GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA

World News

October 28, 2009

Swiss anger at Italian bank probes

BERN, Switzerland (AP) — Swiss officials say Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey has summoned Italy's ambassador to explain why Italian authorities carried out dozens of inspections of Swiss banks.

Italy's financial police inspected 76 Italian branches of Swiss banks and related offices Tuesday as part of a crackdown on cross-border tax evasion.

Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin says Calmy-Rey's summons came after the Swiss cabinet met Wednesday to discuss the issue.

Swiss government spokesman Andre Simonazzi says the Italian authorities acted in a "discriminatory" fashion.

Switzerland recently relaxed its banking secrecy laws after heavy pressure from the United States and other countries.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
World News

Your news, your way
AP World News Videos
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China Today in History for Tuesday, February 12th Snow Strands Italian Towns The Pits: Israelis Spit Olives for Glory Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Raw Video: Rough Seas Stop Oil Removal Skaters Still Hold Hope for Dutch Marathon Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Prince Harry Is Now an Apache Helicopter Pilot Tokyo Zoo Worried About Rhino on Loose Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Bosnian Man Living in a Cave