EU Affairs
AFM chief defends Malta; attacks Frattini
By Maltamedia News
Jun 5, 2007 - 2:09:27 PM

The chief of the Armed Forces of Malta, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo defended Malta 's position on the issue of illegal immigration saying that Malta is doing much more than Italy, France or Spain to rescue these persons especially as Libya irresponsibly continues to be reluctant to provide assistance, The Times of Malta reported.

This reaction was spearheaded by an international chorus of dissent in the last fortnight, with Mr Frattini and Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg urging Malta to stop hiding behind legal bureaucratic arguments while letting people die.

Brigadier Vassallo came out strongly in his army's defence following what he termed "surprising" comments by EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini who accused Malta of shirking its responsibilities.

Brigadier Vassallo believes that Mr Frattini's comments to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica were made prematurely. The Times reported Brigadier Vassallo commenting: "In my personal opinion, I believe the EU is still not convinced of the extent of the problem of illegal immigration around our seas. Is Mr Frattini expecting Malta to see to a boat in distress just 40 miles north of Libya, because Libya is refusing to do so?" "Does Mr Frattini know that Lampedusa is located geographically closer to Libya than Malta ? So why doesn't he expect the Italians to assist, when they have a coast guard, the Guardia di Finanza and the navy?"

On the other hand, events over the last 16 days show that the AFM has been stretched to the limit as it struggles to meet its responsibilities.

Brigadier Vassallo asked why is Europe attacking Malta and says nothing about Libya. He recalled that a memorandum of understanding for search and rescue cooperation drafted out with Libya last February has remained unsigned, despite pledges to finalise the agreement by April. Malta is arguing that it should not intervene in cases which take place in Libyan waters.

While Malta represents only a tiny landmass in comparison to other nations, the Maltese search and rescue region covers in excess of 250,000 square km. "We are capable of coordinating any search and rescue mission but it doesn't necessarily mean we are capable of carrying out the rescue" Brigadier Vassallo said, adding that "if we have a search and rescue case at the extreme eastern side of the rescue region we would be in difficulty. That's why Malta has drafted an agreement with Greece, the way we want to do with Libya ."

Still, despite its limitations, the AFM is doing its utmost, he insisted. Ultimately, the commander claimed, Malta has never failed to take action when there were potentially fatal situations. Yet, the international media persisted in putting the spotlight on Malta .   

Source: The Times of Malta

Read more about this issue in MaltaMedia's Special Feature Lanċa Ġejja u Ohra Sejra