Governments easily fall for the temptation of boasting how they’re doing everything right. They find themselves under attack on all fronts and “naturally” react by claiming that the total opposite of all wrong actually applies.
It is difficult when running a wideranging poltical programme on a national basis to evaluate objectively what is being done well and what is not. That’s almost always the case. But when it is concluded that matters are in bad shape in some sector or other and this is openly admitted, the risk arises that those who operate within the sector become demoralised or disgruntled. Which makes things even worse.
Still, it should be a cardinal care of government action to be as aware as possible of what it is doing badly (even if one does not go public with this) while taking effective measures to correct the situation. If a government fails to do so or if the action it takes is ineffective, more people will begin to believe that “everything” is wrong.
This development could be fatal if the anti-government party or parties constitute a robust opposition. Even more so if meanwhile, the economic outturn is weakening.
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THE CHINESE PLAN
It’s true that China’s position paper on the “political settlement of the Ukraine crisis” covering the war in Ukraine and peace is not an operational plan. It only takes the form of a statement covering certain principles. True too that the plan seeks to underwrite China’s diplomatic stand regarding its Taiwan and other policies.
I do not understand however why this should have provoked the indifference and dispraise coming from some quarters. It was said that with its statement, China showed it was a hidden ally of Russia. If this is so, why should it be bad to discuss the plan? As of now, from the allies of the Ukraine, or of Russia or from NATO, there have been few suggestions for diplomatic platforms that could accomodate a good-or-bad give-and-take about peace... except for the Chinese paper.
Ukraine President Zelensky no less, and French President Macron did well to show they’re interested to follow up. Unlike the EU’s diplomatic chief Borrell.
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CAROB CARAMELS
I had not seen them for a long time, though this might have been due to my not having paid enough attention. However now there are people who are trying to put them on the market again. They’re doing it intelligently in ways that might create a new demand for the product. May their efforts prosper.
Carob caramels might appear to be a forgotten item, having been well liked in days long past. Though endemic in Malta, the carob tree was allowed to slowly die out. But it used to provide food and sugar. In the past, its detractors would claim its fruit was suitable only for horses. That was an empty calumny for many still loved it, the fruit and the caramels made from the fruit.
Other Mediterranean islands, like Cyprus, still prize it; carobs and its sweets remain an integral part of their agricultural scene. Why should they not make a comeback in Malta as well?