PRESS RELEASE
Tsipras’s Combative Statement on Bank Holiday
June 29, 2015 (EIRNS)—Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s statement announcing a bank holiday is as combative as that on the referendum, and is worth quoting at length. After pointing to the ECB’ refusal to increase liquidity to banks, Tsipras said:
"It is clear that the objective of the Eurogroup’s and ECB’s decisions is to attempt to blackmail the will of the Greek people and to hinder democratic processes, namely holding the referendum.
"They will not succeed.
"These decisions will only serve to bring about the very opposite result.
"They will further strengthen the resolve of the Greek people to reject the unacceptable memorandum proposals and the institutions’ ultimatums.
"One thing remains certain: the refusal of an extension of a few short days, and the attempt to cancel a purely democratic process, is an insult and a great disgrace to Europe’s democratic traditions.
"For this reason, I sent a short extension request again today—this time to the President of the European Council and to the 18 Heads of State of the Eurozone, as well as to the heads of the ECB, the European Commission and the European Parliament.
"I am awaiting their immediate response to this fundamentally democratic request.
"They are the only ones who immediately can—even tonight—reverse the Eurogroup’s decision and enable the ECB to restore liquidity to the banks.
"What is needed in the coming days is composure and patience. The bank deposits in the Greek banks are entirely secure.
"This holds true for the payment of wages and pensions, as well. We will deal with any difficulties with calmness and determination.
"The more calmly we confront difficulties, the sooner we will overcome them and the milder their consequences will be.
"Today, we have the chance to prove to ourselves—and indeed, to the world—that justice can prevail.
"Once again, we have a historic opportunity to send a message of hope and dignity to Europe and the world.
"In these critical hours, as we face history together, we must remember that the only thing to fear is fear itself.
"We will not allow it to overcome us.
"We will succeed.
"The dignity of the Greek people in the face of blackmail and injustice will send a message of hope and pride to all of Europe."
