@mellowNdark Thanks for that. It is refreshing to know that bad journalism and ad hominem attacks are not just an American thing--that this level of discourse exists elsewhere as well.
Now that you got that out, do you actually have something intelligent to add?
@joeschmojo I think you're mixed up. My country founded yours. Your country bombed a town of civilians and slaughtered the natives we told them to leave be. They also continued keeping slaves despite their claim that they held it to be self evident that every man was born equal (paraphrased, of course). We abolished the slave trade and fought Hitler. Must feel bad to be you.
Jeremy Paxman is an aggressive interviewer. Don't insult the British people because of one man, and shoulder the blame that is yours by international law.
There is no sovereign guarantee on the depositor's scheme according to the EU directive says Alain Lipietz who chaired the Finance Committee of the Parliament of Europe which wrote the directive
It is very clear in the directive that it is the responsibility of the host country (i.e. UK and Netherlands) to make the bank participate in the local host state depositor scheme if the home scheme doesn't have sufficient funds. Therefore, the British and the Dutch have to pay for the depositors in those countries, alternatively if they don't like it they can settle this in the European Court of Justice.
It is very clear in the directive that it is the responsibility of the host country (i.e. UK and Netherlands) to make the bank participate in the local host state depositor scheme if the home scheme doesn't have sufficient funds. Therefore, the British and the Dutch have to pay for the depositors in those countries, alternatively if they don't like it they can settle this in the European Court of Justice.
@tmokleby - Can kiss goodbye to joining the EU or much help from the IMF too, can't wait to holiday and spend the mighty pound in your third rate country, pay you to shine my shoes.
This makes me so pissed off, did this guy eat shit for breakfast and then throw it up over the mic? drives me nuts, and why the heck should the Icelandic goverment pay for debt that business INDIVIDUALS did in, England and Holland and their goverment let them do that? And then Gordon Brown with the terrorist law, breaking down our currency to nothing and then tell us to pay up when our money isn't worth anything? idiot.
I´ve never seen this journalist before, but he is really not good, didn't do his homework here, at all. and attacking another country´s democracy? what's that about?
I imagine he has this job because of his voice, it's rememberable..
Banks are allowed to lend 10 times the amount deposited (fractional reserve system) so the money that Iceland is supposed to owe does not even exist in reality.
If this seems far fetched i suggest watching "Zeitgeist Addendum" that also has a viable solution.
After what the banks and their workers the Governments have done to the population of the world giving the peoples money away to the bank owners in the first place (bank bailouts) i will not shed a tear for what they are owed.
Iceland now has the opportunity to start again with a new way, they are bankrupt and so your government is nothing.
Time to use the technology you and the world has already in existence, you are a small population on an island that is able to provide all your needs, resourced based economy is the answer, not trying to fix the monetary one that is just a form of modern slavery.
I thought the BBC was supposed to be unbiased not give its own views, Paxman always sounds like some drunk at a bar trying to put the world to rights.
I am happy that i made the right choice to get rid of the TV years ago, its nothing more than propaganda machine.
What an owning of the newscaster! Loved it. And the news display their ignorance by putting the background of the primeminister as ice burgs. The brits are so damn ignorant.
Paxman was biased and did not cheque his facts,which seems to show he does as he is told by the BBC rather than seek the truth,that is being a puppet.Iceland are right not to pay any money to the UK
@SuperHatyai the people that put the "junk status" on us rated the Icelandic banks last year at the top, so basicly the company that made the status dug them selves in a hole, they basicly made their raing system unreliable.
@rebound: you wernt rated top, top rating is triple a status, you were rated single a status, a big differance. dont blame the british for your mistakes, get your facts right. it wasan american ratings agency too. are you going to blame them next ?
@SuperHatyai ok, not really the top but, the icelandic banks had a decent rating and there was nothing really that indicated that they were close to being at a "junk" status.
@SuperHatyai - Global Financial System on the whole is a junk status, and the way things are going every other industrial nation is going to experience Iceland's problems entirely.
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i found out today that belgians are also owed money from icelandic failed banks, this mess gets bigger every day. icelandic bonds now junk status, government trying to mumble its way out of imf conditions, is this country for real ? laughing stock of the western world.....
I'm quite appaulled by the bias of this interview Paxman, luckily the president can hold his own otherwise we (the UK) would be severley misinformed about the situation. If a nation like Iceland is this severly bankrupt by the greed of a few individuals yet has still pledged to pay back the debt, why the hell has the BBC allowed a self important prick like Paxman to attack and threaten the Icelandic president on the premise that he's going to stiff us? Please stick to UK politicians please.
Iceland should not have to pay these "reparations" to the foreign banks that conspired against them until they balance their budget. The payments should only come from any future economic surplus, not another loan at 6% interest.
Iceland got neighbor contract 1995 with EU, demanding financial integration and spying Central bank in service of the EU one, and integrated stock market. EU Central bank system recommend Icelandic undertakings in EU mainly Britain and mostly German banks bought krona to strengthen it, form of lending euro or pounds.
As we know the annexation process begins with lot of EU loans causing caos followed by suddenly ceasing them. Therefore Icelandic private banks were forced to arrange currency on common market in EU [not Iceland]. When Britain executed EU economical terrorist law the Icelandic private bank system [3 banks] collapsed.
Ceased demanding of krona however as Iceland imports nearly everything for EU thanks the contract increased the domestic inflation: caused weakening of our krona [currency] rising the prise og import goods more than 40%. In Iceland -odd but true- all home mortgage loans are linked inflation: 80% of the total domestic home loans so their capital and interest rose 40% also.
Still 30% of the Icelandic population love EU justice towards common people.
The GDP of Iceland over 15 years contract period gives no indication of that the Icelandic common people as nation has gained a bit. Official propaganda is traditional in the mayor states of EU. Today also in Iceland.
Ceased demanding of krona however as Iceland imports nearly everything for EU thanks the contract increased the domestic inflation: caused weakening of our krona [currency] rising the prise og import goods more than 40%. In Iceland -odd but true- all home mortage loans are linked inflation: 80% of the total domestic home loans so their capital and interst rose 40% also.
Still 30% of the Icelandic population love EU justice towards common people.
Whereas this Directive may not result in the Member States or their competent authorities being made liable in respect of depositors if they have ensured that one or more schemes guaranteeing deposits or credit institutions themselves and ensuring the compensation or protection of depositors under the conditions prescribed in this Directive have been introduced and officially recognized.
Pælið í því að það var seld önnur þyrla landhelgisgæslunar á 300 milljónir í sparnaðaskini. Til að borga þrjá daga virðis af sköttum af IceSave BARA SKATTAR!
If Paxman didn't ask "tough" questions no one would watch the show. Allowing our president to present the Icelandic counter-arguments in the dispute is quite useful to us. So please lay off the "fuck Paxman" comments, this particular interview did more damage control for Iceland than the whole Icelandic government combined has been able to do for a long time. The unfairness of the dispute was advertised to the outside world.We should pay as per our responsibilities but not at 5.5 interest rate
@Biddibrus The first intelligent comment in a sea of ignorance on this thread. British journalists often follow a format of playing devil's advocate to get the interviewee to answer important questions. It's for the benefit of the viewer so they can make up their own mind. Paxman's style has always been slightly mock sarcastic whoever he's interviewing, some people don't like that, but that isn't the point of the interview. It's simply to get answers.
And such things that can't be vote for by the public in many of our neighbour countries and are too complicated for the public to vote for. We had election last May and there we voted for among other things how to get Ice-Save to conclusion and how to cut of and higher taxes and such. I did not vote for the parties in minority to do it,not individual members of the parliament and for sure not the president(never have and never will). This contract must go through and we will pay our debts!!!!
Many respected british law firms and many good lawyers in iceland say that we should not pay. What he did is just follow the consitution and let the people vote.
I agree that we must pay for our depts but this is isn't a dept.
Og afhverju ekki að borga með fyrirvörunum til að tryggja að við getum borgað? ef þetta verður fellt í þjóðaratkvæðagreiðslu fara fyrivararnir aftur í gang.
Well Klarineta you should just pack your bags, shut the fuck up and move out of our beautiful country. We are going to pay our depts, but only a fool like you accepts the insane 5,5 interest rate the current contract has.
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I'm 25 years old and Icelandic and I want to say something to the British and Dutch nations. I'm terrible sorry and angry for we have such a fool as a president. He has done not much more than being a cheerleader for the so called business vikings. We had election last May where we among other things voted for how we would handle Ice-Save and taxes and such. Now the parties in minority want to rule Ice-Save conclusion and even some members of the parliament want the nation to vote for taxes
@Berserkur Þeir bera ábyrgð og ég geri mér grein fyrir því (ekki síður restin af þinginu á þeim tíma) þar sem stjórnarandstaðan á að hafa eftirlit að vissu leyti með Stjórnaranstöðunni. Þótt þeir beri ábyrgð er ekki þar með sagt að það sé þeim að kenna.
Frumvarp var fellt á alþingi um dreifða eignaraðild og hefði það komið í veg fyrir að fólk ættu svona stóra hluta í bönkunum og einnig komið í veg fyrir stóran hluta af klúðrinu sem við erum í í dag.
People from iceland rescue yourself. Don´t pay and also stay away from the european community and the planned surveillance society! It was a manipulation. They want get frour freedom!
is it our fault that british people are stupid no talking about owing money the british nation are in dead for making rubbish cars that brake down every 5 miles or so
The governments of England and The Netherlands did NOT have to bail out those who lost money with the fall of Landsbanki, which owned the Icesave accounts. They should however have pursued the men who owned Landsbanki and asked for their money, bear in mind Landsbanki was a privately owned bank! It never should have gotten mixed in with the taxpayers money to begin with.
Also, the law signed on December 30th is in effect right now! No one has said no yet, so stop acting as if we have!
any more news on this story today ? or has any icelander stoped swearing long enough to take time to burn down the british or dutch embassies ? rsvp...
Alot of newspapers etc. have been sayin that the icelanders said no to paying the debt. That is wrong! It's the interest that they're fighting. The brits and the dutch don't gain anything by putting Iceland in a jail of debt. They've turned down very good offers just to be bitches.
So read something about the thing they're talkin about before you make ridiculous statements like that you twat
Im British and we are not all cunts, there cunts here but I support Iceland. You are standing up to the EU bully wich is my country and this is BBC propaganda! If there is anyway I can support youre cause I would be glad to. Down with the NWO!!!
It was the banking cunts of Iceland who are to blame, the owners of Landsbanki, who in turn owned the Icesave accounts, should have been made to repay the british and the dutch, it never had to reach the hands of the Icelandic taxpayers, who are completely innocent with regard to the Icesave thing and already have so much else on their agenda.
In defence of Paxman, it must be said that he is extremely sharp, well educated and (generally) well informed - so the bias shown in the intro before the interview took me by surprise.
In fact Paxman is exactly the sort of interviewer I would like to see take on Icelandic politicians as he doesn't treat his subjects with the sort of reverence we so often see in the Icelandic media.
That being said, the man is also an arrogant prick.
The icesave debt is pocket change for a nation the size of Britain but serious business for Iceland, if people can't open their eyes to see how the British and Dutch governments are economically forcing Iceland to become a new age colony, where British, Dutch and even other european company's force the icelandic people to give up their resources which are possibly one of the most valuable in the whole world, a lot of clean and renewable energy sources and a really big reserve of clean water.
I have not heard anything from the British and the Dutch to get Icelander on their band, threatening Icelanders will only make them hate UK even more, UK just wait, stop being so impatient, this takes time, it's not about paying money or not, stop being so ignorant about the Icesave, it's about if at some point in the future we can't pay, than the Brits can come to Iceland and take our resources, which means we are not a country anymore.
stop complaing icelanders, its getting boreing. you let banks in your country lend money they couldnt afford to pay back. you wernt complaing when you had one of the best standards of living in the world built on credit.. now its time to pay. get real and grow up..
@SuperHatyai Why aren't the UK going after Lehman Brothers bank then? Icesave is just a fraction of what they cost you... Oh that's right, the US is alot bigger then you are...
We grew up a long long time ago, we are real and we always pay our debts... that's why we still do have one of the best living standards in the world and will continue to have! :-)
@SuperHatyai Icelanders "let" their banks lend money? The banks in Iceland were private institutions. I suppose that is just like the Americans "let" their banks lend money they couldn't afford because they are private institutions. The entire western world's artificially high standard of living is built on credit. The whole economic system is in need of an overhaul and people need to learn how to live without credit.
i am an icelander and i just wanna say that we as a nation didn´t come near this icesave thing and did not want this to happen but there were som stupid motherfuckers who thougt that they coult just take the money and get away with it and all icelanders are fucking mad about this mess because nobody knows about the money or those men who put iceland in bankruptcy and we had to pay the icesave account.
Iceland should say goodbye to NATO and take up discussion with Russia and or China. You are geographically well located and this might get the ears of the USA to open and put true pressure on the bullying Dutch and UK government.
"Olafur Ragnar Grimsson thats the name of the man who might cost us all several biliion pounds" This guy is a reporter for the BBC? If this was FAUX(FOX) news this would be understandable. This is a shame to the BBC such bigoted reporting and total lack of knowledge on the subject matter at hand. The Icelandic President did make the BBC reporter look foolish indeed.
I think the UK has bigger things to worry about then this little Icesave nuisance. "The Brits will block there entry into the EU" LMAO! Why would Iceland want to join the EU? What would be the benefits? EURO? Well start using the Euro and tell the EU to fcuk off!
these changes were made to consider GDP and allso that we will not pay after 2024 and if we cant pay in the future because of some circumstances we can get some kind of exemption.
Recently another bill was confirmed by the Icelandic congress but was denied by our president. That will mean that the Public gets to vote about it. If it will be redjected by the public, that means that the former law about icesave will still stand! So we will pay and then the british can either accept or n. coment
Many big British law firms have confirmed that Iceland is not responsible for this. But iceland is kind enough to pay this and we are going to pay this whether this will be rejected by the public in the vote.
in 2008 the icelandic former prime minister signed that we will pay our depts (That Davíð Oddson that was mentioned early on in the interview) Later, in 2009 a law was made that we will pay icesave (by some changes)
Why do the British and the Netherland want to get Iceland broke so badly? The money that the Icelanders have to pay will take us 13 years to pay.. When it will take Britain and the Netherlands about one fucking week to pay!
It's a pity that it takes an Icelandic President to remind the British populace they are denied the referenda they deserve, by a government that considers the public to be fools. However, Iceland should still pay their debts, if they ever want to be taken seriously by the international commuinty again.
Ólafur was incredible in this interview ! Didnt let that british cocky idiot get away with anything !
Should we pay this Icesave really? I first wanna see the British and the Dutch repay what they took in their cruel overtaking of countries in Africa,Asia and America making them their colonies. Destroying culture, stealing,raping and often forcing the natives to slavery.
Until then Britain & Netherlands shouldnt even be allowed to comment on foreign debt..
they forget to introduce him as Dr. Ólafur, he has a Dr degree in politics and knows how to prepare for an interview like this and tackle a prick like this one, also he knows exactly what he did and how to debate it.
and thank you @OghamTheBlod, but we like to pay back, but just what we owe and on conditions that we can honor
The brits have a long history of bullying and showing disrespect to smaller nations. They claim to be civilised but all they care about is money and power. Now they use the media to deliberately mislead the UK public claiming Iceland is not paying. That is simply wrong. They have even passed laws to that effect. They just don't like the extortion they are asked to sign up for now. That is all! So Mr. Pacman why don't you do your homework next time and show some respect to a President ! Idiot!!
@OghamTheBold Well to bad that the referendum is not about weather to pay or not. It is about which contract to go by, the older one or the new one. If the result of the referendum is not to accept the law, we will pay by the old contract!
and also if this new bill will be canceled by the Icelandic people the old bill come in to force again. This old bill was actually a bill that we were fairly happy with and we could accept the terms that were there despite legal questions about weather we were indeed legally bound to do so and the refusal of the Dutch and the British governments.
Why are those two (Dutch and British) governments so afraid to allow independent courts to rule on the matter?
A LOT of wrong and misleading statements in the intro to this interview which ORG does well to correct.
ORG did very well in this interview and lets hope that the leading world media that want's to be taken seriously will now start to leave out the common misunderstanding that the payback has been canceled along with other wrongs. The government actually has fulfilled it's agreement twice! In August and again in late Dec and I say this because the bill to pay the money back is in force
Cocky prick. Making unfair statements and ill-advised comments about sth that he clearly knows little or nothing about. The British on their high horse fail to see that they put their money willingly in a high-interest, high-risk bank and are now dealing with the consequences. Iceland has never said it will flee from their debt.
Also, show some respect to a president. You don't interrupt a president time and time again, even though you think you come from a much greater nation.
I wish this man was my president and my country was Iceland.
IAMMFA1 2 months ago
I hate this reporter, he's just talking down on Iceland as he hates Iceland
Binnimanninn 5 months ago
I love it!!!!
Finally someone understand the true meaning of DEMOCRACY!!!!! GO Iceland!!!!
dharmaatdawn 8 months ago 3
@mellowNdark Thanks for that. It is refreshing to know that bad journalism and ad hominem attacks are not just an American thing--that this level of discourse exists elsewhere as well.
Now that you got that out, do you actually have something intelligent to add?
biry0501 9 months ago
@joeschmojo [Citation needed]. I only speak facts sorry. Sure I'm selective and chose the facts I liked, but there's nothing fictional there.
halfbakedc00kie 10 months ago
@joeschmojo I think you're mixed up. My country founded yours. Your country bombed a town of civilians and slaughtered the natives we told them to leave be. They also continued keeping slaves despite their claim that they held it to be self evident that every man was born equal (paraphrased, of course). We abolished the slave trade and fought Hitler. Must feel bad to be you.
halfbakedc00kie 10 months ago
@joeschmojo As an American you have no right to an opinion. Pipe down.
halfbakedc00kie 10 months ago
suddenly racist Icelanders. racist Icelanders everywhere.
Jeremy Paxman is an aggressive interviewer. Don't insult the British people because of one man, and shoulder the blame that is yours by international law.
halfbakedc00kie 10 months ago
Wow... I was under the impression that BBC did journalism.
biry0501 1 year ago 5
wow that guy that is interviewing our president is a rude scum, sorry
salometheviking 1 year ago 3
Dont trust a british blue blood. scum of the earth right there.
MHUnited1 1 year ago
Mr. President, you completely owned Jeremy Paxman in this interview.
PesiCool 1 year ago 8
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There is no sovereign guarantee on the depositor's scheme according to the EU directive says Alain Lipietz who chaired the Finance Committee of the Parliament of Europe which wrote the directive
Kjalli 1 year ago
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It is very clear in the directive that it is the responsibility of the host country (i.e. UK and Netherlands) to make the bank participate in the local host state depositor scheme if the home scheme doesn't have sufficient funds. Therefore, the British and the Dutch have to pay for the depositors in those countries, alternatively if they don't like it they can settle this in the European Court of Justice.
Kjalli 1 year ago
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It is very clear in the directive that it is the responsibility of the host country (i.e. UK and Netherlands) to make the bank participate in the local host state depositor scheme if the home scheme doesn't have sufficient funds. Therefore, the British and the Dutch have to pay for the depositors in those countries, alternatively if they don't like it they can settle this in the European Court of Justice.
Kjalli 1 year ago
"... to put you're future membership in the EU to peril! Is this a good thing?!"
HELL YES!!!
Gondaldin 1 year ago 5
The best president!
raggice 1 year ago 3
éééé ææææææææææ ísland sjúðu mig bretland
helgi97 1 year ago
We are too many to pay.
Too many to fail.
Solidarity from Greece.
Delete Debt. All over the World.
Banksters go to Hell.
We dont pay Bankster's Crisis
ODYSSEY1951 1 year ago
Excellent President, the way he handled the interview was perfect!
And yes, Iceland shouldn't pay.
Solidarity from Greece.
antipliroforisiinfo 1 year ago 10
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@tmokleby - Can kiss goodbye to joining the EU or much help from the IMF too, can't wait to holiday and spend the mighty pound in your third rate country, pay you to shine my shoes.
Jackdm87 2 years ago
@Jackdm87 :) poor thing
XplizitGixxer 2 years ago
GB and Holland can go to hell and die! Iceland should newer pay!
tmokleby 2 years ago 18
@tmokleby I'm Icelandic
mbson 1 year ago
This makes me so pissed off, did this guy eat shit for breakfast and then throw it up over the mic? drives me nuts, and why the heck should the Icelandic goverment pay for debt that business INDIVIDUALS did in, England and Holland and their goverment let them do that? And then Gordon Brown with the terrorist law, breaking down our currency to nothing and then tell us to pay up when our money isn't worth anything? idiot.
gunnaringg 2 years ago 16
The Icelandic are pissed. ORG did the right thing because otherwise he would have also been complicit in shoving Icesave down their throats.
motelcalifornia 2 years ago 3
and referundrums are healthy for a democracy, I think, and not a weakness, just means people are aware of what their politicians are doing
addikul 2 years ago 7
I´ve never seen this journalist before, but he is really not good, didn't do his homework here, at all. and attacking another country´s democracy? what's that about?
I imagine he has this job because of his voice, it's rememberable..
addikul 2 years ago 4
Banks are allowed to lend 10 times the amount deposited (fractional reserve system) so the money that Iceland is supposed to owe does not even exist in reality.
If this seems far fetched i suggest watching "Zeitgeist Addendum" that also has a viable solution.
After what the banks and their workers the Governments have done to the population of the world giving the peoples money away to the bank owners in the first place (bank bailouts) i will not shed a tear for what they are owed.
geemoore 2 years ago
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geemoore 2 years ago
Iceland now has the opportunity to start again with a new way, they are bankrupt and so your government is nothing.
Time to use the technology you and the world has already in existence, you are a small population on an island that is able to provide all your needs, resourced based economy is the answer, not trying to fix the monetary one that is just a form of modern slavery.
geemoore 2 years ago
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I thought the BBC was supposed to be unbiased not give its own views, Paxman always sounds like some drunk at a bar trying to put the world to rights.
I am happy that i made the right choice to get rid of the TV years ago, its nothing more than propaganda machine.
geemoore 2 years ago
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geemoore 2 years ago
Wow. This reminds me of Fox News.
biry0501 2 years ago 3
What an owning of the newscaster! Loved it. And the news display their ignorance by putting the background of the primeminister as ice burgs. The brits are so damn ignorant.
fatalegg 2 years ago 5
paxman is a puppet oft he uk goverment iceland owes the uk fuck all, get icesave to payup whose owner lives in the UK.
this proves mainstream media is a dying credible news source
1984noway 2 years ago 6
@1984noway Fagget.
CharlieBrenja 2 years ago
hold on im saying iceland should not pay the uk any money, whats your problem your from Iceland .???
1984noway 2 years ago
@1984noway Haha, 'scuse me. Misunderstood.
CharlieBrenja 2 years ago
Whose the fagget now?:)
1984noway 2 years ago
@1984noway Your mother.
CharlieBrenja 2 years ago
ive had yours she was good
1984noway 2 years ago
@1984noway.. He;s neen called many things, but dont think anyone can credibly call Paxmzn a 'puppet'.
ANTIDALLARD 2 years ago
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1984noway 2 years ago
Paxman was biased and did not cheque his facts,which seems to show he does as he is told by the BBC rather than seek the truth,that is being a puppet.Iceland are right not to pay any money to the UK
1984noway 2 years ago 2
glad you can smile in the face of adversity, it may help ... but i doubt it.
SuperHatyai 2 years ago
nothing better than cheaky english rudeness, it really chears up listening to the high attitude presenters..
bruarland 2 years ago
facts.... junk status bonds, overwhelming debt, imf witholding loans.. is it me who is deluded or you ?
SuperHatyai 2 years ago
@SuperHatyai the people that put the "junk status" on us rated the Icelandic banks last year at the top, so basicly the company that made the status dug them selves in a hole, they basicly made their raing system unreliable.
Rebound321 2 years ago
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SuperHatyai 2 years ago
@rebound: you wernt rated top, top rating is triple a status, you were rated single a status, a big differance. dont blame the british for your mistakes, get your facts right. it wasan american ratings agency too. are you going to blame them next ?
SuperHatyai 2 years ago
@SuperHatyai ok, not really the top but, the icelandic banks had a decent rating and there was nothing really that indicated that they were close to being at a "junk" status.
Rebound321 2 years ago
@SuperHatyai - Global Financial System on the whole is a junk status, and the way things are going every other industrial nation is going to experience Iceland's problems entirely.
ZMAustralia 2 years ago 2
Solidarity with Iceland.
brentoneccles 2 years ago 4
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i found out today that belgians are also owed money from icelandic failed banks, this mess gets bigger every day. icelandic bonds now junk status, government trying to mumble its way out of imf conditions, is this country for real ? laughing stock of the western world.....
SuperHatyai 2 years ago
What do you base that statement on? do you even know anything about Ice-save, Icelandic economy, it's obligation's or our constitution?
If People are basing their hatred of Iceland on this video then your seriously deluded. People shouldn't speak before reading all sides of the story.
kulanmin 2 years ago 3
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Rebound321 2 years ago
Go jump off a cliff, British empire! Republic vs Empire!
itosvaldes 2 years ago 3
I'm quite appaulled by the bias of this interview Paxman, luckily the president can hold his own otherwise we (the UK) would be severley misinformed about the situation. If a nation like Iceland is this severly bankrupt by the greed of a few individuals yet has still pledged to pay back the debt, why the hell has the BBC allowed a self important prick like Paxman to attack and threaten the Icelandic president on the premise that he's going to stiff us? Please stick to UK politicians please.
animatorswearbras 2 years ago 10
Iceland should not have to pay these "reparations" to the foreign banks that conspired against them until they balance their budget. The payments should only come from any future economic surplus, not another loan at 6% interest.
stevenj13196 2 years ago 5
Well done Iceland. A NO vote is a vote for freedom. Do not let the banksters steal your country.
kraken45 2 years ago 6
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Iceland got neighbor contract 1995 with EU, demanding financial integration and spying Central bank in service of the EU one, and integrated stock market. EU Central bank system recommend Icelandic undertakings in EU mainly Britain and mostly German banks bought krona to strengthen it, form of lending euro or pounds.
uoden 2 years ago
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As we know the annexation process begins with lot of EU loans causing caos followed by suddenly ceasing them. Therefore Icelandic private banks were forced to arrange currency on common market in EU [not Iceland]. When Britain executed EU economical terrorist law the Icelandic private bank system [3 banks] collapsed.
uoden 2 years ago
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uoden 2 years ago
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uoden 2 years ago
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Ceased demanding of krona however as Iceland imports nearly everything for EU thanks the contract increased the domestic inflation: caused weakening of our krona [currency] rising the prise og import goods more than 40%. In Iceland -odd but true- all home mortgage loans are linked inflation: 80% of the total domestic home loans so their capital and interest rose 40% also.
Still 30% of the Icelandic population love EU justice towards common people.
uoden 2 years ago
The GDP of Iceland over 15 years contract period gives no indication of that the Icelandic common people as nation has gained a bit. Official propaganda is traditional in the mayor states of EU. Today also in Iceland.
uoden 2 years ago
Ceased demanding of krona however as Iceland imports nearly everything for EU thanks the contract increased the domestic inflation: caused weakening of our krona [currency] rising the prise og import goods more than 40%. In Iceland -odd but true- all home mortage loans are linked inflation: 80% of the total domestic home loans so their capital and interst rose 40% also.
Still 30% of the Icelandic population love EU justice towards common people.
uoden 2 years ago
From the EEA/EU directive 94/19/EC,
Whereas this Directive may not result in the Member States or their competent authorities being made liable in respect of depositors if they have ensured that one or more schemes guaranteeing deposits or credit institutions themselves and ensuring the compensation or protection of depositors under the conditions prescribed in this Directive have been introduced and officially recognized.
vextir 2 years ago
This guy, This reporter or whatever tha f**k this british guy is, is a total fucking jerk..
I'm proud of my president and I aplaud him for this interview and for his courage in allowing the people to vote..
Hr1gunnar 2 years ago
Pælið í því að það var seld önnur þyrla landhelgisgæslunar á 300 milljónir í sparnaðaskini. Til að borga þrjá daga virðis af sköttum af IceSave BARA SKATTAR!
sokkaperri 2 years ago
If Paxman didn't ask "tough" questions no one would watch the show. Allowing our president to present the Icelandic counter-arguments in the dispute is quite useful to us. So please lay off the "fuck Paxman" comments, this particular interview did more damage control for Iceland than the whole Icelandic government combined has been able to do for a long time. The unfairness of the dispute was advertised to the outside world.We should pay as per our responsibilities but not at 5.5 interest rate
Biddibrus 2 years ago 5
@bibbibrus.. I can't figure out.. they want the money from us.. why are they making the rules?
and i totally agree with you
sokkaperri 2 years ago
@Biddibrus The first intelligent comment in a sea of ignorance on this thread. British journalists often follow a format of playing devil's advocate to get the interviewee to answer important questions. It's for the benefit of the viewer so they can make up their own mind. Paxman's style has always been slightly mock sarcastic whoever he's interviewing, some people don't like that, but that isn't the point of the interview. It's simply to get answers.
MrDragon1968 1 year ago
Áfram Ísland!
saeunnholmarsdottir 2 years ago
And such things that can't be vote for by the public in many of our neighbour countries and are too complicated for the public to vote for. We had election last May and there we voted for among other things how to get Ice-Save to conclusion and how to cut of and higher taxes and such. I did not vote for the parties in minority to do it,not individual members of the parliament and for sure not the president(never have and never will). This contract must go through and we will pay our debts!!!!
klarinetta 2 years ago
Many respected british law firms and many good lawyers in iceland say that we should not pay. What he did is just follow the consitution and let the people vote.
I agree that we must pay for our depts but this is isn't a dept.
Og afhverju ekki að borga með fyrirvörunum til að tryggja að við getum borgað? ef þetta verður fellt í þjóðaratkvæðagreiðslu fara fyrivararnir aftur í gang.
sokkaperri 2 years ago 2
Well Klarineta you should just pack your bags, shut the fuck up and move out of our beautiful country. We are going to pay our depts, but only a fool like you accepts the insane 5,5 interest rate the current contract has.
hartmenn 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I'm 25 years old and Icelandic and I want to say something to the British and Dutch nations. I'm terrible sorry and angry for we have such a fool as a president. He has done not much more than being a cheerleader for the so called business vikings. We had election last May where we among other things voted for how we would handle Ice-Save and taxes and such. Now the parties in minority want to rule Ice-Save conclusion and even some members of the parliament want the nation to vote for taxes
klarinetta 2 years ago
and why can't the minority parties have their own point of view on this. vinstri stjórnir hafa aldrey verið góðar fyrir landið og verða það aldrey
sokkaperri 2 years ago
@sokkaperri
wtf???!!!
Gerirðu þér enga grein fyrir því að þetta efnahagshrun er hægrimönnum úr sjálfstæðisflokknum að kenna?!!!
berserkur7 2 years ago
@Berserkur Þeir bera ábyrgð og ég geri mér grein fyrir því (ekki síður restin af þinginu á þeim tíma) þar sem stjórnarandstaðan á að hafa eftirlit að vissu leyti með Stjórnaranstöðunni. Þótt þeir beri ábyrgð er ekki þar með sagt að það sé þeim að kenna.
sokkaperri 2 years ago
Frumvarp var fellt á alþingi um dreifða eignaraðild og hefði það komið í veg fyrir að fólk ættu svona stóra hluta í bönkunum og einnig komið í veg fyrir stóran hluta af klúðrinu sem við erum í í dag.
sokkaperri 2 years ago
Go Iceland! Defeat the bankers!
septrenarion 2 years ago 3
ÓLAFUR JUST PWNT THAT NOOB YEAH!!!
Vommdoddus 2 years ago
And do not worry about the money. It did never exists! God bless u all!
draft200100 2 years ago 6
People from iceland rescue yourself. Don´t pay and also stay away from the european community and the planned surveillance society! It was a manipulation. They want get frour freedom!
draft200100 2 years ago 6
People over banks. what are bankers doing today?
they are paying themselves huge salaries and bonuses. with money from whom? From the ordinary people that saved the banks with their taxes.
So I dont really care about some moneygreeding pigs wanting their money back
all bankers are wankers
RolandRhodes1 2 years ago 4
Johanna Siguroardottir? psst lélegt
chiefapricot 2 years ago
Wow, Ólafur.
You saved the old Icelandic spirit.
Lengi lifi lýðveldið.
hageir 2 years ago 3
We join now from Rekkjavikk. Það er fyndið að sjá að útlendingar geta ekki sagt Reykjavík þeir segja alltaf Rekkjavikk!
thatsucks23 2 years ago 2
is it our fault that british people are stupid no talking about owing money the british nation are in dead for making rubbish cars that brake down every 5 miles or so
wehmeier11 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
why blame every one else for your debt problems. you messed up, now pay up. its simple. stop crying and get working...
SuperHatyai 2 years ago
The governments of England and The Netherlands did NOT have to bail out those who lost money with the fall of Landsbanki, which owned the Icesave accounts. They should however have pursued the men who owned Landsbanki and asked for their money, bear in mind Landsbanki was a privately owned bank! It never should have gotten mixed in with the taxpayers money to begin with.
Also, the law signed on December 30th is in effect right now! No one has said no yet, so stop acting as if we have!
fani5000 2 years ago 3
Icelanders never said no to paying, and that is not what this is really about. Stop talkin out of your ass and study the subject you asshole.
GisliPK 2 years ago 6
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SuperHatyai 2 years ago
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SuperHatyai 2 years ago
any more news on this story today ? or has any icelander stoped swearing long enough to take time to burn down the british or dutch embassies ? rsvp...
SuperHatyai 2 years ago
Alot of newspapers etc. have been sayin that the icelanders said no to paying the debt. That is wrong! It's the interest that they're fighting. The brits and the dutch don't gain anything by putting Iceland in a jail of debt. They've turned down very good offers just to be bitches.
So read something about the thing they're talkin about before you make ridiculous statements like that you twat
GisliPK 2 years ago
Who is this Jeremy Paxman, Oli you showed him who is a man and who is a litle british schoolboy...
Hamsun12 2 years ago 2
VEL GERT !
olitomas 2 years ago 2
Thats right Ólafur give Jeremy Paxman the finger and anyone agreeing with that prick as well, who is he to judge a whole nation.
propably didn't get hugged enough as a kid.
Melsted 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
groova06 2 years ago
Im British and we are not all cunts, there cunts here but I support Iceland. You are standing up to the EU bully wich is my country and this is BBC propaganda! If there is anyway I can support youre cause I would be glad to. Down with the NWO!!!
withnielandi 2 years ago 23
I would like to say that vast majority of Icelanders don't hate the British... just Gordon Brown.
Cheers
LessofLess 2 years ago 6
Lol I think most people in the UK will agree with you on that!
Take care and all the best
withnielandi 2 years ago
It was the banking cunts of Iceland who are to blame, the owners of Landsbanki, who in turn owned the Icesave accounts, should have been made to repay the british and the dutch, it never had to reach the hands of the Icelandic taxpayers, who are completely innocent with regard to the Icesave thing and already have so much else on their agenda.
Oh, and thanks for your support :)
fani5000 2 years ago 4
True, and now you are all terrorists according to Gordon Brown! I wish more country's would stand up to the IMF and World bank like Iceland.
withnielandi 2 years ago 7
some things british dont know :)
iceland stopped macdonalds to make hamburgers with iclenadic ingredients and not buy them from germany ;)
we now have metro witch is much better
gnpivot123 2 years ago
Not really, metro kinda sucks, but mcdonals sucked anyway.
danieljapan 2 years ago
well metro is way better than macdonalds tho :)
gnpivot123 2 years ago
They taste exactly the same.
danieljapan 2 years ago
ekki fyrir mig :D
gnpivot123 2 years ago
Franskarnir eru kannski aðeins auðruvísi en hamborgararnir eru alveg eins.
danieljapan 2 years ago
In defence of Paxman, it must be said that he is extremely sharp, well educated and (generally) well informed - so the bias shown in the intro before the interview took me by surprise.
In fact Paxman is exactly the sort of interviewer I would like to see take on Icelandic politicians as he doesn't treat his subjects with the sort of reverence we so often see in the Icelandic media.
That being said, the man is also an arrogant prick.
emblaw 2 years ago
The icesave debt is pocket change for a nation the size of Britain but serious business for Iceland, if people can't open their eyes to see how the British and Dutch governments are economically forcing Iceland to become a new age colony, where British, Dutch and even other european company's force the icelandic people to give up their resources which are possibly one of the most valuable in the whole world, a lot of clean and renewable energy sources and a really big reserve of clean water.
karlkyn 2 years ago 6
Olafur just pwnt this newman!!
Vommdoddus 2 years ago 4
That Jeremy Paxman guy is a douchebag.
Johnahawk 2 years ago
I have not heard anything from the British and the Dutch to get Icelander on their band, threatening Icelanders will only make them hate UK even more, UK just wait, stop being so impatient, this takes time, it's not about paying money or not, stop being so ignorant about the Icesave, it's about if at some point in the future we can't pay, than the Brits can come to Iceland and take our resources, which means we are not a country anymore.
kentonraw010 2 years ago
Why is this Jeremy Paxman character talking to the President of Iceland like he is an uneducated schoolboy?
leptonsoup337 2 years ago 7
What a prick this Paxman guy is
ruglogbull 2 years ago 6
How would the Dutch people feel if they'd have to pay 200 billion dollars to compensate for a private risk-taking bank?
TheIniquitous 2 years ago 3
This has been flagged as spam show
stop complaing icelanders, its getting boreing. you let banks in your country lend money they couldnt afford to pay back. you wernt complaing when you had one of the best standards of living in the world built on credit.. now its time to pay. get real and grow up..
SuperHatyai 2 years ago
@SuperHatyai Why aren't the UK going after Lehman Brothers bank then? Icesave is just a fraction of what they cost you... Oh that's right, the US is alot bigger then you are...
lubricaid 2 years ago 15
@lubricaid snillingur :) nice reply
Straksinn 2 years ago 2
We grew up a long long time ago, we are real and we always pay our debts... that's why we still do have one of the best living standards in the world and will continue to have! :-)
yamyam1234 2 years ago 2
@SuperHatyai you just got smashed badly by lubricaid. lol
Rebound321 2 years ago
@SuperHatyai Icelanders "let" their banks lend money? The banks in Iceland were private institutions. I suppose that is just like the Americans "let" their banks lend money they couldn't afford because they are private institutions. The entire western world's artificially high standard of living is built on credit. The whole economic system is in need of an overhaul and people need to learn how to live without credit.
leptonsoup337 2 years ago 4
you just got pwnt..
Vommdoddus 2 years ago
How about going after the people who took the money instead of the country they are from?
morbidchid 2 years ago 9
i am an icelander and i just wanna say that we as a nation didn´t come near this icesave thing and did not want this to happen but there were som stupid motherfuckers who thougt that they coult just take the money and get away with it and all icelanders are fucking mad about this mess because nobody knows about the money or those men who put iceland in bankruptcy and we had to pay the icesave account.
but dont worry iceland will pay that account
cgsrf574gh 2 years ago 4
Paxman is a poor mans Bill O'Reilly.
Kjalli 2 years ago 5
Iceland should say goodbye to NATO and take up discussion with Russia and or China. You are geographically well located and this might get the ears of the USA to open and put true pressure on the bullying Dutch and UK government.
trex250 2 years ago
.@trex250
this maybe happening
the Chinise government just bought a big house in central Reykjavík
Soon China will have the bigget embassy in Iceland..
Byltus 2 years ago
haa hvaða hús var það?
peeesi 2 years ago
Þetta er gamla Sjóklæðagerin, bak við löggustöðina á Hverfisgötu og við hliðina á Frimúrarahúsinu
þetta er 4-5 hæða bygging
Byltus 2 years ago
@Byltus já þetta er ekkert smá stórt hús, soldið mikið að vera færa sig þangað allt í einu, miðað við stærðina á hinu húsinu.
hartmenn 2 years ago
Það er samt ekkert víst að þeir séu endilega að færa Sendiráðið eina sem koma fram í þessari frétt var að þeir væru að kaupa þetta
Eikinskaldi 2 years ago
"Olafur Ragnar Grimsson thats the name of the man who might cost us all several biliion pounds" This guy is a reporter for the BBC? If this was FAUX(FOX) news this would be understandable. This is a shame to the BBC such bigoted reporting and total lack of knowledge on the subject matter at hand. The Icelandic President did make the BBC reporter look foolish indeed.
trex250 2 years ago 19
I think the UK has bigger things to worry about then this little Icesave nuisance. "The Brits will block there entry into the EU" LMAO! Why would Iceland want to join the EU? What would be the benefits? EURO? Well start using the Euro and tell the EU to fcuk off!
trex250 2 years ago 5
Or take this to court and get a legal conclusion!
sokkaperri 2 years ago 2
these changes were made to consider GDP and allso that we will not pay after 2024 and if we cant pay in the future because of some circumstances we can get some kind of exemption.
Recently another bill was confirmed by the Icelandic congress but was denied by our president. That will mean that the Public gets to vote about it. If it will be redjected by the public, that means that the former law about icesave will still stand! So we will pay and then the british can either accept or n. coment
sokkaperri 2 years ago
For all of you british people out there..
Many big British law firms have confirmed that Iceland is not responsible for this. But iceland is kind enough to pay this and we are going to pay this whether this will be rejected by the public in the vote.
in 2008 the icelandic former prime minister signed that we will pay our depts (That Davíð Oddson that was mentioned early on in the interview) Later, in 2009 a law was made that we will pay icesave (by some changes)
READ NEXT COMMENT
sokkaperri 2 years ago 2
why should everyone in iceland pay for some mistakes that bankers did it isnt very fair for iceland.
Bubbzis 2 years ago 10
Why do the British and the Netherland want to get Iceland broke so badly? The money that the Icelanders have to pay will take us 13 years to pay.. When it will take Britain and the Netherlands about one fucking week to pay!
I Say Don't Pay!!!
birkiroabirkir 2 years ago 3
It's a pity that it takes an Icelandic President to remind the British populace they are denied the referenda they deserve, by a government that considers the public to be fools. However, Iceland should still pay their debts, if they ever want to be taken seriously by the international commuinty again.
SchmidtG1 2 years ago 2
@SchmidtG1 Iceland will pay it's debt. There has never been an issue over weather or not to pay the debt.
Bratant 2 years ago 6
Hahaha, President Grimsson EVISCERATED that cereal box top journalist.
videogamemaker 2 years ago 8
lol... Mr. Paxman.... jerry... FACE!
AronKarason 2 years ago
Ólafur was incredible in this interview ! Didnt let that british cocky idiot get away with anything !
Should we pay this Icesave really? I first wanna see the British and the Dutch repay what they took in their cruel overtaking of countries in Africa,Asia and America making them their colonies. Destroying culture, stealing,raping and often forcing the natives to slavery.
Until then Britain & Netherlands shouldnt even be allowed to comment on foreign debt..
ThisIsDynamic 2 years ago 15
they forget to introduce him as Dr. Ólafur, he has a Dr degree in politics and knows how to prepare for an interview like this and tackle a prick like this one, also he knows exactly what he did and how to debate it.
and thank you @OghamTheBlod, but we like to pay back, but just what we owe and on conditions that we can honor
ingthorx 2 years ago 10
lol, that cocky prick got his. Who does Jeremy think he is talking to a president of a nation like that ? Incredibly disrespectful interview.
drasl 2 years ago 8
Hahahaha.... Mr. Paxman's squeeks from 7:20 to 7:25 are hilarious!
Good job, Mr. Grimsson, in stating the Icelandic Nation's point of view.
olafssonprime 2 years ago 15
The brits have a long history of bullying and showing disrespect to smaller nations. They claim to be civilised but all they care about is money and power. Now they use the media to deliberately mislead the UK public claiming Iceland is not paying. That is simply wrong. They have even passed laws to that effect. They just don't like the extortion they are asked to sign up for now. That is all! So Mr. Pacman why don't you do your homework next time and show some respect to a President ! Idiot!!
padwest17 2 years ago 14
Í þjóðaratkvæðagreiðslu, segja ekki að endurgreiða peninga. Ég er British - þú getur haldið peningar - það er gjöf frá mér; Gleðilegt nýtt ár
OghamTheBold 2 years ago 9
@OghamTheBold Well to bad that the referendum is not about weather to pay or not. It is about which contract to go by, the older one or the new one. If the result of the referendum is not to accept the law, we will pay by the old contract!
Bratant 2 years ago 5
well said Mr President
gie672 2 years ago 7
and also if this new bill will be canceled by the Icelandic people the old bill come in to force again. This old bill was actually a bill that we were fairly happy with and we could accept the terms that were there despite legal questions about weather we were indeed legally bound to do so and the refusal of the Dutch and the British governments.
Why are those two (Dutch and British) governments so afraid to allow independent courts to rule on the matter?
ingvargisla 2 years ago 11
Djöfull var kallinn harður. Lét engan breska stólpakjaft vaða yfir sig. Stoltur af honum.
andriante 2 years ago 19
A LOT of wrong and misleading statements in the intro to this interview which ORG does well to correct.
ORG did very well in this interview and lets hope that the leading world media that want's to be taken seriously will now start to leave out the common misunderstanding that the payback has been canceled along with other wrongs. The government actually has fulfilled it's agreement twice! In August and again in late Dec and I say this because the bill to pay the money back is in force
ingvargisla 2 years ago 6
Cocky prick. Making unfair statements and ill-advised comments about sth that he clearly knows little or nothing about. The British on their high horse fail to see that they put their money willingly in a high-interest, high-risk bank and are now dealing with the consequences. Iceland has never said it will flee from their debt.
Also, show some respect to a president. You don't interrupt a president time and time again, even though you think you come from a much greater nation.
stebbii88 2 years ago 28
Well done Mr. Olafur Ragnar!!!
At least this is a kind of president that knows how to protect and support his people!!!!
cbouyio 2 years ago 22