Greece on Friday vehemently rejected rumors that it might default at the weekend, blaming them on a speculative plot against the euro.
Greek government spokesman Ilias Mossialos argued that a Bloomberg report which was widely carried by the local press and sent the market into a panic was “irresponsible.”
“It’s an irresponsible article which refers to an anonymous e-mail ... and is constantly being reproduced by the Greek press,” he told the private television channel Mega.
Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said in a statement: “It is not the first time we have had a wave of rumors on a so-called Greek default.”
“This is organized speculation against the euro and eurozone,” he said.
He said Greece remained committed to meeting all the conditions attached to the huge bailout loan handed out by its eurozone partners in July to save its ailing economy.
“Greece’s priority is to implement all the July 21 decisions and obligations that came with the deals it signed with its partners,” he said.
Eurozone leaders announced a 159 billion euro (US$223 billion) rescue package for Greece in July, on top of the 110 billion euro lifeline granted last year.
Greece is having difficulty meeting the conditions to receive its next installment of funding under the 110 billion euro loan package, with sufficient cash in reserve only to last several weeks.
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