Greeks insist on WW2 reparations by Germany amid debt crisis

By Maria Spiliopoulou
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ATHENS, April 12 (Xinhua)
 -- Debt-ridden Greeks insisted on Friday that Germany should grant Athens multi-billion-euro reparations over crimes committed by Nazi forces and occupation loans enforced on the country during the Second World War.
"After 70 years it was about time we made a start whether on not we will win the compensations after all," Socrates Kefaloyannis, President of the Network of Greek Cities and Villages who have suffered Nazi atrocities, told local media, expressing "reserved confidence" over the result.
The decades-old issue resurged to the spotlight again this week, as Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos briefed Greek President Karolos Papoulias on an updated confidential report on the matter written by the Greek state's Legal Council.


Both officials said that Greece should pursue justice, as local media, citing data from the survey, reported that the Greece could claim some 160 billion euros (209 billion U.S dollars) for atrocities and damage done to infrastructure as well as a loan Nazi Germany imposed on Greece during 1941-1944.
Foreign experts, according to recent reports in German media, have concluded in similar estimates. As the country struggles to counter an acute debt crisis and move away from the brink of default, Greece is receiving multi-billion bailout aids from European Union and International Monetary Fund in return for a tough austerity and reform program.
During an interview with German media this week, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble responded that debt-ridden Greece should stay away from "irresponsible statements" which diverts attention from efforts to tackle its financial woes, stressing that the issue has been settled decades ago.
But for Greece the issue remains open and international justice will determine how it will close, Avramopoulos replied, adding that there is "no relation between the reforms that are being carried out in Greece and the matter of German reparations.
In 1960 Berlin paid about 100 million Marks for a total of 90,000 people - survivors of Nazi crimes and the families of the deceased. For Germany the case was closed then, but Greece raises objections.
For decades Greek governments did not push the matter for the sake of good Greek-German relations. The debt crisis and rising anti-German rhetoric and feelings among Greeks due to Berlin's harsh pro-austerity stance changed the climate in Athens.
Parties participating in the conservative- led government coalition, as well as parties ranging from the Left to the far-Right; now express determination to pursue reparations. 
 .xinhuanet.com
14/2/13
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