National Security: Double/Multiple Nationality - Which Country Are You Loyal To?

This week we are going to address the question of loyalty to the State in two different scenarios: when one holds double/multiple citizenship and when one has a single citizenship but conspires with foreign forces against the motherland. In which particular cases is having multiple citizenship a threat to National Security?

*DISCLAIMER: this article falls outside the context of Secret Services Operations.*

To Be or Not to Be Loyal

When a person holds more than one citizenship to which country is he more loyal to: Country A, B, C or D? It isn't likely to serve several masters without producing a conflict of interests; therefore, it is very important to analyse the danger behind having elements in Key Government Positions with more than one citizenship. A State has no right to tempt a citizen into betraying it.

Scenario 1: Double or Multiple Citizenship

Some individuals collect citizenships for either personal or business interests, which is fine even though it does pose some Security issues if/when the individual becomes subversive. We have already shared here that Middle Eastern individuals are acquiring African nationalities with the sole purpose of acquiring nationalities or residence permits in those countries' former metropolis – ex: Hezbollah has infiltrated Portugal via Angola and Brazil, where they enjoy a large space of manoeuvre. In such cases, having multiple nationalities poses a National Security Threat.

Now let's take this issue to the next level: should civil servants like registrar clerks, judges, district attorneys, members of parliament, Ministers, members of the local government, police officers, federal agents, special agents and other individuals in Key Places be allowed to have double/multiple citizenship? No, they shouldn't because there is an increased risk that the other countries will approach them to ask for services – and what are they supposed to say, no? They are, but most of the times they don't. Why tempt citizens while putting the Homeland in danger?

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Example I

Portugal has been witnessing a string of legal cases to tackle corruption. These cases involve Angolan and Portuguese individuals – the appearance is that the Angolan folks are the corrupting parties and the Portuguese are the corrupted parties (though we intend to, very soon, show that this is not exactly so). In one of the cases, a Portuguese Judge (born in Angola) allegedly received payment to revert a judicial decision in a case of suspicion of money laundering perpetrated by a member of the so-called Angolan elite in Portugal – this raises an interesting question, was the judge approached because he is a known bribery taker or because he was born in Angola?

Our sources told us that as we speak, in Portugal, there are Angolan born individuals in all government and banking sectors that inform the Angolan Government about not only the activities (financial and otherwise) of Angolan citizens in Portugal but also about Portuguese elements of interest (NB: imagine the following scenario - what if Angola sells this information to its Hezbollah mates?). We have also shared here how Portuguese companies and banks have been bought allegedly by Angolan money to this end. So, what does this mean? It means that Portugal needs a clean-up operation.

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If, like Portugal, there are other countries of interest in similar conditions then their National Security is under threat as well.

Scenario 2: Single Citizenship 

One individual may have one single nationality but for personal profit choose to conspire with foreign governments against his own country. Should this individual be trialled for Treason? Yes, he should.

It is understood that some international organisations have been convincing people that we are one world, with the same interests, but we are not. The globe is still composed by Sovereign States that would appreciate if their citizens would not commit treason against them.

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Example II

A Portuguese lawyer (to several high profile Angolan figures and the Angolan State itself) confessed that he received wiretaps, kept in the Portuguese Republic's Attorney-General Office (RAG), and shipped them over to the Angolan RAG Office in Luanda – does this not tantamount to treason? It absolutely does. This element, Paulo Blanco (a member of the CDS/PP Party – right wing – and a former Mayor of a small town) opened a very dangerous door: using his connections to obtain information that is then sent to a foreign state. One thing is to represent the State of Angola, another thing is to betray Portugal by sending material stemming from ongoing investigations – this borders Treason. Where should the Republic draw the red line?

So, why is Portugal not considering to accuse Paulo Blanco as a traitor? The absence of such an accusation (especially after he stated that he would repeat the offence if the opportunity presented itself) implies that something much deeper and bigger is going on between Portugal and Angola. “The Owls are not what they seem.” 

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Advice: for instance, if a national  is hired by a foreign entity, he - during the negotiations of the terms and conditions of his contract - should make clear that he is not willing to militate against his country. If such an individual foresees the need to provide information about his country then he should renounce his nationality.

Conclusion

Countries should study very well this double/multiple citizenship issue. Some countries (like Israel) have already the policy of demanding their politicians and high sensitive civil servants to renounce their other nationality/nationalities. Other countries may need to do the same in light of the examples on the ground. Loyalty is a very important thing and its absence puts Sovereign States in peril.

Where do your loyalties land exactly? We need to know.

(Image: Lady Justice[Ed] - iStock via Google Images)

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