Gourgion Tower

Regarding Em. C. Spiteri's letter (October 14), first off, £50,000 is a mere pittance considering the rich architecture of the opera house. Even in those days.

However, to get to the case in point, the Gourgion Tower. Mr Spiteri writes that the Americans barged in (Iraqi fashion) and demolished it without permission from the Maltese to make room for a runway from which their aircraft could take off to bombard and invade Sicily.

Mr Spiteri should know that in those days the permission had to be obtained from the colonial government. Whether permission was asked for and given or not, neither I nor Mr Spiteri know.

One thing for certain is that in those days speed and urgency were essential.

Also, does Mr Spiteri remember that the Americans were there to defend Europe (including Malta) or would he have preferred to have this tower intact when the Nazis walked into Malta?

Did anyone approach the American government and ask to have this tower rebuilt? If they did "send a cheque", would it have gone the same route as the £50,000? Can anyone actually account for that £50,000? There are quite a few rumoured stories around as to what happened to the money.