Updated 2: PN raise doubts over promotions at AFM; Opposition’s attacks aimed at damaging the country – Government

[23video id="8691627" token="1833e67de9ca59336e80b2a553a75a1d" width="665" height="374"] Recent promotions at the Armed Forces of Malta are partisan motivated, said Nationalist Party spokespersons Beppe Fenech Adami and Jason Azzopardi. The spokespersons outlined that changes were made in the selection criteria in order to accommodate select members of the force, casting doubts over the recent promotions handed to four members of the force. The spokespersons highlighted the presence of Ms. Ramona Attard and Mr Clint Cutajar, both employees of the Minister's private secretariat, questioning their competence in the matter . The PN speaker said said that since 1987,  the Government had not permitted that selection process is done by members in the private secretariats of the Government. The PN exponents said that the now Lieutenant Colonel Pierre Vassallo, Deputy Commander Mark Mallia, Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi and Lieutenant Colonel Mark Said as had benefitted from the change in the criteria. The spokespersons said that Lt Colonel Vassallo back in 2006 did not have security clearance to handle sensitive information, and alleged that back in 1986 as a former Policeman, he had been fired by the Police Force. However, was now promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. With regards to Lt Colonel Mark Mallia, the spokespersons said that some 21 majors were passed over for a promotion, and their seniority was not respected. Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi according to the PN speakers, is very close friends with Prime Minister,, while Lt Colonel Mark Said was busy celebrating the PL victory in the general election when, according to the PN speakers,  he should have been on a search and rescue mission.   Opposition’s attacks aimed at damaging the country – Government Promotions were handed according to merits and established criteria, rebutted the Government to the Opposition’s claims. In a press release, Government pointed out that the criteria for the interviews had been established by the Defence Board, while taking into account experience not only acquired locally but also abroad. ‘This is the complete opposite of what had happened under a PN Government, with persons promoted to higher ranks despite bereft of foreign military experience’, Government said. Government said that the attack of the Opposition on the four Colonels, shows that the Opposition is still resorting to partisan politics even when it comes to matters regarding the armed forces. Furthermore, these attack are aimed at damaging the country. Government pointed out that selection process followed laws, and to the contrary of what PN spokesperson Jason Azzopardi had said, the Armed Forces of Malta is not regulated by the Public Service Commission. Rebutting comments made on Government appointed members of the board of selection, Government stated that under a PN administration the Prime Minister’s public consultant, Paul Miruzzi, had been appointed on this same board. While condemning the character assassination of the four Colonels, Government clarified that the said members were fully qualified for the new positions; raising the question if under a PN Government, members were promoted or held back according to their political colours.