August 25th, 2009
As the G20 meeting in September nears, the Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development has sent a letter to the G20 asking them to address the issue of transparency in the global financial system in Pittsburgh. From the
letter:
The Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development urges the G20 to focus on substantially improving transparency in the global financial system. Thus far in communiqués, discussions, and commentaries, greater emphasis has been given to strengthening regulation within the existing structure. While regulatory improvements are clearly needed, we believe that such steps...
August 24th, 2009
Transparency International has released the following
release highlighting their concern about the arrest of anti-corruption leader Wada Maman in Niger:
Transparency International (TI) is seriously concerned about the arrest in Niger, of Wada Maman, Board Member and Secretary General of TI chapter, the Association Nigérienne de Lutte contre la Corruption (ANLC).
The arrest, on Saturday 22 August, took place as Maman made his way across the Nigerien capital, Niamey. He was travelling from his home to the home of another ANLC member and transferring from a minibus-taxi to another taxi when members...
August 24th, 2009
According to
UBS's chairman, Kaspar Villiger, the bank's tax-evading American "clients are not just harmless victims. They knew what they wanted to evade."
It's nice to see that the UBS chief is on the same page as the rest of the world on this point. However, according to
Reuters, he also does not believe that "systematic tax evasion had been a problem in countries other than the United States." I find it very difficult to believe that he believes this.
August 24th, 2009
Tax Analysts published a very long (albeit spot-on) article today which analyzes Mexico's request to the United States to be treated the same as Canada when it comes to exchange of tax information. Basically, the article demonstrates how the United States is an offshore tax haven that is being exploited by (among others) Mexican drug-lords. Of course, the United States just fought Switzerland for having some of the same tax/reporting exemptions that Mexico is challenging. Is the US practicing what it preaches? The short answer is no; it is not. Here's a...
Continue Reading
