CNI Chief Accuses EU Enlargement Commissioner Of 'Blackmail'

by Robert Lee, Tax-News.com, London

14 August 2002

In an interview with the Malta Independent this week, the leader of the Campaign for National Independence (CNI), former Prime Minister, Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici accused the European Union's Enlargement Commissioner of 'blackmailing and insulting Malta'.

The country is deeply divided on the issue of accession to the EU, and despite an ongoing government push for joining the European bloc in 2004, there is still strong and vociferous opposition to such a move from several quarters.

Responding to Gunther Verheugen's suggestion at the weekend that Malta will be marginalised if it fails to join the EU, and will have 'no voice, no influence, and remain a nowhere land', Dr Mifsud Bonnici protested:

'Can't people in the EU see that Malta's policies are drafted for our nation's unique position? It is the Maltese who know what is best for the country.'

The CNI chief continued: 'Malta will lose its voice if it does join the EU. How can 400,000 people have a voice among the EU population of 500 million?'

Concluding the interview, the former Prime Minister observed that: 'At the end of the day, the choice is very simple, either we remain a small country which is very dependent on an enlarged union. Or we stay small and independent with our sovereignty intact.'

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