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Viewing cable 09LUXEMBOURG62, LUXEMBOURG SEEKS DIALOGUE ON DESIGNATION AS A TAX

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09LUXEMBOURG62 2009-03-04 07:32 2011-08-30 01:44 SECRET//NOFORN Embassy Luxembourg
VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLE #0062/01 0630732
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 040732Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6547
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN 0711
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 8984
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0198
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0067
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
S E C R E T LUXEMBOURG 000062 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
TREASURY FOR JOHN L. HARRINGTON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2019 
TAGS: KFPC ECON EFIN EINV ETRD BEXP PGOV PREL LU
SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG SEEKS DIALOGUE ON DESIGNATION AS A TAX 
HAVEN, ASKS FOR CONSULTATIONS 
 
Classified By: A/DCM Thomas Boughter for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (U)  This cable contains action request for Department. 
Please see paragraph 10. 
 
2.  (S/NF)  SUMMARY:  Luxembourg Minister of Justice Luc 
Frieden (protect) privately discussed with Ambassador the 
issue of USG's perception of Luxembourg as a possible tax 
haven.  Frieden's discussions with the Ambassador indicate 
his and the GoL's awareness that a dialogue must be initiated 
on the issue.  Recent press coverage of U.S. tax fraud 
actions against Swiss bank UBS, combined with recent 
complaints about bank secrecy from powerful European Union 
neighbors have galvanized policymakers here.  The 
introduction of a new "Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act" in both 
houses of Congress has magnified Luxembourg's anxiety. 
 
3.  (S/NF)  SUMMARY CONT'D:  The international pressure on 
the GoL, from both the U.S. and European neighbors may be 
spurring the GoL to act, and with our properly-conveyed 
guidance, we may have an opportunity to ensure they move in 
the right direction.  Frieden has requested Post assistance 
in identifying the proper interlocutors within the USG and 
facilitating consultations during his April visit to 
Washington.  The political season is afoot in Luxembourg 
(national elections are scheduled for June) and political 
wrangling is in full swing.  Frieden, however, is not 
necessarily politicking on this issue; his primary motive is 
to avoid any misinterpretation of the GoL's position. 
Frieden wants to be clear that, on this issue, his is the 
voice of the GoL, and that the Foreign Minister has been 
effectively sidelined from the banking secrecy and greater 
financial regulatory system discussion.  END SUMMARY 
 
----------------------- 
THE MINISTER'S APPROACH 
----------------------- 
 
4.  (S)  Justice and Budget Minister Luc Frieden and 
Ambassador privately discussed Luxembourg's frequent mention 
as a tax haven.  Even before the new Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act 
was introduced in both houses of Congress on 2 March, Frieden 
was considerably worried about Luxembourg's inclusion on any 
number of lists.  In conversations with Ambassador, he has 
mentioned both the list contained in the 2007 version of the 
legislation - sponsored by then-Senator Obama - and the 
forthcoming blacklist President Sarkozy intimated the G-20 
would release in London in April.  Frieden expressly asked 
for USG guidance on opening up a dialogue on the issue.  Post 
sees this approach as an opportunity.  If Luxembourg is 
genuinely interested in exploring change,  this opening is an 
opportunity to influence GoL policy. 
 
--------------------- 
FRIEDEN VS. ASSELBORN 
--------------------- 
 
5.  (C)  Although Minister Frieden, in consultation with 
Prime (and Finance) Minister Juncker, clearly has the lead on 
this issue, Foreign Minister Asselborn ) as is his wont ) 
independently commented, as well.  In an interview with Swiss 
press, Asselborn said, &Luxembourg's banking secrecy 
possibly needed to be redefined.8  This comment prompted an 
opposition MP to pose a Parliamentary Question to the Foreign 
Minister seeking clarification.  Asselborn has one month to 
respond. 
 
6.  (S/NF)  In a private conversation with Ambassador, 
Frieden said very clearly that he, and not Asselborn, has the 
lead on this issue.  Post has learned to accept that 
Asselborn's musings often do not reflect the position of the 
GoL, but Frieden stated very explicitly that he, and not 
Asselborn, is presently the GoL's go-to guy on this issue. 
(NOTE:  Frieden is one of the GoL's most outspoken friends of 
the United States.  For this reason, his leadership on this 
issue could be critical to a successful dialogue.  END NOTE) 
On 3 March, Frieden told the Ambassador that he will be 
meeting with the Austrians and the Swiss to discuss bank 
secrecy issues on 8 March and that Asselborn was not invited 
to this meeting.  Minister Frieden will accompany Prime 
Minister Juncker to Washington for IMF meetings in April 
2009.  Frieden specifically asked Ambassador with whom in 
Treasury could he consult on the issue and could Post help 
 
arrange such a meeting.  Frieden also suggested that the GoL 
may team with Austria and Switzerland in an effort to present 
a unified front to the USG. 
 
---------------------------- 
LISTS, LISTS, AND MORE LISTS 
---------------------------- 
 
7.  (S)  Frieden expressed to the Ambassador a great deal of 
anxiety over French President Sarkozy's 1 March comments that 
Switzerland may find itself on a planned G-20 list of tax 
havens.  Post believes Frieden's palpable apprehension 
reflects that of the Prime Minister, and his edginess was 
further evidenced when he directly asked the Ambassador, "Are 
the Americans making a G-20 list?"  Post notes that both 
houses of Congress introduced new legislation on 2 March, 
mirroring 2007's "Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act" (S. 681). 
Luxembourg, of course, figures prominently on the list 
contained in this legislation, as does Switzerland and 
Liechtenstein, with Austria notably absent.  Post feels we 
should answer Frieden's query to avoid the appearance of 
disingenuousness if a G-20 blacklist mirrors or even closely 
resembles the list contained in the new legislation. 
 
----------------- 
ROOM FOR MOVEMENT 
----------------- 
 
8.  (C)  A number of factors leads Post to believe there may 
be an opening to move the GoL to act on the issue and even 
reform their banking regulations.  French President Sarkozy's 
repeated criticism of Luxembourg's status as a tax haven and 
calls for tighter regulatory procedures have Prime Minister 
Juncker on the defensive.  Upcoming elections (June) and 
strong domestic lobbying to maintain the status quo certainly 
will play a factor.  Recent headway on breaking down some 
bank secrecy barriers in Belgium, Switzerland, and 
Liechtenstein certainly has been noticed here, adding to GoL 
and financial sector anxiety.  Finally, the Foreign 
Minister's comment and subsequent Parliamentary Question may 
indicate some political will to move on the subject. 
 
-------------------------- 
COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST 
-------------------------- 
 
9.  (S)  COMMENT:  The Frieden-Asselborn political dynamic is 
more than just a subtle undertone of this issue.  Frieden is 
a member of Juncker's CSV party and is currently the heir 
apparent to the prime ministership.  Asselborn, however, is a 
Socialist and is currently the Deputy Prime Minister.  The 
two have jockeyed for years over the coveted "second most 
popular politician in Luxembourg" title.  Post notes, 
however, that Frieden is not posturing.  It is not necessary. 
 The CSV - with Juncker at the helm and Frieden at his side - 
is comfortably entrenched at the head of the ruling coalition 
and at the pinnacle of Luxembourg politics.  Frieden's direct 
overtures to the Ambassador confirm his ownership of the 
issue and his blessing directly from the Prime Minister to 
speak on behalf of the GoL.  Thus, as Asselborn and the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been effectively sidelined 
for the moment, so too has the Luxembourg Embassy in 
Washington, possibly explaining their temporary silence on 
the issue.  END COMMENT 
 
10.  (S)  ACTION REQUEST: Post's action request to the 
Department is threefold. First, in the wake of Justice 
Minister Frieden's ongoing discussions with the Ambassador, 
Post sees an opportunity to &help Luxembourg help itself.8 
Post seeks Department input on what guidance we can relay to 
the GoL to steer its efforts to modify its existing banking 
and information exchange regulations.  Second, Post awaits 
department advice on helping to facilitate consultations for 
Minister Frieden in Washington in April (including, but not 
limited to, Treasury).  Finally, Post solicits Department 
input on how to respond to Frieden's inquiry about the 
blacklist that will possibly emerge from the G-20 summit in 
London in early April, and the USG's role in crafting it. 
WAGNER