Goodbye 2007

Monday, December 31, 2007
Australians have just welcomed 2008 with a spectacular fireworks display. The clock turned to midnight first in Kiribati three hours ago. Ten hours still to go here before we say goodbye to 2007. Have a great evening and all the best for the new year.

Joint patrols

Yesterday's news that Italy and Libya have agreed to mount joint patrols in the Mediterranean to stop illegal immigrants crossing from Libya was overlooked by the mainstream media in Malta. The agreement is a crucial development in what is one of the major issues of our times but everyone appears to be busy discussing L-Istrina, the Euro celebrations and Sant’s health.

Update 4 Jan: The Times have finally woken up to this groundbreaking news perhaps alerted by this press statement issued yesterday by Leo Brincat and Gavin Gulia.

Democratic irony

Sunday, December 30, 2007
A few moments after Benazir Bhutto’s son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was chosen to take over her Pakistan People's Party, the 19 year old Oxford student urged party members to "run the party democratically" and insisted that "democracy is the best revenge". This may seem ironic given that his mother was leader for life and he himself was selected without a vote. Perhaps Musharraf had a point when he wrote in his memoirs, In the Line of Fire:
"They [Benazir and Nawaz] would never allow their parties to develop democratic traditions, as was clear from the fact that neither Benazir Bhutto's party, nor Nawaz Sharif's had held internal elections. In fact, Benazir became her party's 'chairperson for life,' in the tradition of old African dictators." [Page 165]

Uncertain politics

Saturday, December 29, 2007
The assassination of Benazir Bhuto is tragic news and Pakistan is now plunged into chaos and facing an uncertain political future. Benazir’s father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was a good friend of Malta back in the seventies when he, as prime minister, secured a good deal with PIA to help set up Malta’s national airline. Later, he lent a hand in the transfer of numerous Pakistani doctors to help the Maltese authorities deal with a shortage of doctors during a strike.

Alfred Sant

Friday, December 28, 2007
Alfred Sant has helped transform the MLP into a credible alternative government and it would be a pity if illness deprived him of the fruits of his labour. Messages of solidarity have been forthcoming from across the political spectrum. Could this lead to less confrontational politics? As the saying goes, 'Kull deni hudu b’gid'....perhaps the upcoming election campaign will focus more on policy and substance and less on undignified personal attacks.

Guido de Marco

Thursday, December 27, 2007
Guido De Marco’s autobiography, The Politics of Persuasion, is an enjoyable read despite the fact that he avoids controversy and is kind and gentle with everyone. There are too many family photos which, in my opinion, diminish the publication’s prestige.