Greek PM Papandreou says tough measures to be taken on economy

ATHENS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced the taking of tough but necessary measures for the salvation of the economy and the country on Tuesday. The decisions on specific measures are expected to be taken during Wednesday's cabinet meeting.

Addressing his PASOK party's Parliamentary Group on Tuesday, Papandreou described the state of the economy and of the country in dramatic tones, underlining that it is necessary for tough measures to be taken so that "we shall not experience the nightmare of bankruptcy" since "creditors are not giving us time.

The prime minister appealed to "Hellenism in its entirety to contribute to the effort for the country's salvation and at the same time for the foundations to be laid for the new Greece that we deserve."

He strongly criticized the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party and the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA), the two parties that requested the postponement of Tuesday's discussion at the Parliamentary plenum on the stability and growth program, that they had called for.

Papandreou further said that things have reached their limits and on a daily basis "we are struggling with time," while stressing the "danger of Greece going out to ask for a loan and finding the doors closed."

He also said that he spoke with sincerity on what will happen if the decisions that must be taken are not taken and if the government hides and behaves irresponsibly as others have done in the past.

In this case, he stressed, not only will the 14th and 13th salary be placed in danger but even more so, the pensions as well. "It might appear nightmarish but this is the truth," he pointed out.

The prime minister stressed that the government "is waging a struggle for those who doubt to be convinced that the country has taken its decisions and that it is in a position to implement them and that it can exit from the crisis."

Papandreou emphasized that the decisions which the government will take "are also expected with interest by Europe which is also in danger and for this reason the responsibility that Greece has is historic."

The decisions that shall be taken, he added, "are imperative and will constitute the beginning of a new start for the country." He underlined that the government "is obliged to struggle for the economy's salvation and for all the burdens not to fall on the backs of the wage earners and the pensioners."

"I shall not allow the employees and the pensioners to be left to carry the burdens while those who became rich on their backs to drink to the health of the dupe," Papandreou concluded.