Comments on: So contrary to popular belief, it seems we actually do pay our bills

By: Sigvaldi Eggertsson

Sigvaldi Eggertsson — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:42:50 +0000

To John Hopkins, the USA was so impressed by the Finns that when Finland took part in the German-led attack against the USSR in the WWII and the UK and the dominions declared war upon Finland, the US did not follow their lead, despite being urged by the Soviets to do so.

By: PeterRRRRRR

PeterRRRRRR — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:06:07 +0000

Easy to bash the US on not paying their dues, but please remember that we are being asked to pay 25% of the core UN budget, much more than any other country. And we only get one vote.

Maybe if all the UN diplomats would pay their friggin’ New York City parking tickets, we would be more inclined to pay

By: Eliza

Eliza — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:04:01 +0000

if the Landsbanki Resolution Committee manages to get hold of the Landsbanki subsidiary in Luxembourg, they will be able to pay back 100% of the Icesave debt. So all that will be left to pay is some interests (5,5% though, not 2%).
I wonder why Icelanders don’t blame Luxembourgers for confiscating Landsbanki assets. Maybe it is because they didn’t use anti-terrorist legislation. Or maybe because Iceland and Luxembourg share something in common, being tiny with an oversized banking sector.

By: John Hopkins

John Hopkins — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:46:07 +0000

Hei Sigvaldi — I stand corrected — I think I mis-understood what I Finn once told me (or they mispoke), and I took it at face value. I recall the great pride in the speaking, though, as though it was only Finland who honored it’s debts.

By: Bromley86

Bromley86 — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:32:46 +0000

>The colour of pots and kettles springs to mind.

You mean someone owes Iceland 8bn euros? Still, joking aside, you’ll note that the position of the UK is that the debt still exists, which is very different from the position of the Icesave agreement passed by the Althingi a while back.

By: D_Boone

D_Boone — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:22:04 +0000

Well Bromley86′s reference certainly clears up how fast Iceland should repay the IceSave loan ….. The Brits are certainly in no position to grizzle if “economic conditions” force delays in repayments. The colour of pots and kettles springs to mind.

By: Bromley86

Bromley86 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:19:58 +0000

Excellent article on the WWI (and even Napoleonic!) debt:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4757181.stm

By: Thom

Thom — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:43:37 +0000

paulstpancras-

Well 5 of the countries on that list have significant numbers of English speakers, I dunno if your theory is 100%.

By: Sigvaldi Eggertsson

Sigvaldi Eggertsson — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:50:24 +0000

To John Hopkins, Finland was not a repicient of Marshall plan aid after the WW2, they were, however, the only country that repaid in full their debts to the USA after the first world war.

By: James

James — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:33:54 +0000

“a Neanderathal said to his fellows, “Trust me. I know what I’m doing. My name is Tony Blair and these are some homosapiens I’d like you to meet.””

Please show a little respect for your future president:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2694123/Sarkozy-demands-summit-to-crown-Blair-EU-President.html

“and a factoid — Finland was the only European country that paid back the Marshall Funds from the US for rebuilding after WWII”

Actually, the UK repaid all of its Marshall Plan loans, with the final payment made just 3 years ago:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/staff/faculty/harrison/comment/lendlease070110.pdf