tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54591232139551122242024-03-12T21:10:04.957-07:00Al WalserBlog posts on Al Walser - Music artist and Goodwill ambassador - To the USA from the principality of Liechtenstien directKurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-35705195213836749142008-04-12T07:48:00.000-07:002008-04-12T07:49:17.974-07:00Obama's Liecntenstien DoctrineFIRST LIECHTENSTEIN BI-RACIAL CITIZEN SENT TO AMERICA TO ASSESS RACIAL CLIMATE IN WAKE OF BARACK OBAMA SUCCESS<br /><br />Superstar Al Walser meets with presidential hopeful!<br /><br />-<br /><br />With the phenomenal success of presidential hopeful Barack Obama, the tiny alpine country of Liechtenstein has sent their first bi-racial ambassador of goodwill to America. Al Walser has met with Obama to discuss how the two men's bi-racial background has been received in several different American states and in other countries.<br /><br />Walser shared his own experiences as a bi-racial music and dance celebrity, and explained how ignorance can lead to false presumptions. Walser detailed how his own country of Liechtenstein is unfairly seen as a tax haven used for money laundering by Americans who do not want to pay taxes or who obtain money through illegal means. Walser would like the help of a President Obama in reinventing the small country's image as all of America 's good friend. Walser is encouraging Obama if elected to make his first official trip to his country of Liechtenstein .<br /><br />Lichtenstein has only 35,000 residents, but Walser says the candidate is considering an official visit if elected to show that like individual citizens, small countries matter and have a crucial role in creating the "change" that the Obama administration believes in.<br /><br />The meetings have captured the attention of another famous American! Talk show host Jay Leno has invited Al Walser to The Tonight Show to share insight and stories of his country and his hope of improving relations between the two countries and relationships between races.<br /><br />Walser came into the spotlight when pop star Michael Jackson was searching for a family home in Liechtenstein. Walser's work as an artist and Goodwill Ambassador has been generating a lot of buzz in the U.S. bringing him into constant contact with high profile celebrities, politicians and business people. Al Walser is quickly surpassing celebrities in Internet searches on popular sites such as youtube, itunes, and myspace.Kurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-22617956539281828012008-04-12T07:39:00.000-07:002008-04-12T07:47:30.551-07:00KLEOPATRA GIRL'S RINGSIDE REPORT: The Principality of Liechtenstein 'Good Will Ambassador' Al Walser hosts an intimate party @ Joseph’s in Hollywood.Ever heard of Liechtenstein? Well, I hadn’t till I met Al Walser, singer/actor/radio personality and “Goodwill Ambassador” of a country that’s famous for banking. <br /><br /> Since Al came to LA, he’s made quite an impact with his family crest, background and mystique. When you see him, you really don’t know what he is, Jewish, Persian, Arab, Italian, French? Anything goes.<br /><br /> But his background is basic, black and white and he’s very proud of his multi-ethnic heritage. His music is Pop/Urban/R&B and he sings like a brotha’ from the hood. Al Walser’s disposition however, is very international and that’s how he operates. He likes mixing it up. <br /><br /> His recent CD release party held at Joseph’s, a predominantly Persian/Armenian hangout, was the perfect venue to entertain an international diverse crowd.<br /><br />Isa Hall, Al Walser and Amir Shain represented a masala mix of young people<br /><br /> Joseph’s exterior is all white and looks like a mini Mediterranean villa. Inside the ambiance is very Mid-Eastern/Spanish with Moroccan lamps. The rooftop of the VIP section is draped with a canopy and ornate iron works serve as door treatments giving it an Andaluse feel.<br /><br /> On this night there was a diverse crowd. Johnny V from the Scott Baio show dropped in as well as Ernest Thomas (Everybody Hates Chris), R&B Soul singer UNE’ (a strong Obama supporter who recently penned a new song inspired by the hope of the country), comedian/actor Big Leroy Mobley who was showing off his new twist and locks hair style (I almost didn’t recognize him. Last year he was neon-bright pimped out zoot suited to the max with matching hat). Also on the arrivals list was the somewhat controversial<br /><br />Tommy Rae (Mrs. James Brown) invited UNE' to her upcoming performance at the Whiskey A Go Go. They chatted music-talk a good deal of the evening<br /><br /> Tommy Rae (Mrs. James Brown), who by the way is absolutely stunning in person. They were just some of the celebrity guests at Walser’s party. Co-CEO of ISA PR, Isa Hall showed up with his good friend Amir. Their names and looks blended in perfectly among the masala group of young people mostly in their early to mid twenties.<br /><br /> Up and coming media personality and honorary bro’ EZ (What U Need TV) was taking over the party with his video crew that included his dad as camera operator. Together they zoomed in on the entire goings on in each and every area of the club. EZ was high on party fun and grabbed my hand twirling me around. I can’t believe I let him do that.<br /><br />EURweb's Kleopatra Girl (Eugenia Wright) thought Big Leroy Mobley's twist and locks were Egyptian chic. She recommended he try a little Bianca's Botanicals Twist & Locks butter on his new do.<br /><br /> I took a moment to talk with Al a little about how the perception of others thinking he’s just a rich kid in Hollywood, affects him. He assured me that he is grounded in who he is and just proud of his lineage and wants to represent his country well. He also told me that he recently had a chance to meet Barack Obama and you could see the gleam in his eye as he was speaking about this chance encounter. I have to say that Al’s posture and demeanor is very down to earth and he doesn’t put on airs. I have seen him at events before and he’s just very low-keyed even though he could probably buy out the place. He’s an attractive guy with a non-threatening lean physique, which plays out big on camera. On this night he was wearing his own clothing line, pinkish lavender shirt and jeans. Al reminds me of a young Sinatra or la Lopez’ Mark Anthony.<br /><br /> After the usual meet and greets and scouting about for celebs to talk to, I found a nice cozy spot next to a water fountain that suited me just fine. Listening to the trickling droplets provided quick freshing breaks from the party's high volume reverb.<br /><br /> Al Walser’s intimate red carpet party was a fun and energetic affair with lots of gorgeous young people to look at in a beautiful setting. <br /><br />Photo Credits: Vinni Ratcliff<br /><br />Eugenia Wright is a former actress turned freelance writer/publicist. You may write to her at kleopatrgirl117@hotmail.com<br /><br />redcarpet videos: http://youtube.com/watch?v=89lEi3m3WUoKurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-71401409813187840562008-03-18T22:20:00.000-07:002008-03-18T22:28:29.214-07:00Liechtenstein wikiHISTORY<br /><br />At one time, the territory of Liechtenstein formed a part of the ancient <a title="Roman Empire" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire">Roman</a> province of <a title="Raetia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raetia">Raetia</a>. For centuries this territory, geographically removed from European strategic interests, had little impact on the tide of European history. Prior to the reign of its current <a title="Dynasty" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynasty">dynasty</a>, the region was <a title="Fiefdom" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiefdom">enfeoffed</a> to a line of the counts of <a title="Hohenems" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohenems">Hohenems</a>.<br />The <a title="Princely Family of Liechtenstein" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princely_Family_of_Liechtenstein">Liechtenstein dynasty</a>, from which the principality takes its name (rather than vice-versa), comes from <a class="new" title="McDonalds-Liechtenstein (page does not exist)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McDonalds-Liechtenstein&action=edit&redlink=1">Castle Liechtenstein</a> in faraway Lower Austria, which the family possessed from at least 1140 to the thirteenth century, and from 1807 onward. Through the centuries, the dynasty acquired vast swathes of land, predominantly in <a title="Moravia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moravia">Moravia</a>, <a title="Lower Austria" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_Austria">Lower Austria</a>, <a title="Silesia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silesia">Silesia</a>, and <a class="mw-redirect" title="Styria (duchy)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styria_%28duchy%29">Styria</a>, though in all cases, these territories were held in <a title="Fiefdom" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiefdom">fief</a> under other more senior feudal lords, particularly under various lines of the <a class="mw-redirect" title="Habsburg" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habsburg">Habsburg</a> family, to whom several Liechtenstein princes served as close advisors. Thus, and without any territory held directly under the Imperial throne, the Liechtenstein dynasty was unable to meet a primary requirement to qualify for a seat in the Imperial diet, the <a title="Reichstag (institution)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reichstag_%28institution%29">Reichstag</a>.<br />The family yearned for the added power a seat in the Imperial government would bring, and therefore sought to acquire lands that would be unmittelbar, or held without any feudal personage other than the <a title="Holy Roman Emperor" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Emperor">Holy Roman Emperor</a> himself having rights on the land. After some time, the family was able to arrange the purchase of the minuscule Herrschaft ("Lordship") of <a title="Schellenberg" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schellenberg">Schellenberg</a> and countship of <a title="Vaduz" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaduz">Vaduz</a> (in 1699 and 1712 respectively) from the Hohenems. Tiny Schellenberg and Vaduz possessed exactly the political status required; no feudal lord other than their <a title="Count" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count">comital</a> sovereign and the <a title="Suzerainty" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzerainty">suzerain</a> Emperor.<br />Thereby, on <a title="January 23" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_23">January 23</a>, <a title="1719" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1719">1719</a>, after purchase had been duly made, <a title="Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_VI%2C_Holy_Roman_Emperor">Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor</a>, decreed Vaduz and Schellenberg were united, and raised to the dignity of Fürstentum (<a title="Principality" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality">principality</a>) with the name "Liechtenstein" in honor of "[his] true servant, <a title="Anton Florian of Liechtenstein" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Florian_of_Liechtenstein">Anton Florian of Liechtenstein</a>". It is on this date that Liechtenstein became a sovereign member state of the <a title="Holy Roman Empire" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Empire">Holy Roman Empire</a>. As a testament to the pure political expediency of the purchases, the Princes of Liechtenstein did not set foot in their new principality for over 120 years.<br /><a class="image" title="Schloss Vaduz, overlooking the capital, is still home to the prince of Liechtenstein" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Schlossvaduz.jpg"></a><br /><a class="internal" title="Enlarge" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Schlossvaduz.jpg"></a><a title="Schloss Vaduz" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_Vaduz">Schloss Vaduz</a>, overlooking the capital, is still home to the <a title="Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans-Adam_II%2C_Prince_of_Liechtenstein">prince of Liechtenstein</a><br />In 1806, most of the <a title="Holy Roman Empire" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Empire">Holy Roman Empire</a> was invaded by <a title="Napoleon I of France" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_I_of_France">Napoleon I</a> of the <a title="First French Empire" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_French_Empire">First French Empire</a>. This event had broad consequences for Liechtenstein: imperial, legal and political mechanisms broke down, while <a title="Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_II%2C_Holy_Roman_Emperor">Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor</a>, abdicated the imperial throne and the Empire itself dissolved. As a result, Liechtenstein ceased to have any obligations to any feudal lord beyond its borders. Modern publications generally (although incorrectly) attribute Liechtenstein's sovereignty to these events. In reality, its prince merely became <a title="Suzerainty" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzerainty">suzerain</a>, as well as remaining sovereign lord. From <a title="July 25" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_25">25 July</a> <a title="1806" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1806">1806</a> when the <a title="Confederation of the Rhine" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_of_the_Rhine">Confederation of the Rhine</a> was founded, the prince of Liechtenstein was a member, in fact a vassal of its hegemon, styled protector, French Emperor Napoleon I, until the dissolution of the Confederation on <a title="October 19" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_19">19 October</a> <a title="1813" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1813">1813</a>.<br />Soon afterward, Liechtenstein joined the <a title="German Confederation" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Confederation">German Confederation</a> (<a title="June 20" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_20">20 June</a> <a title="1815" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1815">1815</a> – <a title="August 24" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_24">24 August</a> <a title="1866" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1866">1866</a>, which was presided over by the <a title="Emperor of Austria" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_of_Austria">Emperor of Austria</a>).<br />Then, in 1818, <a title="Johann I Josef, Prince of Liechtenstein" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_I_Josef%2C_Prince_of_Liechtenstein">Johann I</a> granted a constitution, although it was limited in its nature. 1818 also saw the first visit of a member of the house of Liechtenstein, Prince Alois; however, the first visit by a sovereign prince would not occur until 1842.<br />Liechtenstein also had many advances in the nineteenth century, as in 1836, the first factory was opened, making ceramics. In 1861, the Savings and Loans Bank was founded, as was the first cotton-weaving mill. Two bridges over the Rhine were built in 1868, and in 1872 a railway line across Liechtenstein was constructed.<br />When the <a title="Austro-Prussian War" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austro-Prussian_War">Austro-Prussian War</a> broke out in 1866 new pressure was placed on Liechtenstein as, when peace was declared, <a title="Prussia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prussia">Prussia</a> accused Liechtenstein of being the cause of the war through a miscount of the votes for war with Prussia. This led to Liechtenstein refusing to sign a peace treaty with Prussia and remained at war although no actual conflict ever occurred. This was one of the arguments that were suggested to justify a possible invasion of Liechtenstein in the late 1930s.<br />Until the end of <a title="World War I" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I">World War I</a>, Liechtenstein first was closely tied to the <a title="Austrian Empire" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austrian_Empire">Austrian Empire</a> and later to <a title="Austria-Hungary" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria-Hungary">Austria-Hungary</a>; however, the economic devastation caused by WWI forced the country to conclude a customs and monetary union with its other neighbor <a title="Switzerland" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland">Switzerland</a>. Liechtenstein's Army was disbanded in 1868 for financial reasons. At the time of the dissolution of the <a class="mw-redirect" title="Austro-Hungarian Empire" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austro-Hungarian_Empire">Austro-Hungarian Empire</a>, it was argued that Liechtenstein as a fief of the <a title="Holy Roman Empire" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Empire">Holy Roman Empire</a> was no longer bound to the emerging independent state <a title="Austria" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria">Austria</a>, since the latter did not consider itself as the legal successor to the Empire. This is partly contradicted by the coeval Liechtenstein perception that the dethroned Austro-Hungarian Emperor still maintained an abstract heritage of the Holy Roman Empire, which was dissolved in 1806.<br /><a class="image" title="The Prince of Liechtenstein owns vineyards in Vaduz (in the foreground)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:31.05.06_006.jpg"></a><br /><a class="internal" title="Enlarge" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:31.05.06_006.jpg"></a>The Prince of Liechtenstein owns vineyards in Vaduz (in the foreground)<br />In the spring of 1938, just after the annexation of Austria into Greater Germany, eighty-four year-old <a class="mw-redirect" title="Franz I of Liechtenstein" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_I_of_Liechtenstein">Prince Franz I</a> abdicated, naming his thirty-one year-old third cousin, <a title="Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Joseph_II%2C_Prince_of_Liechtenstein">Prince Franz Joseph</a>, as his successor. While Prince Franz I claimed that old age was his reason for abdicating, it is believed that he had no desire to be on the throne if Germany gobbled up its new neighbor, Liechtenstein. His wife, whom he married in 1929, was a wealthy Jewish woman from Vienna, and local Liechtenstein Nazis had already singled her out as their anti-Semitic "problem". Although Liechtenstein had no official Nazi party, a Nazi sympathy movement had been simmering for years within its National Union party. <a class="external autonumber" title="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,759431,00.html" href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,759431,00.html" rel="nofollow">[1]</a><br />During <a title="World War II" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II">World War II</a>, Liechtenstein remained neutral, while family treasures within the war zone were brought to Liechtenstein (and <a title="London" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London">London</a>) for safekeeping. At the close of the conflict, <a title="Czechoslovakia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czechoslovakia">Czechoslovakia</a> and <a title="Poland" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland">Poland</a>, acting to seize what they considered to be German possessions, expropriated the entirety of the Liechtenstein dynasty's hereditary lands and possessions in <a title="Bohemia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemia">Bohemia</a>, <a title="Moravia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moravia">Moravia</a>, and <a title="Silesia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silesia">Silesia</a> — the princes of Liechtenstein lived in <a title="Vienna" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna">Vienna</a> until the <a title="Anschluss" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anschluss">Anschluss</a> of 1938. The expropriations (subject to modern legal dispute at the <a title="World Court" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Court">World Court</a>) included over 1,600 square kilometres (600 <a title="Square mile" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_mile">mi.²</a>) of agricultural and forest land, also including several family castles and palaces. Citizens of Liechtenstein were also forbidden from entering Czechoslovakia during the <a title="Cold War" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War">Cold War</a>. Liechtenstein gave asylum to approximately five hundred soldiers of the <a class="mw-redirect" title="First Russian National Army" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Russian_National_Army">First Russian National Army</a> (a collaborationist Russian force within the German <a title="Wehrmacht" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wehrmacht">Wehrmacht</a>) at the close of World War II; this is commemorated by a <a title="Russian Monument Liechtenstein" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Monument_Liechtenstein">monument</a> at the border town of <a title="Hinterschellenberg" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinterschellenberg">Hinterschellenberg</a> which is marked on the country's <a class="mw-redirect" title="Tourist" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourist">tourist</a> map. The act of granting asylum was no small matter as the country was poor and had difficulty feeding and caring for such a large group of refugees. Eventually, Argentina agreed to permanently resettle the asylum seekers. In contrast, <a title="Operation Keelhaul" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Keelhaul">the British repatriated the Russians who fought on the side of Germany to the USSR</a>, and they all perished in the <a title="Gulag" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulag">GULAG</a>.<br />In dire financial straits following the war, the Liechtenstein dynasty often resorted to selling family artistic treasures, including for instance the priceless portrait "<a title="Ginevra de' Benci" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginevra_de%27_Benci">Ginevra de' Benci</a>" by Leonardo da Vinci, which was purchased by the <a title="National Gallery of Art" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery_of_Art">National Gallery of Art</a> of the <a title="United States" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States">United States</a> in 1967. Liechtenstein prospered, however, during the decades following, as its economy modernized with the advantage of low corporate tax rates which drew many companies to the country.<br />The <a class="mw-redirect" title="Prince of Liechtenstein" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Liechtenstein">Prince of Liechtenstein</a> is the world's sixth wealthiest leader with an estimated wealth of <a title="United States dollar" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_dollar">$</a>4 billion. The country's population enjoys one of the world's highest standards of living.<br /><br />GEOGRAPHY<br /><br />Liechtenstein is situated in the Upper <a title="Rhine" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhine">Rhine</a> valley of the European <a title="Alps" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alps">Alps</a>. The entire western border of Liechtenstein is formed by the river. Measured north to south, the country is only about fifteen miles (24 km) long. In its eastern portion, Liechtenstein rises to higher altitudes; its highest point, the <a title="Grauspitz" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauspitz">Grauspitz</a>, reaches 2,599 metres (8,527 <a class="mw-redirect" title="30.48 cm" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30.48_cm">ft</a>). Despite its alpine location, prevailing southerly winds make the climate of Liechtenstein comparatively mild. In winter, the mountain slopes are well suited to winter sports.<br />New <a title="Surveying" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveying">surveys</a> of the country's borders in 2006 have set its area at 160.475 square kilometres, with borders of 77.9 km.<a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liechtenstein#_note-0">[2]</a> Thus, Liechtenstein discovered in 2006 that its borders are 1.9 km (1.2 miles) longer than previously thought as more modern measuring methods have been introduced and they measure more accurately the borders in mountainous regions.<a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liechtenstein#_note-1">[3]</a><br />Liechtenstein is one of only two <a title="Landlocked country" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landlocked_country#Doubly_landlocked">doubly landlocked</a> countries in the world—being a landlocked country wholly surrounded by other landlocked countries—the other is <a title="Uzbekistan" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzbekistan">Uzbekistan</a>. It is the only country with a predominantly German-speaking population that does not share a border with the <a class="mw-redirect" title="Federal Republic of Germany" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Republic_of_Germany">Federal Republic of Germany</a>.<br />Liechtenstein is the sixth-smallest independent nation in the world, by land area. The five independent countries smaller than Liechtenstein are <a title="Vatican City" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_City">Vatican City</a>, <a title="Monaco" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monaco">Monaco</a>, <a title="Nauru" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauru">Nauru</a>, <a title="Tuvalu" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuvalu">Tuvalu</a>, and <a title="San Marino" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marino">San Marino</a>. See <a title="List of countries and outlying territories by total area" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_outlying_territories_by_total_area">List of countries and outlying territories by total area</a>.<br /><br />ECONOMICS<br /><br />Despite its small geographic area and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein currently is one of the few countries in the world with more registered companies than citizens; it has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy, and boasts a financial service sector as well as a living standard which compares favourably to those of the urban areas of Liechtenstein's large European neighbours. Relatively low business taxes—the maximum tax rate is 18%—as well as easy <a class="new" title="Rules of Incorporation (page does not exist)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rules_of_Incorporation&action=edit&redlink=1">Rules of Incorporation</a> have induced about 73,700 holding (or so-called 'letter box') companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein. Such processes provide about 30% of Liechtenstein's state revenue. Liechtenstein also generates revenue from the establishment of stiftungs or foundations, which are financial entities created to increase the privacy of nonresident foreigners' financial holdings. The foundation is registered in the name of a Liechtensteiner, often a lawyer.<br />Recently, Liechtenstein has shown strong determination to prosecute any international money-laundering and worked to promote the country's image as a legitimate financing center.[<a title="Wikipedia:Citation needed" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed">citation needed</a>] In February 2008 the country's <a title="LGT Bank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGT_Bank">LGT Bank</a> was implicated in a tax-fraud scandal in Germany, which strained the ruling family's relationship with the German government. Crown Prince Alois has accused the German government of trafficking in stolen goods for its $7.3 million purchase of private banking information illegally offered by a former employee of LGT Group. <a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liechtenstein#_note-2">[4]</a><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liechtenstein#_note-3">[5]</a><br />Liechtenstein participates in a <a title="Customs union" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customs_union">customs union</a> with <a title="Switzerland" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland">Switzerland</a> and employs the <a title="Swiss franc" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_franc">Swiss franc</a> as national currency. The country imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the <a title="European Economic Area" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Area">European Economic Area</a> (an organization serving as a bridge between the <a title="European Free Trade Association" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Free_Trade_Association">European Free Trade Association</a> (EFTA) and the <a title="European Union" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union">European Union</a>) since May 1995 . The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. Since 2002, Liechtenstein's rate of unemployment has doubled, although it stood at only 2.2% in the third quarter of 2004. Currently, there is only one hospital in Liechtenstein, the Liechtensteinisches Landesspital in <a title="Vaduz" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaduz">Vaduz</a>. The GDP (PPP) is $1.786 billion<a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liechtenstein#_note-CIA">[6]</a> and $25,000 per person.<br />Liechtenstein's most recognizable international company and largest employer is <a title="Hilti" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilti">Hilti</a>, a manufacturer of concrete fastening systems. Liechtenstein also is the home of the <a class="mw-redirect" title="Curta" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curta">Curta</a> calculator and the principality produces a large portion of the world's false teeth. (Ivoclar Vivadent, <a title="Schaan" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schaan">Schaan</a>)<br /><br />CULTURE<br />As a result of its small size Liechtenstein has been strongly affected by external cultural influences, most notably those originating in the southern German-speaking areas of Europe, including <a title="Austria" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria">Austria</a>, <a title="Bavaria" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bavaria">Bavaria</a>, <a title="Switzerland" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switzerland">Switzerland</a>, and <a title="Tyrol" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrol">Tyrol</a>. The Historical Society of the Principality of Liechtenstein plays a role in preserving the culture and history of the country.<br />The largest museum is the <a title="Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunstmuseum_Liechtenstein">Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein</a>, an international museum of modern and contemporary art with an important international art collection. The building by the Swiss architects Morger, Degelo and Kerez is a landmark in Vaduz. It was completed in November 2000 and forms a “black box” of tinted concrete and black basalt stone. The museum collection is also the national art collection of Liechtenstein.<br />The other important museum is the Liechtenstein National Museum (Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum) showing permanent exhibition on the cultural and natural history of Liechtenstein as well as special exhibitions. There are also a Stamp and a Ski Museum.<br />The most famous historical sites are Vaduz Castle, Gutenberg Castle, the Red House and the ruins of Schellenberg.<br />Music and theatre are an important part of the culture. There are numerous music organisations such as the Liechtenstein Musical Company, the annual Guitar Days and the International Josef Gabriel Rheinberger Society; and two main theatres.<br />The Private Art Collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein, one of the world's leading private art collections, is shown at the <a title="Liechtenstein Museum" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liechtenstein_Museum">Liechtenstein Museum</a> in Vienna.Kurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-55643672153865953862008-03-18T21:18:00.000-07:002008-03-18T22:18:44.653-07:00Pics from Al Walser showcase // march 13 2008<a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465783"><img id="userImage" src="http://a64.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/88/l_b8d327eeb9622c2b0c7b13b1214d3cd7.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /><strong><span style="color:#003399;"> </span></strong></a><br /><div class="photo" id="ImageDiv" style="MIN-HEIGHT: 100px; WIDTH: 600px; HEIGHT: 575px; minwidth: 100px"><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465704"><img id="userImage" src="http://a534.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/81/l_8feba6bcea37fc514e1e4fd452ed0fe5.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /><strong><span style="color:#003399;"> </span></strong></a></div><br /><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465713"><img id="userImage" src="http://a316.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/8/l_db80a663a7d57f5785f912c01159fb8b.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /><strong><span style="color:#003399;"> </span></strong></a><br /><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465757"><img id="userImage" src="http://a279.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/102/l_7b272abe269fe35ce94506b6da10e0c6.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /><strong><span style="color:#003399;"> </span></strong></a><br /><div class="photo" id="ImageDiv" style="MIN-HEIGHT: 100px; WIDTH: 600px; HEIGHT: 400px; minwidth: 100px"><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465566"><img id="userImage" src="http://a453.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/111/l_b2728b9a53258a65b39cf8ecaa9d9ccc.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /><strong><span style="color:#003399;"> </span></strong></a></div><br /><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465775"><img id="userImage" src="http://a304.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/124/l_ff1131aa520f8db4d29f856292cd790f.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /></a><br /><br /><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465660"><img id="userImage" src="http://a175.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/35/l_82865620da1e48542084070a49f0d926.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /><strong><span style="color:#003399;"> </span></strong></a><br /><br /><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465769"><img id="userImage" src="http://a632.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/107/l_0fa034e8098c0bff27e53e9ab32dce7f.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /><strong><span style="color:#003399;"> </span></strong></a><br /><br /><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465736"><img id="userImage" src="http://a292.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/121/l_6220b31fe9a586c1ec8a6a521e05489b.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /></a><br /><br /><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465634"><img id="userImage" src="http://a758.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/109/l_ffd87f61a8114cc2c6b0bc1f0c722f1d.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /></a><br /><br /><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465641"><img id="userImage" src="http://a161.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/16/l_78a46aa397be454d285aaadb5ff19f28.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /></a><br /><br /><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465738"><img id="userImage" src="http://a986.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/48/l_bc78cc1810d3f7c14d471c8b6f70b291.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /></a><br /><br /><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465708"><img id="userImage" src="http://a7.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/72/l_212b347216881cd9c25067f455764cde.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /></a><br /><br /><a id="ctl00_cpMain_ViewImageControl_ucImageView_PhotoNoter1_hypImageNext" href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=132412847&albumID=1595611&imageID=18465743"><img id="userImage" src="http://a420.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/73/l_84c3c7d85862e3d3f5d552d1780ad053.jpg" onload="FixImage();" /></a><br /><br />check out more in the pics section at<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/alwalseronline">http://www.myspace.com/alwalseronline</a>Kurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-70128022016424376232008-03-09T00:07:00.000-08:002008-03-09T00:20:12.637-08:00"Naked" RingtoneKurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-66117084847201967642008-03-08T23:41:00.000-08:002008-03-08T23:43:29.434-08:00Download Al Walser "Naked"<embed style="BACKGROUND: url(http://void.snocap.com/b/T3-31324-KPJFP324YY-6/)" src="http://void.snocap.com/s/T3-31324-KPJFP324YY-6/" width="425" height="300" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed>Kurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-288285676946914242008-03-08T23:38:00.000-08:002008-03-08T23:39:45.233-08:00Al Walser on In With KendraA very rare up and close personal look at Liechtensteins Al Walser.<br /><br />Al talks with his friend Kendra about his native country Liechtenstein, his upbringing, mentors, music and much more.<br /><br />Check him out and as always share it with the world!<br /><br />the interview link below:<br /><br /><a href="http://inwithkendra.com/interview_details.php?video_id=30" target="_blank" mce_serialized="13297joq5">http://inwithkendra.com/interview_details.php?video_id=30</a>Kurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-88302147178943771752008-03-08T23:17:00.000-08:002008-03-08T23:32:36.120-08:00Al Walser on What U Need TV<a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xzazzae9jlc">http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xzazzae9jlc</a>Kurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-78218191151597010032008-03-08T23:11:00.000-08:002008-03-08T23:13:55.986-08:00Al Walser exclusive showcase March 13<a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczExLnBob3RvYnVja2V0LmNvbS9hbGJ1bXMvYTE1NC9Ob3RSYXRlZFNvbmEvP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9Sm9zZXBoc0V2ZW50LmpwZw==" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a154/NotRatedSona/JosephsEvent.jpg" border="0" /></a>Kurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-86809821900477447202008-02-26T06:20:00.000-08:002008-02-26T06:24:48.631-08:00Mariah Got Eyes For Al Walser From The Principality Of Liechtenstein<div class="blogEntry"><br /><h1 class="BodyText"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="BodyAlt">Feb 7, 2008 2:13 PM PST</span><br />Tag: </span><a href="http://www.hollywood.tv/blog/tag/Mariah_got_eyes_for_Al_Walser_from_the_Principality_of_Liechtenstein"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mariah got eyes for Al Walser from the Principality of Liechtenstein</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></h1><p align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 350px; HEIGHT: 292px" src="http://cdn-media.channelme.tv/media/images/000000/51/91/NTE%7EODkx_large.jpg" /></p><br />photo by <a href="http://www.wenn.com/">WENN</a><br /><br />As reported by gawker defamer, splash and numerous Mariah Carey fanpages, singer and Goodwill Ambassador Al Walser from the Principality of Liechtenstein seems to be Mariahs new golden boy.<br /><br />Liechtenstein for those who don`t know, is reported to be the richest country per capita in the world.<em>Hollywood.tv</em> has done some digging and found out that Walser indeed has some heat under his belt. Sheriff Lee Bacca (remember him from the paris hilton saga) just awarded him for bringing his prosperous country closer to the US .<br /><br />Wikipedia also reports Al Walser to be the first biracial ever from Liechtenstein (population of 35`000. What <em>Hollywood.tv </em>can confirm is that Mariahs main DJ, Steve Sussman (Suss1), has spent 2 of his teenager years at Walsers family estate in Liechtenstein , where he reportedly visited a school in Switzerland , that borders the Principality.No comment either from Mariah or Walser have been made so far.<br /></div>Kurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-91027470997989333162008-02-17T21:08:00.001-08:002008-12-09T20:54:52.493-08:00Bai Ling resurrects in the arms of singer Al Walser from the Principality of<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3pAyuwvLyrmmGK0GmJxRSE0C7brLClhrKBuF64vPege5dzDIQMCfdGPSSmRdAtuR2tKseNOztD-XhG0jtZOvXVhUP1BLbtPSXHF3oOCiKfqjLwkLn6d_BMWkSc6Ukyv7N5WJf30xP03u/s1600-h/bailing+and+alfeb2008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168183146337995890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3pAyuwvLyrmmGK0GmJxRSE0C7brLClhrKBuF64vPege5dzDIQMCfdGPSSmRdAtuR2tKseNOztD-XhG0jtZOvXVhUP1BLbtPSXHF3oOCiKfqjLwkLn6d_BMWkSc6Ukyv7N5WJf30xP03u/s320/bailing+and+alfeb2008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p><a title="Bai Ling + Al walser Feb 08" href="http://alwalser.wordpress.com/2008/02/18/bai-ling-resurrects-in-the-arms-of-singer-al-walser-from-the-principality-of/bai-ling-al-walser-feb-08/" rel="attachment wp-att-6"></a></p><br /><p></p><br /><div><br />Chinas hottest export Bai Ling and singer Al Walser from thePrincipality of Liechtenstein were seen entering the Beverly Hills Hotel hotspot club 1912 satruday at around 11pm.This comes after Bai Lings most recent2hour arrest at Los Angeles airport LAX.Yet again hotel guests were able toexperience Bai Lings infamous chicken dance at first hand.We were told thatWalser did not feel very comfortable when the actress started going into herroutine in front of his european diplomatic friends. The two were seen leavingthe club together shortly after midnight.</div>Kurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-91332242289485333272008-02-17T21:06:00.000-08:002008-02-17T21:07:31.818-08:00Pink the Gentlewoman!Pink and al walser from the principality of liechtenstein were seen together leaving the macy gray showcase yesterday @ hotel cafe on cahuenga in hollywood.<br />While waiting for al`s black hummer to show up, pink was nice and posed for paparazzis all the way until al`s car finally showed up!<br />who said that pink has no manners!<br />That`s what we call a real gentlewoman!Kurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459123213955112224.post-24742742131535510182008-02-17T20:49:00.000-08:002008-02-17T21:06:49.527-08:00Al Walser BioAL WALSER -SINGER/SONGWRITER. Real name Alexander Walser-Rothschild ( first biracial Liechtenstein citizen ) Al grew up in the Principality of Liechtenstein (64 square miles), an independant alpine paradise bordering Switzerland and Austria, where he is one of the 22`000 true citizens.(current population as of 2007 is 34`800 people) Liechtenstein is often referred to as being the Jewel at the pulse of Europe.Al speaks fluent English, German, French and of course the German based Schwitzerduetch/Liechtenstein dialects. In his teen days he became the first radio personalty ( radio liechtenstein ) in his home country. The former Fun Factory member (Al recorded the bands hit albums`The Next Generation` and ” ABC of music “) left the band after numerous number 1 hits in Asia and Europe to now more focus on his solo endouvers. Check out Al’s promo single “African Queen” . Also available on Itunes or www.musicfreedom.com/alwalser Pictures from the video “African Queen”Kurbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01982242607432708337noreply@blogger.com0