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)
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