Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/390250
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 1 OCTOBER 2014 News MIRIAM DALLI THE Ministry for Foreign Af- fairs has categorically denied that Malta has signed an agree- ment to join the anti-Islamic State coalition. The denial comes amid re- ports by international media that claim that Malta is one of 62 countries who joined the United States in a coalition against ISIS. The international media has cited a list issued by the State Department, although they de- scribe Malta's commitment as "not specific". But although the list was reported by The Telegraph and The Washington Post as including Malta, the list car- ried on the website of the US Department of State, accessed yesterday, does not include Malta. It would seem that Malta has in fact been removed from the DoS list, since the Chicago Sun Times reproduced the same DoS statement of 19 September on the same day, with Malta in- cluded in the list. In a statement, the Minis- try for Foreign Affairs said Malta had no commitment to the United States or any other country or organisation to join such a coalition. "While Malta recognises the Islamic State is a threat not only to Iraq, Syria and the region but also to the United States and Europe, Malta did not sign any agreements," the ministry said. It added that Malta has strong- ly condemned, in international fora, the violence perpetuated by the Islamic State and offered its political and moral support in the fight against barbarism and terrorism. "Malta's neutrality has the goal to achieve peace and there- fore Malta cannot remain neu- tral or passive in such circum- stances," the ministry said. "Malta also recognised its moral obligations that the 24 Malta not in anti-ISIS coalition, US amends country list humanitarian situation be ad- dressed." United States President Barack Obama said that while American military power is unmatched, the fight against Islamic State "cannot be America's fight alone". Allies and partners of the United States, Obama vowed, would pro- vide support to degrade and even- tually destroy the militant group that has slaughtered many people in Iraq and Syria and beheaded two American journalists and a British aid worker. The United States has conducted more than 150 airstrikes in Iraq against ISIS, and Secretary of State John Kerry has said nearly 40 na- tions have agreed to contribute to the fight against the militants. Bus handover to be made by January MATTHEW AGIUS TRANSPORT Minister Joe Mizzi has confirmed that Malta's public transport operation will be handed over to the new private op- erators by the coming January. Mizzi would however not be pinned down on the new fares that will be charged by Spanish op- erators Autobuses de Leon, but re- peated that the fares under the new operators "will remain affordable". Speaking to reporters as he in- spected works worth €30,000 on the new Pietà church parvis yester- day morning, Mizzi also said that the possibility of an underground transport network "is being inves- tigated" although he did not com- mit himself on any clear plans. In his speech, Mizzi explained that works on the parvis of the churches in Gudja, Mgarr, Seng- lea and St Gregory in Sliema will be starting "in the coming weeks". Mizzi said he wanted to give prior- ity to "works that had fallen behind during the previous administra- tion", adding that he would not tolerate unnecessary bureaucracy in public works, and described as unacceptable waiting times of sev- eral months for such works to be carried out. Pietà mayor Keith Tanti praised the ministry and public works de- partment for their commitment, while also pointing out that this project is entirely locally funded.