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"My Savings Account Was Confiscated And All I Got Was This Cyprus Passport"

Tyler Durden's picture




 

While the supposedly-coercive decision to hand over most of the nation's gold to the European Union was surprising to some, the latest policy decision from Cyprus' President Anastasiades looks set to dilute the nation's sovereignty also. Foreign depositors who lost at least EUR3 million will be given EU passports (and Cypriot citizenship), "in an effort to 'mitigate' to some extent the damage the Russian business community has suffered." As France24 reports, these measures are expected to be enacted Monday "in a fast-track manner," as Anastasiades readies himself for a 'begging' trip to meet Putin in Russia. Coincidentally, Cyprus issued the 8th decree on capital controls today (for seven more days) increasing the monthly transfer cap (for companies) to EUR50,000 and raising transfer caps outside the Republic to a huge EUR2,000. We suspect the 'been there, got the passport' messaging will do little to stave off the Russian retaliation.

 

Just a week or two back, Putin enacted his 'amnesty' that wealthy tax-evading Russians bring their money back from overseas within three months (or else) and we wonder if this move by Cyprus, however well intentioned from the outside, has a 'catch' in that if citizenship is applied for, are the applicants legally obligated to disclose all tax accounts. Yet another attempt at trapping wealth?

 

Via France24,

President Nicos Anastasiades said Sunday that foreigners with bank deposits in Cyprus who lost at least 3 million euros ($3.9 million) under an EU bailout for the island would be given passports.

 

"Non-resident investors who held deposits prior" to the bailout and lost "at least 3 million euros will be eligible to apply for Cypriot citizenship," he told a Russian business conference in the coastal resort of Limassol.

 

"We believe that a number of measures to be adopted could on the one hand mitigate to some extent the damage the Russian business community has endured," Anastasiades said.

 

He said the measures, primarily affecting Russians, would be approved at a two-day cabinet meeting starting on Monday.

 

"These decisions will be deployed in a fast-track manner and other measures, currently under consideration," said the president, whose country sealed an EU bailout last month to rescue it from bankruptcy.

 

Most of the money being raised by Cyprus to qualify for the bailout is to come from a hit of as much as 60 percent on more on deposits above 100,000 euros at the Mediterranean country's two largest banks.

 

Russians have billions of euros in deposits parked in Cyprus, with estimates ranging from 5-31 billion euros. Moscow was angered when it emerged they would lose part of their money under "haircuts" demanded in return for an EU bailout.

 

The government is also "examining various scenarios which could permit the compensation of part of the losses which shareholders of banks, holders of debt securities and depositors have suffered," Anastasiades said.

 

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Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:20 | 3447352 bugs_
bugs_'s picture

And the right to vote!

Domini Domini Domini - yer all Cypriots now.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:28 | 3447378 Popo
Popo's picture

Yes, after losing 3 million Euro, you get the right to apply for tax-serfdom.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:48 | 3447428 knukles
knukles's picture

Hell, I'd pay 3 Euros for one.
Hey guys, lemme know when nobody else wants 'em and they're starting to collect dust.
Add it to my fine collection of worthless memorabilia

Who in their right mind would want ....
Well, OK, some tits from Kruzitstang or the Central African Republic.
Do they take CFA francs?

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:24 | 3447499 toys for tits
toys for tits's picture

They'll need those passports to escape being run out of Russia on a rail.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:45 | 3447540 Manthong
Manthong's picture

Domini Domini Domini - yer all Cypriots now..

I still have the vinyl (Firesign, THC)       :D

 

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 18:46 | 3447698 taraxias
taraxias's picture

Come on Tylers, sharpen up. The Cypriot passport is a deep burgundy color, not the EU blue you guys put up.

Mon, 04/15/2013 - 07:40 | 3449166 BorisTheBlade
BorisTheBlade's picture

For EUR 3 million per passport they might as well be made of gold, blue or burgundy won't make that difference.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:21 | 3447356 insanelysane
insanelysane's picture

Because spiderman towels and toasters cost money but a passport is just printed paper.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:50 | 3447431 knukles
knukles's picture

Printed on paper by a gubamint so Krugman'd say it's more valuable than gold.

I shit you not!

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:40 | 3447541 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

.

Printed on paper by a gubamint so Krugman'd say it's more valuable than gold.

I shit you not!

That mallet head thinks his shit is more valuable than gold.

I Krugman you not!

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:22 | 3447358 Matt
Matt's picture

That is one heck of a consolation prize. They better toss in some other great benefits too, just to sweeten the pot. Maybe immunity from taxation, both income and sales?

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:43 | 3447412 giggler123
giggler123's picture

You mean like a Spiderman T-shirt?

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:23 | 3447359 valley chick
valley chick's picture

damn..thought they would have gotten a spiderman towel at least.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:25 | 3447506 Quinvarius
Quinvarius's picture

No.  Only 40% of a Legarde towell.  Pray you get the top part.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:26 | 3447364 auric1234
auric1234's picture

This will just make it easier for Russian mobsters to travel to Brussels and Frankfurt, to pay a gratitude visit to the bankster overlords, won't it?

 

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 23:45 | 3448554 jeff montanye
jeff montanye's picture

now that's a thought.  whose head in lagarde's bed?

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:29 | 3447377 bank guy in Brussels
bank guy in Brussels's picture

To me it's pretty cool

The Russians are Europeans ... they deserve a fast-track here, much more than many people.

And in fact for a long time EU citizenship has been fundamentally 'for sale' in many countries, all over Eastern Europe, where hanging out a bit, hooking up with local government-connected lawyers, and 10 or 20 thousand euros will get you on the way to EU citizenship ... even people from China are doing this

It seems not to be mentioned on ZeroHedge's many '2nd passport' articles, but Americans with some money have a legal right to live in Europe and get EU citizenship, via the Netherlands and an ancient 'Dutch-American Friendship Treaty' from the 1790s.

The American needs to support himself, technically 'start a business' (any bullshite will do), deposit about €6000 into a Dutch bank account, and support himself for 4 years (self-employment only, no work permit allowing being an 'employee' of someone else) ... So in practice about 50K for a single person, and after 4 years an American can be an EU citizen.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:51 | 3447430 Long-John-Silver
Long-John-Silver's picture

as if being an Amerikan is not enough.......

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:51 | 3447436 knukles
knukles's picture

Get ripped off twice.
Whatta bonus!

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:34 | 3447524 Non Passaran
Non Passaran's picture

You gotta be kidding me.
Who the fuck wants to become a Euroslave except people from totally fucked up countries?
The US o A doesn't qualify: as long as the people can be armed, there is hope.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 18:29 | 3447648 malikai
malikai's picture

Every country/bloc is fucked up. Don't think for a second that the US is not.

The question is which mix of fucked up you prefer.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:31 | 3447385 Wolferl
Wolferl's picture

There´s no such thing as an "EU  passport"

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:38 | 3447399 AlaricBalth
AlaricBalth's picture

"Myth I: It is a common misperception to believe that there is an "EU Passport" which cover all EU member countries. An "EU Passport" is only a term used to describe a passport from any EU country and does not exists in reality. Any citizen from any EU member country have same rights to travel visa free within EU / Schengen and to work in any EU country of their choice."

http://www.euimmigration.org/eu_passport.html

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:37 | 3447400 Colonel Klink
Colonel Klink's picture

Just what everyone desires, another document of control from another kleptostate.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:38 | 3447404 Manolito
Manolito's picture

Don´t bit the bite !

If you, russians, become europeans then they will robb you more !

Huge taxation on any income and sales...elsewhere in the world !

:O))

 

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:29 | 3447520 Non Passaran
Non Passaran's picture

Come to pick your fucking passport and on your way out EuroTroopers will frisk you, anal-yze you and subject you to capital controls.
"The passport is free but you must pay E3 million to be allowed to leave!"

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:39 | 3447405 Chief_Illiniwek
Chief_Illiniwek's picture

This news is quite inflationary for those trafficing in counterfeit passports.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:39 | 3447407 Rustysilver
Rustysilver's picture

So, how long is it going to take before Anastasiades sells the list to Putin. Yeah, bring some money back so we can do it again.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:39 | 3447408 giggler123
giggler123's picture

Sounds like a fair exchange; I mean some over printed paper in the bank with someone elses head on it for some other paper with your head on it?  Ofcourse I guarantee 100% that they won't get their photo back for smiling at the camera.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:43 | 3447416 This One Goes t...
This One Goes to Eleven's picture

and Russian stocks get crushed again tomorrow at the open

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:46 | 3447423 Manolito
Manolito's picture

Russians !

Cyprus give you an european passport för ONLY 3,5 million euro :O))

In Spain you get a "better" deal:

Spain is saying to give you an european passport IF you buy an apartment for at least 150.000 euro !

A lot cheaper passport in Spain !

 

Ha ha ha

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:51 | 3447434 Son of Loki
Son of Loki's picture

But, I don't want a European passport.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:51 | 3447435 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

High opening bid.  Wait for the price to drop with increased competition/desperation.  Sad to say.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:53 | 3447443 knukles
knukles's picture

What about Letters of Transit signed by Louis, the Prefect of Casablanca?

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:44 | 3447548 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

.

What about Letters of Transit signed by Louis, the Prefect of Casablanca?

They're good for getting two people to Lisbon.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:36 | 3447531 Non Passaran
Non Passaran's picture

Bulgaria and Romania ought to be cheaper.

Unless you are totally useless in 5 years you'll probably break even (on the wrong side), though.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:37 | 3447533 The Navigator
The Navigator's picture

I'll take the Dominica passport for $100k AND their tax rates

http://www.isla-offshore.com/second-passport/dominica-citizenship-new-fees/

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:55 | 3447444 williambanzai7
williambanzai7's picture

This is the most mind boggling fucked thing I have ever seen. We steal your money and you get to be a citizen. This really is a freak show!

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:02 | 3447457 Colonel Klink
Colonel Klink's picture

Cue the Cypriotic freak show slideshow.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 18:30 | 3447658 malikai
malikai's picture

What's wrong with a little kiss after a good inverted rape-axe fucking?

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 16:56 | 3447446 optionsman
optionsman's picture

democracy in action ))))

parts of this clip are so appropriate....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUSiCEx3e-0

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:05 | 3447456 Kirk2NCC1701
Kirk2NCC1701's picture

I know of some guy who was foolish enough to put ALL his legally earned and after-tax money into a Cyprus bank.  Only to have millions of it confiscated/stolen.  That'll teach him to not diversify!

If it were me, I'd have it spread that kind of money over several continents, countries and banks.  And keep some of it in Cash + PM in SD boxes in these places, but at different banks than the bank accounts.  And add some cash to cyber currencies too.  Just so I could sleep better at night and silently say to TPTB: "Fuck You!  Fuck all of you, you parasitic, thieving slime-bags!"

But I'm probably to realistic, rational and  pragmatic.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 23:38 | 3448540 StychoKiller
StychoKiller's picture

Why not just ask the replicator(s) to produce a handful of $1Trillion Pt coins? :>D

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:06 | 3447461 Schmuck Raker
Schmuck Raker's picture

Heck, what a deal!

Why, that's only 100,000 BTC!...no, wait, that's 1,000,000 BTC!...er, no it's 10,000,000 BTC. ~~

Crikey, now it's 100,000,000 BTC.....ah, screw it - BTC might be too 'volitile' to get a handle on. Never mind.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:14 | 3447475 NuYawkFrankie
NuYawkFrankie's picture

Yeah - you get the Cyprus Passport...

AND you get to be sniggered at each time you walk thru passport control.

Sounds like  "a deal".

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:19 | 3447485 rsnoble
rsnoble's picture

Oh boy.  You're now free to roam about 1 huge shithole.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:22 | 3447495 TheLooza
TheLooza's picture

....second prize, a set of steak knives.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:23 | 3447498 Quinvarius
Quinvarius's picture

Those banks can never fully open without capital controls.  The only question is how long before the rest of the EU gets shut down due to the new template of allowing banks that are insolvent (all of them) to take your money.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 18:58 | 3447721 Tunga
Tunga's picture

@ Quinvarius; The FDIC is down with that template thing too;

 

http://www.fdic.gov/about/srac/2012/gsifi.pdf

 

FRom page 3 of the link above;
 

"12 Under the strategies currently being developed by the U.S. and the U.K., the resolution authority could intervene at the top of the group. Culpable senior management of the parent and operating businesses would be removed, and losses would be apportioned to shareholders and unsecured creditors. In all likelihood, shareholders would lose all value..." 
 
You will take the Tunga Template and you will like it.  

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 19:03 | 3447730 Tunga
Tunga's picture

... let's see here, we just need to convert your savings to bank shares annnd it's gone.

Read the fine print bitchez.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 19:09 | 3447743 Tunga
Tunga's picture

"Culpable senior management of the parent and operating businesses would be removed, ..."

 For proper removal procedures please see :Bin Ladin - burial of.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:29 | 3447516 headless blogger
headless blogger's picture

Hmmmm. Will Doug Casey add Cyprus to his list of nations for easy access to passports and citizenship?

At some point not so far down the road, an American might be pleased to have one from Cyprus.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:28 | 3447519 KingTut
KingTut's picture

The EU/EMU CANNOT afford to have Cyprus leave the EMU, period.  Since Cyprus is so small, they will threaten military action to keep them in (see American Civil War).

However, the Russians could prevent that.  Put up a reverse naval blockade, for example.  Any attempt to put EU military forces on the ground in Cyprus would result in a stand off.  At that point, Cyprus is out of the EU by default.   If the Cypriots vote themselves out of the EU (which Brussels will ignore), then Russia would have a legal justification for "enforcing" a democratic decision, and would not be seen as invading part of the EU.

This may have been Putin's gambit the whole time. 

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:37 | 3447532 Miss Expectations
Miss Expectations's picture

Do you need a passport to park your fleet in Cyprus?

 

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 17:39 | 3447539 KingTut
KingTut's picture

In that case a Russian poassport will be fine.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 18:01 | 3447583 Yen Cross
Yen Cross's picture

    The Troika/E.C.B./E.U. wanted a template, and now they've got one. The financial fence around Cyprus is starting to show it's weak links.

     Do I get a free toaster with 30% of my confiscated euros in 3 -5 years?

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 18:50 | 3447702 logicalman
logicalman's picture

Can't beat having 2 passports!

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 20:02 | 3447848 Peter Pan
Peter Pan's picture

Or two bank accounts, or two bars of gold or silver, or two guns, or just one politician that can warn you in advance of what is to come.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 19:01 | 3447734 Aurora Ex Machina
Aurora Ex Machina's picture

Pre-Bailouts, it was only E150,000 for a Spanish one. [Snark, previously]

 

 

 

Do we get to call that inflationary?

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 20:00 | 3447845 Peter Pan
Peter Pan's picture

It won't be long before Cypriot passport sales can be tracked on Ebay

 

 

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 20:04 | 3447852 Peter Pan
Peter Pan's picture

I can imagine a Russian showing his Cypriot passport at a Russian airport. They may as well have IDIOT written on their forehead.

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 20:45 | 3447887 itstippy
itstippy's picture

My Chevy Volt spontaneously combusted.  GM sent me a discount voucher towards a new Chevy Volt.

My Carnival Cruise ship broke down mid-cruise and I spent four days floating helplessly on the high seas with no food, water, or functioning toilets.  Carnival Corporation sent me a lifetime membership to their "Frequent Cruiser" club.

The Bank Of Cyprus absconded with my life's savings.  The Cypriot Government offered me a chance to become a citizen of Cyprus.

Fuck it - I'm taking what few assets I have left and going all-in on Herbalife. 

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 20:46 | 3447927 are we there yet
are we there yet's picture

Why 3 million and not say 1 million? Why not sell citizenship for wealth creators?

Sun, 04/14/2013 - 22:22 | 3448251 Tunga
Tunga's picture

I would have liked to have seen Montana. - The Hunt for Red October

Mon, 04/15/2013 - 02:57 | 3448807 Joe A
Joe A's picture

Toss in a Spiderman towel, that will make them happy.

It is all win win for Poetin. Russian depositors who moved their money out of Cyprus might come back to mother Russia. Depositors who were not able to move their deposits saw them wiped out. But they get an EU passport so they would be able to move freely throughout the EU and become sleeper agents.

Mon, 04/15/2013 - 06:52 | 3449017 falak pema
falak pema's picture

I don't get this dead horse flogging!

If the EZ had done nothing and said to Cyprus : sovereign state you are on your own...no help from us, sink or swim!

What would ZH have said then?

"Well done EZ you talk like Ron PAul...."

So whats the big deal on Cyprus PER SE? Those banks were dead! Their depositors should have got NOTHING if Ron Paulism had won pure style. 

If you don't want the EU passport then be a sovereign state and stop bitching; your bank money was all gone anyways! 

BANKRUPT BANKS AND BANKRUPT STATE. 

Why didn't they leave EZ?

It was their call! Nobody forced them to.

Mon, 04/15/2013 - 08:34 | 3449360 Mototard at Large
Mototard at Large's picture

Savers vs Takers: The New Fault Lines and Social Unrest

An upcoming struggle is emerging in civil society.  It will be between those who have money but lack the political and financial power to defend it, and those who have the political clout to take it.

In other words, the savers vs the takers.  There are multiple ways in which the “takers” will get their money.  Some are direct, such as the Cyprus and Australian models.  Other are more indirect such as the Spanish model.  Then there are the models being used in the US, UK and Canada in which depositors money and the deposit guarantees are circumvented for bank bail outs and bail ins.  See more at: http://tinyurl.com/dxsqjbe

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!