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PM's 'Gaddafi reality check' came when troops massacred civilians during Japan tsunami
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi admitted that his reality check on Libya was when he saw Col. Gaddafi’s opportunist strategy of unleashing his military might on civilians when the world media was alienated by the Japan tsunami.
26 March 2011, 12:00am
Karl Stagno-Navarra
Karl Stagno-Navarra
1 min read
Speaking on Radio 101 this morning, the Prime Minister stressed his strongest condemnation of the Libyan regime yet, saying that apart from his previous declarations on the illegitimacy of Gaddafi’s rule, it was “horrifying to see how the Libyan military machine bulldozed its way through villages and towns and almost got to the gates of Benghazi.”
Gonzi said that when he received a phone call from Libyan Prime Minister Mahmoud Al-Baghdadi, who claimed a ceasefire and asked Malta to mediate with the European Union, he told his Libyan counterpart that it was all a question of credibility.
“I told him that while he was insisting that there was a ceasefire ordered, I had my television on and I was seeing tanks rolling through the villages....
“Withdraw all tanks and military from the streets and take them back to their barracks, to be credible on your claims, I told Baghdadi,” Gonzi said.
Replying to critics on the decision by the Maltese government not to offer Malta as a military base to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya, Gonzi said that Malta never received such requests. However, he added, the international community knew well that Malta is just a short distance away from Sicilian bases.
“Besides many know that we only have one civilian airport and there would be serious implications for the safety of passengers not only for the regular take-offs of military aircraft, but the logistics for storing weaponry used,” he said.
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Better late than never. Finally Malta takes its' place among the civilized nations who recognise Ghadaffi for what he is: a brutal dictator of the worst kind.
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To whom it may concern. In such African countries around us, people have woke up to take their rights by protesting, and are asking their Prime Ministers / President to step down. These powerful people, are retaliating, by either arresting the protesters, or shoot them down and kill them. You will find that there are governments that instead of shooting the protesters, they will destroy them by increasing the cost of living so they will not be able to cope. There are instances that these Government people will destroy their family, as well. There are also instances that even workers will be sucked from their employment and so much on. I believe every one had understand what I meant. This is the situation in our country , Europe Malta. Unless some thing will be done, I foresee, that we will soon be experiencing a similar situation like Libya, Tunisia, U.K., and so on. Europe needs to open their eyes, before it will be too late. Good day.
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Antoine Vella, do you know what you are saying exactly, or are you just rambling on and on?
Can't you see the contradictions you are uttering?
Oh, for Crikey's sakes, get a hold on yourself, man.
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Actually, yes, Gonzi preceded Barroso by a few days not hours. More credit to him.
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In my original comment I said that Malta was one of the first to say that the end of the Gaddafi regime was inevitable.
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Someone denied this and then denied it again and then continued to deny it . . . until I proved it. Anybody can check the dates with the newspapers
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I don't believe that everything done by government is right and, on the issue of bases I strongly disagree with the PM but trying to denigrate him at all costs - as confirmed Mintoffjani are doing - is stupid and counter-productive.
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What the Gonz said on Feb 21 is NOT what he is saying now.
If you can't see that, Antoine Vella, you're an idiot right and proper.
Micheal Bonanno •
@Antoine Vella. 9 days = few hours !!!!????
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On 21 Februray, Gonzi said that the end of the Gaddafi regime was inevitable.
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On 2 March, Barroso said that it was time for Gaddafi to leave.
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The Maltese pro-Gaddafi lobby had lambasted the PM for being "hasty" and speaking "prematurely".
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You are confusing times and issues, Antoine Vella. Gonzi himself admits he was 'distracted' - do you know more than the man himself?
Who do you think you are?
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I may not agree with the PM's decision to not offer logistical support to allies for the liberation of Libya but, to be fair, he had the foresight to realisie that it was game over for Gaddafi, even while others were bleating about mediation.
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Gonzi's first statement on Libya preceded that of Barroso by a few hours.
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And what's behind that is even worse. Behind this regime there is a coward called Richard Cachia Caruana who orders his bullocks-less minions to assassinate characters at will, well not exactly at will but according to his dastardly programme of keeping everything and everybody in check.
We'll just have to wait for a level playing field, then we'll be able to see how brave this RCC is.
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falzonsilvio even in Malta we have a regim because everything he makes is always good (Extention of the power station,the selling of our jewellery Midmed bank Sea Malta Drydocks yacht Marina and many other things ) Is Dr Gonzi not a REGIM when he took for himself and his ministers 600 ewros a week while for the people he have only 1 ewro 16 c What can you call this falzonsilvio ?
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Jiena nahseb Dr Gonzi li Int u shabek Maltin u ta UE kollha kontu tafu xkien qied jaghmel Gaddafi lin nies tieghu ghallura kif kontu tmorru tinnegozjaw mieghu specjalment Inti (Dr Gonzi ) li kont l-ahhar RAS kbira li iltqajt mieghu u li kont behsiebek tistinnu biex jigi Maltau li kont besiebek tinnegozja mieghu il beigh ta l-Air Malta
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“I told him that while he was insisting that there was a ceasefire ordered, I had my television on and I was seeing tanks rolling through the villages....
“Withdraw all tanks and military from the streets and take them back to their barracks, to be credible on your claims, I told Baghdadi,” Gonzi said.
Do anybody beleive this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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You're wrong, Antoine Vella. "Your" country was one of the last to say that. Gonzi preferred the tightrope walking act between the Gaddafi regime and the insurgents.
Don't try to rewrite history even before the ink dries up. Gonzi wasn't sure with which faction to side. In fact, even while he was trying to size up the situation he allowed his "yellow, lily-livered" deputy Tonio Borg (we're quoting your mistress here) play a different tune.
Don't try to be too wise, Antoine Vella, you're not really that crafty, by half.
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As a Maltese it is a matter of pride that my country was one of the first to say that the end of Gaddafi was inevitable.
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I believe Malta should also listen to what the Libyan Transitional Council (the future government of the Libyans) has said and be more involved in the liberation of Libya., It doesn't have to be the airport - we could give logistical support to warships, for example or help in coordinating air-strikes through our radar system.
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Was the Prime Minister distracted or was he still awaiting instructions from the Cardinal in Brussels?
Would be very interesting to know, wouldn't it, Antoine Vella?
You usually know everything, possibly because you are very well connected with the Cardinal's spokesman/woman directing operations from Bidnija in liaison with Castille via Pisani Gordon.
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I hope that the Libyan tragedy will not serialised into a soap opera by Castille : heads I win; tails I win too!
Angele Deguara •
I would suggest changing the the word "alienated" in the first paragraph to "distracted". Reads much better!
And I really hope these were not exactly the PM's words; would not be a good advert for the English Teaching schools on the island!
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All Regimes must Fall. It's not Libya only there are Bahrain , yemen Jordan etc.. killing its own people, cause protesting for their rights.
I wished that Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi would have step down quitely. Would have been better for all.
But There is something else, theer is the oil thing... Like in Iraq, also there are Al Qaeda with the rebels so, This is all a mess in Libya.
I think after all these killings , missiles etc..
The result after will eb same like Iraq and Afghanistan.
Politics are Filthy. Hiding always the truth , Deny All.
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Before his so called reality check DR Gonzi had declared a week before that Gaddafi's day were numbered. Then, perhaps, the week after he had the second reality check!
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Can the PM condem the amaricans and the Egyptians for continously supplying them with armaments to keep killing their brothers.
Can the PM condemn the fact that Sarkosy initiated the rebellion in Libya through his secret service and the revolution was never started by the libyans themselves.
Can the PM condem the Americans and all other EU for doing nothing in Bahrain and Syria
Can a cease fire ever take place in Libia with the rebellions killing soldiers and occupying terittory as soon as Gaddafi forces cease fire?
I have never seen any protests in Egypt, Turkey, Sudan Bahrain where the protestors where using guns missiles and all sort of military equipment supplied to them by Americans as is happening in Libia.
