6.7.2.2 Focused influence processes
In the definition of Eichhorn's model, the joint press conference held by Hereditary Prince
Alois von und zu Liechtenstein and Deputy Prime Minister Klaus Tschütscher on 19 February
2008 was a focused influence process, which — probably because it was the first public
statement by the Liechtenstein leadership and because it was unexpectedly blunt — was
reported widely and prominently in the German media. According to long-serving local
journalists, there had never been as much media presence at a press conference or similar
event in Liechtenstein. The purpose of the press conference was to present Liechtenstein's
official position to an audience that was as broad as possible, especially in Germany, and to
make Liechtenstein's interests clear to German political actors, as well as to give a forceful
signal domestically — to the Liechtenstein people, who were outraged because of the German
conduct and many of whom saw themselves as victims or as David versus Goliath — that the
State leadership would defend the sovereignty of the small State and would not meet what had
occurred with inaction.
This intent was successfully implemented — from the perspective of the actors in
Liechtenstein — even though from another perspective the mood was further heated up (see
Chapter 6.6.2 "The choice of words in the dispute"). For instance, dpa-AFX cited the
Government of Liechtenstein on the same day as saying "German authorities apply draconian
methods inimical to the rule of law." On 19.2.2008, dpa-AFX quotes Justice Minister
Tschütscher as follows: "We are currently undertaking legal inquiries with respect to the bank
data illegally obtained in Liechtenstein." And with regard to the statements by German tax
investigators that "nobody can clean house so thoroughly that we can't find anything", which
Bild had prominently published on the morning of the press conference (Bild, 19.2.2008, 2),
Tschütscher said: "This jargon reminds me of my childhood when the tank-busters said
something similar. But we're here in Liechtenstein, not in Duckburg." (Die Welt, 20.2.2008,
19). The next quote published in FTD on 25 February (p. 25) is also a clear statement directed
at Germany, but also at Liechtenstein's own financial center: "The Germans are telling us to
take our product off the market. But we will resist."
One cannot try to influence an issue structure in a more focused way than Hereditary Prince
Alois did with his statements at the press conference: "Germany cannot solve the problem
with its taxpayers by launching an attack on Liechtenstein. [... |Germany should instead invest
its tax revenue in improving its tax system rather than spending millions on data whose legal
usability is in doubt. [...] We will review legal steps to protect our citizens and also investors
who trust us from such investigative methods, which are not covered by law in Liechtenstein."
(Handelsblatt, 20.2.2008, 4). With these statements, Hereditary Prince Alois expressed the
emotions of much of the Liechtenstein population and garnered praise within the country:
"The strong speech of the Hereditary Prince was well-received by the people in
Liechtenstein." (Mario Frick, former Prime Minister, FTD, 22.2.2008, 12). With the statement
that "It 1s certainly a crisis when one 1s attacked by a major State" (SZ, 20.2.2008, 1), the
events were placed in a greater contemporary historical context from the perspective of
Liechtenstein and drew attention to the vulnerability of the small State.
A clear, focused influence process also took place within Germany between the tax
investigators and German taxpayers: "Everyone should still have enough time to turn
themselves in." (Bild, 19.2.2008, 2). The following statements by tax investigators appear
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