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James Debono
The possibility of closer cooperation with the newly set-up rightwing Alleanza Nazzjonali Repubblikana was raised in a recent internal meeting of the eurosceptic Campaign for National Independence, but no decision has been taken on this issue yet.
But CNI leader and former Labour Prime Minister Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici and Eddie Privitera, while confirming that the issue was indeed talked about, deny that any contacts have been made with the ANR.
The ANR were the recent addition to the political spectrum when they launched a mass demonstration in Valletta against illegal immigration.
Speaking to MaltaToday, Mifsud Bonnici said he welcomed the fact that the Nationalist members of ANR “are against the line adopted by the Nationalist Party on the European Union.”
He also expressed his agreement with “ANR’s opposition to EU membership” but he also added that he does not agree with the ANR “on anything else.”
In fact, the ANR’s symbolism does not go down well with those used to waving the red flag. Citing the use of the flame in the ANR flag which bears striking resemblance to Italy’s own rightwing Alleanza Nazionale, Eddie Privitera told MaltaToday he cannot see any possibility of joining forces with a group using these symbols.
But Mifsud Bonnici’s views on immigration are not very different from the stand adopted by the ANR, which have rejected all claims of being sympathetic to fascist ideology.
The CNI firebrand insisted that Malta should absolve itself of any international obligation preventing it from implementing policies based on Malta’s financial and social circumstances.
A case of the old left meeting the conservative right? Maybe, at least for the CNI, whose first chairman was nobody but self-styled Nationalist Albert Leono Ganado.
Talking about foreigners working illegally in Malta, Mifsud Bonnici is adamant that they should be sent back to their country “irrespectively of their individual circumstances.” He proposed an outright ban on all foreigners working in Malta to dissuade anyone from coming to Malta for this purpose.
Mifsud Bonnici showed some consideration on the plight of immigrants rescued in Maltese waters, on their way to other countries. “We are obliged to rescue these immigrants, offer them temporary accommodation which meets basic hygiene and health standards without in any way giving them freedom of movement.”
Such a policy would effectively mean that asylum seekers will no longer be given refugee status or humanitarian protection as demanded by the Geneva Convention. According to Mifsud Bonnici, the best way to help these people is to help them proceed to their original destination.
Mifsud Bonnici said he is urging the government to help NGOs to arrange “safe transport and adequate provisions to allow immigrants proceed to their original destination.” But his proposal defies the policies of EU countries like Italy who would simply send back any illegal immigrants who are allowed to continue their destination after leaving from Malta.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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