MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Greece demands reparations from Germany for Nazi occupation crimes, loan and destruction
The Greek government has threatened to seize German property as compensation for a Nazi atrocity in World War Two. Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos said he was ready to approve a Supreme Court ruling from 2000 backing payment to relatives of the 218 victims. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesI think he is playing with fire here. Germany could say, “sod you” and refuse to cooperate with any further bails-out , allowing Greece to sink into the mire.
Mar 12th, 2015 - 10:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0Much as I like Greece and it's people, they are rather cavalier in their attitude to paying taxes.
Nepotism also rules. If you want a job in the civil service or local government, it's who you know and not what you know.
It is also not unknown for sums of money to be demanded if you wish a job.
I have been told this by many Greeks who have suffered under this regime.
Difficult area. It appears that, in 1942, Nazi Germany forced the Greek Central Bank to loan 476 million Reichmarks at 0% interest. In 1960, Greece accepted 115 million Marks. There seems to be a considerable difference. I wonder if the words 'full and final settlement' were mentioned? Then there's the matter of the €28 million from the 2000 court judgment. There might be a few question marks over the various exchange rates. But it seems that a Reichsmark is now equivalent to €3.58.
Mar 12th, 2015 - 12:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0With an outstanding court judgment, I don't think Germany can afford to tell Greece to get lost. Especially if Greece starts seizing German assets. A matter of German national credibility.
Why not charge Italy for compensation?? They started the war and got butt fked back to Albania by the Greeks. The Germans just had to drive into Athens
Mar 12th, 2015 - 12:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And what did the brits get,
Mar 12th, 2015 - 12:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0we paid a heavy price,
and what abt everybody else who suffered from WW2,
I thought all these things were settled years ago,
but it seems not,
but perhaps one question should be-
when or where will it stop.
@3. Another one of your 'quazi-truths'? The Italians didn't have the guts to start a major war. Just a little push against a virtually undefended Ethiopia. Past time that Germany must be dismembered. In order to obtain proper data, argies must be dismembered. Inch by inch. Argies are GUILTY of everything horrific in the world. They have to be tortured to extinction and extermination.
Mar 12th, 2015 - 06:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The only reason they are bending over backwards to keep Greece in the EU is it will be a domino effect and the EU will dissolve like it should.
Mar 12th, 2015 - 06:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It will go down as a failed experiment.
Mark my words.
Words marked.
Mar 12th, 2015 - 07:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0They shall make for fine vintage lulz.
The unmighty Eu may well collapse under its very own corruption.
Mar 12th, 2015 - 07:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 08. Yes the EU will collapse under the weight of their own bureaucracy.
Mar 12th, 2015 - 08:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The EU will not collapse.
Mar 12th, 2015 - 09:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It may change. It may shrink. But it isn't going anywhere.
All th problems faced by the EU in the past several years have only strengthened the EU. Just as any new form of government face challenges.
The US Republic is a prime example. It was only through crises such as Articles of Confederation were replaced by the U.S. Constitution; that the U.S. Dollar and Federal Reserve were created and how it survived its civil war which lead to federal government dominance and aredution in internal foreign interference.
The EU will survive. Short-termism is de rigueur regarding the EU.
9 One can but hope.
Mar 12th, 2015 - 09:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Cameron's referendum is a lie so it's our only way out.
10. Hold on a mo, are you trying to compare the EU now to the USA civil war?
Mar 12th, 2015 - 10:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Try again,
In no way is the USA like the EU. Ask anyone.
The EU will go back to being a loose trade union with a EURO as a reference currency just like it was before all of this current nuttiness.
Just wait and see.
The EU's collapse was imminent in 2007.
Mar 12th, 2015 - 11:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Almost a decade later and its still imminent.
Just wait and see.
Just wait and see.
Just wait and see.
Unfortunately, now Russia has just decided to go all cold war again, I can't see the EU breaking up. The only way the EU has a hope of taking on Russia as sticking together.
Mar 12th, 2015 - 11:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That is the only good thing I can think of for keeping the EU together otherwise I would happily see it collapse.
5. What are you smoking old fool?? the Grecco-Italian war was started by Italy, not Germany.
Mar 13th, 2015 - 03:22 am - Link - Report abuse 014
Mar 13th, 2015 - 08:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0Can see the case for NATO sticking together.
But who allowed the Baltic States to join. They are anti British.
“Hold on a mo, are you trying to compare the EU now to the USA civil war?”
Mar 13th, 2015 - 11:33 am - Link - Report abuse 0Aaaah no! Try reading again.
17. Ahh, Try re-writing it again.
Mar 13th, 2015 - 01:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 013. Sistah, I'm not a time traveler, the collapse is already happening if you can't see it too bad for you.
Psst Iceland just withdrew its membership application to the EU.
:)
Oh heavens no, not Iceland. Surely the end is nigh when the mighty Iceland withdraws from the EU.... or rather I mean withdraws its membership application to join the EU.
Mar 13th, 2015 - 04:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Bit hard to associate something collapsing by referring to inaction of a non constituent part, but hey desperate times desperate measures.
psst - you're continually grasping at straws.
:)
@ 19 No Vestige of a brain
Mar 13th, 2015 - 07:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Do you really believe the crap you have written?
Do you not watch the EU in Brussels trying desperately to get as many stupid buggers that they can into this 'ungentlemanly' club.
Iceland withdrawing its application will be a massive slap in the face for the communists who now run the EU.
19. If anyone is grasping at straws it you. I really don't know how you've made it through life with so little understanding of how the world works.
Mar 13th, 2015 - 07:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Iceland just gave up its ticket on the Titanic.
If you don't understand that you're hopeless.
Read Chris's post a few times and let it sink in.
Silly Sistah.
Cough Cough
Mar 13th, 2015 - 08:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The EU will collapse,
Just not this way or that way,
Up away or down away,
But internally,
Make sense, no , of course not, and as long as it makes no sense , and the politicians are all bloody brainwashed,
it will last a thousands years,
How do I know this?
Hitler said it,
Napoleon said it
Benito Mussolini said it,
And it’s still here, different firm, different leaders, different name,
But a super duper European state in waiting,
Mark my words,
We even have a president that no one voted for,
Still,
When it arrives , let’s hope the brits aint on board,
Just saying like…..
ChrisRetard.
Mar 13th, 2015 - 09:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0A massive slap .... lol.
Something makes me think their prior desires to join didn't cause you to hop online and consider such attempts to be a massive boon and all round vote of confidence.
Iceland is a place of some 320,000 people.
The EU has bigger sports clubs.
Not only that but theres nothing to say they won't try to join it again after their vote/their next change of govt.
Heres some quick reasons why you'll leave this planet with an intact EU waving you off.
-A cohesive, integrated, co-ordinated China/United States/Russia/Brazil as competitors.
-Huge economic benefit to citizens of EU wide residence/work, huge cost of re-introducing borders and un-coordinated tax/customs systems.
-Huge disruption, economic and personal, to citizens who've already moved country.
-Huge economic disruption to entire countries of removing and replacing workers at every level in every industry.
-Macroeconomic synergies lost, decades of renegotiation of international contracts and terms among all states, entire change of laws, accords scrapped, industries and profits leaving overnight.
(Think Scottish referendum yes scenario x 27)
-The EU itself doesn't require all present members at any one time. If Italy and Sweden leave it tomorrow you can be sure the reshaped EU will still consist of most of mainland Europe.
All YOU require for the end of the EU is a simultaneous agreement by independent referendums of 5 or 6 heavily invested key countries.
Best of luck.
Just for fun, Regale me with a solution to the situation faced by 1 million Brits living in Spain when they've no longer got EU residency/work rights.
For that, dear assclowns (Im looking at you yankeeboy), is but the tip of the iceberg.
@ 23 STILL no Vestige of a brain
Mar 13th, 2015 - 09:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Oh, bless. The old chestnut about 1 M scrounging Brits living in the shithole that is Spain since the present band or arseholes took over what is laughingly called “The Government”!
I think Skip blew you out of the water on that one and I don't intend to waste my time on that.
Keep lying, the trouble is you are no good at that either.
Is there NOTHING you are good at, anything, shit shovelling like your mate POLLY?
ChrisRectum.
Mar 13th, 2015 - 10:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Who said they're scrounging.
Theres between 800,000 and 1 million Brits living in Spain.
Thats not a lie. Its a fact.
www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/5cd640f6-9025-11e3-a776-00144feab7de.html
euobserver.com/social/123066
As ever you've got no answers, just insults.
Problem ?
Dare I suggest that Germany- backed by Britain who perhaps suffered the most financially in WW2 - simply tell the Greeks to sort their own mess out, shut up and piss off- or grow up.
Mar 14th, 2015 - 10:10 am - Link - Report abuse 025. If you're only arguments are “foreigners” taking jobs in Germany and UK and UK pensioners living in Spain you're just proving my point that the EU has no business being a confederation.
Mar 14th, 2015 - 02:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It will dissolve and the cracks are showing now.
They have too much Socialism to survive, the population is old, the birthrate is low and it will collapse upon its own weight.
The only reason it hasn't happened so far is they are very very rich but that won't last forever. They are debt heavy. Worse than the USA. Much worse.
There are so many ways for it to start its hard to say what will happen first, Catalunya separation, UK separation, Greece or Italy leaving, ECB fcking up the Euro and rates so many I could go on and on.
I work in an industry where I can see a lot of $ is flowing out of the EU into the USA, a lot.
I am confident it will happen. I don't know when but it will be relatively soon probably within the next decade.
The EU will survive, in one form or another, gone way too far down the integration road in northern/central Europe at least, for them to turn back now, even if the people wanted to.
Mar 14th, 2015 - 03:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0With Eastern Europe close behind, hurried along by Putin.
Many countries, especially the smaller ones, could no longer function or exist independently.
What happens to Greece however is another matter. If comments (basically threats) like this are acted upon, then there will be a strong response and we will soon see boat loads of refugees leaving Greece for Libya.
@ 28 Pugol-H
Mar 14th, 2015 - 05:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Can you please tell me your nationality, thanks.
@29 ChrisR
Mar 14th, 2015 - 06:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I am British/English, although I was born abroad, I came to live in Blighty as a teenager.
30 Pugol-H
Mar 14th, 2015 - 07:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Thank you.
A decade long prediction and no answer to what even happens in Spain alone.
Mar 14th, 2015 - 07:30 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Let alone the other 1.3 million British in other EU countries.
Then there's the same question for Germans...French...Austrians...Dutch...
I dont see the Polish, Lithuanians, Latvians going easily. But of course you've got an easy answer to that one too.
The specific cause of this particular EU collapse...“too much socialism”.
Weak.
Nothing will happen to the million odd brits in Spain if we pulled out,
Mar 14th, 2015 - 08:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0that just rubbish reporting,
now if Britain and Spain went to war,
then probably a majority of brits may well leave, and some will stay,
if we followed 32@ ideas then the whole of Europe the 28 members would all revert to say, pre existing [ some time , any time ]
and all go back home,
it just would not happen.
the only noticible difference of us leaving the EU,
would be , Britain would control its own laws , borders , and everything else we lost to the EU,
and most of that would have to be withdrawn from SLOWLY.
simple.
unless you know something we don't, please tell us.
Ah, So freedom of travel and residence within Europe would remain.
Mar 14th, 2015 - 09:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0What about trade agreements.
Cause if you have freedom to travel and reside along with trade agreements then you've pretty much got yourself the EU.
Or maybe there would be NO more freedom of travel and residence - but whats going to happen to all those Brits everywhere in Europe in that situation.
If they're staying in Spain ... then the Spanish (et al) in GB will be staying where they are too. So no real change.
Or you could tell the Spanish in GB to go back to Spain, the Germanys in GB to go back to Germany, the French in GB to go back to France and so on and see what happens next.
Sistah, You know there are lots and lots of countries that have free trade policies, residency policies without having a Super-Gov't Confederation.
Mar 15th, 2015 - 12:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0Sounds almost like it was before the EURO was introduced...gasp.
My my you conceded pretty darn quickly.
I guess she's had a bit too many tonight.
Except before the EURO you didn't have 2.2 million Brits living on mainland Europe and 2.3 million mainland Europeans living in G.B. for a start.
Mar 15th, 2015 - 04:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Your concept of a collapsed EU is pretty much zero change except a change in name.
Its no longer called a car ... its now known as a metal frame arrangement complete with engine and wheels.
Oh hurray the EU is dead - everyone will now suddenly go back to their countries of birth, businesses will scrap regulations, trade agreements will disappear.
Oops - we cant send people back without screwing our industries of skilled and low paid labor, and rearranging the lives of our own citizens elsewhere.
(better keep em)
Oops - to change those regulations would increases costs and lose contracts.
(better keep em)
Oops - scrapping those trade agreements realigns the whole economy.
(better keep em)
Dear sistah, you will still be predicting the collapse of the EU years from now, just like all those who saw its imminent collapse tomorrow morning in 2007.
The EU will collapse when the fat lady stops singing..and man!! the last time I heard her sing her vocal chords could bring down the The highest sky scrapper........
Mar 15th, 2015 - 07:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Sistah, Where's the link to how many Uk ers etc were living in the EU before the Euro? Bet it was about the same.
Mar 15th, 2015 - 11:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Anyhoo one of us will be right and you'll be wrong.
As usual.
“Bet it was about the same.”
Mar 16th, 2015 - 01:02 am - Link - Report abuse 0- sistah yankeeboy
www.statslife.org.uk/social-sciences/1910-how-many-british-immigrants-are-there-in-other-people-s-countries
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_Spain#Major_immigration
British migration to Spain : “% change 2001 - 2014 = 214%”
Your hat madam.
If they are in Spain, they are pouring money into it's economy
Mar 16th, 2015 - 08:02 am - Link - Report abuse 0Maybe. Maybe not.
Mar 16th, 2015 - 11:54 am - Link - Report abuse 0But they are there, and 1.3 million more in other EU countries. And that's just the Brits.
Getting rid of free movement could be rather messy it seems.
#41
Mar 16th, 2015 - 12:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0We lived with it quite happily before and could do it again.
tell it to 2.3 million mainland Europe Brits Clyde.
Mar 16th, 2015 - 02:57 pm - Link - Report abuse 0and lets not forget - thats only the British.
to remove free movement within the EU, you must be talking about radically changing the lives of 10's of millions in 28 countries.
Even if voted I doubt it could ever be enforced.
Nope - free movement in Europe, a major part of the EU concept, is very highly unlikely to be changed in our lifetimes. Tant pis pour toi.
@ 43 STILL no Vestige of a brain
Mar 16th, 2015 - 07:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0If the Brits, Germans and all the rest who actually spend money in Spain left the place there would only be the crooks (inc the gov) the poor sods with low education who cannot get work in the UK and the Spanish pensioners left.
Another nose dive for the 'economy' only this time it would have the added excitement of being in a tailspin.
@ 37 spanisharseholee
WTF is a sky scrapper? Some new form of Spanish jerry building to go with the thieving Mayors and complicit lawyers who are still ripping off decent foreign people.
Or were you thinking of yourself on a Saturday night when you have had toe halves of shandy are you want to fight all the old women in the place, only to have your arse handed to you on a plate as per the usual Spanish 'fighter'?
The pair of you don't add up to half a brain.
Vestige
Mar 16th, 2015 - 07:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0you are wrong and you know its just your anti feelings again.
ChrisReject.
Mar 17th, 2015 - 12:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0All very interesting, but completely off the point and based on a quite strange 'if'.
'if' you had as much dignity as yankeeboy, you too would leave with your tail between your legs quickly.
Briton - yes its my “anti feelings”. my anti bullsht feelings.
mmmmmmm
Mar 17th, 2015 - 07:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Britons most insightful comment to date.
Mar 18th, 2015 - 12:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“mmmmmmm”.
Beats the usual “duurrrr”.
mmmmmmmmmmmm
Mar 18th, 2015 - 07:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0or
umm
@ 48 STILL no Vestige of a brain
Mar 18th, 2015 - 08:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I like the comments that Briton makes: they all have so much more sense than any of yours.
Have you thought of taking your own advice (nobody else would of course) and leaving us 'grown-ups' in peace?
Now run along, you know you are beaten so run away as usual.
ChrisRasclart
Mar 18th, 2015 - 11:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I gave facts and stats, logic based arguments and pointed out contradictions and probabilities.
Nobody here could give a coherent counter argument, just hot air and adhoms.
You couldn't even attempt to play the ball and so you tried playing the man, and once again phailed hard.
Talking abt Europe,
Mar 19th, 2015 - 10:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0Greece may well solve the problem that the EU wont face,
and the brown bear is waiting in the wings.
EU can survive Greece dropping out.
Mar 19th, 2015 - 02:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0the brown bear knows better than to try.
Maybe , maybe not,
Mar 19th, 2015 - 07:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0the UK will be relatively ok,
the euro followers will be screaming ,
still,
they bent all the rules to get them in,
and it will bite them hard.
as for the brown bear,
Cyprus now has a Russian loan, Russia now has access to its ports
Greece may well be next, who knows.
one thing is sure,
Greece is a very slippery customer...
Greece this Greece that.
Mar 19th, 2015 - 11:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Its 1 of 28, and not even one of the important ones.
You'll be looking at an EU story in 1 months time.
And 1 years time.
And 1 decades time.
And unless you can figure out a way to dis-entangle and repatriate 10's of millions of citizens to their countries of birth without screwing over your own economy - your lifetime.
But I'd be quick if I were you - once all those duel/triple citizenship kids born throughout he EU in the last decade hit voting age you may have a bit of a problem.
Enjoy waking up in the EU tomorrow.
Greece this Greece that
Mar 20th, 2015 - 01:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0you seem to be obsessed with Greece,
what will be, will be.
Hello there Briton. You still being a good little EU citizen today ?
Mar 20th, 2015 - 01:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Make sure your response meets EU standards and regulations. Auf wiedersehen. :)
Im a British citizen, not European.
Mar 20th, 2015 - 08:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0never have been or ever will be a European citizen.
Oh sure ya are.
Mar 20th, 2015 - 08:39 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship_of_the_European_Union
Crap, my birth cert states British , born in the united kingdom,
Mar 20th, 2015 - 08:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Eu are a lost cause.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship_of_the_European_Union#/media/File:British_biometric_passport.jpg
Mar 21st, 2015 - 12:22 am - Link - Report abuse 0I just found the EU again.
Eye found rubbish as well,
Mar 21st, 2015 - 07:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0This declaration therefore excludes from EU citizenship various historic categories of British citizenship
Besides the Eu president will come after you lot soon, you wait and see,
Ha ha
EU tired of waiting” for Mercosur to sign a trade and citizen agreement
http://en.mercopress.com/2015/02/17/eu-tired-of-waiting-for-mercosur-to-sign-a-trade-agreement-paraguay-a-trusted-partner
chuckle…costa joka
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