



Relatively low business taxes—the maximum tax rate is 20%[23]—as well as easy Rules of Incorporation have induced about 73,700 holding (or so-called 'letter box') companies to establish registered offices in Liechtenstein. This provides about 30% of Liechtenstein's state revenue. Liechtenstein also generates revenue from Stiftungen ("foundations"), which are financial entities created to increase the privacy of nonresident foreigners' financial holdings. The foundation is registered in the name of a Liechtensteiner, often a lawyer.







Snow-bearded, 84-year-old Prince Franz Paul I, ruler of the 65-square-mile principality of Liechtenstein... has not visited his tiny nation for five years. He has run his Government by long-distance from Vienna and his Czechoslovakian estates... His wife, whom he married in 1929, is a wealthy Viennese Jewess and local Liechtenstein Nazis have already singled her out as their anti-Semitic "problem."







Should Adolf Hitler desire to absorb Liechtenstein, he could meet little resistance, for the country has no army, no defenses and no military alliances. It sided with Austria in the Austro-Prussian war of 1866, but its 81 soldiers did not reach the front in time to fight.







" Hitler liked money, both for the luxuries it bought him and the loyalties it ensured, and he amassed a lot of it."







EU's relations with Liechtenstein are based on the EEA (European Economic Area) Agreement, and there are very few issues that are not covered by this Agreement. However, Liechtenstein also has a customs and monetary union with Switzerland since 1924 and is strongly integrated in the Swiss economy in addition to its participation in the European Economic Area. In addition to the EEA Agreement, the EU has bilateral agreements with Liechtenstein on subjects such as taxation of savings . Liechtenstein will also be part of the Schengen/Dublin co-operation. Negotiations on EU-Liechtenstein co-operation on combating fraud and exchange of information on tax matters are expected to be concluded in the near future.



edit on 28-6-2011 by whitl103 because: Imbed YouTube links



edit on 28-6-2011 by whitl103 because: YouTube



edit on 29-6-2011 by whitl103 because: To better summarize my thoughts and conjectures



edit on 29-6-2011 by whitl103 because: pretty pictures



I couldn't find much on ATS as far as the connections Liechtenstein has to power and wealth, but I assure you, it's worth discussion.I have been digging deeper and deeper (for years now) into the history of European and global finance when I discovered that Liechtenstein, a tiny German-speaking country nestled in the Alps, is a tax haven. The nation's banks operate similarly to some of the better-known Swiss banks, providing a secret storehouse for gobs of wealth for the global elite.Vaduz Castle LiechtensteinA few fun facts:However, Liechtenstein only has a population of 35,000 people. This means there are more than two companies for every citizen of the country. And this isn't counting the private foundations.Hitler and the Nazis cancelled their plan to invade Liechtenstein after Hitler's astronomer saw a "change in the stars."Sure, the alpine landscape of Liechtenstein would be somewhat of a logistical nightmare to invade and many historians would have you believe that Liechtenstein had nothing to offer the Nazi regime. However...What's more...Neglectful leadership and no military nor allies? Good will on the part of neighboring Switzerland would've been the only hope for Liechtenstein's defense.Also, I do remember Hitler being somewhat interested in accumulating wealth, and Liechtenstein was not a poor country.Today, its GDP is about $4.16 billion (2007). That means its per capita purchasing power parity was $118,000 in 2007, the highest in the world. The United States per capita purchasing power is $47,275.Liechtenstein shares a national anthem with the UK and the historical anthem of the US.The Prince of Wales' motto is "Ich Dien," German for "I Serve". Why British royalty would have a motto in German and not English or at least Latin is curious, to say the least.Nationalism is certainly a very important thing to rulers, and Germany is a centuries-old competitor to British Imperialism. Using the language of a competitor as a royal motto would be...in poor taste.Here you can see Prince Alois of Liechtenstein stumbling through the English language.Now, you don't have to be multilingual to lead, but as a wealthy ruler of a 1st world European country, you would think he would have a stronger grasp on the international language of business. But if his family holds as much power as I'm hypothesizing, his subjects would be obliged to cater to them in German.So, no grief from England or Germany...The Princely House of Liechtenstein has held monarchical rulership in Europe since at least 1140AD (and you thought the Bush family had overstayed its welcome.)The Liechtenstein coat of arms. I won't bore you with an uneducated attempt at interpretation, but it is chock-full of regal symbology.It also bears a resemblance to the historical coat of arms of Egypt. Though I'm not claiming any direct connection, just keeping your wheels turning.Further, the Flag of Liechtenstein is interesting.It did not always include the crown. The crown was added in 1937 after it was discovered that the flag then in use was identical to the flag of Haiti. Some way to differentiate... It may seem trivial, but as many of us know, the elite are VERY concerned with symbology, and a crown is a symbol of supreme authority. It takes a bit of confidence for a dinky little nation to stick that symbol on their flag. It is the only national flag in the world to bear this symbol.According to www.celebritynetworth.com (surprisingly reliable, yet tends to align with mainstream numbers), Prince Alois is worth $3.5 billion. For some perspective, Jay Rockefeller's net worth is claimed to be $200 million (I'm sure none of us believe that, seeing as great grandpa John was worth over $200 BILLION in today's terms. The super rich tend to get richer.)Liechtenstein is a member of the Council of Europe and the United Nations. Its relations with the EU are as follows:So, no grief from the EU and a friendly relationship with the financiers of Switzerland.Here is a video that is an excellent collection of information on Liechtenstein. Believe me, I'm not one to recommend a half hour monologue from a hippie lady on YouTube as a solid source, but this video is incredibly well-organized, and she has all the sources to back her up. If you want to look further into the information I've presented, start here.Take this information for what it's worth, I claim nothing conclusive. It's simply something that struck me as fascinating, plausible and even likely. Perhaps there is more hiding behind that royal curtain the family sports upon its crest than we know. I hope you enjoy the thought.