NEW YORK TIMES: …Ms. Merkel met in Berlin with the Greek prime minister, Antonis Samaras, for his first official visit abroad. She expressed confidence that the government in Athens “will do what it takes to solve the problem in Greece,” and pledged to focus on healing the rift that has grown between the two countries…
The message was a clear signal to those Germans — including some members of her own government — who have argued that the easiest way to resolve Europe’s sovereign debt crisis is for Greece to leave the euro zone. Volker Kauder, who leads Ms. Merkel’s party in Parliament, told the public broadcaster ZDF on Friday that a Greek exit “would not be a problem for the euro” because sufficient measures were in place to prevent contagion from spreading to other weak economies in the euro zone…
“The recovery of the economy is of critical importance if we are to achieve our goals,” Mr. Samaras said. “What Greece needs is a chance at growth.”… (more)
EDITOR: They have been singing different songs…Germany demanded Greek austerity so debt can be paid…Greece saying that austerity is shrinking the economy, not only bringing incredible hardship but making it all the more difficult to meet debt requirements. Only growth now allows allows reduction of debt later.
Has Merkel finally come to her senses? Will the right wing of the U. S. Republican Party come to its? Different countries, same basic issue.
