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In an effort to be precise and correct, MaltaToday publishes clarifications and corrections regarding news stories, opinions or letters published in this Sunday newspaper
Albert Mizzi, Boeing, Sta Marija and the OBE decoration
In an opinion published on 20 October, 2004, in MaltaToday, columnist Dr Harry Vassallo had written in an opinion: “Soon after the 1987 change in government he was interviewed on a television chat show ‘Darek mal-hajt’ by Godfrey Grima. He was able to tell the country that he had served it well and gratis as Chairman of Air Malta and was then doing just as well as Chairman of Sea Malta. Mr Grima asked whether it was true that at the time when he headed Air Malta he had also been the Malta representative of the Boeing firm which had sold airliners to Air Malta. Mr Mizzi replied in the affirmative informing the country that he had always acted with the utmost propriety and with the full knowledge and consent of the government of the time. Wow!”
The statement had led Mr Mizzi to institute libel proceedings against Saviour Balzan as editor of this newspaper, and the author of the article.
The editor, in his deposition in court had stated that he recalls discussing the topics raised in the opinion with Dr Vassallo before publication. The subjects primarily included reports about Dr Mizzi and the rent laws. He also recalls a discussion with Dr Vassallo specifically about Darek mal-Hajt which had left the impression that Mr Mizzi had answered a question put to him as Boeing rep.
During the court case, Mr Mizzi said that he had never been the rep for Boeing. Mr Balzan, as editor and on reviewing the video, could not ascertain this but he insists that he has no difficulty stating that he believes Mr Mizzi and apologises for any inconvenience the published article may have caused him.
In relation to a letter published on the 8 January 2006 penned by Anita Christina Obermayer with the title ‘Albert Mizzi’s Santa Marija’, where the state of the roads at Santa Marija was discussed, it was stated that: “Mr Mizzi, through one of his companies called Cenmed has not only fleeced this project and its owners to the limit…” It appears that this comment is not warranted and is incorrect. The editor apologises for carrying this comment.
The third point refers to Saviour Balzan’s comments regarding Albert Mizzi being awarded the OBE. In his commentary, Saviour Balzan comments sarcastically over the decision to award the OBE to Albert Mizzi. Saviour Balzan declares that the comments are his and his alone and do not necessarily reflect public opinion. They are based on his subjective appraisal of what makes one eligible for an OBE and in no way reflects on the integrity of Albert Mizzi.
Notary in the Portomaso deed
In last week’s edition, a story penned by Matthew Vella reported that Spinola Development, the company which owns the Portomaso apartments, had redeemed the lease of the land at the luxury St Julians development for a total of Lm800,000. The story commented that the notary involved in the sale and transfer was deputy leader for the Malta Labour Party, Charles Mangion. This is incorrect and any inconvenience caused to Dr Mangion is regretted.
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