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style='width:675.0pt;mso-cellspacing:.7pt;mso-yfti-tbllook:1184'> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes'> <td style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <p class=MsoNormal><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1041" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/smallearth.jpg" style='position:absolute; margin-left:0;margin-top:0;width:487.5pt;height:111pt;z-index:1; visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:0; mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:0; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:left; mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:line' o:allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/smallearth.jpg"/> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=650 height=148 src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/smallearth.jpg" align=left alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/smallearth.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]><a name=top></a><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:1;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes'> <td style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span class=SpellE><strong><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Workign</span></i></strong></span><strong><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'> together for lower taxes, less waste, accountable government and taxpayers rights all over the world</span></i></strong><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'> <hr size=2 width="100%" noshade style='color:#999999' align=center> </span></div> </td> </tr> </table> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=0 align=left width=900 style='width:675.0pt;mso-cellspacing:.7pt;mso-yfti-tbllook:1184; mso-table-lspace:2.25pt;mso-table-rspace:2.25pt;mso-table-anchor-vertical: paragraph;mso-table-anchor-horizontal:column;mso-table-left:left'> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes'> <td width=132 valign=top style='width:99.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <p><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/index.htm"><strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Home</span></strong></a><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><br> <br> <strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>About</span></strong><br> &nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1051" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/purpose.htm">Purpose</a><br> &nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1050" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/statutes.htm">Statutes</a><br> &nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1049" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/events.htm">News&amp; Events</a><br> &nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1048" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/resolutions.html">Resolutions</a></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Structure</span></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'><br> &nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1047" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/board.htm">Board<br> </a>&nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1046" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/advisory.htm"><span class=SpellE>AdvisoryBoard</span><br> </a>&nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1045" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/members.htm">Members<br> </a>&nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1044" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/associat.htm">Associates<br> </a><br> <strong><span style='font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Resources</span></strong><br> &nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1043" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/howto.htm"><span class=SpellE>Starta</span> Group</a><br> &nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1042" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/talkingpoints.htm"><span class=SpellE>TalkingPoints</span><br> </a>&nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1041" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/success.htm"><span class=SpellE>SuccessStories</span><br> </a>&nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1040" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/stat.htm"><span class=SpellE>TaxBurdens</span><br> </a>&nbsp; &nbsp;</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=4 height=4 id="_x0000_i1039" src="events_files/fyrkant.gif"></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'> <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/dictiona.htm">Dictionary</a> </span><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width=6 valign=top style='width:4.5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes'><img border=0 width=6 height=450 id="_x0000_i1038" src="events_files/line.jpg"></span><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width=650 valign=top style='width:487.5pt;background:white;padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="Body_Text" --> <h3 align=center style='text-align:center'><u><span style='mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'>Activists Share Strategies, Enlist New Allies for Asia-Pacific Taxpayer Movement!</span></u><span style='mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Despite being separated by thousands of miles and many different languages, leaders of citizen groups throughout the Asia and Pacific region recently came together in Bangkok, Thailand for one purpose: to help each other more effectively advance the cause of taxpayers rights in their respective nations. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok-ExecutiveSession.JPG"></a></span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1040" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok-ExecutiveSession.JPG" href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok-ExecutiveSession.JPG" style='position:absolute;margin-left:68pt;margin-top:0;width:108pt; height:1in;z-index:7;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square; mso-wrap-distance-left:3.75pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0; mso-wrap-distance-right:3.75pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0; mso-position-horizontal:right;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text; mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:line' o:allowoverlap="f" o:button="t"> <v:imagedata src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok-ExecutiveSession.JPG"/> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok-ExecutiveSession.JPG"><img border=0 width=144 height=96 src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok-ExecutiveSession.JPG" align=right hspace=5 alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok-ExecutiveSession.JPG" title="" v:shapes="_x0000_s1040"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-no-proof:yes'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok-ExecutiveSession.JPG"></a></span><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>All the working sessions of the APTU meeting, such as the one here led by Chairman Bjorn <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> (center), were lively and productive.</span></b></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>On April 29, Bjorn <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span>, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Taxpayers Union (APTU), opened the latest members conference with the goal of providing advice, information, and solutions to the practical issues that taxpayer groups both new and mature encounter during their everyday operations. APTU is the latest successful organizing venture for Mr. <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span>, who helped to found the World Taxpayers Associations (WTA) in 1988 and currently serves as WTA s Secretary General. Toward this end he enlisted the help of many APTU member associations, who had numerous success stories to share. APTU s members are likewise frequent participants in WTA. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--HongKongPresentation.JPG"></a></span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1039" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--HongKongPresentation.JPG" href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--HongKongPresentation.JPG" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:0;width:108pt;height:1in; z-index:8;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square; mso-wrap-distance-left:3.75pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0; mso-wrap-distance-right:3.75pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0; mso-position-horizontal:left;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text; mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:line' o:allowoverlap="f" o:button="t"> <v:imagedata src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--HongKongPresentation.JPG"/> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--HongKongPresentation.JPG"><img border=0 width=144 height=96 src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--HongKongPresentation.JPG" align=left hspace=5 alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--HongKongPresentation.JPG" title="" v:shapes="_x0000_s1039"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-no-proof:yes'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--HongKongPresentation.JPG"></a></span><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Mr. Raymond Ho Man Kit of Momentum 107 describes how he organized taxpayer protests in Hong Kong.</span></b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For example, Mr. Kim <span class=SpellE>Sunteak</span> with the Korean Taxpayers Association demonstrated how his group was able to enlist 1.15 million fellow citizens to participate in Internet-based campaigns against higher taxes on transportation. Also, Mr. <span class=SpellE>Fengjiang</span> Liu of the Beijing International Taxation Research Society showed how his organization enlisted 168,000 paying members, as well as 30 free and independent local taxpayer groups throughout the vast expanse of China.</span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--GroupPhoto.JPG"></a></span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1038" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--GroupPhoto.JPG" href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--GroupPhoto.JPG" style='position:absolute;margin-left:68pt;margin-top:0;width:108pt; height:1in;z-index:9;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square; mso-wrap-distance-left:3.75pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0; mso-wrap-distance-right:3.75pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0; mso-position-horizontal:right;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text; mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:line' o:allowoverlap="f" o:button="t"> <v:imagedata src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--GroupPhoto.JPG"/> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--GroupPhoto.JPG"><img border=0 width=144 height=96 src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--GroupPhoto.JPG" align=right hspace=5 alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--GroupPhoto.JPG" title="" v:shapes="_x0000_s1038"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-no-proof:yes'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--GroupPhoto.JPG"></a></span><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>During a brief break in sessions several leaders of member groups in APTU are pictured here (left to right): Mr. You of Japan, Mr. Kim of Korea, Mr. Jaya from Australia, and Mr. Liu of China. </span></b></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In addition, the APTU meeting welcomed participating organizations from Kazakhstan and Turkey, who provided overviews of their efforts to recruit new members and establish greater transparency in their own governments fiscal policies. Also discussed were developments in Georgia, where activists have transformed the country s tax system for the better, and Ukraine, where the taxpayer group has been establishing 27 local branches with a goal of 400 all over the country - or the same number as the regional tax administrations. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>As the photos here indicate, the sessions at the APTU meeting were productive and congenial. Congratulations to APTU and best wishes for even greater successes in coming months! </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--KoreanPresentation.JPG"></a></span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1037" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--KoreanPresentation.JPG" href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--KoreanPresentation.JPG" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:0;width:108pt;height:1in; z-index:10;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square; mso-wrap-distance-left:3.75pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0; mso-wrap-distance-right:3.75pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0; mso-position-horizontal:left;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text; mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:line' o:allowoverlap="f" o:button="t"> <v:imagedata src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--KoreanPresentation.JPG"/> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--KoreanPresentation.JPG"><img border=0 width=144 height=96 src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--KoreanPresentation.JPG" align=left hspace=5 alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--KoreanPresentation.JPG" title="" v:shapes="_x0000_s1037"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-no-proof:yes'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/I1106-06Bangkok--KoreanPresentation.JPG"></a></span><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Mr. Kim <span class=SpellE>Sunteak</span> (left) and Ms. <span class=SpellE>Yeo</span> <span class=SpellE>Joung</span> (right) give a presentation to APTU&nbsp;meeting participants on their successful methods for protesting tax increases.</span></b> </p> <p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br> <br style='mso-special-character:line-break'> <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'> <![endif]></p> <div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'> <p style='border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> </div> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>March 15, 2010</span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For Further Information, Contact: Pete <span class=SpellE>Sepp</span> or Doug Kellogg, +1 703 683 5700, or pressguy@ntu.org</span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20101.jpg"></a></span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_s1036" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20101.jpg" href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20101.jpg" style='position:absolute; margin-left:0;margin-top:0;width:108pt;height:1in;z-index:2;visibility:visible; mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:3.75pt; mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:3.75pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:left; mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:line' o:allowoverlap="f" o:button="t"> <v:imagedata src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20101.jpg"/> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20101.jpg"><img border=0 width=144 height=96 src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20101.jpg" align=left hspace=5 alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20101.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_3"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-no-proof:yes'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20101.jpg"></a></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>WTA Chairman Dave Stanley addresses the opening reception at the London Meeting, as Barbara <span class=SpellE>Kolm</span> of the Hayek Institute (center) and Matthew Elliott of <span class=SpellE>TaxPayers'</span> Alliance (left) look on. Photo courtesy of the <span class=SpellE>TaxPayers'</span> Alliance</span></p> <h3 align=center style='text-align:center'><u><span style='mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'>Taxpayer Activists Make History at London Meeting!</span></u><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The global taxpayer' movement will be stronger and more successful in the year 2011 than ever before, thanks in no small part to the activities and discussions at the World Taxpayers Associations (WTA) Members' Conference. The meeting was part of an event held in London September 8-11 whose proceedings also included the 7th annual European Resource Bank Meeting, the Hayek Institute's Free Market <span class=SpellE>Roadshow</span>, and the <span class=SpellE>TaxPayers'</span> Conference. The United Kingdom-based <span class=SpellE>TaxPayers'</span> Alliance provided superb hosting for all participants during three-and-a-half exciting and informative days. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The sessions included workshops featuring the most successful pro-taxpayer leaders from every part of the globe (see photos below), as well as presentations from renowned academic experts such as Dr. Arthur <span class=SpellE>Laffer</span>, who shared his views on international economic policies. Dr. <span class=SpellE>Laffer's</span> memorable speech, which included commentary on the futility of U.S. &quot;stimulus&quot; policies based on excessive government expenditures, was part of a September 10 gala held at historic Guildhall, the site of many royal functions. Another highlight of that evening included a reception with Lady Margaret Thatcher. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The WTA Members' Conference, held periodically since WTA's founding in 1988, had lively exchanges of strategies and practical information among officials of citizen groups from all continents, and concluded with separate meetings of the Taxpayers Association of Europe and the Asia-Pacific Taxpayers Union. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>All of these events offered incredible opportunities for networking with taxpayer leaders from all over the world. Those attending the WTA Members' Conference hailed from nearly 20 countries, and consisted of WTA Members, WTA Observers, think tanks, other citizen groups, and activists. A partial list included participants from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Among the many excellent developments from the Members' Conference and Board of Directors meetings were: </span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span class=GramE><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:Symbol;mso-ascii-font-family:Verdana;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Two</span></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'> new Directors of the Board to reflect WTA's broad membership: Barbara Crook of Australia and Kim <span class=SpellE>Sunteak</span> of Korea. They will join the following WTA Board Members who held their positions prior to the Members' Conference: Dr. Karl Heinz <span class=SpellE>Dake</span> (Germany), Troy <span class=SpellE>Lanigan</span> (Canada), Duane <span class=SpellE>Parde</span> (USA), David M. Stanley (USA), <span class=SpellE>Benoite</span> <span class=SpellE>Taffin</span> (France), and Rolf von <span class=SpellE>Hohenhau</span> (Germany). (Another taxpayer leader, and <span class=SpellE>Otieno</span> <span class=SpellE>Igogo</span> of Tanzania, has since been invited to join the Board). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span class=GramE><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:Symbol;mso-ascii-font-family:Verdana;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Establishment</span></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'> of a new process for partnerships/sponsorships between mature associations and newly formed or small associations in different countries with common ties. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span class=GramE><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:Symbol;mso-ascii-font-family:Verdana;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  </span>Formulation</span></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'> of a strategic plan to help WTA expand for the future. This will soon include a new and improved website. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We once again extend our thanks to the <span class=SpellE>TaxPayers'</span> Alliance, all the sponsors of the London meeting, and of course everyone who attended ... for a history-making occasion on behalf of taxpayers everywhere! Check here frequently for presentations from the Conference as we add them to the website. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20102.jpg"></a></span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1035" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20102.jpg" href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20102.jpg" style='position:absolute; margin-left:0;margin-top:0;width:108pt;height:1in;z-index:3;visibility:visible; mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:3.75pt; mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:3.75pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:left; mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:line' o:allowoverlap="f" o:button="t"> <v:imagedata src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20102.jpg"/> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20102.jpg"><img border=0 width=144 height=96 src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20102.jpg" align=left hspace=5 alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20102.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_4"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-no-proof:yes'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20102.jpg"></a></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>WTA Secretary General Bjorn <span class=SpellE>Tarras-Wahlberg</span> (center) participated in an important panel on taxpayer movements around the world, in which he called for adoption of a new tax reform strategy: replacing income taxes with consumption taxes. Photo courtesy of the <span class=SpellE>TaxPayers'</span> Alliance. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'> <p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20103.jpg"></a></span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_s1034" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20103.jpg" href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20103.jpg" style='position:absolute; margin-left:68pt;margin-top:0;width:108pt;height:1in;z-index:4; visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:3.75pt; mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:3.75pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:right; mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:line' o:allowoverlap="f" o:button="t"> <v:imagedata src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20103.jpg"/> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20103.jpg"><img border=0 width=144 height=96 src="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20103.jpg" align=right hspace=5 alt="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20103.jpg" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_5"></a><![endif]><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-no-proof:yes'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/wta20103.jpg"></a></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>WTA Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer Duane <span class=SpellE>Parde</span> (right) gave a presentation on the importance of tax competition for a panel entitled, &quot;Taxing the Banks&quot;. Photo courtesy of the <span class=SpellE>TaxPayers'</span> Alliance.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br style='mso-special-character:line-break'> <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]><br style='mso-special-character:line-break'> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Confederation of Citizen Groups from 45 Countries Cautions European Governments against Buying Stolen Taxpayer Data</span></u></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span class=SpellE><strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"'>Gov'ts</span></strong></span><strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> Should Instead Compete via Less Burdensome, Transparent Taxes</span></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>(Stockholm, Sweden) - Tax authorities in Germany and elsewhere who traffic the stolen data of their countries' taxpayers who hold Swiss bank accounts ignore the negative consequences of their actions, and ignore the positive solutions that could encourage stable revenues. These are the observations of a senior official with the World Taxpayers Associations (WTA), a confederation of 65 organizations from 45 countries working for lower taxes, less wasteful expenditures, <span class=GramE>accountable</span> government, and legal rights for taxpayers across the globe.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>&quot;Revelations that tax administrators were purchasing stolen lists of citizens from their countries who had bank accounts in Switzerland are troubling on many levels, from legal principles to sensible policymaking to simple politics,&quot; said WTA Secretary General Bjorn <span class=SpellE>Tarras-Wahlberg</span>. &quot;Just one unintended consequence of this practice is that Swiss lawmakers have already retaliated with legislation to reveal the names of foreign politicians holding such accounts. Other negative results are likely to follow unless tax authorities change course.&quot;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Several weeks ago four tax inspectors from the German tax administration in Nordrhein-Westfalen visited the French tax administration in Paris to buy a stolen CD with a list of 1,500 foreign taxpayers with bank accounts in Switzerland. The price for this list is said to be 2.5 million Euro. Shortly afterwards the Minister of Finance of Baden-Wurttemberg in Germany confirmed that another list of 2,000 foreign taxpayers is for sale with names from the Swiss banks, UBS and Credit Suisse. A third list, with 1,000 names from a small Swiss bank and a financial institute in Luxembourg, is reportedly being investigated in Munich. The tax administrations in Britain, Belgium, Austria and the Netherlands have also expressed interest in the lists. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>According to <span class=SpellE>Mr.Tarras-Wahlberg</span>, however, this approach is destructive. Buying stolen property is criminal in most countries. Governments should not buy or take part in any stolen lists of taxpayers. If the governments continue to do this, they will only encourage more criminal activities, he said. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span class=SpellE><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Tarras</span></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> contends that instead of purchasing stolen data, the easiest way to solve the problem for the countries involved is to change their tax laws to compete with the Swiss. For example, they could abolish their own countries' capital gains taxes on equities. The cost for such a change will not be very high, and ultimately balances against revenue gains from individuals who would be encouraged to hold accounts at home and declare dividend income.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In addition, <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> contends, the stolen lists are fraught with possibilities for error on the part of European politicians and tax administrations now attacking Switzerland. A person on a list may very well declare his or her income back home, which the list will not explain and the Swiss banks will not know. Or he or she may have a foreign passport even while they may be residing in Switzerland. In any case, it is not illegal to have bank accounts around the world if the holdings are declared in the country of residence.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The World Taxpayers Associations was established 1988 at the Foreign Press Club in Washington DC. The head office is in Stockholm, Sweden. <i>Note: For further information, visit www.worldtaxpayers.org.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Ukrainian Taxpayer Group Celebrates Decade of Progress</span></u></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Few nations in the world have suffered as much oppression at the hands of others <span class=GramE>than</span> Ukraine, which is all the more reason why its proud people recently had reason to celebrate their victories for limited government. In late November, several hundred members of the Ukrainian Taxpayers Association (UTA) gathered in the capital of Kiev to mark their 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_s1033" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:0; width:196.5pt;height:131.25pt;z-index:5;visibility:visible; mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:2.25pt; mso-wrap-distance-top:2.25pt;mso-wrap-distance-right:2.25pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:2.25pt;mso-position-horizontal:left; mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:line' o:allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="../../../images/ukraine_08_01.png"/> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=262 height=175 src="../../../images/ukraine_08_01.png" align=left hspace=3 vspace=3 v:shapes="Picture_x0020_6"><![endif]><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>UTA has 6,753 corporate and individual members from more than 25 regions and 257 local associations. The group's mission includes defending taxpayers from the arbitrary tax administration, guiding taxpayers through complicated tax laws, educating taxpayers through weekly seminars, and providing arbitration work and advice in civil courts.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Ukraine is one of several former Soviet-bloc entities to join the flat tax revolution, having replaced its steeply progressive system with a simple, less burdensome, single-rate alternative in 2004. Most countries that have implemented this policy have enjoyed increased foreign direct investment, steady economic growth, and a less arbitrary system of tax collection.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The UTA event drew the participation of public officials, including the Minister of Justice, President, and Prime Minister of Ukraine, the Mayor of Kiev, and the Head of the Tax Administration. Taxpayers even came from out of the country to attend the celebration, arriving from Germany, Poland, Russia, and Sweden, including the Taxpayers Associations of Europe's Michael Jaeger and World Taxpayers Association (WTA) Secretary General Bjorn <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>WTA is a united front for lower taxes, less waste, accountable government and taxpayers rights all over the globe. The consortium was founded in 1988, with the energetic participation and collaboration of NTU.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Jaeger, <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span>, and UTA President <span class=SpellE>Mykola</span> <span class=SpellE>Onishchuk</span> organized a press conference prior to the event, which was attended by journalists from several TV and radio stations.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>&quot;We are proud that we are the members of a strong front for lower taxes, less government waste, <span class=GramE>accountable</span> government and taxpayers' rights all over the world,&quot; <span class=SpellE>Onishchuk</span> said.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The festival began at the Ice Palace, where UTA members were greeted with a large poster of the association's symbol, an ant carrying a heavy coin. <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> gave a congratulatory speech and brought greetings from all 65 members associations of the WTA, and brought as a gift an antique framed map of Ukraine. </span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_7" o:spid="_x0000_s1032" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute; margin-left:170pt;margin-top:0;width:210pt;height:140.25pt;z-index:6; visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:0; mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:0; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:right; mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative:line' o:allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="../../../images/ukraine_08_02.png"/> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"/> </v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=280 height=187 src="../../../images/ukraine_08_02.png" align=right v:shapes="Picture_x0020_7"><![endif]><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The anniversary celebration also featured popular musical entertainment, such as a violin concert and the 2008 Eurovision Contest runner-up winner <span class=SpellE>Ani</span> <span class=SpellE>Lorak</span>. The hosts of the 2005 Eurovision Contest in Kiev, <span class=SpellE>Masha</span> <span class=SpellE>Efrosinina</span> and DJ Pasha emceed the entire event.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>UTA is a potential host of a future World Taxpayers Conference, a biennial event for WTA members in which participants gather to share strategies and tactics on behalf of limited government.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>&quot;We congratulate Ukrainian Taxpayers Association and wish them all the best for the future,&quot; <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> said. &quot;We hope their successes inspire other taxpayer activists in every corner of the globe.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Russians Leery of Tax Amnesty</span></u></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Russian Taxpayers Association reports that Russia's tax amnesty is underway, but that it is failing to meet expectations for unanticipated reasons. The amnesty program applies to individuals who failed to properly declare income between the years 2000 and 2005. Under the program, individuals can declare the income, pay Russia's 13% flat tax, and avoid prosecution. However, Russia has raised only $113 million in back taxes instead of the expected $5 to $8 billion. According to the Taxpayers Association, &quot;The reason for the tax amnesty's failure is quite obvious. People do not trust the government's promise not to prosecute the previous years' tax deadbeats who choose to pay back taxes. Also, there are no guarantees that those pardoned for tax evasion will not be accused of other law violations like fraud, embezzlement, etc.&quot; Contact <a href="mailto:heritage@clcp.ru"><span class=SpellE>Yevgeny</span> Volk</a> for additional information.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Britons Express Desire for Lower Taxes</span></u></strong><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><a href="http://tpa.typepad.com/campaign/2007/09/news-release-ta.html" target="_blank">The <span class=SpellE>TaxPayers'</span> Alliance</a> (Britain) recently released a report on a <span class=SpellE>YouGov</span> poll revealing citizen pessimism and discontent over taxes and government spending. According to the poll: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <ul type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'>Two-thirds believe that the Government spends too much and therefore taxes were too high<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'>A majority believes the government wastes 20% of what it spends <o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'>Two-thirds believe extra funds for public services (health and education) were misspent<o:p></o:p></span></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'>Two-thirds believe politicians lack the expertise needed for public service<o:p></o:p></span></li> </ul> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Almost 80% of those polled believe that taxes will increase in the future. Perhaps these facts provide insight into why public opinion has turned against London hosting the 2012 Olympics. For more information visit <a href="http://tpa.typepad.com/campaign/2007/09/news-release-ta.html" target="_blank">The <span class=SpellE>TaxPayers'</span> Alliance</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A Tax Reform Plan for Thailand</span></u></strong><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align=center> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0 width="75%" style='width:75.0%;mso-cellspacing:1.5pt;mso-yfti-tbllook:1184;mso-padding-alt: 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes'> <td width="50%" style='width:50.0%;background:white;padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/P0710_thaivisitajpg.html"><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><img border=0 width=198 height=132 id="_x0000_i1037" src="../../../images/P0710_thaivisita.jpg" alt="P0710_thaivisita.jpg"></span></a><span style='mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width="50%" style='width:50.0%;background:white;padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/P0710_thaivisitbjpg.html"><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes; text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><img border=0 width=198 height=132 id="_x0000_i1036" src="../../../images/P0710_thaivisitb.jpg" alt="P0710_thaivisitb.jpg"></span></a><span style='mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:1;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes'> <td width="50%" valign=top style='width:50.0%;background:white; padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'> <p align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>WTA Secretary General Bjorn <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> (center) meets with His Excellency <span class=SpellE>Suparut</span> <span class=SpellE>Kawatkul</span> of Thailand's Ministry of Finance (left) and Swedish Ambassador <span class=SpellE>Lennart</span> <span class=SpellE>Linner</span> (right).</span></p> </td> <td width="50%" valign=top style='width:50.0%;background:white; padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'> <p align=center style='text-align:center'><span class=SpellE><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Kawatkul</span></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> (left), <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> (center), and <span class=SpellE>Linner</span> discuss replacing Thailand's income taxes with consumption taxes.</span></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>WTA Secretary General and Founder Bjorn <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> has been busy spreading the word to leaders in the <span class=SpellE>FarEast</span> about the benefits of replacing income taxes with consumption <span class=SpellE>taxes.Here</span> Mr. <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> is pictured with His Excellency <span class=SpellE>Suparut</span> <span class=SpellE>Kawatkul</span> <span class=SpellE>ofThailand's</span> Ministry of Finance, along with Swedish Ambassador <span class=SpellE>LennartLinner</span>, discussing the potential for economic growth that is <span class=SpellE>oftenassociated</span> with properly designed tax reform. Mr. <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span>, who <span class=SpellE>isoriginally</span> from Sweden, discussed his country's positive experiences <span class=SpellE>withreducing</span> income tax rates, and suggested that as little as a 2percentage-point increase in Thailand's current consumption tax <span class=SpellE>couldreplace</span> the country's income tax entirely with no net loss in revenue(spending reductions could <span class=SpellE>effect</span> a replacement without an offsetting <span class=SpellE>taxincrease</span>). WTA is a partner with the Asian Pacific Taxpayers <span class=GramE>Union,</span> <span class=SpellE>whosemembers</span> include Japan, Australia, and China.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The 2006 Asia-Pacific Taxpayers Union Meeting</span></u></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The second meeting of Asia-Pacific Taxpayers Union (APTU<span class=GramE>),</span> took place in Seoul, Korea, on 12-15 October 2006. The Korean Taxpayers Association hosted the meeting. During the three-day conference, APTU members discussed replacing income taxes with consumption taxes (such as a value-added tax), as well as marketing and member recruitment. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The 2006 World Taxpayers Conference</span></u></strong><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>World Taxpayers Conference 2006 took place in Vienna, Austria, 29 June - 2 July in cooperation with the meeting of the European Resource Bank -- a consortium of free market think tanks and research centers. Two hundred fifty people and leaders from 25 taxpayers associations from all over the world met during three days. The World Taxpayers Associations grew from 50 to 58 member associations as eight organizations from Azerbaijan, Australia, Brazil, Georgia, Japan, Korea, and two from the United States became WTA members. The Russian Taxpayers Association was reorganized. The next World Taxpayers Conference will take place in 2008.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The 2005 Asia-Pacific Taxpayers Union Meeting</span></u></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align=center> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0 width="75%" style='width:75.0%;mso-cellspacing:1.5pt;mso-yfti-tbllook:1184'> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes; height:150.0pt'> <td width=256 style='width:192.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; height:150.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/kinahotljpg.html"><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-underline: none'><img border=0 width=200 height=117 id="_x0000_i1035" src="../../../images/kinahotl.jpg" alt=kinahotl.jpg></span></a><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'><br> The first APTU meeting (2005)</span><span style='mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width=254 style='width:190.5pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; height:150.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/kinaasiajpg.html"><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-underline: none'><img border=0 width=200 height=99 id="_x0000_i1034" src="../../../images/kinaasia.jpg" alt=kinaasia.jpg></span></a><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'><br> Participants attend the first <br> APTU meeting in Beijing </span><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>On 19 October 2005, ten taxpayers associations from seven Asian nations came together in Beijing and established the Asia-Pacific Taxpayers Union (APTU). The seven countries are Australia, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, and the Philippines. Mr. Peter McDonald, Director of the Tax Justice Association in Australia, was elected Chairman, and Mr. <span class=SpellE>Fengjiang</span> Liu from the Taxation Branch of the Beijing International Taxation Research Society was elected Secretary General.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The 2005 Meeting of the International Taxation Research Society</span></u></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align=center> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0 style='mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt;mso-yfti-tbllook:1184'> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes; height:150.0pt'> <td width=244 style='width:183.0pt;background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; height:150.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/kinataxpjpg.html"><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-underline: none'><img border=0 width=200 height=122 id="_x0000_i1033" src="../../../images/kinataxp.jpg" alt=kinataxp.jpg></span></a><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'><br> Participants meet in Beijing.</span><span style='mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>In April 2005, 39 tax groups in China joined under the leadership of the Beijing International Taxation Research Society and the Inner Mongolian group. Professors, scholars, as well as Mr. Peter McDonald, Director of The Tax Justice Association in Australia, and Bjorn <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> from the World Taxpayers Associations, were keynote speakers at this historic conference for the development of taxpayer associations in China. The three-day conference took place at the Education Center of the Beijing Tax Administration.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The leader behind this development is Mr. <span class=SpellE>Fengjiang</span> Liu, Vice Chairman of the Taxation Branch of the Beijing International Taxation Research Society. He is a former Chinese MIG pilot and previous head of a local branch of the tax administration. Mr. Sun is the Chairman of the Beijing group, which has 120.000 members.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The 2004 World Taxpayers Conference</span></u></strong><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> </span><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Brisbane, Australia was the site of the World Taxpayers &amp; Taxpayers Australia Conference. The November 2004 event was hosted by Peter McDonald, at that time the National Director of Taxpayers Australia. Taxpayers Australia is the oldest of all taxpayer associations; it was founded in 1919.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The 2003 World Taxpayers Conference</span></u></strong><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>St. Petersburg, Russia hosted the 2003 World Taxpayers Conference. One hundred sixty representatives from taxpayer associations from all over the globe came together to listen to the remarkable results of the introduction of the lowest national income tax in the world, the Russian flat income tax of 13% (created in 2001). In its first year, tax revenues increased by 45% and by 40% in 2002. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Individual welfare accounts were discussed, which is a system ensuring economic efficiency and allowing a considerable reduction of the total tax pressure, while maintaining each <span class=SpellE>citizen<span class=GramE>?s</span></span> well being. In addition, Robert <span class=SpellE>Gidehag</span> and Bjorn <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> published a book on the flat income tax in Russian and in English. Another topic was taxpayer association networking and workshops about recruiting members (direct mail, telemarketing, face-to-face fundraising, e-mails and publications). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align=center> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0 width="70%" style='width:70.0%;mso-cellspacing:1.5pt;mso-yfti-tbllook:1184;mso-padding-alt: 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt' height="70%"> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes;height:150.0pt'> <td width=404 style='width:303.0pt;background:white;padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt; height:150.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/bild1jpg.html"><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-underline: none'><img border=0 width=200 height=134 id="_x0000_i1032" src="../../../images/bild1.jpg" alt=bild1.jpg></span></a><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td width=345 style='width:258.75pt;background:white;padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt; height:150.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/bild2jpg.html"><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-underline: none'><img border=0 width=200 height=134 id="_x0000_i1031" src="../../../images/bild2.jpg" alt=bild2.jpg></span></a><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:1'> <td valign=top style='background:white;padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A unique picture of the leaders of taxpayers associations across the globe at the World Taxpayers Conference in St. Petersburg, Russia in September 2003. </span></p> </td> <td valign=top style='background:white;padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Rolf von <span class=SpellE>Hohenhau</span> speaks at the 2003 WTA Conference </span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:2;height:150.0pt'> <td style='background:white;padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt;height:150.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/bild3jpg.html"><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-underline: none'><img border=0 width=200 height=134 id="_x0000_i1030" src="../../../images/bild3.jpg" alt=bild3.jpg></span></a><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style='background:white;padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt;height:150.0pt'></td> </tr> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:3;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes'> <td valign=top style='background:white;padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Ms. <span class=SpellE>Akimova</span> from the Ministry of Taxation in Moscow was quite impressed by Mr. <span class=SpellE>Laar's</span> enthusiastic speech. </span></p> </td> <td style='background:white;padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'></td> </tr> </table> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Public Education Event</span></u></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Paris, <span class=SpellE>Maison</span> de la <span class=SpellE>Chemie</span>, 28 Rue St. Dominique (7e), Questioning of new members of Parliament. Host: French Taxpayers Association, 2 Oct. 2002.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The 2002 World Taxpayers Conference</span></u></strong><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Bratislava, Forum Hotel, International Taxpayers Conference, Host: Slovak Taxpayers Association, 13- 15 Sept. 2002.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Panel Presentations</span></u></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span class=SpellE><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Almaty</span></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>, Kazakhstan, International workshop on improving the protection of taxpayer rights and how to develop taxpayers associations. Host: Kazakhstan Tax Standard Formation Fund, 22-24 Aug. 2002. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The 2000 World Taxpayers Conference</span></u></strong><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span class=SpellE><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Tallin</span></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>, Estonia was the site of the 2000 World Taxpayers Conference. On 30 June, association leaders had the opportunity to hear from Estonian Prime minister Mart <span class=SpellE>Laar</span>. His speech on Estonia's flat income tax was strong and encouraging. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span class=SpellE><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Laar</span></span><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'> said that the flat tax is a wonderful thing since &quot;it creates an incentive to find ways to increase your income, without forcing one to give too much consideration on how much of your hard-earned money that will be siphoned off to be redistributed to lesser earners in case you should move the next tax bracket.&quot; He pointed out that Russia is following the Estonian example and adopting a flat income tax as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Mr. Bjorn <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> thanked <span class=SpellE>Laar</span> for his fine speech and encouraged the members of World Taxpayers Associations to also follow the Estonia's example. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Meeting Europe's Pro-Taxpayer Leaders</span></u></strong><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align=center> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0 width="70%" style='width:70.0%;mso-cellspacing:1.5pt;mso-yfti-tbllook:1184' height="70%"> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes;height:150.0pt'> <td style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;height:150.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/tatcher1jpg.html"><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-underline: none'><img border=0 width=200 height=132 id="_x0000_i1029" src="../../../images/tatcher1.jpg" alt=tatcher1.jpg></span></a><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;height:150.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/images/tallinnjpg.html"><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-no-proof:yes;text-decoration:none;text-underline: none'><img border=0 width=188 height=115 id="_x0000_i1028" src="../../../images/tallinn.jpg" alt=tallinn.jpg></span></a><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:1;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes'> <td valign=top style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <p align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Meeting Lady Margaret Thatcher </span></p> </td> <td valign=top style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <p align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Meeting Estonian Prime Minister Mart <span class=SpellE>Laar</span> </span></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><strong><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Remarks at the Founding of the World Taxpayers Association </span></u></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><i><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Opening speech by Mr. Bjorn <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span> at the establishment of World Taxpayers Associations at the Foreign Press Club in Washington D.C. 29 September 1988</span></i><span style='font-size: 7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>&quot;The Taxpayers Movement has grown out of the desire of citizens to protect themselves from the increasing tax claims of the state.&quot; This is the wording in the statutes for WTA. And, I would like to use this as a basis for the speech, in which I will try to explain why there is need for co-operation over the borders and above the seas between different taxpayers associations.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>The Associations, meeting here in Washington, do all have separate backgrounds and different experience. But all countries have had a constantly increasing taxation burden. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Looking upon the development during the last decades it will become evident that all the countries have experienced a tightening up of the total tax withdrawal. But the rate of growth has been very divergent. Worst it has been in Sweden, where we had a sharpening of taxes from 25<span class=GramE>,5</span>% in 1970 to 50% in 1985 and to 56% in 1990 (and 52% in 1999). But also the taxpayers in Denmark, Finland, Belgium and France belong to those, who have met a similar development. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Learning and co-operation</span></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Let me point out some other advantages with an increased cooperation between the Taxpayers Associations: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>1. Co-operation gives strength. But, we will never become stronger than the power by our individual associations in each country. Thus, the associations in each separate country must try to do its best and grow in size and influence. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>What we all have in common is the fact that we base the Associations on membership -- either from private persons or enterprises or even both. To have many members is important and at the same time hard work. It is important because it brings in revenues and simultaneously influence and penetration. But it is hard work and often expensive to get new members as well as to keep the number of members at a high level. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>We could simply learn from each other about different techniques for member recruitment. In the Swedish Association we have been taught by Finland to contract firms for telemarketing, which we now successfully are applying, but on the other hand -- and with the experience we acquired from the start in 1921 -- we have assisted the Finnish Taxpayers Associations as well as the German Association in their start in the 1940's. These associations are today great and successful. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>2. In Europe we could also learn from the fiscal political experience in the USA, to mention a clear example, the positive effects of the two fiscal reforms of 1981 and 1986. And we could also learn of new techniques of lobbying and public opinion influence from the Americans, who have been working in this field with great success. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>People in low tax countries could learn from the experience of countries with high taxes, not to mention Sweden with the highest taxes in the western world. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>During the period 1870 to 1970 Sweden, next to Japan, benefited by the most rapid welfare increase in the world. Meanwhile our fiscal pressure was not notably higher than in other countries. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>However, since 1970 we have the lowest place of the 13 most important industrialized countries and ever since we have the highest fiscal pressure. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Taxation service over the boarder </span></strong><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>3. We can also give our mutual members legal help in tax matters. Wherever the Associations give their members this kind of service it could perhaps be extended when members travel across the borders. Since a couple of years the Scandinavian Associations have been cooperating closely. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For example, more and more Swedes are working in Norway. When a problem arises about where the tax should be paid etc. our members can call the office of the Norwegian Association to get help. And, since a long time many Finnish people are working in Sweden. Thus, those who are members of the Finnish Association have a possibility to get assistance from the tax lawyers of the Swedish Association. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>4. We can also help each other to a greater amount of knowledge about taxation systems in the different countries. The presence of an international organization would facilitate this work and at the same time deepen the knowledge about the taxes in the world for all of us. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>5. Finally, we ought to support the establishing of new taxpayers associations in the countries, where these are not yet found. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>Dear listeners, the world is shrinking more and more each year through improved means of communication. It is now time for the Taxpayers Associations in each country to join together; supporting each other in the important task to work towards lowered taxes and greater individual freedom for citizens in our different countries. Therefore, today, Friday September 29, 1988, let us now take the historical step into World Taxpayers Associations. I thank you for the opportunity to speak. <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:1'> <td colspan=3 valign=top style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'> <hr size=2 width="100%" noshade style='color:#999999' align=center> </span></div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><a href="#top"><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none; text-underline:none'><span style='mso-field-code:" HYPERLINK \\l \0022top\0022 "'><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:blue;mso-no-proof: yes'><img border=0 width=16 height=16 id="_x0000_i1027" src="events_files/upil.gif"></span></span></span>Up</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:2;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes'> <td style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style='background:white;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'> <p align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>World Taxpayers Associations<br> Secretary General Mr. Bjorn <span class=SpellE>Tarras</span>-<span class=SpellE>Wahlberg</span></span>&nbsp;<br> <span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>E-mail: <a href="http://www.worldtaxpayers.org/mailtBTW@worldtaxpayers.org">BTW@worldtaxpayers.org</a><br> Mobile: +46 70 325 00 11</span></p> <p align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:7.5pt; font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>For web site questions or problems, <br> email <a href="mailto:web@worldtaxpayers.org">web@worldtaxpayers.org</a></span></p> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></span></p> <!-- InstanceEnd --></div> </body> </html>