ALTRNTV
01-10-2007, 11:01 PM
The world's smallest country, Sealand, is now for sale!
THE self-proclaimed independent state of Sealand is offering backers a unique off-shore investment - a stake in the famous principality.
And now the owners of the former Rough's Tower, a Second World War fort situated six miles of the east coast, believe its location and tax status could be ideal for an outside business to operate.
Sealand was declared a sovereign principality by Roy Bates - who took on the title of Prince Roy - in 1967.
The Ministry of Defence tried to evict him by sending out Royal Navy Boats and helicopters but Prince Roy, a former Army major with a distinguished war record, fired warning shots and they retreated.
Prince Michael of Sealand
Prince Michael of Sealand
He was taken to court, but a judge ruled that as the platform - situated off the port of Harwich - was outside the three-mile limit of UK territorial waters, the Government did not hold jurisdiction over it.
Meanwhile Prince Roy and his wife, Princess Joan, poured millions of pounds of pounds into the ugly, wind-battered concrete slab balanced on two huge pillars and transformed it into a luxurious palace.
However, in June last year a faulty generator led to the fort catching fire and it suffered hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Yesterday Prince Michael of Sealand, Roy's son, said the fire was one of a number of contributory reasons the family were exploring the possibility of selling off a stake in Sealand.
“We are trying to see what interest we can get. We decided to do this a little while after the fire, which is among the reasons we are looking at it,” he said.
He added it was expected that the family would retain access to the fort and it was unlikely the titles of prince and princess would be available for purchase.
“I suppose everything is negotiable, but we can't really transfer that. We have had 40 years of history and independence.
“But we have a different tax arrangement - it could be very beneficial for a business,” he said.
Prince Michael said that Prince Roy, now 85, was fully aware of the situation but that he and Princess Joan now spent most of their time in Spain.
In the past, the Principality of Sealand played a key role in pirate radio and also hosted internet services and industries.
The estate agents currently handling Sealand, Spanish firm Inmonaranja, said they were currently looking for bids above €100,000,000.
“Since 1999, the principality has been the home of several information industry companies which offer to the world safe and secure internet facilities - this industrial base makes the country even more interesting as an investment opportunity.
“Even a disastrous fire last summer in the accommodation section of the fort failed to affect the industrial activities - the country is based upon a military fort, with all its multiple backup and reserve systems.
“Sealand's current economy is based in the issue of its currency 'Sealand dollars', stamps, titles of nobility and above all the 'digital paradise' companies which are located there.
“The opportunities for developing these and other activities become available to potential investors and those who take part in the development and realisation of the Principality's future will be able to share in and become part of the history of the most famous and oldest micro-nation in the world.”
http://www.doppioclick.com/images/news0301/sealand.jpg
http://www.paranos.com/espionnage/sealand2.jpg
:confused:
THE self-proclaimed independent state of Sealand is offering backers a unique off-shore investment - a stake in the famous principality.
And now the owners of the former Rough's Tower, a Second World War fort situated six miles of the east coast, believe its location and tax status could be ideal for an outside business to operate.
Sealand was declared a sovereign principality by Roy Bates - who took on the title of Prince Roy - in 1967.
The Ministry of Defence tried to evict him by sending out Royal Navy Boats and helicopters but Prince Roy, a former Army major with a distinguished war record, fired warning shots and they retreated.
Prince Michael of Sealand
Prince Michael of Sealand
He was taken to court, but a judge ruled that as the platform - situated off the port of Harwich - was outside the three-mile limit of UK territorial waters, the Government did not hold jurisdiction over it.
Meanwhile Prince Roy and his wife, Princess Joan, poured millions of pounds of pounds into the ugly, wind-battered concrete slab balanced on two huge pillars and transformed it into a luxurious palace.
However, in June last year a faulty generator led to the fort catching fire and it suffered hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Yesterday Prince Michael of Sealand, Roy's son, said the fire was one of a number of contributory reasons the family were exploring the possibility of selling off a stake in Sealand.
“We are trying to see what interest we can get. We decided to do this a little while after the fire, which is among the reasons we are looking at it,” he said.
He added it was expected that the family would retain access to the fort and it was unlikely the titles of prince and princess would be available for purchase.
“I suppose everything is negotiable, but we can't really transfer that. We have had 40 years of history and independence.
“But we have a different tax arrangement - it could be very beneficial for a business,” he said.
Prince Michael said that Prince Roy, now 85, was fully aware of the situation but that he and Princess Joan now spent most of their time in Spain.
In the past, the Principality of Sealand played a key role in pirate radio and also hosted internet services and industries.
The estate agents currently handling Sealand, Spanish firm Inmonaranja, said they were currently looking for bids above €100,000,000.
“Since 1999, the principality has been the home of several information industry companies which offer to the world safe and secure internet facilities - this industrial base makes the country even more interesting as an investment opportunity.
“Even a disastrous fire last summer in the accommodation section of the fort failed to affect the industrial activities - the country is based upon a military fort, with all its multiple backup and reserve systems.
“Sealand's current economy is based in the issue of its currency 'Sealand dollars', stamps, titles of nobility and above all the 'digital paradise' companies which are located there.
“The opportunities for developing these and other activities become available to potential investors and those who take part in the development and realisation of the Principality's future will be able to share in and become part of the history of the most famous and oldest micro-nation in the world.”
http://www.doppioclick.com/images/news0301/sealand.jpg
http://www.paranos.com/espionnage/sealand2.jpg
:confused: