| Time for more common sense Michael Briguglio www.timesofmalta.com 19 August 2002 The latest tactic used by Angelo Xuereb is to try to depicit the Front Kontra l-Golf Course as being made up of a few individuals and farmers who "are by no means representative of all" (August 9). Wrong. If the 90 farmers who till the land at Tal-Virt� and who have written to MEPA to inform it of their opposition of the development of the golf course are "by no means representative of all," then the word "representative" must have become devoid of meaning. Furthermore, is Alternattiva Demokratika, which represents thousands of voters, a few individuals? Are reputable environmental NGOs, Nature Trust and Friends of the Earth, a few individuals? What about the Central Co-Operative, that represents around 1,000 farmers? Or the University Chaplaincy, representing academics, students and members of the clergy? And agricultural organisations, such as the Progressive Farmers' Union and the Malta Organic Agriculture Movement? Are the youth and students within Moviment Graffitti and Move irrelevant, according to Mr Xuereb's viewpoint? One could go on and mention all the 20 organisations within the Front Kontra l-Golf Course. Mr Xuereb is also totally ignoring the fact that other reputable organisations, such as Din l-Art Helwa, are also opposing the golf course proposal. At this point, perhaps, Mr Xuereb should explain why his golf course website states that most of the farmers "have signified their interest in receiving 'key money' for each tumolo of land in their tenure", when it is crystal clear that 90 farmers do not want the golf course to be develeped on the land they till. Mr Xuereb should also explain his complete silence on the fact that the golf course proposal violates Malta's structure plan as well as the agreement between the Maltese government and the Vatican that prohibits such development on agricultural land. The planning directorate and the Apostolic Nuncio have respectively confirmed these facts. Mr Xuereb is also resorting to giving wrong attributes. For example, for the second time in a few days, I am being defined as a member of Moviment Graffitti, an organisation that I left in 2000. This same tactic was also used a few months ago on James Debono, who likewise left the movement in 2000. Both of us are members of Alternattiva Demokratika, yet for some reason or another Mr Xuereb is ignoring this fact, even though both of us regularly write in the press on behalf of AD. There is one point on which I agree with Mr Xuereb and his company, that "the farmers should be left free to decide for themselves." Now that is a problem for AX Holdings. |
 |
 |