Com uma ajuda do seu presidente, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, e ao contrário do que muitos julgam, contra a vontade do seu próprio governo, os islandeses voltaram a dizer não às condições de pagamento exigidas pelos governos da Inglaterra e da Holanda.
A questão do referendo era a seguinte:
"Law number 13/2011 allows for the Minister of Finance to to confirm the contract which was inscribed in London on the 8th December 2010, on responsibility for the Depositor and Investors’ Protection Fund to re-pay the British and Dutch states for the cost of the minimum insurance amount to depositors in branches of Landsbanki Islands hf. in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands and the payment of the balance and interest on those obligations.
The law was passed by Althingi on the 16th February 2011 but the President of Iceland declined to pass it.
Should law number 13/2011 remain in force?
Possible answers are:
Yes, it should remain in force.
No, it should be repealed."
Os governos da Inglaterra e da Holanda dizem que vão agora lançar o caso aos tribunais. Resta saber que tribunais serão. E resta saber se terão razão. Porque o que está em causa, afinal de contas, é o seguinte: um inglês compra um activo financeiro de um banco islandês. O banco islandês vai à falência. O inglês fica a arder, e protesta. O governo inglês devolve ao inglês o dinheiro do activo. O governo inglês exige do governo islandês esse dinheiro. E o governo islandês, e a meu ver muito bem, pergunta: mas porque raio é que eu tenho de pagar o que quer que seja? Então o banco não era privado? Então não é normal as empresas falirem? Então as pessoas quando compram activos financeiros não sabem que existe um risco associado? Então os processos de falência não existem em todos os sectores de actividade para tratar destas questões? Porque é que os governos têm de intervir?...
As pessoas gostam muito do sistema capitalista, mas apenas enquanto ele lhes dá coisas boas. Enquanto na mó de cima, defendem-no com unhas e dentes. Mas quando a coisa vira, logo aquele corpo teórico todo de sustentação parece perder algum sentido...
Haverá neste capitalismo alguma solidariedade, alguma preocupação com os outros, senhores? Haverá nisto alguma coisa mais do que a brutal expressão do egoísmo mais primário dos primatas?...
Deixo-vos o discurso do presidente, no dia 10 de Abril [os negritos são meus, e eu nem sequer concordo com os princípios "which are the foundation of the constitutional structure of the West"]:
The Icelandic nation has now delivered its verdict and shouldered unequivocally the responsibility it is granted by the Constitution. The turnout was high by Western standards, and this, together with the extensive and thorough debate in the run-up to the referendum, shows clearly how important the issue was to the nation.
The people have now spoken clearly on this matter on two occasions in accordance with the democratic tradition which is Europe's most important contribution to world history. The leaders of other states and international institutions will have to respect this expression of the national will.
Solutions to disputes arising from financial crises and failures of banks must take account of the democratic principles which are the foundation of the constitutional structure of the West.
Iceland has demonstrated its willingness to negotiate agreements; we have shown fairness, but at the same time stuck firmly to our democratic and legal rights.
Although a majority of the electorate has in this referendum said 'no' with respect to the conclusions of the negotiations which took place last year, it is necessary to emphasise that the nature of the Icesave issue is such that the British and Dutch authorities and agencies will still, notwithstanding this result, receive immense sums from the estate of Landsbanki. In all likelihood, the amounts paid to them will come to the equivalent of USD 7-9 billion, the first payment taking place within a few months.
It is therefore not correct to maintain that the United Kingdom and the Netherlands will not receive any payments. The Icesave dispute has centred on interest payments and the interpretation of the European Union's regulations. The Icelandic people have noted with satisfaction that our position has, during 2010 and 2011, met with broad international understanding and support. Decisive and negative judgment has been passed on the demands to which the Governments of Britain and the Netherlands stuck throughout 2009; they lacked both fairness and logical strength.
Influential international media, for example the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal, have voiced their support for Iceland's position, and for this we are grateful.
The banking collapse resulted not only in severe economic and financial shocks; it also paralysed the nation's will and sapped the courage of our people. The two referendums on the Icesave issue have enabled the nation to regain its democratic self-confidence and to express sovereign authority in its own affairs and thus determine the outcome in difficult issues. This is a valuable experience to build on in the future.
Iceland's strength lies not only in the democratic expression of the national will but also in the vigour of the people and the natural resources of the country itself. Notwithstanding the difficulties which followed the banking collapse, good results have been achieved in many sectors over the past few years: in fishing, tourism, power-intensive industry, information technology, food production, design and many high-tech and IT sectors.
Our natural resources are becoming more and more valuable in the global context. Iceland's position in the High North is now the foundation of growing co-operation with many countries. Our expertise, culture and skills are finding expression in a multitude of new ventures.
Bessastaðir, 10th April 2011
Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson
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