Was there any claimed justification at all for refusing help from France, the UK, and US, or did the prime minister clam up real tight after the fiasco?
In reality, Malta in the 80s was trying to balance things between the west and other countries like China, Libya, and the kind of countries where you’re not allowed to criticise the government.
The government was EXTREMELY corrupt (still is, just less so now), so it would have probably been easier for local politicians to arrange side deals with similarly corrupt countries.
Was there any claimed justification at all for refusing help from France, the UK, and US, or did the prime minister clam up real tight after the fiasco?
Officially? No justification that makes sense.
In reality, Malta in the 80s was trying to balance things between the west and other countries like China, Libya, and the kind of countries where you’re not allowed to criticise the government.
The government was EXTREMELY corrupt (still is, just less so now), so it would have probably been easier for local politicians to arrange side deals with similarly corrupt countries.