Joseph Muscat, 'I do not trust government'

During an interview on One Radio, Muscat said government was setting up obstacles for the Opposition to do its “constitutional work” in the Air Malta steering committee.

“Government has only accepted to call in witnesses to discuss the Air Malta crisis on the basis that we sign a document which binds us not to reveal anything which would be said during the sitting,” Muscat said.

“How can I be bound not to reveal to the Maltese people any mistakes which might have led to the crisis?” he asked.

Muscat referred to the ‘typing error’ in a documentation submitted to the government by a Maltese shipping agent of the vessel transporting the cargo of an Italian arms firm. It was erroneously put into the spotlight by a European report that alleged €80 million - rather than €8 million - worth of weapons transited through Malta from Italy to Libya in 2009.

“How do I know that with Air Malta, government has also not made such mistakes?” he said. Muscat stressed on the importance of Air Malta, not only as strategic of the country’s tourism and economy but also for “security reasons”.  “We do not have any military aircraft which could go rescue people in foreign countries. Air Malta proved its pivotal importance in bringing back both Maltese and foreigners from Libya,” he said.

Muscat praised the national airline for the danger it put itself in to rescue fellow nationals. “However, the fact remains government has rammed Air Malta into a wall and his agenda is to destroy it,” he claimed, adding he has lost all trust in government.

On Malta’s position on the Libyan crisis, Muscat reiterated Malta should not serve as a military base, whilst the international community should listen to the Libyans when they say they do not want foreign interference.

“The Libyan people do not want any foreign interference and I believe this is an important message to the world,” he said. Muscat stressed the European Union should admit it failed in its relations with the North of Africa and the Southern Mediterranean.

“The EU must acknowledge it has failed in its Mediterranean Policy, once it could not see the uprising edging closer,” he said, adding it should review the ways it deals with both regions.

Muscat highlighted the fact that Gonzi will ride on the back of the Libya crisis to justify ongoing increases of fuel prices. “The IMF, like we have done, had suggested Malta should also opt for hedging when buying fuel for petrol stations. But government had ignored the suggestion,” he said, adding it will be the public who will carry the burden of this mistake.

Referring to a report by Labour organ newspaper Kulhadd, the Opposition Leader said the latest hike in fuel prices is “irresponsible” and “unjustifiable”.

“The report shows that in reality, the price of diesel should have increased by 3c instead of 7c, whilst that of petrol should have increased by 1c instead of 3c,” he said, explaining that Enemalta failed to take into consideration the move in exchange rate between the dollar and the euro.

With reference to the Malta Resource Authority (MRA), Muscat said it is “a puppet in government’s hands”. He recounted how in Parliament, Resources Minister George Pullicino and Finance Minister Tonio Fenech had said Muscat has still not accepted an invitation by MRA to explain how fuel prices are set.

“I wondered how they could be aware of the invitation when it was directed personally to me,” Muscat said, adding he could not vouch like Labour MP Evarist Bartolo and Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando that he was being tapped.

“But then Pullicino replied that it was him who had asked MRA to invite me to the meeting,” he said. “How can a Minister dictate what MRA should do?”