ISN’T it interesting that at the same time as Germany announces a record trade surplus of 188 billion Euros, Greece is “instructed” to introduce further austerity measures.

Germany is wallowing in money while Greece is wallowing in greater poverty. It is fair to point out that this is due in part to German discipline and economic efficiency and the appalling mismanagement of the Greek economy.

Many would also argue that Greece has very limited scope to correct its problems, due to the inflexible strait-jacket that a single currency imposes on all the Eurozone countries.

A one-size-fits-all, irrespective of the merits of economies as diverse as the 11-million population Greek economy and the 80-million population juggernaut that is the German economy.

The increasingly hysterical Sarkozy insists that the Euro will prevent any future European war and Merkel insists that if the Euro fails, Europe will fail (we all know who wears the trousers in this partnership).

While many Europhiles will insist that a common economic strategy will somehow improve the lot of all Eurozone citizens, there is one other issue that is probably more important, democracy and the right of self-determination of sovereign countries.

Two prime ministers have already been removed by Sarkozy and Merkel (let’s not kid ourselves) and now a further six ministers of the Greek government have resigned due to the enforced austerity cuts.

Who is to say that a Greek olive farmer should be as efficient as the hordes of factory workers churning out expensive cars, washing machines and fridges in Germany. Isn’t it their right to decide?

A deutschmark and drachma would far more accurately reflect the relative merits of both economies and give the Greek government far more scope to address its problems.

Perhaps it would also paint a far more accurate picture of German trade surpluses.

The point of these observations is perhaps Sarkozy and Merkel need to look at the other side of the same coin.

Rather than avoiding war and the disintegration of Europe, they may be fostering division, hostility and violence by imposing their will on smaller “subservient” countries.

IAN CUMMINGS, Gibson Close Abingdon ,