Quarter-century old incidents to highlight PN campaigns

Addressing a political activity in Marsascala, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi outlined activities to be carried out by the Nationalist Party in the coming weeks, commemorating the political incidents which took place during the 80s.

The PN yesterday commemorated the 30 year anniversary since the attack on PN activists in Zebbug during a PL demonstration. In the coming weeks, the PN will also remember the incidents of the Tal-Barrani mass meeting, the murder of Raymond Caruana and the frame-up of Pietru Pawl Busuttil.

"We are not trying to steam people up but to appreciate what we have today. Those were years when democracy was stolen for five years, a person was accused of a murder he didn't commit and a man's life was taken away."

Gonzi said people must appreciate what the country has today: "We need to understand we are surrounded by problems which have brought down the strongest countries on their knees. And yet, we managed to obtain record figures in tourism, education and industry for three years in a row."

He said, the Libyan uprising could have badly affected the country's tourism and added he will today leave for the first political contact with Libya. "We will soon take to Libya a business delegation with the intent to discuss business proposals."

Gonzi said if it was not for government's prudence to go against populist choice and increase utility bills when the oil prices went up, Malta would be in the same situation as the failed countries.

Muscat's promise to reduce utility bills is not real, the Prime Minister said: "His promise is tied with the Sargas investment. But reality is there are several questions which still need to be answered."

The Opposition leader's 51 proposals are populist attempts to gain leadership in government, Gonzi said. He said it is true that everyday Malta has to pay €500,000 in interest because of the country's debt, but €1 billion of that debt derives from the Malta Shipyards. Meanwhile, government is also spending €1 million daily in education.

Health Minister Joe Cassar, also present for the activity, said the PN managed to change the country from the way it was during the 80s. "Sometimes we do not appreciate that it is not easy to make this change. This is why people have to trust us. The PN changed that culture and fear. I remember when we used to fold In-Nazzjon in four so no one would catch us with it."

Cassar went to on to mention government's work in the health sector and said Budget 2012 has allocated a €32 million increase for the sector.

He described the Opposition's proposals for the health sector as a "Form 5 project - all theory but no practice".

Cassar also said that in two years' time all localities will benefit from the pharmacy of your choice (POYC) scheme.

The PN's secretary-general Paul Borg Olivier said the Nationalist party continues to build on its roots: "But what is the identity of the Labour Party? They changed their image but what message are they trying to convey?"