| FAX TRANSMISSION |
|---|
| Facsimile Transmission Sheet |
| TO: | FROM: |
| Padraig Coyle | Daniel Aquilina |
| COMPANY: | DATE: |
| BBC | 10/11/00 |
| FAX NUMBER | TOTAL NO OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER |
| 00 44 2890 426920 | 3 |
| PHONE NUMBER | SENDERS REFERENCE NUMBER |
| 00 44 190 338 000 | FAX NO C/O 00356 234407 |
| RE: PIPER LANCE DISAPPEARANCE | YOUR REFERENCE NUMBER |
| 3rd December 1995 | |
| URGENT FOR REVIEW PLEASE COMMENT | PLEASE REPLY PLEASE RECYCLE |
| Notes/Comments |
Dear Mr. Coyle
Further to your telephone conversations with my mother regarding the disappearance of my brother Matthew together with 5 other men allegedly on board Piper Lance 9H-ABU on the 3rd December 1995
First of all, allow me to thank you for your interest in our case. Five long years have dragged on since the disappearance of our loved ones and we are still in the dark regarding their whereabouts or their fate, as we were back in 1995.
The families involved, as the Boomer family may well confirm, attended court inquiry sittings, and participated in television programs. We chased ministers at their offices and homes and contacted anyone who could possibly shed light on the events of the 3rd December 1995. We compiled dozens of files of correspondence and relevant documents. I was myself personally involved in searches by air and by sea, including the scanning of the seabed with sonar equipment. We wrote innumerable articles in newspapers whether in our own name or through journalists on our behalf. All these efforts have not yet led us to the truth. We have experienced anguish, shock, disbelief, anger, sadness, helplessness and pain...and the authorities involved remain totally insensitive to our feelings and our rights.
Allow me to remark that your contribution is naturally welcome, however, experiences over the last five years have taught us a lesson. We were often mis-quoted for the sake of sensationalism or fear of political repercussions and in light of this , we recently asked journalists to forward the final version of their article to us in order that we may check that all is in fact correct and faithfully reproduced information. I am certainly not questioning your professionalism as a journalist; all I am doing is kindly asking that you forward your final version before it gets printed and published.
My mother has also informed me that you will be emphasising on the personal "human" aspects of the case in addition to the much needed investigated element. This personal element, in fact, confirms the importance of forwarding the of your final version to us for our confirmation of facts quoted regarding the lived of our loved ones.
My mother also mentioned to me that you intend writing about the fact that some family members even contacted so-called psychics to try and lead us to at least one indication of what might have happened that night, only resulting in false hopes and nothing else. With regards to this point let me point out the following:
It is my opinion that this is no business of the public in general; it was a desperate attempt of families quenching for information about their loved ones and their whereabouts
The result of the "psychic sessions" was a total mess, false hopes that soon inevitably fizzled out.
In your article you will be talking about very serious matters indeed. You will be saying that this case may in fact be linked to the assassination of Fathi Shqaqi, outside the Diplomat Hotel in Sliema in October 1995 and that the pilot of the Piper Lance was in fact suspected of flying the assassins out of Malta. Thus it is crystal clear that talking about "psychics" in the same article would not be fair to the families involved due to the privacy of such actions but would furthermore ridicule an otherwise very serious and politically sensitive article.
I believe that I have already sent you Matthews homepage where you will find some useful contact information. In addition to that may I suggested that you contact me by email at the following address: dja@mail.global.net.mt. I could forward attachments to you such as the article that appeared in The People (now defunct local journal) and other relevant information. Please be sure that you do not publish anything before we are forwarded a final draft.
In conclusion it must be made clear that my family will hold you personally responsible for anything printed and published without or knowledge and approval. Having said that, however, allow me to extend my heartfelt thanks for your understanding in this matter.
It is persons' serious and professional approach to a very delicate issue that encourages us to continue in our search for information on the whereabouts of my brother and the other passengers.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any information or clarification.
Yours Sincerely
