This newspaper’s exclusive interview with the Martin Galea, who was abducted in Libya, continues today. The first instalment published yesterday already raised several questions about the information (not) released by the Government, both during Mr Galea’

We were informed, for example, that Mr Galea had no traces of physical abuse on his person. Yet Mr Galea demonstrated the abrasions caused by excessive sweat.

Even after Mr Galea’s arrival in Malta, government sources continued to make the point that the Government had been careful to avoid using the term ‘abducted’, as though it was open to the possibility that Mr Galea had simply been taken somewhere for his own safety. Mr Galea left us in no doubt that he had every reason to fear for his life throughout his captivity.

Why is the Government playing these games? Or, let’s be generous, why this confusion? The Government cannot seriously expect the Opposition not to raise sharp questions.

However, the Government wants the Opposition to shut up, pointing back to the situation three years ago, when it says the Labour Opposition was foursquare behind Lawrence Gonzi’s conduct of the Libya crisis.

Then and now

At the time, I worked as the communications co-ordinator for the Ministry for Health. The job was tough and I was definitely in a hot seat. Then Minister Joe Cassar was under constant attack. The PL in Opposition then did not feel health should be an a-political issue. Not like the Opposition today.

The only time Muscat (in Opposition) did not attack Gonzi’s Government, particularly the health system, was during the Libya crisis. Why? Because Gonzi, who was practically living at Castille, working day and night with a team of professional experts, kept Muscat constantly informed about the developments in Libya. Muscat should have treated Simon Busuttil in the same way today.

Three years ago, it was the fall of a regime. The development of events was very dramatic. On 21 February 2011, two Libyan fighter jets unexpectedly landed in Malta. Prime Minister Gonzi did not have the leisure or pleasure to sip exotic cocktails on a boat and ponder whether Gaddafi would attack Malta. Malta’s very own security, defence and airspace were in jeopardy.

As communications co-ordinator for Health, I was deployed to Castille to assist in the crisis intervention. Those days will remain etched in my mind. Gonzi was visibly concerned about the on-goings. He was constantly present at all levels of decisionmaking. The buck stopped with him because he bit the bullet in the first place and decided to go against Gaddafi.

Fast forward to today. Muscat appeared when the Maltese hostage was released. He literally, physically, covered the true heroine of this story, Dr Marisa Farrugia. Flanked by ministers George Vella (who had told us we had nothing to worry about when in fact a Maltese citizen was already missing) and Manuel Mallia (who has been making one political mess after another), Muscat was insensitive when he took priority over the family and close relatives of Mr Galea.

The situation in Libya now is extremely complex. Do Muscat and his chosen ones have what it takes to deal with it? If they intend to go on acting like they did in the past few days, then we are in for more than just a rough ride.

Farewell

On Wednesday, Dr Alex Cachia Zammit, known as Dr Sandy, passed away. A stalwart in the PN who was loved and respected by many. The sadness of his passing away is multiplied by the fact that he will be missing his 90th birthday and the 50th Independence anniversary by a mere few weeks. A true gentleman and an example to many.

The human side

Last week we learned of Beppe Fenech Adami’s illness. The news shocked us all. Beppe’s fight and his openness about it to the public has united us and given us hope. Our prayers remain and our hope is unswerving.