AD calls on government to encourage Russia to accept no-fly zone

AD spokesperson on EU and International Affairs Arnold Cassola said the resolution will take into consideration the AD’s call for solidarity amongst European Union member states.

“We call for responsibility sharing amongst the member states for the thousands of refugees expected to flee from Libya and other countries,” Cassola said. He added that no matter how the Libya crisis ends, there will certainly be an influx of migrants coming over to Europe.

“If Gaddafi wins, those who are against him will try to flee the country and, vice-versa, if Gaddafi loses those who supported him will try to seek refuge in other countries,” he claimed.

The resolution also calls for the United Nations mandated no fly zone. Cassola added that the whole Libyan airspace should become an air exclusion zone for Libyan military planes.

“Governments should enforce an air exclusion zone on Libya rather than interfere directly on land,” he stressed.

The Green Party also urged Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to intervene with the Russian government so that it gives its go ahead at the UN Security Council. “It should accept the UN mandated decision for a no fly zone and air exclusion area in Libya to prevent the massacre of innocent civilians,” Cassola stressed.

Cassola also praised the countries’ efforts in which they chose multilateralism over unilateralism. Cassola recalled how Europe had been divided in two when former American President George Bush had intervened in the Iraqi war, aligning with him Italy and England.

During the press conference, AD also gave its feedback on the developing divorce issue whilst it also presented its new team of party spokespersons.

On divorce, newly-appointed Deputy Chairperson Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer recalled that the party had been in favour of the introduction of divorce ever since it was founded in 1989. Divorce was also included in all the Party’s electoral manifestos.

“AD always believed that in a secular and pluralistic society civil right should be guaranteed,” Arqueros Ebejer said. “The plain truth is that some marriages fail and we have to be sensitive towards the emotional and financial stress individuals have to endure because of lack of this legislation.”

Arqueros Ebejer reiterated AD will be on the forefront in the campaign for a ‘yes’ vote should there be a referendum on divorce. “No one is obliged to divorce but the possibility of divorce should exist in a truly liberal and representative democracy,” she said.

On the referendum question, Arqueros Ebejer said the wording of the question should be loyal to the responsible type of divorce that is being proposed in Malta.

“No one is proposing a Las Vegas type of divorce and we disagree with the manoeuvring against a clear referendum question for responsible divorce based on the Irish model,” she said.

AD Chairperson Michael Briguglio also presented the new team of 17 party spokespersons, five of which are women.

Describing the team as “a healthy mix of experience and new faces”, Briguglio said the team is made up of experts, professional and activists in various spheres of social life, ranging from pensioners to post-graduate students.

“Our spokespersons are involved in the updating of AD’s policies and are active in spheres such as the Malta EU-Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) and other consultative fora,” he said. “It is clear that AD is Malta’s only progressive party.”

The party’s spokespersons are:

Arnold Cassola – EU and International Affairs

Mario Mallia – Education

Ralph Cassar – Industry, Energy & Transport

Michael Briguglio – Economy and Finance

Carmel Cacopardo – Sustainable Development & Local Government

Simon Galea – Agriculture and Animal Welfare

Richard Schranz – Consumer Rights and the Elderly

Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer – Civil Rights

Henrik Piski – Communications and IT

Nighat Urpani – Social Development and Health

Dirk Urpani – Sports and Youth

Miriam Cassar – Culture

Angele Deguara – Social Policy

Claire Azzopardi Lane – Disability Issues

Robert Callus – Migration and Citizenship

David Friggieri – Justice and Home Affairs

Andre’ Vella – Community Development