The Spartan Resurrection in Greece

If we were living in an ideal world I  would live in the hope that Greece will meet the EU's threats head on, accept a Russian package for a bail-out and stick it to the Europeans.

Cooperation With Russia Will Help Greece Escape Western Domination

A former economic advisor to the Reagan administration believes that Western banks and governments are a threat to Greek sovereignty and to its peoples' standard of living, and that only by re-aligning itself with Russia can Greece stave off these 'marauders.'

Sputnik News,

30 January, 2015

MOSCOW, January 30 (Sputnik) — Greece will be able to escape being dominated by "marauding" Western banks if it pursues greater cooperation with Russia and the BRICS, believes Paul Craig Roberts, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Reagan administration.

In an article published on Thursday on his website, Roberts notes that the collapse of the Greek stock market is a warning to Greek authorities that Europe would not make any concessions to the Mediterranean states, or allow for a unilateral improvement of relations with outside powers like Russia. "The warning from the EU and Wall Street is clear: Defy us and we will destroy you," Roberts says.

Roberts notes that when it was publicized that the Greek government would include representatives of the Communist Party, and seek to improve relations with Moscow, the West launched an attack on the Greek stock market indexes and securities markets. "To remind the newly elected Greek government of the whip that is held over Greek financial markets, Greek bond and stock prices were assaulted and driven down," Roberts notes. Thus, the yield on three-year bonds rose by 2.66 points to 16.69 percent, while the Athens Stock Exchange index fell by 9.2 percent –a three year low, resulting in serious problems for banks.

Roberts believes that the Greek debt crisis is being used to confirm the non-sovereign status of the member states of the European Union, and to show that it is the populations of these countries, rather than the banks which lend to them, which are responsible for the debt burden of the state. "And these populations must accept the reduction of their living standards in order to ensure that the banks do not lose any money," the economist notes.

"This is the 'New Democracy.' It is a resurrection of the old feudal order. A few super-rich aristocrats and everyone else serfs obliged to support the ruling order," Roberts argues.

The former Reagan advisor equates the actions of Western banks and governments to those of "marauding raiders", and notes that in the elections, Syriza received 37 percent of the vote, which in his view is not sufficient to support a large-scale campaign against the predatory politics of the West. For the new Greek government, the way out of crisis is collaboration with Russia and with financial institutions offering an alternative to those of the West.

"Can Greece escape from a situation comparable to the European Dark Ages when populations were ravaged by marauding raiders? Perhaps if Greece realigns with Russia and gains financing from BRICS," Roberts notes.

Otherwise, Roberts notes, "accommodation is unlikely to occur, because a reasonable accommodation is not the desire of Washington, the EU, or of Greece's creditors."

The Spartan Resurrection in 

Greece — Paul Craig Roberts

http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2015/01/30/spartan-resurrection-greece-paul-craig-roberts/

King World News’ Picture Version of this Column Is Available Here: http://kingworldnews.com/paul-craig-roberts-new-greek-government-rebellious-spartan-300-resurrected/

The Spartan Resurrection in Greece

Paul Craig Roberts

Having just written that Greece needs Spartans in order to prevail over its creditors and the EU, the new Greek government is showing signs of being Spartans. Listen to these words from Greece’s new Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras: “We should not accept or recognize the government of neo-Nazis in Ukraine.” “The EU lacks democracy, and citizens do not believe that their vote can change policy.”

The new Greek government has protested the latest EU denunciation of Russia, saying that the attack on Russia was reported in the media as if the decision was unanimous, whereas in fact, Greece, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria objected. No new sanctions on Russia have been imposed.

The New Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said that a provision that would have imposed further sanctions on Russia was removed at Greece’s insistence from the proposals at the meeting. Greece also required that the communique does not directly blame Russia for the conflict in Ukraine

German foreign minister Steinmeier apparently blustered that the EU would lambast Russia with more words if the independent-minded eastern Ukrainians launched an offensive against the defeated forces that took part in Kiev’s latest assault on the Russian provinces of Ukraine. Washington’s puppet state in Ukraine is vulnerable to collapse if Russia permitted the independent-minded provinces a free hand.

One cannot avoid wondering how long EU officials, Merkel, and Cameron can defend the imposition of austerity upon the peoples of Europe before they are hung off of lamp posts. The kind of austerity that is demanded of Greece and other European peoples is the kind that produces revolutions.

The kind of ignorant arrogance that characterizes Washington’s neoconservatives now afflicts the EU leadership. “Let them eat cake” is the cry and the policy.

If the new Greek government adheres to its Red Cloaks and the EU looters do not bend, Greece can turn to the new BRICS bank for its financing and turn its back to the EU. The other southern European countries that are set up for looting could follow. Intransigence on the part of the EU and Greece’s creditors could unleash a Black Swan that could unwind the EU and, consequently, NATO. Peace would descend upon the plundered and war-torn earth.

If the greed and stupidity of Greece’s creditors and the inflexibility of Germany and the EU persist, Washington’s European Empire could crumble. Just like Xerxes’ army.

The Immortals proved to be no more immortal than the Exceptional people have proven to be exceptional. A few Red Cloaks can scatter the lot.

Let’s hope Greece gets on with the job.