国际英语新闻：EU's stance may make Greece turn to IMF for solutions on economic crisis

ATHENS, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Greece is getting closer and closer to turn to the International Monetary Fund seeking help to solve the serious economic crisis that has hit the country, according to statements by Greek officials and reports in the local media on Wednesday.

As Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou visits Brussels on Wednesday, the feeling of disappointment for the stance of fellow EU partners has been strengthened in Athens. The latest Ecofin and Eurogroup meetings in Brussels which were held on Monday and Tuesday ended with no concrete support to Greece.

"The problem does not concern only Greece. It is an issue for the whole Europe. Apparently, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel has problems of her own. She needs something that will help her in the coming elections," Greek President Karolos Papoulias commented on Wednesday in a rare reference to foreign leaders, as many Greek analysts claim clearly now that due to Germany's objections mainly, Greece has not gained enough support from EU yet.

Most Greek newspapers stressed the suggestion of German Finance Minister Wolfgang Scheuble that Greece declares bankruptcy first to get more aid, in order to overcome technicalities due to the German Constitution. Athens replies that the Greek economy is far away from that point.

President of European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso (R) and visiting Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou attend a press conference after their meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, March 17, 2010.

Papoulias declined to give a clear answer to the question whether Greece will stay with EU or turn to IMF after all, but cabinet members moved from the hints given in the past few days to more open statements.

"Greece today has a possibility of up to 70 percent to turn to IMF," Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping Minister Louka Katseli said, adding that the latest developments confirmed that spreads are not affected by the austerity measures and the Stability and Growth Program.

"We presented our suggestions to EU bravely, stressing that Greece is a member state of the eurozone, but we have also stressed that we are not willing to borrow again with such high interest rates," Education Minister Anna Diamantopoulou commented on Wednesday, following similar statements made by Papandreou recently.

"If we will be offered again loans on 6.5 percent interest rates, why we should not turn to IMF? Europeans must realize that we are not the culprits, but the victims," Giorgos Karatzaferis, the president of the far- Right LAOS party said, supporting the socialist government regarding such a choice.