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 Eleutheria ou Thanatos: That was the slogan with which the Greek freedom fighters  liberated themselves from the Ottoman rule [1]

The same love for freedom  [although that oppression was far more barbarous] inspired the black slaves to fight against the monstrous tyranny of their white masters. [2]

Less dramatic, but comparable in modern times, was the choice of Greek prime minister Tsipras during his negociations with the EU capitalists [the Europtop, ECB, EU countries] of last week.

Capitulation or libeterty.

And unlike the brave Greek freedom fighters, Tsipras choose for capitulation.

He let himself intimidated by the EU gangsters and has agreed with  even more strangling conditions then those because of which  the negociations were broken off at 28th of june. [3]

He issued a referendum against the 28 june EU proposals, the Greek people voted ''OXI'' [4], making Tsipras uttering the statement, that ''democracy cannot be blackmailed'' [5]

What a bitter joke:

A week later he himself was so ''blackmailed'', that he forgot his ideals and the needs of the Greek people. He surrendered to the worse EU loan condtions ever. [6]

With this treason, he and his Syriza party lost all credibility and broke their election vows to the Greek people. Was it not Tsipras, who promised to end ''austerity pain? [7]

Well, he agreed with the most painful austerity plan ever! [8]

And his beautiful words have blown in the wind..... INTERNAL WEAKNESS OF SYRIZA IN EU NEGOCIATIONS Syriza [Tsipras] started with fundamental weaknesses in its negociating position with the EU:

The party didn't reject the Trojka [ECB,IMF,EU] austerity measures as such but wanted a ''moderation'' at one side and simultaneously staying friends with the EU creditors.

That didn't work, as 5 months negociations proved.

Because the hard EU austerity policy is also a question of power: And of course, the mighty will not give away their power without a fight.

Secondly, Syriza refused to consider breaking with the EU or the euro, which weakened their negociation marge.

And instead of confronting the EU creditors after the Greek OXI, and demanding loans which were fairly spreaded over poor and rich and not only made the poor pay, he came with an austerity plan of his own, which was approved by the Greek parliament with little enthousiasm, while he shamelessly admitted, that he broke his election vows. [9]

He remained begging for EU favours, not taking advantage of the fact, that a possible Grexit was not in the interest of the EU either [the domino effect on weak economies as Spain, Ireland and Portugal, Greece under possible Russian or Chinese economical influence, political unrest in Greece, which could spread through Europe], but repeated his mantra, that Greece would remain in the EU, whatever it costs.

''Well, the EU big shots said, ''pay the price'' and came with a deal, which the Devil in Faust should not have improved them. [10] Take into consideration, that the EU powers wanted to punish Tsipras for his audacity to question the austerity policy. [11]

EU DIRTY DEAL WITH GREECE ”EXTENSIVE MENTAL WATERBOARDING”

So  the EU deal with Greece is called [12] and I think they're right.  Not only this deal has been closed to put a blackmailing  knife on the throat of Tsipras [Grexit or complete surrender]

But also to show who's boss:

Therefore the hard conditions, which imply neo colonialism and bitter strangling of the Greek people.

For the neo colonialism part:

Relevant legislation [about banking and economic business] must be showed to the Trojka [or financial institutions, as this gangster group is called now], before even going to parliament, which is, of course, a scandalous violation of the Greek sovereignty:

Read with me ''“to fully normalize working methods with the Institutions [= de Trojka] (…) The government needs to consult and agree with the Institutions on all draft legislation in relevant areas with adequate time before submitting it for public consultation or to Parliament.”  [13]  

Regarding austerity measures:

Further cutting in the pensions, privatisations [demanded by the EU], violation of social rights like the right to strike and better working contracts. [14]

And that in a country, which already have been cutted heavily in pensions and with very lows salaries!

HUMANITARIAN TRAGEDY IN GREECE

How was the humanitarian situation in Greece, before this dirty EU deal of 12 july 2015?

Bad, bad, bad

With thanks to the EU austerity policy......

A grip: Half of the population is living under the poverty rate, one third is umemployed [two third of the younger people], there is a lack of medicines and suicide rates are high. [15]

And yet stricter austerity measures?

With which Tsipras agreed!

In an interview this man has the nerve to say, that adopting the drachma ''would have devastating effects on Greece and particularly the poor.'' [16]

Of course Mr Tsipras, I almost forgot that now the Greek poor are living in a welfare paradise!  

Thanks to the Trojka and you as their accomplice. Well, I wish you much success trying to sell this deal of the Devil to the Greek people, who believed your empty promises, Mr Tsipras! GREXIT OR EU CAPITULATION? We know the consequences of a Grexit [Greece to leave the eurozone].

All ECB support to Greece stops and the banks will fall. The banks can't go to the Greek government, which has no money either.

No euro's anymore and the choice will be made for the drachma, inflation, European products will be highly expensive. Misery, misery, misery. [17]

But how the situation is now and in the future, under EU domination?

Misery too and neo colonialism.

Besides, Grexit also has its dark sides for the EU:  

I already mentioned the domino effect, and the EU fear, that Greece will turn to Russia and China for financial support and so under their influence.

So the EU also has something to lose and Tsipras, with his obsession to stay in the euro, didn't even made use of that.

If he had liberated the country of EU neo colonialism, at least there was a proud population, taking their fate' in their own hands and going their way, however hard,

And what now?

Further humiliation, poverty and the greatest danger of all: That the neo nazi party the Golden Dawn will exploit the Greek misery in its own interest, encouraging the feelings of humiliation in a dangerous chauvinistic and racist direction. Yanis Vafoukis, former Greek minister of finance, warned strongly for this hugh danger. [18]

EPILOGUE

Tsipras has betrayed his ideals, election promises and the poor Greek people. [19]

With his election victory, he promised a social and humane Greece en undoubtedy with a good intention, but intentions only are not enough in politics.

He knew from the beginning, that he had to deal with hard neo liberal capitalistic EU politicians, gangsters, who didn't care to plunge the Greek people further into misery, whenever they could hold their economical power over Greece.

He did not fight fire with fire, but almost begged to stay in the EU/euro and only wanted to limit the damage of austerity, not to question austerity politics as such.

And when he played a good card, calling for a referendum, he didnot take advantage of the Greek OXI, worse, he didn't keep his promise, came with an austerity plan himself and eventually let himself intimidated into the worst austerity plan ever. The Greek have to fight with all measures, mass strikes, mass protests and demonstration to prevent this EU Devil deal will pass parliament.

And even when it passes, to ignore it and double the struggle, even with arms, if necesaary.

That's the only way to establish a humane and social Greece, with room for everyone, Greeks, refugees and migrants.

A Grexit will be necessary, so be it.

Greek people, fight the EU criminals and Tsipras and co, their accomplices.

For real freedom and equality.

Remember ELEUTHERIA OU THANATOS!

Astrid Essed

NOTES

[1] WIKIPEDIA ELEUTHERIA OU THANATOS [Freedom or death, written here in Roman letters, not in Greek] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleftheria_i_thanatos WIKIPEDIA GREEK WAR OF INDEPENDENCE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_War_of_Independence

[2] WIKIPEDIA NAT TURNER’S SLAVE REBELLION https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nat_Turner%27s_slave_rebellion

[3] EU DEAL WITH GREECE  EURO SUMMIT 12 JULY 2015 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/13_07_15eurosummit.pdf

[4] ''"We ask you to reject it with all the might of your soul, with the greatest margin possible," he said on Monday.'' AL JAZEERA GREEK PM MAKES PLEA TO VOTERS AS DEBT DEADLINE NEARS 30 JUNE 2015 http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/06/greek-pm-urges-vote-upcoming-referendum-150630023825053.html

THE GUARDIAN GREEK REFERENDUM: NO CAMPAIGN STORMS TO VICTORY WITH 61,31 % OF THE VOTE-AS IT HAPPENED
http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2015/jul/05/greeces-eurozone-future-in-the-balance-as-referendum-gets-under-way--eu-euro-bailout-live

CRIMES AGAINST GREECE THE GUARDIAN GERMANY WON''T SPARE GREEK PAIN YANIS VAROUFAKIS/FORMER GREEK FINANCE MINISTER 10 JULY 2015 http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/10/germany-greek-pain-debt-relief-grexit

[5] ''Today, he says, Greece has proved that democracy cannot be blackmailed; Greeks have made a brave choice, and one which will change the debate in Europe.''
THE GUARDIAN TSIPRAS/DEMOCRACY CANNOT BE BLACKMAILED
http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2015/jul/05/greeces-eurozone-future-in-the-balance-as-referendum-gets-under-way--eu-euro-bailout-live#block-5599958be4b032a39a3ba927

[6] THE WORSE EU LOAN CONDITIONS EVER EURO SUMMIT 12 JULY 2015 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/13_07_15eurosummit.pdf

[7] BBC NEWS GREECE ELECTION SYRIZA LEADER TSIPRAS VOWS TO END AUSTERITY ''PAIN'' 26 JANUARY 2015 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30978052

[8] THE WORSE EU LOAN CONDITIONS EVER EURO SUMMIT 12 JULY 2015 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/13_07_15eurosummit.pdf

[9] Mr Tsipras said the bailout deal “entails many proposals that are far from our pledges”, but he added it was “marginally better” than the proposals put forward last month by creditors.” BBC GREECE DEBT CRISIS: MPs BACK BAILOUT REFORM PLAN 11 JULY 2015 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33491452

[10] WIKIPEDIA FAUST https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faust

[11] THE GUARDIAN GREEK CRISIS: SURRENDER FISCAL SOVEREIGNTY FOR BAILOUT, MERKEL TELLS TSIPRAS 12 JULY 2015 http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/12/greek-crisis-surrender-fiscal-sovereignty-in-return-for-bailout-merkel-tells-tsipras

[12] THE GUARDIAN TSIPRAS FACED ''MENTAL WATERBOARDING'' TO ACCEPT DEAL http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2015/jul/12/greek-debt-crisis-eu-leaders-meeting-cancelled-no-deal-live#block-55a2aca5e4b07fc6a121fc4b

[13] EURO SUMMIT 12 JULY 2015 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/13_07_15eurosummit.pdf ON THE EURO SUMMIT'S STATEMENT ON GREECE: FIRST THOUGHTS YANIS VAROUFAKIS 14 JULY 2015 http://yanisvaroufakis.eu/2015/07/14/on-the-euro-summits-statement-on-greece-first-thoughts/

[14] EURO SUMMIT 12 JULY 2015 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/13_07_15eurosummit.pdf ON THE EURO SUMMIT'S STATEMENT ON GREECE: FIRST THOUGHTS YANIS VAROUFAKIS 14 JULY 2015 http://yanisvaroufakis.eu/2015/07/14/on-the-euro-summits-statement-on-greece-first-thoughts/

[15] THE NEW YORKER WHAT AUSTERITY LOOKS LIKE INSIDE GREECE 31 MARCH 2015 http://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/what-austerity-looks-like-inside-greece THE GREEK REPORTER 6.3 MILLION GREEKS THREATENED BY POVERTY 25 SEPTEMBER 2014 http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/09/25/6-3-million-greeks-threatened-by-poverty/ THE GUARDIAN OXFAM WARNS ON EUROPEAN POVERTY AND SAYS GREECE IS IN A ''TERRIBLE STATE'' 12 SEPTEMBER 2013 http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/sep/12/european-poverty-oxfam-warning

[16] ''“I never had a plan B” the Greek prime minister said and added that adopting the Drachma would have devastating effects on Greece and particularly the poor.'' THE GREEK REPORTER GREEK MP TSIPRAS INTERVIEW: ''A BAD DEAL WAS MY ONLY OPTION TO SAVE GREECE'' 14 JULY 2015 http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/07/14/greek-pm-tsipras-interview-bad-deal-to-save-greece/  

[17] BBC NEWS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF GREECE QUITS THE EURO? 18 FEBRUARY 2015 http://www.bbc.com/news/business-31457991

[18] THE GUARDIAN GOLDEN DAWN WILL BE STRENGTHENED BY MORE AUSTERITY, YANIS FAROUFAKIS WARNS 14 JULY 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/14/golden-dawn-will-be-strengthened-by-worse-austerity-yanis-varoufakis-warns

[19] THE INDEPENDENT IRELAND NEW PROPOSALS SEEN AS BETRAYAL AS OXI VOTERS ASK: WHY DID WE FIGHT THEN 11 JULY 2015 http://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/new-proposals-seen-as-betrayal-as-oxi-voters-ask-why-did-we-fight-then-31368693.html

http://www.astridessed.nl/eu-deal-with-greececapitulation-tsiprasbetrayal-of-oxi-ideal/