From Mr A. Pace

Charles Debono could not have expressed reality and concern more accurately about this illegal invasion of immigrants (TMIS, 29 May). The economic problems are only the grim beginning and are being shrugged off by our foreign masters with promises of a financial nature. Repatriation funds, the promise of a new spring, are turning out to be treacherous “colonisation” funds. If this swift unwanted inflow persists, the long term losses will be inestimable and irreversible, and the victims will be none other than our children.

It is irrelevant that national identity may mean nothing to some. The truth is that our European identity, not least ethnical, is not in question. We may be mixed in a way, but that we are racially homogenous there is no doubt. We have nothing in common with these boat people anyway, no matter how much twisting occurs. A glance at most multiethnic/religious/racial societies is enough to show what we were spared from. The question is whether one wants to preserve, risk or sacrifice. That is everyone's personal decision, but the right to guard it for those who wish is sacrosanct.

In rational amounts, multiculturalism is harmless. Maltese have always mixed well, married, worked and got along with all types of foreigners. This was never a problem. We are not insular. However, at this rate it is nothing but an undesired demographic imposition by people exploiting outdated international obligations and administrative chaos in their countries. At present, it is by far much larger and more dangerous than any other rational movement, and must be checked.

We already live in one of the chaotic, densest and urbanized countries in the world. That this is rarely recognised officially as a vital problem is only the fault of those who should make it so. But only those living it feel the consequences. Naturally, those occupying UN and EU offices do not seem to care, but their attempts to decide at our expense will have to be resisted and ignored, if national interest is a priority.

The least we need is their exponentially increasing presence with their massive free accommodation requirements. Whatever minimum requirements are imposed by anyone, they should fit in what is now available, no matter the amount or emergency. Beggars can’t be choosers. Centres should not start mushrooming all over the place. Though we as common citizens have no control on decisions, the government, present and in waiting, is warned that further hectares unfairly taken for this reason amounts to stealing from future generations land which is theirs by right. Because with land being at such a premium here, it could always be put to better use.

As if this were not enough, suggestions to start populating beautiful tranquil open sites such as Ghajn Tuffieha and the former St Patrick barracks are shamelessly being suggested. Even a village idiot can understand the consequences if such idiocies are heeded. These will eventually become their towns, ruined and lost forever. Similar to what is happening at Hal Far.

If the EU, which is currently on their side, cannot guarantee immediate burden sharing, the government should seek unilateral deportation agreements with Libya. Observing obligations and accepting colonisation funds will not remain an option. The size of our neighbour’s coastline and its inability to restrict their departures should not matter to us. We only expect that what is electronically proven to have come from there should go back there. This was the Italian logic. But apparently not much sweat is wasted here by our government.

Politicians, whose part of their job is to guard against unfair burdens and threats to their country, are defaulting and have no courage. This has become unacceptable to a section of society. We are losing land, sea and patience. Such voices will no longer be absent in the competitive political scene. The indifferent part will be made aware of their rights, what is being taken, and that there is no moral obligation to let it happen. No people, or those sending them, whether willing or not in our case, will be allowed to expand at our expense, destabilise and ruin our country, whatever the cause.

Alex Pace

Sta Venera