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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2014 News 15 John Camilleri – A gentleman bows out MICHAEL FALZON IF I were to pick five persons to whom the PN owes its incredible resurgence in the late 1970s and to whom Malta owes the freedom it enjoys today, one of them would be John Camilleri. I am sure many would be surprised. John was not simply Eddie Fenech Adami's secretary for a number of years. This short, stocky, unassuming man, coming from a nu- merous working class family in Floriana, was – together with Louis Galea – the driving force behind the changes wrought in the PN after its 1971 electoral defeat and behind the election of Eddie Fenech Adami as PN leader in 1977. The rest, as they say, is history. I knew John very early in my life when I was a student and he was just a laboratory tech- nician employed by the University of Malta. Even then, his enthusiasm for the Nationalist Party knew no bounds but it flourished later with his determination to see the party rein- vented after 1971 and to see it in power once again – a determination that he pursued with an intensity that was much more than mere enthusiasm. After the PN statute was radically changed in 1975, John was appointed the party's organisa- tional secretary, a responsibility that fitted his outlook and abilities like a glove. John's crea- tive mind never failed to amaze me: he always thought up new methods and innovative ac- tions to achieve his goal and make his dream come true; even though he always preferred to occupy a humble back seat for himself, never seeking any personal glory. His mind churned out ideas unabatedly and most of these ideas helped in no small way to project the new im- age that the PN desperately needed at a time when Mintoff's regime seemed unassailable. Above all, however, John was always faithful to his principles. He was tested on this several times and he was never found wanting. He was loyal to his and the party's principles and pre- ferred to stick to them even when those from his own party – who were tainted by power – demanded blind loyalty in spite of their va- garies, expecting him to toe the line, no matter what they decided to do. He was never afraid to stick his neck out, whatever the circumstances. He did it over and over again, showing that in spite of his love for the PN and the political game, he was a cut above the greed and egocentricity that, unfortunately, seem to be constantly dominat- ing politics. Michael Falzon is a former Nationalist min- ister and MP ROGER MIFSUD I am not much into the party game and have never been, and I have no insiders in any political party to let me know the tittle tattle of what is going on behind the closed doors. I have always kept rather aloof from the political parties, fearing their contagion. But in my journalism days I could not help having fairly close contact with the politi- cal leaders, their lackeys and their trusted lieutenants. Which is not to say that I was trusted with any secrets. I did not seek out any secrets there were – and God knows there were many – and they did not come my way. But I could not help noticing certain go- ings on. I would have been blind, for in- stance, not to be aware of the tension that glowed between Eddie Fenech Adami's per- sonal assistant, Richard Cachia Caruana, and Eddie Fenech Adami's foreign minister, the late Guido de Marco, whenever these happened to be in the same company. In Zimbabwe, for instance, at the CHOGM, it glowed red hot. You could cut the tension with a knife. There was tension, too, at the OSCE meeting in Finland (or was it still the CSCE, then? – I don't remember, I don't keep notes). But I remember that I was fed the infor- mation that the rift between EFA and Ger- man Chancellor Helmut Kohl had been repaired, and reported that without attri- bution. Prof. de Marco asked me where on earth I had got that from, it was not true. In hindsight, Prof. de Marco was obvious- ly correct. I do not know that any contact was ever re-established between EFA and his erstwhile friend Helmut Kohl, who had let EFA down so badly. There was tension, too, in Australia, in 1990, when Eddie Fenech Adami visited, and I was one of the journalists reporting the visit. The tension was between John Camilleri, always a gentleman as I knew him, though I knew him only slightly, as EFA's secretary, and EFA's personal assistant, the patrician Richard Cachia Caruana. It came out rather early in the visit, in the very first few days. I believe we were still in Adelaide, the second city in the visit, when there was some clash between the two. I do not know what the clash was about, and whether John Camilleri merely handed in the towel, not wanting to press his point, or whether EFA took RCC's side. Whatever it was, John Camilleri was a shadow of his usual retiring self during the visit. I don't even remember that he had any further part in EFA's affairs. If I re- member correctly, it was not long after that that he was no longer the Prime Minister's secretary. Whether he resigned, or was moved, I do not know. In politics, the decent fellows always get the chop. So, if you see anyone who is suc- cessful in that sphere of life, don't trust him (or her). Or, at least, never give your back to him (or her). Roger Mifsud, a member of MaltaToday's edi- torial team, was formerly senior deputy editor at The Times 4 km (1 hour walk) – Starting 10.30pm @ Bugibba Square – circular route to Qawra – Finish @ Bugibba Square 9 Km (2 hour walk) – Starting 10.30 pm @ Bugibba Square – Finish @ Mosta Square Transport will be provided from Mosta Square to Bugibba Square, leaving at 9 pm sharp. Kindly book your place by the 9th September. Both walks will start at Bugibba Square to the Aquarium, Sunny Coast, near Bella Vista. Close to Pioneer Road ring road, the 9 km walk will diverge to Mosta whilst the 4 km will continue to Bugibba Square. Registration is against a €10 per person donation • children up to 8 years are free. This includes: A Commemorative T-shirt; Refreshments en route; Goody bag; A certificate to all participants. Timings for the evening will be as follows : 9 pm Bugibba Square, 'Cheeramigos' – Animation for kids will provide entertainment to the kids & families with live Disney characters. Photos with characters taken by our photographer Reuben Seychell. 9:45 pm Gorg U Pawlu special guests in attendance 10:15 pm Warm-up by Artemocion 10:25 pm Minutes of silence to remember the departed loved ones 10:30 pm Both walks set off Finishing points Presentation of Certificates & goody Bag @ – Bugibba Square & Mosta Square Registration form at http://hospicemalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-Midnight-Walk-Registration-Form. http://hospicemalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-Midnight-Walk-Registration-Form. http://hospicemalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-Midnight-W pdf • include donation and send to 39, Good Shepherd Avenue, Balzan One can also seek sponsorships from friends and families. Fantastic prizes for the hree persons who collect the most • Sponsor form at http://hospicemalta.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/MW-Sponsorship-Form-2014.pdf Information on 21440085 or via email fr@hospicemalta.org Last year's walk was a great success thanks to all of you that supported us. This year there will be two routes starting from Bugibba Square: BE THE LIGHT DURING THE NIGHT: SUPPORT HOSPICE PATIENTS & THEIR FAMILIES JOIN US ON FRIDAY 12th September 2014 for our much loved Hospice Midnight Walk In politics, the decent fellows always get the chop. So, if you see anyone who is successful in that sphere of life, don't trust him (or her). Or, at least, never give your back to him (or her) John Camilleri