“I have made my political judgment on this case when I appointed the Cabinet. I see nothing new that makes me change my judgment. Correctness in public statements has to be maintained given that criminal proceedings were initiated in the courts.”
That, of course, is Lawrence Gonzi reacting to the latest court revelations on the JPO case. Gonzi, as we all know, does not have the nerve or the gall or the courage to turn round to JPO and ask him to resign. Neither does he have the guts to turn to minister George Pullicino and ask him for an honest explanation of what is happening at MEPA.
During his captaincy at MEPA, before being demoted, Pullicino ran the authority into a reef. He may look convincingly Green in his braces as he talks to children about ‘Dinja Wahda’, but really Minister Pullicino does not impress. If he impresses Astrid Vella so be it, but as far as I am concerned he needs more than colourful braces to convince me of his green credentials.
In a very similar vein to Gonzi’s realpolitik, he appointed his bosom friend Andrew Calleja to the post of chairman and put his political sidekick Lawrence Vassallo in a room next to the former MEPA chairman’s office to purposely troubleshoot application problems.
Lawrence Vassallo did nothing without Pullicino’s knowledge. Lawrence Vassallo claimed to receive 71 SMS’s from Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and then cried wolf.
But that was his job. I am sure that if one were to look into Lawrence Vassallo’s encounters, one would find that many other Nationalist politicians talked to him about their constituency problems.
Vassallo wishes to give the impression that he was pestered, when in fact Pullicino and his boys would refer people who had a complaint about MEPA to Lawrence Vassallo. If Lawrence Gonzi were serious he would take a closer look at what Lawrence Vassallo has been up to at MEPA. He could also ask George, his staunchest supporter, what Lawrence Vassallo was doing in his constituency office during most of the week, meeting disgruntled voters with complaints about MEPA.
But then, why are we imagining that Gonzi does not know what is going on in his own party? Everyone knows that Lawrence Gonzi will not touch George.
Reading through the testimony in the Mistra scandal – and again one cannot do this by referring to The Times, the other name for Malta’s Pravda – one cannot in a million years believe that Joe Saliba, Lawrence Gonzi and George Pullicino did not know about JPO’s mischief at Mistra before the election.
And if that is the case, then they deceived the electorate and their own party. And they won the election by devious default.
Lawrence Gonzi conveniently argues that he will wait for the court procedures to be concluded. It is unacceptable and a lame excuse. And until he comes to terms with modern day political ethics he will be constantly reminded of his opportunistic politics and unconvincing arguments.
The two Ronnies
Now really, if JPO is in absolute denial and not in the mood to realise that he is up to his neck in cow dung, then surely Lonzu is at a complete loss on how to face JPO. At the same time, Jason Micallef must really be the closest to JPO when it comes to being a complete reject.
Still campaigning actively with delegates for the future post of secretary general, he remains at loggerheads with present and past senior Labour figures; and though Jason will be credited for taking Alfred Sant to new heights, he will also be accused of taking Labour to new lows.
That, I guess, is the problem when you have a secretary general who lacks the political depth and appreciation for history in a party as big and complex as the Labour party.
The last time I talked to Jason he told me that the story that we carried about Ronnie Pellegrini was wrong.
I do not think so. A problem with details, perhaps, but not wrong.
But then, if anyone has any doubts they should read through the news story on Ronnie.
Unlike Jason I remember Ronnie in years gone by. When Jason was hardly a teenager, Ronnie Pellegrini was in his prime, a sidekick to one of Labour’s most unforgettable nightmares. He was there when Lorry bulldozed his way through everything and always had his way.
And Ronnie was not only his lieutenant with direct access to many of Lorry’s excesses; but probably quite aware of how, when and how many of those excesses where committed.
That he continued to survive politically, and more importantly, failed to get hammered by the media when he took the role of assistant to Jason Micallef, beats me.
Now Jason has said that Mr Pellegrini, who has an office at Mile End large enough to dance the waltz; who is heard screaming and phoning from his room; who signs circulars on Jason’s behalf; who accompanied Alfred Sant, Jason Micallef and Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi everywhere, is not an employee.
Well, that may be the case. Which means there are two Ronnies, and we should really all thank the GWU for looking the other way while one of its paid up employees spends all his friggin’ time at Mile End.
Honorary Spanish goon
In one of his most memorable and most ridiculous last moves, Mayor Borg Olivier of Valletta and now PN secretary general and Mr Non-committal on JPO has awarded some Spanish Goon with honorary citizenship for Valletta.
Just in case you were not updated, this particular Spanish heart throb made his money from a single called ‘Si Tu Te Vas’... which translated literally means: If you leave.
Well, thank God he did leave, but unfortunately he will come back.
But why in the seven heavens did Pawlu have to award him an honorary citizen of our capital city? I must be missing something, but can Pawlu in his wisdom tell us what are the criteria he applied to award such a silly title?
I’m sure there are a long list of ‘serious’ looking people who don’t look like a plastic lover boy who would definitely fit the role of an honorary citizen, and might even have done wonders for Valletta.
Sensational meeting
This week’s encounter between journalists and parliamentary secretary Joe Cassar did reveal two important aspects. The first is that the accusation that a story on Mater Dei was sensationalist did not originate from Dr Cassar, but as one aide was so kind to suggest after whispering in someone’s ear: “It was John Dalli, not us.”
The second point is that the perception we had that Mater Dei was a super hospital a year ago were based on wrong impressions.
Not actually said but understood, is that the false premise was promulgated, promoted and fanned by none other than the Prime Minister.
Which brings me to Josie Muscat.
You may agree or disagree with the man, but he is right when he says that the solution to this problem is to decide who works with the State, and who works with the private health sector.
A little rich, coming from him... but there you go.
Talking to me, he said the only solution is for the State doctors and consultants to be awarded a good wage and then asked to give all their time and commitment to Mater Dei.
What is ‘a good wage’? That, it seems, is the problem.
Most ‘good’ doctors will not accept Lm30,000 as a good annual salary, because as we all know ‘good doctors’ can easily earn twice that figure. And most ‘good’ doctors don’t even declare one third of that.
So there you go, Dr Cassar, some food for thought. But before you decide on this fantastical and sensational idea make sure you tell your minister and ask him for approval.
Hunters’ wish list
The hunters have asked for trapping beyond 2008. I hope Lonzu has consulted Richard Cachia Caruana about what the EU allowed us to do. In other words, until which time trapping was technically allowed.
Lonzu should ask Richard for some details and then lift the phone and ask his press secretary to get him a camomile tea and then his PA to inform Mr Lino Farrugia that there will be no trapping in 2009.
And if that is not enough for some soothing tea, the demand by the federation for hunting at sea, should be met with a big NO.
And why? Because the EU directives imposes strict speed limits; limits that none of the hunters at sea will ever respect.
Mater Dei
I am collecting stories about Mater Dei, please send me your stories on sbalzan@mediatoday.com.mt or phone on 21 382741 during office hours.
