Dalli resignation ‘an unfortunate incident’, Fenech Adami hopes for speedy conclusion

President Emeritus and former PN Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami is hoping that the case leading to John Dalli's resignation from a top EU post is solved as soon as possible in view of Dalli's insistence that he is innocent.

Dalli, who also served as a minister in Fenech Adami's Cabinet, was forced to resign following an investigation by the EU anti-fraud office Olaf into a complaint by a Swedish tobacco company.

Malta has since made headlines in both European and worldwide newspapers, who have been thoroughly following the "scandal".

But according to Eddie Fenech Adami, this will not tarnish Malta's reputation.

"This is, naturally, an unfortunate incident and we must first wait for the final outcome of the investigation," Fenech Adami told RTK's online newspaper.

"John Dall has always insisted on his innocence and I don't think anyone knows the truth better than he does."

He said that he hoped "that the issue is cleared as soon as possible" but insisted that Malta's reputation will not suffer.

"A European Malta always believed in a united Europe. We were always on the forefront on what we believed and I believe that at the end of the day, Malta's reputation will not be tarnished."

After having been reviewed by the Attorney General, the Olaf report and the AG's conclusion have now been passed on to the Police. John Dalli himself hasn't yet seen the Olaf report.

The European Parliament itself hasn't yet seen the report and official requests and repeated calls by the MEPs have been made in this regard.

"It's obvious that faced by such situations, Europe alarms itself and therefore seeks to unravel the facts. However I don't think anyone doubts Malta's credentials as a democratic and European country," Fenech Adami said.

In lieu of Dalli's resignation as EU health commissioner, Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg has been nominated as the commissioner-designate.

Known for his conservative views, political blocs represented in the European Parliament have already made it clear that they look forward to Borg's grilling. The European Greens have declared they will not support Borg's nomination and the Liberals are understood to share similar reserviations.

The president of the European Socialists Hannes Swodoba said that the European Parliament "did not need a second Rocco Buttiglione".

Buttiglione's nomination for a post in the European Commission had resulted in controversy as some political groups opposed him for his Roman Catholic views against homosexuality, despite his assurances that these were only his personal convictions and would not dictate his administration.

Borg's grilling by MEPs on the European Pariament's health committee is set for 13 November, most likely to be followed by a vote of full parliament the following week.

Asked whether Tonio Borg's declared values will be an obstacle, Fenech Adami said he remembered how Buttiglione had been received and was confident that Tonio Borg would contemplate his answers well.

"I hope [his declared values] will not be of obstacle. I'm sure that Borg knows about Buttiglione and he'll therefore be careful on how he answers. On the other other hand, I'm persuasive that he will not renounce the principles he believes in," Fenech Adami said.

'Yet to be persuaded on direct opposition to budget'

Eddie Fenech Adami also said that he still wasn't convinced that government could find direct opposition once the budget for 2013 is presented in parliament.

Backbencher Franco Debono has reiterated that he was going to vote against the budget. But Fenech Adami said he was yet to be persuaded.

"I am not yet persuaded that government will find direct opposition in parliament. There might be an abstention, but this is all yet to be seen. I still believe that Lawrence Gonzi has the ability to manage the situation," he said.

The former PN leader added the Budget will be presented in its own time.

Asked whether the dissent amongst the government MPs was the result of hard-headedness or a shortcoming of the leadership, Fenech Adami said in every party one would find such situations.

"I have full confidence in Lawrence Gonzi's leadership. Naturally, episodes of individuals who 'rebel' will always take place. These are things that happen and individuals who have the right to express their opinion.

"However, I firmly believe that Lawrence Gonzi is in control - in the sense that he knows what's happening and is capable of finding solutions."

Fenech Adami rubbished suggestions that Gonzi had acted differently when Transport Minister Austin Gatt and former justice minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici faced a no-confidence motion.

In the case of Gatt, Gonzi had announced that a vote against the transport minister would be a vote against government. He had insisted that the public transport reform - which had then sparked the no-confidence motion against Gatt - had been "a collective responsibility".

"It was not a case of 'two ways, two measures' and I'm convinced that Carm Mifsud Bonnici still enjoys Gonzi's support. But the Prime Minister couldn't ignore a vote in parliament," he said.

Fenech Adami added that the Opposition had "jumped on the bandwagon of a dissident [Franco Debono] and voted against Mifsud Bonnici. The right thing to do then was for him to resign. Mifsud Bonnici ended up in this situation without fault ... but this is how democracy works".

Asked whether he would have permitted that a minister and Malta's ambassador to the EU resign under his tenure, Fenech Adami replied it was "an unfortunate episode, absolutely unjustifiable".

"I am absolutely certain that Mifsud Bonnici deserves all the trust but unfortunately the Opposition once again jumped on the bandwagon of a dissident from the government side.

"I believe that both the Opposition and Franco Debono did a mistake here. What has happened is really unfortunate but I don't believe it will have long-term effects."

'Family: a married man and woman'

The President Emeritus also reiterated his position against civil unions between gay couples to be described as family.

"Family is a married man and woman. There is no other union that could be described - or merits to be called - family. Family is the traditional family and I believe it would be a big mistake if we extend this concept of family to other different unions."

Fenech Adami also insisted that marriage was "a permanent union".

On the Church's influence on society, Eddie Fenech Adami said the Maltese society no longer readily accepted the beliefs of the Church.

"However, the Church in Malta still enjoys a strong support, even of those who believe that the best way for the country is to remain to the principles, beliefs and teachings of the Church," he said.