Freedom Day Honours - 1998

Malta's system of Honours, Awards and Decorations was established in 1975 by virtue of the "Gieh ir-Repubblika" Act.

Under this Act the State pays public tribute to Maltese citizens who distinguish themselves in different walks of life, as well as to foreign nationals who, by their service, distinguish themselves in promoting and fostering Maltese interests in such a remarkable degree as to earn the respect and gratitude of the people of the Maltese Islands.

During an Investiture Ceremony held this morning at The Palace, Valletta, the President of Malta, on behalf of the Government and people of Malta, conferred honorary membership of The National Order of Merit on nine foreign nationals - three members in the grade of Officer and six members in the grade of Member. Five other foreign nationals were awarded the "Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika" on an honorary basis. Two other Maltese persons who could not attend the Investiture Ceremony held on 13 December 1997 were also honoured.

A short biographical note on each of the distinguished foreign nationals honoured to-day is attached.

HONOURS AND AWARDS 1998

The National Order of Merit

Honorary Officers

ALAIN BLONDY, U.O.M.

A professor of History at the University of Sorbonne. He is a specialist in Mediterranean History of the period between the 16^th and the 19^th century, with special reference to the History of Malta. He has published many books and articles about the subject, contributing in that way, to make known past and present Malta in French-speaking areas. His 1993 State Thesis (the highest doctorate in France) dealing with Malta at the end of the rule of the Order of St. John brought into relief the importance of the Maltese Islands in European diplomacy. It was, in fact, the first thesis published in France on a Maltese subject. He was instrumental in the signing of the convention between the Malta University and the University of Sorbonne.

VERNON R LOUCKS JR, U.O.M.

A successful executive in the healthcare industry who is very active in business, education and civil affairs. He was the recipient of various awards including the William McCormick Blair Award from Yale University (1989), the Distinguished Humanitarian Award (1992), the "Industrialist of the Year Award" (1996) from the American Israel Chamber of Commerce and the Yale Medal (1997) from Yale University. He is Chairman and Chief Executive of Baxter International Inc. having served in the latter capacity since May 1980. During 1986 and 1987 he was involved in the setting up of Baxter Ltd in Malta. Since then he has contributed significantly towards the growth of the Maltese Company to become the Corporation's main manufacturer of Intra Venous sets for the European market.

PASQUALE PISTORIO, U.O.M.

President and Chief Executive Officer of SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics. A management guru of international repute that champions the cause of Europe's microelectronics industry. A landmark in his career is the well-managed integration of SGS and Thomson Semiconducteurs ten years ago and which has led to the Company's current very broad technology, product portfolio as well as its globalization. In December 1994 he led the Company to its successful listing on the New York Stock Exchange and on the Bourse de Paris. He was awarded the "Commendatore al Merito" of the Italian Republic in 1974 and "Chevalier del'Ordre National du Merit" in 1990 by the President of the French Republic. In 1992 he received an honorary degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Genoa and in 1996 an honorary degree in Science from the University of Malta. In 1997 he was awarded the "Cavaliere del Lavoro" by the President of the Italian Republic. The climax of his successful career was reached last September when SGS-THOMSON won the European Quality Award for Business Excellence. He was instrumental in the setting up of the SGS-ATES plant in Malta in 1981 and manifested strong confidence in the island's technical and engineering resources in developing the Company's technological potential which for a number of years has distinguished itself as one of Malta's leading industrial exporters.

Honorary Members

JEAN BECHARA, M.O.M.

Honorary Consul General for Malta in Lebanon. Chairman of several Lebanese companies, during the past thirty years he undertook to foster excellent business relations between official authorities in several countries of the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, and Maltese businessmen including METCO. He has also done outstanding work for Air Malta in Lebanon and was appointed their general representative for the Middle East. During the civil war he continued his activities in France and received from the President of the French Republic for his valid contribution the decoration of "Chevalier del'Ordre National du Merit" in 1988. In 1991, the President of the Republic of Lebanon decorated him with the 'Star of the National Order of Cedar' in recognition of services rendered to Lebanon and for the promotion of the close relations between Lebanon and Malta.

ALFRED KLIMA, M.O.M.

Former Honorary Consul General for Malta in Austria. He graduated in law and modern languages and in 1947 he was appointed legal adviser to the Department of the American Forces in Vienna. Later he became Commercial Manager for the Austrian Rubber Industry. He played a decisive role in the reconstruction of International Groups of Chemical Industries into successful entities which provided work for thousands of workers. Besides his professional work, he directed the Red Cross Organisation, was a Councillor of the Vienna Central Office of Statistics and promoted activities in aid of homeless people. His merits in connection with the reconstruction of the Austrian Industry after the war were acknowledged when the Republic of Austria conferred on him several decorations including the Great Order of Merit. During his thirty years as Honorary Consul and Honorary Consul General for Malta, he contributed in a significant way towards the promotion of bilateral relations in the cultural and economic fields.

PAUL RUDOLF KRAEMER, M.O.M.

Honorary Consul General for Malta in Düsseldorf. His jurisdiction comprises the Lander Northrhine-Westfalia and Hessen. He is also a successful businessman and owner of a merchandising concern with branch stores for jewellery in Germany and Holland. He has received various honours including the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Award Ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika by the President of Malta in 1985. During the years of his consular engagement for Malta, he established numerous contacts on the political and economic level, which enhanced Malta's reputation in Germany and paved the way for an increased interest by German entrepreneurs in Malta.

JOSEPH STEPHEN MICALLEF, M.O.M.

Honorary Consul General for Malta in the United States of America for over thirty years. He is an established lawyer, business and foundation executive, civic leader and manager of various financial entities. Throughout the tenure of his Consular Office he has shown keen interest in promoting beneficial bilateral relations between his adopted country and Malta. He was instrumental in providing the funding from various philanthropic institutions for the microfilming of Ecclesiastical documents at the Cathedral Museum, as well as of the archives of the Order of St John, which are preserved in the National Library of Malta.

TERRY MUSCAT, M.O.M.

Founder member of the Maltese Community Council in Victoria Australia. He has also been a full time official of the Australian Workers' Union for almost thirty years, holding senior positions within the Union as well as with the Australian Council of Trade Unions. He represented Australia at international trade union conferences and in 1997 he was elected National Secretary of the Australian Workers' Union. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1979 and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1994. Ever since he emigrated to Australia in 1956, he has been very active in Maltese Community Affairs and is the President of various sports, social and cultural Maltese Associations.

HANNETRAUD SCHULTHEISS, M.O.M.

Honorary Consul General for Malta in Mainz, Germany. Awarded the German Cross of Merit for her distinguished career as Tax Consultant, she holds senior positions in various international organisations and is the Vice-Dean of the Consular Corps in Mainz. In Malta she holds various honorary posts including that of Honorary Commander of the St. John Rescue Corps.Well-known for her long standing efforts to promote economic, cultural and touristic relations between Germany and Malta, as well as to enhance mutual understanding and interest in each country's culture and language. True to her 15 year old tradition, she has again this year brought over to Malta a number of distinguished German personalities on a cultural visit.

Midalja æall-Qadi tar-Repubblika

on an honorary basis

ALFREDO BARBARO, M.Q.R.

Honorary Consul for Malta in Palermo. A shipowner of Italian nationality, he is Partner and President of "Finaval SpA", one of the biggest Shipping Companies in Italy; and Partner of "Pietro Barbaro SpA", one of the longest established shipping, travel and forwarding agencies in Palermo, with branch offices all over Sicily. Besides, he is the President of "BIS Barbaro Intermodal Service Srl", a Company with offices in Palermo and Catania, which transports goods in containers all over the world. He sits on the Board of the Port Authority in Palermo and on the executive committee of "Confitarma" a Federation of Italian Shipowners. Since 1969, he has successfully striven to promote and foster relations between Italy and Malta.

CLAUDE BIETRON, M.Q.R.

Honorary Consul for Malta in the south of France since 1970. In the course of his long maritime career as Director of various shipping companies, he helped in setting up the Maltese National Line and Sea Malta and became their general agent in France. As such he developed trade between Malta and France. He was the mentor of the first call of Cruise Ships at Valletta in 1965 with "Croisières Paquet" and took part in the opening of UTA air line flights from Marseilles to Malta. As Honorary Consul and in collaboration with Maltese and French authorities he is still promoting economic, cultural and touristic exchanges as well as diplomatic relations between Malta and France.

VICTOR GEORGE BORG, M.Q.R.

Honorary Consul for Malta in Melbourne Australia. A lawyer who has been committed to the principles of social justice, particularly in relation to disadvantaged groups and migrant communities in Australia. He has for several years provided free legal advisory service to the Maltese Community in Victoria and was instrumental in the establishment of a professional welfare service funded by Federal and State Governments. Under his leadership and in partnership with the Missionary Society of St. Paul, the Maltese Community Centre was constructed in Parkville serving as a focal point for all Maltese social and welfare societies. He has the elderly at heart. He is the Honorary Chairperson of the Dominican Sisters of Malta and of the Aged Care Hostel in Victoria; as well as a Board Member of their Hostel in New South Wales. He is currently the President of the Maltese Community of Victoria.

JOHN HOGG, M.Q.R.

A leading figure in the local insurance business. He came to Malta in 1976 and set up MIB - Mediterranean Insurance Brokers which was to be the first successful insurance broking business on the Island. He was also instrumental in the setting up of the Mediterranean Insurance Training Centre, followed by the setting up of the Middle Sea Insurance p.l.c. Although now retired from active insurance business, he is still a Director, of the successor company Bain Hogg in Malta, and of Middle Sea Insurance p.l.c.

WALTER HOHMANN, M.Q.R.

An industrialist of German origin and the General Manager of one of the long established foreign manufacturing companies in Malta. In 1976 he set up the Lloyd Shoes Manufacturing Company (M) Ltd. Since then he has been responsible for the training and development of its all Maltese managerial and supervisory staff, for the growth of the Company as well as its penetration and expansion into local and foreign markets. In 1988 he directed the set-up of a second factory in Gozo and is currently engaged in the setting up of a finished Shoe Factory - a tangible evidence of the high regard in which he holds the skills of the Maltese worker.