New Leader for AD

Last Saturday those enthusiastic members and supporters of AD attended an Extraordinary General Meeting to discuss the general election results and to elect a new executive committee.

I would say that the whole event was a healthy exercise of the party. It was also well attended.

People were free to speak up. Many did.



After a short presentation by Carmel Cacopardo highlighting the most important points in the report commissioned by the party, many others aired their views about the way forward for the party.
The main points which were elicited:
* the party needs to work harder to get its message across to a wider audience.
* the party needs to remain principled on issues ranging from the environment to civil rights.
* the party needs to emphasize more the link between the economy, labour issues and the environment.
* the party needs to work harder at locality level and form a strong party base.
* the party needs to keep on working closely with civil society and the independent media.
* the party must cooperate with progressive movements and social and environmental NGOs to offer a strong, constructive and modern opposition to goverment.

Ralph Cassar, Arnold Cassola, Adrian Grima, Stephen Cachia, Alistair Farrugia, Jurgen Balzan, Carmel Hili, Robert Callus, David Mangion, Henrik Piski, Oison Dillon Jones, were amongst those who intervened during the discussion. Mario Mallia chaired the meeting.

The speech by outgoing party chairperson Dr. Harry Vassallo was quite emotional. He thanked all those with whom he had worked as Chairperson throughout the past 9 years. He said that he feels that he did the best he could with the party's limited resources. He urged the party
to remain true to its ideals and said that AD was the only party courageous enough to bring progressive and ecological issues on the political agenda. He said that the party is not hostage to any financially strong lobby. Big applause!

Dr. Vassallo said that he was not "slamming the door and leaving" as some opinion writers
were saying. He said that he wants to see a strong and effective party and urged everyone to give a helping hand.

The members present then approved by secret ballot the nominees for the
executive committee. According to AD's current statute when posts are uncontested the
nominees have to be approved by two-thirds (2/3) of party members attending a
general meeting.

Arnold Cassola was approved unanimously as the new party leader.


I thanked Dr. Harry Vassallo for his services to the party. I tried to explain that Dr. Vassallo had worked selflessly and untiringly at the helm of AD for the past years. A gift to Dr. Vassallo and his wife was presented on behalf of AD as a sign of appreciation and augured that Dr. Vassallo will continue offering his insight and expertise to the party. I'm sure he will.




In his address at the close of the extraordinary general meeting AD's new Chairperson Prof. Arnold Cassola said that AD will continue making its voice herad, expressing its agreement if it agrees with policies and proposals but also criticizing and offering different solutions where necessary.

It was a moving morning. It was nice also to have met new faces.

I'm also happy with the choice of our new leader. Arnold knows that a smile costs nothing and he knows how to be friendly. He never ignores people and is able to make people feel important and special. He is not a brag. His honesty appeals people.

Cassola's experience as a politician, parliamentarian and his vast experience in all the EU countries as a secretary general of the European Greens is an asset which none of the other political parties in Malta can boast about.

Above all Arnold is a listener and encourager. He never ignores people. Write to him and he will surely reply.

Here is a test: Copy this E-mail address and e-mail Arnold on arnoldcassola@gmail.com
Will he reply to you? I bet he will!

Last article by Dr. Harry Vassallo on The Times as the AD Leader

Friday, 13th June 2008

Give them the tools

Harry Vassallo

It appears that many people too easily assumed that my promise to resign my post as chairman of the Green party was to be taken with a pinch of salt. It appears that power is intoxicating and not a few make fools of themselves in the end by clinging on too long.

Perhaps I have the advantage on them because the power and glory that is the share of the leader of the Greens is just a tot and not enough to inebriate anybody. It is time to go and I am going.

In this too I believe that I serve the political party I have co-founded and served as soldier, staff officer and general for almost 19 years: Alternattiva Demokratika, as all political parties, will contest the European Parliament elections this time next year. In order to present a fresh proposal, it would be best to have a break with the past, a new image. And how better than by having somebody new flying the flag?

There is not much time available to make all the necessary changes and to establish the leadership in the public mind, not a day to spare. Judging by the report prepared by the commission engaged to analyse the general election results, AD will have to start from scratch. It seems there was nothing there at all. Certainly no money to speak of and the handful of people involved were obliged to multitask to breaking point. It's all true.

It has been a matter of keeping up appearances for a very long time. The age of volunteers is long gone, our socio-economic model has changed over the years and people expect to be paid for work, not least for hard work and often unrewarding of itself. The few who do it gratis are overburdened twice over because they are so few and because they too have to survive in the rat race.

It is poor consolation that AD may be the only political party with its books in the black and its soul intact. The commission's report certifies the Greens clean. But clean and unable to communicate one's vision is also a betrayal of a sacred trust.

Although still out in the cold, the Greens have positioned themselves evenly between the PN and the MLP, sitting astride the centre with a support exceeding the difference between the main contenders. The fact that the PN and the MLP together with the mainstream media avoid this fact as though observing a taboo only serves to underscore the Greens' potential for themselves, for a possible political ally and for all those seeking a radical change and able to invest time, effort or money to achieve it.

Tomorrow's extraordinary general meeting is billed as a changing of the guard and as the start of the discussion on the clinical dissection which the commission's report claims to be. Nobody will be asked to take a vote; there is nothing to be decided on; no official document before us to approve or otherwise, so nobody will check whether one's subscription is paid up. Party members, old and new, as well as interested bystanders, will be most welcome.

I do not expect that there will be time for everybody to have their say on each of the very many issues raised in the commission's report, so the event will be something of a media ritual, but this does not make it any less a watershed in our history which should be attended by those who have watched our progress with interest.

It will also be a farewell and a time to augur the new leadership the strength and persistence it will need to address the many shortcomings pointed out by the commission as well as the wisdom to weigh up and decide on the policy and strategy issues raised. I certainly hope that, in the coming weeks, it will have the benefit of many contributions from the party grassroots and not only the good wishes of all concerned. It is time to look forward, for me and for the party. I confess that I am looking forward to charging realistically for my services once more: no more free legal advice, no more environmental consultation gratis, no more political lobbying as an unpaid public service, no more articles, policy documents or even formal correspondence written without significant financial reward. At last it will become politically correct for me to accept the tempting eco-business proposals I have puritanically refused by the dozen.

It may not be a bad idea for the party to work out something on these lines itself. With no public financing of political parties available, how can all those who turn to the Greens for support continue to expect them to campaign for them with no resources? Perhaps the commission's report will make the matter more easily acceptable.

The Greens need almost nothing more than this: the commitment is there, the vision is clear, their relevance grows by the minute. They do need support and encouragement. It is Malta that needs the Greens and not the other way around. Perhaps we should all stop taking them for granted.

Dr Vassallo is the outgoing chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika - the Green party.

www.alternattiva.org.mt, www.adgozo.com

A national swimming pool in Gozo?

The Hon. Clyde Puli, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport addresses a press conference organised by the Aquatic Sports Association.

As expected, the Aquatic Sports needs in Gozo were again dismissed - or else not reported through the government press statements.


I remember that when we proposed that the state should invest much more in Aquatic sports in Gozo -even more specifically a National Swimming Pool - the GonziPN also promised such an initiative during one of his pre-election meetings in Nadur.


I once wrote this in the press:

I would like to draw attention to the fact that part of the public coastal area near Otters Water Polo Club in Marsalforn was taken away from the public through a parliamentary deed in 2005. Now a pending application awaiting MEPA’s approval to “construct a sea water pool, for water polo and swimming purposes, pool to occupy part of existing Otters Club House and adjacent land, and replanning of part of existing ramp next to St Mary’s Street, Marsalforn” is being processed.

While I would like to point out that Alternattiva Demokratika has long been insisting that the government should invest in aquatic sports in Gozo, I question the need for this limited proposal. Why should the Otters Club have to undergo such hassle to get a semi-decent pool? Why should historic salt pans be threatened and why should the public give up yet another piece of coastline? All this for only a few months just in case of possibly jellyfish-infested waters.

Was a national swimming pool in Gozo not part of the Nationalist Party’s manifesto in 1991? We are still waiting 17 years later and the Labour Party ignores such a proposal even in its current plan for Gozo. Green Members of Parliament will urge cross party co-operation to safeguard the interests of all Gozitans and Gozo’s specific needs. We will get the government to invest in sports in Gozo rather than speculating on public land.

Two national swimming pools already exist in Malta; hence we believe that Gozitans deserve, by right, a national pool in Gozo. In its electoral manifesto for Gozo, Alternattiva Demokratika is proposing that a national heated pool to be used all year round and aquatic sports facility would form part of the existing sports complex in Victoria where adjacent land is available, or in other locations such as the abandoned Hondoq ir-Rummien distillation plant which could be rehabilitated and transformed into an indoor solar power heated pool for all citizens. EU funds could be tapped to subsidise a public aquatic sports facility for Gozo.

Given the socio-educational advantages of aquatic sports in Gozo, I sincerely hope that in the-not-too-distant future the sport finds itself on the national agenda and not used as a favourite subject for lip-servicing exercises that seem to have become something of a national pastime. Stop appropriating further public land and give Gozitans what is theirs by right. We are fed up of empty promises. Swim with AD and leave the old political system to sink.

Messagg qabel tivvota - ara u isma l-vidjow

The blessed report

Carmel Cacopardo, an Alternattiva Demokratika candidate who used to work at the Mepa audit office published the Mepa preliminary audit report into the redevelopment of the Sant’ Antnin waste recycling plant in Marsascala.

Party leader Harry Vassallo said it was shameful that Mepa, which was there to protect the community, had not published the report.

Others have different views of course.

It seems that there are still some people in 2008 Malta who are prepared to defend the government even when it acts against the basics of democracy: TRANSPARENCY.

I particularly liked the comment by certain Dion Borg on the Times of Malta. He wrote:

"This blessed report is ultimately financed by taxpayers, and thus is owned by the people, and its purpose was supposedly to safeguard our common interest – read, no government’s or any other (sic) ‘citizen-serving’ institution’s interest.

Throughout this saga, govt and its quangos strived to keep independent information shrouded from the public domain, although it is of public concern… and only a few weeks ago Carmel Cacopardo was ‘not allowed’ to comment on the report during a hearing at the Court of Justice!

I believe that Carmel Cacopardo, acting morally, factually demonstrated his strong character and that his ultimate alliance is to the people and not to the quango and/or govt which pays lip service of holding Malta’s interest at heart. He has done so even at his own personal peril, of being sued (from misused public funds) for making public, a report which is in the public’s interest – although the condemning parties stand more to lose from taking this matter further.

Carmel Cacopardo has upheld Transparency, when both the MLPN have cheekily kept the status quo on the vile anonymous Party Financing, wherein they shed all their bloated ethics and readily accept hefty (yet un-quantified) ‘donations’ from tycoons who obviously know how to invest their funds.

In most European true democracies, Carmel Cacopardo would avail of a long overdue Whistleblower Act, whilst Political Parties accepting undisclosed payments will be prosecuted… however in supposedly EU Malta, dominated by the MLPN dual dictatorship - things are slightly different!

I believe Malta would be a much better place with more Cacopardos around at more effective offices!"

and I fully agree.

Kampanja ta' gideb u biza', issa f'Ghawdex ukoll

Mhux biss fid-djar tan-nies li jghixu fl-10 u d-9 distrett izda issa wkoll fit-13-il distrett, voldieri f'Ghawdex.

Marru fuqu l-familjari ta' wiehed mill-kandidati tal-PN u tghidx xi priedka ghamlulu biex ma jmurx jaghti xi vot lili.

Qalli: "Gabuni tifel zghir. Qaluli biex lanqas it-2 jew it-3 jew il-4 ma naghti lill-Kandidat ta' l-Alternattiva"

Jien: "Veru jew?"

Qalli: "Xejn... anzi qaluli biex jekk jien imdejjaq bin-Nazzjonalisti, ahjar nivvota lil xi hadd minn tal-Lejber milli naghti xi vot lil ta' l-Alternattiva"

Jien: "U x'ghidtilhom"

Qalli: "Ghidtilhom li int tigi minni u kont qed nahseb li almenu jhalluni bi kwieti"

Jien: "Nahseb li nhasdu x'hin ghidtilhom li tigi minni"

Qalli: "Lanqas xejn ma nhasdu. Kienu qed jistennewni nghidilhom hekk anzi, ghamluli priedka biex nivvota lejber basta mhux lil ta' l-Alternattiva."

X'tahsbu eh? arroganza jew perswazzjoni?

Stejjer bhal dawn jaghmlu l-politika mahmuga. Minn servizz igibu l-politika hmieg. Minn banda tajjeb tohrog il-verita' minn qalb certu nies li jilghabuha tal-martri quddiem l-interess ta' Ghawdex.


Isma d-diskors taghna kemm hu differenti. Il-Vot tieghek mhux ta' l-AD jew il-PN jew l-AN jew l-MLP. Il-vot tieghek m'hu ta' ebda partit, lanqas m'hu tan-nanna jew tal-buznanna.

Int taf li jekk tivvota lili, jien ser nahdem ghall-interess ta' Ghawdex u mhux ghal tal-qalba. Jekk trid hekk, nirringrazzjak tal-vot.

Jekk tahseb li hrigt ghonqi niddefendi lill-diversi residenti u setturi f'Ghawdex matul dawn l-ahhar snin, ghamilt dan ghal xi gwadann personali; allura tivvotalix.

Ivvota u gib bidla fil-mentalita'. Grazzi hafna tal-vot tieghek.

Please check if your Vote belongs to you. (1)

They say that a vote for AD is a vote for the MLP. Is this true?

Incorrect. This statement is based on the assumption that all the people who vote for AD have previously voted for PN. This is very far from the truth. AD’s potential voting pool comes from a wide variety of sources. There is a core Green vote consisting of people who have always voted for the Greens, new voters (over 17,000), people who have voted for the MLP and people who would not cast their vote if the Green Party was not contesting. By no stretch of the imagination can it be stated that every person who votes for AD intended to vote for the Nationalist party. In any case votes do not “belong” to any political party but to the voter who may use it as s/he pleases at different times.

Don't allow yourself to be a puppet on a string:

Job Opportunities for Gozitans (5).

Much had been said that Gozo should be promoted as tourist destination separately from Malta and not as an appendix of Malta's tourist product.

Fully agree.

What sort of action did the government invest in this regard? Any specific budget just to promote Gozo?

Alternattiva Demokratika acknowledges the fact that Gozo has a great deal to offer to the tourist apart from the climate.

Besides agricultural, fishing, manufacturing, tourism and services industries, AD gives full support to the heritage of Gozo.

Older properties could be sympathetically restored to enhance the character of the community - a good number of job opportunities in this sector. Indeed, jobs from the construction industry. And this is sustainable development.

Such a plan should include public transport and the integration of the 48% of empty dwellings in Gozo.

Some money needs to be diverted to cope with the increasing amount of litter which more often seems to be dumped in the countryside.

Job opportunities in alternative energies should be explored.

If these and more of similar points are addressed, Gozo will once again be valued for what it really is.

Please do go and read our 21 proposals for creating new, modern and sustainable jobs in Gozo by clicking here.


Watch an AD Press Conference on "More effort needed to create jobs in Gozo" :