docJAILBREAK MALTESE ESCAPE IN MASS TUNISIA PRISON MAYHEM
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JAILBREAK MALTESE ESCAPE IN MASS TUNISIA PRISON MAYHEM
WEDNESDAY EDITION €0.50 WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT WEDNESDAY • 19 JANUARY 2011 • ISSUE 196 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY JAILBREAK MALTESE ESCAPE IN MASS TUNISIA PRISON MAYHEM Two Maltese inmates, arrested on drug trafficking charges and held in a Tunisian prison since July, have gone missing after a spectacular mass escape yesterday Full report on page 7 Spiteri surprised by book removal from schools on charges of obscenity over the publication of the short story Li Tkisser Sewwi on a university students’ pamphlet in 2009. He explained that he got to know about his book’s removal through the media, and wondered why what he wrote six years ago would have such an effect now. Critically acclaimed for its rich Maltese prose style and its compelling characterisation, Meta Jdellel Il-Qamar tells the story of the tribulations of a family of fishermen from the south of Malta during the Second World War. It is not clear why the narrative, which won the National Book Award, was considered inappropriate for school-age readers. One possible interpretation concerns the fact that one of its characters, Toninu, is gay. The entire list of books removed from schools libraries, which also included classics like D. H. Law- rence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Voltaire’s Candide, was published in Sunday’s edition of MaltaToday. Since then, government has announced a commission, headed by novelist Trevor Zahra, to advise it on the administration of school libraries. Lino Spiteri’s Meta Jdellel il-Qamar was removed from school libraries. Is it because of one of its characters is gay? See backpage Newspaper post AUTHOR and former finance minister Lino Spiteri yesterday expressed surprise that his awardwinning collection of short stories, ‘Meta Jdellel Il-Qamar’ (Peg Publishers, 2005), had been removed from school libraries on the recommendation of School Library Services. Spiteri, who has been active in the literary scene for 55 years, was testifying in the case against Alex Vella Gera, who stands accused 2 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 Rihanna tipprepara l-Hens’ ta’ Perry FAITHLESS live in concert is-Sibt 7 ta’ Awwissu f’Gianpula paġna 3 Nhar il-Ħamis se tfittxu d-dmugħ ta’ San Lawrenz? paġna 5 Daħħal €4.5 miljun wara spezzjonijiet fid-djar paġna 6 Ara l-aħħar paġna “DIN mhix ir-rebħa tad-‘Dede’ u t-telfa ta’ Joe Mifsud. Din hi rebħa kbira għall-futbol Malti inġenerali. Mil-lum ’il quddiem l-MFA se tiftaħ il-bibien għal dawk kollha li lesti jagħtu l-ideat tagħhom u jaħdmu għall-ġid tal-futbol Malti. Mil-lum bdejna era ġdida!” Din kienet l-ewwel reazzjoni ta’ Norman Darmanin Demajo lbieraħ wara nofsinhar hekk kif sar magħruf li hu l-President il-ġdid tal-Malta Football Association wara li rebaħ l-elezzjoni li kellu għal dan is-siġġu. Darmanin Demajo kiseb din ilkariga tal-ogħla siġġu fil-futbol Malti wara li għeleb lill-Avukat Joe Mifsud b’distakk ta’ 46 vot – bir-riżultat finali jaqra 77 għal Darmanin Demajo u 31 vot għal Mifsud. B’hekk wara kważi 10 snin, l-eks-Teżorier tal-Assoċjazzjoni se jerġa’ lura fil-bini ta’ Ta’ Qali, din id-darba fl-ogħla kariga biex iwettaq il-programm elettorali tiegħu taħt ilwegħda ta’ “klabbs, klabbs u klabbs.” Kienu għal ħabta tas-1.30pm meta s-sala tas-Centenary Stadium ta’ Ta’ Qali beda l-għadd tal-voti, eżattament 108 mitfugħa, biex ftit tal-ħin wara, kif id-‘Dede’ kellu aċċertati 55 vot, is-sala nfexxet f’għajjat u ċapċip kbir li kkonfermat il-ħtieġa ta’ bżonn ta’ bidla li kienu qed iħossu dawk li kellhom id-dritt tal-vot. Ir-riżultat tal-bieraħ jagħti raġun lil din il-gazzetta li bħal-lum ġimgħa żvelat stħarriġ intern li għamlet fost il-klabbs u l-assoċjazzjonijiet membri tal-futbol lokali. L-istħarriġ wera rebħa għal Norman Darmanin Demajo b’43% tal-voti u telfa għal Mifsud bi 38% tal-voti. Kien hemm 19% ta’ dawk eleġibbli għall-vot li ma kkummentawx fejn se jitfgħu l-vot tagħhom. Ikkuntattjat minn MediaToday, l-eks-President tal-MFA Joe Mifsud sostna li “m’għandi l-ebda kumment x’nagħti.” JULIA FARRUGIA MATUL dawn l-aħħar sentejn u nofs 5,628 persuna ħadu l-qatgħa ta’ ħajjithom meta rċivew karta d-dar u fiha ntalbu jħallsu eluf ta’ ewro għax il-perit tal-Gvern stmalhom li l-proprjetà li xtraw fis-sena ta’ qabel tiswa aktar minn dak dikjarat. Statistika li għandha f ’idejha din il-gazzetta paġna 12 L-istorja tal-malja paġna 5 NOVITY Minogue ż-żgħira kienet tħossha inferjuri Paġna 21 Paġna 21 NEWSPAPER POST #BUISPPNTVJUFT#BUISPPNNJSSPST4IPXFSDVCJDMFT &RVBUPSQVTIñUQMVNCJOHñUUJOHT4BOJUBSZñUUJOHT &MFDUSJDBMXBUFSIFBUFST.BDFSBUPSQVNQTGPSCBTFNFOU "MMHFOFSBMCVJMEJOHNBUFSJBM :PVDBOTFFUIJTQSPEVDU BUPVSTIPXSPPNJO.BSTB XIJDIJTñSTUóPPSBCPWF "",(SFDI#SPTTIPXSPPN Is-sena tal-isfidi l-ġodda www.illum.com.mt Se jeżaminaw kif qed jingħataa l-pledge JULIA FARRUGIA paġna 2 It-tapit l-aħmar għas-Sena tal-Fenek wieħed mill-ħallelin involuti fil-hold-up armat il-lejl ta’ qabel fuq negozjant u ibnu f’Ħ’Attard hu l-istess individwu li ftit tax-xhur ilu l-Qorti tagħtu pledge minkejja l-aggravju tar-reat imressaq dwaru. Tard il-Ġimgħa filgħaxija l-allegat aggressur, Darren Debono ta’ 33 minn Marsakala, iddaħħal l-isptar b’balla f’saqajh sparata bl-arma tiegħu stess wara li hu u żewġ ħallelin kompliċi ħatfu linnegozjant u lil ibnu. 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(Showroom)Triq Psaila, Birkirkara Tel: 2148 3216, 2144 5947 .PCr'BY (Showroom) Triq Belt il-Ħażna, Marsa Tel: 2122 7832, 2122 7833 .PC'BY Email [email protected] Email: • Available in 12, 30, 50, 80 and 100 Litres • Horizontal water heater ers • Also available super Heat er ! saver water heater Wat ger!! ed lon with insulation to ante last reduce electricity Guar that consumption • 2 year guarantee on one coated enamel water heater • 5 year guarantee on double coated water heater with flange ct gift The perfe as at for Christm ers Special Off HADRIAN Medicine chests and mirrors Heated towel rails 2010 UB%JnjFNCSVr/S UB%JnjFNCSVr/S NEWSPAPER POST Larg LLarge rgee va varie variety riet ety ty of ty of Shower Show ow owe wer Cubicle’ we Cubicle’s clle’ e’s’s e’s Is-sena t-tajba Waħda trid tagħmel sports, oħra trid tfaddal, xi ħadd se jittawwal aktar lejn l-arloġġ tal-petrol, u tnejn iridu jlestu d-dar … se jirnexxilhom? Every Sunday Paġna 3 jinvestiga. Il-Pulizija missha bagħtet għal Joe Mizzi u investigatu. Il-Pulizija missha marret fid-dar jew fl-uffiċċju u ħaditlu l-kompjuter, ħaditlu l-hard disc biex tkun tista’ tinvestiga x’emails bagħat bejn Novembru 2005 u Marzu 2009. Dan m’għamlitux. Il-Pulizija għala m’għamlitux dan?” il-Gvern. “Issa jekk il-Korp tal-Pulizija jrid jagħti prova li lest jinvestiga fuq il-każ BWSC kellu fuq xiex €0.65 paġna 8 Appell biex il-Pulizija ma tibqax taħt idejn il-Gvern ID-DEPUTAT Laburista Evarist Bartolo jargumenta li l-Korp tal-Pulizija m’għandux jibqa’ jaqa’ taħt ir-responsabbiltà tal-Gvern iżda għandu jgħaddi taħt il-poteri tal-President. “Jien bħalissa għandi aktar fiduċja f’istitutuzzjoni mmexxija mill-Parlament milli minn istituzzjoni li taqa’ taħt paġna 14 2011 €0.65 Il-miżien ta’ Toni, Gejtu u John CARMELO Mifsud Bonnici , il-Ministru responsabbli mill-Intern u l-Ġustizzja, qed jinsisti li l-hold-up li seħħ il-Ġimgħa filgħaxija juri li “wieħed irid jifhem kemm ix-xogħol tal-Pulizija jrid jiġi sostnut,” u mhux il-Qorti taqbad u tagħti l-libertà provviżorja fuq ċerti reati gravi. Mitlub iwieġeb għar-rabja fil-komunità għall-mod kif il-Qorti qed tħalli jiġru mas-saqajn persuni b’reati perikolużi, Mifsud Bonnici jsostni li fil-Ministeru tiegħu se ssir evalwazzjoni dwar il-mod kif qed tingħata l-libertà provviżorja. Kmieni s-Sibt filgħodu l-pajjiż kompla jisma’ kummenti ta’ rabja hekk kif kompliet timxi l-aħbar li “waqt li t-tfal diġà jirrelataw mal-Uffiċju tiegħi, żgħażagħ taħt it-18-il sena jħossuhom aktar qrib.” Tispjega li f ’għajnejn il-Liġi Maltija l-kelma ‘tfal’ tinkludi lil kulmin għadu taħt it-18-il sena. Għall-ewwel darba D’Amato titkellem dwar il-fatt li fl-aħħar elezzjoni ġenerali ma ġietx eletta u dwar il-futur politiku tagħha. %JTDP VOU #BUISPPN,JUDIFO8BMM'MPPSBOE4UFQ5JMFT UB+BOOBSr/S UB%JnjFNCSVr/S l-benefiċji soċjali se jkollna biss tfal ifqar.” Helen D’Amato hi tal-fehma li f ’każi ta’ ġenituri li qed irabbu tarbija waħedhom, anke jekk isibu xogħol, għandhom jibqgħu jingħataw xorta waħda l-benefiċċju soċjali. Helen D’Amato tgħid li l-akbar marka li tixtieq tħalli bħala t-tielet Kummissarju hi li tagħmel din il-kisba kbira: 4QFDJBMPíFSPO Local Distributors: AMAS Co. Ltd, Massabielle Str, San Gwann t +356 21381667, +356 21387479 • f +356 21372219 [email protected] www.optifree.co.uk NEWSPAPER POST IL-KUMMISSARJU tat-Tfal Helen D’Amato tgħid li “ċerti benefiċċji soċjali għandhom jiġu riveduti ’l fuq” u ma jibqgħux baxxi kif inhuma. Dan għaliex fi kliemha ħafna familji qed jinqabdu mal-‘lot’ u qed ibatu l-faqar. F’intervista ma’ Illum ilKummissarju tat-Tfal tgħid li “ma naqbilx li l-benefiċċji soċjali jitneħħew. Jekk inneħħu paġna 16 paġna 4 4IPXSPPN5SJR1TBJMB#JSLJSLBSBr5FMr.PCr'BY 4IPXSPPN5SJR#FMUJMâBȃOB.BSTBr5FMr'BY &NBJMDSJTUBMCBUI!POWPMOFU Available from pharmacies and optician outlets Wirja dwar John Lennon Tinsisti li ċerti benefiċċji soċjali għandhom jogħlew X’ġej moda fil-ħarifa E. GRECH CRISTAL BATH LTD. *OTUBOUBOFPVTIFBUNJYFS &DPOPNJD4FDVSF&îDJFOU LASTING ALL-DAY COMFORT AAK GRECH BROS.4IPXSPPN5SJR#FMUJMâBȃOB.BSTB5FMr.PCr'BY 4IPXSPPN5SJR1TBJMB#JSLJSLBSB5FMr'BYr&NBJMBBL!POWPMOFU L-Avukat Joe Ellis jinsisti li emenda fil-Kostituzzjoni li ddaħħlet baxx baxx fl-2007 titneħħa immedjatament. Dan għaliex grazzi għal din l-emenda, membru parlamentari li jinsab kriminalment ħati, xorta jibqa’ jżomm is-siġġu tiegħu. paġna 18 paġna 16 Ara l-aħħar paġna OPTI-FREE® EXPRESS® MPDS solutions keeps your lenses feeling comfortable all day by helping to retain moisture and prevent the build up of proteins. The result? 10% Ara paġna 2 Biddlu l-Kostituzzjoni biex jipproteġu deputati ħatja It-tieni Il-Benna daħlulha l-aktar portal fl-għalqa ssegwit What is everybody looking for? Discount Mitluba jqaxxru tikxef kif bejn l-2008 u Awwissu ta’ din is-sena l-Gvern daħħal €4,490,436 minn bolla żejda u multi li talab mingħand dawn l-individwi. Il-Gvern talab dawn il-flus għax ma emminx il-figuri ddikjarati fil-kuntratti taxxiri tad-djar. Mill-2008 sal-24 ta’ Awwissu li għadda nxtraw 23,596 proprjetà u l-Gvern għamel spezzjoni f ’66% ta’ dawn il-binjiet. Available also instant electric water heaters The only independent newspaper in Maltese on a Sunday €0.65 ,JUDIFOTJOLTBOENJYFSUBQT 10% Discount Showroom: Triq Psaila, Birkirkara Tel: 2148 3216, 2144 5947 .PCr'BY Showroom: Triq Belt il-Ħażna, Marsa Tel: 2122 7832, 2122 7833 'BY Email: [email protected] ‘The people with over 40 years experience’ r)FBUSFTJTUBODF r4UBJOSFTJTUBODF r*NQBDUSFTJTUBODF r$IFNJDBMSFTJTUBODF rZFBSHVBSBOUFF r#SJUJTI TUBOEBSE LJUDIFOTJOLT r"WBJMBCMFJOEJíFSFOUDPMPVST r-BSHFWBSJFUZPGTUBJOMFTTTUFFMTJOLT XJUITQMBTICBDL €0.65 Madonna se tiftaħ bar? Eminem f’film ieħor Paġna 21 NEWSPAPER POST Ara paġna 2 Ritratt: Ray Attard Stħarriġ Illum Battalja li se tintrebaħ bl-indeċiżi www.illum.com.mt UB4FUUFNCSVr/S Jaħarbu mix-xogħol għax il-punch clock ma jaħdimx Cohen jitlob għallvot tal-Kunsilli waqt is-seduti tal-MEPA MARK ATTARD €0.65 Paġna 21 ILLUM FIL-GAZZETTA Il-bajjiet li ma tistax tieħu kelb fihom u tagħmel bbq Ara l-istorja f’paġna 4 Tikkunsidra li taħrab mill-Istati Uniti Paġna 21 www.illum.com.mt UB4FUUFNCSVr/S Tkaxkira għal Joe Mifsud Ommha tfittxilha raġel Aħbarijiet Domenic Fenech, l-eks-Segretarju Ġenerali tal-Partit Laburista, jikkritika d-deċiżjoni tal-partit li għal darb’oħra se jerġa’ jbiddel l-emblema. F’kumment lil Illum Fenech isostni li meta xi ħadd ikollu prodott tajjeb ma jbiddilx l-identità tiegħu. “Ma smajtx li l-Mercedes biddlu l-arma għax żviluppaw il-prodott matul iż-żmien,” sostna Fenech. Kurrenti oħra fil-partit ukoll għandhom riservi dwar din il-bidla fid-dehra tal-Partit Laburista. Illum tista’ tikkonferma li din il-kwistjoni tal-emblema wasslet għal ħolqien ta’ fazzjoni fil-partit li qed tipponta subgħajha fuq James Piscopo, il-Kap Eżekuttiv ġdid tal-PL. Il-Gvern offra estensjoni għall-korsa tal-golf Paġna 21 www.illum.com.mt UB"XXJTTVr/S Eks-Segretarju Ġenerali Laburista jikkritika l-bidla tal-emblema €0.65 Issostni li m’għandhiex 6 swaba’ Paġna 21 Għadu jossessjonah l-ewwel film Paġna 21 Paġna 21 www.illum.com.mt UB+BOOBSr/S Waqt li l-Pulizija kienet qed tfittex lil Fabio Psaila Ħaba fetaħ Ħabat, claim, sarraf il-flus u ħadd ma nduna F’DIK li tista’ titqies sistema li għandha diversi nuqqasijiet, sejħiet għal tfittxa għal persuni minħabba reati serji qed jirriżultaw li huma laxki. Illum tista’ tiżvela li minkejja s-sejħa tal-Pulizija ma’ Malta kollha li Fabio Psaila kien ‘wanted’ ir-raġel xorta waħda rnexxielu jagħmel kuntatt ma’ istituzzjonijiet differenti f’pajjiżna mingħajr ħadd ma waqqfu jew ħa passi. Allegatament, waqt li Psaila kien imfittex mill-Pulizija, kien involut f’inċident tat-traffiku, gwardjan lokali mar fuq il-post, sar rapport mal-kumpanija tal-assigurazzjoni, inħareġ ċekk f’isem Fabio Psaila u dan saħansitra mar sarrfu l-bank mingħajr ħadd ma waqqfu. Ritratt: Photomontage www.illum.com.mt UB"XXJTTVr/S €0.65 Il-mużika tal-Beatles bit-trikki trakki Paġna 21 NEWSPAPER POST Paġna 21 NEWSPAPER POST €0.65 DeGeneres tieqaf minn American Idol ara paġna 2 Nofs is-sindki ilhom aktar minn 10 snin ara paġna 6 • Available in 12, 30, 50, 80 and 100 Litres • Horizontal water heater ers • Also available super Heat er ! saver water heater Wat ger!! ed lon with insulation to ante last reduce electricity Guar that consumption • 2 year guarantee on one coated enamel water heater • 5 year guarantee on double coated water heater with flange NEWSPAPER POST HADRIAN UB0UUVCSVr/S KARL 45"(/0Ŭ /"7"33" IL-PARTIT Laburista qed jibqa’ sieket dwar ir-raġuni għaliex l-amministrazzjoni ċentrali tal-partit ordnat li l-każin tal-Qala jingħalaq għal xi żmien. Imkejjen fil-Qala FRANICA PULIS IR-REAZZJONI ta’ Renee Laiviera, membru tal-Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations, għall-kummenti tal-Isqof ta’ Għawdex dwar l-edukazzjoni sesswali hi li rridu naċċettaw ir-realtà taż-żgħażagħ Maltin li huma attivi sesswalment. “La dan qed iseħħ allura rridu nieħdu l-prekawzjonijiet neċessarji biex nevitaw il-mard u ġieli anke mewt kif ukoll tqala ta’ tfajliet żgħar. Żagħżugħ se ngħidlu jimrad jew anke jmut biex ma jużax ilkontraċettivi? Dan hu kastig kbir wisq li qed nixħtu fuq it-tfal tagħna għax jekk mhumiex tiegħi huma tiegħek.” Paġna 6 WARA li turisti kienu jkunu assedjati missewwieqa tat-taxis kull darba li jmissu mal-Port tal-Imġarr, l-Awtorità tatTuriżmu, anke jekk mhix responsabbiltà tagħha, paġna 8 Ara paġna 4 Floriana jirbħu fl-94 minuta Dwar jekk kummenti bħal dawn jistgħux jinfluwenzaw politiċi, Laiviera żiedet: “Jistgħu jaffettwaw. Imma rridu niftakru li l-Gvern irid iħares lejn il-bżonnijiet tal-poplu kollu u jissalvagwardja s-saħħa tiegħu.” Fl-intervista tkellmet ukoll dwar is-sitwazzjoni tax-xogħol f ’Malta. “Ir-realtà hi li f ’Malta 55% ta’ dawk li jistgħu jaħdmu jridu jsostnu lil 45% l-oħra li ma jaħdmux u lilhom infushom. Din hi sostenibbli? Biex din is-sitwazzjoni tiġi indirizzata l-figura baxxa ta’ 38% ta’ nisa jaħdmu trid togħla, u b’mod sostanzjali.” Ara l-intervista sħiħa f’paġna 14 Il-Park and Ride ġie bil-ħlas B’gowl skurjat mill-attakkant Michael Mecerod erba’ minuti fuq il-ħin regolari Floriana ħadu tliet punti importanti li komplew saħħewhom fil-klassifika tal-kampjonat Premier. Ara paġna 31 TAGĦRIF li għandha din il-gazzetta jikkonferma li għada l-Ministru tal-Finanzi Tonio Fenech se jkollu laqgħa urġenti mal-General Workers’ Union dwar il-futur tal-linja nazzjonali tal-ajru l-Air Malta. Laqgħa oħra se ssir nhar it-Tlieta mal-unions li jirrappreżentaw lill-cabin crew, lill-piloti u lill-inġiniera tal-kumpanija. F’kumment lil din il-gazzetta Domenic Azzopardi, President tal-Assoċjazzjoni tal-Piloti Maltin, sostna li minn din il-laqgħa “l-Assoċjazzjoni qed tistenna li tingħata stampa aktar ċara ta’ x’inhu għaddej u li jinstabu soluzzjonijiet bex l-Air Malta tkompli tikber.” Come to our V Vawċer ta’ €100 ggħal kull qarrej r)FBUSFTJTUBODF r4UBJOSFTJTUBODF r*NQBDUSFTJTUBODF r$IFNJDBMSFTJTUBODF rZFBSHVBSBOUFF r#SJUJTI TUBOEBSE LJUDIFOTJOLT r"WBJMBCMFJOEJíFSFOUDPMPVST r-BSHFWBSJFUZPGTUBJOMFTTTUFFMTJOLT XJUITQMBTICBDL Elton John irid idoqq bilfors €0.65 Paġna 21 www.illum.com.mt “BULLSHIT”- Alfred dwar il-Whistleblowers’ Act JULIA FARRUGIA paġna 4 L-EKS-MEXXEJ Laburista Alfred Sant isostni li mhemmx serjetà u rieda politika biex tinqatel ilkorruzzjoni. F’intervista f ’din il-gazzetta jiddeskrivi l-Whistleblowers’ Act bħala “bullshit.” “Dawn l-istrutturi mhumiex biżżejjed għax bihom persuna li tkun taf tgħatti l-passi tagħha,” jgħid Sant waqt li jsostni li Prim Ministru jrid jagħmel in“nases” biex jaqbad affarijiet ta’ korruzzjoni. L-irtokk li ġej moda paġna 5 paġna 18 “Jekk xi ħadd jgħid lil Prim Ministru li hemm korruzzjoni u dan jmur jgħid lill-Kummissarju, ikun qed jagħti sinjal biex il-ħażin jinħeba,” ikompli Sant. “Prim Ministru jrid ikollu xi ħadd tal-fiduċja tiegħu li jagħmel find-out amministrattiva. Inkella affarijiet fuq kompjuters jiġu mbagħbsa appena jixgħel l-ewwel dawl li se tibda investigazzjoni. U l-affarijiet jilħqu jitnaddfu.” Fl-intervista Sant jerġa’ jtenni li Malta kellha tibqa’ barra mill-munita ewro. paġna 14 Paola Tarxien Road, 125. Tel: 2733 4000 SPECIAL OFFER Part exchange for your non-functional power tool 180 minuta bla gowl paġna 31 u l-aħħar paġna Prices 0 €2 from €1 to San Gwann Naxxar, Road Tel: 2733 6000 Cruise Open Weekend 19 | 20 | 21 November 4, Saint Publius street, Floriana FRN1443, Malta E [email protected] T 21241292 / 21249543 Tel: 2122 7832, 2122 7833 'BY Email: [email protected] ‘The people with over 40 years experience’ Mhux eskluż li d-delitt ta’ Ray Agius u l-attentat ta’ qtil fuq Joe Baldacchino huma b’xi mod marbutin Paġna 3 at the Magazino Terminal, Valletta Waterfront Join us on Facebook Hamilton Travel Tel: 2148 3216, 2144 5947 .PCr'BY 2 delitti marbuta flimkien? hamiltontravel.com.mt NEWSPAPER POST Ara paġna 14 Fejn spiċċat it-tieni tromba? qalet li tinsab imħassba b’din is-sitwazzjoni u qed issegwi l-każ. Mill-2008 s’issa kien hemm seba’ ċitazzjonijiet li fihom tħarrku xufiera tattaxis f ’Għawdex. 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Gideon Meir - who was irked by statements made last month in Parliament by Transport Minister Austin Gatt over the multimillion Delimara Power Station extension contract awarded to Scandinavian contractors BWSC rather than to Israeli firm Bateman – paid a farewell visit to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi last Monday. Gideon Meir will keep his post as Israeli ambassador to Rome, however he will no longer be also responsible for Malta. A senior Israeli diplomat confirmed yesterday that a new ambassador for Malta will be appointed, and he will work from Jerusalem. Diplomatic relations between Malta and Israel became strained following Minister Austin Gatt’s declarations before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament last month and led to a stern reaction from ambassador Meir. “The State of Israel suggests that whoever needs to explain the odd results of the Delimara power station tender should focus on the issue itself instead of trying to involve us by using false accusations,” a spokesperson for the Rome-based ambassador had told MaltaToday. Spokesperson Yariv Ovadia said: “the allegations suggesting that the Israeli Ambassador or any other Israeli official had threatened any Maltese official are totally false.” Israeli ambassador Gideon Meir during his ‘farewell’ meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at Castille on Monday evening Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was said to have refused a phone call from former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Gatt told the PAC that Israeli company Hutney Bateman had “threatened and offered incentives to the government in order to win the contract.” The minister added that Ehud Olmert, who was disgraced over corruption scandals, insisted to speak over the phone with Prime Minister Gonzi over the bid, but the Prime Minister “refused to take the call as politicians do not get involved in contracts.” Gatt stressed that the refusal came in the wake of a previous meeting between Prime Minister Gonzi and the ambassador Gideon Meir. “We feel sorry that the integrity of the State of Israel and the Ambassador of Israel to Malta were dragged into this internal Maltese affair. We suggest that whoever needs to explain the odd results of the tender should focus on the issue itself instead of trying to involve us by using false accusations,” Ovadia said. Gatt told the PAC that the Israeli ambassador had warned the Prime Minister that “the issue is going to embarrass the Maltese government as the Malta Labour Party has good contacts with the Hutney Bateman consortium and has all the details of the tender.” But Ovadia said that “during the routine rounds of meetings of the Ambassador, various people on the island expressed their concern that apparently there are irregularities in this tender. At that point, so as not to interfere with internal Maltese controversy, the Ambassador decided to refrain from dealing with the subject. He also informed Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi of his decision.” Last night ambassador Gideon Meir hosted a reception for all ambassadors accredited to Malta and other guests. Government given full list of Armier squatters JAMES DEBONO A complete list of the current occupants of the shanty town has been presented to the government by Armier Developments Limited, but a government spokesperson remained tight-lipped on the government’s intentions regarding the squatters. “At this stage, government is analysing the information provided by the Association,” a spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister told MaltaToday. In 2009 the government had promised that this information would not be used against the Armier squatters. The OPM did not reply to MaltaToday’s question on whether the government is still committed to hand over 230 tumuli of public land to Armier Developments Limited on a 65 year lease against an annual sum of €350,000. The promise first made on the eve of the 2003 election was ratified on the eve of the 2008 election. Neither did the OPM reply to MaltaToday when asked whether a valuation of the land has been conducted. MEPA cannot process the application because the Marfa Action Plan. which sets the planning parameters for the project. has been pending for approval since 2002. 4 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 Tales from the Crypt Casa Lanfreducci application forms part of application to demolish bank – MEPA Was this one of Malta’s defenders in the Great Siege of 1565? Human remains allegedly retrieved from Casa Lanfreducci suggest the crypt may have been a mass grave JAMES DEBONO PLANS to convert the crypt under Casa Lanfreducci into backstage facilities for the new open air theatre are included in a planning application entitled: “demolition of the Bank of Valletta (abutting Auberge d’Italie)”. The application includes plans related to the conversion of Casa Lanfreducci presented on 27 December. The application (PA 4670/10) is still at “consultation stage” according to MEPA. The Superintendence for Cul- ture Heritage is one of the bodies being consulted by MEPA. “The Superintendence is currently in the process of examining this application… It is at present too early in the process to give a position on this application,” superintendence official Nathaniel Cutajar told MaltaToday when asked for his Conference Launch of the ESF Project: Closer To Europe 26th January 2011 Closer to Europe is partly financed by the European Social Fund and aims to promote a more effective social and civil dialogue and wider participation in the decision-making and policy development. The project also aims to increase knowledge on local and EU affairs. Date of Conference Launch: 26th of January 2011 Time: 8.45am till 12.30pm Location: Hotel Excelsior, Floriana Who should attend? This conference is of interest to those who want to know more about social and civil dialogue as well as anyone who would like to make her/his voice heard through MCESD during the open discussion which will follow immediately after the conference. The General Public together with representatives of NGOs, Local Councils and Pressure groups are invited to the Opening Conference of this project. In the coming months training opportunities will be provided to candidates who will be selected as beneficiaries of the project. For Registration please log onto our website www.mcesd.org.mt Operational Programme II - Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life Project Part Financed by the European Union European Social Fund Co-Financing rate: 85% EU Funds; 15% National Funds Investing in your future views on the application. On Monday NGO Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar published photos of human remains found in the same site some years ago, to substantiate its claim that the crypt was used as a burial ground. “FAA’s concern about this space being converted into dressing rooms, shower cubicles and toilets is shown to be correct by photographic proof, showing several boxes of human bones which were exhumed from the Lanfreducci basement-crypt and piled in boxes in the same basement.” Flimkien ghall- Ambjent Ahjar said these remains probably belonged to Knights of the Order of St John. This claim is backed by forensic expert Anthony Abela Medici, who had examined the site when they were found and now described the government’s plans as shameful. FAA has also described the central arch supporting the large main room of the basement as “a marvel of vernacular architecture and possibly unique to this site”. But the Ministry for Infrastructure insists that its plans fully respect the building’s historical and architectural context, the Infrastructure Ministry said yesterday and denies the house had been built on “some burial grounds.” The ministry said the FAA was “flatly wrong” when it claimed some form of deception so as not to have the original application for the development seem too intrusive. “On the contrary, the decision for the fresh application was a result of the decision to explore alternative solutions that would bring about less excavation than was originally planned and fully permitted by the original permit,” it said. The footprint of the buildings in the controversy was barely being excavated at all, the ministry said, pointing out all that would be dug out were some four square metres for a lift and just over 12 square metres for a staircase. Heritage Trust Din l-Art Helwa urged the government not to take any decisions on the future of the basement space under Casa Lanfreducci in Valletta until the necessary studies about its historical uses have been carried out, and the conclusions have been made public by the heritage authorities. Din l-Art Ħelwa was involved in two restoration projects at Our Lady of Victory church in the past and had drawn up plans for ongoing restoration of the ceiling paintings as well as other aspects of the church in the near future. The crypt was to be included in the restoration project. 5 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 No official reaction to report slamming Police Economic Crimes Unit MATTHEW VELLA AND NESTOR LAIVIERA A damning report that described the Maltese Police Force’s Economic Crime Unit as “old-fashioned”, “reactive” and hampered by the “attitude presented by senior management” has elicited little official response over two months since publication. In November 2010, a report presented to the EU’s Council of Ministers said that despite Malta’s economic crimes unit (ECU) being composed of “highly motivated and dedicate personnel,” the lack of a national strategy makes the fight against economic crimes “reactive and not based on comprehensive threat assessments.” The report, penned by a group of experts from Interpol, OLAF and Eurojust, maintained that the Maltese Police Force’s capacity to fight economic crime and investigate fraud and corruption is “old-fashioned”, “reactive” and hampered by the “attitude presented by senior management.” “Apart from political decisions, the problem seems to be related to lack of capacitybuilding and the attitude presented by the senior management,” the report said - without entering into the specifics of its concerns. Despite repeated attempts by MaltaToday to elicit a reaction from the Police Force to the report since November 2010, there were no replies forthcoming to date – over two months later. A spokesperson for the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry was only able to confirm the ministry is in the process of “reviewing the report with a view to assist the Police Corps with the implementation of the recommendations made in the report.” The spokesperson added that these will be implemented “should any of these be deemed to be beneficial for the continued improvement in the operation of the Economic Crimes Walkways and Information Panels proposed for Ggantija NEXT Friday the MEPA board will have to decide whether to approve the installation of timber walkways and 15 installation fiber glass panels within the Ggantija temple complex. MEPA’s own Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee chaired by Dr. Albert Ganado has shot down the proposal insisting that it will have “a very negative impact” on a monument of “exceptional importance” which is also a world heritage site. But the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage found no objection subject to the use of a 5mm white high density insulating material between the platform and the floor, a proposal which was accepted. This will avoid any damage to the surface of the monument. The greatest physical impact on the temples will be that created by the supports of the walkway. According to the case officer the platforms and information panels “will undisputedly affect the setting of the Temples”. However the proposal has to be considered in the light of the need to preserve the monuments form from further damage and deterioration . Furthermore the proposed structures will be reversible in that they can be dismantled leaving no physical impact. Unit within the Corps, in light of Malta’s specific scenario.” The ECU is composed of seven police inspectors, two of whom form the money-laundering unit, and an assistant commissioner and police superintendent. In the report, experts say there is no separate training devoted to financial investigations for police, and only ECU inspectors regularly attend training seminars to remain abreast of investigative and prosecutorial developments. “No automated case-management system and no crimeanalysis software are put at the disposal of the unit,” the experts say in their report. “This, combined with limited capacity and unwillingness to undertake analytical efforts, has a consequence that there is no pro-active approach to financial crime. “This attitude to policing is largely reactive and oldfashioned and needs to be addressed by the Force’s senior management.” Even the prosecution office faces similar problems because there are no statistics on financial crime available, and no effort is being made to produce assessments of the threats imposed by financial crime. Problems were also identified with Malta’s financial intelligence analysis unit (FIAU), which is led by the Attorney General and is also tasked with the investigation of terrorismrelated transactions. The report says the FIAU has no central register of bank accounts, meaning that it takes a couple of weeks to identify bank accounts, slowing down investigations. “One important shortcoming of the FIAU is obviously the complete absence of any appropriate analytical software. The unit is looking for funding to make necessary purchases.” The report was compiled by the Council secretariat’s Multidisciplinary Group on Organised Crime (MDG), to evaluate the judicial reaction to the financial crisis. Gift ideas A hand-bound art book of high quality about the life and works of Ebba von Fersen Balzan €37 Il-Manifest tal-Killer, the fictional book in Maltese by novelist and journalist Karl Schembri, paperback €8.99 uff Oresteurfl es of nt The adve cat e a Maltes Ebba von Fersen Balzan The unpublished cartoon strip in black and white, Oreste Fluff. Script and cartoons by Ebba von Fersen Balzan €3.99 The ten-year-anniversary booklet featuring the 20 breaking stories in MaltaToday €2 Walter Micallef’s album Hamsin, featuring the folk singer’s unmistakable biting lyrics €9.99 The price includes postage. Send a cheque payable to MediaToday. MediaToday, Vjal ir-Riħan, San Ġwann, SGN9016 indicating which item or items you wish to order 6 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 Revolution by social media The Twitter Revolution: How Facebook and Wikileaks overthrew Tunisia’s regime LAST week’s Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia offered proof of the Internet’s potential to promote freedom. As seen two years ago in the protests that racked Iran and Moldova, social media sites help organise and inform the opposition movement. Demonstrations and clashes with government forces were reported and tweeted live, lending confidence to other protestors and building a sense of solidarity. For a month, the conflicts gradually escalated. Until Friday night, when the extraordinary happened: Tunisia’s authoritarian leader Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali fled the country. Even without a leader or a clear political ideology, the oppressed succeeded in toppling the oppressor. Social media was a crucial weapon against gainst autocracy. The revolution in Tunisia has been described by some as a “Twitter Revolution.” While the popular social media site was heavily used during the revolt, several other sites like Facebook and YouTube were also key parts of the protests. Also, there were several other factors that contributed to the revolt which resulted in former President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali fleeing the country last Friday. These factors provide a fuller view of the Tunisian revolution and also provide clues for how future revolts may rise and d use social media to coor-dinate and communicatee their message. The Ben Ali administra-tion instituted a program m of widespread censor-ship of old media outletss like radio and television. n. The rise of internet led to o further censorship of new w xmedia with the notable exception of Facebook. ed As Tunisian citizens tried ls to circumvent the controls ed placed by the state owned atISP, the government creat- ed phishing attacks which resulted in the compilation of a list of activist email addresses. These email lists were used to track and arrest several activists. Tunisia has a highly educated population, and many of them are sophisticated users of the internet. Approximately 34% of Tunisians are online, and 18% use Facebook. They are adept at using proxy servers to circumvent government censorship. While Tunisia has long benefited from the strength of industries like agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and oil, unemployment has been high, particularly in rural areas and among the young. The unemployment rate in Tunisia is 14% with 30% of the unemployed between the ages of 15 and 29. Many of the Tunisians who are the most skilled at using the Internet are also among those affected by the high unemployment rate. Therefore, they naturally used social media sites like Facebook to voice their dissatisfaction with Ben Ali. For example, activists posted web videos of Ben Ali’s wife using the presidential jet to go on shopping sprees in Europe. In some ways, the death of a young person has been the catalyst for revolutions for centuries. The martyr in the Tunisian revolution was a young man named Mohamed Bouazizi who lived in Sidi Bouzid. Bouazizi was one of the many young educated yet unemployed citizens of Tunisia, and he resorted to selling fruits and vegetables in the streets to provide income for his family. Local food inspectors harassed him regularly, and eventually confiscated his cart. Bouazizi went to a government office to complain, but he was refused. He then went to a government building, doused himself in gasoline, and set himself on fire on December 17, 2010. He later died of his wounds. Bouazizi became a symbol of the Tunisian government’s corruption and high unemployment. His self-immolation set off protests in Sidi Bouzid which began to spread throughout the country. The account of Bouazizi’s death was circulated on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, and videos of the violent police response to the protests were posted on Facebook and Dailymotion. While social media sites are effective tools for real time communication, mainstream media is still needed for amplification. Although Western media outlets were slow to react to the Tunisian revolt, Middle Eastern news sources like Al Jazeera followed it closely. These media sites multiplied the message of the protesters and helped spread the revolt. While not a traditional mainstream media outlet, Wikileaks provided key information for the protesters. It contained information about the frustration of US diplomats with Ben Ali. According to Wikileaks, Ben Ali was described as having lost touch with his havin people and the creator of peop police state. Tunisian a po hackers set up a site focushack ing on o these leaded diplomatic cables called Tunilemati aks. The Th Tunisian revolution was possible for the same reason reas that cyber warfare presents such an enorpres mous mou threat. The developed ope world has become almost completely comalm puterised. put While the world celW ebrates the benefits of ebr modern technology, mo there exists the need to the address its risks. Too ofadd ten, governments only do ten the former. In the virtual battlefield, traditional rules of fie engagement don’t apply. en Attacks are almost imAt possible to anticipate, po the strength of the enth emy is hard to identify, em and retaliation isn’t alan ways possible. w There are no limitations. Safe behind comti puter screens, scores p of “political hactivists” o lurk until the signal lu ccomes, decentralised yyet deadly, and can hit d designated targets with vicious fferocity. 7 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 Two Maltese unaccounted for after prison escape The Great Escape: an inmate is lowered from one of the windows of the Messadine prison. The video of the jailbreak can be seen on our website, www.maltatoday.com.mt KARL STAGNO-NAVARRA TWO Maltese youths are reportedly unaccounted for in Tunisia, as the gates to their prison were opened and all inmates have been released. Thomas Camilleri of Gzira and Glenn Paul Xuereb of San Gwann – both 22 years of age – have been detained at Messadine prison since July, after being arrested by police in connection with a haul of 70 kilogrammes of hashish. Senior diplomatic sources have confirmed that the two Maltese youths were nowhere to be found, while Tunisian media have confirmed that the prison has been emptied of all prisoners who have been set free by the warders, following last Friday’s escalation of events that led to President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali to flee the country. The whereabouts of the youths remains unknown. Meanwhile, two other Maltese nationals, also held in Tunisian prisons have been accounted for. 33 year-old Tano Farrugia from Msida, who has been held at Mornaguia prison for the last year, was until yesterday still within the prison compound, although half of the inmates were set free. Farrugia was arrested in January last year in Nabeul in connection with the attempted export of 50 kilogrammes of cannabis resin. Authorities have also reportedly received confirmation that Libyan born Jassem Jamel Ajjali Tahar, and holder of a Maltese passport is also safe and accounted for at the Tunis prison. Tahar, 27 of Swieqi was arrested at Tunis-Carthage airport last month together with Latvian national Meiris Atis after a large quantity of drugs was discovered in a luggage shortly before they travelled out of Tunis to Malta via Rome. Jassem Jamel Ajjali Tahar was released from Corradino prisons last August after serving time for assaulting a police officer. Amid the confusion that has ensued since the ousting of President Ben Ali, the Maltese embassy in Tunisia has been closely monitoring the situation at the prisons. The prison at Monastir has been set alight as inmates staged a revolt at the height of the uprising. At least 43 inmates are reported to have lost their lives in the blaze. Prison warders are reported to earn not more than €100 a month, and corruption is rife within all prisons where inmates have to finance themselves to guarantee survival. The prisons revolt went handin-hand with the national uprising, and prisoners were shown sympathy from the masses that were demonstrating and confronting the corrupt regime. Tunis is host to 120 Maltese passport holders, many of whom have travelled to France. Tracing all and ensuring they are safe by the Maltese embassy has proven to be a daunting task, while business travellers have been guided ts to express caution on the streets as the military has imposed a unight-time curfew until the situation returns to normal. sA number of Maltese businessle men, mainly connected to textile ch factories and two hotels which vare based in Tunisia, will be travnelling back to Malta this morning. on Meanwhile, further tension is has gripped the capital Tunis ar yesterday as police in riot gear sfired volleys of tear gas to disrs perse hundreds of demonstrators ba that gathered on the Bourguiba he Boulevard to protest against the he inclusion of Ben Ali’s allies in the dnewly formed government headed by Prime Minister Mohammmed Ghannouci. gThe protests led to the resigpnation of three of the newly-aprs, pointed government ministers, or deepening the political crisis for Ghannouci, who is struggling to he find the right balance after the en power vacuum caused since Ben Ali fled the country. 8 Letters maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 Send your letters to: The Editor, MaltaToday, MediaToday Ltd. Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 | Fax: (356) 21 385075 E-mail: [email protected]. Letters to the Editor should be concise. No pen names are accepted. Caring for the unborn child The Malta Unborn Child Movement – MUCM - and the Swedish Embassy in Malta, in collaboration with the Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta and the Malta Midwives Association, organised the seminar ‘Caring for the Unborn Child’ at the auditorium of Mater Dei Hospital, on 10 December 2010. The National Council of Women, Agenzija Sedqa of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, the Malta Midwives Association, Caritas Malta, the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department, the Union Haddiema Maghqudin and the Social Assistance Secretariat of Catholic Action, member organisations in the MUCM, were the main promoters of the Seminar. In his welcome address Tony Mifsud, Coordinator of MUCM, stated that research had revealed that babies in the womb were being exposed to cocktails of toxic chemicals and that their blood was swimming with dangerous compounds found in everyday household cleaners, perfumes and even pans and furniture. This, he explained, is affecting the climate for the unborn child in the womb. Mr Mifsud suggested that an opportunity is arising for Malta to take the initiatve in the workings of international bodies and initiatives dedicated to the welfare of children to proclaim before all the member states of the EU, and the world community, that “all men are created equal” and that all unborn children, 200 million every year world-wide, including 4000 in Malta - the common beginners in all mankind, and “created equal” everywhere - should be considered the “common concern of all mankind” and that their dignity, rights, protection, care and development should be the common moral, legal and political responsibility of the world community.... in word... on paper ...and in deed... everywhere. In her welcome speech, H.E. Ulla Gudmundson, Ambassador of Sweden to Malta. expressed her keen interest working on this issue in Malta. She stated that we all need to work together on issues that are similar in Malta and Sweden, and added that these need to be addressed in the context of the different cultures, not least where traditional alcohol intake is one of the problems. The Hon. Dr Peter Micallef, Parliamentary Assistant at the Ministry of Health gave a holistic overview of ethics regarding the rights of the unborn child from the moment of conception. He spoke about preparations for both father and mother when they are expecting a child, and preventive measures for pregnant mothers, especially those in vulnerable situations of substance abuse, smoking and alcohol abuse. Ms Eva Karin Envall, Project Director of the Swedish National Institute for Public Health, who was brought to Malta by the Swedish Embassy in Malta, gave two presentations of an evidencebased project that she has beeen working on for the past seven years together with her personal experience on Ante-Natal Care, Child Health Services and Alcohol and Drugs during Pregnancy – as a matter of Public Health. During a discussion on “What can be done ar EU level?” H.E. Ulla Gudmundson and Grace Attard, President of the Malta Council of Women and Member of the European Economic and Social Committee, outlined several initiatives that the EU Commission is taking in particular with regards to The Rights of the Child, reducing alcohol related harm to unborn and born children, child poverty, children’s well-being, maternity leave, breasteeding and work/life balance. Dr Rita Borg Xuereb PhD, Head of the Department of Midwifery of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Malta made references to some very useful findings in her study on the fertility rate in Malta, fathers’ attitudes to the unborn child, single parenthood, emotional well-being, and work-life balance. Referring to the increased awareness of the need to care for the environment, Dr Borg Xuereb ended her presentation with a very significant statement – “If there is one thing that we can change within our limits is the way we care for the unborn child” In her winding up address Ms Grace Attard, who chaired the seminar, emphasised the importance of addressing all types of famlies which all have their particular needs. Medical practioners, social workers, nurses, midwives, health workers, trade unionists, Ph.D. students who are carrying out research on related topics and representatives of non-governmental organisations spoke about their experiences on matters related to the unborn child. These included planning a pregnancy, workplace legislation and enforcement on alchohol abuse and substance abuse, how to deal with difficulties encountered by drug starters as well as hardened abusers; and the different types of drugs used before or during the pregnancy. References was made to current statistics on risk-drinking and smoking and drug taking by sex and age groups, the social and economic consequences of these practices, adequates support sturctures to parents of unborn children, the role of the media in advertising, and the strong lobbies of ahcohol companies. The importance of appropriate education at all levels was also emphasised. The seminar also touched upon the situation of pregnant inmates who are serving a prison sentence. A working group made up of representatives of organisations in MUCM will be studying further the issues discussed in the seminar under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Malta. Tony Mifsud, Coordinator, Malta Unborn Child Movement When the vital attributes of marriage cease to exist Your ‘Quote of the week’ (MaltaToday January 9) referred to Archpriest Daniel Cardona’s billboard with the words “Divorce: a sickness injected in youths’ minds”, which the Archpriest was pressured to remove within a couple of days. Archpriest Cardona did not do the Maltese church any good with his billboard. He only insulted the intelligence of the majority of Maltese youths, who happen to agree that a serious and responsible divorce law be introduces in our country. Rev. Daniel Cardona seems to believe that Malta’s youths are incapable of using their own brains to decide on such an issue of divorce and are allowing themselves to be brainwashed by the ‘Yes to Divorce’ movement. Now if there is any “brainwashing” going on, on this issue, this is certainly being done by those who are using “scare-mongering” arguments. Such as that divorce would result in more broken marriages, when marital breakdowns have increased tremendously in Malta without having divorce statue book. Or when the anti-divorcists keep resorting to “religious” arguments, such as: “Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder”. But divorce is a civil-law and has nothing to do with the religious aspect of marriage. Besides, “civil-marriage” is “joined by the State” and hence the State should also have the possibility to undo what it joined through divorce! When Archpriest Cremona Cardona and all those who preach speak and write against the introduction of the draft law which was presented in parliament by PL MP Evarist Bartolo and PN MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando should reflect profoundly on, is what they understand by marriage. In my considered view, marriage is all about love, respect and commitment. When these vital attributes to a marriage no longer exist and, perhaps, have even changed to hate, moral or physical violence, disrespect etc... that marriage would have, in reality ceased to exist. Even if on paper only that marriage still exists. But marriages are not a piece of paper called “marriage certificate”. When a person dies, a funeral is held to bury that person. Divorce is the funeral of a “dead” marriage. The only difference is that according to the abovementioned draft law awaiting discussion in our parliament, the “funeral” of a “dead” marriage, can only be held after the marriage would have been “dead” for at least four years”. Eddy Privitera, Mosta maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 9 MaltaToday, MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 MANAGING DIRECTOR: ROGER DE GIORGIO MANAGING EDITOR: SAVIOUR BALZAN ACTING EDITOR: RAPHAEL VASSALLO Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 • Fax: (356) 21 385075 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: [email protected] Editorial Leading by example Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi occasionally seems to move in mysterious ways. Faced with unprecedented levels of popular discontent over the past few weeks – mainly due to the recent revelation that Cabinet Ministers had been awarded a double pay-rise/honorarium two years earlier – Dr Gonzi appeared on TVM’s Xarabank last Friday to publicly defend this questionable initiative. As part of his defence, Dr Gonzi produced a copy of MaltaToday published in September 2008, in which news of this pay-rise had first been reported under the headline: ‘You get a €4 weekly increase… They get €290!’ Gonzi cited this article as ‘proof’ that the decision to augment Cabinet salaries, as well as to award an honorarium to MPs, had not been taken surreptitiously, as otherwise believed. The Prime Minister also argued that he could not understand all the fuss, when the same issue has been in the public domain for over two years. In a sense, this represents an altogether unexpected endorsement of this newspaper’s credibility, coming from a Prime Minister who has so often openly rubbished MaltaToday in the past. Perhaps Dr Gonzi’s opinion of our newspaper’s credibility varies, depending on whether or not our articles can be cited on order to bolster his own case. Either way, the Prime Minister is free to cite any of our articles if he so chooses. The only trouble in this instance is that the article in question does not bolster his own case at all. On the contrary: it actually confirms that the decision was indeed taken in an underhand and secretive way. This is how the news was originally reported by MaltaToday journalist Karl Schembri (incidentally, the same edition is still available for free in our online archives): “The decision, which remained unannounced by the government, will cost the country an extra €224,490 a year as all ministers and parliamentary secretaries will be each getting a yearly increase of €14,966.” Later in the same article: “Yet the decision taken two months after the (March 2008) election was not officially announced… The prime minister’s spokesman said Gonzi spoke about it ‘in an interview in May’ – an unconventional way of announcing such an important decision.” Considering all this, what sense could there be in the Prime Minister drawing attention to an article which only proves the point his own critics are themselves making? I.e., that the decision had in fact been taken behind the people’s backs, and that it was not the government’s intention to announce it at all? This fact alone raises questions about who, if anyone at all, is currently advising the Prime Minister on political strategy. But there is more. As has been pointed out elsewhere – most eloquently by former Finance Minister Lino Spiteri –Dr Gonzi and his Cabinet appear not to have understood the main thrust of the public disaffection in the first place. Spiteri based this observation on Gonzi’s claim, made during a radio interview last week, that the same pay-rise had to be seen in the context of his decision to reduce the size of Cabinet. In so doing, Dr Gonzi argued that the financial impact of Cabinet’s pay packet on the exchequer was simultaneously lessened... making the pay-rise less of an extravagance than it may otherwise appear. But as Dr Spiteri rightly pointed out, this only goes to show how far removed from popular sentiment the present government has grown. For the popular ill-feeling has nothing to do with whether the country can afford this pay-rise or not. On the contrary, it has everything to do with the timing of the decision, which coincides with a number of other factors (namely, a simultaneous increase in prices across the board) that have separately increased the cost of living for everyone else. This in turn points towards government insensitivity as the core issue underlying popular discontent… and viewed from this angle, the decision by Dr Gonzi to quote that September 2008 article is even more anomalous. As expounded by the same headline Gonzi chose to publicise last Friday, the cost of living adjustment increase for 2008 had amounted to €4 a week. Compare this to the corresponding weekly figure for last year – €1.16 – and the conclusion is inevitable. While Parliament generously augmented its own remuneration, the COLA mechanism benefiting ordinary citizens was simultaneously slashed by almost 25%. Small wonder so many people would complain that the government was indifferent to their financial difficulties. Furthermore, Dr Gonzi omitted to point out that, after supposedly reducing the size of Cabinet, he went on to introduce the concept of ‘parliamentary assistants’ – i.e., a whole new role for a number of backbenchers, whose added salaries have not been factored into the total expense of the Parliamentary wage bill. Surely, this can only erode the central pillar of Gonzi’s defence. All things considered, it is debatable which has hurt the Prime Minister’s image the more: the decision to raise parliamentary salaries, or the questionable way he has since chosen to defend it. 10 News maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 Government must refund eco-contributions paid since 2006 – Ombudsman NESTOR LAIVIERA OMBUDSMAN Joseph Said Pullicino has slammed the government’s position on ecocontributions, accusing it of “arbitrary” interpretation of law that “could give rise to abuse.” In May 2009, the Ombudsman was asked to intervene by a packaging waste recycling company (GreenPak) in a dispute it had with government over refunds of eco-contributions paid since 2006 that had not materialised since. In February 2008, the government had issued a legal notice entitling all companies participating in authorised schemes to be exempt from paying any eco-contributions. At the time, GreenPak had said that not only had this not happened, but member companies had still not received any refunds on the eco-contributions paid by them since 2006. In his opinion, Said Pullicino noted that on one hand, the government had “imposed the eco-contribution”, while on the other hand, it opened up the possibility for the granting of eco-tax credits.He pointed out that while Eco-Contributions are imposed by law, “if producers provide or participate in an approved scheme – thus suggesting that producers are not legally obliged to provide or participate in an approved scheme – the authorities will consider granting exemptions or credits against future EcoContributions.” “Such a strict interpretation could lead one to conclude that even if producers join an Ap- proved Scheme, their refunds/ eco-tax credits are not guaranteed to materialise,” Said Pullicino said, adding that this would mean that government is “free to refuse or grant refunds/eco-contribution credits at any stage, to any producer.” “I find this line of reasoning unacceptable,” Said Pullicino maintained. He said that producers “cannot be expected to enter an approved scheme, pay their dues towards the approved scheme, and then pay Eco-Contributions.” He described this as “unreasonable and unfair on the producer and ultimately on the consumer who, in the end, always foots the bill by purchasing marked-up products.” He added that it may be further argued that, given that consumers are paying twice for waste recovery “implies that somebody is making an unjustified enrichment.” The Ombudsman also emphasised that “the Eco-Contribution is not, and should not, be turned into another source of income for the Government.” The complaint was initiated in 2009 by Green Dot Malta, operators of GreenPak, the largest waste recovery scheme in Malta. our claim is backed by the 2004 Act on Eco-Contribution itself and was further re-affirmed by Legal Notice 74 of 2008. By refusing to abide by its own rules Government has for the past 5 years been denying a legitimate right to GreenPak’s members and creating a situation of unfair competition,” he added. Schembri also said that the Ombudsman also found that the unfair situation brought about by Government put Green Dot Malta, as operator of the GreenPak scheme, at a grave disadvantage “As soon as schemes were set up, registered and started to operate, Government’s obligation to issue credits and exemptions became immediate.” “We are pleased that the Ombudsman has confirmed that our claim is backed by the 2004 Act on Eco-Contribution itself and was further re-affirmed by Legal Notice 74 of 2008. By refusing to abide by its own rules Government has, for the past five years, been denying a legitimate right to GreenPak’s members and creating a situation of unfair competition,” Schembri said. “This means that GreenPak has, due to Government’s failure to act in time, been unable to maximise its membership potential for all this time” Schembri added. GreenPak’s reaction “GreenPak has been in operation since 1st January 2006and has always maintained that its members were entitled to full and immediate eco-tax exemptions,” said Ing Mario Schembri, CEO of GreenPak, reacting to the report. “We are pleased that the Ombudsman has confirmed that Business leaders’ reaction to the Ombudsman’s report: Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Enterprise President Helga Ellul said “we are thankful that the Ombudsman has brought in much needed light into a very darkened room. In our dealings on the issue of eco-tax exemptions and re- Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino funds, the Government has always been vague and elusive in its action and statements. Now the Ombudsman has made it very clear for all – on the day a producer signs up to an approved scheme, Government is immediately obliged to issue credits and exemptions. It has really become that clear and simple to follow.” President of the Malta Employers Association Pierre Fava said “it is welcoming to learn that many companies are entitled to money which they have been unfairly made to pay for the past five years or so. I’m sure that many businesses will make good use of this money which is rightfully theirs. Companies now justifiably expect Government to issue these refunds without any further delays as this money will go some way to help them remain competitive, maintain jobs, and survive in these difficult times of economic downturn.” EU and Malta at odds on 2010 deficit estimate THE EU has halted excessive deficit procedures against Malta, despite forecasting that Malta’s deficit for 2010 will be 4.2%, and not the government-estimated 3.8%. Speaking from Brussels at the end of an EU finance ministers’ meeting (Ecofin) that addressed pending issues related to the current EU economic and financial instability, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said EU ministers had approved a recommendation to halt excessive deficit procedures against Malta. He referred to an assessment made by the European Commission and the European Central Bank which found Malta was working well towards addressing its excessive deficit: “The council’s conclusion was that Malta received a good certification in that it has directed its financing in a cautious manner,” Fenech said. He added that the Council declared that Malta had taken the necessary deficit control measures to be in a position to have procedures against it halted. Flanked by Permanent Representative to the EU Richard Cachia Caruana, Fenech pointed out that currently, only three countries in the EU are not facing excessive deficit procedures. Fenech added that had Malta’s deficit performance been found to warrant further procedures as part of the excessive deficit penalties, it could have had to present additional measures to the EU council, such as additional taxes, or expenditure cuts. However, Fenech said, the European Commission’s projections for Malta’s deficit for 2010 were higher than Malta’s – 4.2 per cent as opposed to 3.8 per cent. The reason for this, he said, was that the European Commis- Commissioner Olli Rehn, Hungarian minister for national economy György Matolscy, and Commissioner Michel Barnier sion took the Air Malta loan into account as part of the government’s expenditure. Borg however maintained that he is confident that Malta will still be able to reach the 3.8 per cent target, and added that Malta’s forecast is based on “final data” that the European Commission would not have. Fenech also said that the Com- mission is of the opinion that Malta has work in do in ensuring the long-term sustainability of certain services, among which is the pensions scheme. “We need to keep check on the system, and ensure that pensions are provided in a sustainable manner,” Fenech said. Fenech said that the Ecofin meeting also touched upon top- ics such as the financial stability of the Eurozone, something that is intimately related to the stability of Malta’s own financial and economic performance. Fenech also referred to how the Ecofin meeting noted with satisfaction that countries such as Spain and Portugal performed well on markets recently. In the meeting Euro zone finance ministers also discussed expanding the effective lending capacity of the EU’s rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), to €440 billion from about €250 billion now. However, the talks proved inconclusive at this stage, in the face of German opposition, many have speculated. Speaking after the meeting on Monday, Ecofin chairman Jean-Claude Juncker was tight-lipped on details on what support that idea had among the council of ministers. FREE WITH maltatoday ON WEDNESDAY Business Today WEDNESDAY 19 JANUARY 2011 - SUPPLEMENT ISSUE NO. 666 Apple shares fall as Jobs takes medical leave Page 12 Air Malta: Beer and Sauerkraut Page 14 The ‘Jasmine Revolution’ In collaboration with: Page 15 www.businesstoday.com.mt EU and Malta at odds on 2010 deficit estimate Nestor Laiviera The EU has halted excessive deficit procedures against Malta, despite forecasting that Malta’s deficit for 2010 will be 4.2 per cent, and not the government-estimated 3.8 per cent. Speaking from Brussels at the end of an EU finance ministers’ meeting (Ecofin) that addressed pending issues related to the current EU economic and financial instability, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said EU ministers had approved a recommendation to halt excessive deficit procedures against Malta. He referred to an assessment made by the European Commission and the European Central Bank which found Malta was working well towards addressing its excessive deficit: “The council’s conclusion was that Malta received a good certification in that it has directed its financing in a cautious manner,” Fenech said. He added that the Council declared that Malta had taken the necessary deficit control measures to be in a position to have procedures against it halted. Flanked by Permanent Representative to the EU Richard Cachia Caruana, Fenech pointed out that currently, only three countries in the EU are not facing excessive deficit procedures. Fenech added that had Malta’s deficit performance been found to warrant further procedures as part of the excessive deficit penalties, it could have had to present additional measures to the EU council, such as additional taxes, or expenditure cuts. However, Fenech said, the European Commission’s projections for Malta’s deficit for 2010 were higher than Malta’s – 4.2 per cent as opposed to 3.8 per cent. The reason for this, he said, was that the European Commission took the Air Malta loan into account as part of the government’s expenditure. Borg however maintained that he is confident that Malta will still be able to reach the 3.8 per cent target, and added that Malta’s forecast is based on “final data” that the European Commission would not have. Fenech also said that the Commission is of the opinion tat Malta has work in do in ensuring the long-term sustainability of EU finance ministers meeting in Brussels yesterday certain services, among which is of Malta’s own financial and the pensions scheme. economic performance. Fenech “We need to keep check on the also referred to how the Ecofin system, and ensure that pensions meeting noted with satisfaction are provided in a sustainable that countries such as Spain and manner,” Fenech said. Portugal performed well on markets Fenech said that the Ecofin recently. In the meeting Euro zone meeting also touched upon topics finance ministers also discussed such as the financial stability of expanding the effective lending the Eurozone, something that is capacity of the EU’s rescue fund, the intimately related to the stability European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), to €440 billion from about €250 billion now. However, the talks proved inconclusive at this stage, in the face of German opposition, many have speculated. Speaking after the meeting on Monday, Ecofin chairman Jean-Claude Juncker was tightlipped on details on what support that idea had among the council of ministers. Banif Investment Bank to host Malta conference Banif Investment Bank is hosting a national conference on the main business and investment opportunities in Malta, offering an opportunity for investors seeking assets with better future return prospects for their portfolios, as they will be able to learn more about the growth prospects of the Maltese market. The conference - Infrastructure Opportunities in Malta - will be held tomorrow at the Hilton Portomaso, is set to offer all participants a chance for an open discussion on the main challenges and opportunities in the current market conditions for the main entrepreneurs operating in construction, public works, engineering and large projects. The forum will discuss issues such as Malta’s macroeconomic situation, its plans and priorities with regard to infrastructure, its role as an EU bridge to other markets and the regulatory frameworks for concessions and public-private partnerships, as well as many other topics of interest. The main speakers senior executives from Banif Investment Bank, among whom Vasco Pinto Ferreira, Director of Banif Banco de Investimento. The investment bank activity of Banif Grupo Financeiro is conducted by Banif - Banco de Investimento, and operates in three strategic business areas: Capital Markets, Investment Management and Advisory Services and Banking. Its work is done by a large team of professionals with significant financial experience and a flair for innovation, who are guided by the principles of discretion, ethics and impartiality. Access to exclusive markets, use of sophisticated technological platforms and association with international partners within Banif - Grupo Financeiro pave the way for synergies and enable this team to rapidly and effectively provide the best financial solutions based on the new market requirements. 12 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 Business Today Supplement News Portman International celebrate 25 years of success 2011 marks a milestone for Portman International as the professional services provider celebrates its 25th year in business. Portman International services an international client base with professional, accounting, tax, fiduciary and trading support services. The company was set up in London in 1986 providing clients with accountancy and company formation services. Since then the company has expanded significantly and after relocating its back office operation to Malta in 1997, the company moved its head offices to Malta in 2002 and eventually opened a second satellite office in Dublin, Ireland to support its international UK inflation high again in December The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) jumped from 3.3% in November to 3.7% in December, revisiting the peak rate for 2010 The cost of living in the United Kingdom reportedly rose faster during December with latest figures showing that headline inflation hit 3.7% in the month. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) jumped from 3.3% in November to 3.7% in December, revisiting the peak rate for 2010. The figure was much higher than analyst expectations and was pushed up by the depreciation of the pound and the rising cost of petrol, energy and food. It does not include January’s hike in VAT and petrol but is affected by the VAT rise at the beginning of 2010 from its temporary rate of 15%. The UK Office for National Statistics said fuel costs rose at their fastest annual rate since July and food prices saw their biggest yearly rise since May 2009. The Retail Price Index (RPI), which includes housing costs like mortgage payments, insurance and council tax, rose to 4.8%. This was a 0.1% rise from November and the highest rate for six months. The rate of inflation has been above the Bank of England’s target of 2% for CPI since December 2009. The Bank has said it expects inflation to remain above target throughout 2011. It left the base rate of interest on hold at its most recent meeting but may be forced to raise it in the first half of the year following the surge in inflation. The effect of the VAT rise to 20% is yet to be seen. Brendan Barber from the Trades Union Congress, which represents organised workers across the nation, said: “The alarming rise in inflation means prices are running well ahead of pay deals. “This will make a tough year for workers even harder to bear, particularly for public servants suffering a sharp real terms pay cut. “Fuelling inflation with a VAT hike will hit workers in their wage packets and shopping receipts. “This tax rise is bad for working families and damaging for the economy too. “Surely it is now time for the Chancellor to use the budget to reconsider the VAT increase.” client base in addition to the London office and the Malta head office. “Over the past few years we have worked extremely hard to establish a growing reputation for offering good quality and reputable services. This is an extremely proud moment for the company – 25 years in business is a great achievement and I hope to celebrate many more successes for many years to come,” said David Marinelli, Portman International’s Managing Director. Employing a total of over 80 professionals in Malta, London and Dublin, Portman International is a provider of professional, fiduciary and trading support services to international clients. The core services of the company are the formation and administration of companies, partnerships & trusts, accounting, taxation, advisory and assisting clients to meet their legal, statutory and commercial objectives. Portman International is based in Malta supported by two other offices located in the heart of London and Dublin. Apple shares fall as Jobs takes medical leave Apple’s share price have plummeted following news that its boss, Steve Jobs, is taking fresh medical leave. The announcement comes two years after Steve Jobs took a sixmonth break during which he underwent a liver transplant Following the news, the company’s shares fell 7.5% in Frankfurt, while futures for the SP 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 0.3% and 0.9% respectively. The US markets resume trading today following a public holiday on Monday. “At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health,” Jobs said in an email to Apple employees. “I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company,” the e-mail read. Without specifying his health issues, Jobs said he had asked Tim Cook “to be responsible for all of Apple’s day-to-day operations” in his absence. “I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011. “I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.” The company’s fortunes have been uniquely linked to their CEO, who returned to the company in 1997 after a 12-year absence to turn around the flagging tech giant with innovative and wildly successful products like the iPod and iPhone. Steve Jobs underwent an operation in 2004 for pancreatic cancer, which was kept under wraps until years later. Questions about his health have resurfaced periodically since the cancer diagnosis, and have been the subject of much debate among corporate governance experts over the obligations the company has to its shareholders. Steve Jobs 13 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 Business Today Supplement News Media Consulta invests in alternative energy source Marketing communications agency Media Consulta Malta recently inaugurated its first photovoltaic (PV) installation on the roof of its offices in Birkirkara. Investment in the system, which was planned, installed and commissioned by Solar Solutions Ltd, was part funded by the ERDF Energy Grant Scheme managed by Malta Enterprise. Commenting on the PV project, Media Consulta Managing Director Andrew Warrington stated that this initiative was an important investment in reducing the company’s carbon footprint as part of its CSR programme. It also presented a win-win opportunity, eliminating as much as one third of the company’s energy bill at a time when electricity costs are spiraling upwards, while producing clean energy from renewable resources. On his part, Solar Solutions Marketing Director Karl Azzopardi stated that while this was a moderate sized project, as more and more companies realize that there is an opportunity to reduce their energy costs through this long term investment, the country will benefit from having several little power-stations situated on company roofs, which is normally dead space. He underlined the importance of grant schemes as a catalyst for changing mentalities and facilitating investment in alternative energy sources. Compensation agreement for petrol station owners still unpublished Those who took decisions that consumers will pay for must be held accountable, the Consumer Association says, adding that requests to the Malta Resources Authority to publish the agreement have been ignored. In a statement, the Consumer Association referred to threatened strike by petrol station owners’ just days before Christmas – one of the busiest periods of the year for catering enterprises. The association noted that the strike was avoided through discussions between the GRTU, the government, and the Malta Resources Authority. The association however added that, from what has been said about the agreement, “it seems as if the consumers will be the ones ultimately footing the bill, which will amount to roughly €26 million.” In light of this, the association said, it had requested that the Malta Resources Authority publish this agreement for viewing by the public. “To this day however,” the Association said, “there have been no replies forthcoming from the MRA and the agreement has not yet been published”. The association maintained that, “given that the consumer will be the one footing a bill that will amount to roughly €50 per consumer, the public has a right to know what the agreement entails.” “This is not only important for the sake of transparency, but also so that those who took the decisions that consumers will have to pay for are held accountable,” the association maintained. New Senior International Banking Manager at HSBC Malta HSBC Bank Malta named John M. Rusher as the new Senior International Banking Manager. His experience encompasses over 30 years in financial services, two thirds in Banking with the remainder in leading positions in other businesses. John started his career in NatWest Bank in Birmingham, UK, then he moved to other major cities around the UK, ending up in London as national development manager. In 2007, John moved to Malta with his family to become head of sales with a local financial services company. Richard Cottell, Head of Corporate Banking, said: “Our international business is a core proposition, providing our corporate customers with the ability to access personalised banking services from any of the 88 countries in which the group is represented. John’s experience in business development and customer relationships will be an invaluable resource for us and our corporate international customers.” “Having a passion for technology, investments and pension planning - apart from cricket - it is a great opportunity for me to move into a senior role with HSBC while staying in Malta. HSBC is Malta’s leading international bank and it has the people and the technology necessary to provide an excellent client service to international clients,” said John Rusher. John M. Rusher 20 2 0 YEARS YEA ARS FAST FORWARD. server ROI. 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HP ProLiant DL360 G7 HP ProLiant DL380 G7 Outcomes that matter. www.fglit.com; [email protected] Trade Enquiries: 23436264/7 Preferred Partner GOLD HP ProLiant DL580 G7 1 %DVHGRQ+3LQWHUQDOWHVWLQJWKHLQFUHDVHLQUDZFRPSXWLQJFDSDFLW\LQGLFDWHVDFRQVROLGDWLRQRSSRUWXQLW\IURP+33UR/LDQW'/* servers (single-core Intel® Xeon®SURFHVVRUVDWORDGWRRQH+3'/*VHUYHUTXDGFRUH,QWHO® Xeon®SURFHVVRUVHULHVDW load. 2%DVHGRQ+3LQWHUQDOWHVWVFRPSDULQJ+33UR/LDQW'/*VLQJOHFRUHVHUYHUVWR+33UR/LDQW'/*TXDGFRUHVHUYHUVZLWK,QWHO® Xeon® processor 5600 series. 3+3,QVLJKW0LJUDWLRQ6RIWZDUHDQG,QVLJKW5HPRWH6XSSRUWDXWRPDWHPRVWPLJUDWLRQDQGPRQLWRULQJWDVNV &RS\ULJKW+HZOHWW3DFNDUG'HYHORSPHQW&RPSDQ\/37KHLQIRUPDWLRQFRQWDLQHGKHUHLQLVVXEMHFWWRFKDQJHZLWKRXWQRWLFH7KHRQO\ ZDUUDQWLHVIRU+3SURGXFWVDQGVHUYLFHVDUHVHWIRUWKLQWKHH[SUHVVZDUUDQW\VWDWHPHQWVDFFRPSDQ\LQJVXFKSURGXFWVDQGVHUYLFHV1RWKLQJ KHUHLQVKRXOGEHFRQVWUXHGDVFRQVWLWXWLQJDQDGGLWLRQDOZDUUDQW\+3VKDOOQRWEHOLDEOHIRUWHFKQLFDORUHGLWRULDOHUURUVRURPLVVLRQVFRQWDLQHG herein. 14 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 Business Today Supplement Opinion Beer and Sauerkraut George Mangion The illustrious leaders who have piloted Air Malta throughout its tempestuous 35 year-old business cycle have all expressed their sincere wishes for the company to attain a speedy recovery. Such leaders had shared a common destiny. Starting from Albert Mizzi who nursed the airline through its difficult first decades and others such as Joe N. Tabone (mostly remembered for his brainchild being the launch of the propengined Avro-liners) to the presentday incumbent Sonny Portelli - they all owe their appointment to allegiance to the party in power. It is true to say that the company has seen better days and in its existence managed to foster multiple job opportunities for specialised staff which otherwise would never have been on offer. Today it is on its knees scraping though the intravenous intervention of a massive €50 million rescue operation. The sad truth is that political pressure was a hallmark of the constant interference by the government navigating in the cockpit. Over the years it shamelessly used it as a job centre for unemployed constituents. It comes as no surprise that the company is top heavy with employees and who can blame the unions from having a field day in pressing for better conditions and higher pay. In the early nineties government boasted a feel good factor culminating in a ‘money noproblem’ mantra. It is no mirage that profits were pouring in Air Malta‘s coffers. The unions took the cue and paraded their members through the streets clamouring for a larger share of the cake. There was a time when governments ceded to excessive union demands in order to buy industrial peace and thus riddled the company with escalating financial obligations. Now that the company reported heavy losses, some unsavoury news items are coming to the fore. The media reported how generously pampered were the senior management responsible for its critical condition .They enjoy privileges and perks. 7 The political masters such as ministers, MPs as well as former parliamentarians, are also privileged to a number of subsidised tickets. But the brunt of Air Malta’s woes is placed fairly and squarely on the directors who conceded against better technical advice to embark on a hair brained adventure to turn the island in a hub aka the Avro Liners debacle. The choice of the aircraft and the subsequent sale of the RJ70’s, as well as the creation and dissolution of subsidiary airline Azzurrair, are reported to have cost the airline €150 million in losses. No heads rolled. This adventure has eroded past profits earned in the golden years. It comes as no surprise that the company is top heavy with employees and who can blame the unions from having a field day in pressing for better conditions and higher pay It is no secret that Joe N.Tabone and his coterie of directors stand accused by the GWU of losses when in 1992 they invested amid much aplomb in the British designed Avro RJ70’s. The story is well known and fully documented by various preselection options commissioned by the board from technical advisers. Such advice was not heeded. Now that the days of plenty have receded it is easy to criticise the airline for being everything to everyone. In short it is trying to pose as a legacy airline, a low cost airline, a national airline and a tour operator all at once, simply because it’s politically appointed leaders are not free to manoeuvre without strings being pulled from Castille. Some may throw water over the fire saying the board was not to blame since orders from the top made them invest in the wrong aircraft. This ploy is alleged to arise from a political decision by former Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami when lobbying the British government for support of its EU accession bid in 1992. With hindsight we know that if this was true the bouquet of flowers did not do the trick since Malta had to wait another 12 years to enter the pearly gates in Brussels. Another blow to the company’s viability was the introduction in 2007 of low cost carriers. Again this time consultants PriceWaterHouse were commissioned directly by government to evaluate the impact from such competition. In 2006, the confidential report painted a devastatingly negative scenario for the national airline should LC C are allowed to start operations by yielding to demands to pay them subsidies in a discriminatory manner. Naturally there was a strong lobby from various sectors that LCC will more than double the tourists’ arrivals within a year of commencement. Hoteliers were complaining that the dwindling figures of tourist arrivals were threatening their massive investment. In the end the government yielded to pressure and opened the floodgates to low cost tourists who merrily filled our beaches and promenades. Ever since that day we see how LCC’s are continuously demanding to have more subsidised routes. For example we note that now Liverpool is a new route, but is only 30 miles away from Air Maltaoperated Manchester. Similarly Trapani in Sicily is just a few miles from Palermo, another established Air Malta route; not to mention Luton, when Air Malta operates from Heathrow and Gatwick. All these routes were a godsend for LCC’s but sounded the death knell for AirMalta fleet of just 12 leased aircraft. Each of the 12 leased aircraft has to feed 1,400 employees, in other words it must be the most expensive fleet in Europe with an annual payroll of a cool €52 million. All this did not help when fuel costs skyrocketed. Yet, when everything else is said and done we note how the parliamentary secretary Dr DeMarco was ebullient on last year’s achievements. The arrivals for 2010 showed a healthy increase of about 12 % yet nothing points that the subsidies paid to LCC ’s yielded the spectacular results promised although one has to be thankful for the improved traffic particularly from airports not serviced by the national airline. In five years, the growing reality of LCC’s has turned Air Malta’s concerns from costs to revenue, and observers point out that this is where the real problem lies. It is unnerving to contemplate that in a short period LCC ‘s market share garnered over 30% market share. The boost in arrivals did not come without a cost and we notice how in 2010 budget one finds a hefty allocation of record proportions to market the island. Over €35 million paid to the Malta Tourism Authority including a spectacular sum of €4.5 million directly earmarked for LCC’s. Some can argue that AirMalta did benefit indirectly from this handsome allocation and should be thankful for the government to create a level playing field for airlines operating in Malta. Others contend that such competition is not fair for a legacy airline which always supported the business and national community interest through rain or shine. Travellers patriotic to Air Malta say that it always honoured its social commitment by transporting patients overseas for treatment, while continuously sponsoring local sports associations. So what happens now? More consultants arrive on the scene .This time we welcome the arrival of auditors Ernst & Young sending two of their brightest to salvage the situation. Their monumental task is to recommend the urgent restructuring needed to save Air Malta from the fate airlines much bigger than it like Belgium’s Sabena and Geneva’s Swiss Air …but perhaps the solution may lie elsewhere .We cannot forget how the ailing and loss making Austrian Airlines (much loved by its patrons) was taken over by Deutsche Lufthansa AG in 2009. Not withstanding the loss of business due to the Icelandic ash cloud, Lufthansa group has announced the creation of 4,000 jobs despite a programme of cost cutting. It has posted an operating profit of €159 million for the second quarter of 2010, more than tripling the figure for the second quarter in 2009. The recovery in demand, particularly in cargo and intercontinental traffic, and the efforts to reduce costs in all areas of the Group during the past months played decisive roles in recording the positive result. Lufthansa got a boost last year from recovery in air travel as its group of airlines reported a 17.2% rise in traffic to 90.2 million people carried. Perhaps the recent visit of the German Chancellor Angela Merkel did not come a moment too soon. Can she be persuaded that the German airline so successful in its own operations shed some light on the dwindling fortunes of our livery flying the eight pointed star? Who knows perhaps the cosy relationship that currently exists between the Air Malta and the German giant can lead to tying the knot in the coming months. This does not come as a surprise. Last year we witnessed the privatisation of transport fleet ceded to Arriva now owned by the German state. Will this be followed by our legacy airline toasting to another happy occasion by sharing the beer and sauerkraut. George M. Mangion The writer is a partner in PKFMALTA, an audit and business advisory firm. [email protected] 15 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 Business Today Supplement News The Jasmine Revolution Weekly international investment round up to 18th January 2011 The Tunisian stock market closed on Monday as further troops were deployed on the streets of Tunis following large scale scenes of social unrest which have left tens of protestors dead and their ousted President seeking refuge abroad. Tunisia’s Tunindex index tumbled 13% last week, its biggest fall in a decade, with leading banking institutions Banque de Tunisie and Attijari Bank nursing heavy losses, declining 4.4% and 3% respectively. Sentiment has also turned against Tunisian government debt with its current Fitch rating of BBB now under close watch. How times have changed for our near-neighbour. Just a couple of years ago while other world stock exchanges crashed their stock market was held aloft as one of the best performers of 2008 and its political regime was then perceived as among the most • Turmoil in Tunisia closes their stock market. • Arab world faces market forces stress-test enlightened throughout the entire Arab world. But with unemployment estimated by the IMF at over 13% coupled with rising food and living costs the effects of the global credit crunch for Tunisia was simply delayed, not dodged, and acted to shine a light on the inefficiencies of an economy long blighted by its ruling class who are accused of patronage, nepotism and endemic bribery. The Jasmine Revolution, named after the national flower of Tunisia, was triggered following the horrific suicide of a young unemployed Mark Lamb [email protected] graduate whose protest has now been replicated throughout other Arab nations prompting the question, ‘which authoritarian regime will be next?’ Egypt, the most populous Arab country, has seen its benchmark EGX30 index fall by over 3.5% during recent days based on fears that a similar uprising could happen there, particularly as wheat prices now exceed those which sparked the Cairo bread riots in 2008. Oil production in Tunisia is very modest. It consumes as much as it produces, around 91,000 barrels of oil a day, very small when compared with its neighbour Libya’s 1.79 million barrels per day based on figures produced in the CIA Factbook. However, this has led the country to diversify into other areas such as agriculture, and manufacturing while its service industry e.g. catering and tourism makes up over 60% of their economy. But with 5 out of their 6 biggest export partners being EU countries who have now significantly reduced their Tunisian imports, times have turned tough for the majority of the country’s 10.5 million citizens. In pursuit of higher returns investors have increasingly looked towards emerging economies to fuel their portfolios often turning a blind-eye to their unsavoury internal practises while rulers throughout the Arab world have managed to convince the West that their systems are the only alternative to extremism and terrorism however, just like elsewhere, uncompromising market forces will ultimately test these contradictions to the full. With three-quarters of most Arab populations now below the age of 30 demographics may spark the biggest social changes leading to a new sense of openness both at home and with their potential trading partners. Of Arab heritage, but with a strong Mediterranean, Roman and Phoenician history Tunisia remains a nation of traders whose future success relies upon the freedom for their trade to bloom. Mark Lamb is Head of the Life Dept. at Citadel Insurance plc which is authorized to carry on general and long term business of insurance under the Insurance Business Act, 1998 and is regulated by the MFSA. Contact by email; [email protected] Tel; 25579000. Website; www.citadelplc.com This article does not intend to give investment advice and its contents should not be construed as such. Information in this article has been obtained from various public sources and is given by way of information only. Readers are always encouraged to seek financial advice before making any investment decision ECB leaves interest rates unchanged Money Market Report for the week ended January 14, 2011 ECB Monetary Operations On Thursday, January 13, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to keep the interest rate on its Main Refinancing Operations unchanged at 1.00 per cent. Interest rates on the marginal lending and deposit facilities were also left unchanged, at 1.75 per cent and 0.25 per cent, respectively. n Monday, January 10, the ECB announced its weekly Main Refinancing Operation (MRO). The auction was conducted on Tuesday, January 11, and attracted bids from euro area eligible counterparties of €180.08 billion, €15.61 billion lower than the amount bid for in the previous week. The bid amount was allotted in full at a fixed rate equivalent to the prevailing main refinancing rate of 1.00 per cent, in accordance with current ECB policy. On Tuesday, January 11, the ECB also conducted an auction for a seven-day fixed-term deposit intended to absorb €74.00 billion. The operation was designed to sterilise the effect of purchases made under the Securities Markets Programme and settled by the previous Friday, January 7, 2011. The auction was carried out at a variable rate, with euro area eligible counterparties allowed to place up to two bids at a maximum rate of 1.00 per cent. It attracted bids amounting to €99.49 billion, with the ECB allotting the full intended volume of €74.00 billion, or 74.38 per cent of the total bid amount. The marginal rate on the auction was set at 0.45 per cent, with the weighted average rate at 0.41 per cent. On Wednesday, January 12, the ECB conducted a seven-day US dollar funding operation through collateralised lending in conjunction with the US Federal Reserve. This attracted bids of $0.07 billion, which was allotted in full at a fixed rate of 1.18 per cent. Domestic Treasury Bill Market In the domestic primary market for Treasury bills, the Treasury invited tenders for 182-day bills maturing on July 15, 2011, and for 273-day bills ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet maturing on October 14, 2011. Bids of €91.31 million were submitted the outstanding balance of Treasury for the 182-day bills, with the bills increased by €29.89 million, Treasury accepting €19.94 million, to stand at €403.82 million. while bids of €95.80 million were The yield from the 182-day bill submitted for the 273-day bills, auction was 1.0410 per cent, i.e. 6.6 with the Treasury accepting €36.00 basis points lower than on bills with million. Since €26.05 million worth a similar tenor issued on January of bills matured during the week, 7, 2011, representing a bid price of 99.4765 per 100 nominal. The yield from the 273-day bill auction was 1.1610 per cent, i.e. 15.4 basis points lower than on bills with a similar tenor issued on November 12, 2010, representing a bid price of 99.1273 per 100 nominal. Treasury bill trading on the Malta Stock Exchange amounted to €0.25 million during the week, with all trading being conducted by the Central Bank of Malta in its role as market maker. On Tuesday, the Treasury invited tenders for 91-day bills maturing on April 22, 2011 16 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 THIS WEEK AT CINEMAS TODAY TV / CINEMA Embassy Cinemas Valletta Tel. 21 227436, 21245818 The Green Hornet (PG) 11:00 13:45 16:10 18:35 21:00 Gulliver’s Travels (U) 14:10 16:20 18:30 Machete (18) 21:59 – Le parole che non ti ho detto – Rete 4 21:10 – The Vampire Diaries – Italia 1 21:10 – Paperissima – Canale 5 10:30 16:00 18:10 20:50 The Next Three Days (12) TVM ONE CANALE 5 RAI DUE 20:00 L-Ahbarijiet 20:37 Dissett 21:05 Kenn il-Bahhara 21:35 Airborne 22:05 Mixage 22.30 Xorts 23:15 L-Ahbarijiet 23:35 News in English 23:40 Ghawdex Illum (rpt) 19:30 ONE News 20:10 Telepoplu 20:25 Ambjent 30 20:26 Konfini 20:30 TX 21:45 Midinbin (ep.13) 22:45 Trijangolu 23:15 ONE News 23:45 Local music videos & One Promotions 00:00 Kalamita (rpt) 20:00 Tg5 20:31 Striscia la Notizia 21:10 Paperissima 23:00 Kalispera 01:30 Tg5 20:30 Tg2 21:05 Raidue Rewind – Senza Traccia 23:25 Tg2 23:40 35^ Rassegna della canzone d’autore NET TV ITALIA 1 19:45 NET NEWS 20:30 The Radio 101 live sessions 21:30 NET NEWS 21:32 Ucuh 23:00 NET NEWS 18:30 Studio Aperto 19:00 Studio Sport 19:30 Glee – L’Unione Imperfetta 20:30 Transformat 21:10 The Vampire Diaries 23:40 Underworld RETE 4 18:55 TG4 19:35 Tempesta d’Amore 20:30 Walker Texas Ranger 21:10 Le parole che non ti ho detto 21:52 Tgcom 21:59 Le parole che non ti ho detto 23:50 C’era una volta in Messico RAI UNO 10:30 13:20 16:00 18:35 21:10 The Tourist (PG) 14:30 18:50 20:55 Love and Other Drugs (18) 16:35 21:00 RAI TRE Meet the Parents: Little Fockers (12) 19:00 Tg3 20:00 Blob 20:10 Seconda chance 20:35 Un posto al sole 21:05 Chi l’ha visto? 23:15 Parla con me 00:00 Tg3 Linea notte 14:20 16:30 18:40 20:50 20:00 Telegiornale 20:30 RaiSport 23:10 Porta a Porta 00:45 Tg1 Eden Cinemas St Julians Tel. 23 710 400 Meet the Parents: Little Fockers (12) Films released by KRS Distributors 14:15 16:25 18:40 21:10 23:15 The Warrior’s Way (16) 14:15 16:35 18:40 21:10 23:15 Tangled Burlesque (12) 14:00 16:25 18:50 21:15 23:40 The Next Three Days (12) 14:30 18:15 21:00 23:40 Paranormal Activity 2 (14) 14:30 16:30 18:30 21:00 23:00 Gulliver’s Travels 3D (U) 14:20 16:20 18:20 21:00 23:00 The Social Network (14) 14:05 18:15 20:55 23:25 Takers (12) 14:05 16:20 18:35 20:50 23:05 The Way Back (PG) 14:05 18:05 20:45 23:25 Malta Force (12) 14:05 16:20 18:35 20:50 23:05 The Chronicles of Narnia Voyage of the Dawn Treader (3D) (U) 14:00 16:30 Giselle (PG) 20:30 WHEN the kingdom’s most wanted and most charmingbandit, Flynn Rider (voice of Zachary Levi), hides out in a mysterious tower, he’s taken hostage by Rapunzel (voice of Mandy Moore), a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. Flynn’s curious captor, who’s looking for her ticket out of the tower where she’s been locked away for years, strikes a deal with the handsome thief, and the unlikely duo sets off on an action-packed escapade, complete with a super-cop horse (named Maximus), an over-protective chameleon (named Pascal), and a gruff gang of pub thugs. Showing soon Tron Legacy (3D) (U) 23:30 Love and Other Drugs (18) 14:10 16:30 18:50 21:10 23:30 The Last Exorcism (16) 14:15 16:15 18:25 21:05 23:00 Burke and Hare (14) 14:25 16:25 18:25 21:15 23:15 The Dilemma London Boulevard (18) 14:20 16:35 18:45 21:05 23:15 The Green Hornet 3D (PG) 14:00 16:25 18:50 21:15 23:45 The Tourist (PG) 14:10 16:20 18:30 20:45 22:55 Empire Cinemas Bugibba Tel. 21 581 787, 21 581 909 The Chronicles of Narnia Voyage of the Dawn Treader (3D) (U) 13:45 16:15 18:45 Gulliver’s Travels 3D (U) 13:30 16.00 18:20 (subtitled) 21:00 Meet the Parents: Little Fockers (12) 14:00 16:25 18:40 20:55 The Next Three Days (12) 14:20 17:45 20:45 The Tourist (PG) 21:15 The Green Hornet 3D (PG) BACHELOR Ronny and happily married Nick are buddies since college. Now partners in their own company, the two pals are vying to land a dream project that would put their company on the map. With Ronny’s girlfriend, Beth, and Nick’s wife, Geneva, by their sides, the pair is unbeatable. Until Ronny’s world is turned upside down when he inadvertently sees Geneva in the arms of another man, shattering the sheen of his best friend’s perfect marriage. Showing soon 13:45 16:15 18:45 21:15 London Boulevard (18) 13:55 16:20 18:50 21:10 The Last Exorcism (16) 14:05 16:05 18:15 21:05 17 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 THIS WEEK WHAT’S ON MUSIC JANUARY 23 Tea for Two A concert dedicated to the delightful and lively rendering of some classic songs featured in classic musical films will be taking place at the Sagrestia Vault, Valletta Waterfront. The show features Marita Bezzina (soprano), Frans Mangion (tenor) and Ramona Zammit Formosa (pianist). Bookings: 7968 0952 or bookings@baroccomalta. com. JANUARY 27 Spotlight on Augusto Lauri Quintano and Sarah Micallef Violin and Piano Recital with the participation of Augusto Lauri Quintano on violin and Sarah Micallef on piano at Sala Isouard, Manoel Theatre, 20:00. P FEBRUARY 5 Skimmed, Areola Treat and Clandestines The bands will be playing at Escape Club, St Julian’s, alongside a DJ set by Sick of Ants. Doors open at 22:00. Entrance is at €8. THEATRE JANUARY 22, 23 Ingabar ghax jigbruk A Maltese-language version of Neil Simon’s Come Blow Your Horn by the Valletta Theatre Company at The Manoel Theatre – 19:00 on Saturday 22 and 17:00 on Sunday 23. Bookings: bookings@teatrumanoel. com.mt, 21246389. Ingabar ghax Jigbruk at the Contemporary Hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta. Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 16:30 (last admission 16:00). Entrance is free. Is-Siegha tal-Kittieba Jazz Paintings Curved Silence Paintings in pastel by Pauleen Micallef at Damiano’s, Sir Luigi Preziosi Street, St Paul’s Bay. Opening Hours: Every day (except Tuesdays) from 18:00 onwards. An exhibition by the artist John Paul Azzopardi at the Contemporary Hall of the National Museum of Fine Arts, South Street, Valletta. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00hrs till 16:30hrs (Last Admission 16:00hrs). Free entrance. A one hour interview with the writer Lina Brockdorff at St James Cavalier, Valletta from 19:30. JANUARY 14 – FEBRUARY 17 Vince Briffa and Tom Dale An exhibition of paintings LITERATURE JANUARY 20 A production of the William Douglas comedy by Maleth Theatre Company at Manoel Theatre, 19:30. Bookings: bookings@teatrumanoel. com.mt, 21246389. Daniela Astone Exclusive Interiors, Mosta will be hosting an exhibition by painter Kevin Sciberras. JANUARY 31 – FEBRUARY 13 The Secretary Bird ENDS TODAY 09:00 till 19:00, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays 09:00 till 13:00. UNTIL JANUARY 30 UNTIL JANUARY 31 JANUARY 28 – 30 EXHIBITIONS Kevin Sciberras at Exclusive Interiors A two-person show featuring a new film and a photography exhibition at Malta Contemporary Art, St James Cavalier, Valletta. JANUARY 24 – FEBRUARY 28 On Site Exhibition of 55 pieces by ceramist George Muscat at St James Cavalier, Valletta. JANUARY 28 – FEBRUARY 18 Anne Frank – A History for Today The travelling exhibition makes use of images from the Frank family photo albums and quotations from the Diary of Anne Frank, and will be displayed at the Auberge de Castille, Valletta. Opening hours: Mondays – Fridays LIVE SCREENING TONIGHT Royal Opera House Live: Giselle Eden Cinemas will be screening the Royal Opera House (London) production of the classic ballet, under the direction of Peter Wright. Price is €23 per ticket and parking at the Eden Car Park is included. Persons under 16 pay just €10. The full schedule for Opera and Ballets can be found at www.edencinemas. com. Tickets can also be purchased online. JANUARY 30 MET Opera Live: Modest Mussorgsky As part of the MET Opera series, Valery Gergiev conducts Mussorgsky’s soulful spectacle during a live matinee performance at 14:30, St James Cavalier Cinema. Tickets are at €10, with €5 concessions for children up to 12-yearsold. Bookings: 2122 3200, [email protected]. WORKSHOP JANUARY 21 Digeridoo Workshop at Why Not? A workshop at the newly opened shop in Paceville (between Champs and the bus terminus) from 20:00. Jamming session will follow. All materials provided free of charge. 18 Events maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 Income from royalties on patents exempt from tax under new incentive MALTA Enterprise launched a new incentive whereby income from royalties on eligible patents will be exempt from taxation, an initiative which is aimed at encouraging enterprises to invest in research and knowledge creation as well as encourage the exploitation of intellectual property. Details of the incentive were given by Malta Enterprise executive chairman Alan Camilleri during a seminar on Funding Industrial Research and Innovation, which sought to provide information on the existing funding mechanisms and other support services which may be utilised by companies to conduct research, development or innovative projects. These also include support provided through the Eurostars Joint Programme which Malta recently joined, a panEuropean initiative through which companies from over 30 participating states are brought together to work on collaborative projects that comprise market-driven R&D. In giving details of the programme, Eurostars Call Coordinator Dr Peter Chisnall spoke about the benefits for Maltese companies such as the availability of funding and the collaborative aspect of the projects which leads to technology transfer and sharing of resources. He also explained the mechanism behind the process evaluating the projects and said that a decision on whether these are approved or not is generally taken within 14 weeks, noting that this lead time was one of the shortest for European projects. Dr Chisnall also referred to Eurostars Call Coordinator Dr Peter Chisnall spoke about the benefits for Maltese companies such as the availability of funding the feedback given by participants in Eurostars projects, which generally stated the projects would lead to increased turnover and increased employment. Malta Enterprise executive chairman Alan Camilleri stressed on the importance of research, development and innovation for businesses and industries to ensure their competitiveness and long-term sustainability, whether this leads to a new product or service or even to the development of a new process that enables the company to become more efficient in its operations. He also referred to the Innovation Union initiative which the European Commission recently launched and placed at the very heart of the Europe 2020 strategy, which boldly states that boosting the research and innovation performance is the only way to create good and well-paid jobs that will withstand the pressures of globalization and support sustainable growth. Mr Camilleri also gave a brief overview of the schemes available for R&D and innovation, which include tax credits, business advisory services, as well as specific schemes making use of ERDF funds through which over €6 million have already been granted for this purpose. Other speakers at the seminar, which was attended by over 80 stakeholders in the industry, included representatives from Malta Enterprise, the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, the Malta Council for Science and Technology, the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme, the University of Malta and the Industrial Property Registrations Directorate. They delved deeper into the support available through their respective entities either through local or EU-funded assistance for R&D and innovation projects, thereby helping the participants identify which assistance best suited their company’s needs. PerfumeryDirect.com is on the market WWW.PERFUMERYDIRECT. COM is fast becoming the one stop virtual shop for all your scented needs around the world. The company stocks a considerable number of the latest brands as well as those which are hard to find, at extremely competitive prices as well as overall discounts which range from 20 to as much as 60 per cent on the marked price offering the opportunity of unheard of savings. The company is committed to provide a vibrant shopping experience with an easy to use state of the art website and is constantly launching offers to attract new clients. These include limited time pop-up sales, giveaways and sweepstakes which will definitely add to your excitement levels! 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Perfumerydirect.com can be contacted at the following address; Perfumery Direct, The Penthouse, Triq L-Ispiera ,Swieqi, Malta, Europe. Alternatively via Email: [email protected] . 19 Classifieds ANTIQUES OLD patterned tiles for sale. Tiles already cleaned and various patterns. Call 79730397 POMSKIZILLIOUS museum of toys, 10 Xibla Street Xaghra, Gozo, open December on Saturdays only from 10:30-13:00. Will be closed in January. Open times for February, on Saturdays only from 10:30-13:00. ‘Keeping yesterday for us to see today’. (Groups by appointment). Artifacts from late 1700s - 1950s. A treat for 2011. Call on 21562489,21557111 BOATS ITALIAN make, 11.75 meters (39 feet) sports fishing boat. Complete with GPS, two fish finders, safety equipment, fishing equipment. Two ford engines 250HP each. Price negotiable, part exchange with smaller craft considered. Call 79626626. SPEEDBOAT, 14ft with 35hp force outboard motor and trailer, unused and garaged for past 20 years. Best offer secures. Call 21373019,79926683 FOR SALE 100 top quality whistles for just €40. Suitable for any party. Call now on 99287701. HOUSEHOLD Sale - Sony FD Trinitron colour 29” 2005 model, flat screen with woofer, in impeccable condition and used by owner only. Price €95. TV cabinet priced at €30. Open display shelving for decorations in wrought iron with glass shelves. Price €30. Call owner on 79478867,21382958 TREADMILL up to 100 kilos. Used few times. As new. Price €250. Call 21372922,99858089 GENERAL BAR, 3.8m long, full stainless steel construction, unused and stored for the past 15 years. Best offer secures. Call 21373019 or 79926683 FILMING and copy edited professionally on DVD of any sort of occasion, parties, sporting events, seminars and other personal filming. Call COLOURBARS LTD on 99444092. WANTED to let for a very long period, a medium house for two with two separate bedrooms in any area. Having the basic rooms and furniture plus a roof. Please call on 20994486. A small house for a single person with a dog in Msida, Hamrun, Pieta, Gwardamangia, St. Venera and Birkirkara for a long period. Reasonable rent. What can you offer? Call 20997786. LETTING GZIRA - Room for rent, ready to move into just off the main road. Ideal for shop, office, nutritionist, physiotherapist or any type of business. It has own entrance. Call on 27888272, 99461900, 99890101. BUGIBBA - Flats one, two or three bedrooms, fully furnished including TV and air conditioner in Bugibba and St. Paul’s Bay from €220 per month for long lets. View on www.mecca-marine.com or call owner on 79732780 PROPERTY FOR SALE BALZAN - Price reduced! A welcoming, wide fronted Town House having a beautiful, good sized back garden and set in the heart of this highly sought after village! Ample accommodation comprises an imposing hall leading directly through to the garden, study, formal dining room, kitchen/breakfast, large living room (also leading to the garden), guest toilet, 3 double bedrooms - all with en suite facilities and master also enjoying an enchanting terrace, bathroom, spiral staircase leading to private roof and optional garage close by. Excellent opportunity! Price €349000. Call 79429400 GHARGHUR - An amazing house of character in the core of this tranquil village! Hall, sitting, dining, kitchen, TV maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 lounge leading to a 30 X 80ft garden with pool, sundeck and BBQ area, guest toilet and a picture perfect courtyard giving light to the whole house! Three double bedrooms – two en suite bathrooms, laundry! Price €650000. Call 79429400. GHAXAQ – A larger than usual penthouse and ground floor apartment having a large front terrace/back and internal yard. To be sold in shell form. Common parts finished with six passenger lift. Property must be viewed. Call owner on 79282428. GHAXAQ - Spacious three bedrooms apartments to be sold in shell form common parts highly finished with six passenger lift. Garages are optional. Price €92000. Call owner on 79282428 renovated and includes new plumbing and electricity, has an alarm, a solar system, reverse osmosis, and has been finished to high standards. Part exchange with property in Gozo will be considered. Asking price €170000 (price negotiable) and can be sold with or without furniture. MONTE ROSA GARDENS - A sizable detached Villa centrally located just a stones throw away from all important amenities and public transport routes. Hall, large sitting/dining room, good sized kitchen breakfast, TV lounge/ study, four double bedrooms, bathroom and en suite shower. This property also has a surrounding garden and carport. In need of slight modernisation, this villa is being offered at a bargain price! Price €430000. Call 79429400 GOZO - XAGHRA - Large apartment in a quite area on the outskirts of the village close to Calypso’s cave with sea and country views, having three double bedrooms (one ensuite). A highly finished apartment with rustic interiors, three front balconies, two large bathrooms, utility/washroom, access and use of common roof, large open plan sitting/dining and fully fitted new kitchen. Definitely a must see property. This apartment is also available for long lets. Price: €155,000 (LM 66,541). Call owner direct on 79205023/99478303. NAXXAR - Well-priced three to four bed roomed apartment in a quiet yet central location, close to all amenities. The block is served with lift and consists of striking and spacious sitting/dining room with front balcony and good town views, combined, fitted kitchen/breakfast, study, bathroom and shower. Garages are available. Must be seen! Price €149000. Call 79429400 HAMRUN - Town house situated in central Hamrun, ready to move into which includes a high finish throughout and is to be sold either fully furnished with brand new furniture or without furniture. Property consists of an entrance leading into a hallway with a large under stairs room which can be used as a study. An antique stone staircase then leads to the first floor and opens onto an open plan living room and an adjacent dinning room, brand new toilet with Jacuzzi / Shower, fitted kitchen and built in appliances and a small pantry. The property also has a small garden circa 17 by 27 feet. Access to the second floor can be accessed either through a spiral stone stairs or else from a wooden stairs. On the second floor there are another three rooms and a roof garden. Prospective buyer has the possibility to further construct another floor to the existing property. The property has been recently QAWRA - Apartment in the best part of Qawra, three bedroom third floor with lift, fully furnished in high standards including all appliances, two bathrooms, front and back balconies, beautiful sea views, use of roof. Freehold. Price €160000 negotiable. Call owner 99252196 PAOLA - Duplex maisonette, two bedroom, has own airspace. Price €85000. QAWRA - seafront apartment, fully furnished, three bedrooms with lift. Priced to sell at €122000. Call owner on 21411598,99242312,79242316. SAN PAWL TAT- TARGA - Last remaining apartment forming part of a smart, new block in a most pleasant, quiet street of this popular destination. Being offered finished (except for bathroom sets) to excellent specifications and having two bedrooms. Block is served with lift and hall porter and a car space included in the price. Price €122300. Call 79429400. SLIEMA - Lower Bisazza street, one = €3 bedroom apartment, partly furnished, third floor, no lift. Good investment opportunity. Price €750000. Call 79626626. SLIEMA - A magnificent penthouse in a nice area, served with lift and intercom and enjoying abundant natural light and lots of space! Open plan dining, sitting and kitchen with large doors leading on to a wonderful terrace enjoying a beautiful panorama of town and partial sea views! This property has three bedrooms, bathroom, en suite shower and a utility room. Price €349500. Call 79429400 SWATAR - B’ KARA - Two, two bedroom apartments and maisonettes, or three bedroom maisonettes in a modern and elegant brand new corner development. South facing very sunny and airy in quiet made up area overlooking the valley yet close to B’Kara By-Pass with easy access to University/Mater Dei. Maisonettes are at street level with large front terraces and back yard. Apartments served with lift and all in advanced high finish including gypsum and graffiato plastering throughout, large Italian ceramic floor tiles, heavy duty profiles apertures, plumbing and electricity, large balconies, front doors, etc; optional garages available at special price for property buyers. Prices from €119000 (LM51086) Call owner direct on 79205023,99478303. SERVICE TRANSFER all your old videos onto DVD. Any type and quantity accepted. Reasonable prices for a very good and discreet service. Call 99287701 SITUATION VACANT ACCOUNTS clerk with A level experience. Salesperson and handy persons with experience and driving licence, full time or part timers considered. Email [email protected], or visit Mecca St. Paul’s Bay. Call 79732780 MAID is required to work in a family residence and office premises. Applicant must be over 21 years. Call 79999928 SITUATION WANTED A smart mature care worker with experience is seeking work at your home. Call 79472971, 21472971. TUITION CHEMISTRY, Physics and Mathematics O’Level private lessons. Small groups and one to one basis, Zurrieq, Safi, Kirkop, Luqa, Siggiewi, Qrendi, Mqabba area. Call 21680732/79680732 GRAPHICAL communication tuition, O’ Level. Small groups and one to one attention. Call on 21411598,99242312,792423416 MALTESE: Forms 1-5. O/I Advanced Level 2011/2012. Notes provided. University graduate. Also a foreign language. Mosta. Call 21410218/99843441 MATHS/PHYSICS - Forms 1-5, O’Level full courses, San Gwann/ Msida/Gzira. Call 79092549. MATSEC 2011, English, French, Italian, Maltese. Individual attention by experienced tutor. Lessons are in Paola. Also Form 1 to Form 5 in same subjects. Start now to get a good result. Call 21697187 or 99804695. NEW beginners course in sequence dancing by experienced teacher. Price €60 per couple for ten lessons. Call 79618861 PRIVATE lessons in Mathematics ‘O’ Level questions from past papers. Highly experienced tutor. Call to book a place - Marsascala. Call 79730397 REVISION for February exams. Start now!! Call 21697187, 99804695. Form 1 - 5, Italian, French, English, Maltese. Primary years 4,5,6 for English, Maltese, Maths. Lessons by experience tutor in Paola. Individual attention. VEHICLES HYUNDAI ATOS, low mileage, automatic, price €5500. Hardly used. Call 21226293/79008989 PEUGEOT 305 for parts with a Toyota Turbo diesel 1.5 and gearbox. In good condition. Asking price for engine and gearbox is of €300. Price negotiable. Call 79592430. VW Beetle, year 2004 convertible, 1400cc, air conditioned, low mileage, silver blue. Quick sale. Price €11990 o.n.o. Call 99553700 2 CLASSIFIEDS FOR 3 WEEKS Choose category. Fill in the boxes provided. Write in block letters. Your advert will appear for three weeks in both MaltaToday, MaltaToday Wednesday, and www.maltatoday.com.mt. This offer does not apply to Real Estate agents. Send your form to: MaltaToday Classifieds, Media Today, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016. Together with a €3 cheque payable to MediaToday Co. Ltd. Name: ________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________ Tel: ___________________ email: _________________________________ ANTIQUES BOATS FURNITURE GENERAL LETTING PETS PROPERTY SITUATIONS WANTED SITUATIONS VACANT SERVICE TUITION VEHICLES / PARTS WANTED ANTIQUES BOATS FURNITURE GENERAL LETTING PETS PROPERTY SITUATIONS WANTED SITUATIONS VACANT SERVICE TUITION VEHICLES / PARTS WANTED ALL PRICES INDICATED FOR YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE MUST BE IN EURO 20 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 SPORTTODAY FORMULA ONE New livery could cause problems for Renault THE Lotus Renault GP team could face major problems over its new livery before the 2011 season starts. Renault had it new car with the 2011 livery on display at the Autosport International show last week with the black-and-gold colours revealed to the public. The car was a massive hit with the Formula One fans as expected, but the livery is expected to clash with the Canadian Tobacco laws. The Canadian Grand Prix takes place in June and currently the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will not allow a team to compete if its cars were to resemble a cigarette packet. he 2004 Canadian Grand Prix was close to cancellation when a new tobacco law was enforced during the previous year, with race-officials having to pay 29 million Canadian dollars (18.35 million British pounds) to compensate cigarette sponsors when their logo’s were removed from every competing car. A spokesperson for Health Canada commented: “Tobacco inspectors would need to fully review to assess whether a violation of the Tobacco Act has occurred. The Tobacco Act prohibits the promotion of tobacco products or tobacco product-related brand elements in Canada, except as authorized by the Act or regulations. Tobacco product sponsorship is prohibited entirely and tobacco advertising is severely restricted. “A representation about a product or service by any means, whether directly or indirectly, including any communication of information about a product or The livery of the 2011 Lotus Renault is expected to clash with the Canadian authorities service and its price and distribution, that is likely to influence and shape attitudes, beliefs and behaviours about the product or service.” Imperial Tobacco Canada distributes a wide variety of brands across Canada including John Player Special, and was curious to know if the Renault team knew about the legislation. “It is categorically against the law to present any likeness to a cigarette pack,” a member of the company said. “If I were Lotus though, I would be concerned. I wonder if they are aware of the law in Canada.” Ayrton Senna driving the Lotus with similar livery in the 80’s FUTSAL Malta Futsal scool to participate in the Uefa Futsal Euro 2012 preliminary round THE Malta Futsal School’s next upcoming event will be their participation in the UEFA FUTSAL Euro 2012 preliminary round qualification matches to be held at the Cottonera Sports Complex between the 21st and the 24th of January 2011. Children from the school will assist as ball boys during matches played between the four nations taking part in Group D: France, Lithuania Bulgaria and hosts Malta. Members from the school will also be participating in fun games on Sunday the 23rd of January at the Cottonera Sport Complex. This day will be also considered as an OPEN DAY (9am to 12:30pm) for all interested children, aged between 7 and 14 years, who are willing to find out what Futsal and the school are all about. On this special day, all those attending will also have the opportunity to meet with some national team play- ers from the four different nations taking part in this preliminary round qualification tournament. All those interested in joining this open day event may apply within the Malta Futsal School. For more information please contact 79016016 or e-mail [email protected]. Malta Futsal School holds session every Thursday at De La Salle College. 21 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 BOWLING Fifth Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championships Qualifiers Sullivan, Caruana Scicluna, Abela, and Carannante for Kuala Lumpur event THE local qualifying tournament for the fifth edition of the Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championships, was recently held by the Malta Tenpin Bowling Association at the Eden SuperBowl, St. Julian’s. After three bowling sessions and a total of 24 games, the qualifying athletes who will now represent Malta in Kuala Lumpur next month were Neil Sullivan and Justin Caruana Scicluna from the men’s division, and Sue Abela and Tiziana Carannante from the ladies’ field. Men’s Division: Sullivan never loses sight of victory 2010 National Champion, Neil Sullivan, has been enjoying the most successful period of his bowling career for many months, and the resulting confidence in his game was evident from day one of these Commonwealth qualifiers. It did not take long for Sullivan to set the pace for his peers in the first eight game session, with highs of 216, 223 and 236 helping him into the top spot with a 204.2 game average (1634), ahead of veteran Paul Baldacchino in second place on 1601. Day two saw a switch from the ‘short’ lane condition used for the front eight games, to a longer oil pattern. Sullivan was little affected by the change, retaining his scoring level and sound consistency sound to hang onto the top spot with 3277 pins from sixteen games (204.8 ave). There was a change below him in second, as Baldacchino suffered on the changed patter, allowing Dennis Mercieca to ease through on a 3214 tally (200.8 ave), with Justin Caruana Scicluna hot on his heels in third place on a straight 3200 total. Day three was the most challenging for all, with the lane oil pattern alternating lane by lane between the short and long patterns adopted. This system can easily knock a bowler out of synch, and there was some inconsistent play all round, but again Neil Sullivan was equal to the challenge, rolling a 1361 set for a tournament winning total of 4821 (200.8 ave), stamping on his winning seal with a 24th for invincible Abela game of 246, his best of the tournament. Meanwhile Mercieca and Caruana Scicluna were locked in a tough battle for the second qualifying place, which went right down to the wire. In the end it was the youngster, Justin Caruana Scicluna, who prevailed, taking second with a 4759 total (198.2 ave), a mere sixteen pins ahead of a disappointed Mercieca on 4743. Ladies’ Division: No match Sue Abela has been at the forefront of tenpin bowling in Malta for many a year, scooping near countless honours and titles both locally and also in the international arena. Once again Abela topped the stakes in the V Commonwealth ladies division, winning it with typical ease. The scrap for the second qualifying spot was eventually won by youth champion Tiziana Carannante. Sue Abela powered into the top spot from the opening game of day one, and never looked like being budged from there as the event took its course. She finished day one with 1559 pins, including top games of 227, 214 and 219. Tiziana Carannante established herself in second with 1452 pins , ahead of Josephine Borg on 1355. The top two held their positions throughout the middle eight, with Sue stretching her wood lead to 163 pins on 3121, while Tiziana looked comfortable in second place on 2958, well up on third place which was now occupied by Joanna Attard on 2716. Day three and the dual oil pattern came around, and after all 24 games were completed little had changed in the ladies competition as Sue Abela finished no less than 458 ahead of the chasers on 4772 pins (198.8 ave), with Tiziana Carannante earning her ticket to Kuala Lumpur with a second place total of 4314 (179.7 ave). Joanna Attard was left in third place on 4157 pins. Team Malta, made up of Neil Sullivan, Justin Caruana Scicluna, Sue Abela and Tiziana Carannante, will now represent Malta in the V Commonwealth Championships, to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between the 19th and 27th of February. Their participation is being made possible thanks to backing from the MOC, KMS, the Ministry responsible for sport, and also the Eden SuperBowl which provides the required training facilities to enable adequate preparation for Malta’s bowlers prior to their trip to Kuala Lumpur. Further details can be found on the official Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Federation website: www.ctbf.org Importers of hand-knotted Oriental carpets THE FLYING CARPET - OLD RAILWAY TRACK, ATTARD .PO5VFT5IVST4BUBNoQNt8FEOFTEBZNPSOJOHDMPTFE .PO'SJoQNQN *NQPSUFSTPG7BSJPVTIBOELOPUUFEDBSQFUTBOE,JMJNT /PO4MJQ6OEFSMBZ%SZBOE-JRVJETIBNQPP.PCJMF/P 22 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 FOOTBALL RUGBY Overseas Rugby Union Football Club present new sponsors and launch Womens Division Inter coach Leonardo shares a joke with the players Leonardo: ‘Let’s make the game in hand count’ INTER coach Leonardo has emphasised that tonight’s match against Cesena is very important for Inter. The match is a must win for Inter. With Milan losing points in the last two matches, a victory for Inter would open up the title race. Inter have two games in-hand and the match tonight against Cesena is one of them. If Inter defeat Cenesa they will move within six points of leaders Milan with a game in-hand. “The first few minutes are decisive because they set the pattern for the match. The way you approach a game is important and against Bologna it was virtually perfect. We’ll try to do the same again tomorrow against Cesena.” Were the opening words of Inter coach Leonardo at yesterday’s press conference. “This team is perfectly capable of adapting to and playing against any formation or tactics,” the coach went on. He then explained why Thiago Motta wasn’t in the squad: “Motta has been left out of the squad so he can have a rest; it’s not a serious problem, just a minor thing that needs to be sorted out. I don’t consider it an injury; he just needs to sit out for a bit so he can recover.” Sulley Muntari, on the other hand, is in tomorrow’s match-day squad: “Muntari is available and he’s in the squad for the game. It’s up to him what he decides to do in the end, but he’s looked good over the last few days so that’s why he’s been included.” On tonight’s match Leonardo continued “It’s a situation we need to take advantage of, be- cause of course we’re the only ones playing. It’s a game in hand that could turn out to be crucial. And anyway, we have to concentrate on no one else but ourselves. It would be wrong to sit down and try to figure out all the ifs and maybes.” It’s impossible for a team like Inter to give up on the idea of winning something important, no matter what difficulties they have had. If Ayrton Senna has problems with his car and he starts from the back of the grid, he still thinks he can win the race; it’s impossible for him not to; it’s in his DNA. It’s always like that. But we do have to concentrate on one game at a time and the most important game now is tomorrow’s against Cesena: that’s the game we have to do well in and the team knows it,” concluded Leonardo. Aston Villa complete record signing of Bent ASTON Villa have signed Darren Bent from Sunderland in a club-record deal that could rise to £24 million. Bent has signed a four-and-ahalf year contract at Ville Park after passing a medical. Bent could make his debut against Manchester City this Saturday. “Aston Villa is a massive football club and as soon as I knew they were interested in signing me I wanted to join,” Bent said. “The size of the football club and the history of the club are major reasons for me coming here. “There are some top, top players here too, real quality, and I’ve been able to speak to the manager and the owner about their ambitions for the club. I’m very excited about being a part of what we hope to Darren Bent achieve.” The former Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham striker scored 24 Premier League goals last season and is the third-high- est scorer in England over the past three years, behind only Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney. AT a reception held at Club 47 in Madliena on last week, the Overseas Rugby Union Football Club presented the sponsors of the club for seasons 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13 together with an overview of the Club’s plans for the future. The Club has sealed a three season deal with both Eurosport and BMIT Limited. Livingwell will once again be the official fitness partner with the traditional third half being hosted at Footloose Fun Bar, Paceville. In addition, Overseas launched its new kit for coming seasons. Club President Mr Brian Dalton spoke about the improvements the club has gone through over the past few seasons. These ranged from becoming registered with the Malta Sports Council through to recruiting young players and increasing members. Another big development for the current season was the establishment of the Club’s Womens’ Division (dubbed the ‘OverSHES’). Mr Dalton mentioned the long history of the club, originally founded in 1946, and how its current representation carries on this legacy by promoting itself as an international club open to all. Mr Dalton stressed that rugby in Malta in its current state is still an amateur sport and it would not be correct to promote it as otherwise. This limited the possibilities available but allowed a ‘reality check’ whereby sustainable plans could be developed without putting too much burden on volunteers running the clubs. Following a healthy period of growth the Club is now looking to establish a more permanent base by entering into talks with local councils with a view to twinning. This would allow it to start its most desired project – setting up a youth academy. More information on the Club can be found on the website – www. overseasrufc.com. Prior to the presentation, a minute’s silence was observed for the passing away of Robert Attard, an Under 18 rugby player. 23 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 OPINION Future not taken for Granted and though Grant has managed to get the best out of an underperformed team, their best is no where near good enough. Despite all this, Grant remains with his head held high and braves the media despite rumours suggesting West Ham are already looking for his replacement, and were due to sack him irrespective of the result against Arsenal. Right now West Ham are a sinking ship, as their new owners are still settling and a move to the new Olympic Stadium is pondered. The club’s finances allow for lower budget signings, and lower paid managers, and they would rather opt for a low income boss with higher survival bonuses, so attracting a top manager wont be easy. Sam Allardyce, Dave Jones, Roy Hodgson, Chris Hughton and Martin O’Neil still sit in unemployment rooms (or play endless rounds of golf), however all men might not settle for a contract due to a lower wage than their current compensation. To many, West Ham seemed relegated before a ball had been kicked, however Grant has dragged them through the mud in order to make sure they are still not detached from survival. Sadly, Grant’s bubble seems to have been burst and his departure is imminent, and again HAVING played the most games in the league and acquiring the least points is hardly going to make anybody’s day. The mood in the West Ham camp seems to be one of desperation. Emotional handshakes and applauses mirrored those of a farewell party, and Saturdays 3-0 defeat to Arsenal might have been just that for United manager Avram Grant. Results and fortunes have been hiding for the Hammers this season, who currently prop up the table with a poor 20 points from 23 games. It has been an uphill struggle from day one to the Hammers, however in these times I must give maximum credit to humble manager Grant and the Iron fans who applauded him despite the defeats. Avram Grant seems to be a man who loves a challenge. His time at Chelsea was never going to be easy, filling in Special shoes, while his time at Pompey was harder than asking a newborn to climb everest. Times at West Ham do not seem any different, he inherited a second rate team, who unfortunately belong in the Championship. Criticising a team I follow whole heartedly is never easy, however some of the players at West Ham can not distinguish between their earhole and their nostril, his life span was only that of six months. Six months to plug a whole bigger than that in the Titanic’s hull: mission impossible. Grant is not to blame for the teams position, as even the likes of Sir Alex would have struggled at Upton Park this season. Any of his proposed replacements will also struggle to keep them up, as he will only have two weeks to make any new signings, and the clock is ticking. Robbie Keane’s deal is delayed as he wants assurances over the club’s future manager, while Steve Sidwell never joined due to increasing instability at the club. Two new signings would have boosted the team, who also snapped up Wayne Bridge from Man City last weekend, however as many have preached before, sandy terrains don’t hold the best foundation. West Ham will now be planning two budgets for next season: one for a Championship club, and another for a Premier League survivor. Though no one likes to see his/her club crumble down a division, one season away from the big time can do a world of good: just look at Newcastle United, who finished 18th two seasons ago, and now sit comfortably happy in an impressive eighth place.West Ham’s squad needs an overhaul, and three months in Avram Grant deserves an established club the Summer won’t be enough. My personal choice would be Martin O’Neill, however we’ve all seen how well Roy Hodgson coped when Fulham where in a similar position, so this might be his sort of territory. Sam’s style might suit the club, however when Alan Curbishley used similar tactics fans often jeered that it was too boring and “like watching (Championship side)” Charlton, deeming the 4-5-1 used as too negative. Who ever replaces the gentle giant is irrelevant for now, as Grant himself still sits in his office scratching his head, practicing his departure speech. Avram Grant deserves to finally inherit a stable club, not a blair witch project, and maybe a club with the standards of Bolton, Sunderland, Birmingham or Villa. Give the man a proper job and don’t ask him to shine the walls of London’s dirtiest tube line! Pursuits Across 1. Powerful dog (7) 4. Paving substance (7) 8. Superb (11) 12. Increase in size (4) 13. Yellow metallic element (4) 14. Toss (5) 15. Bequest (6) 17. Purchaser (5) 22. State in the central United States (4) 23. Make amends (5) 24. Canines (4) 25. Seraglio (5) 28. Minister (6) 30. Men (5) 32. Apparatus for weaving (4) 34. House rodents (4) 35. Using obscene language (4-7) 38. Sunset (7) 39. Opposes (7) Sudoku Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 9x9 box. Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday Last week’s solution Chess Today’s Weather 8 8 WEATHER: Rather cloudy with the possibility of an isolated shower 7 6 7 5 4 6 VISIBILITY: Good locally moderate to good at first 3 5 2 1 4 A 3 B C D E F G 1. Qc1 Ra8 2. Qxh6# (Qxc4#) 2 1. .... Bg5 2. Qxc4# (Ng7#) 1 A B C D E F G H White to play and mate in two moves 1. ... Bxc1 2. Ng7# WIND: Variable mainly Westerly force 2 to 3 SEA: Slight SWELL: Low Easterly locally negligible H MOSTLY CLOUDY 16ºC / 9ºC UV INDEX: 2 Down 1. Margarine (5) 2. Melt (4) 3. Amusement (3) 5. Not sweet (3) 6. Suspended (4) 7. Most tender (9) 8. Additional (4) 9. Indolently (4) 10. Charged particles (4) 11. Member of the Conservative Party (4) 14. Fragment (5) 16. Wine fruit (5) 18. Unwarranted (5) 19. Blind (9) 20. Leap on one foot (3) 21. Fruit (5) 26. Upper covering of a house (4) 27. Injury (4) 28. Republic in W South America (4) 29. Stated (4) 31. Trials (5) 33. Emotional state (4) 34. Lake or pond (4) 36. Not high (3) 37. Label (3) News Kenneth Wain maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 2011 Maria Grech Ganado Lino Spiteri Authors and academics defend ‘pornographic’ short story CHERISE ABELA AUTHORS, academics and journalists yesterday testified in defence of Alex Vella Gera’s infamous Li Tkisser Sewwi: a short story that was banned from campus in 2009, and for which the acclaimed author stands accused of ‘distributing pornography’. Novelist Lino Spiteri, lecturer Kenneth Wain, anthropologist Ranier Fsadni and poet Maria Grech Ganado, among others, defended the piece of fiction on the grounds that it truly reflection of a part of society that would never merit being banned. They were testifying before Magistrate Audrey Demicoli in the case instituted against Alex Vella Gera by the police, following a report submitted by University rector Prof. Juanito Camilleri, who has already testified The bulk of the witnesses fielded by the defence yesterday alos described the possible effect that restricting the short story – a first-person account of a misogynist published in the pamphlet Ir-Realtà – would have on society in general. At the start of his testimony, author and former Labour minister Lino Spiteri mentioned that he has been active in the literary scene for 55 years. He said that when he read Vella Gera’s piece he noted it was a good and strong example of the social reality on which he himself has written, considering it as “a piece of literary and moral work”. He said that when one writes in the first person, as Vella Gera had done in his short story, he is “passing on to the reader the practical example of the worst part of our society.” Spiteri also said that he recently found out that one of his own books, which won the Book Award two years ago, is now banned from secondary schools and wondered why what he had written has such an effect now. University professor Kenneth Wain said in his testimony that the controversy on Li Tkisser Sewwi was a common occurrence abroad, citing examples such as the banning of Lady Chatterley’s Lover or Marquis de Sade’s work. Ironically, Lady Chatterley’s Lover was one of a number of classic novels – which also included Spiteri’s , mentioned above - to have recently removed from school libraries. Wain said that Vella Gera’s short story, as distinct from an article, should not be compared to pornography. “In this case, it leaves no space for one’s imagination and it is a literature of excess realism in that the reason to be excessive is in fact not to be pornographic, but going beyond to make a statement.” Ranier Fsadni, a lecturer in anthropology and a columnist for The Times, was surprised that people had confused this with a journalistic ‘article’. He said the short story was an example of “stream of con- sciousness” and that it was clear that the author’s point of view was different from that of the protagonist. Maria Grech Ganado, poet and former lecturer at the University of Malta and Junior College, said she was disgusted by the main character in the story, but argued that the author wanted to portray a protagonist actually disgusts the reader. She mentioned how even a renowned author such as Charles Dickens wrote shocking things about children and child-labour in Victorian England. Albert Gatt, from the University of Malta’s institute of linguistics, said it was common to also find real men who treated women in the manner that Vella Gera’s character does. He said the story, depicting small episodes of sexual conquests, was similar to other foreign authors’ works. Adrian Grima, a lecturer in Maltese literature the University of Malta, said the short story actually condemned its main character through the way he boasts of his violent, sexual conquests. “The story provides a window to a reality which in fact exists. Do we want to know what lies in the abyss?” Grima asked, arguing that in analysing our darker sides, it helps society understand itself. The witnesses also agreed that while restrictions exists on what language actually is published, the internet opens a window to far harsher and cruder subjects. They even said the short ‘Maltese literature remains, as it was a long time ago, a backwater that is not corresponding to literary development as in other countries’ - Ranier Fsadni Ranier Fsadni in fact referred to it as an experiment, and that such experiments in the literary camps help others to seek other directions and improve. Wain added that the island had to mature and realise that it was part of a bigger world. “Maltese literature remains, as it was a long time ago, a backwater that is not corresponding to literary development as in other countries. While children should be protected, the situation is different when talking to adults and such restrictions rather make us a childish society.” Maria Grech Ganado said society was not about “patriotism, religion and family… Literature allows us to accept the differences in human beings and that brings with it compassion. Stopping authors from writing in that way would not only go against the Maltese literary interests but also Maltese moral interests.” story’s main character was modelled on people they themselves had met in real life. Rather than using an unknown form of language, it is an example of classic social realism, they argued. When asked what would be the effect on Maltese literature if the writer’s right to express himself were inhibited, the witnesses agreed the effect would be disabling of literature in general. “Inhibiting authors writing in good faith would be prohibiting them from expressing themselves, and in turn, prohibiting Maltese literature from expanding as foreign literature did,” Grima said. “Had Vella Gera’s work not been in Maltese it would have never created a quarter of the attention it did. It draws attention because being in the Maltese language, it shows us who we are and perhaps, we don’t wish to ask ourselves that question.” Next Sunday in Maltatoday: 888."-5"50%": $0..5 maltatoday SUNDAYt+"/ 6"3: t*446& t16#-*4)&%&7&3:8 &%/&4%":"/% 46/%": Jean Pierre Farrugia, a man with a mission? Next Sunday in Illum: Peter Serracino Inglott interviewed €1.00 FFOOD - KAREN MU MUGLIETT Pgs 26-27 Pg SAVIOUR BALZAN OPINI O ON ON Avukat interrogata dwar fjammi u David Dav Gatt Paġna 2 Pgs 15 Ford xiħ wisq għall-films Paġna 21 UB+BOOBSrNr 222 Se jkun mixlii li ffroda lil ħutu f’wirt €0.65
