Daphne’s latest articles are now really reaching rock bottom. After a personal article on Arlette Baldacchino, it was Joanne Micallef’s turn. Now what does the matter of whether the latter is a pure Sliemiza or a new arrival has to do with illegal immigration? I have known Ms Micallef’s family for a long time and they all lived in Sliema for generations, anyhow.

Obviously, her relative, probably the best gossip in town, still gave her the wrong information, which she duly published. I get the impression that her arguments on illegal immigration are based on the sole fact that diversity is good in her eyes, and completely disregard sustainability and limitations. In one of her articles, she even claims that Malta is still under-populated.

And yes Ms Caruana Galizia, we Maltese have our identity, and the Washington Post’s balanced and realistic article should have told you what the Maltese predominantly are. The Maltese are conscious about this no matter how much you stretch your imaginative colour spectrum, and they are right in seeing this interminable influx of Africans as a threat, in all regards. It has neither to do with insularity nor with superiority.

Identity issues will never justify liberal immigration, no country ever do so. Likening tourism with immigration is also the most dishonest argument one can bring. Tourists come and go, pay for their ‘accommodation centres’ and everything they use, and have no intention to settle. Boat people come undocumented, imagine everything is free, and are putting all sorts of pressures on our limited resources, not least land and finances. People with good logic will see where the real threat is. There is no place for minorities on these islands.

Even in the EU freedom of movement bit she succeeds in getting it wrong. Freedom of movement will not start in five years’ time, as she claims. It already started, but at present it is a registered one. This is due to the safeguards our country obtained by right, due to its recognised limitations. Renewable safeguards, which even larger countries sought and obtained. Two years into membership the only massive influx is surely not from the EU, which is still highly unlikely.

Neither does any EU citizen have the right to come and beg in Malta, as she ridiculously said. Begging is still illegal as far as I know, and our country can kick any EU citizen out if he cannot support himself or is a burden on the country.

Before calling people, who had voiced an opinion, pig-ignorant and all other manner of things, she’d better get her facts right and, for once, be honest with her readers on this issue.

Sandro Pace

STA VENERA