Confusion over GRTU's 'unanimous' stand on EU

A dissenting voice emerged yesterday to the positive stand taken on EU membership by the Association of General Retailers and Traders, which had stated that the decision on the stand was unanimous.

Joseph Zrinzo, a GRTU executive council member and also one of the main spokesmen of the anti-EU Campaign for National Independence, categorically denied the decision, taken by the council, was unanimous.

But GRTU president Charles Busuttil and director general Vincent Farrugia insisted the stand - that "economic and commercial aspects indicated that EU membership was a valid and positive choice for business and the Maltese self-employed" - had the unanimous backing of council members.

A GRTU declaration issued on Wednesday also said the EU issue was not simply of an economic and commercial nature and, therefore, each member should make a judgment on all aspects of membership.

Fifteen of the 16 council members were present at Wednesday's council meeting. Charles Borg was abroad. The council represents a cross section of the Maltese commercial community ranging from construction to pharmaceuticals to the leisure sector.

Mr Zrinzo, who was present at the meeting, said: "I insist the decision was not unanimous and I was not the only council member who does not believe EU membership will be beneficial for the economy and the business community."

Mr Busuttil said it was a very stormy session. "We are a lively association made up of a wide cross-section of the business community. I admit it was difficult to reach a unanimous decision on the issue of membership but finally we got there."

Mr Zrinzo insisted that the final text of the declaration was not read to members of the council before it was released to the media.

But Mr Busuttil begged to differ: "Mr Zrinzo himself was one of the council members most heavily involved in the drafting of the text. The declaration was read to council members and there was unanimous agreement."

Mr Zrinzo said he could not understand how the GRTU decided to take a stand now when it had always made it clear it would not take a position on membership, especially since different sections would be affected in different ways.

Mr Busuttil said "That was yesterday. Now we have educated ourselves because we have in our hands a scientific report by Ali Bayar, an economist of international repute, which clearly states that Malta's economy and the business community stand to benefit from membership. No economist worth his salt has contradicted Prof. Bayar's scientific conclusions."

Mr Farrugia echoed Mr Busuttil's comments, saying the association could not ignore the cost benefit analysis highlighted in Prof. Bayar's report.

"Throughout the negotiations process, the GRTU was fully involved in the Malta-EU Action and Steering Committee and we scrutinised in detail what was taking place," Mr Farrugia said.

"However, we acted in a very prudent manner by not deciding in favour or against EU membership prematurely.

"But now we have scientific evidence in our possession which shows that the economic and commercial aspects indicate that EU membership is a valid and positive choice for business and the Maltese self employed."

Mr Farrugia stressed that the GRTU declaration on the issue of EU membership had the unanimous backing of council members.