Volltext: Liechtenstein and the German tax affair:

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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