FOREIGN AFFAIRS

PROACT MALTA

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

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Ministry for Foreign Affairs

THE FACTS

[Updates or additional information - from whatever source - is very welcome! doc 01.02.2002]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs personally has at least had the courtesy (as one would expect from those directly entrusted with Malta's image abroad) to reply to Proact last year as follows:

"I would like to underline that this Government is committed to further improving enforcement levels as regards bird hunting and has encouraged the formation of a Foundation for Bird protection with representation from both BirdLife Malta and the Hunters' Federation.

I trust that you will visit our island to see for yourself the progress being made in this regard.

Yours sincerely,

Joe Borg,
Minister"

Several Proact members, and other birders, visited Malta to take part in the Autumn Migration Bird Camp. The bloody scenes as raptors and other birds were unmercifully massacred were fully documented in the Maltese Press and elsewhere. The recent Tragedy of St. Thomas's Bay has been captured vividly on film.

We are still waiting for progress Mr Borg!

[Mails can be 'filtered out' by title if the recipient(s) are being snowed under. Vary the title in the subject box if you have time - and a vivid imagination!]

MAIL TO THE MINISTER JOE BORG

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WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR PROGRESS MR BORG

The Minister for Foreign Affairs
Dr. Joseph Borg

Dear Mr Borg,

Last year you reassured birders worldwide that the Government of Malta was committed to real progress in the fight against illegal hunting and trapping of migrating European birds.

Many of us subscribed to regular media reports from Malta: others visited your islands during the return migration in Autumn 2001. Those of us who expected positive reports on the countering of these barbaric criminal customs were badly disappointed. Other who visited Malta were horrified at the blatant and senseless slaughter and attempts by hunters to threaten and terrorise any open opposition or criticism of their actions, especially by foreigners. Is this the image that Malta wishes to put across to potential tourists Mr Borg?

Although any form of dialogue is to be welcomed we are sure that Maltese conservationists want to make few concessions to the influential Hunters' Federation; whose control of their lunatic fringe, whether members or not, appears to have been totally lost.

We urge you once again to use your influence with your cabinet colleagues to make them aware of the damage that is being done daily to Malta's image abroad; not to mention the irreparable depletion of Europe's delicately balanced migrant bird populations.

In the hope of a positive reaction to our concerns, and a real effort to eradicate this unnecessary blot on Malta's international reputation, we remain.

Yours sincerely,

[Name & Address]

ADDRESS IN FULL:

The Minister for Foreign Affairs
Dr. Joseph Borg
Palazzo Parisio
Merchants Street
Valetta CMR 02
Malta

email: joanna.darmanin@magnet.mt

Fon: +356 242853
Fax: +356 237822

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PROACT PROJECT MALTA

This helps us at Proact to monitor the scope of the campaign and increase our effectiveness in future.

Thank you,

David Conlin
Proact International