Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    February 10, 2012

Anger Erupts in Athens as Bailout Demands Spark Outrage

   VOA News
   A protester holds a hammer during clashes with riot police in Athens,
   Friday, Feb. 10, 2012. Photo: AP
   A protester holds a hammer during clashes with riot police in Athens,
   Friday, Feb. 10, 2012.

   Anger over new European Union demands, coupled with another round of
   austerity measures, is sparking protests and clashes in Greece, as well
   as a political backlash against Germany.
   Fires burned in the streets of Athens Friday, with Molotov cocktails,
   tear gas canisters and rocks flying through the air - irate protesters
   clashing with police in full riot gear.
   Elsewhere, protesters joined arms and marched peacefully but the anger
   was no less real.
   One protester, identifying himself only as Dimitrios, said the
   austerity measures are outrageous.
   "Whatever measures are taken, I think they are a disgrace," he said.
   "People are very upset and I have no idea where this situation will
   lead to."
   Communist Party Leader Aleka Papariga warned almost nothing can save
   Greece now.
   "Even if they eat the flesh of the people, bankruptcy will not stop. It
   will just get worse. That is why we support a write off of the whole
   debt and to be free of the European Union,'' said Papariga.
   The government of Prime Minister Lucas Papademos says Greece has little
   choice and must accept the harsh conditions attached to a $172 billion
   bailout loan from the EU, and a vote on a new round of austerity
   measures is planned for Sunday.
   Already, lawmakers have agreed to trim the country's minimum wage by 22
   percent and eliminate 15,000 government jobs. But the plan is sparking
   dissent even within the ruling coalition, with George Karatzaferis, the
   leader of the far right LAOS party, calling the new EU terms a
   German-imposed "humiliation."
   "If the prime minister of the country who I trust and whom I personally
   will continue to support... if he wants my deputies in the government
   then I will leave them there. If he doesn't want them then he should do
   what he thinks. I will not create any problem in the current situation
   for the country, but I will not vote,'' said Karatzaferis.
   New Democracy Party leader Antonis Samaras said he understand the
   emotional response but insisted Greece is out of options.
   "We fought to prevent further recession, additional unemployment, and
   additional business failures. Today we are managing the damage done
   over the past two years because now our national debt is
   unsustainable," said Samaras.
   Meanwhile, anger, frustration and fear continue to spread. Union
   members in Greece have launched a two-day general strike, leaving the
   streets to protesters who show no signs of backing down.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

.