Memory Lane - 01/09/2002

Talking to Paul Carachi

Paul Carachi has given many years to politics, 10 of them as a Labour MP. At age 76 he holds the fort alone for the MLP on Balzan Local Council. But he's not under siege. "We are five Balzan residents and there's no politics involved. All we do is for the good of the residents."

His decade as an MP straddled the change in government in 1971. Always a backbencher, Carachi achieved prominence as a Labour figure. Whether in government or in opposition, he was constantly immersed in his constituency.

He's always had a passion for journalism: in 1941 he joined Allied Malta Newspapers Ltd. where he was promoted from salesboy delivering newspapers to reporter and later assistant foreign news editor and assistant night editor.

"I owe a lot to The Times. They gave me the chance and I took it." Carachi joined the MLP in 1960 and was appointed assistant editor of the Party's weekly, The Voice of Malta. He was then employed by the GWU, and was appointed editor of the Union's daily which he christened himself : L -Orizzont.

"I was also the first editor of the Unions' English newspaper, Malta News" he recalls. He launched the tabloid journalism and investigative reporting in Malta.

"One of my reports on the mental hospital was quite a revelation and provoked Minister Paul Borg Olivier to hold a press conference in response my story. It has caused a tremendous stir." Mr Carachi said.

"Another incident I remember was the manhunt for Cikku Fenech of Mosta. No one had a photo of the escapee. I got hold of the man's picture causing an uproar. Police Headquarters in Floriana had a row with the Mosta Police station about it." Mr Carachi was also stringer to the Daily Mirror. The contact gave him access to tabloid techniques which he put to good use.

Very active on the MLP National Executive Committee and Assistant International Secretary took the plunge contesting the 1962 general elections. That first unsuccessful attempt whet his appetite and he was elected the following two elections. He withdrew from politics when he failed to retain his seat in 1976.

In September 1979 he resigned from the Union Press to work as editor for other organisations. In 1984 he was employed as producer and broadcaster in the newsroom at Xandir Malta, serving until his retirement in 1987.

In 1995 he founded and led the Movement Balzani ghall-Kunsilli Lokali (The Balzan Movement for Local Councils) and successfully contested the local council elections in 1996. He was elected the next two.

"I left Vittoriosa during the war and went to live in Birkirkara. The war was terrifying in the Cottonera area. From Birkirkara I moved to Balzan, which was hit but lightly by the enemy. Keeping the family safe has been a constant through 53 years of marriage."

Professor Frendo once described me as 'the giant of Maltese journalists,' The credit should go to The Times and the Union Press, to the likes of Anton Cassar and Lino Spiteri who were a great help and foreign contacts such as Sir Hugh Gudlipp, today a peer in the House of Lords." says Mr Carachi.

He has words of praise for his fellow councillors in Balzan: "All four are working wonders for this beautiful village. Although I have been unwell for the past month, the four PN candidates still make the effort to take my opinion on council business"

He said that the Main Street, Balzan will soon be tarmacked. It's also thanks to a motion he brought at the Local Council. He said that permits have been issued by MEPA and the work will start soon.

Mr Carachi is also in favour of the building of a retirement home at Balzan. He has often raised the issue and now it looks as if it will be possible in the very near future.

Paul Carachi's autobiography will be out for sale shortly. It should make interesting reading.

Paul Carachi was speaking to RAY ABDILLA.