Comments on: Violent protests in Reykjavik

By: David C Beach

David C Beach — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:32:17 +0000

Just blame the USA for every little thing that happens on the entire earth. Nothing is your fault because you and everyone else on earth are perfect in every way. Before there was an America the world had no problems at all. You are wonderfull, we are crap, we get it.

By: Iceman

Iceman — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:43:23 +0000

@Peter – London
“As has already been explained here and elsewhere, the EU forced Iceland to fulfil its MINIMUM legal responsibilities to depositors in a bank that was guaranteed and regulated directly by the Icelandic government. Nothing more.”

The bank was a private bank and not controlled by the government and there was a legal dispute about how to interpret this EU directive. We wanted to settle the issue in an independent European court, but the UK didn’t want this and bullied Iceland intead. Read this for more information:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/nov/11/iceland-creditcrunch

Also there is a difference between the Icelandic accounts and the foreign accounts. The reason the government can guarantee the Icelandic accounts is because they are in ISK currency.

By: Peter - London

Peter - London — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:56:38 +0000

Iceman:
“You don’t understand these loans are extreme and it means we Icelandars and our children will be paying for this for the next centuries to come and the reason why they are so high is because the UK forced the government (by controlling the IMF behind the curtains) to pay the debts of the private banks. How would you feel like if you where forced to pay for debts of some private companies.”

As has already been explained here and elsewhere, the EU forced Iceland to fulfil its MINIMUM legal responsibilities to depositors in a bank that was guaranteed and regulated directly by the Icelandic government. Nothing more.

By: Peter (Germany)

Peter (Germany) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:33:45 +0000

“Perhaps there also have been a pressure from some EU allies to some Nordic countries? You should know that Denmark, Sweeden an Finland is members to the EU, which means that the Nordics perhaps had to handle this at to levels?”

Well, perhaps so. But do you have any proof for this? Because otherwise this surely cannot be a sound argument because then it’s no more than an allegation which cannot be supported by facts.

Besides, I don’t think it’s all that easy to exert that much pressure on all four big Nordic countries. Sweden, Finland and Denmark are part of the EU, but they are actually quite important, extremely respected and quite powerful members within the EU. They cannot be easily pressured into something which they themselves do not think right.

By: AÞB

AÞB — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:12:22 +0000

yes orchafine, i have been reading this site for a few years and i have read all the comments recently and occationaly i write down what i think after reading some.

after all im just a very ordinary person who doesnt know (and doesnt want to know) anything about politics just how people see things and why the brits are blamed more then other countrys.

By: orchafine

orchafine — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:43:33 +0000

Iceman & AÞB
Go over the forum and please read all the comments. This has discussed over and over again…

By: Øystein, Norway

Øystein, Norway — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:19:01 +0000

> Peter (Germany) – “…including your nordic allies!” Perhaps there also have been a pressure from some EU allies to some Nordic countries? You should know that Denmark, Sweeden an Finland is members to the EU, which means that the Nordics perhaps had to handle this at to levels?

By: Peter (Germany)

Peter (Germany) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:58:39 +0000

AÞB, as I said, it seems that Britain was not the only country that decided to use such measures, and as Mike explained only yesterday the Icelandic authorities should have been aware of the immediate danger that the assets of Icelandic banks in foreign countries would be frozen should there be a dangerous situation for savers in these countries.

By: AÞB

AÞB — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:57:36 +0000

However, to be fair, it were not only the British that have laid the IMF loan on ice but also the Netherlands. In fact, the whole EU made co-operation and acceptance of the undeniable legal situation by the Icelandic authorities a precondition for any loan – including your nordic allies!

…..because of the act that was used by BRITISH goverment. it all comes back to that and it was BRITISH gov, that did that and caused a whole load more problems on top of everything else.

and dont say it isnt a terrorist act. it says so (below) and this is what icelanders see and feel from the BRITISH.

Legislation
9. The Treasury makes this Order under the powers conferred by sections 4 and 14 of and Schedule 3 to
the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001.

By: Peter (Germany)

Peter (Germany) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:38:05 +0000

Iceman, I fully understand your anger and frustration. I would be frustrated, too.

And it was not only the UK government that froze assets of the Icelandic banks in their country. The German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bafin) did just the same even though Kaupthing Germany was working under legal supervision of the Icelandic authorities.