Conditional approval among options open to Labour

Accepting the European Constitution with "some reservations" was one of the options the Malta Labour Party had as its pondered its stand on the treaty, Labour MEP John Attard Montalto has said.

Interviewed at his office at the European Parliament in Brussels last week, Dr Attard Montalto said the MLP had a number of options, including asking the government to hold a referendum about the matter, asking for a vote of two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives or opposing it.

Feelers within the party indicated that accepting the EU Constitution with some reservations was the option that was most likely to be favoured by delegates at a party general conference but Dr Attard Montalto declined to say which option he preferred.

"As the head of the party's delegation of members of the European Parliament I should speak about and express my opinion within party circles first," he said.

Dr Attard Montalto said the party was seeking legal advice about whether sections of the EU Constitution were in conflict with the Maltese Constitution, especially on the issue of neutrality. If a conflict existed, then a two-thirds vote would be required in the House.

"I think that if I were the Prime Minister, I would ask for a vote of two-thirds on such an important issue, irrespective of whether there is a conflict or not," he said.

The EU needed a Constitution so that the various treaties that existed would be embodied into one, he said, and the acceptance of the Constitution by all member states was an important aspect in a Union that was becoming more and more integrated.

"As a lawyer interested in human rights and fundamental freedoms I cannot but note that these rights and freedoms are more enforceable in the new Constitution," Dr Attard Montalto said.

He said EU membership still had to sink in to the people's minds in Malta.

"The MLP has accepted the people's position. Party supporters have demonstrated changes in attitude as in the case of the European Parliament elections when the MLP won three out of five seats. That was the first sign of acceptance but other steps have to be taken," he said.