Greece...

Graham_Devon

Wolfgang Schaeuble has now stated there will be no talks before any referendum, regardless.

He also states that he has always kept to "our" rules (not sure if that's the EU or Germany) and that if everyone else had done same, and kept to "our rules", Greece would not be in such a desperate situation.

He then adds he feels sorry for the Greek people.

Graham_Devon

wotsthat wrote: »

Tsipras has humiliated himself. I reckon a deal will now be done - even Merkel has a heart.

See you back here in a couple of years.

I agree.

But in turn he appears to have set Wolfgang off doing the same! The "our rules" stuff was nearly as bad as Junkers all out lies.

What next? If they call off the referendum, the letter won't be good enough as it's not printed on the correct shade of white paper?

Edit: Just been confirmed. The German vice chancellor has stated that discussions can take place today regarding the letter.....so long as the referendum is called off. If not called off, no discussions will take place.

I can't imagine this will be helping a yes vote in Greece. Maybe that's the point now? If the Greek people can vote themselves out, the Greek government can say they offered it to the people and the EU can say the people chose their own destiny.

Graham_Devon

And the most telling of Wolfgangs comments so far:

"How can we trust a government to carry out a program it encouraged it's people to reject?"

Theres a lot in that statement. This isn't about money. It's about regime change.

mystic_trev

Graham_Devon wrote: »

What next? If they call off the referendum, the letter won't be good enough as it's not printed on the correct shade of white paper?

They've even managed to balls that up as well!

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-01/it-s-not-all-greek-to-voters-as-key-debt-document-mistranslated

mwpt

Graham_Devon wrote: »

And the most telling of Wolfgangs comments so far:

"How can we trust a government to carry out a program it encouraged it's people to reject?"

Theres a lot in that statement. This isn't about money. It's about regime change.

Well, he's right. Syriza were voted in on the back of promises they had no control of keeping. They are the ones with cap in hand, asking for more money or debt write offs. The only thing that is in their control is just flat out non payment, ie. default. Yet they have avoided this option. Why?

Graham_Devon

LOL Wolfgang now states he's not even read the letter from the Greek government.

And won't be bothering.

This is AFTER he claimed it lacked clarity

Surely we can all agree, whatever side were on, this is an utter shambles.

chucknorris

mwpt wrote: »

Well, he's right. Syriza were voted in on the back of promises they had no control of keeping. They are the ones with cap in hand, asking for more money or debt write offs. The only thing that is in their control is just flat out non payment, ie. default. Yet they have avoided this option. Why?[/QUOTE]



IMO because they were playing brinkmanship, hoping that their opponents would back down, but they didn't, so their tactics failed.

wotsthat

Graham_Devon wrote: »

And the most telling of Wolfgangs comments so far:

"How can we trust a government to carry out a program it encouraged it's people to reject?"

Theres a lot in that statement. This isn't about money. It's about regime change.

Both sides have used harsh words and undiplomatic language. Some trust has been lost.

Seems reasonable to ponder if the Greek government are simply trying to wring out the last few pennies before reneging and defaulting later.

purch

What did I say about open necked shirts :eek:

Graham_Devon

Looks like Merkel has just ruled out the ESM route.

She states that the IMF WILL be involved in any new bailout negotiations.

The IMF of course won't agree to a further bailout with Greece having just defaulted (sorry, I mean, "in arrears").

The EU commission though says the door is open to negotiations in order to ensure financial stability and will look at the ESM programme for Greece.

And now it looks like Tsipras may well call off the referendum. Could be rather stupid, or it could just prove that no matter what they do, Germany will appose. We'll see I guess.