There and then: here and now (4)

Some days ago I was listening to an interview with the Brigadier of the Armed Forces of Malta about dealing with the large numbers of illegal immigrants from Africa landing without documents and permission on the fair shores of Malta.

The Brigadier said that the number of immigrants almost equalled the number of AFM personnel. He even gave the numbers as being 1,600 officers and men and at the time of the interview he quoted the number of immigrants as being 1,400, referring to those who are in detention.

The others who have been granted the status of refugees and who have been given working permits and some say a daily allowance of Lm2 plus accommodation were not mentioned in the interview but they must number some 1,000, give or take a couple of hundred. These could have remained in Libya where they were welcomed, but they preferred coming to Europe.

As things now stand the illegal immigrants by far outnumber the armed forces. Most immigrants are of military age and there is a danger that these immigrants will soon reach the optimum numerical superiority of three to one in their favour. Should they receive arms there will be a tragedy of the first order.

To compound the problem, the European Union is not being of any help and the government of the day must take the necessary steps, even unwelcome ones, to save Malta for the Maltese. This should be the cry of all intelligent and brave Maltese.

As an afterthought, suppose that in time, say, 100,000 immigrants arrive. Shall we send them back or shall we leave Malta and make space for them?