2 ms·

I think this is different. Malta the EU country doesn’t seem to have much in common with that Rome-based sovereign order of Malta organisation, other than the n

by smcl 9y ago

I think this is different. Malta the EU country doesn’t seem to have much in common with that Rome-based sovereign order of Malta organisation, other than the name of course.

toyg 9y ago
Yes and no. The now-Rome-based order used to actually rule over Malta, before being forced out by Napoleon Bonaparte and relocating to Italy. It's unlikely they will ever regain ownership of the island, but they are still considered almost a sovereign state, despite not actually holding any territory. They do have a sizeable presence on Malta, including a free lease on their historic fort, which is used for their activities and considered extra-territorial like an embassy. The independent government has traditionally been friendly towards them, as they were towards the Catholic Church in general. During the Cold War, it is alleged the order used the island as a safe base for espionage activities directed towards Italy, usually in concert with other NATO organisations. A number of shady Italian personalities had links to the order and owned properties on the island; this is why Maltese corruption is hardly a surprise to most Italian researchers.
24gttghh 9y ago
This does not appear to be entirely the case[0]. >The Parliament of the Republic of Malta has ratified today the agreement set out in 1998 between the Maltese Government and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, pursuant to which Fort St. Angelo, the oldest fort in Malta, shall be granted in concession to the Order for a period of 99 years. Please do not construe this rebuttal as an agreement with the GP that the SMOM is some kind of Illuminati organization. From what I can gather, it looks like the group is a quasi-sovereign Red Cross type entity today. [0]https://www.orderofmalta.int/2001/03/13/two-centuries-order-malta-flag-flies-fort-st-angelo-beside-maltese-flag/ https://www.orderofmalta.int/2001/03/13/two-centuries-order-...

by smcl 9y ago

I think this is different. Malta the EU country doesn’t seem to have much in common with that Rome-based sovereign order of Malta organisation, other than the name of course.

toyg 9y ago

Yes and no. The now-Rome-based order used to actually rule over Malta, before being forced out by Napoleon Bonaparte and relocating to Italy. It's unlikely they will ever regain ownership of the island, but they are still considered almost a sovereign state, despite not actually holding any territory. They do have a sizeable presence on Malta, including a free lease on their historic fort, which is used for their activities and considered extra-territorial like an embassy. The independent government has traditionally been friendly towards them, as they were towards the Catholic Church in general. During the Cold War, it is alleged the order used the island as a safe base for espionage activities directed towards Italy, usually in concert with other NATO organisations. A number of shady Italian personalities had links to the order and owned properties on the island; this is why Maltese corruption is hardly a surprise to most Italian researchers.

24gttghh 9y ago

This does not appear to be entirely the case[0]. >The Parliament of the Republic of Malta has ratified today the agreement set out in 1998 between the Maltese Government and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, pursuant to which Fort St. Angelo, the oldest fort in Malta, shall be granted in concession to the Order for a period of 99 years. Please do not construe this rebuttal as an agreement with the GP that the SMOM is some kind of Illuminati organization. From what I can gather, it looks like the group is a quasi-sovereign Red Cross type entity today. [0]https://www.orderofmalta.int/2001/03/13/two-centuries-order-malta-flag-flies-fort-st-angelo-beside-maltese-flag/ https://www.orderofmalta.int/2001/03/13/two-centuries-order-...