During the election campaign many accused the government of not doing enough. Indeed, even Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, on more than one occasion, admitted that his government was not perfect. A few things went wrong and more needs to be done. This statement was repeated in many a ‘Taht it-tinda’ meeting and at mass meetings.

Now the government is proceeding at an ever faster pace in areas it deems need attention. This can be witnessed by the ongoing action with regard to MEPA, a ministerial directive from Minister Austin Gatt re local councils, and last but not least, the application to rejoin the Partnership for Peace.

All of a sudden, the accusation came that the government did not consult the opposition! Let me get this straight, for those who are complaining, the ideal time would be after they elect their new leader, which will no doubt be after Parliament reconvenes, then think about it, put it on the Parliament’s agenda and yet a few months down the road debate what has already been debated 10 years ago! Is that not spinning wheels? This sounds like joining the eurozone, maybe, after 2010?

I saw an interview on television, with various ranks within AFM. I am not good at identifying ranks, but one official explained with great clarity the advantages for the AFM to be part of PfP, followed by those of lesser rank who were extremely well spoken and professional in their replies to the journalist. Not one had any negative comments, and all looked forward to training abroad and thus improving their skills.

One interesting female soldier stressed the fact that any participants assigned to a joint venture in case of natural disaster, etc. would be on a voluntary basis. She promptly replied to the journalist who brought up the danger factor, that there had been similar situations faced by the AFM in Malta, and furthermore she stated that it was a soldier’s job and danger was a part of it.

The question of neutrality is a non-starter since many neutral countries such as Austria, Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland have been members for a long time. If their membership did not violate their neutrality why should it affect Malta’s?

So, to split hairs, and expect the government (which has a majority) to consult with the opposition on every detail, is a sure way of delaying decisions unnecessarily. Had the opposition a better track record of cooperating with the government, they may have had an argument, but, not this time.

I am under the impression that the opposition was consulted and asked to submit possible candidates for the position of Auditor General back in June 2007, but the government is still looking for an answer.

With an opposition like that, who can blame the government if it tries to restart something which the opposition, during its 22-month stint at governing, had suspended arbitrarily?

The excuse that this issue had divided Malta back in 1995 is so puerile; it deserves no attention, but for the sake of fairness, can anyone quote one instance when some project with the least bit of controversy has not split the island in half?

Joe Martinelli

London, Ontario

Canada