Rabat-Dingli area 29th May 2008

Some pictures from today's very enjoyable evening walk.

Walk Leader: Dr Gunther Jacobs.

On the site of an ancient surface quarry, explaining the various theories about Cart Ruts. Verdala Palace is in the background.

Clapham Junction 1

Clapham Junction 2

Clapham Junction 3

At Ghar il-Kbir

Pictures supplied by Silvan Mugliett

Comino 25th May 2008.

Some pictures from today's walk.

Walk leader: Alex

The first eight pictures below are courtesy of RAM member Alan k/a Chris Bonnici.
You can also go directly to his website: http://www.alanbonnici.com/













Pictures below courtesy of Alex.

Blata Tal-Melh 18th May 2008

Some pictures from today's walk.

Walk leader: Romano
Duration: 2 1/2 hours

Ras ir-Raheb Promontory

Climbing up

Il-Halq 1

Il Halq 2

Some ramblers took the jump

Others walked over the ledge

Magnificent scenery

Some of the group

Who is this?

Columns and hot air

Columns and hot air
Published in the Malta Today of 18th May 2008.

Your columnist Pamela Hansen (11 May 2008) went all sanctimonious over RAM’s (Ramblers’ Association of Malta) statement on the Armier squatters ‘solution’. While she agreed to all but one point made by RAM, and even expressed admiration for the Association, she felt she had to go so far as to accuse its leaders of “showing fascist tendencies” and that they have allowed “a little power to go their heads”. She even solemnly warned “RAM is running the risk of getting too big for its boots.” All this because RAM brought the local Church into the equation.I would say that RAM’s statement, far from indicating “big-headedness”, reveals a sense of helplessness in the face of this Armier situation; a feeling shared by, I would say, some 90% of the population, apparently including Hansen herself.What is so wrong in asking our spiritual leaders to help the general public fight for its rights when this is a question of barefaced theft of public property? Haven’t the Armier squatters stolen land which belongs to all of us by birthright? Or is this not a sin by The Hansen catechism?Dr Gonzi is now ready to concede to the squatters the enjoyment of this ‘stolen’ land for three whole generations; and therefore to deny it to us law-abiding stupid others who patiently cart our chairs and tables to all corners of the country to enjoy a day by the sea. Just in case you have not noticed, he is also denying it to our children and to our great-grandchildren. As if this were not enough, the lease he is asking for is a joke: €233 (Lm100) per annum. This sum would not get you a sunbed for two months these days, let alone in 2075, when the lease ends. Some 15 years ago government sent its bulldozers and the army to sweep these illegal constructions off the map; and just 7 years ago, the then Nationalist PM demanded a Lm4,000 fee to compensate for past illegal use, and a Lm250 lease per annum valid for just 10 years. And he had most of the country behind him. How things have changed! And how fast! Has the cost of property decreased since 2001? Now, squatters are no longer to be penalised; indeed they are to be rewarded.There’s more: it is quite possible that the government (which of course means ‘we others’ who are simply being deprived of part of our birthright for three generations, at least) will have to contribute to the relocation of the pre-1992 sh anties: new buildings plus supply of roads, electricity, water and drainage. Is it possible not to feel incensed at all this?Can Ms Hansen not be dismayed at the complete silence of the bishops? Does not this most unchristian act constitute for them a theft of property? Do they not consider our government’s agreement unjust to us who believe in the rule of law? Have they ever told the grabbers that their act is sinful? Or is this kind of theft perfectly understandable to the Church and is smilingly condoned? By spreading its pastoral work among people breaking state and Church laws our bishops are eloquently expressing a disregard of the rights of the vast majority of the Maltese. We obviously have no sympathy for governments who force the Church into silence, but nor are we happy with a Church which keeps silent out of convenience. By securing an agreement on the eve of a general election the boathouse people might even be guilty of the sin of blackmail; unless, of course, it was Dr Gonzi himself who approached them with the offer. How ironic! Now the ‘boathouse’ people will no longer even need the Church’s forgiveness for their transgression. Dr Gonzi will see to that himself. We knew he could change laws, now we discover that even the remission of certain sins is his remit. Maybe our bishops will want to correct me on this delicate moral issue. On the other hand, I have no doubt that most Nationalists do not particularly appreciate this aspect of Dr Gonzi’s strong hands.Does it have to be only the NGOs who fight this injustice, this illegality? What avenues are open to these organisations? The EU? A national referendum? How can we others stop this outrageous practice before the Armier ‘solution’ spills over to the Ghadira, Gnejna, Valletta, San Tumas, Bahar ic-Caghaq and other areas? Can we at least hope for a statement from the Curia’s Environmental Commission?Or perhaps good Ms Hansen could take up the challenge herself…? Her regular column, from which she sermonizes to the powerful and the powerless every Sunday, apparently gives her the feeling of wielding more than “a little power”. Or is she too heady with power to realise that her strong criticism should be levelled at others, not at RAM and its leaders. The NGO is not even remotely interested in power; it has only one interest: standing up for the rights of the powerless.

Joseph Agius
St Paul’s Bay

Press Release: Squatters should not be rewarded, says RAM

Squatters should not be rewarded, says RAM

RAM totally opposes the granting of any concessions to the squatters who built their own place on public land, and now have the effrontery to expect to be rewarded for breaking the law and stealing land from the public. This includes the Armier squatters, recently again in the news for managing to extract pre-election sanctioning promises from both major political parties.

Minister George Pullicino has been quoted as saying, back in 2001, that "this site is by far the largest single area in the Maltese Islands where illegal development has been carried out on a massive scale".

RAM calls on the government to order utility companies to withdraw all services, all of which were supplied illegally. MEPA should slap enforcement notices on all these structures, leading to their demolition at the "owners' " expense. Furthermore, if it has any consistency, the Maltese Catholic Church should forbid priests from conducting religious services at these dwellings, thereby condoning their transgression of the seventh commandment.

This is the least that honest, law-abiding citizens expect.