International Media Newsletter, 11-Mar-2010

Papandreou Meets Obama, Clinton, Merkel and Sarkozy

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou visited Luxemburg, Berlin and Paris, before flying to Washington D.C. to meet President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and other U.S. officials. Mr Papandreou also addressed the Brookings Institution, wrote an article, and gave several interviews.

1) Washington D.C.

Mr Papandreou met U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House on March 9th. The two men discussed Greece’s financial situation and the European Union initiative against currency speculation, as well as other international issues such as the Cyprus problem, the future of the Balkans, and Greek-Turkish relations. The Greek PM said that Mr Obama’s earlier announcement of a visa waiver for Greek visitors to the U.S. was a vote of confidence in Greece and its economy.

Mr Papandreou advised Mr Obama that the Greek government’s emergency economic measures had the support of international organizations such as the IMF, as well as of the European Union and the leaders of many countries. He stressed that radical changes were being made not just in the management of the economy, but in public administration, education and health, with the adoption of ‘green’ policies that would bring about sustainable development.

The Greek PM told Mr Obama that, alongside other European leaders including Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, he was determined to fight currency speculators – this would limit destabilization in both the Eurozone and world markets. Mr Obama approved of the initiative and agreed that the issue would be discussed at the next G20 summit. Mr Papandreou also told the President that Greece’s proposal for all Western Balkan countries to become members of the EU by 2014 would help stability in the wider region. Also, Greece was committed to improving Greek-Turkish relations, but was also in full support of President Christofias in his attempt to find a just solution to the Cyprus problem.

After the meeting, the Greek PM confirmed that he had not asked President Obama for financial aid, saying that political support from the leader of the world’s largest economy country was very positive.

Greek Independence Day: Mr Papandreou attended the annual celebration at the White House, in the presence of President Obama. Also present were Archbishop Demetrios of America, members of Congress, and prominent Greek-Americans.

On March 8th, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomed the Greek PM to talks. In a joint press conference, they expressed mutual support. Mrs Clinton thanked Greece for its contributions to the NATO mission in Afghanistan and said that the U. S. supported Greece and the economic measures taken by its government. She also commended the country for its leadership in the Balkans, and the PM’s attempts to improve relations with Turkey. Mr Papandreou thanked the Secretary of State for her solidarity with the difficult decisions his government was taking to improve the economy and the system of governance in Greece. He stressed that progress with Cyprus, the Balkans, and Turkey was predicated on friendly cooperation rather than antagonism.

The Greek PM was also received by Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives. After their meeting, Mrs Pelosi referred to the ties between the U. S. and Greece, dating from the times of Athenian democracy and supplemented by the millions of Americans with Greek roots. She congratulated Mr Papandreou for his bold stand in the face of economic pressures, and assured him that her country would be at Greece’s side at this difficult time. The Greek PM spoke in honour of the Americans who died during the Greek war of Independence, demonstrating the countries’ common values. Having been born in California, Mr Papandreou was himself an example of the Greek-American community and he thanked the Speaker for her support during the financial crisis, which was now past its worst.

Brookings Institution:

Mr Papandreou addressed the institution on March 8th. Introducing him, Strobe Talbott, President of Brookings, said that the Greek PM was a leader  not just of his own country, but of Europe; he was also a champion of everything good and a statesman of rare discipline, ingenuity, integrity and political courage. Drawing parallels with the situation in 1947, Mr Papandreou said that there was a crisis of global governance, and that cooperation between Europe and the U. S. was essential to deal with it.

There was a danger that the financial woes affecting Greece might extend to the whole world. His government’s tough measures would reduce tax evasion and corruption relatively soon, but it was important to plan for the long term as well, in particular by implementing financial regulations – the markets should work for countries and citizens rather than against them. Climate change also needed a coordinated global approach. Democracy must be defended in every possible way, not least against modern oligarchies and narrow interest groups.

Bill Clinton: The Greek PM met the former U.S. president, who offered support for the Greek government’s economic measures. Mr Clinton said that Greece’s long term prospects were ‘exceptionally auspicious’.

Article for the International Herald Tribune: Mr Papandreou wrote about Greece’s problems in a piece titled ‘Greece Is Not An Island’, discussing the measures his government had taken to confront the crisis and the need for control of the international markets.

Interviews: While in Washington, the Greek PM gave numerous interviews.

- The Charlie Rose Show, with Charlie Rose

- NPR, with Michele Kelemen

- NPR, with Robert Siegel

- PBS News Hour, with Judy Woodruff

- BBC World America, with Matt Frei

2) Berlin/ Luxemburg

On March 5th, Mr Papandreou met German Chancellor Angela Merkel. At a press conference afterwards, the Greek PM said that two main elements of the political support Greece had sought and received from Germany were: support for the measures his government had taken, and the decision to act jointly against currency speculators. In addition, bilateral cooperation in seven sectors would be expanded under the supervision of a committee set up by the two countries. Greece had asked for no financial aid from Germany, but wished to be able to borrow at the same rates as other countries. Mr Papandreou had earlier met Luxemburg Prime Minister and Eurozone Chairman Jean-Claude Juncker to discuss economic issues.

3) Paris

The Greek PM had talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on March 7th. The President issued a strong message of solidarity towards Greece and its efforts to bring about economic recovery; the countries of the Eurozone must now take measures. The Greek PM acknowledged the support of France, saying that resorting to the IMF was not Greece’s preferred course of action. No financial assistance had been sought from President Sarkozy.