Due to severe weather conditions twoI celandair aeroplanes, flying from Dublin and London where forced to land at the airport in Akureyri, a town located in North Iceland.
The group is 45 children aged around 15 to 17 and with them are five adults. “This was unexpected, I have tried to call our people in London but they do not know of anybody here in this town that can help“ said one of the adults accompanying the group and kept on saying that an helpful Icelander had connected them with local school authorities and he expected them to get a place to stay until the Icelandair planes where able to take off from Akureyri and head to Keflavik“
One of the older kids added and laughed “this help from the locals is not what you might expect from terrorists“.
According to information from Icelandair representatives the first plane, taking the passengers who flew from London, will take off at 8:00. These from London will go from Akureyri at 9:00, both are going to Keflavik.
On Oct 24, 2008, Dave wrote:
>I think your deep anger at the terrorism angle is
>slightly misplaced – read the actual freezing order
>and see where that working is used.
Despite the retroactive back peddling by H.M. Treasury, as Axel points out, Landsbanki was placed on a list of regimes subject to financial sanction by the British government, joining Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and several other organisations or countries known for terrorist financing or oppressive dictatorship.
Icelanders did not imagine this.
Would you also not be a trifle, well miffed, if suddenly banks in foreign countries wouldn’t send money to you, because one of your banks is on such a financial sanctions list? That happened too.
Take a peek:
http://www.indefence.is/News/News/~/NewsId/13
Despite assurances to the contrary when it was passed, the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 was clearly meant to be used against whoever the government feels like using it against, all along. From Hansard:
“[Oct 09]: (Julia Goldsworthy, Falmouth & Camborne, Liberal Democrat): I just have a quick question on the freezing of assets.
Could the Financial Secretary clarify under which legislation the assets were frozen? My understanding from reports in today’s newspapers is that the freezing took place under anti-terrorism legislation, and I am interested to know how the Government justified freezing the assets through such legislation.
Stephen Timms (Financial Secretary, HM Treasury; East Ham, Labour):
The important thing was to safeguard UK economic interests. The hon. Lady is quite right: the power used happened to be in the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, but it was felt necessary to protect UK economic interests.
Yesterday, the FSA also deemed that Heritable and Kaupthing did not meet threshold conditions. In order to provide for as much business continuity as possible, the majority of Heritable’s retail deposits, and the Edge accounts in Kaupthing, were transferred to ING Direct, using the Banking (Special Provisions) Act 2008.”
Well, that’s all right then. Nothing to see here. Move along.
On Oct 24, 2008, Jack London said:
>Do you simpletons really think that this was said by
>any child?
By a 15-17 year old from Manchester? Certainly.
Don’t underestimate our kid aright.
Dave,
>I also notice the failure (how very convenient) of
>anyone to answer my questions so I will simpify >it:
>
>1) Are you aware that Germany authorities have
>also frozen assets? – but nothing seems to be
>reported or wrong with that
>
>2) Iceland’s initially froze assets for
>international depositors – for what reason did
>they do that – I would suggest the same as the UK
>-to safeguard a country’s interests – can you not
>see that?
>3) Also do you not agree that Iceland initially
>took freezing action – what were you expecting the
>UK to do?
I think you are mixing up your threads. Axel replied to you in this thread:
https://www.icenews.is/index.php/2008/10/16/unbowed-icelandic-pm-sends-a-strong-message-to-uk/#comment-31114
On Oct 24, 2008, Polar Mania said:
@Dave
Imagine a world when a child makes jokes like these?
Do you simpletons really think that this was said by any child? It has been invented for crude propoganda purposes. I’m beginning to realise, that for all Iceland’s supposed sophistication, it is on an intellectual and moral par with North Korea.
I am disappointed with the responses, perhaps I have lost my sense of humour – but I am an ordinary bloke trying to do the right for his family with no news or information or when I am going to get access to my savings. There is a very real possibility I will lose my job shortly and unfortunately I have no other savings other than those frozen in ICESAVE. I don’t ask for sympathy or pity just some understanding that I think your deep anger at the terrorism angle is slightly misplaced – read the actual freezing order and see where that working is used.
I also notice the failure (how very convenient) of anyone to answer my questions so I will simpify it:
1) Are you aware that Germany authorities have also frozen assets? – but nothing seems to be reported or wrong with that
2) Iceland’s initially froze assets for international depositors – for what reason did they do that – I would suggest the same as the UK -to safeguard a country’s interests – can you not see that?
3) Also do you not agree that Iceland initially took freezing action – what were you expecting the UK to do?
We are also a small island in the north atlantic and we shared the fate of having our entire population branded terrorists by little englanders and british right wingers for centuries!No prizes for guessing who we are.Welcome to the club.
On Oct 24, 2008, Trevor wrote:
>”this help from the locals is not what you might expect from terrorists”. [said
>Nigel Molesworth minor, 17 years, of Hyde, Greater Manchester.]
>
>Dear oh dear. This is propaganda at it’s crudest.
Yes, Brown’s speeches about Iceland most certainly were.
Where do you think that this impressionable young person got their ideas from?
On Oct 24, 2008, Dave wrote:
>The use of the terrorist quote is outrageous and inflamatory.
>Whether it was said or not and by whom is irrelevant to this story – why do
>journalist insist on unneccesary commentry. I am sure the parents of the
>children are immensely grateful for the hospitality shown however to have a
>cheap dig at the British does not show you in a great light…
No Dave, the quote is funny.
Out of the mouths of babes…
And like much humor it nicely skewers the current ridiculous situation that Gordon Brown has created regarding the perception of Iceland in the UK (with the generous help of Darling).
Dave, when I hear such sour mouthed dourness on this subject as you have posted here I begin to wonder if you in fact work for the UK Government Press Office.
On Oct 24, 2008, Dave wrote later:
>Sometimes humour is misplaced – too many ordinary people have too much at stake
>to see much humour in what is happening.
And which ordinary people are you referring to?
Ordinary British depositors guaranteed by the Icelandic government and the UK government (although not true yet of Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander Isle of Man Ltd and Landsbanki Guernsey).
Or ordinary Icelandic people who are covered by deposit insurance and additional guarantees for money their had in accounts at the banks (as the UK has given for their own citizens) but not those Icelanders who have their lifetime savings invested in bonds and shares of the banks. Those are *not* covered by deposit insurance. A huge number had bought bonds or shares in the banks that are not covered.
It appears Icelanders will lose all of that.
You don’t hear them complaining about it too much, but many people in Iceland are losing their life savings because of this, the unfair collapse of the banks, and most certainly still have their sense of humour intact.
On Oct 24, 2008, Lion in the North said:
>Daily Mail screaming headline……….
>Terrorists release hostage schoolchildren!!!
>A group of British schoolchildren were today released into the loving arms of
>their anxious parents after one night’s captivity in the sleepy northern town
>of Akureyri.One badly shaken victim said that he was treated with respect and
>given a warm blanket and hot soup by his captors.All the hostages were given a
>goodie bag with a Bjork CD,sheep’s head and rotten shark.
>Counsellors are awaiting their arrival.
Best post of the week! And so true re: the Mail.
Those interested I believe can watch an interview with the kids on Iceland’s RUV 1 News here tonight: http://dagskra.ruv.is/streaming/news/ at 19:00 GMT (8pm BST).
I’m glad that the kids got looked after. Akureyri looks nice this time of year.
@Dave
Imagine a world when a child makes jokes like these? I did get the humor of it and I am from Iceland, you apperanlty not, I thought the Brits where the masters of Ironic humor? Eddi Izzard, onty Python, Little Britain etc…
On all other comments, you most be joking? If not pls. get a live, there must be more pressing things to do than this?
I realy hope these kids have a great time in Iceland and go home with a possitive message to the UK nation.
Good luck and good bye
You are welcome Tony!you willl discover that suddenly a Big Mac isn’t the most expensive on the planet anymore :) Which is all good!!
Polar Mania,
I am disappointed by your response but hardly surprised as it proves my point.
The comment was made by a child and as such was a childish comment. My view also remains that regardless it was unnecessary to report it. As indicated by another poster people impacted by this hospitality are very appreciative.
Are you aware that Germany authorities have also frozen assets? – but nothing seems to be reported or wrong with that
I would reiterate my initial comment that despite other people’s childish (angry/frustated) comments re terrorism the freezing of assets is not seen as terrorism – perhaps it is very convenient for people to view it this way – as a terrorist act – you should read the freezing order (on the UK treasury site)- as far as I can see it does not mention terrorism. Just like Iceland’s initial freezing of assets for international depositors it is merely there to safeguard a country’s interests – can you not see that?
Also do you not agree that Iceland initially took freezing action – what were you expecting the UK to do?
I would be interested in a response to the 3 questions I put.
Hello Iceland! I’m English and I’m coming up there to see you soon. Don’t worry that Gordon Brown thinks you’re all terrorists. He thinks we are too. Hence his determination to detain us for 42 days without charge. Imagine daily life in a country with more surveillance than Israel! You will recover from this banking mess, I’m not too sure about this country though. Hopefully soon we will get rid of this unelected Scottish mafia running our once great nation and the newly independent England and Iceland can be great friends once more.
@Dave
Stick to what I said. Icelanders are being called terrorsts and it affects this small nations daily lives so when a kid comments in such way it is news worhty for us gives us even further clips into UK’s sould. I take at as the humor it was ment to be.
I can tell you that the only thing that the terrorist laws did was to prolong the time it takes to solve this crisis, it did not and will not help the UK in any way.
Belive me Icelanders are fully aware of the situation and this very stupid act of the UK government did little but do digg the nation a deeper hole by among other things killing the only bank that had a chance of surviving and damaging our nations good relations.
There are courts that deal with things like this and it could have handled in a mcuh more diplomatic way by Brown and Darling.
Polar Mania,
That might well be so but at a time where there is a lot of ill-feeling, warranted or other wise, on both sides the comment was in my opinion ill-advised and did not add anything to the story.
Sometimes humour is misplaced – too many ordinary people have too much at stake to see much humour in what is happening.
For the record most people in the UK do not have any issues with the Icelandic people and can differentiate the 2 issues but a lot is being made in Iceland of the terrorist & crime act used by the UK to freeze assets – what people in Iceland seem to be unaware of is that no-one (that counts and has more than half a brain) is suggesting the country is full of terrorists but it has been the mechanism to protect UK interests FOLLOWING (yes following) the freezing of ICESAVE accounts – to which the Icelandic authorities have offered no explanations – are we terrorists too?
My daughter is on this School trip…..looks like she’s having an unexpected adventure and certainly seeing the snow that she has been hoping for.
If you guys could only lay on some Northern lights and maybe a whale or two then the trip will be perfect.
BIG Thanks to all Icelanders who helped them out last night….
Daily Mail screaming headline……….
Terrorists release hostage schoolchildren!!!
A group of British schoolchildren were today released into the loving arms of their anxious parents after one night’s captivity in the sleepy northern town of Akureyri.One badly shaken victim said that he was treated with respect and given a warm blanket and hot soup by his captors.All the hostages were given a goodie bag with a Bjork CD,sheep’s head and rotten shark.
Counsellors are awaiting their arrival.
@ Dave
I would not loose any sleep over this, the British have through their prime minister stampt Icelanders as terrorists and even though I think that most Brits do not agree and do actually see the humor in it.
The kids seem to have been going through an adventure and looking at the bright side of things commented in such way.
The use of the terrorist quote is outrageous and inflamatory.
Whether it was said or not and by whom is irrelevant to this story – why do journalist insist on unneccesary commentry. I am sure the parents of the children are immensely grateful for the hospitality shown however to have a cheap dig at the British does not show you in a great light.
Whether the British action was correct/legal or not people should remember the first action was taken by the Icelandic authorities in freezing foreign assets. If you did not like the reliatory action more consideration should have been given to the likely outcome – and not a word of acknowledgement of this has been made – nor consideration for the distress to a hug number of ordinary people in UK, Holland and Germany – Iceland is not the only people that are hurting – perhaps I get more sense out of my 4 year old daughter than trying to talk to people in Iceland?
“this help from the locals is not what you might expect from terrorists“.
Dear oh dear. This is propaganda at it’s crudest.
Please don’t lower youreselves to this level.