News • 01 DECEMBER 2002

Maltese golf course policy surfaces in globalisation debate

By Marika Azzopardi

St Andrews – "It is not Government policy to have a golf course in Rabat," this was stated by Finance minister John Dalli during a debate on globalisation. This was by far the most newsworthy statement made yesterday during one of the discussions held at an international seminar hosted by Alternattiva Demokratika on behalf of the Mediterranean Network of the European Federation of Green Parties.

When a member of Graffiti queried the government’s stand on the proposed golf course at Rabat, Minister Dalli surprised one and all by making the unprecedented statement.

Nonetheless, Mr Dalli reiterated that the Nationalist Government believes that another golf course in Malta, and one in Gozo are needed in order to compete with other Mediterranean venues.

To which, Alternattiva’s Deputy Chairperson Mario Mallia replied that by the same criteria we should indulge in creating skiing holidays just to compete with Switzerland’s Alps.

Speakers at the day-long seminar voiced different opinions and diplomatically correct speeches on the topic of free trade and globalisation. Talk veered from the central theme to widely incorporate golf courses, merchant shipping and coffee.

In this particular discussion speakers included Finance Minister John Dalli, Labour Party spokesperson for finance Leo Brincat, Alternattiva’s Mario Mallia and Jean Lambert, Green Member of the European Parliament.

Mario Mallia said that Alternattiva is not anti-global and stressed that a lot is being taken for granted and condemned the one-size-fits-all arrangement imposed on world economics. He added that AD believes the EU will certainly provide the necessary anchor to keep Malta afloat in the infested waters of the open market. However he deplored the lack of accountability and transparency of the EU, referring on a sideline to the recent dismissal of Malta’s quest for the retention of the law prohibiting soft drinks being bottled in plastic bottles.

The tensions arising from the concept of globalisation were referred to by Minister Dalli who reminded the audience of the barricades created around this idea and asked just what is so scary about it. In his speech he referred to the many facets of a new global civil society, which however still excludes those who are unable to keep up. "The challenge is to manage the process of globalisation in such a way that it promotes environmental sustainability and equitable human development. The EU model is a shining example in this respect."

Labour spokesman Leo Brincat admitted that there is a choice in the direction which globalisation takes, even though one cannot curb innovations. The MLP spokesperson said that we cannot do away with globalisation but can make it equitable, sustainable and inclusive in the face of many challenges. "We need to be party to solutions, we need to understand globalisation and ascertain that the correct policies are in place."

The only female representative on this particular panel, Jean Lambert, stated outright that she doesn’t agree with the concept that globalisation is inevitable especially since it has been a very clear political choice right from the start, made in collaboration with industry.

She referred to the imbalance pervading globalisation and especially to the G8 meeting where 481 people represented delegations from the eight major countries, whilst the world’s 39 poorest countries only had 276 representatives.

The floor presented a medley of questions dealing with both international and national concerns. Regarding the dangers created by increased traffic of oil tankers in the Mediterranean, Minister Dalli confirmed that the issue of older ships has to be tackled together with the assurance that standards are maintained.

The focus of the discussion than shifted to the pro-active approach of national governments in a bid to encourage fair trade, in particular coffee. To this Mr Dalli conceded that the government does not have a pro-active policy regarding fair traded coffee.