André Camilleri incident 'yet another gaffe' - Sant

Opposition leader Alfred Sant yesterday referred to the "messy" appointment to the bench, and ensuing resignation, of André Camilleri, saying he did not know what the exact truth of the story was but that something was not quite right.

The incident was another example of the lack of skill with which Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami, on whose responsibility the issue fell, led the country and was yet another of his gaffes, he said.

Dr Sant said some were blaming the President, others the Prime Minister and others still the Commission for the Administration of Justice, which, it had been said, made its decision for other reasons and not those given.

The general elections could be held earlier than thought and Gozitans should to be ready and prepared, Dr Sant said at a Labour Party activity in Victoria, Gozo, yesterday.

On the EU, he said foreign experts who insisted there was no other road to EU membership, were looking at their own interests.

He stressed the importance of creating partnerships, based on fair deals, with those who had something to offer - not just with the EU, but also with the Maltese communities in the US, Australia and North Africa.

In the case of Australia, he encouraged building on what had been established by the Maltese community, which had contributed to its adopted country's economic progress.

The government should have encouraged investment from Australian businessmen of Maltese origin, Dr Sant said, adding that he had seen this potential for himself during his recent visit to the country.

Over the years, no initiatives had been carried out in Gozo, which needed a yacht marina, a golf course, a casino and land for all the small self-employed, among other developments.

However, he said Gozo did not need a large village and hotel that would destroy Hondoq ir-Rummien and the project was just a case of speculation.

He said the New Zealand Maltapost management was closing down and reducing the number of post office branches, causing inconveniences for the public.

It intended to send 40 postal workers from Gozo to Malta - the opposite of what the MLP had done in taking Gozitan government workers back to Gozo.