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Revision as of 10:33, 19 October 2005 edit207.47.122.10 (talk) After reading the various version and news articles, gov sites, rvted to last version by individual that seems to have no ax to grind, DocendoDiscimus, and this version incorporates better references← Previous edit Revision as of 10:39, 19 October 2005 edit undoCentauri (talk | contribs)2,355 edits revert to last NPOV version - persistent vandalism by 207.47.122.10Next edit →
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The '''Dominion of ]''' is a ] known for being directly linked to large scale banking ] in many parts of the world.
{{NPOV}}
The '''Dominion of ]''' is an ] that aspires to ]hood, and is known for the licensing of banks that ]ulently operated in many parts of the world.


Its modern history dates back to the 1950s when ] founded Melchizedek, yet it only became active when his son, Tzemach David Neter Korem, published a ] translation known as the '']'' in ]. It was invented in ] by Evan David Pedley and his son, Ben David Pedley, who uses a number of pseudonyms, including "Tzemach David Neter Korem" and "Branch Vinedresser". The Pedleys were each convicted and imprisoned for various land and share-related frauds on multiple occasions during the ]s. They are also responsible for publishing a bible translation known as the '']''.


While supporters of Melchizedek assert that it is an "ecclesiastical sovereignty," similar to ], and while its flag incorporates ], ] and ] symbols, Melchizedek apparently posesses no established church or formally identified religion, so this claim is considered meaningless by some external observers. While supporters of Melchizedek assert that it is an "ecclesiastical sovereignty," similar to ], and while its flag incorporates ], ] and ] symbols, Melchizedek posesses no established church or formally constituted religion, so this claim is considered meaningless by most external observers.


Melchizedek also claims ] as its "homeland", based on the Biblical legend of ], who is said to have been priest-king of Salem. Melchizedek also claims ] as its "homeland", based on the Biblical legend of ], who is said to have been priest-king of Salem, however no person associated with Melchizedek is known to reside there, and as the "Dominion" posesses no means of enforcing its claim, it is also generally dismissed as fantasy.


During the ]s Melchizedek claimed a number of mostly uninhabited Pacific islands, most of which were already claimed by sovereign states, including the ], ] and ]. Melchizedek's claims include ], ] (sometimes used by a Colombian military garrison), ], ] and ]. Melchizedek also claims a large previously unclaimed section of ] and lands on the ]an island of ]. Most of these claims seem unrecognised by any established government. However, according to the official web site of Rotuma, Melchizedek's claims on Rotuma may be based on sovereign leases. During the ]s Melchizedek began to promote the idea that it posessed sovereignty over a number of Pacific islands. All of these territories were already the possessions of recognised states. Melchizedek's claims include ] (an uninhabited posession of the ]), ] (a posession of ], inhabited by a military garrison), ] (a submerged reef), ] (part of ]) and ] (a possession of ]). Melchizedek also claims a large section of ]. None of these claims are recognised by any established government.


The Melchizedek website claims that it is a recognized sovereign entity, however, numerous media outlets, including '']'' magazine and '']'', have identified it as dubious. The Washington Post's reflected that Melchizedek "may merely be a ruse" or "may be the ultimate post-modern state." Over 300 investors have lost money in purported investments run by several banks licensed by Melchizedek, owned in one instance by a supposed "diplomatic representative" of the "Dominion". The Melchizedek website claims that it is a recognized sovereign entity, however, numerous media outlets, including '']'' magazine and '']'', have identified it as a ruse. Over 300 would-be investors have lost money in purported investments run by several banks licensed by Melchizedek, operated in one instance by a supposed "diplomatic representative" of the "Dominion".


When the ] brought a civil suit again a lawyer operating a bank purportedly licensed by The Dominion of Melchizedek it was described as "non-existent". Among other things, the Dominion of Melchizedek has been described as "non-existent" by the United States ].
However, after settling that legal action, the Commission only identified "The Dominion of Melchizidek (as having) a website
promoting itself as a sovereign entity, recognized by certain governments".


==Frauds linked to Melchizedek== ==Frauds linked to Melchizedek==


According to a web site operated by Jay Adkisson, John Shockey, former special assistant, U.S. ], in an address to the 4th International Financial Fraud Convention in London, ] ]: "The Dominion of Melchizedek is a fraud, a major fraud, and not a legitimate sovereign entity. Persons associated with the Dominion of Melchizedek have been indicted and convicted of a variety of crimes." According to John Shockey, former special assistant, U.S. ], in an address to the 4th International Financial Fraud Convention in London, ] ]: "The Dominion of Melchizedek is a fraud, a major fraud, and not a legitimate sovereign entity. Persons associated with the Dominion of Melchizedek have been indicted and convicted of a variety of crimes." The "government" of Melchizedek is allegedly based in the ]n capital city of ], where it maintains a post office box address.
However, the only offical reference to Melchizedek by the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency refers to Melchizedek as a "non-recognized sovereignty" that "]d" Caribbean Bank of Commerce.


==Marshall Islands statement== ==Marshall Islands statement==
According to a document posted on a free public web site, in response to one of Melchizedek's territorial claims the government of the Republic of the ] responded as follows: In response to one of Melchizedek's fraudulent territorial claims the government of the Republic of the ] responded as follows:
<blockquote> <blockquote>
The Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands condemns the claims and activities asserted by representatives of the "Kingdom of EnenKio" and the "Dominion of Melchizedek". The representatives making claims of separate sovereignty are not citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and have no right to make claims on behalf of Marshallese landowners. Furthermore, these representatives are making fraudulent assertions that violate the Republic of the Marshall Islands's constitution. The area of land and ocean which the "Kingdom of EnenKio" asserts as a sovereign nation separate from the Marshall Islands and (some of) the area of land and ocean which the "Dominion of Melchizedek" is asserting control over are areas within the geographical and political boundaries of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands condemns the claims and activities asserted by (alleged) representatives of the "Kingdom of EnenKio" and the "Dominion of Melchizedek". The representatives making claims of separate sovereignty are not citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and have no right to make claims on behalf of Marshallese landowners. Furthermore, these representatives are making fraudulent assertions that violate the Republic of the Marshall Islands's constitution. The area of land and ocean which the "Kingdom of EnenKio" asserts as a sovereign nation separate from the Marshall Islands and (some of) the area of land and ocean which the "Dominion of Melchizedek" is asserting control over are areas within the geographical and political boundaries of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
</blockquote> </blockquote>


Subsequent to the above diplomatic memo apparently by the Marshall Islands to other nations, wherein it encouraged nations friendly to it not to recognize claims of Melchizedek in the Marshall Islands, the recognized ] (chief) of Taongi appeared on an Australian television current affairs programme in which he was quoted as saying he granted Melchizedek a 50 year sovereign lease over ], however, it has been argued that sovereignty (as opposed to ]) may only belong to the Republic, so the Iroijlaplap's action may not have extended sovereignty. Subsequent to the above diplomatic memo by the Marshall Islands to other nations, wherein it encouraged nations friendly to it not to recognize claims of Melchizedek in the Marshall Islands, the recognized Iroijlaplap (chief) of Taongi appeared on an Australian television current affairs programme in which he was quoted as saying he granted Melchizedek a 50 year sovereign lease over ], however, sovereignty (as opposed to ]) belongs to the Republic, not to any private citizen, so the Iroijlaplap's action has no legal foundation.


==Recognition== ==Recognition==
An article in the ] notes that The Dominion of Melchizedek was "diplomatically recognized" by the ], in 1993, but suggested that readers would get the "feeling" that that nation would probably "recognize the State of Denial if it had a letterhead", while an opinion by the founder of Quatloos, an online anti-fraud site states that "Melchizedek has apparently obtained some sort of recognition from some smaller states all of which are notable for their corruption." An article in the ] notes that The Dominion of Melchizedek was "diplomatically recognized" by the ], in 1993, but commented that that nation would probably "recognize the State of Denial if it had a letterhead", while an article on Quatloos, an online anti-fraud site states that "Melchizedek has apparently obtained some sort of recognition from some smaller states all of which are notable for their corruption. Claims that the DoM has received recognition from any major government are purely lies."


As far as is known, Melchizedek does not maintain a diplomatic mission or any other form of representation in the Central African Republic, nor is there any other evidence confirming the existence of a formal bilateral relationship of any substance. Melchizedek's web site claims that it has since been "recognized" via treaties of "peace and recognition" by several other African nations, including ], ] and ]. As far as is known, Melchizedek does not maintain a diplomatic mission or any other form of representation in the Central African Republic, nor is there any other evidence confirming the existence of a formal bilateral relationship of any substance. Melchizedek's web site claims that it has since been "recognised" by several other African nations, including ].


==See also== ==See also==
*] *]
*] *]
*]


==External links== ==External links==
* *
* - Article detailing the dubious history of Melchizedek and two of its reputed founders. * - Article detailing the criminal history of the founders of Melchizedek and their associates.
* - Article providing a detailed history of Melchizedek and the criminal activities it has perpetrated.
* - Another article describing Melchizedek's criminal activities.
* from the Comptroller of the US Treasury Department. * from the Comptroller of the US Treasury Department.
* *


] ]
] ]
]
] ]

Revision as of 10:39, 19 October 2005

The Dominion of Melchizedek is a micronation known for being directly linked to large scale banking fraud in many parts of the world.

It was invented in 1986 by Evan David Pedley and his son, Ben David Pedley, who uses a number of pseudonyms, including "Tzemach David Neter Korem" and "Branch Vinedresser". The Pedleys were each convicted and imprisoned for various land and share-related frauds on multiple occasions during the 1980s. They are also responsible for publishing a bible translation known as the Melchizedek Bible.

While supporters of Melchizedek assert that it is an "ecclesiastical sovereignty," similar to Vatican City, and while its flag incorporates Christian, Jewish and Islamic symbols, Melchizedek posesses no established church or formally constituted religion, so this claim is considered meaningless by most external observers.

Melchizedek also claims Jerusalem as its "homeland", based on the Biblical legend of Melchizedek, who is said to have been priest-king of Salem, however no person associated with Melchizedek is known to reside there, and as the "Dominion" posesses no means of enforcing its claim, it is also generally dismissed as fantasy.

During the 1990s Melchizedek began to promote the idea that it posessed sovereignty over a number of Pacific islands. All of these territories were already the possessions of recognised states. Melchizedek's claims include Taongi Atoll (an uninhabited posession of the Marshall Islands), Malpelo Island (a posession of Colombia, inhabited by a military garrison), Karitane Shoal (a submerged reef), Solkope Island (part of Fiji) and Clipperton Island (a possession of France). Melchizedek also claims a large section of Antarctica. None of these claims are recognised by any established government.

The Melchizedek website claims that it is a recognized sovereign entity, however, numerous media outlets, including Forbes magazine and The Washington Post, have identified it as a ruse. Over 300 would-be investors have lost money in purported investments run by several banks licensed by Melchizedek, operated in one instance by a supposed "diplomatic representative" of the "Dominion".

Among other things, the Dominion of Melchizedek has been described as "non-existent" by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Frauds linked to Melchizedek

According to John Shockey, former special assistant, U.S. Comptroller of the Currency, in an address to the 4th International Financial Fraud Convention in London, 27 May 1999: "The Dominion of Melchizedek is a fraud, a major fraud, and not a legitimate sovereign entity. Persons associated with the Dominion of Melchizedek have been indicted and convicted of a variety of crimes." The "government" of Melchizedek is allegedly based in the Australian capital city of Canberra, where it maintains a post office box address.

Marshall Islands statement

In response to one of Melchizedek's fraudulent territorial claims the government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands responded as follows:

The Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands condemns the claims and activities asserted by (alleged) representatives of the "Kingdom of EnenKio" and the "Dominion of Melchizedek". The representatives making claims of separate sovereignty are not citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and have no right to make claims on behalf of Marshallese landowners. Furthermore, these representatives are making fraudulent assertions that violate the Republic of the Marshall Islands's constitution. The area of land and ocean which the "Kingdom of EnenKio" asserts as a sovereign nation separate from the Marshall Islands and (some of) the area of land and ocean which the "Dominion of Melchizedek" is asserting control over are areas within the geographical and political boundaries of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Subsequent to the above diplomatic memo by the Marshall Islands to other nations, wherein it encouraged nations friendly to it not to recognize claims of Melchizedek in the Marshall Islands, the recognized Iroijlaplap (chief) of Taongi appeared on an Australian television current affairs programme in which he was quoted as saying he granted Melchizedek a 50 year sovereign lease over Taongi Atoll, however, sovereignty (as opposed to land title) belongs to the Republic, not to any private citizen, so the Iroijlaplap's action has no legal foundation.

Recognition

An article in the Washington Post notes that The Dominion of Melchizedek was "diplomatically recognized" by the Central African Republic, in 1993, but commented that that nation would probably "recognize the State of Denial if it had a letterhead", while an article on Quatloos, an online anti-fraud site states that "Melchizedek has apparently obtained some sort of recognition from some smaller states all of which are notable for their corruption. Claims that the DoM has received recognition from any major government are purely lies."

As far as is known, Melchizedek does not maintain a diplomatic mission or any other form of representation in the Central African Republic, nor is there any other evidence confirming the existence of a formal bilateral relationship of any substance. Melchizedek's web site claims that it has since been "recognised" by several other African nations, including Burkina Faso.

See also

External links

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