Monday, 23 September 2002

‘I gave everyone a chance to wake up’ – Dom Mintoff

From the Malta Independent

Former prime minister and controversial politician Dom Mintoff yesterday launched the Front Maltin Inqumu, and said it will act as a wake up call for the Maltese.

Participating in the discussion programme Minibus, on Smash Television, after several years away from the political scene, Mr Mintoff said he was promoting what is best for Malta.

Mr Mintoff was flanked by another former prime minister, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, who until recently led anti-EU membership group the Campaign for National Independence.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici and Mr Mintoff will lead the Front Maltin Inqumu together.

Introducing the new group, Mr Mintoff said the intention was not to cause any splits in political parties, or argue with any of the parties. He also stressed that the Front was not a political party.

“We only want to help the Maltese. And we chose Smash TV because this was the only station which welcomed us. There are people who are already trying to shoot down the organisation, before it was even born,” he said.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici read out a three-page declaration of what the Front is, what it’s aims are and what it aims to achieve.

He said in view of Malta’s past, as a country which survived without dominating or oppressing other communities, “it would be suicidal to abandon the road we have undertaken”.

He said in the past, “Malta had to resort to secure her neutrality and freedom by signing a number of treaties with countries that guaranteed her sovereignty and neutrality”.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici asked: “Is it possible to work closely with the European Union when we believe in values which are fundamental for the life of our country?” He answered the question in the affirmative, adding “we have tried in the past and succeeded”.

He said the Front’s fundamental objective was safeguarding work opportunities in Malta. “We should therefore patiently explain to the EU that Malta should not be burdened with regulations which might decrease work opportunities in our country and hamper our economic growth. Such regulations would result in our inability to make any meaningful contribution to world peace,” he said.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said ensuring peace and neutrality would allow the country and its citizens to achieve targets.

“In the past, we have worked closely with Europe. We can see no new circumstance to oblige us or Europe to abandon the road which kept us together until today. We see no gain in abandoning a proven road for a new one which, to others, might momentarily appear more attractive but which, in the long run, will bring all of us into grief,” he said.

Mr Mintoff went on to give a history lesson, with information about Malta’s achievements and experiences over the years. On independence, Mr Mintoff said: “It was just a piece of paper which meant nothing. They made us sign two treaties before giving us independence. So that meant nothing. Our real independence came when Malta gained its freedom and we could lead our own country,” he said.

He criticised the government for saying there was no alternative to joining the EU. “Then why is the government proposing a referendum if there is no alternative? And how can the government say that Malta’s neutrality is guaranteed if no one knows where Europe is leading to? We want neutrality and peace at all costs. It is fundamental for the country and for the Maltese.”

Mr Mintoff also mentioned the possibility of signing several treaties with different countries in order to safeguard the country’s peace and neutrality.

Mr Mintoff challenged Alfred Sant to a meeting on Super One Television to discuss who was damaging the country. “We decided to come out in the open now after waiting for people to wake up. Alfred Sant did nothing – he only spoke about Switzerland. It seems like he is not giving enough importance to this issue. We meet on TV and without calling me a traitor, he explains why he did nothing about the issue,” he said.

Asked by The Malta Independent what difference there was between the beliefs of the Malta Labour Party and the Campaign for National Independence with regards to the EU, Mr Mintoff said:

“The beliefs are supposed to be similar. But in actual fact, there are different alternatives to the same issue. The MLP should have my beliefs. My argument with the MLP was because of how the party was being led,” he said.

Mr Mintoff did not reply to a TMI question about what similarities or differences there are between the Front and CNi.

Concluding his TV appearance, Mr Mintoff said: “I hope and wish that both political parties agree with our declaration. We gave enough time for people to wake up. If they don’t agree with us, then we will have to fight it out.” A follow-up to the TV programme will be aired on the same station on Thursday.


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