When Astrid finds it difficult to decide

I meant to mention this in the earlier message Petra but had to rush out. So the names of the DLH committee members are there after all, strangely enough tucked away in the ‘Contact Us’ section, even though they don’t have email addresses, rather than being placed in the customary “Who are we” section. Still, I’m happy to be proven wrong. You see, there is an honourable bone in my body after all. As regards the information on the Cultural Heritage fund, it is not me who is out of date but the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage website entry on the Heritage Fund “administered by the Committee of Guarantee”. Seeing you are a committee member there, I would have expected you to have this entry corrected if it’s out of date. Or don’t you read such things like your colleague Martin Galea does not read the Government Gazette? This latter is a very surprising admission, considering the chap's position on several government-appointed committees, ad hoc boards plus his position on DLH! This is where all notifications have to legally appear, and it reflects very poorly that someone who is appointed to these types of Boards and who enjoys government's backing should write publicly that he doesn't bother reading the Government Gazette.

Petra exactly what difference will it make if I reveal my identity to you? Why are you so determined to find out my identity? Why is it that the majority of people posting to publications in Malta do so by using a pseudonym and that is acceptable, but when someone speaks out against you, you demand to know their identity? By the way the information regarding the Cultural Heritage Fund comes directly from The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage website. If the information they are printing is wrong then how is that my fault? I challenged Saviour to reveal my identity because in his own words, ‘let us face it we know who it is.’ If that is the case he should print my identity in his column although under the data protection act I have as much right to anonymity as the next person. I suspect however that like his friend Daphne he has some silly notion about who I am in which case he would end up upsetting someone else rather than me! The reason why people don’t join protests in Malta is because of fear. The reason why people write under pseudonyms in Malta is because of fear. As you know yourself a lot of people are employed by Government authorities and they can’t afford to be threatened or lose their jobs because of their opinions.

Saviour, of course I agree with debate and scrutiny. And I think you will also agree that attempting to hide one’s identity diminishes credibility. ‘Gozoman’ appears to think it is acceptable to wear a mask while pointing fingers at a lack of transparency in others. Gozoman's internet searches missed the fact that the names of the DLH Council, executive committee, management team and wardens are on our website http://www.dinlarthelwa.org/component/option,com_contact/Itemid,50/ . The names are also listed in our magazine Vigilo twice a year. Why didn’t he just phone our office to find out? Gozoman’s knowledge is full of holes, for example his information about the ‘Cultural Heritage Fund’ is not up to date. ‘Gozoman’ is throwing around serious allegations, while challenging you to reveal his identity as he “needs a laugh”. This really is not funny at all. Will he tell us who he is? And if not, why not?

The only motive for the ‘attack’ as you describe it was to try and get some answers from you and to that end it would appear to have worked, well up to a point. As my time is also limited I’ll try my best to get through this. According to the newspaper reports at the time, which you did not deny, DLH did not attend any of the many meetings held with the NGOs prior to the rally. ‘Private conversations with one of the organizers’ is far from a commitment to join the rally. I stand by what I said that your front-page declaration that you were ‘pulling out of the rally’ was a dishonest piece of work and I can only guess the reasoning behind this. I’m not saying there is anything to hide; I’m simply asking how come DLH is appointed to so many posts, while other NGOs hold none. It is well known that in Malta and Gozo, the main criteria for appointment to Government boards is the fact that the appointee will not be likely to rock the boat. Sounds familiar? By the way since you have nothing to hide I’m surprised you didn’t answer my question as to whether DLH holds any other posts. The names of your council members were certainly not on your website when I last looked this morning! You state and I quote, “The Committee of Guarantee administers no funds”. Can I refer you to The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage’s website which states, ‘The Cultural Heritage Fund is a body corporate with a separate legal personality, which receives and manages monies paid to it under the provisions of the Cultural Heritage Act, as well as other assets that may be donated by non-governmental sources. These are used for research, conservation or restoration of cultural heritage. The Fund is administered by the Committee of Guarantee. Sounds like the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing, doesn’t it? You say that you do not read the Government Gazette. Well it’s there for all to see Martin. Maybe you should read the Government Gazette in matters that concern you so that you don’t contradict official, legal documents. Contrary to what you say Martin I do not have an agenda to damage DLH and its officials including yourself. Nor indeed do I throw mud anonymously hoping some of it may stick as you state. If I find an authority acting in a manner which I find does not best serve the interests of the people of Malta then I will speak out against it and I have every right to do so. With regard to throwing mud I find it much easier to point to the mud which has already been thrown. The reason why this started in the first place was because Saviour Balzan used his column to attack FAA and other NGOs whilst hoisting Din l-Art Helwa into the status of being unable to do any wrong. You finish by speaking of respect. Well I have the greatest respect for people like Astrid Vella and NGOs such as FAA and RAM to mention but two. The reason for that respect is that these groups have no affiliation to any political party and donate their time for the good of all the people of Malta for no remuneration.

Gozoman has again made a number of scurrilous allegations designed to cast doubt on Din l-Art Helwa and its officials. I will endeavour to reply to them in the limited space and my time available. It goes without saying that I find his tone offensive and undeserving and do not understand his motives for this attack. 1. Din l-Art Helwa was invited to join the environmental rally and considered doing so. We had long conversations with one of the organisers about joining the rally. There were a couple of issues which we felt were outside the scope of the rally including that it was against the Piano project and therefore we felt we could not join if these issues remained in. Consequently we declined to join the rally and stated that fact. What Gozoman says is therefore untrue. Here is the statement that we issued to the media: http://www.dinlarthelwa.org/content/view/671/69/ 2. DLH has been on the Valletta Rehabilitation Committee for many years. All members on this committee are appointed by Government and who come from many walks of life and who do not necessarily share DLH’s views. 3. DLH is a lobby organization and will continue to sit on any board where it can feel it can get its message across. There is nothing to hide here. 4. All our Council members are listed on our website, contrary to what Gozoman says We do not list all the boards we are on but this can be done – no issue here. 5. The Committee of Guarantee administers no funds and Gozoman’s allegation that we are on that to stick our finger in the pie is therefore untrue. 6. My letter of appointment to the Mepa ad hoc Reform Board made no mention of any representation of NGOs and this was confirmed with the Chairman. I’m afraid I do not read the Government Gazette. 7. With regard to the appointment on the climate committee, all NGOs were sent the same letter to appoint a common representative. It seems that none of the NGOs contacted each other, and I was reminded of the pending issue by our Secretary on the closing day. I contacted Nature Trust to see if they had someone and as the reply was in the negative we put forward the name of the person who was handling environmental issues within our organization. I don’t think any organization has a monopoly on any issue but perhaps if I contacted FoE (or they contacted us for that matter) it would have saved a lot of grief on the matter. 8. We were against the Bahrija farmhouse issue and published an article to this effect. We could not join the other NGOs as they were asking for the Prime Minister to intervene in what is a planning issue. (We had called for the Prime Minister to stay out of the golf course at Ghajn Tuffieha so we wanted to be consistent). Since the call was not modified we made our own statement condemning the development separately. 9. His allegation that my 10 hour trip to Paris bought DLH’s silence is another slur without foundation. The results of my trip to Paris were reported to our Council (the Executive meets every 2 weeks and the full board every 2 months- this apart from subcommittees, site meetings and informal meetings) who discussed the matter and we held our opinion until each council member could see the exhibition held at the Auberge de Provence, and arrive at their own conclusions. As I said elsewhere, with me, were the Superintendent of Fortifications and the Heritage person from Mepa, no fun jaunt this. Lou Bondi did not accompany us on this trip – whether he went before or after I don’t know. It’s a long way to travel for some 8 hours on the ground including 2 hours at the airport, 5 hours on the plane, about 2 hours on the metro – but I suppose I got lunch out of it – gee whiz Gozoman must think Im pretty desperate ! 10. I do not see any conflict between being President of FOI, MD of Joinwell or then president of DLH of which I have been on the council for some 25 years, or even president of rugby. I also have other interests. These are all honorary positions (except Joinwell) but perhaps he feels he should dictate what criteria one must have to be involved in DLH instead of the members who elect the Council at the AGM and the Council who elect the officials (president etc) Gozoman seems to have an agenda to damage DLH and its officials including myself. He would appear to have an interest in doing so as otherwise all his allegations and insinuations could easily be cleared up over the phone or by calling at our offices in Valletta. I reiterate we are an open and democratic organization – not perfect by any means but we try to do a good job. We have had four presidents in the last 13 years and all, Judge Maurice Caruana Curran, Prof Anthony Bonanno, Martin Scicluna and myself, remain (elected) on the Council and give our support to Petra. There are about 20 Council members and all are elected at the AGM and are there as volunteers to do their bit and who I greatly respect. We have structures and procedures including publishing our accounts which we have done for over 30 years. I do not have any respect for Gozoman who seems to throw mud anonymously hoping some of it may stick.

Hi Saviour. I just wanted to put the record straight here with regard to this pseudonym nonsense. When I began writing letters to various publications I can remember being asked for proof of who I was before anything was published. At one point I had a phone call from a certain person connected to a certain paper just to verify that I was who I said I was. I think the accent clinched that one. So Gozoman as you state is not hiding behind a false name. Gozoman is my email address and therefore it is the name I use when I write to the papers. Having said that hiding your identity whilst writing to Maltese papers is not such a bad idea as writers on another columnist’s blog have threatened me on several occasions. Oh and on that note your friend Daphne thought she knew who I was too. According to her I was married to a Maltese lady, living in Malta and had just obtained a Maltese passport. But then we know that Daphne is nowhere near as clever as you are Saviour so please let everyone know who I am. It’s the start of a new week and I need a laugh.

The idea that people who comment can hide behind a pseudonym is of course debatable.  The MT portal could choose to impose a rule about this, similar to a rule I had introduced 10 years ago when MaltaToday Sunday chose not to publish letters with nom-de-plumes. At the time most newspapers would allow for nom de plumes.

Gozoman has every right to hide behind a false name, though let us face it we know who it is. 

The point here is Ta Cenc and the structure plan.  If all of a sudden everyone seems to be taking a stand about Ta' Cenc, then so that is an interesting development. 

Finally, we have to start understanding the role of these commentaries.  I do not expect to treated with kid's gloves.  The role of this blog is to start a debate. And it seems I have kicked off a small debate.  I just hope it does not get out of hand.

I am not a green, nor a blue, nor a red.  I am a journalist and an opinion writer. I express opinions, I write stories,  I interview everyone, put forward awkward questions to all and make it a point to be irreverent to everyone.  I try speak to everyone and comment about everyone.

Those individuals who decide to have a public role such as Astrid Vella  have to accept  scrutiny and a rough time.  So no hard feelings. 

OK Petra you may have climbed on your high horse, but funnily enough you haven’t answered a single one of my ‘allegations’: - - Are you refuting that DLH has not taken a stand on the plan to bring in all the Marsamxett traffic through narrow St Mark’s street, so narrow that large vehicles scrape the walls! Given that the MEPA report (I trust you’ve read it) says that it will cause long tailbacks, what is DLH’s stand on the effect of all the toxic exhaust fumes on residents and old buildings in Valletta? - - Are you refuting that you declared to the Times that you were pulling out of the Environment rally, when you had never come forward to take part in the rally in the first place as was subsequently revealed? - - Are you refuting the fact that the architects working on the Piano plans are the same architects who decide matters in both the MEPA Heritage Board and the Valletta Rehabilitation Project? Are you refuting the fact that you yourself are on the Valletta Rehabilitation Committee with these very same architects? - - Are you refuting the fact that Din l-Art Helwa were appointed to the Climate Change board rather than Friends of the Earth who have consistently worked in that regard? - - How many posts, official posts is DLH appointed to? According to your online profile, you are on the following boards and committees: Valletta, Mdina and Cottonera Rehabilitation Committees (along with your friends the architects referred to above) The Committee of Guarantee (never heard of it actually doing anything but the fact that it manages funds used for research, conservation or restoration of cultural heritage could be useful) The Council for Voluntary Organisations Martin Galea is on the: St Elmo Restoration Board The MEPA Regulations Review Commission There’s also the DLH man on the Climate Change Board and on the MEPA site there’s someone on the DCC C board that has the same name as the DLH Treasurer, Victor Rizzo. How surprising. I make that seven appointments on different boards and committees filled by DLH committee members. Could you kindly confirm whether there are any more? Do you refute the fact that Din l-Art Helwa has monopolised the environment and heritage NGO appointments to Government boards and committees, some of which are against payment (as confirmed by Martin Galea who was paid 2,500 euros for his post on the MEPA Commission) Oh and by the way, I was surprised to see that Din l-Art Helwa does not list the names of its board and committee members on its website. Why, do they have something to hide, or are they embarrassed, given the above? As you can tell, I may be based in Gozo, but I don’t miss a thing! As regards my hiding my true identity, most people here are writing under a pseudonym so it’s hardly unusual is it, and I’m definitely not hiding. In the event that it turns out you are not refuting any of the above then perhaps you would be kind enough to explain to us exactly what it is you are refuting?

With reference to the comments by ‘Gozoman’, I strongly refute the allegations made against myself and the integrity of the Din l-Art Helwa committee. Moreover, it is unacceptable that the writer is hiding his or her true identity.

Oh yes, Tony, he didn't waste any time in trying to sell his ideas to the NGO activists at the last hearing, but not only did he not get anywhere with me, he even lost a client, as I've never set foot in his hotel since.

Actually, reading the two comments below made me realise just how absurd Saviour's allegations are. If I were interested in money, I wouldn't be waiting for Saviour's imagined pay-off from Victor Borg. I would be working at something lucrative, like public relations, not working all hours without earning a cent! Get real Saviour!

Having worked for Victor Borg i am SURE he has contacted Astrid Vella to '' Sell '' her his ideas, Just like he did to you Saviour when you spent the whole Day at ta Cenc Hotel with Victor Borg a .few years back

Well said both Gozitano and Seajay. To be honest with you I sometimes wonder why people like Astrid work themselves ragged to protect their country when you read some of the ungrateful comments. Personally I'd have thrown the hat in a long time ago and said to hell with it, let them concrete over the whole island. But Astrid is made of better stuff than that and deserves all the support she can get.

Yes Seajay, it sounds exactly like a Daphne poison-pen article, even the device to try to pit one NGO against another, putting one on a pedestal and trying to discredit the other. It’s really ironic considering Daphne and Saviour are at daggers drawn after what she said about him! FAA does not need to prove itself on Gozo issues, after all the work its done to preserve Hondoq, Ramla l-Hamra, Ghajnsielem, San Lawrenz, Dwejra and yes, even Ta’ Cenc. I know that Astrid literally works late at knight and for what? Just trying to save what our lord gave us, me and you to enjoy . Good on you Astrid ,keep on helping us .We need people like you .

This must rate as Saviour's worst editorial; if it weren't signed, it could easily be mistaken for a Daphne Caruana Galizia rant ... same target, same style of attack: irrational and gutter-level. Sad.

Martin Galea’s claim that he was appointed to the MEPA Policy Review Commission “in his personal capacity” is contradicted by the DOI Government Gazette which reports that his appointment “is-Sur Martin Galea bħala rappreżentant tal-għadqiet ambjentali mhux governattivi (eNGOs);” How’s that for Din l-Art Helwa twisting the truth Saviour? Now, If Martin Galea was not appointed to the post as President of Din l-Art Helwa, as what was he appointed? As Chairman of the Rugby Association? Hardly! As past President of the Federation of Industries – now there’s another conflict of interest if ever there was one! I wonder if the €2,500 has anything to do with his insistence on his personal capacity, and I wonder what DLH members think of that. Oh, and what about Martin Galea’s little jaunt to Paris with Lou Bondi at taxpayers’ cost? Was he invited in his personal capacity, or to buy the silence of Din l-Art Helwa who had blocked the project last time round but funnily enough raved about it this time? Was he invited as Chairman of Joinwell, or maybe as a combination of all three? In all his waffling about Din l-Art Helwa’s honour, Martin has somehow forgotten to explain how they could have declared that they were pulling out of a protest that they were never involved in! No mention of DLH’s stand on the health impact of Valletta’s new traffic plan or the conflict of interest of the architects who are both working on the Piano plans and sitting on MEPA boards and Valletta Rehabilitation Committee? In fact can someone remind me why he wrote?

Saviour flatters himself when claiming consistency. His chief purpose in this type of writing seems to be that of setting NGOs at each other's throats and crowing or rather sneering at them afterwards. Two items come to mind: His unbounded admiration for DLH for 'sticking' to the Structure Plan on Ta' Cenc; I seem to remember that DLH did not much care about the same Structure Plan in the Valletta parliament case, where it was clearly stated that state functions were to be accomodated in existing structures. The other is his sudden ascription, at least by default, to DLH of expertise in ecology. Since when? In any case, he has clearly left his tree-hugger days far behind; he should be little more careful in making sweeping judgements on the present generation of tree huggers.

I wish to put a couple of facts straight regarding Gozoman's blogs. DLH does not recieve money from Government of any material value. If one off donations were recieved (eg Good Causes Fund) these were small amounts and generally tied to restoration projects. Our accounts which are downloadable from the website are audited and will indicate where the income is derived from. DLH is appointed on boards but on none of these boards is remuneration paid. In the case of the Mepa reform board on which I was appointed this was in a personal capacity and I was paid €2500 There are many allegations made by Gozoman against DLH which of course we refute most strongly. I can vouch for the integrity and honesty of all the Council members with whom I have served, over many years. If we have not been as effective as we would have wished on ALL environmental issues, it should not be put down to base motives or political expediency. We are a democratic, transparent organization of volunteers working with limited time and resources having restoration and conservation projects as well as env issues to contend with. We work well with all NGO's and if on very rare occassions we may not agree it is perhaps because we llive in a democratic society where differences of opinion are permitted without vilification

Saviour has your respect for Petra stopped you from questioned Din l-Art Helwa’s lack of a stand on the fact that thanks to Piano’s plans all the traffic coming in to the Marsamxett side of Valletta has to pass through St Mark Street, an narrow Valletta lane which, the MEPA report says, will cause huge tailbacks at rush-hour. All that idling traffic in such a narrow street will result in more toxic emissions to undermine the residents’ health and damage the newly restored old buildings, doesn’t the heritage NGO even care about that? Or what about her lack of honesty, when Din l-Art Helwa declared on the front page of the Times that they were pulling out of the recent environment rally, only to have to have it exposed that they had never came forward to take part in the rally in the first place? So what was their game there and why were they in league with the Times to print such a lie on the front-page without the Times first checking out this story with the other NGOs? Why hasn’t Petra spoken out about the fact that the architects working on the Piano plans are the same architects who decide matters in both the MEPA Heritage Board and the Valletta Rehabilitation Project? Cosy huh? If that’s not conflict of interest what is and yet it doesn’t seem to bother Petra. Could the reason be that she herself is on the Valletta Rehabilitation Committee with them? See here: http://www.doi.gov.mt/en/bodies/committees/cottonera.asp In fact why is it that Din l-Art Helwa clinches each and every official (and paid!) NGO appointment going – including MEPA reform when they have never been on the forefront of the battle for MEPA reform. Why is it that they snatched the post on the Climate Change board from under the noses of Friends of the Earth, when everyone knows that Friends of the Earth are the only group who have consistently worked on Climate Change in Malta? And you claim that FAA wants to dominate the NGO movement? Even mild-mannered NatureTrust has started to stand up to Government in the face of the outrageous goings-on at Bahrija – another case where you forgot to point out that DLH took no stand while FAA and Ramblers where crucified for speaking up and have now been proven right. Obviously this Government appoints them to every board and committee because it knows that it can count on DLH to be a yes-man who will set aside its environmental principles to do Government’s bidding, unlike the other independent NGOs.

I agree with what you are saying Saviour with regard to ODZ but you know as well as I do that ODZ today can become a development area tomorrow. The only people who care enough about this situation to actually fight against it are NGO’s like FAA and their volunteer members like Astrid Vella. Rather than attacking these people you should be backing them up in their fight against the destruction of your country for profit. The people who really count here Saviour are people like Maltese Falcon who like me love the island of Gozo and feel powerless as they watch it being concreted over by developers, usually Government supporters, who don’t give a damn about what if anything will be left for the Gozitan children of tomorrow. You are in a position of power Saviour in that you can get your word out to the people of Malta and Gozo and beyond so for God’s sake use that power wisely and attack those money hungry scum who are destroying the country rather than the few who are doing their best to defend it.

Saviour, you are jumping to the conclusion that I sent Dolores Cristina the article before publication because I sent her the UNEDITED version. There was no point discussing Rent Reform in an article where the relevant section was cut out. However this earlier version was sent AFTER the second, edited version was published. My recollection is that my shortened version had been still too long and was shortened further by Malta Today. Anyway, why drag this up now, three years later? If you are trying to prove truthfulness, shall I mention the outright lies the newspaper you edited printed about me? Again you have jumped to conclusions about whether NGOs are "going soft on Ta' Cenc" before we have issued our statements. You are just trying to create an issue about this. As regards meeting Victor Borg, fact I was approached by him after the last hearing when he invited me and other NGO committee members to dinner to ‘discuss the project’. On my part, I immediately declined the invitation and in the almost three years since that hearing I have never set foot in a Victor Borg property, nor had any other contact with him, either directly, or through third parties. It is however strange that you are only making these allegations against me when all the NGOs were present on this occasion. Just as you are picking on FAA for failing to take a shotgun decision on Ta' Cenc, when other NGOs have failed to commit on several issues, which they have every right to do. This proves that you are not after truth or sincerity of ideals but simply trying to whip up a sensationalist fight in order to draw readers to your blog.

Some comments I read in the media revolving around Victor Borg's frantic striving to build villas in an ODZ locality astound me. Not least because they are purported to come from Ramblers Association and Astrid Vella's NGO. Now, even BirdlifeMalta and Nature Trust are rumoured of dangling their support to Victor Borg in ruining Mgarr ix-Xini with his land speculation. We Maltese could do nothing when a colonial administration gave away a national heritage on a plate to an individual. Nor could the people protest when, in the sixties, 16 villas mushroomed up in Il-Kantra. Those were other times, when the Maltese nation, at large, was insensitive and, at best, ignorant of how senseless and horrendously selfish land speculation would ruin Malta's natural beauty and the people's heritage for ever. People who honestly love their country and inwardly care for future generations would do their utmost to save what is left of Gozo's environment. I am a 70 year old Gozitan and lived drenched in my island's rustic beauty. But our children have a right to enjoy what's left. Victor Borg is a multi-millionaire and doesn't need to sell any more villas. Our NGOs have a sacred duty to defend the national heritage, whether it is of historical and cultural merit, but surely, and not least, if it is our islands' God-given beauty. This was never meant just for certain individuals to exploit for their greed. And I call for our national government to look after the real needs of the nation, with an eye for the distant future. Everybody knows that tourism is Gozo's lifeline. If anybody says that building villas and concrete holiday villages on prime land helps the Gozo unemployed go say it to the marines.

I do promise to stop answering comments.  But I am sure I will get over the first few days of this portal. Well, Gozoman will discover that Din l-Art Helwa have not always been treated well by my pen. But yes, I have to say that I have great respect for Petra Bianchi.  I guess it has to do male ego eh!! Male ego vs Astrid. Please, please.

The argument is very simple. The proposed development at Ta Cenc is ODZ, that is the development is out and not line with the Structure Plan.  That I am afraid has nothing to with ego. We can of course ridicule the whole discussion. When hundreds of people followed Astrid in the streets, and I with my pen, they did so because of the principle of ODZ.  ODZ wherever and whenever is wrong. There is no discussion here.  Either we take the Structure plan and tear it to bits or else we uphold it.  How is that for male ego? 

I was wondering if you were going to mention the other NGO’s or if you were just going to concentrate on an assassination job on Astrid Vella. Interesting in that in every one of these cases you smell a rat simply because they are taking their time to study the quite substantial proposal before coming to a decision. But then you would have jumped on them if they had come out immediately with an opinion and criticized them for jumping in too quickly. Also interesting that you mention Din l-Art Helwa since they always seem to come down on the side of the Government whilst at the same time trying to give the impression that they are somewhat concerned about the environment or heritage. But then they rely on contributions from the Government don’t they? It’s funny how you haven’t mentioned their deafening silence on so many issues. I actually fail to see what your problem is with Astrid Vella. However I suspect looking at the situation from a distance that it is one of those Maltese male fear problems when they come up against a woman who has more influence than they have. Not so long ago I came to your defence when Daphne Caruana Galizia launched an attack on you. I certainly won’t be making that mistake again.

In essence below, Saviour Balzan simply confirms the version of events that I have given therefore his slurs re changing versions are purely gratuitous. It is also ridiculous to claim that I sent the article to Dolores Cristina for "vetting" when he admits that I sent it after publication! We don’t expect to be treated with kid gloves, far from it, but we do expect a professional level of reporting. Truth applies equally to Saviour Balzan in giving true and properly-researched facts which he did not on a number of points that I highlighted below.

I am afraid the real story is as follows: Astrid Vella was asked to write an opinion for MaltaToday. She sent in an opinion, it was very, very long. I asked her to bring it down from 2500 to some 1500. When it was published, she was asked by Dolores Cristina why the comment (positive) about George Pullicino been removed. She blamed me for editing it. I was not told that she sends her articles to a cabinet ministers ... for approval. In a conversation with Lawrence Gonzi's personal assistant Edgar Galea Curmi, I was told that I censor positive comments about the government in MaltaToday. I asked him to give an example. And he did. He repeated this story. I told him: 'bollocks'; and I then decided to phone Astrid and give her a piece of my mind. So this is the story. And let us face this is not the first time that I have noted Astrid changing her version of the facts. Just because she is an environmentalist doesn't mean that she is below our radar. Finally on another note. This media house is not an environmental, green, political or lobby group, it is a media house with a very clear mission. We have no political agenda and I am not interested in anyone's agenda. Our mission is to transmit the news. If that is sensationalism for Astrid then so be it. I could not give a hoot. If Astrid decides to lose her tongue on a particular issue then that is news. More so when she was so vocal in the past. I cannot promise her anything, not even kids' gloves, we do not clip critical comments directed at our editors or journalists. She is free to say what she likes. But she cannot alter the truth.

How intriguing that Saviour Balzan should be attacking the very people who are working on his claimed environmental objectives! What’s more he’s doing so without checking his facts before pouring out his vitriol. He says “On every other issue that pertains to the environment she has been able to take a snappy decision and express an opinion”. WRONG. FAA only gives its official stands after it studies plans and consults with experts. It’s very amusing that when short deadlines dictated that FAA had to do this fast in order to take a stand, as in the case of the St John’s Cathedral museum, we were accused of knee-jerk reactions, then when we take our time to evaluate matters, as in the Piano project, the Townsquare revised plans, and now the revised Ta’ Cenc plans, we are accused of dragging our feet or worse. Saviour Balzan’s allegations about FAA being a ‘one-woman show’ or ‘undemocratic’ just reveal his ignorance of the workings of FAA. My role as spokeperson means that I am the media face of FAA but FAA being "styled by my whims and moods" is far from the reality of FAA where decisions or policy are not set by any single person but at committee level. Our NGO is made up of a full, elected committee (see www.faa.org.mt ) and hundreds of activists, some of whom do not feel at liberty to show their faces because of the fear of possible retribution. Similarly, FAA makes no claim to lead the environment movement – Mr. Balzan knows well enough that almost all our initiatives are taken in conjunction with other NGOs but for the sake of sensationalism, he would like it to seem otherwise. The proof of the pudding is that as admitted by his blog article, our stand echoes that of NatureTrust and Birdlife, whose ecological credentials can hardly be questioned, and who we rely on to take the lead on the Ta’ Cenc case which is far from straightforward. Again, when environmentalists take a hard line they are called extremists, and when they try to consider long-term implications which others are not aware of, they are accused of personal interest and their credentials questioned as is the case with Saviour’s allegations. It is to be added that the opinion piece I had written for MaltaToday was sent to Dolores Cristina AFTER it was printed and not before, in order to press her for rent reform. Saviour Balzan has tried to raise this before but given that Rent Reform is off the map now, this reference is totally out of context. As is clear from our writings, FAA does not vet its words with any politician. If Saviour Balzan really had the environment at heart as he claims, he would be trying to encourage people to join the movement, not doing his very best to put them off. Could it be that Saviour Balzan is turning the guns on FAA simply to boost the new website through cheap sensationalism? What better way to boost readership than a bit of Astrid-bashing?

Astrid Vella is not a saint, just like me and you..... HOWEVER, we can do with more Astrid Vella's around to try to protect what is left in our islands. Thus maybe a common front (albeit our petty differences) to give more punch to the Environmental NGOs, and seeing the broader picture - would be a step in the right direction.