Good will from unexpected places?

Inverse to the power of one!

Meanwhile, the Swedish prime minister has said that Sweden, which is not a member of the eurozone, could consider a bilateral loan to Ireland if one was requested.
Fredrik Reinfeldt told RTÉ News: 'There could be some bilateral help. We are waiting to hear more from the Irish Government. We feel that we are very close to Ireland and are always ready to listen and help if we can do so.'

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/1120/economy.html

It's kind of strange at the moment, when it comes to our foreign relations, most have been invoking the worst as if the entire state was bandying round the world giving everyone the middle finger along with their best Ross O'C impression during the good times.

A few were, but the real question is how was the Irish state perceived?
From the sound of the Swede's not so bad, although they still have an economic self interest in the health of the Eurozone economy they have no onus to help us, so it's not an offer for as selfish reasons as some worry about our European partners.

Feel free to correct me, but hasn't the Irish state always been playing the nice guy card in Foreign policy to try to keep all on side and none against? Didn't this come from our wish to be as opposite to colonialism as possible?
Look at how the Dept. of Foreign affairs laments the state of Palestine, yet not condemning the Israelis.

A wishy-washy state of affairs no doubt, but there might be more favorable opinion of us in Europe then we think.

I'm also wondering how rough the IMF will want to get with their lasse-faire poster child?

later12

Very interesting post. An expression of faith in our economy, such as that mentioned by the UK and now Sweden can only look good for us, however accurate in reality.

In my opinion we should have tried negotiate a European loan to begin with and left the IMF out of it, if it were possible.

Inverse to the power of one! wrote: »

I'm also wondering how rough the IMF will want to get with their lasse-faire poster child?

This has been occupying my mind as well. With our laissez-faire economic policy and rampant deregulation, we've already done everything that the IMF usually endorse anyway!

Amhran Nua

Inverse to the power of one! wrote: »

most have been invoking the worst as if the entire state was bandying round the world giving everyone the middle finger along with their best Ross O'C impression during the good times.

Most around these parts may have been invoking the worst, not to mention no shortage of imprecations on the good character of the people of Ireland, but it is reassuring in a way to see that there is a long and growing queue of states that are apparently willing to lend a hand in our time of need.

Jeboa Safari

Would they be getting 5% interest on the loan? Would be in their interest if they are

Inverse to the power of one!

In my opinion we should have tried negotiate a European loan to begin with and left the IMF out of it, if it were possible.

Strangely I find my self going the other way, but only on the basis of the current situation. The Europeans are subject to politics and from the grumblings among the population. You'd swear the Germans never heard of a certain George Marshall who advocated their bailout when they needed it most. Also, I'd rather less loans within the Eurozone as current debt obligations are causing enough uncertainty as it is.

And I feel even stranger looking towards the IMF as the more neutral, more structural approach. Given their history in South America, this is an outlook I never thought possible.

But I guess what is to be considered is that if anything the IMF has always been a trend follower of whatever the flavor of the day is in Economics. At the moment, the Krugman school is in Vogue, so they'll be a bit gentler

Most around these parts may have been invoking the worst, not to mention no shortage of imprecations on the good character of the people of Ireland, but it is reassuring in a way to see that there is a long and growing queue of states that are apparently willing to lend a hand in our time of need.

Take the rough with the smooth?

Despite the utter negativity of it all, now's probably as good a time to air the dirty laundry as ever. Out all this, our society must change, our political model as a reflection of our society has failed......now's a good time to decide what we want out of our future. That we have good will from abroad shows us that we can be a positive force in the world.

Would they be getting 5% interest on the loan? Would be in their interest if they are

Here's what caught my eye:
"There could be some bilateral help."

Bank's don't give out bilateral loans
It's more of diplomatic term then an economic one. Sheer speculation, but would current interest rate + Agreements on Irish/Swedish trade suit you..........They're probably after our HSE redundancies