Monday May 28, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Greek government in chaos with debt deal in doubt

World Nov. 02, 2011 - 09:00AM JST ( 29 )

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29 Comments

3

zichiNov. 02, 2011 - 07:35AM JST

That country is about to commit suicide. The Greek PM has fired all heads of the military out of fears there will be a military coup.
1

Antonios_MNov. 02, 2011 - 07:37AM JST

Like i wrote:

It is obvious that Pasok people could not deal efficiently with this kind of crisis. After all, they were elected as the "Socialist" Party and socialism is not a way to go for Greece right now. They need liberal reforms and reduce spending significantly, as well as minimizing the huge public sector. Thus, they need to resign immediately before they make things worse for both Greece and the Eurozone and allow Greek and European technocrats to run the government and adopt the necessary policies.

This is the only way. Referendum is obviously a terrible decision.

Apparently, Papandreou needs to resign. Monday's decision leads me to believe that this person acts irrationally and is very dangerous for his country. I can tell you that all my friends and relatives in Greece who were in favor of the implementation of the austerity measures and the reforms, were shocked to hear, Monday night, the Prime Minister's decision to put the entire country in the edge of collapse with this stupid and provocative action. Shame on him.
1

SushiSake3Nov. 02, 2011 - 08:38AM JST

This is not looking good.

We could have another global economic crisis on our hands by the end of tomorrow, if not sooner
1

gelendestrasseNov. 02, 2011 - 09:00AM JST

I think the full blown economic crisis is a little further off but the Greek PM has really botched this one. Of course the financial wizards who bought Greek debt will whine and cry that they will take down Italy next just in hopes of minimizing their loss at the expense of the rest of the Eurozone taxpayers. The whole thing is a crock.
-1

Elbuda MexicanoNov. 02, 2011 - 09:07AM JST

Only China should rescue Greece!!
0

FoxieNov. 02, 2011 - 09:13AM JST

I think this is a very clever move, he is trying to shock the opposition so deeply that they will go along with all his measures in the future. Don't forget the fact that he ONLY suggested the referendum.
2

globalwatcherNov. 02, 2011 - 10:06AM JST

Papandreou needs to resign, otherwise, Greece is on the way to a total collapse.
2

Samantha Zoe AsoNov. 02, 2011 - 10:43AM JST

Unbelievable! What must be going through the minds of the Greek people? What a situation to be in.
-2

TatankaNov. 02, 2011 - 11:53AM JST

To think a country that was founded by Greek Gods is now run by a bunch of God damn Greeks! Its time to jettison this country from the EU.
-1

akkk1Nov. 02, 2011 - 02:06PM JST

Only China should rescue Greece!!"

Let the spendthrifts take personal responsibility by solving their own problems.

China would be accused of buying up and owning Greece for tossing financial lifeboats.
1

presto345Nov. 02, 2011 - 05:27PM JST

Unfortunately Greece will be seen as a nation who is not only led by an irrational, incompetent leader, but also as a nation of people who don't seem to understand that they cannot continue to get a free ride, that they will have to make sacrifices to fulfill their obligations.
1

zichiNov. 02, 2011 - 05:35PM JST

‘It’s all over. The government is about to collapse,’ said one Greek official. Greece’s former deputy finance minister Petros Doukas agreed: ‘The **** has hit the fan.’
-5

just-a-guyNov. 02, 2011 - 05:40PM JST

Good job, the Greeks....the world will be a better place without the existence of European Union! Screw the EU and let it collpase! The EU idea was definately unfeasible because it dont have a 'supreme Soviet' who holds absolute power to make her members of the union to comply their own obligations! Now the world only three big brothers: US,China, Russia has the last 'say' for human world politics!
1

zichiNov. 02, 2011 - 05:41PM JST

Festering anger, Nazi war crimes and the £60bn the Greeks believe the Germans owe them

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2056400/Festering-anger-Nazi-war-crimes-60bn-Greeks-believe-Germans-owe-them.html
0

MadvertsNov. 02, 2011 - 08:09PM JST

The Greek PM should be held accountable for this brinkmanship.

On the subject of the Euro, and the supposed misery we're in, please check the link below to see the true nature of the Eurocrats:

http://dotsub.com/view/01ad2718-073c-474a-ac40-c7a72e199d55

Subtitled in French but the numbers will frighten you. And watch how the reporter is thrown out by security when asking these politicians pertinent questions, mostly why are they getting 15k€, tax FREE, every month simply for clocking in.
3

MadvertsNov. 02, 2011 - 08:12PM JST

".the world will be a better place without the existence of European Union! Screw the EU and let it collpase!"

Brilliant idea you have there.
-1

Elbuda MexicanoNov. 02, 2011 - 10:04PM JST

I think it would be easier to send lots of slave labor from China to Greece, kind of let the Greeks think they are running the country but in reality many hungry Chinese are very hard workers and are yearning for freedom and for sunny clean beaches like those in Greece, so when has anybody seen MADE IN GREECE on anything?? when everything now is MADE IN CHINA, right?? Yes, time to let Greece become a puppet state for China, the Russians would not know what to do with it except send in tanks right??
0

SerranoNov. 02, 2011 - 10:29PM JST

What a mess. Did the Greek socialists have anything to do with creating this mess?
2

FoxieNov. 02, 2011 - 10:53PM JST

ElBuda, there are already plenty of Chinese people in Greece. They run clothes stores usually and those are a big hit in Greece. Then there are the Chinese street vendors who sell all kinds of stuff, I bought some really good binoculars from one. Made in Greece things: Go to Costco and you can find Feta Cheese. The world's best olive oil comes from Greece, Total yoghurt is a big hit in the US nowadays (they have the best yoghurt commercials in the world in Greece), then there is Greek Thyme honey, also amazing, the best olives of the world are also Greek, Kalamata ones. What they could export and what I miss a lot is Loutraki Mineral water, oranges, tomatoes and grapes, white krassi (wine) and of course there is the famous Ouzo but maybe that would not be a hit in Japan. Greek jewellery is also exquisite. Where is my friend Antonios to finish the list???
1

globalwatcherNov. 02, 2011 - 11:48PM JST

Forget about Greece.

French PM has declared that EU cannot afford to wait any longer. The world refuses to go down with Greece. Well, people of Greece do not realize the fact they are not getting 50% of pension if Greece is heading to a total collapse. They will end up getting nothing, NADA. It is too bad Papandreou cannot convince the Socialist Party of Greece. He cannot lead. Now, the focus has to be shifted to Italy.
1

gonemadNov. 03, 2011 - 01:20AM JST

Greek was the cradle of democracy and again it seems that Greece brings back a bit of missing democratic culture to Europe. Reading the comments here, do you really believe voters are so stupid that they cannot grasp the consequences of their votes? Whatever way they vote, the consequences are serious in one way or the other. If decided by the government only, the necessary adaptions will become the playing field of party politics, the country will remain split for a long period and the street battles will continue. I find Papandreou's decision perfectly plausible as a means to restore political leeway for the Greek government, be it his own or any other.

If the speculators find it worthwhile to move to Italy or whatever other European state as their next target they will do that anyway, independent from any decision in Greece.

Thumbs up to Papandreou!
0

gonemadNov. 03, 2011 - 01:21AM JST

That should have been "Greece was the cradle of democracy..."
0

globalwatcherNov. 03, 2011 - 05:58AM JST

Emergency meeting is under way among France, Germany, Greece leaders right now (tonight). If this is not played correctly, we may repeat another global financial meltdown like we did in 2008. This is very critical. Greece is holding the world as a hostage. After all this, who wants to join TPP?
1

Antonios_MNov. 03, 2011 - 07:05AM JST

Where is my friend Antonios to finish the list???

Here i am. Ohayo gozaimasu, Foxie san! Like you said, Greece is not exactly the unproductive country that many people think of. There is a base of production focused on agricultural products and raw material like marble. Greece's main exports are fruits, vegetables, olive oil, textiles, steel, aluminum, cement, refined petroleum and petroleum-based products, etc. Greek exports have increased significantly the last year. However, Greece still consumes much more than it produces and therefore it needs to cut spending, especially by reducing the public sector. Of course, tourism and its merchant navy are the two main sectors of Greek economy.

I would also add to your list the famous Greek mastic of Chios island. Its amazing flavor is one of the things i miss the most when i am in Japan. By the way, you are right about saying that most Japanese people dislike Ouzo, something that i found quite surprising when i first came to Japan.

Greece is holding the world as a hostage.

Wow, maybe i should say this to my fellow Greek friends to feel proud of. Who said that Greece is not the center of the world anymore? Haha! Of course, i am joking. It's true that Greek crisis became a real round 2 of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis which many people thought that we managed to handle and deal with efficiently. Its a pity that a country which managed to host the Olympic Games successfully few years ago ended up in this kind of situation...
1

globalwatcherNov. 03, 2011 - 07:22AM JST

Antonio, I feel for all Greek people.

What Greece needs to do is to work on GDP and job growth fora long term perspectives. There are lots of excellent things Greece can export to global market. Yes, Greece is holding us as a hostage. So many other countries will go under if this is not done correctly, Antonio. The deal has to be sealed before 12/18, otherwise Greece has no financial sustainability, and I am afraid it will collapse. I understand a majority of Greek wants to stay within Euro while more than 60% Greeks do not want to accept Euro bail out package. This is not a win/win situation.

Hope for Greece
0

Antonios_MNov. 03, 2011 - 08:36AM JST

Global watcher, i agree 100% with you.
1

FoxieNov. 03, 2011 - 09:58AM JST

Antonios, ti kanis, you are right about the mastic. Maybe they could export mastic soda and I miss mastic candies. BTW, I was surprised to find mastic chewing gum in Korea.
1

Antonios_MNov. 03, 2011 - 10:29AM JST

Kalimera Foxie, kala eimai, esi? I am fine, but worrying a lot with all the news i read about Greece everyday. The Anti-Greek sentiment has also increased a lot, something that it is understandable but quite worrying under the current circumstances.
1

FoxieNov. 03, 2011 - 10:36AM JST

Ola kala. I don't think that the world hates the Greeks, it is just its politics. Don't worry.