VivaMalta.org - Artist: THE TIMES

Malèna

30thJune2005, 11:24

source:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=191765

The Times of Malta

Illegal immigration

Andrew Sciberras, Hamrun.

Opinion

30 June 2005

http://www.timesofmalta.com/images/20050630_let_09.jpg

I refer to the article written by Herman Grech (June 19). VivaMalta.org (http://vivamalta.org/) will never condone illegal activities by its members. The intention on June 18 was merely to flyer Balzan before the activity took place and then observe and record the African BBQ.

Is this breaching the law? We are neither Fascists nor do we promote traditional nationalism. We have gone far beyond that. We love our country but we believe that a Unified Europe is the only hope for a prosperous future for the Maltese and all Europeans. We are the New Right, not fossilised in the past but looking to the future.

Yes, we are against the fact that illegal immigrants will be allowed to come into Malta. In our vision they should be met outside Maltese territorial waters, given food and fuel and escorted south towards Africa. Our politicians are currently neglecting the Maltese and inviting more and more illegal immigrants.

We are totally against this. Malta cannot cope with this burden due to the fact that our resources are very limited.

Finally, we are not racists. On the contrary, our vision comes from a love for our race and a respect for people of other races. Neither do we believe in the concept of "white supremacy".

But we have learnt from experience that multi-culturalism does not work. Anyone can observe what is happening around the world where multi-culturalism is present. Furthermore, certain cultures are so totally alien to ours that, not only can they not intertwine with ours, they would suffocate us and change us completely, thus eradicating our very being.

source:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=191765

PERICLES

30thJune2005, 15:18

Illegal immigration (2)

Carmel Said, Msida.

According to journalist Natalino Fenech, "the large number of immigrants in Malta is fuelling a degree of racism" (June 23). I beg to differ.

Is it racism to want to protect your country? Is it racism to want to preserve your children's future? Is it racism to expect that the taxes you contribute are actually spent on something you can benefit from? Is it racism to show concern at the ongoing phenomenon which our country is totally unprepared to face? Is it racism to worry about the fact that some places in Malta have already become no-go areas for the Maltese people? Is it racism to worry about the safety of your daughter coming home by bus from the Valletta terminus some time after 6 p.m.? If the answer to all these questions is yes, then by all means, call me a racist.

The Maltese people have already spoken. Their non-presence at the "multi-cultural" event is enough to affirm that all the brainwashing being practised by various politicians, organisations and media is all in vain. The Maltese people definitely do not want to integrate with these unwelcome visitors. On the contrary, the majority of the Maltese are getting fed up at the inertia of the authorities in controlling and quelling this situation. But obviously they are afraid to speak out because they "can be charged for inciting racism". So much for freedom of thought and freedom of speech.

The Maltese people should not be made to pay for other countries' shortcomings. Repatriation is the best solution. Then and only then will these people stop coming to our shores!

http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=191766

Neverwinter

30thJune2005, 20:01

Wow....The TOM is publishing the articles that matter now. Awesome. ;)

umberto

30thJune2005, 20:30

very well indeed.

umberto

30thJune2005, 20:37

Yes, we are against the fact that illegal immigrants will be allowed to come into Malta. In our vision they should be met outside Maltese territorial waters, given food and fuel and escorted south towards Africa. Our politicians are currently neglecting the Maltese and inviting more and more illegal immigrants.

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The Maltese people should not be made to pay for other countries' shortcomings. Repatriation is the best solution. Then and only then will these people stop coming to our shores!

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Thats how it goes. Proset to both for mentioning solutions.

argo

30thJune2005, 20:42

Two excellent letters which provoke thought in even the most foolhardy.

etoile noir

30thJune2005, 20:42

well said. both excellent letters :)

and thanks to the Times for publishing them .... *grovel* ..... *sigh* ;)

Konti

30thJune2005, 21:37

Well done for those excellent letters in the Times mates.

VIVA MALTA

SetteCento

30thJune2005, 22:29

Now Something Has Turned On, Fastly, Rapidally. More Letters On The News Papers. Lets Utilise All The Mediums Accessible For Us. There Are Certain Fellings In The Air That The Sails Are Blowing Towards Our Side . Why? Beacause We Are The Truth Oriented.

malsey

30thJune2005, 23:14

Eq issa il businessman wkoll qed juru li l problemi li qed nghidu ahna huma reali. u li probabli bil politika taghna jgawdi kullhadd.

bla businessman it times tista taghlaq;)

umberto

2ndJuly2005, 11:55

Artist

6thJuly2005, 14:30

A national crisis

Source taken from The Times of Malta

Joe Morana, Ghajnsielem.

The Times of June 23 carried a report on page 48 about the landing of [more] illegal immigrants and then proceeded to once again bring into the mix the issue of racism by reporting that "...unknown persons had put up a number of makeshift posters... urging people to defend the country from the invasion of [illegal] immigrants". The report ended by stating that: "If identified, those who put up the posters can be charged for inciting racism."

In case it escapes the attention of certain liberal, left-of-centre elements, and others with their own private agendas, it is the civic duty of every Maltese citizen to defend the country against those who would breach the nation's security by entering without proper documentation, or are not authorised to enter by means of a visa issued by a competent authority. Lacking such documentation, entry is illegal and the laws of the country will have been well and truly flaunted. Maltese citizens are duty-bound to assist in the apprehension and detention of such individuals, through the use of force if necessary.

Or is our government now going after its own people to appease the likes of the UNHCR and Amnesty International? The gvernment has allowed itself to be intimidated by the likes of the UNHCR and AI. The former is part of the UN which has shirked its responsibility to prevent the strife, unrest and poverty that fuel illegal immigration. Meanwhile, the fat cats that run its myriad mix of agencies pontificate from their glass towers, high above such cities as Zurich. The last report had the UNHCR Commissioner urging the Maltese government to grant Maltese citizenship to refugees. Where will it all end?

The government has been vacillating over the issue of illegal immigration for far too long now. If anything, it should have learnt from history, which does tend to repeat itself. Throughout history, with the exception of Napoleon's which was a capitulation anyway and Hitler's missed opportunities, all invasions of Malta were launched from North Africa. The government has walked on eggshells when it came to Libya's responsibility in stemming the flow of illegal immigrants from its shores.

The Maltese people have been led to believe that EU membership has given Malta an equal voice as that of any member country, that there will be "burden-sharing", and as has been the custom since entry if we approach the others palm extended outwards, more euros will be forthcoming. For what? So that we can build more reception centres and channel more funds away from more pressing social needs? Now we have had a "non-paper" on the subject floating about at the 5 + 5 meeting. So far, all talk and no action. Perhaps the government should consider abrogation of certain treaties binding Malta to do the impossible.

Illegal immigration has even soured our relations with our neighbours to the north. Will there be a sixth Italian Protocol? I doubt it.

Angelfish

6thJuly2005, 15:26

http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=191929 (http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=191929)

Migrant influx

Carmelo Micallef, Siggiewi.

I was shocked to read in Natalino Fenech's report (June 23) that those persons who put up makeshift posters in prominent places in Blata l-Bajda, Msida and Floriana with the words Ejja Niddefendu Pajjizna, Le Ghall-Invazjoni tal-Klandestini ("Let us defend the country from the invasion of immigrants") could be charged for "inciting racism". This is the second invasion of Malta after the French Napoleonic invasion of 1798.

Where is this great nation heading to? Our motherland was built step by step by Maltese patriots such as Mattew (Joseph) Callus, Mikiel Anton Vassalli, Giorgio Mitrovich, Sigismondo Savona, Manwel Dimech, Fortunato and Nerik Mizzi, Giorgio Borg Olivier and a host of others less known. Are Maltese contemporary patriots going to be labelled "racists" just for defending the interests of the Maltese working class and the Maltese nation in general?

Malta must remain the country of the Maltese.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

well done mr. micallef.

In all probability these self-proclaimed citizens of the world currently dominating the media never heard of these worthy sons of Malta and through no fault of their own imsieken. Most probably it was not considered a politically correct subject to discuss in certain Private schools where the main item of the agenda is brainwashing Maltese children and giving them a guilt complex about Africa's ills.

As if Maltese children are the descendents of the great colonial power called Malta that up to last centurey ruled Africa, and there for responsable!!!!!!!!

Artist

7thJuly2005, 11:35

Illegal immigrants

Mario C. Ellul, Zejtun.

The Times of Malta
It is becoming a habit for PBS to inform its viewers of the arrival of "boat people" as "irregular immigrants". There is no such thing as an irregular immigrant. There are "refugees" who are welcome and "illegal" immigrants. All boat people are illegal immigrants until it is proved that they are refugees and there is only one definition for "illegal". What the common citizen requests is that the law should be applied in a just and swift manner so as not to burden the taxpayer who willingly will do his best to help the real refugees.

Artist

7thJuly2005, 11:39

Unacceptable policy

Alexander Grima, Marsascala.

The granting of Maltese citizenship to those granted refugee status and staying for 10 years in Malta is just unacceptable. Minister Dolores Cristina should seriously re-consider her statement.

This policy would surely be most unwelcome because of the huge burdens that it carries.

Marco Polo

7thJuly2005, 20:14

i know this guy.well educated, well informed but reluctant to participate in the forum.more illegals who knows.i for one would value his input.

my opinion in short: if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem!

Neverwinter

7thJuly2005, 21:04

my opinion in short: if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem!LMAO A one liner! :D

Konti

7thJuly2005, 21:15

2 excellent letters. Well done to the Times for printing all sides to this cause, although if more coverage would be given to our 'right' ideas they would be more than welcome.

VIVA MALTA

umberto

7thJuly2005, 21:16

not even refugees are welcome. this author is well intentioned but he does not know that 60% of illegals are being granted a status. some or most of them cheating authorities about their origins.

Marco Polo

7thJuly2005, 22:01

for every two, anti-immigration letter published, three, pro-immigrant articles are published.

Admin

7thJuly2005, 22:29

for every two, anti-immigration letter published, three, pro-immigrant articles are published.

Typical for an "impartial" paper.

Florian Geyer

7thJuly2005, 22:48

my opinion in short: if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem!

shorter opinion:problem solved

Florian Geyer

7thJuly2005, 22:49

LMAO A one liner! :D

don't encourage him:D

Artist

10thJuly2005, 20:53

The African 'invasion'

The Sunday Times

Mr Anthony Zarb-Dimech, Sliema.

Looking objectively at the North African safety valve, that is permitting 'safe' passage from Africa to Europe, Europe is now being shown the reality created by its past history of colonialisation in its bid to exploit the African continent and in the process divided its tribes, thus creating nations by the simple drive of pencil and ruler.

Past mistakes have cascaded and precipitated into a precarious situation over the centuries to the present-day civil wars and strife that are making it unbearable for Africans to live peacefully in their own land. This historical reality is indeed backfiring on Europe.

While EU emergency aid in the form of a million euros is welcome, this might be too little too late if the situation continues to be one where the burden that Malta is being made to carry due to the influx of irregular immigrants is completely unbalanced.

If more arrivals of irregular immigrants continue at the present rate, Government will have to declare an emergency, notwithstanding the aid. The recent number of immigrants coming from North Africa is revealing that this exodus will continue to put responsibilities on Malta's shoulders more than it can cope with in terms of the sheer numbers involved.

Malta should put pressure on the EU to enforce an agreement whereby this country, with a population of 400,000 crammed into 315 sq km, will contribute pro rata according to its population and not on a quid pro quo basis. Malta is presently taking on the same number of irregular immigrants and even more, at the same level and with the same conditions, as any other European country with a population of say 50 or 60 million.

Hence, per capita, Malta is helping these people much more than larger countries. This state of affairs is contrary to the basis of all international agreements where parity and reciprocity underline their framework. A saturation point has indeed been reached, and this country cannot accept any more irregular immigration, no matter how large Malta's territorial waters are.

Also, Malta may soon have to monitor an area of 230,000 sq km that is out of proportion in comparison to its minute size. (In parenthesis, Malta's fishing water rights are comparatively much less than its duties to monitor international waters for irregular immigrants. No sense of balance and fairness exists).

These irregular immigrants are mostly living in squalor and suffering from despair and frustration after they were unsuccessful in their bid to reach other 'virgin soil' to fulfil their aspiration. As a result, this country is feeling the negative effects of their presence in Malta. One cannot overstress also the bad image that these immigrants are giving the tourist industry, seeing them roam along the streets with nothing to do.

The living conditions in which they are staying are not healthy, and with the influenza pandemic in sight, one should be caution not to ignore the implication of having such humans living in crammed and below poverty line conditions. Racist tendencies that so far have been latent are also emerging from the shadows, revealing a negative expression of nationalism.

Malta is being over-generous in its approach to this problem. All European countries must agree to take on these people according to their size and economic strength. Malta, lying at the European periphery will, in due course, be overwhelmed in the sheer weight of number of irregular numbers.

No matter how kind-hearted our government and NGOs are, sometimes, one has to be cruel to be kind and charity begins at home. An agreed plan of action of action between European countries based on fairness with regard to 'Malta's invasion by Africa' must be reached now, before it is too late.

Pope on refugees

Fr Paul Pace, SJ, acting director, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Zejtun.

In his reaction to Etnikafest celebrated on the occasion of World Refugee Day, Mr Charles Sammut (The Sunday Times, June 26) sought support for his stance on immigration in some words of the then Cardinal Ratzinger.

This was quite surprising, because on Sunday, June 19, the day after the Balzan event, Pope Benedict XVI dedicated his few words before reciting the Angelus to the same theme. Let me quote some of the more significant words:

"Tomorrow, June 20, we will be celebrating World Refugee Day, promoted by the United Nations to keep attention focussed on the problems of those who are forced to leave their homeland. This year's theme: 'The courage to be a refugee', lays the emphasis on the strength of spirit demanded of those who have to leave everything, sometimes even their family, to escape grave problems and dangers.

"The Christian community feels close to all who are experiencing this painful condition; it endeavours to encourage them and in various ways shows them its interest and love, which is expressed in concrete gestures of solidarity so that everyone who is far from his own Country will feel the Church as a homeland where no one is a stranger... Today let us entrust the men, women and children who are living the plight of refugees to the motherly protection of Mary Most Holy who, together with her spouse, St Joseph and the Child Jesus experienced the bitterness of exile when Herod's senseless persecution obliged the Holy Family to flee to Egypt (Mt 2:13-23)."

This openness in solidarity has been, and will continue to be, the only possible Christian attitude in dealing with refugees. The Church was not only founded by a former refugee, but also knows full well that on Judgment Day, our eternal destiny will be decided by whether we welcomed the Lord or not when we met him as a foreigner in our midst.

As Mr Sammut says, there are many cards that can be used in this debate, as it becomes more emotional, but the Christian card can only be used in one way.

Death of a nation by Charles Debono

Independent on SundayFrom Mr C. Debono

Europe is set to play its trump card in curbing illegal immigration from the African sub-continent. In June 2006, it will erect a barrier across its southern flank and the sacrificial lamb will be Malta. This was revealed by the commander of the armed forces.

The new amendments to the search and rescue convention will place Malta as the sole country responsible for an area of 260,000 square kilometres. As a consequence, all illegal immigrants coming from Libya and Tunisia will end up in Malta. Even if they manage to enter Italy without being intercepted, they will be deported back to our country.

Some statistics will help put this vile betrayal by Europe into perspective. Between June and October of last year, more than 10,000 illegal immigrants landed in Lampedusa. From June of next year, these 10,000 will be forced to land in Malta. To this figure, one must add the 1,600 or more who make it to our shores each year and the number of immigrants who make it directly to Sicily. For the sake of argument, I’ll round up this total to around 13,000 immigrants each year. Malta will be flooded with immigrants. One cannot even begin to imagine the devastating effect it will have on our lives, economy, infrastructure, and the health and security of our citizens.

The fact that Malta is an island and therefore isolated from any mainland, fits in well with Europe’s plan. Our country will be used as a reception centre for immigrants hoping to enter Europe. An Italian minister already suggested this plan some time ago. The plan achieves a number of goals all of which are detrimental to the Maltese.

The number of immigrants entering Europe will be controlled by nations other than Malta. Immigrants will be marooned here for years waiting for their application to be accepted, which may never even come. Europe will also tighten its control on terrorist infiltration, especially in the light of recent arrests of human traffickers in Italy who were found to be in contact with al Qaeda operatives. There is growing conviction in security organisations, that al Qaeda is heavily involved in this trafficking and is reaping millions of dollars to fund its terrorist’s actions across the world besides infiltrating its own operatives. Finally, this plan will appease UNHCR who opposes repatriation in Libya.

Although the proposed changes will come into effect in June of next year, I fear that we will start seeing its subtle implementation well before that date. The €1 million emergency fund and the proposed naval patrols, leave a number of unanswered questions. Top of the list is where will the rescued immigrants disembark? Without a repatriation agreement, it can only be Malta.

After such shocking news, I would have expected Tonio Borg, the minister responsible, to make a public statement assuring the Maltese that such treachery will not be allowed to happen. On the contrary, he assured the public that his government is to build larger centres to accommodate even more immigrants – perhaps in preparation for the expected invasion. I would also have expected the opposition to take a firmer stand. A simple request by the shadow minister will not induce this government to take a credible stand especially for an administration that has always placed the rights of Maltese citizens second. Being called a racist is a small price to pay when we are fighting for our very survival.

The fate of the Maltese nation is in the hands of this administration and the Prime Minister in particular.

The government’s moral obligation must be towards its own people and not to a treaty that is being shamelessly manipulated by other nations, with the intention of laying the burden of illegal immigration on to a tiny country that is struggling with the thousands already here, let alone with the envisaged influx. Malta cannot take any more immigrants.

I implore the prime minister; for once put the interests of your own people foremost because if you give in to this treachery, you will be signing the death warrant of your own nation.

Charles Debono

MARSA

malsey

10thJuly2005, 21:31

The letter of charles debono, is impeccable. A true Maltese, showing his feelings.
Gonzi is going to be responsable of hundreds of deads of Maltese citizens in the near future. HE simply will repeat what his uncle did years ago

Angelfish

11thJuly2005, 02:48

Anyone read the Salvu BalzAn editorial on Maltatoday?
He said towards the end of his editorial that at the way things are going , they might as well put flags with half crescents on Castille and green Islamic flags on other official buildings!

FANCY THAT!

:) :eek: :o

Artist

13thJuly2005, 12:56

Referendum on Turkey

The Times of Malta

Andrew Sciberras, Hamrun.
I refer to the letter by Joseph Xuereb (June 30) in which he replied to my previous letter about Turkey's bid for EU membership.

I fully agree with Mr Xuereb that there should be a referendum on Turkey's entry in the EU. However, I definitely do not agree with the rest of what he wrote. He did not like the fact that I wrote about more than one aspect which should be considered when dealing with Turkey. I wrote about the financial, political, geographical, religious, historical and demographic aspects which we should consider, however, he replied only to the religious and historical considerations (maybe he does agree with my considerations on the other aspects).

Mr Xuereb wrote: "I tend to distrust letters that make point after point with the lot being strung together by patronising language in a style rather like a grown-up standing on a platform speaking to a group of people on small chairs a good three or four feet below his line of vision."

Well, I can assure him that in no way do I want to enforce on people how they should think (we have the three party leaders for that). I just wrote a letter in which I highlighted the reasons why I believe that Turkey's application should be rejected.

Now, the people who read my letter have every right to think otherwise (as Mr Xuereb seems to be doing). However, I do believe that many people (I dare say the majority of the Maltese) share my concerns.

Mr Xuereb wrote also that "Mr Sciberras appears to have no qualms about membership of a club some of whose Christian members, within living memory (unlike the Turks) were quite happy to practically blast his country out of existence. Maybe being Christian makes this acceptable in his selective thinking." Well, the country which "blasted" my country did so because another country (Britain) exploited the strategic position of our island for its interests and drove our country into a six-year war which meant only starvation and death for the Maltese people. The coloniser (which seems to be the residence of Mr Xuereb) used Malta and then only a few months after the end of the war repaid us by firing hundreds of Maltese workers from the Drydocks (after all those years of loyalty).

As for the country which "blasted" my country (i.e. Germany) I have to say that Germany has been apologising (and rightly so) for its infamous past for the last 60 years and gave billions of dollars in war reparations and through the EU. How much money have we got from the coloniser (i.e. Britain) for our loyalty? Insignificant sums (and now because of the UK's rebate we are actually giving Lm2 million a year to our former masters).

As for Turkey, may I ask Mr Xuereb how many times we have heard it apologising for its past? How many times have they apologised for butchering 1.5 million Armenians? How many times have they apologised for invading Cyprus? How many times have they apologised for trying to destroy Europe? I would really like to read Mr Xuereb's reply.

I would like to add also that yes, Europe is indeed Christian (whether Mr Xuereb likes it or not). Turkey is not a European country neither geographically nor culturally and therefore the Turks have no place in the EU. Let's make some form of special arrangement with them, however EU membership should be definitely out of question.

Mr Xuereb wrote also "And with Turkiye hos geldin (or Turkiye merhaba - no translation necessary as Turkey and Malta have more in common than Mr Sciberras would dare admit) - I rest my case." Well so what? Do a couple of words which sound similar to each other make a country eligible for EU membership? Merhaba and merhba are definitely not enough to make Turkey eligible for EU membership. Maltese culture and history is not made up only of merhba and merhaba.

I end by repeating that yes, we have every right to vote in a referendum on Turkey's EU membership and we have also every right to say no if Turkey's entry affects us negatively (and it will).

Marco Polo

13thJuly2005, 17:07

excellent reply without even mentioning race! turkey joining would be a disaster.

umberto

14thJuly2005, 00:44

good letter.

IMPERIUM

14thJuly2005, 01:07

A total onslaught:
on the whole decrepit system:
a total cultural war.

Radio, TV, newspapers:
Theatre, university, schools:
a total war to topple that tottering totem!

Letters to the newspapers:
assuming the ideological high ground:
imposing our will on our enemies.

Gramsci was right:
a political Movement needs the intelligentsia:
has to have Cultural Conquest.

We have to conquer the brains:
before conquering the state:
il-resto vien da se.

We have to turn the best brains:
against the present regime of lies.
Turn popular culture against the liars.

No regime can resist the intellectual elite.
It is doomed to failure.
We, represent that Elite.

Our present, bought, intellectual degenerates:
have slid from Mao to the Rotary Club:
they are opportunists.

Today, the intellectual landscape is barren.
Our enemies can only resort to intellectual terrorism.
They are finished!

We, of The New Right:
We will fill that intellectual vacuum:
We will win the battle of Ideas.

Imperium
0507

Artist

20thJuly2005, 13:13

Europe's boundaries

The Times of Malta

James George, Msida.

I fully agree with what was written by Andrew Sciberras of Hamrun.

Turkey is most definitely not a European country both from a cultural or a Christian point of view. Membership of the EU will indeed be detrimental to most member states, particularly so to Malta. The Turks have a tendency to flock and create colonies in other countries if allowed to. This has happened in most other EU member states. Germany, just to mention one, is a case in point Is the illegal immigration we are presently facing not a big enough headache already?

If Turkey is allowed in, the next thing will be to allow Israel to join. The latter somehow already manages to take part in the European Song Festival which, as the name implies, is meant to be for songs originating from Europe.

I repeat what Mr Sciberras wrote: We have every right to say no if Turkey's entry will ultimately prove detrimental to us.

PERICLES

20thJuly2005, 15:17

Today 20 th July 2005 is the 31st anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. On the 20th July 1974 Turkey invaded the Mediterranean and is still occupying Northern Cyprus. Today Turkey is still not recognising the state of Cyprus (EU member).

This day we should all remember once again why Turkey's application for EU membership should be REJECTED.

Dawnbringer

12thOctober2005, 12:26

Prosit, Andrew. :)

Maltarian

12thOctober2005, 13:50

Excellent letters.