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INDEPENDENCE maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 SEPTEMBER 2024 CABINET discussed the "possibility and the practicality" of Malta having its own radio transmitting station after independ- ence. Cabinet agreed this matter needed "further thoughts and study" but it was de- cided that in the meantime, the Rediffusion (Malta) Ltd was not to be allowed to trans- mit on its newly installed radio station. Rediffusion was a private company that had started operating in the mid-1930s and was given a monopoly over broadcasting that lasted into the mid-1970s when broad- casting services – radio and television – passed into the hands of the State that maintained a monopoly until the sector was liberalised in the 1990s. Cabinet also agreed that the Maltese merchant shipping fleet should have its own flag after independence but ministers wanted to see a design of the proposed flag, which was a white Maltese cross on a red background. Cabinet also confirmed that after in- dependence Malta should join FAO and WHO as full members and an application for entry into the ILO should be made. Ministers also agreed that on independ- ence Malta should also seek membership of UNESCO, UPU, UNO and the Council of Europe. ACCORDING to Cabinet memo 318, the amnesty com- prised of three months' remission for every year of impris- onment in cases where the person's jail term did not ex- ceed two years. The remission went down to two and a half months for every year in the case of individuals whose pris- on term was between two and six years. Those imprisoned for more than six years would benefit from a two-month remission for every year. The memo also made reference to the case of Anthony Patiniott, 21, who was the only per- son at the time serving a life sentence, which was commut- ed from a death sentence. Patiniott had been found guilty of murdering 36-year-old Manwel Baldacchino after the two friends had an altercation in Żejtun. Cabinet agreed Patiniott's life sentence should be reduced to 20 years. The same Cabinet meeting also agreed with a proposal for Malta to conclude a formal trade agreement with Yu- goslavia, a country that no longer exists today after it split in the 1990s with each state going its own way. MEMO 321 was a record of the conversation Prime Minister Gorg Borg Olivier had with JA Roberts, the deputy secretary general of NATO on Wednes- day 23 September, 1964. Roberts had suggested that an immediate application for Mal- ta's full membership of NATO "should not be submitted". "It would pose an immediate prob- lem to the North Atlantic Coun- cil and it was necessary to have time to condition the 15 mem- bers to a frame of mind likely to accept unanimously application for full membership," Roberts was quoted telling the PM. NA- TO was willing to discuss with Malta future relations but Rob- erts also asked the Prime Min- ister to give him "some tangible evidence" that Malta would be prepared to give full facilities to Hafmed (Headquarters Allied Forces Mediterranean) and its personnel to operate and enjoy all privileges and immunities subsisting before independence. The text of the document de- tailing Malta's commitment ap- proved by Cabinet was the one dictated by Roberts. Cabinet meeting 28 August 1964 State radio, the merchant fleet and UN membership Cabinet meeting 8 September 1964 Independence Day prisoner amnesty and Yugoslavia trade agreement Cabinet meeting 17 September 1964 Last Cabinet meeting before independence Cabinet meeting 24 September 1964 NATO on agenda for first Cabinet meeting after independence The Maltese merchant shipping flag was decided by Cabinet in 1964 in one of the first actions related to Malta's independence (Photo: james Bianchi/MaltaToday)] The 1964 Cabinet agreed on a prisoner amnesty on the occasion of Malta's independence "Amnesty on the occasion of Independence (Memo no. 318) (Prof. J. Cremona, attorney general, was in attendance) It was decided that there should be an amnesty with effect from 20 September, 1964, to mark the attainment of independence. on the same basis and according to the same system as those adopted on the occasion of the Coronation in 1953. It was also agreed that the only subsisting case of a life sentence, i.e. of Mr Patiniott, be reduced to twenty years." "Relations between NATO and Malta after independence (memo no. 321) (Prof. J Cremona, attorney general, and Dr E. Mizzi, Commissioner of Land, were in attendance). The Cabinet was informed of a resolution which had been adopted by the Council of NATO at its sitting of the 16 September, 1964, and of a second conversation that took place between the Hon. Prime Minister and Mr. JA Roberts, deputy secretary general, NATO, on 23 September, 1964, on the subject of the relations between Malta and NATO after independence. It was agreed that the following communication be sent to Mr Roberts: 'The Government of Malta has taken note of the resolution approved by the North Atlantic Council on 16 September, 1964, and asks the secretary general to convey to the Council the sincere thanks of the Government of Malta for the congratulations extended to it on the occasion of Malta's independence. Pending the outcome of discussions to be held at the request of the Government of Malta between this government and NATO on the possibility of future arrangements, the Government of Malta confirms that the legal status of NATO headquarters, establishments, forces and installations will continue to be governed by the relevant leases, regulations and practices which have hitherto applied in Malta'." "Prorogation of the legislative assembly It was agreed that the H.E. the Governor be advised to prorogue the legislative assembly with effect from the 19 September, 1964, and to sign the necessary proclamation." Relations between Malta and NATO were the first thing ministers of a newly independent Malta discussed in 1964. Malta hosted NATO's Mediterranean HQ by virtue of its colonial past. The black and white screen shot is from footage of the opening of NATO's Mediterranean HQ at Lascaris in Malta in 1953 (Credit: Imperial War Museums)