12 13 Feature maltatoday, Sunday, 11 april 2010 maltatoday, Sunday, 11 april 2010 Feature

MintoffCOMPILED BY MATTHEW VELLA - in the eyes of America (part 2)

Labour’s foreign policy was “flexible”. Although he Mario Felice – the PN’s ‘anti-communist’ MP then went to reiterate policy of exclusion. In brief personal exchange as they were leaving par- liament, Felice said Mintoff jokingly asked him if he would cross the floor and join Labour party ranks if Mario Felice, a Nationalist MP, is portrayed in the US embassy telegrams Mintoff agreed to allow Sixth Fleet visit to Malta. Fe- lice said he replied that Sixth Fleet issue was not the as a friendly source who meets up with the US ambassador and officials, only quarrel he had with Labour government. In recounting foregoing to Ambassador, Felice said communicates goings-on in politics and internal PN news. Felice (born 1930) he believes that Mintoff is deliberately trying to keep was a frontbench member of the PN up until 1981 as a shadow finance his options open as a result of cooling relations with Qadhafi and Libya. Esiting issues (British bases on minister, but was also close to Labour prime minister Dom Mintoff – here it Malta, presence of Israeli embassy on Malta, FIR and Median Line) have presumably sharpened by recent emerges he met with him regularly. oil exploration agreement between GOM and Texa- co. He was a fervent supporter of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; as the Felice said he felt it would be counterproductive for president of the Malta branch of the Atlantic Treaty Association, he visited US, or even Nationalist party, to try to push Mintoff at this point. Mintoff tends to react vigorously to what the White House in 1969 as a member of an ATA delegation, and in 1974 he he interprets as pressure. Ambassador agreed. Mint- off’s own policies on oil exploration rights appear to was honoured by Dr Luns, secretary-general of NATO, for his work to further be shaping events in a manner potentially favourable public understanding of the Alliance. In 1989, Felice was appointed chairman of the Malta to US. GETZ International Business Authority (later renamed MFSA). 28 June 1974 – Embassy Valletta Eugene Rostow During brief interrupted conversation at social func- tion, Nationalist MP Mario Felice told us that secret 18 May 1973 – Embassy Valletta talks between Labour and Opposition parliamentary very intelligent and is constantly getting view on specific issues. We suspect groups on changes in Constitution are going well from Summary: in conversation with ambassador before his in trouble by making public statements he is somewhat flattered by attention GETZ lic works minister and well- is attached to the idea of Constitutional reform. He Opposition viewpoint, and that Church and Com- departure for US, Nationalist MP Mario Felice covered which leave him open to devastating re- Mintoff gives him. known backing of GWU. claimed Mintoff has two specific goals: first is to do monwealth membership issues were “no problem”, following subjects: Mintoff’s intentions on amending plies by Prime minister. “He sees 8 June 1973 – Embassy Valletta COMMENT: It is t rue that away with proportional representation, and second implying that neither the basic position of the Church Constitution; prospective anti-American campaign by Felice also raised subject of “Mediter- Sant has gained consider- to remove any mention of the Church in the Consti- nor of the Queen as head of state was in question. Ac- Labour; finance of newspaper ‘Mediterranean News’; ranean News”, English-language news- At luncheon June 8, Nationalist MP Mintoff able stature as minster, but tution. Felice agreed that neither the cording to Felice, major point at issue leadership crisis in Nationalist party. paper published in Malta which ahs Mario Felice told us that attempt to he still is very much under Constitutional Court question nor now is Labour proposal for an article Felice on eve of trip to Norfolk for ATA (Atlantic taken unequivocally pro-Arab and cor- bribe Gozitan MP Anglu Camilleri [il- Mintoff’s shadow; and al- the voting age were of sufficient im- that would permit suspension of elec- Treaty Association) and visit to Washington, called on respondingly anti-US slant. Felice says Bedeq, Labour MP from Nadur] was quite though an MLP strongman, portance to lead Mintoff to amend tions under conditions of civil strife. ambassador May 16. Mediterranean News receives $90,000 very nearly successful, and he claimed he lacks appeal among La- the Constitution illegally. On the COMMENT: Question of suspen- Felice claimed that Malta in fairly near-term future subsidy per year from Qadhafi and that that only Labour MP from Gozo – bour intellectuals and non- other hand, Felice said he agreed with sion of elections under disruptive local may be faced with constitutional crisis. He says Crown vigorously anti-American columnist Cauchi – was also on verge of defect- regularly worker MLP supporters Mintoff that it was wrong to “impose” conditions from time to time by GOM advocate-general at PM’s instruction has drafted Robert Del Prete is pseudonym for Mal- ing under same circumstances. Felice generally. TUCKER on Malta a Constitution requiring spokesman, and diehard National- amendments to Constitution which require two-thirds ta Labour Party journalist…. claims that police actually uncovered two-thirds majority in parliament for ist supporters regularly speculate that majority for passage. Amendments would provide for COMMENT: While much of Felice’s plot, and that two Gozitans tried to for long 5 March 1974 – Embassy amendment. Mintoff will find that kind of excuse to single-member districts for election of MPs, which Fe- attitude must be taken in context of stop Mintoff from making case pub- Valletta As last point of interest, with regard remain in office being his term of office. lice says would then be gerrymandered to provide sure coming from prominent young mem- lic, but Mintoff insisted. Felice says Although most recent in- to attempts by Dr Colombo to create At any rate, his appears to be the first Labour victory) and would change Malta into republic ber of Opposition, his concern for con- Gorg Borg Olivier and that businessman Roger Camilleri is discussions, formation indicates Min- a new political party, Felice claimed constitutional issue on which the two with puppet president… stitutional issues is substantiated by Guido Demarco long-time Labour supporter who gave toff is indeed recovering that Buttigieg is furious in light of political parties have serious disagree- Felice claimed governor-general is totally submissive Mintoff’s public reference to anomaly of £10,000 or £12,000 to MLP for last from his accident, concern exchange of correspondence he had ment. GETZ to PM and will go along with this extra-constitutional Constitutions which was approved only political campaign. and we about his health was back- with Colombo about two years ago. procedure. When asked why he would cap his career by simply majority, embodying amendment procedures Felice says he has done his best to ascertain whether ground for interesting con- Buttigieg told Felice that Colombo 9 July 1975 – Embassy Valletta with such abysmal and illegal surrender, Felice said which require two-thirds majority in parliament and any Nationalist MP might be involved but has so far have no versation at lunch, March had written to him taking Labour to Former deputy under-secretary Eu- Mintoff would probably consider establishing gover- in some cases additional popular referendum. While come up with nothing. He is apparently still slightly 3, with Mario Felice, young task for not undertaking a broad pro- gene Rostow also visited Malta June nor-general as president… much of the public debate has centred around voting nervous on this score, saying he ‘hoped’ that noth- Nationalist MP and shadow gramme of nationalization of private 6-10 as a guest of the Malta Atlantic Felice added Nationalist executive authorized Borg age and Constitutional Court vice-presidency ques- ing would turn up. Asked whether other businessmen reason to finance minister. enterprise and confiscation of prop- Sir Anthony Mamo Association. Unlike his stopover in Olivier to reply negatively on general terms for support tions, Felice’s assertions with regard to electoral system might be involved, Felice said he simply did not know Feliice began by saying he erty. When Buttigieg wrote back to Reykjayik however, Rostow’s stay in in effecting amendments… but Borg Olivier is still car- are more plausible as real target for Mintoff’s aims. It but thought it not out of question that Ronald Said and was unable to get any satis- ask what Colombo advocated with re- Malta receive little public attention rying this reply in his pocket. would seem more likely that if he wishes to open crisis Roger Camilleri might have had that much cash be- doubt this” factory explanation of Min- gard to Church property (at that time Colombo was and did not produce any fireworks. Felice then embarked on rather unhappy account sit- on this subject, he would not do it on relatively less im- tween them. toff’s conditions, and he in a religious order), Colombo replied that the Church Rostow’s visit here was treated as a private, almost uation within PN, basically dilemma is that both party portant aspects. Felice believes Mintoff will not move COMMENT: Felice’s story may, of course, be coloured GETZ was so concerned that he property should be the first to be confiscated. Felice proprietary one by Nationalist MP Mario Felice, leader Borg Olivier and deputy leader Censu Tabone on these questions until about six months from now. by his political affiliation. planned to face parliamen- implied that Buttigieg intended to make this corre- chairman of the Malta ATA society. Alhough em- are completely ineffective, but younger party members Felice is unusual in PN in that he has a personal re- 15 January 1974 – Embassy, Valletta tary secretary Wistin Abela (one of Mintoff’s inner spondence public at some point. bassy official EMT was at small private dinner given feel that it would be public disaster to remove them. lationship to Mintoff and sees him quite regularly. He circle) with demand for facts in order that the country COMMENT: Although Felice appears to be a good by Felice, the absence of the ambassador (who was in Borg Olivier’s problem is that he simply is inactive and gives credit to Mintoff ’s initiative and desire to improve Chargé had opportunity to talk with PM Mintoff’s could be prepared for extended absence or disappear- Nationalist MP, and is trusted enough with shadow Washington on consultations), meant Rostow did not provides no leadership. Tabone, on other hand, is not economic situation on Malta, but naturally reflects PN private secretary, Joe Camilleri, at a reception hosted ance of Mintoff from political scene. If this should finance portfolio, there is no question he has consid- visit the embassy or accept our offer of embassy as- by Ambassador Attard Kingswell January 12. Because happen, Felice predicted that MLP “extremists” led erable admiration for Mintoff as leader and a doer. sistance or briefing… of Mintoff’s habit of working late hours, Camilleri is by Lorry Sant and Anton Buttigieg, would take over He has claimed for months that he sees Mintoff quite Rostow’s gratuitous comments about comments in rarely seen at social functions. (when we commented on Buttigieg’s extremely mod- regularly for long discussions, and we have no reason Malta almost certainly resulted from his exposure to Camilleri volunteered info that Nationalists in proc- erate speech to Socialist Youth League a few days be- to doubt this. On the other hand, he is privately quite Felice and other strongly anti-Mintoffian members of ess of replacing Borg Olivier as party leader and said fore, Felice asserted this was only a contemptuous of Borg Olivier, and the Malta Atlantic Association. The Maltese Nation- Edward Fenech Adami, Guido Demarco, and Mario well-known tactic of leftists feinting it would be logical to include Felice alist party does tend to see communists under Min- Felice are among the frontrunners. He said this would to right before he moved sharply to as a possibility if there is any truth toff’s bed from time to time, while the Labour party, happen sometime soon. the left). in Baldacchino’s [Alfred, Nation- with increasing frequency, accused the Nationalists COMMENT: This sort of speculation from Camilleri Fel ice t houg ht however, t hat Sa nt a nd alist MP who cross over to Labour] of being fascists. All of this has more to do with the gives somewhat greater credence at recent reception by Buttigieg were not capable of exercis- assertion that two more Nationalist forthcoming Maltese elections and is a far cry from Guido Demarco for Nationalist MPs. There was much ing effective leadership and that there deputies might follow Baldacchino events in Portugal or Iceland… SMITH talk about GBO’s lack of drive and need to replace him would be a serious fractionalisation of across the aisle to Labour. GETZ (principally George Bonello Dupuis and Mario Felice), Labour. Mintoff was able to dominate 27 June 1974 – Embassy Valletta but when given argument that Nationalists need his MLP, but Cabinet minister would not 10 June 1974 – Embassy Valletta Government has introduced new Bill in parliament votes (GBO regularly wins two seats), they backed off accept attempt at authoritarian party During call on Ambassador June aimed at limiting or prohibiting purchase of immova- considerably. It is clear however, that there is substan- rule by any other of the potential lead- 7, Nationalist MP Mario Felice re- ble property on Malta by alien non-residents. Nation- tial agreement among Opposition MPs that their party ers. In brief, Felice thought that in cur- ferred to recent exchange in par- alist MP Felice, who has very good connections, said badly needs rejuvenation. While we know many Na- rent circumstances, Mintoff’s absence liament on Sixth Fleet. Felice said this was triggered by substantial (but legal) purchase tionalist MPs hold Fenech Adami in high regard, this would be a disaster. He quite seriously press reporting of exchange was not of land in scenic area by Libyan group, presumably for is first time he has been included in list of possible re- proposed as the best solution a coali- complete building holiday accommodations. Wife of Maltese placements for GBO. tion government to deal with what he When Felice stated in parliament lawyer who handled transaction confirmed it to us. Camilleri led to future of MLP leadership. Camill- would consider a national crisis. that he opposed Mintoff’s policy of Felice said that when Mintoff heard of sale he said he eri said he believes that if and when Mintoff gives up In further discussion of Mintoff and Censu Tabone excluding Sixth Fleet from visits to did not want any “Libyan villages” on Malta, and draft Lorry Sant and Dom Mintoff MLP leadership, he would be replaced by Lorry Sant. his goals, Felice believed that Mintoff Malta, he said Mintoff replied that bill resulted. GETZ Camilleri pointed to Sant’s excellent preference as pub-