Prime Minister insists Tonio Borg didn’t say what he said
This week MaltaToday asked the Prime Minister whether Tonio Borg’s comment on nuclear deterrence marked a shift in the government’s policy, which so far has been consistently against nuclear armament, in the light of the Constitution’s neutrality clause.
“Tonio Borg did not say that about nuclear deterrence,” Lawrence Gonzi replied during his walk-about in Zabbar with the EP election candidates on Wednesday.
Ducking the question completely, he reiterated his attack on the Greens.
“Tonio Borg’s argument was based on the fact that the European Greens form one of the smallest groups in the European Parliament, with a manifesto proposing taxes on tourism, because tourism affects the environment, and therefore one should keep all this in mind when one gets to vote in the upcoming elections.
“The voters’ choice is also marked by the fact that the PN forms part of the European Peoples’ Party, the largest group, while AD is not only associated with the European Greens, but its very candidate is the Secretary General.”
But what about nuclear deterrence?
“You’re quoting Tonio Borg out of context,” he briskly replied, giving an indication that he wouldn’t answer more questions. “I was present at that discussion so I know what I’m saying.”
The Deputy Prime Minister’s fleeting remarks against the European Greens’ anti-nuclear stand is incomprehensible to some PN party members.
Tonio Borg appeared to be so absorbed attacking Alternattiva Demokratika’s European counterparts in last week’s PN General Conference that he attacked the Greens for their stand against nuclear weapons.
“The European Greens are far left,” he said. “They want to remove Europe’s nuclear deterrent … How can you vote for them?”
His remark was reported the following day on the party’s official newspaper In-Nazzjon and on The Malta Independent.
‘Nuclear deterrence’ is the term used to justify military powers’ possession and production of weapons of mass destruction. The euphemism stems straight from Cold War logic, based on the argument that powerful countries have to protect their vital interests against major threats by developing nuclear capabilities. In turn, well-stocked nuclear superpowers would be discouraged from attacking each other.
France and the UK share the distinction of being Europe’s nuclear powers, with a veritable arsenal of nuclear warheads and weapons of mass destruction, underscoring their role as permanent members of the UN Security Council. The French call this practice, “la dissuasion,” claiming it to be the ultimate guarantee of the country’s independence and a contribution to “equilibrium in Europe and in the world.”
MaltaToday asked Borg to explain his position on nuclear weapons but no reply was forthcoming up until the time the newspaper went to print. Calls made through his public relations officer and via e-mail were not returned.