Thanks Gallina for your comment re: my earlier post.
I'm with John, David and Graham here all the way. There is no way, given the entrenched passions on both side of this debate we will ever move forward without dialogue. That does not do anything to belittle the feelings that others have expressed (on both sides) simply that, as often is the case in 'warfare', one must bite the bullet as it were, to find some common ground. It's that common ground that facilitates change and will allow progress.
I sense, after reading so much about this issue, that the Maltese as a 'people' have a very strong sense of cultural identity (not necessarily epitomised by hunting although that's obviously an 'important' aspect of it). Protecting this is clearly very important to them. Thus, enforced imposition of change from outside it's national borders, (through sanctions/expulsion, generalised insults/condemnation of the Country itself) may well appear to be the only rational response from one perspective, but from another, I can understand how this approach could actually fuel anger and resentment from the Maltese and even a backlash response targeted at protected birds by the hunting community - birds make a very easy and vulnerable target upon which to vent that anger and resentment. I include the EU as part of that simply because, as with many EU countries, I think in Malta there are still some very unresolved issues amongst populace about how they feel about being 'governed' by Brussels (and I don't just mean in relation to the environmnent!)
After much thought, I rather think the best people to effect a long term and sustainable change of heart in Malta is the Maltese themselves. This may be an unpopular thing to say since clearly they have shown no or little inclination to do this to date. However, encouraging people like Gallina, who claims to be a legitimate hunter, to stand more firmly and be more vocal within his own hunting community (using his very obvious assertiveness skills!) against illegal hunting, would, I think be a very constructive way forward. No human being however, should be expected to willingly alienate themselves from both sides ... if Gallina shows a willingness to move forward in agreement with some of the issues, he should be commended and welcomed and above all, be made to feel he would be supported if he responds positively - bearing in mind, it could be even harder for a hunter in Malta to 'turn against' the illegal hunters in fear of potential backlash.
I fully support the work of BLI, Proact, the EU commmision, it clearly needs to continue at this stage IMO, but lets be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water.