0:00:02.236,0:00:07.897 Today is the 11th of November 2019. 0:00:08.956,0:00:13.699 I am Joseph Mifsud speaking,[br]this is my voice. 0:00:15.826,0:00:20.364 I would like, first of all, to say 0:00:20.369,0:00:26.350 that I have absolutely no contact[br]with friends and family 0:00:26.495,0:00:29.984 and have had no contact[br]with friends and family 0:00:30.408,0:00:32.176 for a number of months now . 0:00:34.264,0:00:41.015 It's been almost two years to date that[br]the whole issue -- blown-up issue -- 0:00:41.374,0:00:46.541 has been presented to the world media[br]and on the world stage, 0:00:47.006,0:00:54.150 as if I had something to do[br]with issues concerning countries 0:00:54.150,0:01:02.181 or trying to infiltrate absolutely absurd[br]programs, contacts 0:01:02.709,0:01:06.586 or any other institutions of the world. 0:01:07.515,0:01:14.528 I have been a networker all my life[br]and this is what I'm good at. 0:01:14.779,0:01:19.979 I try to bring one group[br]in contact with another. 0:01:20.460,0:01:28.201 Not -- not, I repeat and underline --[br]nobody in any service, secret service 0:01:28.598,0:01:31.664 intelligence service[br]or anybody of this sort. 0:01:32.469,0:01:37.991 If I had any contact with these, [br]I have not known that 0:01:37.991,0:01:42.721 this person or that person[br]had any link with any institution. 0:01:42.993,0:01:45.164 So this is extremely important. 0:01:45.826,0:01:49.602 I have and I categorically refute [br]-- as I did -- 0:01:50.021,0:01:56.586 in tho only 2 interventions which I made,[br]one, on the Italian La Repubblica 0:01:56.586,0:02:00.396 and the other one when I was called[br]on the initial day, 0:02:00.396,0:02:03.514 I think it was the first day[br]when all this broke out, 0:02:03.945,0:02:06.291 by the Daily Telegraph in London. 0:02:06.986,0:02:13.959 I have had nothing to do, I tried to do[br]nothing else, except as I've always done, 0:02:13.959,0:02:18.142 put A in contact with B,[br]B in contact with C, 0:02:18.557,0:02:25.071 for purely, for purely I would call[br]academic purposes, OK? 0:02:25.071,0:02:28.117 The idea is to have networks. 0:02:28.284,0:02:30.745 I've always been involved in think tanks. 0:02:31.033,0:02:36.260 These think tanks were meant to bring[br]one group to speak to the other 0:02:36.755,0:02:39.567 about a topical issue:[br]that is all. 0:02:40.212,0:02:45.057 It was not my intent, never was my intent, 0:02:45.449,0:02:49.707 to try to obtain any information to pass[br]from one side to the other. 0:02:50.022,0:02:53.352 I have never done so, [br]because I was never, never 0:02:53.911,0:02:58.863 in possession of any information[br]which could be useful to one or the other. 0:02:59.266,0:03:04.115 All I knew were people,[br]people who came from think tanks. 0:03:04.595,0:03:08.022 And then, some of the institutions[br]that I represented in the past. 0:03:08.489,0:03:12.399 I can assure you, both in the UK,[br]in Italy and elsewhere, 0:03:12.875,0:03:17.492 I always tried to make sure that[br]young people have the opportunity 0:03:17.507,0:03:20.750 of interacting with each other:[br]that is all. 0:03:21.061,0:03:29.580 So, I've been reliably informed recently[br]that Link Campus has been accused 0:03:29.580,0:03:35.438 of setting issues or being involved[br]with services. 0:03:35.929,0:03:43.095 I categorically refute and refuse[br]to accept any of this. 0:03:43.640,0:03:46.127 There has never been anything of the sort. 0:03:46.660,0:03:51.548 I have friends and acquaintances,[br]obviously, from the university 0:03:52.218,0:03:57.408 but it is important to say that these[br]were representing their own interests. 0:03:57.414,0:04:01.725 So it was not me trying[br]to put them in touch with somebody else. 0:04:01.846,0:04:07.680 They never asked and I never, absolutely[br]never, never, tried to do that. 0:04:08.167,0:04:13.497 Whenever I met somebody -- and this [br]has been proven over and over again -- 0:04:14.166,0:04:17.211 I tried to keep that person [br]or that institution in mind, 0:04:17.520,0:04:22.696 if there was going to be a project[br]or an event 0:04:22.919,0:04:26.446 in which that institution can actually[br]play a part. 0:04:26.735,0:04:29.049 That is what I try to be. 0:04:29.398,0:04:38.268 I've always considered myself as also[br]according to my Catholic creed, 0:04:38.724,0:04:42.632 to be a bridge builder,[br]building between one and the other: 0:04:43.124,0:04:45.369 that is all that I wish to do. 0:04:45.533,0:04:50.097 Obviously, I have my own mind[br]about certain things. 0:04:50.101,0:04:54.343 So, if somebody asks me[br]how things are going to be, 0:04:54.738,0:04:59.932 what do I think will happen,[br]I obviously have an opinion, 0:05:00.191,0:05:03.227 like every other human being[br]in this world. 0:05:03.808,0:05:12.938 So it is very very clear, and I repeat,[br]that there was no -- how would I call it? 0:05:13.338,0:05:16.376 pressure; there was only advice[br]by my friends, 0:05:16.734,0:05:20.476 whom I consider to be my friends,[br]and they will always be my friends 0:05:20.476,0:05:23.094 because they've shown me[br]the hands of friendship 0:05:23.506,0:05:33.519 to actually, during the whole[br]explosion of news all over the world, 0:05:33.955,0:05:34.942 2 years to date, 0:05:36.177,0:05:40.597 to actually keep a low profile[br]and spend some time 0:05:40.981,0:05:46.288 thinking and reflecting about what[br]the events were actually saying. 0:05:46.693,0:05:49.276 And that is what I have done. 0:05:49.506,0:05:56.081 I have kept out of the limelight,[br]I have tried to keep myself busy 0:05:56.084,0:06:00.518 mentally, because this has been[br]an extremely difficult period for myself. 0:06:00.851,0:06:05.950 I had no contact, as I mentioned before,[br]with my family, 0:06:05.951,0:06:09.969 which is something which obviously[br]somebody at my age 0:06:11.132,0:06:18.998 -- I'm going to be 60 in April -- needs[br]to have contact with my ailing parents, 0:06:19.370,0:06:22.176 with my -- and the rest of my family. 0:06:22.274,0:06:25.190 And this has been[br]extremely difficult for me. 0:06:25.771,0:06:31.177 I have been living a very lonely life[br]with no social interaction, 0:06:31.178,0:06:35.716 something to which I have had[br]no previous experience of. 0:06:36.241,0:06:44.799 So, to repeat: there has not been anybody[br]who has, in any way or form pressurized me 0:06:45.074,0:06:51.629 except giving me advice on my well-being,[br]#1, because when it happened 2 years ago, 0:06:52.045,0:06:56.086 I did not know where to turn,[br]I was completely alone. 0:06:56.526,0:07:04.174 I had no advice outside that of my friends[br]in which I was told it was better for me 0:07:04.464,0:07:09.363 to keep a low profile and to leave[br]what I was doing for a period of time. 0:07:09.363,0:07:10.471 And that's what I did. 0:07:10.908,0:07:17.622 Unfortunately, this period of time has now[br]been protracted to 2 years, 0:07:17.629,0:07:19.771 which is more than one can take. 0:07:20.118,0:07:27.272 I'm evidently at the end of my tether,[br]I cannot take this anymore. 0:07:27.531,0:07:31.284 I have not worked,[br]not done any mental work, 0:07:31.284,0:07:33.653 at times I have kept away[br]from all the news, 0:07:34.145,0:07:37.900 I do not actually even read the news, 0:07:37.900,0:07:41.866 because I have tried to keep away[br]from everything. 0:07:41.899,0:07:45.737 I have never, never: I repeat never 0:07:45.739,0:07:49.175 -- in fact [br]this is perhaps one of the issues -- 0:07:49.175,0:07:52.661 I have never been paid by anybody 0:07:52.978,0:07:57.603 to commit any intrusion [br]into the privacy of another 0:07:57.781,0:08:02.471 I have never been that [br]and I am NOT a radical 0:08:02.471,0:08:06.471 in this term, in the terms of trying[br]to put somebody in touch 0:08:06.471,0:08:09.551 with somebody else[br]without his or her permission. 0:08:09.726,0:08:17.820 I have always asked: "is there a wish, is [br]the request by A to be in contact with B?" 0:08:18.164,0:08:22.274 and I always ask A and B[br]if they wish to do so, 0:08:22.546,0:08:24.816 that is all.[br]It was of interest to me 0:08:25.030,0:08:29.150 to see that some of this networking[br]actually had some fruit 0:08:29.756,0:08:33.176 so in a text which I am preparing 0:08:33.294,0:08:37.144 and I am preparing a full text[br]of all my thinking 0:08:37.190,0:08:41.880 and of all the issues that I feel[br]have actually taken place 0:08:42.301,0:08:46.681 -- not fake news but, [br]real news and real events -- 0:08:47.100,0:08:54.310 I again categorically emphasize[br]with all my might and with all my mind 0:08:54.544,0:09:02.924 that, for example Link Campus has had[br]no interest and has not put me to task 0:09:03.279,0:09:10.479 to try to get information or intelligence[br]about any institution in the world. 0:09:10.730,0:09:13.250 There was never, never that request. 0:09:13.572,0:09:17.572 The request was to try to find[br]other institutions 0:09:17.880,0:09:24.531 which wish to network with the university[br]in terms of its expertise, 0:09:24.610,0:09:28.307 student experience[br]and of course something else, 0:09:28.425,0:09:30.755 creating new knowledge and research. 0:09:30.814,0:09:36.550 That was my underlying role and[br]to that role I have tried to fulfill this 0:09:36.550,0:09:38.315 until the very end. 0:09:38.315,0:09:41.278 There was never, never, any request 0:09:41.878,0:09:45.309 which goes beyond these bounded[br]-- boundaries 0:09:45.353,0:09:50.160 It is also important to note that if[br]somebody has an opinion about something 0:09:50.227,0:09:54.955 he should not be - if I may use the word,[br]crucified, for his thinking. 0:09:55.188,0:09:59.188 If for example I think that[br]this issue will happen 0:09:59.188,0:10:03.932 or that election will take place[br]with this outcome, 0:10:03.939,0:10:09.033 it is with the adding up of[br]A B C and D. 0:10:09.359,0:10:13.312 These might not be facts[br]but these might be realizations, 0:10:14.152,0:10:19.111 advice from friends and others:[br]this has been always my rule. 0:10:20.120,0:10:25.904 I am really at the very end now: I cannot[br]take this anymore unfortunately, 0:10:26.931,0:10:35.490 I apologize for all those that I've hurt[br]or that I have caused any harm in any way 0:10:35.747,0:10:41.317 although this has been done[br]in a very very very very indirect way 0:10:41.317,0:10:44.517 because I have never tried[br]to do any harm to anybody. 0:10:46.844,0:10:48.673 This has been my whole issue. 0:10:48.673,0:10:56.911 So with this I am again underlying:[br]I have tried to keep away 0:10:57.607,0:11:03.969 from any issue which might hinder[br]or cause difficulty to any institution. 0:11:04.260,0:11:08.595 This has been the role... my role[br]for these last two years 0:11:08.883,0:11:11.273 Before those two years, 0:11:11.273,0:11:16.468 I tried and I agree and I confirm[br]that I tried to network. 0:11:16.478,0:11:20.918 network means trying to get one think-tank[br]to speak to another think-tank, 0:11:21.225,0:11:23.993 one group of thinking[br]with another group of thinking 0:11:24.324,0:11:28.183 I have always done this all my life[br]since I was a child. 0:11:28.365,0:11:32.671 So the idea is that[br]where I was I try to bring harmony 0:11:32.671,0:11:34.975 I try to bring one group with another. 0:11:34.994,0:11:41.092 So sometimes I succeeded, many times [br]I have failed, but I have tried. 0:11:41.552,0:11:46.778 This comes and stems also[br]from my upbringing. 0:11:47.088,0:11:50.481 So, may I underline again, coming also 0:11:50.665,0:11:52.895 -- this is something[br]which is also important -- 0:11:53.412,0:11:57.185 be, coming from an area[br]which has always tried to bring peace 0:11:57.185,0:11:59.711 and always try to bring[br]one group with another. 0:12:00.061,0:12:02.624 This has been always my road. 0:12:02.864,0:12:08.253 I have not, not been given[br]any instructions by anybody, 0:12:08.905,0:12:12.436 I have not been forced to do something[br]by anybody 0:12:12.715,0:12:17.089 I have not been paid to do anything[br]by any group 0:12:17.987,0:12:22.867 I categorically again emphasize[br]that I have not been 0:12:24.056,0:12:28.344 with one party against another party[br]or with one group against another group: 0:12:28.658,0:12:31.122 that was not my intent[br]and I have never done that 0:12:31.493,0:12:33.959 I have of course have my own opinions 0:12:34.328,0:12:36.969 and I have always shown my opinions[br]very very clearly. 0:12:37.320,0:12:43.902 So it is extremely -- I have always been[br]super diplomatic in terms of what I do 0:12:44.217,0:12:47.770 and I always keep contact,[br]I have always kept contact 0:12:47.792,0:12:50.539 because for these last two years[br]I have had no contact 0:12:50.553,0:12:54.176 with anybody important or particular -- 0:12:54.307,0:12:57.701 is that I've always tried[br]to keep contact with people, 0:12:57.715,0:13:02.366 trying to bridge with them,[br]trying to see how I can help. 0:13:02.729,0:13:09.705 It was like an experience for me trying[br]to see that I knew people 0:13:09.705,0:13:12.595 I -- they heard my voice, [br]they heard my advice, 0:13:12.595,0:13:15.861 I heard their advice[br]and then I made myself . 0:13:15.872,0:13:18.508 I showed for example to my students 0:13:18.703,0:13:21.690 what are the different thinking[br]in front of them 0:13:21.705,0:13:24.080 it is up to the individuals to do[br]that. 0:13:24.407,0:13:28.275 One last thing, [br]it is extremely important to...