STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS & THE ENVIRONMENT

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Environment refers to the article carried in yesterday’s edition of The Malta Independent on Sunday entitled “Security heightened at Mediterranean US Embassies - US diplomat tried to contact foreign minister on air strikes”.

This article, written by Mr Saviour Balzan, states that “Minutes after the American missile strikes on the alleged  terrorist outposts in Sudan and Afghanistan, the US Charge` d’Affaires Elisabeth Barnett tried to inform Foreign Minister George Vella of the US actions.” Mr Balzan further alleges that “Dr Vella, who was taking part in an electoral campaign activity, did not receive Mrs Barnett’s message” and that “He only learned about the bombing the following morning through CNN”.

Mr Balzan’s allegations are absolutely untrue. In fact, the US Charge` d’Affaires contacted the Minister by telephone at 11.30 p.m., during which they discussed what was happening. Ms Barnett also faxed background information to the Minister’s private residence for his information.

Since Mr Balzan failed to report correctly the facts of the case, one need hardly comment on his speculation that “Sources close to Dr Vella confirmed that the Malta Government was not enthused by the air strikes but would not be issuing any critical statement at this delicate phase of the electoral campaign.”

Far from being professional reporting, this smells of political aspersions “inspired” by somebody’s hidden agenda.