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2004 In Review Part Two

© James Foster Robinson

Liechtenstein's economy also showed some improvement. While industry and trade did improved in 2004, unemployment rose to a record high of 2.3 percent, as did the number of people on welfare. However in June, the number of unemployed individuals decreased by 13 bringing the unemployment ratio down to 2.1 percent. 62 people started a new job and the number of temporary jobs available increased to 56. Liechtenstein continued to have a low tax rate.

In March Liechtenstein did its part in the war against Saddam Hussein by confiscating a business jet at the airport in Amman, Jordan. The plane was registered in Liechtenstein to a company that had just filed for bankruptcy.

Liechtenstein continued in 2004 to be active in sports. The Vaduz Squash team in March became the new Swiss Champions receiving its first championship title with a 4-0 victory. In soccer, Vaduz FC defeated Longford Town in late July and qualified for the second round of the UEFA Cup Tournament. Liechtenstein competitors dominated the 12th European Aeromodelling Championship in Alcochete, Portugal in September winning a silver medal in team competition and a gold and bronze medal in the individual ranking.

For the second time in Liechtenstein's soccer history, its national team achieved a draw against a top ten team in its league with 2-2 (0-2) against Portugal in October. The first time was in June 1995, when Liechtenstein achieved a 0-0 draw against the Republic of Ireland in the European Championship qualifier. Several days later in October Liechtenstein won the World Championship qualifier against Luxembourg by 4-0 goals in its first away victory. This is the country's second overall victory after the 2-1 success against Azerbaijan six years ago.

In August Andrea Clavadetscher from Vaduz won the XXAlps Extreme and Marcel Knaus from Ruggell was second in this tough race across the Alps. Also in August Andrea Clavadetscher broke the 24-hour world record on the open racetrack in Zurich, Switzerland by running 813.636 km, smashing Darrel Bowles's record, established in 1991. Also in August at the Olympic Games in Athens, Rifleman Oliver Geissmann from Planken placed 22nd in the Men's 10 m Air Rifle Final. Nicole Klingler from Mauren was rewarded with a bronze medal at the Powerman long distance World Championship in Zofingen in September. In December Nicole Klingler and Oliver Geissmann were honored as Liechtenstein's athletes of the year. The national soccer team was chosen as the team of the year. Also in December Marco Büchel placed second place in the World Cup downhill in Val d'Isère (Fr).

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