Opinion • October 19 2003

Down memory lane

Saviour Balzan is back with comments on George Abela, peadophilia and satansim

George Abela the man who, together with Alfred Sant and George Vella, relegated the Nationalist government to the opposition benches in 1996 and kicked Malta’s EU membership bid out of the window is today standing in as a radio journalist.
Somewhat strangely this Saturday he hosted his former boss Alfred Sant and former Prime Minister and former Labour leader Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici in a programme on Radio Malta. The three Labour leaders, who have had extremely strained relations over the years, managed to spend a civil two hours together, but not all was probably what met our ears.
This was probably the first time in months that George Abela and Alfred Sant met each other in a public forum to discuss politics Dr Abela had left the party in 1998 after the MLP’s general conference opted for early elections.
It was widely reported that he had big differences with Alfred Sant. Privately he lamented about Alfred Sant’s undemocratic tactics. In the end, I think it was one big personality clash, even if neither of them will admit it.
Yes, Alfred Sant is not exactly an easygoing chap, and if you plan to be leader of a party, avoid pretending to be a marsh mallow.
Earmarked by many as a replacement for Alfred Sant, George Abela has failed to come forward to challenge the former Harvard graduate losing his chance of leading the Labour party, probably forever.
After the 1998 election, it transpires that George Abela reformed his opinion about EU membership and was roped into MEUSAC.
Together with a loose network of Labour dissidents, he was picked out of the Labour party diaspora by the PN to help them decimate the credibility of the Alfred Sant. In all fairness they succeeded in denting his image, but not sinking him.
The Nationalists did however manage to convince everyone that using former foes to pounce on adversaries was ethical and acceptable.
Now it has to be said that Alfred Sant, who is often ruled out as a man who could take Labour to another victory, is gaining respect and credibility with the antics of Mintoff and Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici.
Even though the Nationalist media is having a whale of a time with the internecine conflict they seem to forget that in four years time they would have effectively have been in government for 21 years and there is nothing that says that Dr Sant will not succeed.
Naming the perverts
Two weeks ago The Times came out in big style arguing that one should not publish names of alleged paedophiles unless they have been found guilty. Then some days later in a bland front-page snippet they decided to publish the names.
Well, I am pleased The Times newsroom ignored the spirit of its own editorial. It is so nice to see people forget what their diverse contributors write in their leaders.
I cannot say I am pleased that the three priests will be treated unlike other alleged paedophiles and given a soft treatment by the police and courts. This should not be the case. Having priests as paedophiles calls for more stringent measures because these particular members of the clergy had very clear obligations to help those in need.
I recall that allegations of paedophilia involving one of the priests were first reported, in a story written by Joe Mifsud, in 1993.
I can remember rather vividly that during an Independence celebration meeting, Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami criticised the Labour newspaper Kullhadd for sensationalising paedophilia cases.
And by George, as is the case when Dr Fenech Adami talks ‘ex cathedra’ no one dared raise an eyebrow.
Just as I write these words I receive a letter from the chairman of the Church commission created to fight paedophilia.
Retired Judge Caruana Colombo has called on me as an editor to provide specific details on the report we carried last week about sexual abuse in a church institute in Sliema.
Needless to say, I will write back informing the man that I am only obliged to divulge information to my readers and if I chose to, to an institution that is regulated by law.
Judge Caruana Colombo’s interests are primarily limited to ‘damage control.’
That is, ensuring that the Church’s image is not tarnished by the relatively large number of perversions that go on in the Church.Drawing the line
Naming people in the media is questionable I am told. So where do we draw the line. Next Tuesday Lou Bondi will show a secret filming of a Black Mass. I bumped into Lou and asked him if he knew the people. And he said "yes."
"Will you mention them?" I asked.
"No, they are not public figures and they have a right to their privacy?" he answered.
Do they? In a society that consider Black Mass an affront to both religion and sentiments?saviourbalzan@maltamag.com