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  • Calmy-Rey and Clinton "relieved" over UBS deal

    Swissinfo , Switzerland
    Aug 1 2009



    Calmy-Rey and Clinton "relieved" over UBS deal


    Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey and US Secretary of State Hillary
    Clinton have welcomed an agreement in principle between UBS and United
    States' tax authorities.

    The Swiss bank was facing legal action by the US Internal Revenue
    Service (IRS), which wanted it to hand over the confidential
    information of 52,000 clients.

    Calmy-Rey met Clinton in Washington, DC on Friday, after the US
    Department of Justice asked a Florida judge to call off the trial,
    scheduled for Monday.

    "Our governments have worked very hard to reach this point," said
    Clinton. She did not elaborate.

    A representative of the US Department of State said the two sides were
    "relieved and pleased" with the news of a settlement.

    "The prospect of a conflict between the laws of the United States and
    those of Switzerland could have an effect on the very strong bilateral
    relationship," said P.J. Crowley.

    Switzerland's government had heavily involved itself in the case,
    arguing that compelling UBS to release the records would force it to
    choose between violating either Swiss law or the US ruling.

    Switzerland's foreign ministry said that Calmy-Rey and Clinton used
    the meeting to broach a host of bilateral and international issues
    apart from UBS. US authorities had indicated prior to the meeting that
    discussion of the case would be limited.

    No special timing The timing of the talks was unrelated to the UBS
    trial, the foreign ministry confirmed, adding that they had been
    planned long in advance.

    Lars Knuchel, the head of communications for the foreign ministry,
    told swissinfo.ch that Clinton, the US's top diplomat, did not
    criticise Switzerland during the meeting.

    Last year Calmy-Rey raised the ire of the US when she travelled to
    Tehran to sign a multi-billion franc natural gas deal.

    Before the talks, Clinton thanked Switzerland for representing the
    US's interests in Iran. Switzerland has held that responsibility since
    1980.

    She also noted the Swiss role in mediating prolonged disputes
    including the one between Armenia and Turkey.

    Said Clinton: "We welcome the participation of Switzerland and its
    support on many important global issues."

    International issues The counterparts also discussed the situation in
    the southern Caucasus and in the Middle East, two areas where
    Switzerland and the US have interests.

    Switzerland's ambassador to Georgia is leading a fact-finding mission
    commissioned by the European Union into that country's conflict with
    Russia last August. Georgia, a former Soviet republic, is an ally of
    Washington.

    Knuchel pointed out that Switzerland had presented a proposal to the
    United Nations Security Council on the coordination of humanitarian
    assistance in Gaza.

    Calmy-Rey and Clinton also discussed the Geneva Initiative, an
    alternative peace plan championed by Calmy-Rey. Knuchel declined to
    comment on whether the US had shown an interest in the proposal.

    The meeting between ended without a press conference. Knuchel said
    that although the Swiss wanted one, Clinton's camp said time was too
    tight.

    Calmy-Rey and Clinton last met in March, in Geneva. While in the US
    capital, Switzerland's foreign minister also met Don Beyer, the
    incoming US ambassador to Bern.

    swissinfo.ch, Rita Emch in Washington, DC (Adapted from German by
    Justin Häne)

    http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/front.html ?siteSect=105&ty=st&ref=fb&sid=1102560 7
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