The BBC is starting a series of programmes to spotlight the workings of the Central Intelligence Agency of the USA. It is in the nature of the CIA that it does not bare its soul. Its clear objective is clear enough: to safeguard the security interests of the USA. Among other things the agency collects intelligence abroad, using what it calls "elements of the intelligence community" and "high leveraged technology for intelligence purposes".

The agency does not publicise the identity of its operatives abroad. Some suggest that an American embassy tends to house at least one unobtrusive CIA agent. It was never established whether that was the case with the US embassy in Malta over the years.

I cannot imagine CIA agents among the ambassadors who have served here, especially political appointees beginning with the affable George Feldman, appointed after Malta became independent. In the past I did come across one or two American embassy members who tended to play the drinks-sponge role but would snap out of their haze into sharp alert to register information dropped from the loosened mouth of Maltese guests also imbibing energetically.

Nowadays, with the dissolution of the Soviet bloc, Russia's changed circumstances and the return of Libya to the fold of international relations, the CIA might not feel a need for much of a presence here. But who knows? China too is considering acquiring new premises for its embassy here. Though it may cost substantially less than the $50 million the US government has allocated to build its own at Ta' Qali, China's local seat too is likely to be state-of-the-diplomatic art.

China, like Libya, is in the international fold and a beacon for foreign direct investment, including from the USA. But it remains very Communist and is fast emerging as a major economic power, allocating considerable resources to its military. America's security watchers will be scrutinising every nook and cranny to see how the ambitions of that mammoth people's republic will develop.

Malta remains on the doorstep of a Middle East which is of perennial concern to American political and military strategists, oil supplies and the threat of terrorism being two main motivators.

For all that, though some do suggest a quiet name, I do not believe the CIA is currently active within Malta. The US has little to worry about as regards both the actual government and its alternative. Neither was eager to query aspects of the current relationship which do not at all gel with the role of a haven of peace Malta has tried to fill out after centuries serving as an island fortress.

The CIA, though, did surface in the local context recently. There were suggestions that flights carrying individuals whom the agency picked to drill for terrorism stopped over in Malta as the CIA transported them to locations not too queasy about interrogation techniques. It now turns out that, verily, there may have been a link.

The American embassy did not confirm or deny it, fuelling suspicions in the process. The Opposition, so far, has targeted, not the US, but the Malta government over the reports. It accused the administration of deception when it declared that no CIA flights had landed in Malta. The government carefully reiterated that no public official or holder of public office had been involved in any CIA flight, whether by action or omission - "as far as is known". The qualification is loaded. To which add the government's request for information, from both the US and the British governments.

There is a disturbing possibility across these positions. It is that the CIA may in fact have used Malta, to one extent or another, for its possibly not pretty purposes - without seeking clearance from the Malta government. One awaits that aspect of the story to be made clear, for its implication to Malta-US relations. An unambiguous statement from the US embassy would help.

Meanwhile, the BBC's forthcoming analysis should be of considerable relevance for those who take an interest in diplopolitical games.