Posted on 11/02/2011 3:24:46 PM PDT by nuconvert
The dismissal of Greece’s top military chiefs has the opposition up in arms. With the Greek crisis worsening by the day, PM George Papandreou has been accused of trying to rein in the armed forces before a potential government collapse. Sweeping changes to Greece’s military leadership were approved by Prime Minister George Papandreou during a meeting of the Foreign and Defense Council in Athens today.
The Chief of National Defense, as well as the chiefs of the army, navy and air force, were all replaced, according to a statement released by the Greek Defense Ministry Wednesday. In addition, a dozen commissioned officers were also relieved of their duties.
The move came as a surprise to many members of the government and the armed forces, as an annual review of the military leadership was already scheduled for November 7. Moreover, the changes rarely impact the entirety of the top brass.
While officials deny the decision is connected with the political instability that has gripped the country, the opposition says Papandreou is attempting to create a loyal armed forces he will be able to control if the situation in Greece spirals out of control.
However, having incited fury both at home and throughout the eurozone for his decision to call a referendum on the EU bailout package agreed to just last week, the opposition is refusing to confirm any new nominations from Prime Minister Papandreou.
"It is immoral to change the leadership of the armed forces just a few hours before the fall of the government," the far-right LAOS party said, as cited by Reuters. Parties on both ends of the political spectrum have called on the Papandreou not to proceed with any reshuffle of the military leadership until after elections. Although elections are not scheduled to be held until November 2013, Papandreou faces a confidence vote on Friday.
Ever since the collapse of a seven-year military junta in 1974, successive Greek governments have kept the military on a tight leash, with political loyalties often forming the basis for military appointments.
The recently-dismissed military chiefs had been appointed by the then ruling conservative administration in August 2009, right before Papandreou’s socialist government came to power some two months later.
This is always a good sign. A traditional happy omen.
Happy days are here again. Let the good times roll. Roll out the barrel. It’s going to be a crazy, swinging decade ahead.
Greek referendum set for Dec. 4 or 5, but European leaders say no aid until then
IIRC, Greece runs out of money at the end of this month.
Georgios Papandreou was arrested after a nightime raid at his villa in Kastri. Andreas Papandreou was arrested at around the same time after seven soldiers with fixed bayonets and one with a machine gun forcibly entered his home. Andreas Papandreou escaped to the roof of his house but surrendered after one of the soldiers held a gun to the head of his then 14-year old son George Papandreou.
Seems like that would leave a lasting impression (pun intended).
So do I.
Germany and France already made the deal to give Greece another 100+ billion euros and allow Greece, in essence, to repudiate half of its debt. Greece is trying to find a way to repudiate all of its debt and continue big spending without stopping the flow of free euros from other countries. ...same with other tourist traps in southern Europe.
I think you are on to it. They want to repudiate all of their debt and still stay in the Euro zone. They will probably be successful because everyone fears the collapse of the Euro more than they do bailing out Greece. Additionally, collapse of the Euro will expose the true depth of all of Europe’s debt and fantasy land bank books. My guess is that they are leveraged at least 40 - 50 to 1.
Few will willingly agree to the cuts. Just look at the NBA strike for starters. For that matter, look at the social security threads.
The Greek government knows that they can't do what the EU wants, and they know that the military just might be tempted to take over again.
For all my jokes, this is a very dangerous time. In a few years we might be looking at a hard communist revolution through out Europe.
Both George and more importantly Andreas were deeply involved with the Soviets. Andreas had contacts thru other Greek communists, Theodorakis and possibly Melina Mecouri, with the KGB thru their fronts, esp. the World Peace Council.
Both were traitors to Greece, trying to turn it over to the communists as revenge for the reds being defeated in the Civil War of 46-47.
So what if they do run out of money at the end of the month? I don't see the referendum passing anyway, so they will still be penniless.
Maybe if they laid off the gyros and tried ramen instead, it might help. I know I ate a lot of ramen when going to college and in between paydays.
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