There is no doubt that the spirit of Edward Mifsud of Rabat (TMID, 22 January) is very willing to swallow the bitter pill that Malta passed through a veritable reign of terror between 1971 and 1987, not to mention the violence during the Labour campaign for integration.

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak to acknowledge such a shameful episode in our recent history. In fact, Mr Mifsud refers to those years of terror, real terror, as “those not rosy times for our country”. Of course, they were not rosy though the blood shed in those days is not much different in colour. And to show better the weakness of his flesh, Mr Mifsud continues: “Let’s not blow things out of proportion. The Nationalist Party was also responsible for what happened then.” These people will never repent!

What is being blown out of proportion?

The regular destruction of our clubs many times over? The Floriana club was attacked 24 times!

The complete destruction of the Progress Press?

The attack on the Curia in front of the Police Headquarters?

The attack on the family and residence of the nameless Opposition Leader next door to the police station?

The attack on the Malta Union of Teacher’s headquarters?

The regular disruption of all our political activities?

The Gestapo style night attack on our headquarters?

The tortures at the Police Headquarters?

The murder of Raymond Caruana and the infamous frame up of Pietru Pawl Busuttil?

The transfer of fingerprints from one place to another to shift the blame on some innocent citizen?

The shameful refusal by the authorities to hold meetings in Zejtun and in the Cottonera area?

The incidents at Tal-Barrani before and during the meeting?

The incidents at Rabat when the forces of order fired and wounded innocent citizens for no reason whatsoever?

The burning of the Rabat club by some members of the notorious SMU?

The several documented incidents when members of the police were seen joining forces with-well known criminals to disrupt political activities?

The suspension of the Constitutional Court?

The intimidation of the judges and of any worker who dared stand up for his rights?

The suspension of any worker who dared obey his union?

The mass transfer of some 2,000 teachers for the simple reason that they had obeyed their union?

The list is endless! It was a real reign of terror like which we had never seen before. As for Dr Alfred Sant: After the 1996 election I was the first one to praise him publicly for his part to get rid of the violent elements in the Malta Labour Party. But is that his only merit?

Do we have to thank him for that? Does that make him a good leader and an efficient administrator? Certainly not. So much so that after only 20 months in office he managed to lose his 8,000 votes majority and lose by another 13,000 votes. A record breaking feat!

“The Nationalist Party took full advantage of the situation,” wrote Mr Mifsud. How funny! Did Mr Mifsud expect the Nationalist Party to close its eyes to the wave of terror that was sweeping the island? After all, to this very day the Malta Labour Party is trying to make political gain by continually harping on the citizen’s most personal and sacred aspect: his health!

But so far I have mentioned only the negative aspect of the situation. But then there are several positive reasons, which should help the Nationalist Party, increase its majority in Parliament. Yes, the Nationalist Party has been in office for nearly 20 years. And it has a lot to show for that.

An impressive list of major projects that have changed Malta beyond recognition.

And creation of thousands of well paid jobs.

Millions of euro in the form of foreign investment.

An extremely high standard of living.

Restoration of full democracy, which has been sealed by our entry into the European Union.

Just mention one single country where the common citizen can lead a better life than we do here. Give one single example of what you expect from a Labour government, which is not readily available now. Positive examples only!

No, Mr Mifsud, Malta still needs a Nationalist government. The Malta Labour Party is still haunted by its atrocious past. The present leadership has inherited a very heavy cross to carry. Do not be tempted to jump in; you will never get out.

Giov. DeMartino

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