Different reactions to the documentary film Dear Dom about the enigmatic and great statesman Dom Mintoff have been penned in the local papers, in blogs, facebook etc. Mintoff is a person who you either love or hate. But the majority of those who went to see this film had a different picture of what they saw or listened to. It is somewhat natural that those who support the Labour Party were not quite satisfied as to how this documentary evolved. Especially those who lived during his political career. Many are of the opinion that this documentary is biased, coming from a producer whose political inclinations are quite evident, especially when attributing episodes in which he had no say – like the tal-Barrani incident.

As I was looking for a book in my library, I came across a cutting from the Malta News of January 1976. I was surprised to read therein quite a number of quotations regarding world leaders had to say about this great statesman. I hope the editor will give me space to quote some of what these world leaders had to say with regards to Dom.

Dr Nerik Mizzi, ex-PN PM once said: “Mintoff is the man of my dreams. I never hid my admiration for him. Mintoff is a man inspired by uncommon patriotic sentiments. One day Malta shall embrace Mintoff – her worthy son. Malta will experience great happenings, but it will not be denied of the right man.”

The late Dr V. Tabone also commented that: “Mintoff’s initiative in the Helsinki Security Conference was intelligent and well-timed. The final compromise which was honourable to Mintoff had boosted his reputation and the admiration maybe of the Arab world. Mintoff’s attitude is consistent with that of the past. Whereever you go, they speak only of Mintoff.” This was reported in August 1975.

And the Guardian in July 1975 commented: “The final result at Helsinki is considered to be a considerable diplomatic victory for Dom Mintoff, the Prime Minister of Malta.”

The Panorama in June 1975 said: “The Vatican considered Mr Dom Mintoff as a great politician. He is the only one who can make the catholic church’s dream of ‘Jerusalem an international city’ come true.”

And speaking of Mintoff as a negotiator we can go back to August 1956 when the Daily Herald said: “Mintoff is hard. He faces any opposition, and is tearing to shreds Britain’s Colonial Policy.”

Even Mr Gaylord of Joc Oil commented and revealed that: “The toughness of Mr Mintoff as a negotiator has made us sign the toughest agreement ever reached by my company with any government.”

I can go on citing from the centre pages of the Malta News of January 1976. And if you wish to view it, please do so and read more of that which I left out because of lack of space here. But I cannot miss one last quotation which the PN should read and ponder upon, and examine conscientiously. How foolish they were (were they?) to swallow everything the Europen Union dished out without ever thinking how they miscalculated – and made us poor souls believe – that by joining the EU, Malta will receive Lm100 million yearly (as declared by the late Dr De Marco), which never came. On the contrary, it wouldn’t have been that easy for the EU to negotiate with the PL.

I am not going to quote what Lord Carrington said of Mintoff when yhe latter made him sign an agreement that Britain should pay £14million a year and leave the Island in 1979, i.e. within seven years. But it’s good to confirm Mintoff’s ability to bring Britain to its knees and sign such an agreement, by quoting what Harold Wilson once said of the PN in government. He said: “In Malta we prefer to see Dr Borg Olivier in office because it’s such an easy thing to take everything from him. But if you (referring to Mintoff) are in power you will take everything away from us.” And that’s what he did.

■ Louis Fenech

Iklin