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To say the least, I was really shocked and stupefied to recently learn of the Maltese Government’s intention to sell (not simply rent) a considerable stretch of land at Ta’ Qali to the US government.
It is said that the American government will be paying about USD50 million (approximately Lm18 million) to the government of Malta and that this land is wanted by the US government for the building of an embassy. It does not seem that more relevant information has been accessible to the public about this manoeuvre. While a lot has been articulated by the US ambassador for Malta, no indication of the contents of the official contract has been published and what we have are only words, words and more words by both parties. Wouldn’t it have been more appropriate had the conditions to this sale were made public?
Although however, it is very doubtful how much water such conditions would hold as it is common knowledge how the American administration overrides these when it feels it’s in its interest to do so. The US is well known of being always ready to take any unilateral decision in spite of opposition, whether this comes from the United Nations or from tiny Malta.
Today it’s Guantanamo Bay in Cuba! The infamous happenings going on have drawn the condemnation of the whole world including those of the United Nations, in spite of which nothing has changed.
The US government had obtained a ‘perpetual lease’ of Guantanamo Bay in 1903 and, through the Cuban-American Treaty, it was held that the United States would use this land for the purpose of operating coaling and naval stations and have ‘complete jurisdiction and control’ of Guantanamo Bay. In actual fact, this place had to serve as a peaceful commercial station but has contrarily been continually exploited for malicious and inhumane atrocities. The role of this specified piece of land has changed dramatically, turning the place into an affront to human values and making it the most hateful place constantly attracting revengeful acts on American interests.
It is sincerely hoped that this implied comparison will never come to realisation and that our homeland – a little island called Malta, lost in the middle of the Mediterranean sea – would continue to enjoy its peaceful existence without any undue impositions.
Joseph M. Cachia
Vittoriosa
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