Greek PM vows to win challenge on 100th day in government

ATHENS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The unprecedented size of the economic crisis Greece faces today demands urgent, bold, historic measures and Greece can win the challenge alone, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said on Wednesday.

During a press conference held on the day his socialist government completes 100 days in office, Papandreou rejected rumors that Greece could be driven out of the euro zone due to its huge budget deficit which has flamed worries for instability across Europe over the last two months.

The Prime Minister also denied the scenario that Greece will seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund. Only a few hours ago Greece's Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou had talks in Athens with a team of IMF experts on technical advice Athens seeks from the Fund.

In the meantime, Moody's credit rating agency Wednesday released a report which says Greek economy is in danger of a "slow death," as the country will have to allocate an increasing share of national wealth to pay off public debts, while lenders require higher interest rates for Greek bonds.

Asked to comment on this report, Papandreou replied that pressure by foreigners and the reality of the international financial crisis will be turned into a chance for reforms that will lead Greece to a better future.

Acknowledging that foreigners have a right to criticize Greece due to big mistakes made in the past years, Papandreou stressed that Greeks have proved quite recently by hosting successfully the2004 Olympic Games that when they decide to put things in order, they can achieve all goals.

"We will restore our credibility around the world, we will improve our country's image and we will prove to ourselves first of all that yes, we can change and we can make it. Now or never. We change or we sink" the Greek Prime Minister said.

Papandreou expressed certainty that the country's Stability and Growth Program which will be formally presented to Brussels in the following days will persuade EU partners and foreign markets that "we are on the right track."

Outlining the priorities of his government in the following crucial months, as he noted, Papandreou said that the main target in 2010 is the implementation of radical reforms in economy, the tax system, the insurance system, the state's function and the handling of the migrants issue.

The Greek leader recognized that bold changes always face big resistance, and as unions have already announced nationwide protests and strikes in the public sector starting from January 23,he expressed optimism that people will support the government's initiatives for the benefit of the country.

Papandreou reassured that his government will fight corruption, tax evasion, bad management of public money and will exploit the country's wealth and possibilities in order to restart the economy and reconstruct the state.