By John Bonello

Malta has been a port of call for many ships crossing the Mediterranean since time immemorial. Our geographical position made our shores a natural choice for naval authorities. Probably, this was also the reason why foreign powers thought it necessary to have Malta as a colony.

Since 1987, the Maltese Constitution proclaims our republic as a neutral and non-aligned state. This clause found itself in our country’s basic law in exchange for a truly representative legislature, when the Malta Labour Party conceded that the party obtaining most votes would get most seats, thus allowing true democracy to work.

The presence of foreign warships was an issue thirteen years ago when the British asked, and obtained, permission from the Maltese government for HMS Ark Royal to call in Malta. Notwithstanding that courtesy calls by foreign warships were always welcome since independence, the Malta Labour Party, then in opposition, did its best to create a negative public opinion. The House of Representatives adopted a resolution saying, in brief, that nuclear weapons aboard warships should be kept out of Maltese territory. The same day Parliament discussed this motion, Labour Party supporters blocked the Grand Harbour by taking control of a tanker. Today, certain standpoints are losing momentum. Common sense is prevailing in many sine qua non issues.

Until this day, warships have been continuously going in and out of our ports without any real civil dissent. Probably many people look forward to these movements. Apart from giving some colour to our wharves, they contribute in various ways to our economy.

The idea that these movements impair our neutrality is undoubtedly ill founded. None of the warships that called in Malta since 1987 was involved in any aggression. At best, they were involved in peacekeeping missions, a duty any wealthy state must shoulder.

What can really cause harm is the isolationist policy some think appropriate for Malta. This argument is contrary to the logical approach Malta should take in foreign affairs, just like any other small but self-respecting state pursues.

Mr Bonello is MZPN’s Secretary General

 
By Victor Fiorini

Saying that warships come to Malta for ‘courtesy’ visits is very unreal. Most of them come to Malta while on training in the Mediterranean, implying that warships need to come here.

Apart from that, warships come in our ports with a long-term plan. They come and give donations – including community work by marines. But why? The contract between the USS La Salle and the Dockyard is a perfect example. From simple visits, we have accepted to repair warships, and Minister Josef Bonnici is boasting about more warship tenders that the Dockyard is bidding for. It is obvious that warships are coming to Malta for visits in order to obtain something greater from this island in the future.

Maltese neutrality is being lost: the number of warships entering our ports is intensifying.

Our MPs have also attended to a celebration on a US warship recently. We must not forget that in the Balkan Wars, Malta agreed not to provide Yugoslavia with oil supplies. Our neutrality is at risk. The question whether Malta is neutral or not is difficult to answer anymore.

Warships should not enter our ports also because of the propaganda they are making to the armaments industry. Warships have become a prime attraction for Maltese, including children. Instead of being shown for what they are, warships are depicted as ‘beautiful’ and people are mesmerised by hi-tech armaments. We are being taught that wars are a just and proper means for a nation to achieve what it wants. These visits are just advertising armaments.

The argument that these warships inject money in our economy is a very shameful argument. The right for people to live safely without wars is much more important.

How can we say that warships are making courtesy visits when they are carrying armaments? When people make courtesy visits, they do not go armed.

The vision of Malta as a neutral country that promotes peace is threatened from these increasing visits by warships. Should Malta be involved in promoting armaments?

In the name of common sense I hope not!

Mr Fiorini is Secretary General and PRO of the Graffitti Movement.