David Rising, Associated Press Writer, On Wednesday May 5, 2010, 4:55 am EDT
BERLIN (AP) -- Chancellor Angela Merkel asked German lawmakers Wednesday to speedily approve euro22.4 billion ($29.3 billion) over three years in aid for Greece, saying that the "future of Europe" is at stake.
Merkel's Cabinet agreed Monday upon the German contribution to a three-year euro110 billion bailout by the European Union and International Monetary Fund.
Germany, as Europe's largest economy, will provide euro8.4 billion in 2010 and up to euro14 billion more over 2011 and 2012 according to the plan.
"Nothing less than the future of Europe, and with that the future of Germany in Europe, is at stake," Merkel told lawmakers. "We are at a fork in the road."
Merkel's government had insisted that Greece agree to new austerity measures before Germany committed to financial assistance. That stance drew criticism of foot-dragging before last week's move by Standard and Poor's to downgrade Greek bonds to junk status precipitated the situation.
Amid the market turmoil that caused and after Athens worked out a new deal with the IMF and EU over the weekend, Germany moved quickly ahead with its plan and Merkel fast-tracked the legislation with the goal of having it passed by both houses of parliament by Friday, when she travels to Brussels for an EU meeting on Greece.
Greece needs the funds by May 19 so that it does not default on debt payments.
Worries over Greece's financial situation and the effect it may have on the group of 16-nations that use the euro currency has put financial markets on tenterhooks in recent days and weeks.
The euro, meanwhile, has borne the brunt of those fears and frustration, falling below $1.30 this week and hovering at levels last seen in April 2009. In November, it stood at $1.51.
Though most of Germany's opposition parties have expressed reservations about the aid package, and public sentiment is largely against doling any money to a country seen as being fast and loose with its finances, the legislation is expected to pass swiftly.
"Germany, as the strongest economy in Europe, has a particular responsibility and Germany takes this responsibility earnestly," Merkel said.
Merkel also praised Germany's banks for expressing their willingness to step in and help with the bailout.
The announcement came Tuesday after leading bank executives met with Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble.
Schaeuble said the banks intend to maintain existing credit lines to the Greek government and Greek banks, and to buy bonds issued in support of Greece by Germany's government-owned KfW Bank.
Deutsche Bank AG Chief Executive Josef Ackermann said he couldn't yet give any figure for that.
But he stressed German banks are sending a signal that "we are convinced by the correctness of this program and stand fully behind it."
-------------
後記:
希臘債信問題連同其它歐債四國( PIIGS )的問題自年初就開始被炒得沸沸揚揚，其實本來只是個不算太嚴重的中型傷口，結果在有心人的強力炒作下，卻變成了致命的蜂窩性組織炎，當然這是其來有自的。
話說，卡在人民幣升值的問題上，美國對中國步步相逼，於是中國反手賣出大量的美元債券，並以積極推動外匯的多元化做為反制。美國當然不樂見這種情況發生，於是，打手部隊開始狙擊歐元區，同時哄抬黃金，不久後歐洲區債券評等遭降級，歐元開始直直落，黃金被炒到現在的每盎司1200美元，還有投機客喊到每盎司2000美元的誇張價位，這讓中國的外匯多元計劃進退維谷。短期這種情況對美國有利，但是長期下去，反作用力回到美國，可就傷筋挫骨了。
歐元雖然弱，但要解散是不太可能，不過目前歐元區上空的確是禿鷹盤旋，所以歐盟成員必須要盡快消除異見並配合IMF，同時全球各國也要相互協助，才能將禿鷹從歐洲驅離，把剛有起色的全球經濟穩住，畢竟地球是圓的，一個小小的蝴蝶效應都會相互影響。
Jill 
留言列表
