terrorise the world? The total annhilation of Ghaddafi and his henchmen is the only acceptable outcome.
“Should there be an ‘unpleasant surprise from Libya, he said Malta did not feel the need to request help, but it was confident of such help, should it be needed, from the EU.”
Of course, first deny help and then expect the EU to assist if we get attacked. Brilliant – a serf mentality straight from the dark ages!
Once again we sit on the fence hoping no one notices us while we scramble for the crumbs that drop on the floor. Our politicians are spineless with the exception of Simon Busuttil.
The oracle has spoken.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110318/local/malta-will-not-be-base-for-enforcement-of-no-fly-zone-pm
OPPOSITION LEADER’S STATEMENT
Labour leader Joseph Muscat in a separate statement also said the PL believed Malta should not be used as a military base and no planes on their way to attack another country should be allowed to leave from Malta.
At the same time, the country was duty bound and should respect the resolution of the United Nations Security Council.
Dr Muscat said Malta should continue to focus on its role as a centre of humanitarian assistance.
He said that in these circumstances, national security should be given utmost priority in all decisions that were taken.
Hobla jew tredda Joe, If in difficulty ask that other round zero karmenu. Both of you are beyond repair.
How original, Joey.
Bullshit Mr. Prime Minister; our role is not to tend the wounds of the innocents, but to do our utmost to help in preventing them.
This is really the cherry on the cake. Is it possible that he so far from reallity that he does not known which side the wind is blowing?
Gaddafi must go forever, we can’t have him any more as our neighbour if we want stabillity in the Med.
It is time to stand up and be counted,no more pussyfooting. Confucus says: A good leader is the one who places his bets on the winning horse.
Silvio, jeez you are amusing. I see, from your comment, that you have not read the dictionary, nor any grammar text. However I guess your general thrust can be accepted–kill the dictator! Confucious (check your dictionary again–spell check?) had many informative sayings. Never read the one you quoted. As far as I know, a good leader bets on his own horse–himself.
Fighting is still going on in spite of the supposed ceasefire. BBC World News:
1717: Sherine Tadros from Al Jazeera English tweets: “Gunfire and heavy artillery clashes between rebels and #Gaddafi forces at Southern entrance of Ajdabiya.”
1712: To recap on the evets of the last few hours. Following last night’s UN resolution in favour of military intervention, Col Gaddafi’s regime announced an immediate ceasefire at about 1240 GMT. Since then we’ve had reports of continued shelling in some cities, including Misrata, but elsewhere, suggestions that the security situation may be improving. The UK, France and US have said they want to see real evidence of a ceasefire on the ground – words are not enough, they insist.
Malta MUST be used as a military base to get rid of Gaddafi. I am really disappointed with the prime minister and the PL.
Dr Gonzi has 2 years left in power probably, I wonder if the Libyan prime mister promised Gonzi ‘something nice’!
This is disgusting and despicable, I hope if the rebels win in the long run, they will kick Malta up the back side and Malta will deserve it. I am ashamed to be Maltese now!
I DISAGREE WITH THE PM COMPLETELY!!! WHAT THE HELL IS HE AFRAID OF!! I’VE GOT A SUDDEN URGE TO GO AND SHOUT IN FRONT OF CASTILLE BHALISSA ….KIF TELAGHOMLI!! ARA VERU PUSSIES!!
A small mercy: Malta will allow aircraft through its airspace. With the way things are going, I thought our honourable government won’t even grant that.
Can the UN request Malta to act as a military base? If it does, will it be possible for Malta to refuse (in theory and in practice)?
No it cannot. That’s one misconception about UN Security Council Resolutions. Actions under Chapter 5 or Chapter 7 are only binding in the sense that any countries who choose to contribute forces must follow rules and regulations, and any countries on the receiving end must comply with whatever resolution is taken.
The bit about UNSC decisions in our constitution is just a fig leaf. Any participation in UN forces is voluntary, and it is obvious that we will never volunteer.
Thank you.
Libya wants Malta to supervise ceasefire – report The Times, online
How?
By turning the offer to KMB. Meanwhile, the Maltese government should just say “No thank you.” Otherwise, we would only be protecting the Gaddafi regime – we will be used as a “paraventu.”
We can always use that neutrality clause as an excuse.
Are we being blackmailed by Gaddafi or what? What a weak position taken by our government.
Highly unimpressed. Bet-hedging to the end.
I’ve been scathing of Gonzi as Maltese yellow-bellied cowardice from day one, so it doesn’t surprise me.
However, let’s be practical. The military planners can do without Malta as a base. But Gonzi never said anything about letting them use our airspace.
I pray to the goddess Minerva that he’s not planning on some petty foot-stamping when the jets start flying overhead.
“The military planners can do without Malta as a base.”
I think that that is the truth. We do not matter and we are not needed. That is why we are allowed to make a big deal of our neutrality.
All the more reason for us to do the right thing and join the coalition: Our lack of resources would make no difference.
He already said Malta “will be obliged” to allow aircraft through, H.P. Baxxter. I really dislike the word the Prime Minister used, “obliged”, as if we’re being forced into this and not doing it out of our own will to rid ourselves of that mad dog.
[Daphne – Yes, and what about ‘M nhallux li Malta tigi uzata bhala bazi militari’? Tigi uzata! Madonna! WTF. I still haven’t calmed down, sorry, you’re going to have to wait a bit longer.]
I’m only getting the news from online news reports, since we don’t get PBS coverage in this corner of the globe. That bit about allowing aircraft through wasn’t reported.
What can I say? Il-veru kaz ta’ “Heqq m’hemmx x’taghmel.” Qisu Joseph Muscat u l-EU. Imbaghad nirringrazjaw lill-Bambin li ghandna lil Gonzi jmexxina, bil-par idejn sodi? Par xi haga ohra neqsin, more like.
He mentioned the use of Malta’s airspace in today’s press conference, but didn’t say what the answer would be if fly-through clearance were requested.
I’ve just seen the press conference on the OPM website.
In answer to Karl Stagno-Navarra he said that Malta would then be obliged to allow aircraft to fly through.
And FFS he needs to watch his language more carefully. “Din l-ATMOSFERA ta’ vjolenza”? Din il-vjolenza, fullstop! Sometimes the fate of nations hangs on one word. We Maltese are careless about language, and using Maltese doesn’t help. But he’s the prime minister, for heaven’s sake.
Life under Gaddafi, an interview with someone who survived:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHvatXApfZk&feature=player_embedded
I believe that the essential part of this press conference was the recount of the conversation Dr. Gonzi had with his Libyan counterpart and the qualification of same on a question by one of the journalists. In essence we are told that Dr. Gonzi insisted that:
1. the ceasefire is not considered as such if the military equipment remains in place;
2. that the ceasefire is only the first step in seeing that the people’s will (that is, that Gaddafi disappears) is implemented.
As just communicated by Juppe, UN supporters of yesterday’s resolution will tomorrow be meeting in Paris to discuss exactly this ceasefire. Dr. Gonzi’s requests should form the base for the discussion and requests to be made to Libya.
What is a fact is that despite all the Gaddafi’s bluff, they are currently wetting their pants.
As the saying goes, there comes a time when all good men must stand up and be counted. It looks like Simon Busuttil is our only representative who has spoken coherently from the beginning.
Can we organise a protest in front of parliament to voice our opposition to this decision?
I’ll come ta! ….ax bhallissa demmi jbaqbaq
A few other overlooked details.
1. Malta will let military aircraft on the way to Libya through its airspace (and I don’t think we will informing Gaddafi this time).
2. It makes little sense for NATO to establish a base here when it has one in Singonella – since WWII and the Cold War there have been some improvements in aircraft.
3. Malta is not even required for reconnaissance. AWACS deliver far better.
Daphne, I understand your need to count to ten and then to ten again but this is taking you too long. Come on, your comments?
I will give you mine.
Maltese politicians should be ashamed of themselves. They are portraying the Maltese nation as a nation of lily-livered cowards. With our position in the Med we should have been first to join the French and the British. I think that human rights are still dirty words where our politicians (all of them) are concerned.
Daphne, are you calling a press conference?
No, she is weighing her options. She’s obviously going to write something against Gonzi, so for instance, it may be used against her in the future, by the Labour party media, to discredit her.
Il-Ginger, I know what you mean. However, worse still is if the Labour party uses what Daphne writes to discredit the PM.
I dont know what the PM said but:
a) Malta is not really needed to enforce a no-fly zone; the UK defence minister also said so;
b) with people like KMB and Mintoff in Malta you would be nuts to have military action from Malta and not from Sigonella just a few miles away from here;
[Daphne – Sorry ta, but one is dribbling and senile and the other is….what exactly? How does he come into it?]
c) I was against the neutrality issue but I now feel that Malta can do much more by using its strengths rather than its weaknesses.
As I said in the very beginning of this conflict our role should be not to mediate as suggested by others but to help find a solution example by finding a way of getting rid of Gaddafi with the least harm possible to the Libyans. It’s not impossible. If we are truly friends with the Libyans then that is what we should do.
Last time round all it took was a phone call from the less senile one and the attempted bombing that was to put an end to this dictator went down the drain…
Here is a man with some sense of principle at least
http://maltanewsonline.com/former-nationalist-mp-dr-frank-portelli-asks-to-be-removed-from-honours-list/
Obama live on Al Jazeera.
http://www.facebook.com/aljazeera?sk=app_7146470109
https://opm.gov.mt/home?l=2
for those who want to know what the PM said
Incredible!
His opening phrase on “Il-priorità bladibla” just screams “I’M A SELFISH BASTARD”. His genius advisers probably adapted some quote from Churchill or some such but it translates HORRIBLY into Maltese.
Baxxter. think your ‘English translation’ is not all that bad..
Well… let’s be practical about this. It is OK to be buff and bullish when you are thousands of miles away and have military muscle.
[Daphne – Italy is not thousands of miles away. Italy is just as close to Libya as Malta is. In fact, the US airbase on Italian territory, which will be used for enforcement of the no-fly zone, is just up the road at Sigonella. And Siracusa is how far away from Malta exactly? Sixty miles? Gosh, that’s really far away from Tripoli. Must give the Italians a lot of confidence. And then we have Germany – even further away than Britain but even yellower than Malta.]
Let’s not forget that the warmongering French (funny that) were helping Libyans build nuclear plants and selling them weapons, so their sudden bouts of leadership must be also seen in their urge to make amends (even if I hear no talk about military intervention in another hotspot – Ivory Coast).
[Daphne – We have amends to make, too, Jack, and if you don’t know that then it’s because you don’t know many Libyans – Libyans, that is, who are not part of the Gaddafi crowd.]
Malta as military base? Sure, ensure a military buffer zone, so that any retaliation against Malta is adequately answered for, and then we’ll consider.
If my memory doesn’t fail me, those two MIG fighter jets were in Malta in no time (with friendly intentions). What if they had been on the warpath to strike any eventual base? Recruit our army of hunters to have a try at it with their shotguns? Pull the other one…
Those thousands of miles are no protection against terrorist activity. If you have any doubt, ask the relatives of the Lockerbie victims.
Pantelleria seems to be an option and it’s a lot closer to Libya then us. It has a puny airstrip and I assume facilities there would be limited.
The cherry on the cake would have been that we would be doing a KMB and giving Tripoli a little advance notice of incoming air strikes.
Count to ten? Count for 2 hours is more like it! Come on .. do you have to carefully select your words when it comes to criticising Dr Gonzi?? I thought spontaneous and smart-ass remarks were always your forte .. but definitely not in this case.
Well my take on this press conference is as follows : I think Gonzi was being cautious. He did say that Malta will not be used as a military base but of course, will give clearance to military aircrafts flying in our airspace (even though this is imposed by UN) … Who knows what the Libyan Prime Minister threatened him with?
My bet is on mustard gas.
Spare us, John.
Spare you? If you don’t like my comments, simply skip on to the next one, or else try to counter my argument enlightening us with your infinite wisdom.
I don’t have infinite wisdom. I simply understand that if Gaddafi wanted to “attack” Malta (as most Maltese are getting all excited about and in reality wishing for to relieve their boredom) he could have done so long ago.
He even he had a reason to do it – refusing to return the Mirages. He could have also done it a year ago, when our government granted oil exploration rights to Heritage Oil. After all, he already did that once in 1980, to the extent he sent a gunboat to blow up a Texaco oil rig, remember?
No, what these telephone conversations mean is that the Libyan regime still considers us as a mere fiefdom, always ready to do its bidding, irrespective of our EU membership. Circumvent UN sanctions? Try to soften the European stand against Gaddafi? Need a messenger boy on the other side of the Med? Phone Gonzi.
It’s troubling that, even at this late stage, there is more concern about threats from Gaddafi’s men than about the consequences of sitting on the sidelines while other people put their lives on the line.
No statutes for Gonzi.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/gavinhewitt/2011/03/libya_and_sarkozys_moment.html
In Malta politicians come cheaper by the dozen but statesmen are a very rare breed.
The coalition is being formed:
http://www3.lastampa.it/esteri/sezioni/articolo/lstp/394022/
It will take a considerable amount of tens and then some more tens, I suppose, Daphne. Frankly I did not see the point of the PM’s press conference and it was an utter bore. Instead I tuned in to David Cameron talking at his party conference in Perth, Scotland, and that was just brilliant, clear, articulate. Quite frankly we are a nation of political dwarfs. Utterly disappointed.
I have always backed the PN through all the years and never was disappointed. This time I have to admit that Dr. Gonzi has really let me down.
Malta cannot, will not, should not be used for any military offensive actions under any circumstances. Not now, not ever. This has nothing to do with neutrality. Nor has it anything to do with cowardice.
It is about seeing the wider picture. It is about asking ‘what if’?
[Daphne – That’s right: what if? What if everyone took the same attitude as we and the Germans did? What if Gaddafi were to stay because nobody wanted to do anything to remove him? What if Malta had a vote in the UN Security Council? What if Gaddafi is booted out over the next few months and Malta finds itself dealing with the Opposition, now the government, that it refused to go all out to help, while taking calls from Gaddafi’s office. What if?]
What if military airplanes use our only airport and the no-fly zone persists for months? Remember ours is a civil airport and is virtually the sole point of entry for 1.3 million tourists per year. News flashed across Europe – which by the way provides our main tourist markets – will refer over and over again to Malta as the location from where the military aircraft left. The impression transmitted across Europe will be that Malta is in some way within arm’s reach of Gaddafi’s forces.
[Daphne – Ah, that’s because it is. People can read maps, whether Malta is a base or not. But then so is Italy, so is Greece, so is Cyprus, and they all have tourism industries far larger than ours and none of them see this as a consideration. You do what you have to do and just get on with it.]
Gaddafi will never attack Malta because he will gain nothing out of it – his sole objective is to stay in place and attacking any other country would not help him in that objective. But try telling that to people who will be deciding where to spend their next holiday in the coming months.
UN’s no-fly zone was the right decision. All leaders involved, Cameron in particular, did a great job to get to this point and clearly all countries involved will pay a price to some extent to have the no-fly zone imposed.
The price that would be paid by Malta, however, would simply be excessive and disproportionate. The perception that Malta is in some way involved in military action could result in our tourist numbers going down by 10%, 20% or more.
Some might say so what? Try telling that to those whose livelihood depends on tourism.
There are two important differences between Malta on the one hand and Sicily and Cyprus on the other. First, Malta is closer to Libya than any of the other locations and in terms of perception that makes a world of difference.
[Daphne – Cyprus is as close to Libya as Malta is, or haven’t you looked at a map? And Sicily is just 60 miles further away – a bloody sneeze. Honestly.]
Second, Sicily and Cyprus have military airstrips. The military aircraft will be nowhere near the civil aviation.
As for Cyprus military installations, they are British military bases. As far as I know, the Cypriot government would have no say in the use of the British military bases.
If there’s going to be any military action, it makes little difference to tourism in the Mediterranean whether planes take off from Malta, Cyprus or Sicily, particularly when Gaddafi’s threatened to attack all civilian sea and air traffic.
The PM looked quite nervous and despondent during the press conference. He also mentioned that the Libyan PM had phoned him. I wonder if this was the cause of his unease? Was our PM threatened by the Libyans, told of some retaliatory action should Malta host war planes involved in the UN no-fly zone?
When we elect our PM and our represenatatives in parliament we expect them to do their job without fear. Parliament is sovereign and its members should reflect that in their behaviour and decisions they take in our name.
Farrugia, I have the same fears as you do, but we have no concrete evidence for our thoughts.
I know I may be saying this with hindsight, but perhaps the PM should not have taken any calls from Libya after yesterday’s resolutions.
He could have said he is busy with the divorce debate, because Malta is behind Libya in this respect, and we are risking not joining Europe unless we enact a law about it quickly.
Maybe Daphne is so beaten up by the PM’s press release because he did not undo what Mintoff did (referring to the neutrality clause here) … isn’t that so Daphne?
[Daphne – I think before I write, John. I work out what I want to say first. It’s my training. Now pop across to the next post and see what I wrote there: that it’s a shame the prime minister who was elected by people like me, who think as I do, has lowered himself to the level of pandering to people like you, who voted for Labour and have the mentality of a Mintoffjan.]
Who said anything about a mentality of a Mintoffjan? I simply pointed out something which crossed my mind. I don’t really care about Mintoff and his era … but in your case, knowing the hatred you harbour for that man, it was the only reasonable explanation for your reaction. :)
If history is forgotten, it is bound to repeat itself. Read up about life under Labour, John.
Libya Conflict Map : UN Operating Bases
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Libya-Conflict-Interactive-Graphic-Showing-No-Fly-Zone-And-Points-Of-Interest/Article/201103315955272?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Page_Feature_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15955272_Libya_Conflict%3A_Interactive_Graphic_Showing_No-Fly_Zone_And_Points_Of_Interest
It appears that Sky News missed the PM’s press conference as Malta is still being shown as a UK air and navy base.
Too many commenters are selfishly considering the short term results of our pitiable policy of trying to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. We do not fool anyone.
Gaddafi’s days are numbered. What remains unknown is how many more inadequately armed Libyan insurgents are going to be massacred while we primly act as hospital nurses to the wounded and as undertakers to the dead – but nothing more risky than that. Sooner or later we will have to deal with the Libyan survivors of that massacre. They will remember and they will remind us. Even the most selfish NIMBY should be able to understand that.
I am astounded that some of us we in Malta are so shameless and insensitive as to admit our total reliance on the European Union for our defence if we are attacked, and at the same time deny the EU and its allies any small use of our territory when that co-operation is required for carrying out a Security Council decision to try and stop the callous slaughter of our next door neighbours.
Quite frankly, I’m disgusted but to be honest not too surprised.
We are the armchair critics who know just what to say
We are the brave and valiant – we’ll lead you all the way
We shouted “Hail to Caesar” up to a week ago
We now rush to condemn him: he’s weak and he is slow.
We are Ta’ Bendu’s army – we bleat and we walk tall
We rub it in profusely – we think we know it all.
[Daphne – Some of us do.]
This is the first time I am diametrically opposed to the stand taken by our PM. I thought he would be the sensible man and politician that I always thought he was.
This stand of being neutral in the face of a UN resolution, no less, means that I have to give up on my country when it comes to foreign affairs. To me this is the end.
I don’t want to even waste my time anymore trying to put forward my argument against this neutrality clause, that was shoved down our throat anyway. My last bastion of defending what is right and logical in foreign affairs has failed me. I can’t believe I’m writing this, but I know I am and I’m not feeling ashamed at all.
And for those of us here who know absolutely nothing about military affairs, I will just tell them that this part of the Med is going to be so congested with military aircraft that civilian aircraft have been told to expect delays or even sent back to their point of departure.
With Qatar and the UAE participating in the UN effort to stop Gaddafi butchering his people we could have at least offered some facilities to them and we would have expressed our willingness to be part of this bloomin’ world rather than showing everyone we live in cuckoo land.
Jekk jitolbuna biex jghaddu minn l-ajru taghna ma noggezzjonawx. Hekk jonqos ukoll noggezzjonaw.