Fässler to Fagan (e-Mail Monday, 17th February)

Dear Mr Fagan

Some time ago I asked you to comment on the result of my three years' historical research into the relationship between the 18th century Swiss bourgeoisie on the one hand and slavery and the transatlantic slave trade on the other. For reasons that I can fully understand you then refrained from such a comment and recommended that we wait until the publication of my results on the occasion of the first night of my satirical revue "Louverture died1803".

That time has now come. Coming Wednesday, 19 February 2003, I will for the first time present my project before an audience that includes the Haitian UN-delegation chief in Geneva, the mayor of the city of St. Gallen, leading Anti-Apartheid activists and several senior officials of the canton of St. Gallen. News of my project will be spread here in Switzerland by several daily papers, one national TV chain and the two press agencies AP and SDA.

In order to allow you to take a quick glance at my historical material (including the corresponding political moves launched in about ten cantonal legislatures here in Switzerland) shortly in adavance of the deadline of February 19 set for the general public I hereby communicate to you the so far "secret internet link": Portal zum Material .

Hoping to hear from you in the coming days or weeks to exchange ideas and opinions about the significance of the historical material mentioned above I remain

Yours sincerely,
Hans Fässler

CC to Mr Daniel Heeb of Gloria International



Fagan to Fässler (e-mail Tuesday, 18th February)

Dear Mr. Fässler

Thank you for your information about the result of your three years' historical research into the relationship between the 18th century Swiss bourgeoisie on the one hand and slavery and the transatlantic slave trade on the other.

I wish you the best of luck on Wednesday, 19 February 2003 as you present your project before the audience of the Haitian UN-delegation chief in Geneva, the mayor of the city of St. Gallen, leading Anti-Apartheid activists and several senior officials of the canton of St. Gallen. I also wish you the best of luck on the news coverage you hope for.

At the present time, we have no intention of including any Swiss entities in the claims of descendants of former enslaved African Americans in what has come to be known as the "US Slave Labor cases". If that should change, I will let you know.

Thank you for sharing this information with me and I wish you all the best in your future work

Ed Fagan