With regards to the 11 October tragedy, when 270 Syrians drowned off Lampedusa, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Prof. Arnold Cassola, said: “Italian newspapers have alleged that Malta has serious responsibilities in the death of these people. The Maltese government is not answering these allegations and the AFM have answered with a curt ‘no comment’. This attitude is totally irresponsible. The Maltese authorites have a duty to respond and to clear our country’s good name at the earliest possible.”

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B’referenza għat-traġedja tal-11 t’Ottubru, meta 270 Sirjan għerqu qrib Lampedusa, iċ-Chairperson ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika, Prof. Arnold Cassola, qal: “Ġurnali Taljani qegħdin jallegaw li Malta għandha responsabbiltajiet serji fil-mewt ta’ dawn in-nies. Il-Gvern Malti mhux qiegħed jirrispondi għal dawn l-allegazzjonijiet u l-AFM irrispondew billi qalu li ma jridux jikkummentaw. Din l-attitudni hija kompletament irresponsabbli. L-awtoritajiet Maltin huma obbligati li jwieġbu biex iħarsu r-reputazzjoni ta’ pajjiżna mill-aktar fis possibbli.”