6 ATHENS VIEWS

INTERVIEW
Patrick Theros I
Greece must get its house in I
Former US ambassador to Qatar explains why
German-imposed austerity is wrong andsees Greece
as the point where European andAmerican
policies collide
By Misyrlena Egkolfopoulou
B
orn in Michigan to Gree.k
immigrant parents, Ambas
sador Patrick Theros' was
raised in Washington, DC.
After graduating from Georgetown
University's Edmund A. Walsh School
of Foreign Service in 1963, he spent
36 years serving i1 a vaiety of countries
in the Arab world, including Lebanon,
Syria, JOildan and the United Arab
Emirates. His last assignment was
US ambassador to Qatar, from 1995
to'l998. Due to his passion for Middle
Eastern politics as well as his love
fa" the Arab culture, food and 1arg.Jage,
Theros has maintained his relationship
with the Arab world long after his
retirement. HeIB he shcres his thoughts
about the future of Greece, the sig
nificance of Greek-American relations,
and the possibility of Qatar becoming
a financial ally of Greece.
Athens Views: What do you think
is behind the Arab Spring and
how do you think it is shaping the
Arabwortd?
Patrick Theros: A lot of us who were
experts'in the area never understood
how the Arab people could continue
to put up with dictatorship. It was a
mystery. Many came around with
the idea that they just weren't fit for
modern life and democracy, that this
is just their fate. But then everything
exploded. What these Arab revolu
tions have accomplished is the idea
that, for the first time ever, the Arab
people are not afraid of their gov
. . .,,\

(t - . '
" " .. ..
democracy. It was a revolt to get
a decent job, a revolt against un
employment and lack of opportu
nity. Turkey had a limited demo
. 1
cratlc system, and Egypt had
none. This is the first time in Turk
ish history where there have been
large demonstrations that have not
been organised by the govern
ment. It is something new and
while there are parallels with
Egypt, the context is completely
different. What has happened to
Erdogan has less to do with his
political philosophy and more with
his growing ego; he had been a
successful politician who started
to believe he could do no wrong.
As for Greece, it is struggling so
So far no investments have come throug of
from the Qatari emirate. Do you think Qatar. 01
is a potential strategic financial ally for pI
Greece?
at
Yes, but Greece has not risen to the occasion, j
The problem in
Greece isn't that the
Qataris aren't inveSt-
ing. The regime in th
Qatar is very sympa- 01
thetic to Greece and
wants to invest. The GI
problem is that no one ie
has presented any GI
projects that are vi- 181
able and meet their stJ
criteria. There are fan- pc
tastic opportunities for
Greece but if they m;
don't get their internal Gr
house in order, they tUI
won't be able to ben- bil
efit from it. If you had ' IN(
a working' syStem in Ar
.. .....:.;1 .. _' ..,

ments would'&op,e. gc
str
US Secretary of the
Treasury Jack Lew's n
reCent visit and Pres- hi!
ident Barak Obama's ell
and fonner treasury of
secretary Tim Geith- GI
ner's stands show GI
that Washin'gton is th
interested in helping Greece get out of the ev
et;i,sis without the austerity measures that zo
the EU has in mind. How far do you think be
the US support can go? frc
They are not doing it out of sympathy for in!
Greece; they are doing it because theybelieve m
it's a bad policy. The US believes that if these Gr
austerity measures continue, they are going qL
to reignite the crisis in Greece, which in turn ha
will cause damage to the US economy. W(
Greece is simply the point where European we
policy and American policy collide. an
tic
What is the significance of Prime Minister El
Antonis Samaras' scheduled visit to Wash- lee
ington this month? it i
It was a political necessity for the Greek gov- rei
ernment. What the US can do to help Greece m.
is continue the fight over the basics of Ger- va
l
t
1
By Misyrlena Egkolfopoulou
B
orn in Michigan to Greek
immigrant parents, Ambas
sador Patrick Theros' was
raised in Washington, DC.
After graduating from Georgetown
University's Edmund A. Walsh School
of Foreign Service in 1963, he spent
36 years seMng in avariety of countries
in the Arab world, including Lebanon,
Syria, Jordan and the United Arab
Emirates. His last assignment was
US ambassador to Qatar, from 1995
to 1998. Due to his passion for Middle
Eastern politics as well as his love
fa- the Arab culture, food and language,
Theros has maintained his relationShip
with the Arab world long after his
retirement. Here he shales his thoughts
about the future of Greece, the sig
nificance of Greek-American relations,
and the possibility of Qatar becoming
a financial ally of Greece.
Athens Views: What do you think
is behind the Arab Spring and
how do you think it is shaping the
Arabwor1d?
Patrick Theros: A lot of us who were
experts in the area never understood
how the Arab people could continue
to put up with dictatorship. It was a
mystery. Many came around with
the idea that they just weren't fit for
modern life and democracy, that this
is just their fate. But then everything
exploded. What these Arab revolu
tions have accomplished is the idea
that, for the first time ever, the Arab
people are not afraid of their gov
ernments. Even though their gov
ernments are stronger, even though
their governments still kill them, they
now have the courage to take to the
streets and confront them. Their
governments have lost the ability to
intimidate their populations. In my
opinion, we have years, decades
per:haps, of more revolt, oppression
and slaughter. The Arab world is
changing.
What do you think the crisis in
Egypt means for Turkey and
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Er
dogan? Do you think Greece can
be mobilised diplomatically?
The Egyptian revolt was not for
.' . . .
," .' ,'" ..... (I .
, ," . . " .
.. ..' ,\ c l
>... ' .. .. ' .. 1. '. ' .1
democracy. It was a revolt to get
a decent job, a revolt against un
employment and lack of opportu
nity. Turkey had a limited
cratic system, and Egypt '
none. This is the first time in Turk
ish history where there have been
large demonstrations that have not
been organised by the govern
ment. It is something new and
while there are parallels with
Egypt, the context is completely
different. What has happened to
Erdogan has less to do with his
political philosophy and more with
his growing ego; he had been a
successful politiCian who started
to believe he could do no wrong.
As for Greece, it is struggling so
hard for economic survival that the
Greek government doesn't have
the energy left '9 peal with it.
You need a forceful,
determined leader that is
prepared to take some risks.
I think Samaras has the
potential to be that leader,
but the test is still out there.
Yes, but Greece has not risen to the occasion.
The problem in
Greece Isn't that the
Q&taris aren't invest-
ing. The regime in
Qatar is very sympa
thetic to Greece and
wants to invest. The
problem is that no one
has presented any
projects that are vi- II
able and meet their 8
criteria. There are fan
tastic opportunities for
Greece but if they n
don't get their internal G
house in order, they
won't be able to ben
efit from it. If you had - 'III
a in PI.
Greece, .
ments
9
51
US Secretary of the
Treasury Jack Lew's 11
recent visit and Pres- hi
ident Barak Obama's el
and former treasury 01
secretary Tim Geith- G
ner's stands show G
that Washing'tQn . is
interested 1n helping Greece get out of the
crisis without the austerity measures that z(
the EU has in mind. How far do you think
. the US support can go? m
They are not doing it out of sympathy for in
Greece; they are doing it because they believe m
it's a bad policy. The US believes that if these G
'. austerity measures continue, they are going ql
to reignite the crisis in Greece, which in turn h,
will cause damage to the US economy. w
Greece is simply the point where European w
policy and American policy collide. ar
tic
What is the significance of Prime Minister El
Antonis Samaras' scheduled visit to Wash- Ie
ington this month? it
It was a political necessity for the Greek gov- re
ernment. What the US can do to help Greece m
is continue the fight over the basics of Ger-
many's economic policies. The most impor
tant thing that Samaras could accomplish is W
get Obama to be more forceful with the Ger- pi
mans. The likelihood that Samaras can pull it g
1
m
G
h,
dE
G
af

ltv
nE
p,
th
st
Signing ofagreement for the establishment
of the Qatar-Greece Business Council
FRIDAY 2 AUGUST 2013 INTERVIEW
rheros
must get its house in order
Ir to Qatar explains why
";ty is wrong andsees Greece
opean andAmerican
Greek
It>as
lWas
DC.
Iown
chool
IPElnt
rtries
. . . .' .
" .' " ..'
, ..... co \\
..' ..' " c (> ;"
.' ...' ....' .
democracy. It was a revolt to get
a decent job, a revolt against un
employment and lack of opportu
nity. Turkey had a limited demo
cratic system, and Egypt
none. This is the first time in Turk
ish history where there have been
large demonstrations that have not
been organised by the govern
ment. It is something new and
while there are parallels with
Egypt, the context is completely
different. What has happened to
Erdogan has less to do with his
political philosophy and more with
his growing ego; he had been a
successful politiCian who started
to believe he could do no wrong.
As for Greece, it is struggling so
hard for economic survival that the
So far no investments have come throug
from the Qatari emirate. Do you think Qatar
is a potential strategic financial ally for
Greece?
Yes, but Greece has not risen to the Occasion.
The problem in
Greece isn't that the
Qataris aren't invest
ing. The regime in
Qatar is very sympa
thetic to Greece and
wants to invest. The
problem is that no one
has presented any
projects that are vi
able and meet their
criteria. There are fan
tastic opportunities for
Greece but if they
don't get their internal
house in order, they
won't be able to ben
efit from it. If you had
a in
Greece,the .-iqyest
mEmts would 'carne.
US Secretary of the
Treasury Jack Lew's
recent visit and Pres
ident Barak Obama's
and former treasury
secretary Tim Geith
ner's stands show
that Washington is
interested in helping Greece get out of the
crisis without the austerity measures that
the EU has in mind. How far do you think
the US support can go?
They are not doing it out of sympathy for
Greece; they are doing it because they believe
it's a bad policy. The US believes that if these
austerity measures continue, they are going
to reignite the crisis in Greece, which in turn
will cause damage to the US economy.
Greece is simply the point where European
policy and American policy collide.
What is the significance of Prime Minister
Antonis Samaras' scheduled visit to Wash
ington this month?
It was a political necessity for the Greek gov
ernment. What the US can do to help Greece
is continue the fight over the basics of Ger
many's economic policies. The most impor
off is questionable, unless he convinces
Obama he will start taking more risks and 'm
plementing more dramatic changes. Right
now, all Greek politicians are more concerned
about the effect of the loss of public sector
jobs on elections. Nobody yet has tried to
mobilize the private sector in Greece. HSama
ras could make that case to Obama, he could
give him an incentive to be more forceful wTttl
the Germans. That is the best thing that
Obama can do for Greece right now.
Greece has failed to mobilise Greek-Ana'
icans to support new development in,
Greece. Who is to blame - the deficit of
leadership in Athens or the detachnent of
strong, resourceful Greeks of the dias
pora?
It's that the legal and bureaucratic structLre
makes investment extremely difficult. U the
Greeks could change their bureaucratic struc
ture td make investment worthwhile, there are
billions of dollars that Greeks abroad that
would be more than happy to invest in Greece.
America is full of wealthy Greeks who, if the
. atmosphere for an investment in Greece were
good, would invest tomorrow. There is a very
strong sympathy in the community here.
Through the Qatar Business Council you
have been trying to help Greek companies
expand in the Middle East. What ant some
of the challenges you have faced in Qatari
Greek business?
Greek companies used to be everywhere in
the Middle East, with products for sale in
every. Souq. Once Greece entered the euro
zone, 'all these Greek companies came home
because there was a lot of money pouring in
from Europe. Now Greek companies are try
ing to go back but have forgotten how to
market themselves and can't compete.
Greece's services and products are very
quality, at competitive prices. Also, Greece
has a competitive advantage in the Arab
world. Much like Greece, business in the Ivab
world is still based very much on personality
and relationship. Greece has a special rela
tionship with the Arab world. We are the only
Europeans the ArabS like. We try to help them
learn how to take that relationship and make
it into foreign business. Arabs are our cultural
relatives. Greeks have to learn how to do the
modern side of the business while taking ad
vantage of the personal relationships.
.....-.-'ro me CICCa'Sb L --,........
NobodY
{) Greek
1Vnbas
os was
on,DC.
iJetown
School
aspent
0U1I:ries
!banon,
d Arab
Int was
m1995
'Middle
love
rgJage,
Iionship
fter his
,'" ," .......
InJghts
, ..'
;>
'1.. '
..' ," () (0
!he sig
> ..' ...' '
IIaIions,
coming
democracy. It was a revolt to get
a decent job, a revolt against un
employment and lack of opportu
nity. Turkey had a limited demp
I(J and
cratic system, and Egypt hhd
uthink
the
none. This is the first time in Turk
ish history where there have been
large demonstrations that have not
been organised by the govern
ment. It is something new and
while there are parallels with
Egypt, the context is completely
different. What has happened to
Erdogan has less to do with his
political philosophy and more with
his growing ego; he had been a
successful politician who started
to believe he could do no wrong.
As for Greece, it is struggling so
hard for economic survival that the
Greek government doesn' t have
the energy left to deal with it.
You need a forceful,
determined leader that is
prepared to take some risks.
I think Samaras has the
potential to be that leader,
but the test is still out there.
The problem in
Greece Isn't that the
Qataris aren 't invest
ing. , The regime in
Qatar is very sympa
thetic to Greece and
wants to invest. The
problem is that no one
has presented any
projects that are vi
able and meet their
criteria. There are fan
tastic opportunities for
Greece but if they
don't get their internal
house in order, they
won't be able to ben
efit from it. If you had
a working in
Greece, tl':le ii;tVest
ments woulatqthe.
US Secretary of the
Treasury Jack Lew's
recent visit and Pres
ident Barak Obama's
and former treasury
secretary Tim Geith
ner's stands show
that Washington is
interested in helping Greece get out of the
cr;i,sis without the austerity measures that
the EU has in mind. How far do you think
, the US support can go?
They are not doing it out of sympathy for
Greece; they are dOing it because they believe
it's a bad policy. The US believes that if these
austerity measures continue, they are going
to reignite the crisis in Greece, which in turn
will cause damage to the US economy.
Greece is simply the point where European
policy and American policy collide.
What is the significance of Prime Minister
Antonis Samaras' scheduled visit to Wash
ington this month?
It was a political necessity for the Greek gov
ernment. What the US can do to help Greece
is continue the fight over the basics of Ger
many's economic poliCies. The most impor
tant thing that Samaras could accomplish is
get Obama to be more forceful with the Ger
mans. The likelihood that Samaras can pull it
Signing ofagreement for the establishment
of the Qatar-Greece Business Council
private sector ... GII_L......
ras c:ot*j make that case to 011..........112
give him an incentive to be mora ___
the Germans. That is the best
Obama can do for Greece right now.
Greece has failed to mobilise Greek......
icans to support new in
Greece. Who is to bfame - ..... of
leadership in Athens or the datacI1I of
strong, resourceful Greeks 01 .. cIas
pora?
It's that the legal and bureaucratic
makes investment extremely di
Greeks could change their bureauctalic*tJc
ture to make investment worthwtE. are
billions of dollars that Greeks abroad that
would be more than happy to invest Kl Greece.
America is full of wealthy Greeks who. !he
-atmosphere for an investment in Greece were
good, would invest tomorrow. There is a Yel'f
strong sympathy in the community here.
Through the Qatar Business Council you
have been trying to help Greek compallies
expand in the Middle East. What are aome
of the challenges you have faced in Qatari
Greek business?
Greek companies used to be everywhere in
the Middle East, with products for sale in
everysouq. Once Greece entered the euro
zone,-all these Greek companies came home
because there was a lot of money pouring in
from Europe. Now Greek companies are try
ing to go back but have forgotten how to
market themselves and can't compete.
Greece's services and products are VefY high
quality, at competitive prices. Also, Greece
has a competitive advantage in the Arab
world. Much like Greece, business in the Arab
world is still based very much on personality
and relationship. Greece has a special rela
tionship with the Arab world. We are the only
Europeans the Arabs like. We try to help them
learn how to take that relationship and make
it into foreign business. Arabs are our cultural
relatives. Greeks have to learn how to do the
modern side of the business while taking ad
vantage of the personal relationships.
What will it take for Greece to finally see
prosperity and how long do you think it's
going to take for Greece to see a change?
I think things could turn around in Greece
much faster because the basic structure of
Greece is not bad. You have an educated and
hard-working population. The problem is this
dead weight o(government that is stopping it.
Greece is run by people who are not looking
after the interest of their country. Until you
have politicians that do, nothing will change.
What it takes, in my view, is leadership. You
need a forceful, determined leader that is pre
pared to take some risks. I think Samaras has
the potential to be that leader, but the test is
still out there.