From Mr R. Abela

I refer to the news item titled “Malta Song Board chairman defends Song for Europe preliminary procedure” (TMIS, 16 December).

The article in question makes very short reference to my reply to ex-chairman Grace Borg relating to matters concerning the Song for Europe festival. My reply seems to have been used solely to peg the rest of the article, which reproduces in quasi verbatim format the lady’s original letter, full of half truths, untruths and mud slinging.

It is not my intention to enter into time-consuming correspondence or replies to malicious assertions and diatribes. However, I am forwarding a copy of my entire reply to Ms Borg to which reference was briefly made and which sums up the whole situation.

“Ms Borg,

“As you can see I am tackling your correspondence immediately upon my re entry to Malta early this morning, for no other reason than that I detected a certain urgency in your tone.

“Having said that, however I must say that there is little that I may add to what I already said publicly on many occasions.

“For instance, judging by your letter it seems you have closely watched the Saturday afternoon TV programme referred to therein.

“I will do the decent thing and ignore the aspersions cast on third parties as, I trust, that goes beyond the objective of this, rather futile, if I may add, exercise.

“Well into the programme I had already declared that as per regulations, not less than one public notary, not less than one certified public auditor and I, as chairman would be present. We invited two notaries to make the process more transparent.

“Regarding AKAM’s request, you only informed us about this through your lawyer late Monday morning, to which we replied in equal manner in less than 24 hours. Regarding the rest of your letter I doubt you are expecting a comment on your long list of achievements as former chairman of the Board, or a reply on comments and observations made by third parties or on points related to the workings of the Board.

“Your interest is greatly appreciated but you will understand that, while our proceedings are regular and transparent, it would go entirely beyond any legitimate expectation to discuss the internal workings of the Board with an outsider.

“I trust this clarifies, but please feel free to contact us with any further query, bearing my last statement in mind.”

Robert Abela

Chairman

Malta Song Board