SOFA agreement ‘high’ on new US ambassador’s agenda

New American ambassador G. Kathleen Hill today said the contentious status of forces agreement (SOFA) between Malta and the US is high on her agenda, insisting such a deal would be beneficial to both sides.

Hill highlighted the security and economic benefits of such an agreement but so far both Labour and the Nationalist parties are wary of conceding to the onerous conditions of the SOFA, despite the economic benefits from ship-repair for naval fleets.

The new ambassador added that one stumbling block is the legal immunity such an agreement grants to military personnel.

Hill said the US has such agreements with a host of countries, including Russia, stressing that “no two SOFA agreements are identical.”

However, both sides of the House of Representatives are known to be in agreement over red lines laid down in 2012 by then foreign minister Tonio Borg over visiting foreign servicemen and it is understood that the cross-party agreement stands to this day.

Among others, SOFA establishes the rights and privileges of foreign personnel present in a host country in support of the larger security arrangement.

Irrespective of the potential revenue visiting naval ships brings, a SOFA is controversial because it means granting US military personnel legal privileges and diplomatic immunity, which could prevent the host country from taking legal and criminal action against soldiers.

Asked whether US foreign policy would change after November’s presidential election, which will lost likely see Democrat Hillary Clinton face renegade businessman Donald Trump, Hill said that she served under three different Presidents and the top five priorities, such as international security, human rights and democratic values remained unchanged.

Speaking to journalists in her first official meeting with the press since she presented her credentials to President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca last week, Hill said her priorities include strengthening co-operation on regional security and economic ties between the two countries.

“The partnership between the two countries is as strong as ever and there’s no reason for this to change,” she said.

Turning to regional security, Hill said that Libya remains a major concern and underlined the importance of allowing the newly created  UN-backed unity government to enter Tripoli. Despite several attempts to obtain backing from the rival governments currently ruling Libya, local resistance has meant that the Government of National Accord has no authority on the ground.

Quizzed whether the US shares the same enthusiasm neing shown by European countries to send troops into Libya, Hill said the US would act in accordance with the wishes of the national unity government.

But, the US would not hesitate to strike at ISIS fighters in Libya, she noted.