Decision to allow Cachia Caruana to retain ambassador’s title ‘absurd’ – JPO

Independent MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando has described Prime Minister's Lawrence Gonzi decision to retain Richard Cachia Caruana's title of ambassador as "absurd".

"At the end of the day it's up to the two of them to create these titles. Personally, I would have never accepted to be made ambassador to nowhere," Pullicino Orlando told MaltaToday.

"It comes across as having been given a pacifier for stamping your feet."

Pullicino Orlando had voted in favour of an Opposition motion that forced the resignation of the former ambassador to the European Union, who today retains a role as advisor to the prime minister on European affairs, apart from being one of the PN's chief strategists.

Cachia Caruana was appointed to the role at end-September, without any remuneration.

In retaining his title as ambassador, it is as yet unknown whether he also enjoys other privileges associated with the diplomatic corps, such as a diplomatic passport. The foreign ministry has not yet answered a request by MaltaToday to clarify Cachia Caruana's status.

The OPM has told The Times the "courtesy title" is considered useful for the country, and pointed out Cachia Caruana was "extremely reluctant" to serve in any government role following his departure from office.

The government will pay his telecommunication costs on the basis of submitted claims and he will use an office at the EU Secretariat at Castille as well as office equipment.

Cachia Caruana also made use of government transport for seven car journeys all related to the 5 5 summit between October 4 and 6.

On the other hand, backbencher Franco Debono - one of the ambassador's main critics - was much more critical of the Prime Minister's decision: insisting that he would have never expected Gonzi to defeat a decision taken by parliament.

"I thought he had hit rock bottom when he voted against the divorce legislation in parliament. But this is a very serious blow to the supremacy of parliament," Debono - who had not voted in favour of the Opposition no-confidence motion - said.

"Cachia Caruana had always been the power behind the throne and had regarded parliament as a threat to his authority because he wasn't an MP. Is parliament being kept on a leash by the government?"

Debono reiterated that parliamentary supremacy was now non-existent. "The supremacy of parliament means that it scrutinizes government. It has the authority to make government accountability for its work and government must obey verdicts given by parliament.

"But today we are in a situation where democracy is in a disastrous state."

Debono insisted that Cachia Caruana "wasn't greater than the system... Irrespective of whoever the person is, no one is greater than parliament, greater than the system. And this is what my revolt has been all about," he said, adding that "we're now back to pre-French revolution times".

Cachia Caruana was forced to resign after an Opposition motion was approved, accusing the former permanent representative to the EU of having reactivated Malta's accession to Nato's Partnership for Peace by bypassing the House of Represenattives.

MaltaToday reported back in 2011 during the publication of the leaked US embassy cables by Wikileaks that the reactivation of Partnership for Peace had come about through some skilful negotiation on the part of Cachia Caruana to argue that Malta never withdrew from PfP back in 1996. A year later, in April 2012, the Opposition filed a motion calling for RCC's resignation, alleging his actions were intended at bypassing the House. It is unclear whether the result of Malta's reactivation was down to Labour's imperfect withdrawal. According to Cachia Caruana, he was unaware of when the Prime Minister intended to reactivate PfP participation.