There’s a good and detailed article about Malta’s sale of citizenship in the current edition of the London Review of Books
Published:
February 13, 2014 at 12:27am
The author spoke to Muscat when he was in Miami last November to deliver his sales pitch, and she appears to have examined the situation closely.
I recommend that you read this piece – it is especially interesting for its revelation that Henley & Partners’ Chris Kalin, who has been preaching at us and dissing us via media interviews, spent rather a lot of time hawking St Kitts passports round the globe.
First he hawked passports for St Kitts in the Caribbean, and now he’s hawking passports for Malta.
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http://www.lrb.co.uk/v36/n04/atossa-araxia-abrahamian/short-cuts
The story is equally interesting for the revelation that Muscat thinks a) borders will increasingly be open and the world will be like the Schengen area (this was before he heard about Switzerland’s latest vote), b) this is an exceedingly good thing, and, the non-sequitur of the century, c) the opening of borders is an excellent reason to sell Maltese passports to the world.
Chris Kalin disagrees, as well he might if he wishes to sell even more passports than he sold for St Kitts. If borders are open, there is no need for passports at all.
Henley and Partners have been handed a gold mine with Muscat as the resident ticking bomb.
Yes, Muscat does come across as a bit dumb and confused.
The Maltese passport is the best thing that this Chris Kalin ever tried to sell.
The guy probably cannot believe his good fortune to be involved with this sure-fire seller.
These things will sell like hot cakes at those “bar-goon” low ball prices.
Yes, did she nail the salesman, our prime minister can’t even get the blurb out of his system. The ‘pioneer’, how cute, anything which strokes his ego sticks.
The way he spoke points at this scheme being the roadmap all along. I mean, does he even expect us to think otherwise?
If he’ll insist, he risks being seen as one who got into this in a panic, addio roadmap then.
An interesting comment about Shiv Nair appears beneath several reports about CHOGM 2015.
Click here for the full text:
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2013/11/17/the-commonwealth-summit-and-after/
commonwealth_insider
November 17, 2013 – 6:01 pm
Malta’s Secret weapon demolishes CHOGM 2015
opposition
Commonwealth insider can exclusively reveal that the main man behind Malta’s unexpected bagging of CHOGM 2015, is a reclusive Maltese Anglo Indian millionaire, Shiv Shankaran nair.
“The Iranian nickel trader who got himself a diplomatic St Kitts passport, and on being asked about his credentials at Toronto airport, demanded to speak to the prime minister. Such episodes might well lead other countries to decide on security grounds to require travellers to get visas if they come from states that hawk passports.”
We have already seen examples of that happening. Take a look at the visa requirements that were imposed on the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Isn’t it interesting to note that Christian Kalin of Henley & Partners is a Swiss-German? With the Swiss, especially the Swiss-Germans, having voted in their referendum in favour of tighter control of borders and by consequence against the free movement of EU citizens, is he going to need visas for his travel or does he have a number of different Caribbean passports, or perhaps even a Maltese one in the oven?
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-02-13/news/citizenship-schemes-only-appealing-in-unstable-countries-henley-3942580225/
This Kalin reminds me of Alberto Sordi’s weapons merchant in Finche c’e guerra c’e speranza.
And isn’t it interesting how he admits they had been eyeing Fenech’s permanent residency scheme? That was when there was all the hullabaloo about property remaining unsold and how the PN administration wasn’t doing enough to help developers get their real estate off their books.
It was also hinted then that Labour would take care of their predicament, until Muscat opted these clients needn’t even live in Malta, lest it defeats Henley’s product, as explained by the Zurich tax lawyer in the article in Daphne’s post above.
Who said the PN’s position in all this isn’t in the country’s interest? Muscat betrayed his promises to the lobby in his lust to control the cashflow.
Anyone interested please line up outside Chetcuti’s office in Hamrun. Lorry Sant would be impressed.
Tighter control of borders would in fact suit his interests as this would generate more needs for an alternative passport(s)
Can some journalist ask a simple question to our prime minister?
“Was the IIP scheme part of the roadmap?”
If the answer would be in the affirmative ,then the journalist should ask ” Having planned this in advance with H&P, why did you have to revise the law four times?”
Before the election we were told that the Labour Party had this blessed roadmap which it would not divulge for fear of being copied by the PN.We all know that the Labour Party copied the electoral program of the Nationalist Party. A year has nearly passed and we don’t know what this roadmap.
The selling of immovable property in Malta is taxed in Malta, without any tax refund entitlement to non-resident sellers.
It follows that the sale of (Malta) citizenship should be taxed in Malta – thus H&P should not be allowed to reduce their effective tax to 5% on the funds that Joseph & Co. are allowing them to gobble.
The government must feel embarrassed, and rightly so, to ask help about immigration.
So they have handed over to the President:
“President George Abela this morning said that it is time for the European Union to take action and implement proposals that have been made to tackle irregular migration.” (The Malta Independent)
Why is it that the Maltese are congenitally incapable of intelligent commentary on anything?
I mean, look at this piece. It’s brilliant. Every last Maltese journalist and columnist had the facts, but no one had the brains or the balls to write this sort of thing.
Did our prime minister really say this?
‘We want people who can bring jobs and investment, but it’s also about ideas,’ he said. ‘This is the next big thing in getting the right people. We want high-net-worth individuals, and highly networked individuals – people who can get things done with a phone call rather than going through bureaucratic processes.’
Did he say “people who can get things done with a phone call rather than going through bureaucratic processes.’”?
What exactly did he mean by that? Did he mean that now things will be done against money, rather than through a lawful process?
Scandalous, in my view.
http://www.maltarightnow.com/?module=news&at=Sitwazzjoni+kaotika+bla+pre%26%23267%3Bedent+fl%2DIsptar+Mater+Dei&t=a&aid=99854297&cid=19
So the health minister’s doing a Basil Fawlty.
And how much is the scabbing cost to the taxpayer?
And just when the work and employment minister lamented foreigners taking our jobs.
You couldn’t make it up.
One of the Enemalta employees suspended pending further investigations to the tampered smart meters is a certain Louis Attard.
Employed at the finance division of the corporation and very close to Konrad Mizzi. He’s been identified as the brain behind the scam involving a major number of smart meters installed.
“Hi there, Eric, it’s been a while. What are you up to?”
“You won’t believe it, but I just bought myself an EU member state. A tiny one, but still…”
“Gosh, that’s wonderful. Did it cost you much?”
“Not really. They actually pay me.”
As for the next move, will he say that he cannot be processed twice for the same charge?
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Farrugia-Sacco-writes-to-MPs-justice-commission-cannot-refuse-him-due-process-20140213
Two more snouts in the trough.
http://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2014/2/13/eks-gurnalist-tal-union-print-ghal-tvm.14846
‘We want high-net-worth individuals, and highly networked individuals – people who can get things done with a phone call rather than going through bureaucratic processes.’
I guess that explains how a Labour mayor can phone the police commissioner to get permission to jump the queue while waiting for the ferry. And it explains how contracts are signed before anyone even realises that tender applications are out. And it explains how links with people like Shiv Nair come about.
And who can forget John Dalli’s infamous phone call to Joseph Muscat right after having that meeting with José Manuel Barroso?
It’s all done with a tinkle and Joseph Muscat’s approval.
Boasting about sleaze. Unbelievable. Can you imagine David Cameron saying that? He would be ripped to shreds by the media.
And we are supposed to believe in Henley and Partners’ due diligence process. Why would a wealthy person who can get things done by phoning the minister bother with such petty things as applications and bureaucratic processes?
This is the same party which supposedly campaigned for transparency. It looks like not much has changed since Karmenu Vella’s previous incarnation as a Mintoff minister back in 1979 (yes, he has been around for that long).
You have to contact the minister directly, and pay a bribe. Only the goods have changed. Previously, you would be asking for a telephone or a television set. Now you’ll ask for a passport. Really liberal and progressive.
Joseph Muscat, get this into your thick head. Phoning someone in authority to get things done does not demonstrate efficiency. It demonstrates sleaze. It is corrupt and it is illegal.
Bureaucratic processes exist as a means of checks and balances. It is only excessive bureaucracy which is wrong. Bypassing regular channels and getting things done by phone calls is wrong, even if no exchange of money is involved.
Ranier Fsadni made a very good observation today in his article for Times of Malta.
He pointed out that ten years after Alfred Sant campaigned so vociferously for Svizzera fil-Mediterran, and just in time for the launch of Alfred Sant’s campaign for a seat in the European Parliament, the President of the European Council told Switzerland, in no uncertain terms, that ‘it cannot have it both ways’.
He was of course referring to the fact that Switzerland plans to keep enjoying the benefits of the EU market while restricting movement of EU nationals wanting to move to Switzerland. In other words, a piecemeal partnership with the EU where one picks and chooses what one likes doesn’t work.
Partnerxipp l-aħjar għażla indeed.
And believe it or not, the architects of that colossally bad plan are still running our lives. Joseph ‘ivvota le jew ħassar il vot’ Muscat is Prime Minister, George ‘Alla ħares nidħlu fl-Ewropa’ Vella is Minister of Foreign Affairs and Alfred ‘Svizzera fil-Mediterran’ Sant is set to become a member of the European Parliament.
Why vote for someone like Helga Ellul or Roberta Metsola when you can opt for such visionaries instead?
So I attended one of the information sessions organized by Identity Malta about the citizenship programme. This time they are being very careful to control it by limiting the number to a mere 15.
I suppose they do not want a repeat performance of that first info session which was addressed by Joe Vella Bonnici (who ended up shouting at one of his guests) and by Henley & Partners’ Hugh Morshead and Chris Kalin.
This time, one Ray Cassar spoke to us. He repeatedly stressed that we professionals are now all on the same level as Henley & Partners. Except that we aren’t really, are we?
Henleys get to handle the due diligence process, so what is to stop them favouring their own clients’ applications before those of others?
Indeed they might even specifically not recommend applications (of clients of other professionals of course) in an attempt to show that their due diligence process is very strict.
Before this major conflict of interest is removed, and the due diligence process is handled by Identity Malta itself or by some independent firm that is not also pushing forward applications, this scheme will be just that, a scheme, which has been designed to promote not Malta’s interests of alta but those of a commercial outfit.
Mr Cassar mentioned in passing that a utility bill is all that is required as proof of residency. Perhaps I misunderstood this because surely he must know as much as all of us, that that is not really proof of “effective residency” and that this should involve actual physical presence.
Surely the government is not going to mess up the life-line given to them by the European Commission? But then a read of the legal notice just issued would suggest that that is exactly what they are doing.
There is so much wrong with this scheme that the correct thing to do would be to admit it was botched from the start and go back to the drawing board. But Muscat will never admit such a mistake and will continue ploughing on. So at the very least, salvage this wretched thing and issue a fourth legal notice.
1. Insert a proper definition for effective residency which involves a continuous physical presence.
2. Require the applicant to speak one of our national languages fluently – how can you possibly integrate in a community if you cannot communicate, unless of course you never intend to in the first place.
3. Remove the due diligence process from Henley & Partners’ hands and ensure that it is done by an independent outfit.
4. No identity card should be issued until the due diligence process has been satisfactorily completed. It would be nonsensical to give an identity card on application. It is only at that point that one should commence to be formally considered a resident, effective residence being another thing altogether.
5. Truly put all professionals on the same level playing-field by removing any requirement for payment for licensing or insurance. By all means make recommendations on insurance but it is ridiculous to impose the same levels to all irrespective of size. The risks are simply not the same. This requirement simply protects the position of the big firms and prejudices small firms and sole practitioners.
6. Remove the minister’s discretion to grant citizenship to someone who has failed the due diligence process. If any exceptions are to be allowed it should not be left to an individual to decide but a sub-committee of the House. Anything else is really asking for trouble and leaving the doors wide open to corruption or the means and temptation for corruption.
7. The matter of the granting of voting rights needs to be carefully considered. There is something intrinsically wrong with people being given the vote who have no real links with or vested interest in Malta.
Dear daphne, you don’t comment about the smart meters?
[Daphne – Not yet, though I did think of pointing out that the accused are dyed-in-the-wool traditional Laburisti, and why is this not a surprise.]
And if you ever had any doubt whether or not most Maltese have bad taste – http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140214/valentines/losco-faniello-joseph-muscat-top-dream-valentines-dates.506752#.Uv3cjcu9KSM
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-02-14/leader/thats-not-the-point-mr-prime-minister-that-is-no-cancer-factory-3951296514/
A good editorial. The bottom line is that Joseph Muscat has been caught out in a lie – that the Marsaxlokk family suffered cancer because of the power station nearby.
The particulate thresholds were always compliant with EU Directives – directives which put people’s health first.
It is ridiculous and irrational to suggest that the power station caused cancer when evidence shows that emissions are compliant.
Only one?
http://www.maltarightnow.com/default.asp?module=news&at=Joseph+Muscat+jirtira+minn+dibattitu+li+kellu+jsir+bejn+il%2DMexxejja+politi%26%23267%3Bi&t=a&aid=99854320&cid=19
With picture of Muscat sporting assymetrical facial hair.
Who’s this idiot?
‘…before the coming of the Knights in 1530, Mdina, Malta’s capital at that time of darkness…’
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140214/opinion/Sport-is-part-of-culture.506699
Good, let’s play football then. I got a bunch of culture vultures up the square from where I live, the pleb I am missing the lectures every Wednesday night in the art cafe’s.
This week, why Messi’s depressed and is it Ferguson or Mourinho.
There’s the military high command in charge in Libya, now what happens to the oil procurement agreement.
Maltatoday playing it down.
The article is irrelevant, it is dated 20th February 2014???? and we can read it on the 14th February 2014???
[Daphne – Yes, because the London Review of Books, like all magazines, journals and periodicals that are not published ‘for the day’ (like newspapers), carries a date that is contemporaneous with the period that the issue covers. You can buy and read the March editions of most British monthly high-end magazines, like Vogue and House & Garden, right now for instance.]
Ramona Attard was back on One’s breakfast show this morning, talking about the changeover to e-id cards. Apparently there are no technocrats within the ministry who are able to broadcast information objectively to the public.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140214/world/german-minister-resigns-over-handling-of-child-porn-inquiry.506786
U hawn Malta jitkeccew minn-kummissarji Ewropej u nappuntawhom konsulenti mal-gvern.
It is interesting that Mucsat and his crowd/cabinet managed to distract the whole of Maltese society from their inability to work on employment/unemployment issues.
This scheme has been used to hide or distract us from other important issues which they do not want the people to think and talk about, like rising unemployment and a general slowdown in retail.
This scheme keeps getting worse. Most of all, clearly your Prime Minister has some sort of a special relationship with Henley & Partners, so much so that he is willing to risk his international reputation just to ensure that they can make hundreds of millions of euros.
I do not understand why your Prime Minister does not trust his own government to manage the citizenship program, and insists on inserting Henley.
I suspect that when you will all find out the reason for this whole matter, that it will become Malta’s version of Watergate.
The truth always has a way of coming out and it will come out here as well.