Cheers and jeers at Sydney conclave Hellenes share their views on where Greece went wrong ANTHONY STAVRINOS
the European Central Bank to solve the problem.
University professor Vrasi
'The problem in this case is
das Karalis is convinced for
that Mr George Papandreou
mer PASOK PM George Pa
had brought in the Interna
pandreou is responsible for
tional Monetary Fund (IMF),
Greece's current predicament,
which is the serious problem
and wants everyone to know.
in this case:
Lasr weekend. on the eve of
Karalis said that if Greece had
the referendum vote, more
appealed to the European Cen
than 100 members of Sydney's
tral Bank only - and excluded
Hellenic community gathered
the IMF - then liquidity and
at the Greek Bilingual Book
recapitalisation of the banks
shop at inner western Dulwich
would have been secured
Hill for a discussion featuring
T h e Q&A covered topics
Karalis and hosted by former
ranging from whether pre
ProfessorVrasidas Karalis and Mary Kostakidis take the stage atthe Greek Bilingual Bookshop event. PHOTO:ANTHONYSTAVRINOS.
SBS news anchor Mary Ko
conditions had been met for
stakidis.
military intervention, t o why
is i n the word 'dialogue' - we
A "German vehicle probably
Karalis believes problems
Greece was balking at the
do parallel monologue: Kara
being driven by a Greek with
within Europe should be
troika's latest proposal in the
lis said.
debts?" was the cry. ·varou
solved within Europe, and the
face of chaos, and also wheth
'The Greeks fight about the
fatal mistake of Greece was to
er the IMF had a duty to wear
things they agree on. not
reach outside the EU for as
Greece's debt in lieu of proper
about the things they disa
Mary Kostakidis described
sistance.
due diligence.
gree on. because when two
the mood in the room as 'heat·
Greeks disagree they don't
ed. complex and concerned".
"From the beginning, there
Despite a range of views
talk to each other.
fakis!" was Karalis' reflex re sponse.
have been many tactical er
among the audience. there
rors and the process of nego
seemed to be unanimity that
'What happens is that they
'There was an understanding
tiation has lasted far too long.
Germany was the common
all agree. but start fighting
dum result, i t will take dec
This should have been resolved
enemy and questioners were
over different levels of em
ades for the Greek people t o
a few months ago; he told the
generally greeted with jeers
phasis."
meeting.
if they appeared supportive
Perhaps the most humorous
that regardless of the referen
come out of the crisis and to evolve and develop the sys
'The European Union depends
of the austerity stance, and
moment came when the meet
tems that need to be in place
on solidarity, mutual aid and
cheers if supportive of the al
ing was interrupted with news
for the country to function
most importantly, in these cas
ternative.
a BMW was blocking a neigh
properly; she told Neos Kos
bour's driveway.
mos.
es of default. intervention of
'The answer for the Greeks