(11 Apr 1979) RR7915B MALTA IN SEARCH OF NEUTRALITY
Since 1976, Maltese premier Dom Mintoff's policies
have been directed at turning Malta into a neutral
state. Mintoff's Labour Party renegotiated the status
of Britain's military presence: a seven year agreement
was signed allowing Britain, as representatives of
NATO, to stay until 31st March 1979. Mr. Mintoff has
been looking around for new friends and at the
ceremony marking the withdrawal of the last of the
British forces it was Colonel Gaddafi of Libya who
stood at his side. There are also Chinese workers on
the island who are building a vast dry dock complex
under an interest-free loan from Peking. The British
withdrawal means a loss of 70 million dollars in
revenue a year, and whether or not Mr. Mintoff can
maintain his policy of non-alignment will depend on
his ability to avoid economic dependence on any one
country.
Film: Rev- Sound: Mag/SOF - Colour - Available in HD
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