Germany pours cold water over hopes of a Greek bail out

Published: 7:11PM GMT 05 March 2010

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou talks to the press after announcing a new turn of cost cuts

Speaking after a revisit by Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, Mrs Merkel pronounced that "Greece has not asked for monetary support."

Earlier in the day. the euro zone"s greatest economy pronounced it would await Greece, but not be giving monetary aid.

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Mrs Merkel affianced to "stand willingly by Greece"s side", but stopped short of charity a bail out.

Germany"s economy apportion Rainer Bruederle pronounced that each EU state was obliged for the own affairs and Athens had to exercise the purgation plan effectively.

Prime Minister Papandreou told a German journal he had never sought a bail out.

"We have not asked German taxpayers to compensate for the pensions and holidays," he told the paper.

"That there is European await so that we can steal income underneath improved conditions. That is all we need," he added.

Most Germans conflict the thought of taxpayers bailing out Greeks, who they think have been vital over their equates to for years.

The German government"s discreet proceed has stoked tensions in between the dual nations.

Some Greek lawmakers have even demanded Germans compensate reparations for the Nazi function during World War Two.

However, withdrawal Greece to deflect for itself risks unnerving markets further.

Athens"s troubles could afterwards widespread to alternative euro section states such as Spain or Portugal a unfolding that would lower the predicament in the euro zone.

Greek military clashed in front of council with stone-throwing youths protesting opposite purgation measures on Friday but lawmakers still upheld the check in an puncture vote.

Police dismissed rip gas to sunder dozens of demonstrators who hurled stones, burnt balderdash containers and scuffled with alternative protesters.

Strikes additionally close schools and brought open ride in Athens to a halt.

Police pushed behind protesters from the parliament"s steps, only prior to lawmakers upheld most of a 4.8 billion euro (�4.3 billion) package together with cuts on open servants" bonuses and a 2 per cent travel of VAT.