>>>Why would any nation store it's gold anywhere but on it's own soil?<<<

Forgive my directness, but the answer is... you, of all people, should know the reason! If your bonehead Gordon Brown had less access to his gold at $260-280 per oz, perhaps Great Britain would be exactly that. I think a nation's gold should be hidden from its leaders.

(This post written only partially tongue-in-cheek)

Strike