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Icelandic President Send Strong Messages to EU Imperialists, and To Their Victims
12 April 2011
"The Icelandic nation has now delivered its verdict and shouldered unequivocally the responsibility it is granted by the Constitution. The turnout was high by Western standards, and this, together with the extensive and thorough debate in the run-up to the referendum, shows clearly how important the issue was to the nation. "The people have now spoken clearly on this matter on two occasions in accordance with the democratic tradition which is Europe’s most important contribution to world history. The leaders of other states and international institutions will have to respect this expression of the national will. Solutions to disputes arising from financial crises and failures of banks must take account of the democratic principles which are the foundation of the constitutional structure of the West." Even London’s Financial Times writes that this part of the statement showed that Grimsson "seemed to be championing Iceland’s defiant stance as a model for other crisis-hit countries facing similar debates over how to deal with crippling foreign debts." Grimsson’s statement also stressed, although the voters in this referendum rejected the "conclusions of the negotiations which took place last year... the British and Dutch authorities and agencies will still, notwithstanding this result, receive immense sums from the estate of Landsbanki ... in the equivalent of $7-9 billion.... "It is therefore not correct to maintain that the United Kingdom and the Netherlands will not receive any payments. The Icesave dispute has centered on interest payments and the interpretation of the European Union’s regulations." He reminded them, that "The Icelandic people have noted with satisfaction that our position has, during 2010 and 2011, met with broad international understanding and support. Decisive and negative judgment has been passed on the demands to which the governments of Britain and the Netherlands stuck throughout 2009; they lacked both fairness and logical strength." He also pointed out that in the last two years, Iceland has been able to develop its own natural resources, including its energy, mineral, and fishery resources. "The banking collapse resulted not only in severe economic and financial shocks; it also paralyzed the nation’s will and sapped the courage of our people. The two referendums on the Icesave issue have enabled the nation to regain its democratic self-confidence and to express sovereign authority in its own affairs and thus determine the outcome in difficult issues. This is a valuable experience to build on in the future." |
In his official statement following his nation’s referendum, rejecting for the second time, bailing out Icesave investors, Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson has a strong message for the European Union’s fascist directorate and a strong lesson for Ireland, Portugal and Greece. Delivered at a press conference and posted on his official website, the statement reads in part: