tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post6114125755954244398..comments2023-07-17T11:55:51.363+02:00Comments on ObservingGreece: Eurogroup Meeting - Everything Went According to Plan!kleinguthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12491174042954678023noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-91148142398824212072015-02-16T01:09:54.096+01:002015-02-16T01:09:54.096+01:00Yes, it's called making an analogy. That the c...Yes, it's called making an analogy. That the character is fictional doesn't mean anything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-2719885895060290732015-02-15T12:00:49.292+01:002015-02-15T12:00:49.292+01:00That is certainly more than valid today. "I h...That is certainly more than valid today. "I have not read a single proposal [from Prof. Varoufakis] what Greece could do on its own to improve its economic situation." And that not only pertains to Varoufakis but to Syrizanel as a whole.Seukelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03008564594251051927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-56656931877807477922015-02-15T11:40:08.270+01:002015-02-15T11:40:08.270+01:00Perhaps it is time to re-read an article from June...Perhaps it is time to re-read an article from June 2012 which, by far, has been the most-read article among the almost 1.000 articles I have published so far. Could it be that it is still valid today?<br /><br />http://klauskastner.blogspot.co.at/2012/06/hybris-of-prof-yanis-varoufakis.htmlkleinguthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12491174042954678023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-75828291877296177712015-02-15T08:57:38.103+01:002015-02-15T08:57:38.103+01:00Having lived in Greece for a while, I find that th...Having lived in Greece for a while, I find that they navel gaze a hell of a lot. They are completely unaware of the impact to others of what they say. It is amazing but it is like they can't see beyond two seconds ahead in time. They also seem to be always reactionary. Possible as a symptom of they having foresight. They react and rarely are they pro-active to prepare for future crisis.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-84560448067225712362015-02-15T08:52:48.338+01:002015-02-15T08:52:48.338+01:00Typically delusional. Comparing Mr Varoufakis to ...Typically delusional. Comparing Mr Varoufakis to a fictional character. Is this a serious way of assessing the current situation? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-85947309911909378562015-02-14T14:17:31.267+01:002015-02-14T14:17:31.267+01:00That's the most reasonable explanation indeed....That's the most reasonable explanation indeed. The only other alternative is that Varoufakis is a total idiot who doesn't know what he's doing. Graynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-18840838575814005122015-02-14T00:35:30.617+01:002015-02-14T00:35:30.617+01:00A. Papandreou, was a well known and respected pro...A. Papandreou, was a well known and respected professor in top universities (Minnesota, Northwestern, Berkeley), with a PhD also from a top university (Harvard). He was a charlatan that destroyed Greece, but a smart one. Comparing him with a semi-retarded perennial student is sacrilegious.<br /><br />Even at electing charlatans Greece has gone backwards. Thirty years ago, you at least needed to be smart.<br /><br />Peace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-14995322703743283692015-02-13T21:06:56.425+01:002015-02-13T21:06:56.425+01:00I once made an inquiry at the EU and was informed ...I once made an inquiry at the EU and was informed that from joining the EU until 2012, total EU subsidies (including agricultural subsidies) for Greece were 170 BEUR.kleinguthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12491174042954678023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-54852085161715975232015-02-13T20:34:24.608+01:002015-02-13T20:34:24.608+01:00Apparently, this is what Syriza want from the nego...Apparently, this is what Syriza want from the negotiations. I think they're delusional but you may have another opinion.<br /><br />http://www.capital.gr/NewsTheme.asp?id=2229738Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-43727656792974431992015-02-13T19:50:26.988+01:002015-02-13T19:50:26.988+01:00No. All I know is that this lawyering-up, all the ...No. All I know is that this lawyering-up, all the smart-ass game-theory negotiating in order to surprise and confuse, all the antagonism created by the new Greek government in less then two weeks, demanding war-reparations, "wanting to obtain things from an adversary", depicting Merkel as Hitler, and Schäuble as Reichsarmé officer .... goes totally against the grain of the European idea in the spirit of Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman:<br /><br />The Association of European nations requires the elimination, and not the digging up, of age-old conflicts<br /><br />Unfortunately, beginning with Andreas Papandreou, Greece has only seen the EU as a cow to milk, something to get funds from (more than 105 BEUR over the years), something one never really felt to be a part of, never ever honestly contributed to, something one could drop as a bag of dirt and then start flirting with the Russians and Chinese.Seukelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03008564594251051927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-53243542897341880472015-02-13T18:41:54.350+01:002015-02-13T18:41:54.350+01:00Mr. Seukel,
Do you have a lawyer you can trust a...Mr. Seukel,<br /><br />Do you have a lawyer you can trust and answer honestly to you? If yes, ask him this question: "When you want to obtain 10 things from an adversary, do you ask for 10 things or for 20?".<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-45343242463756626272015-02-13T17:34:40.403+01:002015-02-13T17:34:40.403+01:00I think that image really expresses the evil soul ...I think that image really expresses the evil soul of Syria. Seukelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03008564594251051927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-68108018696370469202015-02-13T17:15:44.454+01:002015-02-13T17:15:44.454+01:00Exactly. This is the real issue. Greece closed fis...Exactly. This is the real issue. Greece closed fiscal 2014 with something like 1,4% surplus so if a deal would be struck for 1,5% instead of 4,5% that would mean that very few deflationary measures would need to be implemented. The trouble is that for that to happen a debt restructuring is needed and the main players are the ECB and the IMF since bilateral loans come into play later on. Both these entities consider their super seniority sacred so the only way a debt restructuring could take place is probably for a new vehicle to purchase whatever new bonds issued by Greece will be used in said debt restructuring (perpetual or tied to growth rates) and then Greece in turn would pay the IMF and the ECB back. So it comes down to where the money is going to come from. The EMS is one possible source, or private investors if the new bonds could be rated investment grade and be legible for QE purchase participation. There are legal issues of course but since we are now in a post QE era of state financing where for example the ECB will come to purchase close to 50% of all eurozone periphery issued bonds in 2015 any protests that this will be a case against its non direct state financing restriction will be more than moot. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-27651499882030105242015-02-13T17:00:46.547+01:002015-02-13T17:00:46.547+01:00I read somewhere now that there is a solution. The...I read somewhere now that there is a solution. The Troika is dead, long live the TIFKAT*. Do you think Alexis could live with that? If FYROM did the trick, why not this?<br /><br />*The Institutions Formerly Know As TroikaSeukelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03008564594251051927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-59360537020234174562015-02-13T14:45:56.595+01:002015-02-13T14:45:56.595+01:00Yet one more link found in the internet. (In case ...Yet one more link found in the internet. (In case Klaus does not agree to publish this, I fully understand). <br />How do other readers of this blog see that?<br /><br />http://media0.faz.net/ppmedia/aktuell/2774127042/1.3426952/article_multimedia_overview/aus-der-syriza-parteizeitung.jpg<br /><br />H. Trickler<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-42937637127159987342015-02-13T12:36:55.025+01:002015-02-13T12:36:55.025+01:00So, all euphoria after yesterdays meeting. Merkel ...So, all euphoria after yesterdays meeting. Merkel comes out and tell the press that Greece has to ask for an extension or demonstrate that the conditions for the program can be implemented before Feb. 28.<br />Tsipras come out and is all Pip, "Great Expectations".<br />The only common ground is that they have agreed that the ex. Troika and a Greek technical team will try to find possible changes to the program that are mutually acceptable, that will take ages. It will not happen before Monday's meeting, it will not happen before the deadline for applying for an extension, it will not happen before 28 Feb. Up to that we shall have an intelligent economy professor lecturing the ex. Troika, Europe and the world at large, at how the economy and politics in Europe should be conducted and structured. Like Klaus says "this is no way to run a railroad".<br />Have a nice weekend and let's have some suggestions what to call the ex. Troika and the Memorandums in the future.<br />Lennard Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-36140063049827169312015-02-13T11:41:20.242+01:002015-02-13T11:41:20.242+01:00Mr. Trickler,
What counts, is the result. The Eur...Mr. Trickler,<br /><br />What counts, is the result. The Europeans, for 5 years, have averted any serious attempt of renegotiation from consecutive greek goverments. Their main weapon each time, was what Mrs Merkel was repeating this week: "As fas as i know, the majority of the Greeks want to stay in the euro". George Papandreou was blackmailed in less than 3 hours to take back his referendum. Venizelos tried once to play hardball with the troika and phoned back as soon as the troika left Greece. Samaras thought that the pats on his back and passing the troika evaluations would worth him a better deal. They all failed. <br /><br />Tsipras, will succeed where they all failed. Mr. Trickler, you, as a good Swiss, should be the first to understand, that money is king in the EU. It doesn't matter how you behave, as long as you don't present a risk. If moral values were the priority in EU, Tsipras would have seen a door slamming at his face, just for the way he behaved. But you see, moral values isn't the priority. Money is. It's easy to say that "they have not shown capabilities", if one forgets what the results of their predecessors were. Mr. Venizelos, Stournaras, Samaras, were all very cordial, very polite, very diplomatic. Samaras asked kindly to be given the written agreement of Eurogroup about a debt relief once he had confirmed primary surplus. He even politely visited Mrs Merkel and left without making any negative remark. <br /><br />Andreas Papandreou, used to say one thing that Tsipras recently repeated: "The Yesman, isn't respected by anyone in foreign affairs". Once again, Papandreou, the master, is proven right by the pupil.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-64202425151994792392015-02-13T11:32:45.425+01:002015-02-13T11:32:45.425+01:00Mr. Kastner,
In case you remember our exchange of...Mr. Kastner,<br /><br />In case you remember our exchange of views about geopolitics and whether the Europeans are ready to see a Russia-dependent Greece:<br /><br />"Italy minister sees less risk of Greece moving towards Russia.<br />After yesterday's political accord, which I hope will be consolidated on Monday, the risk of a Greece outside Europe and in the orbit of Russia is moving further away," Padoan said on news radio station Radio 24."<br /><br />http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/13/eurozone-greece-italy-idUSR1N0TH01X20150213<br /><br />Note the word "risk".<br /><br />You see, when Cyprus turned to Russia for help, although, it was a very peculiar situation, because many Russians were involved in the case and Russia didn't want to clash with the EU (it was the good days), Russia at the end, did offer some help to Cyprus, but the reports of the time, said that the exchange would be to be given the right to use one airforce and one naval base that the Cypriots have. It is not hard to imagine that they would ask something similar for Greece. And the first country to find itself russian aircrafts on its doorstep, would be Italy. Similarly, the italian gas supply, would have to pass from a Russia-dependent Greece.<br /><br />It is remarkable, how shortsighted the northern commentators of the blog are, but also proves the "northern uniformity" that i have been talking on various occasions. Everyone is deluded, outraged with the despicable prof. Varoufakis and Tsipras (and i can understand why!), still, they can't see how come they aren't simply shown the exit... <br /><br />At the end, the press in Berlin will be celebrating on how Tsipras was taught a lesson. And same the pro-SYRIZA press in Greece. After all, Tsipras went in with nothing and no allies and will come out with something. Let the press guide the masses... Tsipras, in 1 month, will have accomplished what George Papandreou, Venizelos and Samaras couldn't do using the more orthodox approach, for 5 years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-51699979058688356002015-02-13T11:19:17.202+01:002015-02-13T11:19:17.202+01:00Here an intriguing text:
http://www.project-syndi...Here an intriguing text:<br />http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/syriza-greece-austerity-myth-by-daniel-gros-2015-02<br /><br />H.Trickler<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-53643243526511238842015-02-13T11:06:24.240+01:002015-02-13T11:06:24.240+01:00"Until government comes to a normal operation..."Until government comes to a normal operation". Do you mean going from coma to paralyzed? Hibernating? Lethargic? Or actually to a normal operation as in a developed country? A developed country function perfectly well with its institutions and civil service, even without politicians.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-73793109497979786252015-02-13T11:00:57.159+01:002015-02-13T11:00:57.159+01:00Mr. Pseudogreek (Jim Slip)
Now they get a better ...Mr. Pseudogreek (Jim Slip)<br /><br />Now they get a better deal than the one Samaras got, who didn't surprise nor confused.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-12468688453972160742015-02-13T10:54:01.927+01:002015-02-13T10:54:01.927+01:00Mr. V
Jim Slip is the blog's resident pseudo-...Mr. V<br /><br />Jim Slip is the blog's resident pseudo-greek (foreigner living in Greece). He has posed for long time as greek, but only recently did he lose his temper (for obvious reasons) and let himself slip, if you pardon my game of words. Consider it a helpful information that may explain you behaviours.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-64645250281998714382015-02-13T09:17:35.215+01:002015-02-13T09:17:35.215+01:00Dear Mr. Kastner,
I liked your above geneal (Comm...Dear Mr. Kastner,<br /><br />I liked your above geneal (Comment) conclusion.<br /><br />I have advocated for month that everything has been staged. Ok how things turned out in details is not staged but the general concept has been planned. Greece will remain in the euro. Regardless of the theatrics and the negotiations. With this a new change (hopefully substantial change) will come about. A new revised program will be agreed and hopefully in the near future with the changes in the political seen in France and Spain, an end to austerity politics.<br /><br />I completely agree with Mr. Varoufakisi's statement on frugality as i always lived this way.<br /><br />Overall i find them quite capable governement something Greece has lacked in many years. (Regardless of what many commentators say.) They have made mistakes but not critical ones and in time they will prove to be worthy. Even as we speak, changed stance on specific privatizations have commenced. And their initial negative stances have resulted in improved economical agreements with those privatizations.<br />I will not get into detail in other issues. The biggest bet which i pray for is the jailing & confiscating large tax evaders. From a source inside there are some lined up. From another source alot of the money is gone. GAP and ND governements gave 5 years for all those on the Lagarde list to disappear. I am hopeful for otheriwse.<br /><br />Mr. Kastner, as a banker, can you elaborate with an article on the laundry of "black money." Can traces of the legality of non taxed moneys be erased?<br /><br />@ Seukel<br />My friend please don't generalize. It is not up to your level. Younger generation 20-30, have grown up in the boom. They are modern and suddenly have been ripped from being provalaged with a future and a job. Tell me if you have finished a colleague education plus masters, would you go mix cement by hand, or flip burgers? Yes they are a bit spoiled but they are seeking work in upper levels of the workforce. And to be completely honest I personally do not want to see fresh minds being wasted in lower levels of workforce. It is INEFFICIENT. Most of these kids leave and go to other countries and bring the added value they can give. As for 30-40 and 40-50. Which i am in these groups (41). private and some public sectors are VERY hard workers. Many work 2-3 jobs because getting paid 400 euro cleared enough does not pay 50% of the bills. The 50-70 generation fcked us all.<br /><br />@ Jim: You really like bashing Greeks and the Greek system. <br /><br />Change has occured in Greece and in the government it is simply is not portrayed. ND did an extremely bad job of publically showing the changes it made in the public because the change internally is seen as a bad change. <br /><br />"Change" change is seen by all peopl as something bad even if it is good for you. The greeks have changed and evolved. The system has changed and evolved and will continue to do so. Sometimes the changes are small sometimes big, but this is a different discussion. Let me ask you has the Eu changed?<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />V<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-25548319138234325092015-02-13T09:07:04.499+01:002015-02-13T09:07:04.499+01:00So it is. Tsipras and Varoufakis have not shown co...So it is. Tsipras and Varoufakis have not shown convincing capabilities in international negotiations. Imho they behaved exactly the opposite way.<br /><br />H.Trickler<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5882645467378797266.post-73310901171250439282015-02-13T09:03:54.870+01:002015-02-13T09:03:54.870+01:00Klaus, you make a valid point by saying " tha...Klaus, you make a valid point by saying " that the problem would ultimately be decided on the streets".<br /><br />But I do not see it as an "outstanding strategy" of the two rambos, because in those street events too many people will dye.<br /><br />My 5 cents:<br />Syriza always knew that within the Euro Greece can not recover because necessary reforms are not possible. <br /><br />They said that they would not be shy of Grexit because they thought that this threat would give them an advantage. <br /><br />Germany nonofficially also preferred Grexit, but officially denied it and the media made it necessary for Syriza to pretend they intended to stay within Euro.<br /><br />Now, the hard facts of life still require Grexit, but nobody want's to be blamed having pulled that trigger. Only after a few years that culprit will become a hero ;)<br /><br />H.Trickler<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com