January - February - March - April - May - June
July - August - September - October - November - December

JANUARY 1998

Sunday writings: The regular writing of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl in the Sunday weekly It-Torca continued from the 4th onwards. The public seems to appreciate very much these contributions, and does comment on some of them from time to time.

Prison visits: Individual visits to prisoners by Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl continued in the new year from the 3rd onwards. Every week, volunteers visited various prisoners, such as Aziz Issah, Michael Sultana, Aimen Said El BAden, Adel Shelzak and Josephine Lanzon. Other members regularly took the two boys of prisoner Tommy Baldacchino to visit him.

Party at Juvenile: All members of the Steering Committee took part in a joyful Christmas party held at the Juvenile Section together with all the inmates there and the wardens. This was held on the 4th. A beautiful atmosphere prevailed, and a pervading sense of deep friendship.

Victim Support Malta: The work for the establishment of Victim Support Malta continues unabated through the new year from the 5th onwards. This included meeting authorities and institutions that directly or indirectly are involved in the field of criminal justice in our country. The coordination of this work was done by Dr Mark Montebello. Victim Support Malta had to be announced publicly to the press in June.

Radio Programmes: Broadcasting on the community radio Radju Kottoner 98FM of Daritama were continued from the 5th onwards. The prisons are within the broadcasting range of the radio. The programmes were held every Monday by Rose Mary Spiteri and Louise Avellino between 9.00 pm and 10.30 pm. The programmes are very much appreciated by the prisoners and their families.

Extradition Case: The prisoner Anthony Satariano was held at the prisons with the possibility of being extradited to the United States. He is held there without a formal act of accusation, which is exceptional. On the 5th, members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl met close relatives of Satariano at Dar it-Tama, Cospicua, to become better acquainted with Anthony's case and to try to stop the extradition. Regular meetings with the family were held in the following weeks.

Meetings at the Prisons: The meetings with prisoners, began in December 1995, continued regularly and constantly throughout the year from the 6th onwards. Every Tuesday, from 9.30 am till 11.30 am, volunteers of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl visited the Female Section; and from 4.30 pm till 7.00 pm the male sections, Division 8 and the Juvenile Section.

Administrative Meetings: Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's administrative meetings continued from the 6th onwards. All meetings were held at Dar it-Tama, Cospicua from 8.00 pm onwards. The members of the Steering Committee at the beginning of the year, together with their offices, were the following:

A Special Commemoration: On the 8th, together with Daritama, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl publicly commemorated the 100th anniversary of Emmanuel Dimech's first issue of his weekly, Il Bandiera tal Maltin (The Flag of the Maltese), on January 8th, 1898. The commemoration was held at the Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana, with the numerous participation of the public. There were amongst the main speakers Dr Mark Montebello, and ex-Minister of Justice, Profs. Guido de Marco.

New Year's Outing: On the occasion of the beginning of the new year, the members of the Steering Committee, together with some of their relatives, organised an outing amongst themselves. This took place on the 11th at a restaurant in Marsascala.

Collaboration with Efficiency Unit: In view of the establishment of Victim Support Malta, on the 13th Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl and the Management Efficiency Unit (MEU) began a long and close work-relationship. This collaboration was originally proposed by Prime Minister, Dr Alfred Sant.

Resignation: Konrad Cassar resigned from the Steering Committee on the 13th due to other commitments elsewhere.

Weekend Break: From the 16th to the 18th some members of the Steering Committee took a weekend break together at the Danish Village, Mellieha. It was a pleasant and refreshing break from the usual work.

Agreement with Government: On the 22nd, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, represented by Dr Mark Montebello, signed a three year agreement with the Government of Malta, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Louis Cilia. With this agreement, the Government passed over to Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl the full use and responsibility of a property at South Street, Valletta, for the use of Victim Support Malta.

Meeting of Victim Support's Directors: The first meeting of the pro-Board of Directors of Victim Support Malta, composed of 10 members, was held on the 23rd at the headquarters of the Management Efficiency Unit, Valletta. Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl is represented by Dr Mark Montebello, George Busuttil, Rose Mary Spiteri, and Ivan Cauchi.

Prison Board: For the second year running, Dr Mark Montebello was appointed member of the Prison Board of Visitors for the current year. This was on the 14th. The appointment was made by the President of the Republic, Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, following proposals by Prime Minister, Dr Alfred Sant. The board has 13 members in all. The first meeting of the newly-appointed board was on the 23rd.

Agreement with Efficiency Unit: On the 27th, a formal agreement of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, represented by Dr Mark Montebello, with the Management Efficiency Unit, represented by David Spiteri, Manager at the MEU, sealed the mode of collaboration between the two parts. The exercise is specifically intended to lead on to the establishment of Victim Support Malta.

Lectures at the Prisons: Every Thursday, from the 29th onwards, Dr Mark Montebello started to read philosophy to prisoners at the prisons. Attendance to these lectures was very good and regular.

FEBRUARY 1998

Victim Support dedicated to Moyra Mintoff: On the 5th, it was decided that the services of Victim Support Malta will be dedicated to the dear memory of Moyra Mintoff, wife of four times Prime Minister of Malta, Dom Mintoff. Mrs Mintoff was always very interested in the work carried out by Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl.

Meeting with President: On the 16th, Dr Mark Montebello, on behalf of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, had a meeting with the President of the Republic, Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, at the Presidential Palace, Valletta. Dr Montebello met the President specifically to inform him about Victim Support Malta.

Banned Newsletter: During the latter half of the month, the 9th issue (December/February) of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's newsletter was banned from entering the prisons. The authorities found objection with an article written by Dr Mark Montebello entitled "Mine bombs and time bombs". The newsletter also carried a short satirical story by prisoner Meinrad Calleja entitled "Gerit, the fish and the authorities".

Victim Support's President: Ivan Cauchi was chosen as the first pro-President of Victim Support Malta. This was on the 8th. Rose Mary Spiteri was chosen as pro-Customer Care Officer. It was decided that the Prime Minister, ex officio, would be Patron of Victim Support Malta. Dr Mark Montebello was recognized as Victim Support Malta's founder.

Victim Support Malta in Crisis: On the 11th, a crisis hit the establishment of Victim Support Malta. The Prime Minister, Dr Alfred Sant, due to the extremely difficult circumstances surrounding his political administration of the country, retired the aid he had promised to give Victim Support Malta by transferring two civil servants to the service of Victim Support Malta. All efforts for the establishment of Victim Support Malta was immediately thrown off-schedule. The whole project is threatened with extinction without possible developments in its prospects.

Study of Structure: As happens from time to time, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl has felt that it needs a reshuffling of its cards. In view of studying a possible review of the internal structure of the organisation, a commission was appointed, composed of George Busuttil, Ivan Cauchi and Dr Mark Montebello. The first meeting of the commission was held on the 11 at Ivan's home at Zejtun. Other meetings were held regularly at different venues.

Weekend Meeting: Together with other volunteers of Daritama, some members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl attended a weekend seminar at St Paul's Bay. This was held between the 13th and the 15th. The main theme of the seminar was communication skills.

MARCH 1998

Daritama's New General Director: With effect from the 1st, Dr Mark Montebello stepped down from General Director of Daritama. He kept his place as member of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl. Frank Fabri was elected and appointed new Director General of Daritama.

Victim Support Malta's Shipwreck: Due to the serious crisis hitting the establishment of Victim Support Malta in mid-February, at the beginning of the month all preparations for the said establishment came to an end. The prospects that such preparations may be renewed in the near future were minimal.

Publicity Campaign: On the 4th, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl began a national publicity campaign in view of its meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr Alfred Sant. Members of the organisation took part in different programmes on various national TV and radio stations.

Comic: During the first week of March the elaborate printing process of a four-page A4 comic was terminated at the Union Press, Marsa. The comic narrates in simply form the beginning of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl in 1995. The images of the comic were made by Joe Agius.

Resignation: On the 10th, Stefan Mifsud resigned from the Steering Committee for personal reasons.

Public Meeting called off: Just 24 hours before its commencement, the public meeting that had to be held with the Prime Minister, Dr Alfred Sant, on the 13th was called off due to an extraordinary sitting of Parliament. No indications of another appointment was given by the Prime Minister's office. Later it transpired that the Prime Minister had objected to some points that Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl had to mention at the meeting, which points were given to the Prime Minister before-hand. Following the calling off of the meeting, long negotiations commenced with the Prime Minister to set a new appointment for the activity.

Suspended Radio Programmes: As from the 16th, the programmes broadcasted on Radju Kottoner were suspended indefinitely due to a massive robbery from the station's studios in Cospicua. The robbery left the station in no position to function in a normal way. All programmes had to remain suspended until the situation came under control.

APRIL 1998

Anniversary: On the 10th, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl celebrated, quite quietly, the third anniversary of its establishment on April 10, 1995.

Weekend Break: From the 17th till the 19th members of the Steering Committee spent together a weekend break in Gozo, Malta's sister island. It was a pleasant change from the usual work, with even some showers of rain.

Extradition Case: A final meeting between Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl and the relatives of Anthony Satariano with the aim of halting his extradition to the Unites States was held on the 18th. A decision about the immediate future of Satariano was imminent on the part of the Government of Malta.

Crisis with Prison Director: An article written by Dr Mark Montebello on Il-Mument of April 19, entitled "Mary, the fish and the authorities", angered Prison Director, Peter Cordina, who filed a formal protest with the Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, Louis Cilia, on April 24. During the Prison Board meeting of May 4, Dr Montebello read out a formal apology if the article was understood badly. Relations between the two part remained strained for a few weeks.

MAY 1998

Renewed Project: In the context of the renewal of Daritama, on the 3rd a new strategy for Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl began to be planned with the aim of making more economic use of the present resources. This planning was made during an extraordinary meeting (of six hours!) at Marsascala. At the same meeting, the organisation recognized better its spirituality. The meeting was also attended by Frank Fabri, the Director General of Daritama, together with Joseph Schembri, Secretary of Daritama.

Declaration of Fellowship: From the 5th onwards, all meetings of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl began to commence with a short declaration of fellowship. The declaration is a statement on the members' commitment towards each other and towards the truth.

Public Meeting: In collaboration with the Guzè Ellul Mercer Foundation, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl organised a cine-forum on the 8th with the theme "Society and Prisoners: Who is the victim of whom?". The public meeting was held at the Preluna Hotel, Sliema. The film Weeds was shown, and a panel presented the theme. The panel was composed of Dr Mark Montebello, Roberta Calleja, wife of prisoner Meinrad Calleja, John Rizzo, Assistant Police Commissioner, and Emmanuel Segona, the father of a slain victim of crime. The discussion was directed by Pierre Grech Marguerat SJ. The meeting was very well attended and lively.

Crisis with Prison Board: An article that appeared on Il-Mument of May 10 about problems that Dr Mark Montebello was having within the Prison Board of Visitors created a serious crisis in his relations with the same Board. During the Prison Board meeting of May 15, a fax was embarrassingly revealed. The fax was sent anonymously from Dar it-Tama on April 27, and contained precisely the information carried on Il-Mument's article. Many meetings and consultations followed. The whole question was resolved satisfactorily in the Prison Board's meeting of May 29.

Resignation: On the 12th, Angele Bonello resigned from the Steering Committee due to other commitments elsewhere.

End of Newsletter: With a decision taken by the Steering Committee on the 19th the newsletter of the organisation was stopped. The first issue was published in December 1996, and the last one in February 1998. Nine issues were published in all, four of which were denied access into the prisons. The newsletter used to be published at the Union Press, and had a circulation of about 500 copies. Each issue was sponsored by a different company. 300 copies of each issue were distribution at the prisons to all residents. The organisation was now writing a regular Sunday column on It-Torca, and had to start similar writings on Il-Mument. In this way it reached thousands of readers. For this reason, it was decided to discontinue the effort made with the publication of the newsletter. The successive editors of the newsletter were Maria Muscat, Louise Avellino, and Ivan Cauchi.

Work at Dar it-Tama: During the last two week of the month work was in progress at Dar it-Tama, Cospicua. The office of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, newly remade, has been dedicated to Moyra Mintoff, wife of four-times Prime Minister of Malta, Dom Mintoff, and a keep supporter of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl. The office was ready for regular use in August.

JUNE 1998

Extradition Case: The question of Anthony Satariano's extradition, which Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl opposed with all its might, came at an end on the 11th when, on a suggestion from the Government, Satariano himself decided to yield to the extradition demand and go to the United States of stand trial there. Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl publicly expressed its solidarity with Satariano, and also give him great support personally. In the months that followed, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl kept in constant contact with Satariano while in the States.

End of Work with Efficiency Unit: As agreed, the collaboration of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl with the Management Efficiency Unit (MEU), in view of the establishment of Victim Support Malta, came to an end on the 8th. This was done at the headquarters of the MEU in Valletta where the final versions of Victim Support Malta's legal instruments were concluded.

Public Meeting with Prime Minister: For the third consecutive year, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl organised a public meeting with the Prime Minister of Malta on matters related to prisoners. This was done on the 12th. The public meeting with Prime Minister, Dr Alfred Sant, was the second one with him. Amongst other distinguished guests, the meeting was also attended by Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Dr Tonio Borg; the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Louis Cilia; the prison Director, Peter Cordina; and the Chairperson of the Prison Board, Dr Mario Felice. The public meeting was celebrated at the Grands Hotel Les Lapins at Tax-Xbiex, and broadcasted direct on Malta's national radio station. The main speech on behalf of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl was read by Rose Mary Spiteri. The meeting was directed by George Busuttil, Secretary to the organisation. Public attendance was excellent. The meeting attracted good press reports.

Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's History: On the 30th, the Steering Committee approved the official version of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's history, from its beginning in April 1995 up to the formulation of the Declaration of Principles, which is the most mature expression of the organisation's ideology. The history is to be published in the near future under the title: L-Istorja tal-Bidu (The History of the Beginning).

JULY 1998

Loss of a Dear Friend: With great sorrow, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl had the misfortune to experience the tragic death, on the 17th, of a most dear friend, and one of its earliest members, Emmanuel Benjamin Mamo, aged 29 years. His death followed a week-long struggle for survival at St Luke's Hospital. Emmanuel had been found unconscious at his home in Cospicua on the 11th due to the consumption of a drug cocktail. His funeral, attended by many members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl and Daritama, was celebrated on the 18th at the chapel of the Addolorata Cemetery, Paola.

AUGUST 1998

(At the height of summer no special event was recorded)

SEPTEMBER 1998

General Elections: Following the resignation of Prime Minister Dr Alfred Sant, and the end of his government, in July, the general elections were held in Malta on the 5th, giving an electoral victory to the Nationalist Party. Dr Tonio Borg was appointed once more Minister of Home Affairs.

Radio Programmes: The community radio of Daritama, Radju Kottoner, resumed broadcasting from the 14th onwards. On that same day, a Monday, as on successive Mondays, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's programme went on air from 9.15 pm to 10.15 pm. The programmes were produced and presented by Louise Avellino.

Formation Meetings: The Steering Committee of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl attended a formation meeting at Marsascala on the 22nd. This had to be the first of a series of such meetings. Successive meetings were held regularly during the following months.

OCTOBER 1998

Prison Board: Following the change of government after the general elections of September 5th, Dr Mark Montebello, together with all the other members of the Prison Board of Visitors, submitted their resignation from the board to Minister Dr Tonio Borg. The board had to continue functioning until the end of the year, when new members shall be appointed.

Children at the Prisons: The court, presided by Judge Depascuale, once more declared that Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl be granted the permission to take the two boys of prisoner Thomas Baldacchino to visit their father at the prisons. This was on the 7th. Dr Mark Montebello, on behalf of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, regularly took the boys to this visits.

Farewell to a Dear Friend: After 9 years (and 4 days), Nigerian prisoner Aziz Issah was released from imprisonment. He was deported from Malta on the 8th. Aziz had been in regular contact with George and Lourdes Busuttil, members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, for 8 whole years. He was a most exemplary prisoner, and loved by one and all. His departure was a mixed moment of joy and sorry: the joy of seeing him leave the prisons, and the sorry of seeing him go. Members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl accompanied Aziz at Malta's international airport for a last farewell.

NOVEMBER 1998

Victim Support Malta: On the 2nd, during a meeting with Dr Lawrence Gonzi, Minister of Social Services, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl introduced the Minister to the project of Victim Support Malta. Mild interest was expressed.

Victim Support Malta: An informal meeting was held with Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Tonio Borg, in which the project of Victim Support Malta was introduced to the Minister. This was on the 11th. However, the Minister expressed no interest in the project.

Publication: During the first week of the month, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary from Pope John XXIII's historical visit to the Roman prisons of Regina Coeli on December 26, 1958, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl published at the Union Press, Marsa, in Maltese, a collection of speeches given by the most recent Popes to prisoners or on prison matters. The publication, entitled Jien Qeghidt Ghajnejja f'Ghajnejkom (I Look At You in the Eye), was prepared by Dr Mark Montebello. Sales seemed to be going well. The title of the book was taken from the speech delivered by Pope John XXIII during his historical visit to the prisons.

New Member: Daniela Cini became a new member of the Steering Committee around the middle of the month.

Presentations: Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's new book, Jien Qeghidt Ghajnejja f'Ghajnejkom, was presented to the highest authorities of Church and State: on the 16th to Dr Alfred Sant, Leader of the Opposition; on the 17th to Dr Edward Fenech Adami, Prime Minister; on that same day to Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, President of the Republic; and on the 18th to Mons. Joseph Mercieca, Archbishop of Malta, and Mons. Annetto Depasquale, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Malta. Various write-ups appeared in local newspapers.

DICEMBER 1998

Lecture by ex-Prisoner: Albano Grima, an ex-prisoner and member of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, gave a lecture to a class of social workers about his experiences of the judicial and penal systems. This was on the 11th. The students were very much interested in Albano's talk, and enthusiastically asked many questions. Other lectures are planned for students of the secondary level.

Public Meeting: On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Pope John XXIII's historic visit to Rome's Regina Coeli prisons on December 26, 1958, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl and John XXIII Peace Lab organised a public meeting on the 18th. The theme of the meeting was "Are the High and Low equal before the Law?". Special speakers included lawyers Dr Anna Mallia and Dr Tony Abela, and journalist Pamela Hansen. The meeting was directed jointly by Fr Dionysus Mintoff OFM, Director of the Peace Lab, and Dr Mark Montebello, on behalf of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl. The public attended numerously. The meeting was held at the Workers' Memorial Building, Valletta, and consisted of a discussion of a white-paper on the theme. The approved document was later issued to the press.

Daritama on TV: Members of the Board of Daritama took part on a national television programme with the aim of collecting funds. This was on the 27th at the station's studio at Guardamangia.

Party at Juvenile: On the 30th, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl organised a Christmas party at the Juvenile Section of the prisons at Paola. It was a most warm and pleasant occasion where the friendship with the young offenders was renewed and celebrated festively.