Clinton lauds Malta as 'regional authority'

“Malta is small in size, but huge in its contribution to the region,”  US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said when addressing the media at the end of official talks at Castille with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

During her talks in Valletta,  Clinton acknowledged Malta’s call for a hospital ship and the opening up of specialised hospitals within US bases around Europe  to aid Libya with its war injured, and reportedly informed Prime Minister Gonzi that the US administration is to announce a new financial budget that will cover new for a multipronged program to assist the injured in Libya.

There have been about 15,000 wounded during the conflict so far, about 1,500 of whom are now amputees and require specialized care that is not available in Libya.

The medical portion of the new US financial package to Libya is reported to cover costs for transportation to treatment for the most seriously wounded, spare medical parts to fix equipment for trauma care, and chemicals needed to run and drive equipment, The aid will also will go to establish a patient tracking program.

Clinton announced Gina Abercombie-Winstanely, - considered to be “one of the US  most experienced diplomats -  as the new US ambassador to Malta.  Clinton said that her nomination is part of President’s Barack Obama recognition of Malta as a strategic nation in the Mediterranean.

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Clinton praised Gonzi’s contribution throughout the conflict in Libya and sees Malta as instrumental for Libya’s reunification and peaceful reconciliation.

"The Prime Minister and I discussed the importance of supporting the democratic aspirations of the Libyan people. They are beginning to build a new future for their country and they have a long road ahead," Clinton said

She thanked the Maltese government and the Maltese people for aiding the US  in evacuating its nationals and embassy staff from Tripoli when the uprising in Libya began.

Hillary Clinton also took note of Malta’s strong assets to enforce sanctions against the proliferation of nuclear weapons, adding that “the US knows of Malta’s leadership in the area to interdict prohibited Iranian cargo in the Mediterranean region.”

Hillary Clinton arrived in Malta at 02:30am on a special flight from Andrews Air Force Base in the US .

Although revealed last Saturday by MaltaToday, Clinton’s visit to Malta was announced only yesterday by the Maltese government that provided tight security around the US entourage.

Soon after her talks in Valletta, Prime Minister Gonzi and Foreign Minister Tonio Borg accompanied Hillary Clinton on foot to Barrakka Gardens and later to the airport where she flew directly to Tripoli, where she is holding talks with the interim government headed by Moustafa’ Jalil.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration announced that it has increased U.S. support for Libya's new leaders.

During her visit to Tripoli, Hillary Clinton is pledging  millions of dollars in new aid, including medical care for wounded fighters and additional assistance to secure weaponry that many fear could fall into the hands of terrorists.

U.S. diplomats said the renewed aid Clinton is bringing totals about US$11 million and will boost Washington's contribution to Libya since the uprising against Col. Gaddafi began in February to roughly $135 million.

The officials said that the contribution “is evidence of the administration's commitment to working with the National Transitional Council as it consolidates control over the entire country and moves to hold free and fair elections.”

As part of the new aid package, the U.S. will re-launch several educational programs, including Fulbright scholarships and English language training, and help fund an archeological project that will survey eastern Libya, the officials said. In addition, they said Clinton will be stressing the importance of good governance, inclusion, democratization and diversifying Libya's economy so it no longer is almost entirely dependent on oil revenue.