Doellman Liechtenstein blog
Most of the blogs about the tiny country of Liechtenstein deal with the latest financial situation. Apparently Liechtenstein is like Switzerland, a mecca of sorts for the rich to store their money free from taxes and prying eyes. And this is causing problems. The first blog I found considered the reaction of Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein to “Germany's Fourth Reich.” The prince is upset because German intelligence is wanting files from Liechtenstein's national bank about German tax evaders, stating Liechtenstein has already lived through three German installations.
A second blog from Don Surber of the London Daily Mail also harassed Liechtenstein about its financial governances. But this time Surber found humor in the U.S. joining Germany in its questioning of Liechtenstein's rules. A quote from IRS acting commissioner Linda Stiff said finding people avoiding taxes with off-shore accounts was a top priority. Apparently finding ways to turn the now official recession around for middle class Americans is not...
On a brighter note, the Deputy Speaker of the Liechtenstein House of Representatives, the Hon. Carmelo Abela, will be speaking at the Third European Small States' Conference of Presidents of Parliament. Abela will be helping smaller European principalities and countries discuss immigration, tourism and labor market issues as they specifically relate to their small populations. Having spent two hours in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, during a European vacation, I think tourism is the least likely of its problems. Maybe they should stick to hiding tax funds for the rest of the world...