Greece's Gain

Joining Europe as No. 10

The tenth flagpole in front of the European Community's Brussels headquarters has stood naked since 1972, when, at the last minute, Norway balked at linking up with the organization. Last week a flag finally flew from that pole, but not Norway's.

Nearly two decades after its first application, Greece joined the Community's nine members, and its blue-and-white-striped flag began snapping in a brisk Brussels wind. Said Greek Prime Minister George Rallis: "It is the happy conclusion of our journey to Europe, which lasted almost 20 years."

While it was Rallis who hailed the new membership and its promise, much of the credit belonged to former Prime Minister and now President Constantine Caramanlis. For him, entry into the Community was the fulfillment of a dream, a sealing of what he calls "Greece's European destiny." In his view, being part of the democratic Western European family of nations should help ensure political stability for a country crushed by military dictatorship from 1967 to 1974.

As a new member, Greece stands to profit financially. Even after anteing up $400 million to the Community budget this year, Greece should come out ahead by more than $200 million, thanks to such perks as $184 million from the E.C. Regional Development Fund and $318 million in farm price supports and agricultural premiums. Even so, not all Greeks welcome membership. Andreas Papandreou, head of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, argues that higher tariffs that will now be placed on imports from outside the Community will accelerate the current 25% inflation rate.

Although it is the poorest nation in the Community--per capita income is roughly $4,000 a year--Greece now is far from being destitute. Real growth since 1973 has averaged more than 3%, a better track record than that of most Western European countries; unemployment last year was just 2.5%.

Because of its location, Caramanlis suggests, Greece should act as a natural bridge between Western Europe and the Middle East. Greece's entry also marks another step toward fuller Western European integration. Spain and Portugal have set Jan. 1, 1983, as the tentative date for their entry, though negotiations have stalled of late. The domestic political effects of Greece's Community commitment have yet to be seen, but Rallis is optimistic. He has delayed national elections until November. By then, he hopes, the benefits of membership should be evident to "the last man in the street." qed

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