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Online poll welcomes Malta CHOGM
Absolute majority says CHOGM is prestigious, but 31% also say human rights abuses means Malta should not play host
9 December 2013, 12:00am
Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
1 min read
2015 will see Malta host the Commonwealth heads of government meeting.
Over half of 4,277 online respondents to an online poll on MaltaToday.com.mt have welcomed Malta's hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2015.
The general belief is that CHOGM is a "prestigious event" that will bring some sort of benefit to the Maltese. 52% of respondents, or 2,462, chose this option.
But another considerable cohort said that Malta should not host CHOGM, due to the numerous human rights abuses taking place in other countries in the Commonwealth. This option was selected by 31%, or 1,468.
Another 17% (827) described CHOGM as a "useless organisation" that did not deserve much attention.
Malta is to host CHOGM in 2015 following a unanimous decision this morning by the Commonwealth heads of government. The unexpected decision was taken during the current CHOGM in Sri Lanka after Malta showed interest in hosting the event when the expected host, Mauritius, withdrew.
Malta also hosted CHOGM in 2005.
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What use is the commonwealth anyway?
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Just imagine - when the last CHOGM was held in Malta, for a brief moment in time, roads were asphalted (even though most were shortly afterwards found to be defective - the friends of friends made sure of this), the centre strips etc where the distinguished guests passed through were filled with flowers (God knows how much the Consortium made in profits from this event alone) and the Maltese were barred from accessing these roads for security reasons. I believe since the North side of the Island was chosen in 2005 (that was the base of the PN voters), the South side should now be chosen to give a chance to the South to benefit as well, unless the event is held in Gozo which has now turned red. On a more positive note , the Government is right to hold the CHOGM in 2015 in Malta as this will allow all those presently training to organize the 2017 EU Presidency to have a pre-run of events, the Security aspects would have been tested and retested, and Malta would be much better prepared for the 2017 event having experienced the 2015 one. The offer of the Prime Minister was therefore not a question of prestige as it was for the massive experience that will be gained in hosting CHOGM in 2015. I think this is very evident.
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Mela hi! Ic-CHOGM meta sar Malta taht GonziSimonPN kien champion tal-human rights u issa m'ghadux! Morru saqqu l-hass tal-Marsa...jekk baqa!
Joseph MELI •
Furthermore,and contrary to the conclusions reached here ,I would suggest that the 'general belief' of the respondents is equally divided,As whilst 2,462(or 52%) thought it was a 'prestigious event' a total of 2,235 or 48% thought it was either a 'useless organisation ' or else should not be hosted here due to 'human rights abuses in other Commonwealth countries',which would suggest that public opinon is split almost down the middle
Joseph MELI •
To get a sense of how 'prestigious' this event clearly isn't just look at how many of the other 52 member Commonwealth states were clamouring and vehemently arguing over who should hold this as shown by the 'unanimous decison ' by the Commonwealth heads?How honoured we must be?As hasn't anyone cottoned on yet to the fact that this event is a poisoned and very costly chalice which no other country either wants or needs ?One of questions in this survey should have been 'does the costs justify this event being held in Malta for the second timee in 10 years' -with ,of course ,the total estimated costs being revealed ...which are how much incidentally?
