interview


ARNOLD CASSOLA

The historic choice ahead

ALTERNATTIVA DEMOKRATIKA’S ARNOLD CASSOLA, WHILE ON HIS BRUSSELS SUMMER BREAK, FOUND TIME TO SPEAK TO KURT SANSONE ON THE PAINS AND GAINS OF EU MEMBERSHIP, ALFRED SANT’S DEMOCRATIC CREDENTIALS AND AD’S ELECTORAL CHANCES.

Dr Arnold Cassola has been one of the foremost advocates in favour of Malta’s EU membership, however he is also one to admit that Malta will have to experience pain.

"The people of Malta and Gozo face a stark choice in front of them," he emphasises. "We either face short term pain and experience long term gain or else restructure at our own pace and remain out of the block. The latter option would mean no funds would be available to help us in the restructuring process," Dr Cassola insists.

He queries the Labour Party’s wisdom when it says it does not want to raise taxes and at the same time stay out of the EU. "From where will Dr Sant bring the funds to clean up our environment, or is he not bothered about cleaning up?"

Dr Cassola occupies one of the highest posts on a European political level, as secretary general of the European Greens. I ask him whether his pro-EU stand stems from the fact that he earns his wage from Brussels.

He answers sternly, "I disagree completely." Dr Cassola explains that 31 delegates representing Green Parties all around Europe elected him to his post in Brussels.

"Mine is not a fixed job. I was elected for three years," he says admitting that he earns a good wage.

Dr Cassola reiterates his pro-EU belief. "I am in favour of the EU because I believe it is a good thing for the people of Malta and Gozo."

But what should Maltese workers expect from the EU?

"Decent working conditions and a greater emphasis on health and safety," is his prompt reply. Dr Cassola adds, "EU Directives state that people should not work more then 48 hours per week, including over time. This means that Maltese workers will have more leisure time, more quality time to spend with their children and family, more time to travel and engage in cultural events."

However, upgrading Malta’s industry and work places to EU standards has its problems. Dr Cassola admits that some sectors will feel the pain.

"Maltese industry has been built on cheap labour and whether Malta joins the EU or not the situation cannot go on. This is why the restructuring process is an important step. Ten years ago we knew that industry needed to transform, but unfortunately the process only started in 1998. We are now in the situation were changes that should have been implemented over a ten year period have to be implemented in two or three years time."

I highlight two sectors, which will definitely feel the pinch – the drydocks and agriculture.

Dr Cassola does not mince his words. "It is a fact that government would not be able to subsidise the Drydocks to keep it on its feet, however subsidies linked to a restructuring program can be maintained," he adds.

Turning to agriculture, Dr Cassola has no qualms about the issue. He stresses that Alternattiva Demokratika has been insisting with government to implement the Rural Development Plan, without which no serious assessment of the sector can be done.

"Government’s lethargy in the agriculture sector is very worrying. While in industry we have only started restructuring recently, in agriculture we have not even started the process. Furthermore, Farmers’ Associations are in the dark even if they should be the first ones to be consulted on changes in the sector."

Dr Cassola reiterates AD’s belief that local agriculture should target niche products and migrate towards organic farming. "Organic farming is a lengthy process that will definitely mean a loss of money for farmers until the fields are truly pesticide and fertiliser free," Dr Cassola explains. He insists that government should negotiate on this matter and ask for funds that are already available to facilitate the restructuring process."

I ask Dr Cassola about the impression he gets from Brussels about Malta’s importance or not to the union and what he thinks about our close relations to the Arab world.

"The EU considers Malta to be simply a small country that poses no problems to the union. The only problems Malta posed because of its size, were institutional ones, which have now been solved by the Nice Treaty. Furthermore, our geo-strategic position close to the North African countries is surpassed by the EU’s Euro-Med process. The EU does not need us to forge good relations with the Arab world because agreements are already in place with North African countries. In this sense Malta has no special contribution to make, as many seem to believe."

I dwell on the Labour Party’s ‘Switzerland in the Mediterranean’ option and ask Dr Cassola what he thinks about the special arrangement the Labour Party wants.

"Ask Alfred Sant," is his immediate response, "I do not know what special arrangement this is and neither does the EU."

Dr Cassola expounds on the matter. "It would be interesting if the Labour Party would come out with a draft contract detailing its negotiating position on the 31 different chapters. Only then can we really know what Labour wants and we can also compare the ‘Swiss’ option with membership," Dr Cassola reiterates.

He stresses that if Malta freezes its application one more time the country will have to wait indefinitely to re-apply. Dr Cassola says that in EU corridors Malta is considered to be an unreliable country because of the internal indecision on EU membership.

"If Malta misses the first wave of countries in 2004, it will be left on the sidelines because the EU’s priority will then be the Balkans for security reasons and the already declared countries, Bulgaria and Romania."
Dr Cassola says that German government officials have informally hinted to Maltese representatives that if Malta changes its opinion once again on membership it should refrain from re-starting EU negotiations for the next 16 years.

"Even if such statements were made half-jokingly, they indicate that the EU wants to see a clear signal. This is why I think there is speculation of an early election because it would settle Malta’s foreign policy direction once and for all," Dr Cassola adds regretfully.

The discussion turns to the election and Alternattiva’s participation. I wonder what Dr Cassola thinks about the popular perception that a vote for AD is a wasted vote, more so when the next election is a do or die for the EU issue.

"Not at all," he rebuts. "On the contrary it is the clearest vote of all in favour of the EU because we have a reasoned position that is explained clearly."

Dr Cassola anticipates my next question on the possibility of AD’s pro-EU vote hurting the Nationalist Party’s chances of taking Malta into the EU.

"Let us assume the Nationalist Party obtains 46% and the Labour Party obtains 49%, with AD gathering the other 5%. Even though Labour would have obtained the largest share, the majority of people would still be pro-EU, albeit with differing views on the issue."

Dr Cassola makes it a point to stress that the EU issue should be determined by the referendum. I interject that with Alfred Sant’s non-recognition of a referendum result, the deciding factor will remain the election.

"Sant does not have any democratic credentials if he does not recognise a referendum result. When the Irish voted ‘no’ in the Nice referendum Sant had gone on record saying that he respects the Irish decision. So why doesn’t he respect the Maltese’s decision as well?"

Dr Cassola believes that what is decided by a referendum must be undone by another referendum and not by an election. He stresses that the referendum result will threaten the leadership of Fenech Adami or Sant depending on who ends on the losing end.

The Green europhile believes that a way out of the referendum impasse is to hold the referendum and the general election on the same day.

"This would safeguard democracy and prevent Sant from blackmailing the country. The people would have two choices in front of them when they go and vote," Dr Cassola explains.

I popped the million-dollar question. Who would AD support if elected to parliament?

"This still has to be discussed however, we are clear about our pro-EU stand. Our European outlook means that we have an ingrained coalition culture. In all EU countries except Britain, coalition governments are the norm. We would therefore form a coalition with those people whom we can negotiate most of our electoral programme with."

Even so the major concern remains the stability factor.

Dr Cassola draws on the experiences of Green Parties in other European countries to play down the stability issue.

"A coalition means that you have to give and take. The Green seats in the German, French, Finnish and Belgian parliaments do not threaten the stability of the respective governments. Only unreasonable people blackmail and AD is proving to be reasonable and credible. It is definitely not in our interest to blackmail any party," he stresses.

Recently published polls indicate that AD is gaining credibility among the public. I ask Dr Cassola what he thinks about these results. "They show that we are a credible party with a pro-EU stand but not afraid to explain both the pros and cons of membership."

Alternattiva is synonymous with environmental issues, but I wonder whether the party has any economic and fiscal policies.

Dr Cassola emphasises that the discourse on the environment encompasses other issues such as health, public transport, tourism, roads, the quality of among others. He explains that with tourism being a major economic contributor, by tackling environmental issues Malta will be ensuring a healthy tourist industry.

Dr Cassola expounds, "The economics are simple. If we take care of our environment we are saving money, especially on our hefty health bill." He points out that even ST Microelectronics’ Italian CEO Pasquale Pistorio has said recently that going green is an economic investment in itself.

He explains AD’s fiscal policy based on a tax system advocating the polluters pay principle. This is a system by which the tax burden on labour is reduced and instead transferred to the amount of pollution the industry creates.

Dr Cassola says that AD will be launching its new manifesto in October. "Currently AD is drafting its policies on a number of issues. We are consulting experts and people outside AD for their opinions and suggestions. The manifesto will reflect the input we are receiving from NGOs and civil society."

I ask Dr Cassola on his bumpy relationship with former AD chairman Dr Wenzu Mintoff, who is now back in the Labour fold.

"All I can say is that we have not spoken for a long time, I believe since my election to the post of Secretary General of the European Greens."

I On Henry Vassallo he says: "The style of leadership has definitely changed and this is being reflected in the opinion polls. AD Chairperson, Harry Vassallo has managed to craft out a clear vision for AD and electors are being presented with a clearer choice."