When the Minister of Growth Kostas Hatzidakis asked Mr. Gurría of the OECD to conduct a study on the necessary reforms in Greece – for which he was paid 1 million euros – he never could have imagined how much trouble and pressure from the troika it would cause.
The OECD’s infamous “toolkit”, which includes extensive deregulations in the Greek market from milk to medication, is being a used to put the Samaras administration under unprecedented pressure.
With the new settlement of the Greek debt pending ahead of the European elections, our partners and creditors want to appear to be strict with Greece, that they are not doing any favors, in an effort to convince them that the help they will give is justified.
The issues, the illustrious backlog, they seem ridiculous when considering the change the Greek society and economy went through. The fiscal consolidation is historically unprecedented and they are bothered if aspirins are on sale at the supermarkets.
Our partners are being increasingly absolute, revealing a great ideological passion towards the beleaguered Greeks. Now that the Bank matter has reopened, they are bringing back a once-resolved matter, are pressuring for new funds, foolishly thinking that they can gain consumer trust through…doubt.
Of course they are not interested in political or other consequences, nor do they care if political trolls prevail over here, expecting the worse.
They act as foolishly as they did with Ukraine.
Under the pressure of Second World War fixations and to satisfy the fears of Lithuanians and Poles, they provocatively supported mindless and disruptive factions, exposed a country of 45 million people to danged and started an argument with Russia, which of course they are unable to handle.
So what are they doing now? They seek out the intervention of President Obama, who under pressure from the neo-conservatives in the USA, who demand an embargo and other sanctions, not realizing that this may jeopardize they global economy and bring the world to the brink of war.
Fortunately Obama is resilient. The politics of disengaging from controversial subjects is paying off, the Russian contribution is a given and he clearly realizes that he cannot jeopardize world peace.
He knows that the Russians are tough and adamant; he knows that the Chinese are dangerous and he can understand the dogmatism and weak-mindedness of the Europeans, who cannot comprehend that should there be an accident, Europe will pay for it.
That is why he intervenes, sending John Kerry to make sense and negotiate with the Ukrainians and Russians.
Truth be told, Europe is suffering – politically. Small, ideologically charged leaders are deciding upon its future. That is why they can’t agree on the simplest of things.
Due to the political obsessions and shortsighted attitude and stance, Ukraine is headed for a split and Greece is going to the dogs, while the whole of Europe is turning to skepticism and retreat.
With a growth nod the circumstances of the European people would change. Italy could hope to escape the ensuing debt crisis, France would avoid the upcoming nationalist and racist far right and Germany would be proclaimed to be a true European force, that is not defined by the bank accounts of rich Bavarians.
Unfortunately after so many years of European life, we are seeking solace in the USA, perhaps the only country with a strategic depth and understanding of its place in the world.
Antonis Karakousis
