One would tend to agree with Joseph Calleja of Manteca California (TMID, 27 February) that the illegal immigrants present a thorny problem for Malta. However his statement that the government “maybe is looking for votes instead of looking out for the Maltese citizens” is absurd. Votes from who? The immigrants? Certainly not from the Maltese, be they in the Nationalist camp or the PL’s and equally not from any floating voters. This is a problem which affects everyone and transcends political lines.

Equally silly is the statement that, “This issue has to be brought out in the open”. Mr Calleja, who like myself does not reside on the island, nonetheless should realise that there is hardly another subject as talked about, discussed and debated as the illegal immigrants in Malta. It does not need bringing out in the open and neither is it advisable to feature it on Xarabank or any other TV talk show since invariably the show will be turned into a circus.

The issue will be discussed in Parliament soon and one would hope that it will be dealt with in a civilised and united manner and not for accusations to be flying in all directions. This is not a made-in-Malta problem but the solution has to be.

There is no civilised way to stop these people from arriving on our shores and some suggestions made in some daily papers are both racial and wanton. Malta has International obligations and subject to international law and conventions, therefore, the use of force is out of the question.

The debate in Parliament should unite both sides making a presentation to the EU more effective, but any resolution has to be practical, measured and a means of urging the EU to be more generous with helping Malta in the cost of maintaining these individuals.

We know where these people are departing from but unfortunately even the intervention of Italy, Spain, France and the EU has been totally ineffective in persuading Libya to apprehend the traders of human lives preventing them from plying their trade. On the contrary, some were in an emotional state when the Colonel sent his country’s highest honour plus a cheque to a former Prime Minister of Malta in recognition of his defence of human rights!

Figure that one out, Mr Calleja.

J. Martinelli

London, Ontario