Dear Supporters:
Your letters to the people of Malta have an impact. Please keep them
coming.
Malta Tourism Authority and Malta Hotels & Restaurant Association are
concerned about the bird killing by the Maltese barbarians and the Malta
tourist industry which employ thousands of these hunters.
Your letters are being heard and resonate with the persons in government.
Take a moment and read about the news and the readers letters. Please
scroll down.
Thanks and Cheers,
david
--------------------------------
Tuesday, January 29, 2002
Slaughter
by Andy Harmer, Cheshire, UK.
I go on a birding holiday every year.
I would come to Malta if it were not for the barbarism and backwardness of
the
island in allowing such wholesale slaughter of wildlife, especially birds.
This article may also be viewed at
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=87270
Tuesday, January 29, 2002
Bad publicity
by Michael Fitzgibbons, Sheffield, UK.
When will you, the people and government of Malta do something about the
tragic
and very public slaying of eight mute swans in front of innocent children
and
tourists.
My disgust of the barbaric extent to which hunters in Malta will go, knows
no
bounds.
This is a particularly brutal and unnecessary killing that requires severe
penalties, including custodial sentences for illegal hunting and trapping.
Such bad publicity will hit tourism long and hard, the only remedy to this
will
be to be seen on the international public stage applying "Draconian
measures" to
control firearms.
The newspaper, radio, internet and television coverage throughout Europe of
this
barbaric act has done even more damage to the already tarnished image that
Malta
has gained in the tourists' mind over the last few years.
This article may also be viewed at
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=87268
MTA deplores killing of swans
Staff Reporter
The Malta Tourism Authority said in a statement it deplores the recent
killing in broad daylight of several swans by irresponsible hunters in St
Thomas Bay, Marsascala and this in the presence of Maltese and visitors.
The killing of protected species creates a negative image of Malta, depletes
Malta?s natural environment and could also discourage tourists from visiting
our islands.
This message must be repeated loud and clear particularly in a year
dedicated to eco-tourism and to the appreciation of our natural environment.
The MTA urges the competent authorities to intensify environmental law
enforcement and prosecute all those found in breach of the law.
The MTA urges all law abiding hunters and trappers to act responsibly, abide
by the law and interact positively with tourists who frequent our
countryside and coastal areas.
Click on the link to read the full article
http://www.independent.com.mt/daily/newsview.asp?id=6748
Web posted on January 29, 2002 at 09:00:00 CET
Bird killing and tourism
Staff Reporter
The Malta Hotels & Restaurant Association would like to congratulate the
Police and other authorities for taking immediate action in relation to the
recent killing of the swans at St Thomas Bay.
Whilst one should not exaggerate the impact such condemnable acts have on
tourism in Malta, there is no doubt that an impact it does have. Clearly
such acts are of detriment to the tourism industry ? and thus to the
employees in hotels/restaurants, to the owners and to those who derive a
benefit from this industry. The eco lobby is today a worldwide reality and
it is in the interest of one and all in Malta to ensure that such a lobby ?
and their touristic trade ? considers Malta as a friendly country.
The MHRA recommends vigilant widespread policing, auto discipline and
educational programming by the hunting associations; more rigorous tests and
assessments when issuing licences ? and indeed upon periodical renewals; and
speedy conclusion of criminal proceedings with more severe charges where
applicable (e.g. disturbance of public peace) and with harsher penalties ?
including deprivation of personal liberty (rather than simple confiscation
of guns and killed birds ? which latter after all do not even appertain to
the shooters).
Click on the link to read the full article
http://www.independent.com.mt/daily/newsview.asp?id=6745
Tuesday, January 29, 2002
What a shame!
by Aida Ascic-Grech, Malta
It broke my heart to learn of the sad story of those beautiful God's
creatures,
which ended up being slaughtered for no reason instead of being taken care
of
and protected.
Is there anyone on this island who cares for something good? It seems to me
most
people here care for nothing but money and so long as they have material
possessions such as fancy cars and clothes then anything else doesn't
matter.
I remember being asked hundreds of times by tourists, when I used to work as
a
tourist guide, do birds in Malta exist at all? They were surprised not
seeing
birds around, comparing Malta to the other Mediterranean countries. At those
times, I felt so embarrassed and when I told them the truth they would look
at
me in disbelief!
This article may also be viewed at
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=87273
Tuesday, January 29, 2002
Are they sincere?
by M. Cassar, Malta
The reaction to the atrocious swan massacre has been universal, to the
extent
that even the two main political parties have condemned the detestable act.
It
would be interesting to find out whether this stand signifies a change of
heart
and direction of the parties.
It may not be amiss to remind readers that prior to the 1996 elections
Labour
wooed hunters by promising to slacken the hunting laws.
It went on to win the election and immediately kept its promise. The
Nationalists denounced such tactics. Hardly had that criticism faded away
than
another - premature - election loomed up after a mere 22 months. This time
round
the Nationalists had no qualms about promising hunters that if any changes
to
the (already weakened) hunting laws were to be effected, this would never be
to
the hunters' detriment. True to its promise, the Nationalist Party on
assuming
power granted further concessions to hunters.
Indeed, both parties have accommodated hunters. Apart from the fact that the
enforcement of the less-than-stringent laws leaves a lot to be desired, may
one
ask why the Mizieb woodland is allowed to be under the control of the
hunting
fraternity during the hunting season.
I still have my niggling doubts as to whether the two parties are being
sincere
in their condemnation of the swan massacre.
This article may also be viewed at
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=87272
------------------------
david camilleri
Please now go to < http://proaction.tripod.com/malta/ >
Why don't you join < http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Eurobirder > and
< http://proaction.tripod.com/team/
< http://www.MaltaTouristAction.org
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