From Iceland on Iceland: Alda Sigmundsdóttir
BACKGROUNDER: At the weekend, voters in Iceland overwhelmingly rejected a referendum proposal to pay Britain and the Netherlands in the wake of collapse of the Icesave Bank. The British and Dutch governments want reimbursement for the $5.2 billion they paid out in compensation to customers in 2008.
"Is the UK a bully?" That's what Gavin Hewitt, the BBC's Europe editor asked on his blog. And it's a valid question, but Rainy Day posed it a bit more adroitly when speaking to Alda Sigmundsdóttir. She's the proprietor of the excellent Iceland Weather Report blog and she kindly agreed to a quick Q&A on Icesave. Oh, and if you read to end you'll find out what goes nicely with whale meat. Over to Reykjavík.
Rainy Day: What's the "morning-after-feeling" like? Apprehension? Elation? Gloom? Party time?
Alda Sigmundsdóttir: "No change, really. The referendum was kind of pointless because the deal that was being voted on was already obsolete. If anything, it's a slight sense of apprehension as to what might happen with the government as a result."
Rainy Day: Do Icelanders revel in their new role as the poster children of the anti-City movement, or are people embarrassed that it has come to this?
Alda Sigmundsdóttir: "I never know how to answer questions relating to 'the Icelanders' because there is such a division of opinion and experiences in this country. But SOME people are definitely reveling in it — and I don't know many people who are embarrassed that it's come to this."
Rainy Day: After the crisis broke, the comforting embrace of the EU seemed attractive to many in Iceland, but seeing how member states such as Greece and Ireland are barely keeping their heads above water, is there a re-thinking of the EU euphoria?
Alda Sigmundsdóttir: "Most definitely, but it has not much to do with Greece and Ireland, and almost everything to do with the fact that the EU has been seen as a debt collector for the UK and Holland in the Icesave deal. That's definitely turned people off, bigtime."
Rainy Day: Given that Norway seems to be sailing blithely through the global crisis, would it not be better for Reykjavik to seek an alliance with Oslo than with Brussels at this dangerous moment. Or are there issues between the two capitals that we are unaware of?
Alda Sigmundsdóttir: "I don't believe Oslo is interested. They have said as much."
Rainy Day: Who do the Icelanders blame most for the Icesave mess: themselves, the British or the Dutch?"
Alda Sigmundsdóttir: "Icelanders blame Icelandic, British and Dutch regulators, more or less equally."
Rainy Day: What's next for Iceland? Do people think the country can get through this or are they looking for an exit?
Alda Sigmundsdóttir: "Iceland and Icelanders can get through anything. They've survived volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, famine, extreme poverty, oppression — and now an economic meltdown. Pfft."
Rainy Day: Finally, how should one cook whale meat? Fry it, boil it, grill it? And which veg go best with it: broccoli, cauliflower,
carrots, potatoes...
Alda Sigmundsdóttir: "Grill it, or fry over high heat, like steak. Serve rare, with baked potatoes, a mushroom-pepper sauce and salad. Delish!"
Yummy! Thanks, Alda. By the way, there's more Alda over at the Guardian.
