What is a SOFA?
SOFA stands for ‘status of forces agreement’. It’s an agreement between a host country and a foreign nation – in this case the USA – stationing military forces in that country. It establishes the rights and privileges of foreign personnel present in a host country.
Nothing to do with comfy furniture then.
No, unless by furniture you mean the barrel over which the US has Malta bent over right now.
What do you mean?
Well, successive Maltese governments, both Labour and PN, have been opposed to the idea of a SOFA, because…
I’m sorry, I can’t get over the idea of you yelling about a sofa.
Well, you’re going to have to. Where was I? Malta has always been opposed to…that kind of agreement…because of the country’s neutrality, which is enshrined in the Constitution, and because it would impinge on Malta’s sovereignty.
How so?
The agreement means that American personnel stationed in Malta will be subject to American law, and not Maltese. So if an American soldier sticks a finger up your butt in a bar in Valletta without your consent, you’d have to seek justice through the American legal system.
Wow that’s a very specific example. But anyway, why would Malta agree to accept that now?
Our old friend Mr Moneyval.
Oh no, not him again!
I’m afraid so. The US wants the SOFA in exchange for putting in a good word about Malta when we face the Moneyval test.
If only the government hadn’t allowed Malta to become a money-laundering mecca. Are there any positives?
Kind of. The US also wants to put a stop to all the drug and arms trafficking that goes on out at sea off Hurd’s Bank.
Probably should’ve put a stop to that ourselves, eh?
Yeah probably.
What has Robert Abela had to say about it?
He told journalists that the SOFA agreement has nothing to do with Moneyval.
So it’s definitely related to Moneyval then.
You bet.
Mintoff must be rolling in his grave.
Indeed. Seismic activity has indeed been detected coming from his tomb in L-Addolorata, possibly from him banging his walking stick against the coffin lid.
