Samaras won't sign, EPP letter published

by Costas Papachlimintzos 22 Nov 2011

As the pressure mounts on the major Greek party leaders to provide written support for the October 26/27 eurozone deal, New Democracy (ND) president Antonis Samaras has reiterated his stance that he will not sign such a statement.   On Monday, ND publicised the letter that Samaras sent on November 13 to Wilfried Martens, the president of the European People’s Party (EPP), and to the EPP’s member parties.    ND party spokesman Yiannis Mihelakis stressed on Tuesday that he has nothing further to add on the issue of  Samaras' signature over commitments requested by the EC-ECB-IMF 'troika'. Mihelakis added that Samaras has made specific statements saying he backs the October 26 EU summit agreement, adding that no request has been made on behalf of the European Union as regards the ND leader’s signature.    In the letter, Samaras underlines the fact that he supports Prime Minister Lucas Papademos and the targets of fiscal adjustment but notes that “certain policies have to be modified”.   However, earlier on Tuesday the Dutch Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager explicitly called on Samaras to commit in writing that he supports the implementation of the EU deal.   “It has to be clear that there is also commitment from the largest opposition leader to implement the package of reforms. Saying that words are enough – we have passed that stage. We want a signature from this mister Samaras," de Jager, a member of Christian Democratic Appeal, a junior coalition partner in the Dutch government, said.   "Otherwise they won't get money, absolutely not."   The CDA is a member of the European People’s Party (EPP).   According to Dutch television station RTL 7, Dutch, German and Finnish leaders will meet on Friday to talk about Greece and the next aid tranche Athens is scheduled to get.   The full text of Samaras’ letter is below:   Mr Wilfried Martens President of the European People’s Party   Athens, November 13, 2011   Dear Mr President,   As I have already indicated to you, I find it necessary to inform my EPP colleagues on the current situation in Greece. Recent developments have put at great risk the European Council’s decisions of October 26th regarding the sustainability of the Greek debt.   Nea Demokratia [New Democracy] actively intervened to neutralize all imminent dangers: the “referendum” was scrapped, Mr. G. Papandreou was asked to resign as Prime Minister and a new interim Government was formed with the participation of Nea Demokratia and the party of LAOS.   This Government will push forward for the ratification of the October 26th decisions and call for general elections on February 19th 2012.   We believe that the new Prime Minister, Mr. L. Papademos, - Vice President of the ECB until last year - and the broad party base of the new Government, will help rebuild the credibility of Greece in Europe. The new Government enjoys strong parliamentary support in the Hellenic Parliament with the exception of the MPs from the parties of the left.   We also believe that the general elections will have a soothing effect on the Greek society, relieving political pressures and averting major social turmoil.   In fact, as stated in the meeting of the three Party Leaders under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic C. Papoulias: “it has been agreed upon that the task of the new Government will be to materialize the decisions taken at the European Council of October 26th 2011 and to implement the economic policies linked to those decisions”.   The new Prime Minister has already pledged to fulfill this task.   Nea Demokratia is committed to support the new Prime Minister.   Nea Demokratia is strongly committed to the success of fiscal consolidation and structural reforms, rebuilding market confidence and fostering economic growth.   Nea Demokratia fully supports the targets of fiscal adjustment, regarding all issues on eliminating the deficit and reversing the debt dynamics; it also supports “tools” already implemented (albeit poorly); namely, public expenditure cutting, fighting tax evasion, structural reforms, privatization programs and capitalizing on idle real estate public property.   On the evidence of the budget execution so far, we believe that certain policies have to be modified, so as to guarantee the Program’s success. This is more so, since according to the latest European Economic forecasts, Greece in 2012 will be the only European country with 5 consecutive years in recession!   We intend to bring these issues to discussion, along with viable policy alternatives, strictly within the framework outlined by the Program. We give great emphasis to allowing for prompt recovery, so that public revenues generated will help us achieve the targets set.   We also attribute special emphasis to the implementation procedures which have to be streamlined and upgraded.   The commitment of the Greek people and of Nea Demokratia to the European Union and the Euro is strong and irrevocable.   Nea Demokratia believes that Greece can get out of the crisis and safeguard its social cohesion. We are committed to make that happen.   Sincerely, Antonis C. Samaras President of Nea Demokratia  from ATHENS NEWS