Varoufakis: On the Euro Summit’s Statement on Greece: First thoughts

[Igel]

25. And they may.

Sometimes compassion means taking a hard line. That's the way it is.

Right now Greece gets no sympathy because it's been both abusive, hostile, and deceptive. Now, without anything but a repeat of the words that in the mouths of others usually signifies repentance and a willingness to change, they want to be treated as though they'd been cooperative, friendly, and acted in good faith.

Thing is, to tell a liar he's a liar typically results in great offensive. "How dare you call me a liar?" To tell somebody who's abusive that he's abusive can get you seriously abused. Suddenly the topic isn't the dishonesty and deceit, it's not the abuse, but it's all about the offense taken (if not given). So let's have this guy get his way: Suspend all negotiations for a bail out and funding bank liquidity. Instead, for the next month the only thing they'll do is negotiate, for several hours a week, whether or not offensive is appropriate and, depending on that decision, who should apologize to whom.

Having then resolved the really important issue, they can get back to trivial thinks like bank solvency and whether, when Greece has shown a willingness to actually behave with honor instead of bloviate about its honor, attention can be given to structural reforms that show Greece is acting in good faith, and then serious discussions can be held about debt relief of some form.