@ LVB

Unfortunately, Malta is NOT "far enough from the continent to be free of anti-americanism".  Fifty miles  or so from the coast of Sicily is not "far".  But, the real reason of course is the large impact of British and Italian media on Malta, and the long association of its socialist party with Libya and beyond.  How quickly people forget that Malta almost lost its 'democracy', only 20 years ago, under socialist leader Mintoff (he from the 'alliance' with Khadafi!).  It was a very close 'call'!

Another reason lies in the fact that its bureaucratic elite has spent the last decade or so 'negotiating' EU entry in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Paris, etc... A lot of them have learned to talk like their EU counterparts.  But, not all of them...

Perhaps the smaller of the two inhabited Maltese islands, Gozo, may be doing better in this respect. It has many ex-Maltese emigrants who have returned from Australia and North America, where they made sufficient fortune to enable them to spend their last years in the Mediterranean.  Perhaps they know better than to be anti-american. After all, who could believe that De Gucht or Flahaut would 'fight' for Gozo when the time will come.   

Sacking's not appropriate. Re-education is better.

Bob Doney

It doesn't have to be a "he", of course - it could als be a "she". Like Neelie Kroes or Viviane Reding, for instance. Maybe it's the guy from Malta, Joe Borg. Maybe Malta is far enough from the continent to be free from anti-Americanism.