The land of opportunism is going to want a piece of the pie in the land of opportunity
I would have thought it amusing were it not so very irritating. The streams of ‘Libyans go home’, ‘it’s none of our business’, and ‘Malta is too small to get involved’ comments on timesofmalta.com have begun to shift as the xenophobics, racists and opportunists among us begin to understand – albeit a little late – that the tide just might be turning.
timesofmalta.com has interviewed a Libyan man who lives in Malta (and who speaks Maltese with a Maltese accent) who called on the people of Malta to “stop being afraid of Gaddafi” and to join in the demonstration against him in Valletta on Saturday.
He said that we stand to gain – well, he has lived in Malta and knows how we think – if Libya becomes a democracy, because there are so many resources and opportunities.
And then this comment appears beneath the story:
Steven Portelli
I think this person is right. Libya can be the most beautiful place in the mediterrenean and if democracy prevails it would be a land of opportunities. One think which Libyans must understand is that Maltese people have always been close to them and they should never abondon us and forget what Malta has done for them. And although we are a tiny island we are the only EU member that can understand the culture and really help out.
So now it’s no longer a case of what has Libya ever done for us and why should we help them and why don’t they go and protest in their own country. Now it’s a matter of making sure that the Libyans don’t forget what Malta has done for them.
What has Malta done for Libyans except help keep Gaddafi alive for another 25 years?
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Can anyone say something for clarification’s sake about the air space question during the Mintoff /Gaddafi times please. Did Malta concede any airspace?
Time magazine, 1972
“Gaddafi is more than able to do so. His oil industry, the Middle East’s richest, provides annual revenues of $2.4 billion; these will undoubtedly increase as a result of his sudden nationalization of British Petroleum’s Libyan wells last month. From this hoard Gaddafi doles out about $125 million a year to Egypt, some of which compensates for lost Suez Canal tolls, $40 million to Syria and $10 million to the Sudan. He is reportedly ready to advance Mintoff $140 million over a three-year period, just what the Prime Minister is demanding from the British.
What Gaddafi wants in return is not clear. Libya hardly needs Malta’s bases. The most plausible explanation is that the youthful Gaddafi—at 31, a xenophobic nationalist and Moslem fundamentalist who detests Communism as much as colonialism—is seizing an opportunity to neutralize Malta. His money is payable only after the British leave and on condition that the Russian Mediterranean fleet is also barred. He particularly wants to get rid of British planes, which, he insists, have been overflying Egypt from Malta to spy for Israel. If their reconnaissance flights are ended, he recently told startled Maltese visitors, the Arab nations should be able to defeat Israel within three years.”
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,877632,00.html#ixzz1EpRwFtl1
The article suggests that we kicked out the Brits only to appease Gaddafi.
There was never a valid reason to get rid of the British navy base from Malta.
Of course we only kicked out the British only to appease Ghaddafi. Then look what happened: the following year he threatened to send a frigate if Texaco drills for oil in Maltese waters.
And now look at us, watching in awe as two Mirages land in our airport without authorization.
Thank you, Dom.
Madcuff, I think you REALLY need to learn how to read.
Oh, really?
The BBC is broadcasting live a Gaddafi speech as I write.
It is unbelievable that, according to Gaddafi, the situation in the Arab world has turned into one of Bin Laden versus Gaddafi!
The two great terrorists terrorising each other – who would have thought of that? We must have badly understimated the stupidity of George W Bush.
It is also unbelievable that the BBC is giving live coverage to this crazy man. It is unbelievable that the world has to hold its breath to listen to his speeches. This reminds me of how Malta was all tuned into the Parliamentary broadcasts when Mintoff was bringing down his government. The two men come from the same tribe.
He is now offering his condolences for the dead. You are right. They should stop giving him live coverage.
He only offered condolences for FOUR dead people, his guards.
By most rational accounts, Bin Ladin has been dead since around December 2001.
Besides, Al-Qaeda is not the structured organisation we are led to believe it is. In fact, Al Qaeda, meaning ‘the database’, is originally the CIA database listing the Mujahideen fighting the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
Bottom line: Bin Ladin & Al Qaeda Inc. is the West’s ‘Emmanuel Goldstein’ and Col. Gaddafi is having a try at the game himself.
Bin laden is not dead.
Willywonka – this is Kevin Ellul Bonici you are talking to.
Kev, I think it’s because the US say Bin Laden is alive that you’re telling us he’s dead. Had the US issued a statement that Bin Laden was dead, I’m sure you’d be insisting he’s still alive.
Al Qaeda means the ‘base’ (as in foundation stone) – where did you get the idea it means ‘database’? Compare to the Maltese ‘qiegħed’ (he placed).
‘Al qaeda’ means ‘the base’, but ‘Al Qaeda’ was the name of the database under reference.
The late Robin Cook, former British foreign minister, was one to have pointed this out (http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=1291), but this has long been established through whistleblowers, leaked documents and Arab sources.
As for Bin Ladin, there’s lots to be said. Suffice to say that his last confirmed announcement was also his first – just after 9/11. It was a statement which said he had nothing to do with the attacks and that Americans should seek answers from elements of their own government. The Bin Ladin videos are fake as variously confirmed.
We now have to bear the responsibility of what is happening in Libya, for a very simple reason that all Maltese politicians since Independence have supported and endorsed Gaddafi’s agenda. And who elected our politicians?
We did.
It is convenient to say that our country has nothing to do and argue that these Libyans have no right to protest in our country, but we now have to suffer the responsibilities for our country’s ill-fated foreign policy of the last 40 years.
So that’s who’s to blame.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110224/local/gaddafi-accuses-bin-laden-the-us-of-libya-plot
Yes, indeed: Malta gave the Libyans Gaddafi for the last 25 years. They should appreciate that…at least.
According to Rai News 24 the protestors are organising a final showdown to take hold of Tripoli and depose Gaddafi of all his domain. The game should soon be over for Gaddafi.
This is the threshold of a new era for the Libyans. What a courageous people.
This is just an ordinary day for the Maltese. What a spineless people.
Also according to Rai News 24, it was Bettino Craxi and not KMB who alerted Gaddafi just before the 1986 raid.
Malta’s priority should be that of seeing the safe return of its nationals and other European nationals. That is the first priority.
No other action can guarantee the safety of our nationals and the safety of the people of Libya.
On the other hand we must not fuel the hands of the murderers. The planes should stay put in Malta as sending them back would make our government an accomplice in the murder.
Thank God we do not have Mintoff or KMB in office as the choice would not be that obvious.
[Daphne – You mean it would be obvious, but not right.]
Mario Micallef told the GWU paper l-Orizzont that everything is peaceful and quiet in Libya. So, may I ask, why is so much effort being expended on the repatriation of non-Libyans?