16 Persons, 5 Firms Hold Swiss Accounts
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BERN, Switzerland — Swiss officials said Tuesday that the United States is seeking information on bank accounts in the names of 16 individuals and five companies as part of its investigation of arms sales to Iran.
The Swiss Justice Ministry said in a statement that American authorities want Switzerland to lift its banking secrecy laws so that any channeling of Iranian payments to the Nicaraguan contra forces can be traced.
Initial U.S. requests in December cited Swiss accounts managed by 10 individuals and two companies.
The Swiss statement said that additional requests in January and February involved accounts in the names of six more individuals and three companies.
The statement for the first time named two of the Swiss-based financial companies allegedly involved--Compagnie de Services Fiduciaires S.A. in Geneva and Audifi S.A. in Fribourg.
The Justice Ministry statement said that, so far, there have been six appeals against disclosure by people and companies cited by the U.S. authorities.
Ministry spokesman Joerg Kistler said that it will take at least until the end of March to make even preliminary decisions on the disclosures.
Under its banking secrecy laws, the Swiss government may reject or approve an account holder’s appeal against disclosure.
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