Readers may be aware that Iceland has been very hard hit by the recent credit squeeze. The Government there has taken over the three largest banks: and whilst it’s guaranteed the deposits of Icelandic citizens, it’s said that it can’t afford to guarantee the deposits of foreigners, attracted by the very high interest rates offered by the banks. In response, British authorities have frozen about four billion pounds of Icelandic assets in the U.K. as security against the three billion pounds or so believed to have been deposited in Icelandic banks by its citizens, companies and government authorities. Needless to say, this hasn’t gone down well in Iceland.
It appears that a disgruntled British account-holder thought up an ingenious way to express his dissatisfaction. He put the entire nation of Iceland up for sale on eBay!
Click the picture for a full page view of the listing. Sadly, eBay’s already withdrawn it – but not before the price reached ten million pounds!
The seller cautioned that pop singer Bjork was not included in the sale, doubtless to the disappointment of her fans.
Peter
How clever!
I was wondering why WE didn’t buy Iceland instead of someone else. There’s a lot going on in that place…
Haven’t the British invaded Iceland in the past and engaged in hostile activities (the “Cod War”) with them? Why buy what you can just take? I’m pretty sure Iceland’s defenses consist of four F-15s they begged us to keep there.
Group Buy!
Hey, I’ll kick in $50.
“The seller cautioned that pop singer Bjork was not included in the sale, doubtless to the disappointment of her fan.”
There, fixed that for you.