NationStates Jolt Archive


Swiss Bank too neutral?

Romanore
08-08-2005, 18:41
Instead of an abortion/gay/religious debate that ends up being a slander-fest, why not have a semi-political thread that ends up being a slander-fest? :p

But seriously. I was reading up this morning that the Swiss Bank(s) were neutral to the point of aiding those deemed "evil" by today's societal standards. The Nazis (particularly Hitler) had several accounts with them, and there's speculation today that Al-Qaeda members, along with other forms of terrorists (not limited to Muslim extremists), are granted accounts to use.

So. Is this "Neutrality gone too far", or do we need more banks to follow this example? Should they crack down on world threats/targets or keep their hands "clean", so to speak?

Opinions?
Greater Googlia
08-08-2005, 18:45
Uhm, it's a bank. It's not like they're giving out money for free. They hold your money for you and because with that money they make a profit, they give you interest on it. Big deal. Imagine if the Swiss weren't neutral...they are between France, Germany, and Italy, after all...
UpwardThrust
08-08-2005, 18:46
Instead of an abortion/gay/religious debate that ends up being a slander-fest, why not have a semi-political thread that ends up being a slander-fest? :p

But seriously. I was reading up this morning that the Swiss Bank(s) were neutral to the point of aiding those deemed "evil" by today's societal standards. The Nazis (particularly Hitler) had several accounts with them, and there's speculation today that Al-Qaeda members, along with other forms of terrorists (not limited to Muslim extremists), are granted accounts to use.

So. Is this "Neutrality gone too far", or do we need more banks to follow this example? Should they crack down on world threats/targets or keep their hands "clean", so to speak?

Opinions?
Nope it has not gone too far … as much as I dislike some of the groups that find aid there (and individuals) the Swiss have no responsibility to live up to our standards … the banks have their own and that is to serve everyone even if they are unpopular
Legless Pirates
08-08-2005, 18:46
Secrets = evil
Tactical Grace
08-08-2005, 18:46
The Swiss banks probably provide cover for all sorts of Western unpleasantness. That's the flip side of their neutrality - sure they will aid your enemies, but they will render the same service to you. Impartiality and indifference like that, that's too useful a quality in today's world.
UpwardThrust
08-08-2005, 18:47
The Swiss banks probably provide cover for all sorts of Western unpleasantness. That's the flip side of their neutrality - sure they will aid your enemies, but they will render the same service to you. Impartiality and indifference like that, that's too useful a quality in today's world.
Absolutly

Think of the backlash nowadays if someone tried to invade the Swiss

You would have every country in the world against you
Romanore
08-08-2005, 18:50
Absolutly

Think of the backlash nowadays if someone tried to invade the Swiss

You would have every country in the world against you

Just think of the future headlines: U.S. Ransacks the Swiss and Their Bank! The World Still Hates Them.

Yeah. Sounds about right.
Bolol
08-08-2005, 18:51
The Swiss Banks will provide aid to anyone who is willing to pay for their services, regardless of moral or political ideology. They're just professionals.
UpwardThrust
08-08-2005, 18:52
Just think of the future headlines: U.S. Ransacks the Swiss and Their Bank! The World Still Hates Them.

Yeah. Sounds about right.
Though we would never get away with it … we would be physically opposed
Other nations have WAY too much invested in Swiss banks to stand a roll over
Bolol
08-08-2005, 18:54
Though we would never get away with it … we would be physically opposed
Other nations have WAY too much invested in Swiss banks to stand a roll over

Also, the Swiss millitary is in NO WAY defenseless. Far from it as a matter of fact.
UpwardThrust
08-08-2005, 19:05
Also, the Swiss millitary is in NO WAY defenseless. Far from it as a matter of fact.
Absolutely with their mandatory militia system they would be a very tough nut to crack
Tactical Grace
08-08-2005, 19:10
The Swiss building codes have long made it mandatory for all bridges to have built-in spaces to accept demolition charges.

I should imagine similar measures are in place for financial services records.

It's that sort of mindset which should ensure that nothing useful will be taken in the event of an invasion.