Fenech Adami sworn in as President of Malta

Eddie Fenech Adami, 70, yesterday entered a new phase of his long political career and made history by becoming the first Prime Minister to be appointed President.

"I have accepted to serve the Maltese people as the nation's President. I am well aware that there are those who disagreed with my nomination, nevertheless I guarantee that I shall do all that is in my power to be truly worthy of this office," he said.

Dr Fenech Adami was addressing guests gathered at the Palace's Grand Council Chamber to witness the seventh President of the Republic take the oath of office.

Speaker Anton Tabone countersigned the oath, which was followed by a fanfare by the trumpeters of the Armed Forces of Malta and a 21-gun salute from Pope Pius V. Street, Valletta.

There was applause as the new President read and signed the proclamation, which was countersigned by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

In his speech, Dr Fenech Adami said he had many admirable role models from whom to draw inspiration and to this end he saluted the nation's first President Sir Anthony Mamo, 95, who was present among the guests.

"I also honour the memory of the late Anton Buttigieg, Agatha Barbara and Pawlu Xuereb. I would also like to thank my predecessors, Censu Tabone, Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Guido de Marco," he said.

"I would also like to thank you, Prime Minister, for nominating me to this office, as well as all the members of parliament to whom I assure my unstinting commitment," he added.

Dr Fenech Adami's nomination as President has come under fierce attack from the Labour Party which condemned it as a "partisan, divisive and undemocratic decision".

During an MLP Freedom Day activity, party leader Alfred Sant said the party would make a distinction between the Office of the President and the person occupying the post, so Labour MPs yesterday attended the swearing in ceremony. However, they were dressed in black as a sign of "mourning".

Five years ago, Prof. de Marco's nomination had also been described as "divisive" by Dr Sant.

Dr Fenech Adami yesterday assured all those present he would be working hard "to truly foster unity among the Maltese".

During his speech, he noted that his appointment coincided with the fourth day of the fourth month of the fourth year in the century.

The number four seems to bring Dr Fenech Adami luck because on four previous occasions he was summoned to the Palace by four successive Presidents to take the oath of office as Prime Minister.

"This is the fifth time I have been called upon to render service to Malta and to the Maltese and to this fifth call I reply with the utmost humility: Here I stand. I am ready to serve."

In his address he went down memory lane and reminisced about his first memories of World War II and the first air raid on June 11, 1940, when he was barely six years old.

He recalled the hardships his family had to face and mentioned the time when his father was obliged to take an oath before the University Registrar to be exonerated from paying tuition fees for his brother and himself, due to the family's financial situation.

Dr Fenech Adami spoke of the early discussions on Malta's constitutional future and his decision to immerse himself in politics.

He also mentioned the fortune of being the first government leader to walk from one side of Berlin to another when the wall came down in 1989.

Concluding his speech, Dr Fenech Adami thanked all those who had worked closely with him throughout the years, especially those in the public service.

He thanked his wife Mary and his family for their "quiet, unwavering support".

"Finally, I would like to thank my late parents and all those who, throughout my life, have contributed in some way to make me the person I am today and who have built and strengthened my character with the values that they imparted to me."