Friday, July 3, 2015

GREECE PREPARES OF CRUCIAL REFERENDUM

SUGGESTED LEAD:
Tensions are rising in Greece ahead of the country's referendum on whether to accept the terms of a bailout package from international creditors.

The Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras continues to urge his people to vote no and allow his government to push for a better deal but many are worried it will force Greece out of the euro.

From Athens, Jack Parrock reports.

IN: The Greek
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DUR: 2 mins 13 secs


REPORTER VO:
The Greek people can only access 60 euro per day with capital controls on the banks which only have 1 billion euro in liquidity left.
And the International Monetary Fund says Greece can't survive on the planned programme - a claim the Prime Minister disputes.

BITE: Alexis Tsipras - Greek Prime Minister
"The IMF [International Monetary Fund] report justifies our choice to not accept a deal that bypasses the crucial issue of debt. Basically, the creator of the bailout is coming now to confirm our theory that the proposal that was given to us does not lead to a viable exit from the crisis."

REPORTER VO:
While the country is bracing for Sunday's referendum there are lawmakers in the European Union who are urging Greeks to accept the terms of the bailout.

BITE: Manfred Weber, EPP Chairman in the European Parliament
"The people in Greece, unfortunately, see now every day what it does mean to follow the Tsipras approach. That means you get not money from your bank. That means the banks are closed and the economy is in a very dangerous situation. That is the outcome of a communist government in Greece

REPORTER VO:
Some have said it could all push Greece into the hands of Russia, but the Russian government says Athens has not yet asked them for cash.
Most experts believe the problem must be resolved within Europe.

BITE: Fyodor Lukyanov, Global political analyst
"I don't believe that any country, including for example China, which has money to give, not any country will be ready to seriously consider a big investment in Greece.""

REPORTER VO:
In the mean time, a challenge against the referendum is going through the courts - saying it was called without enough time given and that the question about the bailout measures is not clear enough.
The longer the Greek people go without being able to access their money in the banks, the more tension we're seeing here on the streets of Athens. Everybody's bracing for the referendum on Sunday.
SOC ENDS