From Mr M. Turner

Last Sunday, 27 August, The Malta Independent on Sunday led with front page headlines and a second page by-line “Gaddafi suspected to be behind spate of illegal immigrants”.

This story was based on quotes from The Economist, including “ there are increased suspicions that Colonel Gaddafi is behind this increase of illegal immigration from Libya. This would not be the first time that an African leader uses illegal immigration to put pressure on the rich Europeans”.

To anyone who has bothered to do some research before dashing off an opinion, that statement smacks of the August “silly season” of tabloid journalism, far below the normal high level one expects from Economist writers. Either that or the story has been planted by interested parties.

Firstly, the size and shape of Libya must be taken into account; thousands of miles of coastline and thousands of miles of borders with other countries make it almost impossible to control.

Secondly, few Europeans seem capable of understanding that circa 12 per cent of the Libyan populace are illegals that infiltrate from the south. The locals are Moslems who are religiously bound to feed travellers and so use their own produce, which puts a strain on their own livelihood.

Thirdly, Colonel Gaddafi has as much to fear from Islamic fundamentalists as Europeans do.

Fourthly, it may be true that some of the illegals leave North Africa on larger ships and are transferred to small boats nearer Europe. Under which flags are these ships registered?

Fifth, Italy has much to gain by muddying the waters surrounding the illegal immigration, especially as certain Italian organisations have a vested interest in the “trade”.

Italian politicians in the Berlusconi government made a series of huge gaffes, including a proposal to set up “concentration camps” in over populated Malta.

For your information, some 18.000 Africans have arrived in the Spanish Canary Islands so far this year. Is Colonel Gaddafi “suspected” of being behind this influx?

Many Tunisians, Algerians and Moroccans are on the boats, so is Colonel Gaddafi “suspected” of being responsible for them too?

The illegal immigration problem from Africa and the Middle East is a serious one, especially in Malta, that calls for international co-operation and serious, constructive and careful analysis leading to a positive solution. It will not be helped by shallow, attention seeking, tabloid journalism, or by planted propaganda.

Mike Turner