Momentum

President Guido de Marco yesterday launched his new book, Momentum, which carries the speeches made during the first three years of his presidency.

Momentum is sponsored by the Bank of Valletta and all proceeds from the sale of the book will be in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund.

In the book`s preface, Prof. de Marco writes: "Momentum refers to the impetus gained by movement. Momentum is movement in continuity. And there is momentum in the presidency. The presidency is an evolving aspect of the constitutional vitality of our nation.

"The President is no static symbol or passive authority of the state. The office carries a responsibility of continuing the good work of my predecessors as that essential and balanced element of state authority."

The book contains two parts and is divided into a comprehensive number of subjects. Excerpts and speeches are reproduced in the original language in which they were delivered, with English translations provided where necessary.

The book is dedicated to young Maltese.

The speeches are complemented by photographs to better illustrate the work carried out by the presidency.

Momentum is available for sale from leading bookshops.

This is Prof. de Marco`s fourth publication. The others are: A presidency with a purpose: United Nations General Assembly 45th Session, 1991; Malta`s Foreign Policy in the Nineties: its evolution and progression, 1996; and A Second Generation United Nations: for peace and freedom in the 21st century, co-written with Michael Bartolo and first published in 1997. Its second edition will be launched later on this year.