Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Another Light At The End Of The Tunnel.

I read an article in a Greek newspaper that came out about two weeks ago.What caught my eye was the cartoon type photo' that sat next to the text. The photo ' was of government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou, and written in huge letters in the actual photo ( cartoon style), so it's impossible to overlook. are those words we keep on, and keep on hearing.

Samaras. the Greek Prime Minister, is really fond of this phrase, although he usually decorates it with flowery garlands, such as, his favourite, "We are turning the corner."

No such imagery here but simply the words," This Is The First Sign Of Recovery ".

Now, where have I heard that before ?

Mr. Kedikoglou is shown  proudly holding for all to see a sheet of totally blank paper.The mysterious blank sheet of paper is, one gathers, from the article, meant to show that the first spring buds of Greece's recovery are now starting to be seen. How very apt is that blank sheet.

The Greek Statistical Authority claim that the economy contracted by 3% in April, June, and this, wait for it, is the first sign of recovery.

It's that golden light at the end of Samaras' tunnel; the first sign of a harbour light seen from a sinking ship tossing up and mostly down on a very rough sea; the beloved corner in the road is now seen , and we are all going round this lovely bend ; the dark thunder clouds are going, and the first glimpse of a ray of sunshine is peeping through.

Perhaps I should right the Greek Prime Minister;s speeches.

How odd then that the government spokesman added that unemployment has continued to rise, and that the jobless rate for under 25 year olds is 60.6 %.

Don't worry though as the aim is to bring unemployment down significantly next year as reforms will take hold.

I do believe more or less the exact same words were said at the end of last year by Mr.Blue Skies himself - Samaras., but , as mentioned earlier, no doubt the phrase used was something like ," A light can be seen in the tunnel".

No reporter dared point this out, of course.

To give credit to the writer of the article, Derek Gatopoulos, he didn't just write what he was told to, but reminded us of the truly tragic situation in Greece.

His last two paragraphs point out how many strikes ( loads ) were planned for the following week ( the newspaper came out on November 15th 2013 ), and that several labour demonstrations were planned for the 17th November Anniversary.

One is only left with the distinct impression that although some joker claims that Greece is about to start swinging on a star, in reality, it is drowning in the Greek seas of debt and despair, and that things are getting worse and worse.

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