“I’m not a racist… but…” has to be one of the most used phrases in Malta and Italy. Everywhere one turns, the conversation turns to boat people and asylum seekers. People get the wrong end of the stick, and inevitably, in our country especially, the discussion becomes political once the games of Chinese Whispers begin.

Even last week, as two Arriva drivers were racially abused, the hate brigade could be heard saying “no it was the other way round, the drivers were Maltese and they were assaulted by blacks”. It makes you want to lie down and weep and cower in shame.

The Prime Minister made his point in threatening the push-backs. But it was a grave error in judgment. He has taken more flak from those who opposed his stance, than those who were pleased by it. It backfired so much so that the PM had to turn round and say that he opposes racism and that he did not back the far-right marches which bigots wanted to organise to “express support” at the government’s handling of the issue. A lot of backpedalling was done. But the damage is already taking its toll.

Following his declarations, the PM is under constant scrutiny and whatever he says is being looked at as the ‘worst case scenario’.

But this is where the lines become blurred. This publishing house has long stuck to the mantra that the most important thing in this crisis is saving lives and preventing hardship.

The PM was in Italy yesterday and told Italian President Enrico Letta that the solution lies in the co-operation of Libya. He also said that his government is keen on migrant integration, but that this can only take place if the numbers are feasible.

One of the most important aspects of dealing with any human crisis is preserving the word “human”. As soon as we forget about the human aspect and start talking numbers, the danger begins.

It is evident. Malta has a problem. As the PM emphasised yesterday, Malta is not like Lampedusa. On that tiny satellite island, migrants spend some time in camp and are then processed on the mainland. Malta is different. Whoever ends up here must be processed here. It will be difficult to find a solution, but we must do it, and we must do it without being heartless. The government of Malta has told the EU that throwing money at the problem is not the solution – and this is partially true. But we do need funding. We need funding to patrol our Search and Rescue area. We also need funding to process immigrants and to help address the additional burden on the welfare state.

We also need funding to set up proper – and not the current excuse – integration centres for people who find themselves here. In his meeting with President Letta, Dr Muscat again highlighted that the key is to involve Libya in being part of the solution. But perhaps it is Alternattiva Demokratika which hit the nail on the head by pointing out that Libya must sign the Geneva Convention on Human Rights before we can consider any form of repatriation action.