Greek fiscal crisis triggered demonstrations in Athens

As European Union leaders met to discuss Greece's financial crisis on Thursday, members of the country's left wing organizations unfurled a large banner at the parliament building in Athens to protest the government's economic measures. Ordinary Greeks, however, are divided over what sort of help they need from the EU to fix their nation's financial woes.

A Greek citizen said, "Everyone should help each other. That's why we are a union. Otherwise we would all be isolated ... Greece, France, Italy, wherever. Since we're all together, we should help each other."

Vassilis Kouroubalis, a legal advisor, said, "We have created this crisis ourselves, so we should carry the burden alone. I believe Europe should support us politically and ethically, but less so economically."

Nikos Smirnis, pensioner, said, "If we could solve our problems alone, we would have solved them a long time ago, so we need the EU. The real issue is to solve problems beforehand, so we don't reach this point, before people suffer, but this generation is too busy having fun. I hope they learn their lesson for the future."

Protesters hold a banner in front of the parliament in Athens  February 11, 2010. EU leaders will lay the groundwork for a  financial rescue of Greece at a summit on Thursday, but any  support is likely to require a big commitment from Athens on  getting its economy in order. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis