Protesters and police clash in Athens
- 12 years ago
ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)
STORY: Greek demonstrators attacked police with stones on Sunday (February 19) during a protest by citizens groups opposed to the government's economic reform policies. Police responded by firing teargas at the protesters outside the Greek parliament and detained several of the protesters.
Demonstrators had gathered to protest against austerity measures on the eve of talks in Brussels on a 130 billion euro (171 billion U.S. dollars) bailout needed to avert bankruptcy.
Hopes for a deal at the meeting of euro zone finance ministers have risen after Athens last week detailed new budget cuts. But skeptics, led by Germany, are wary about Greece's determination to shrink its debt mountain.
Some 2000 protesters of all backgrounds and ages assembled outside the national parliament by early afternoon but authorities are on guard after demonstrations last Sunday degenerated into looting and torching of buildings in central Athens.
After months of often acrimonious negotiations, Greek hopes are nonetheless rising that Monday's meeting in Brussels will endorse the rescue which Athens needs to avoid bankruptcy on March 20 when major debt repayments fall due.
STORY: Greek demonstrators attacked police with stones on Sunday (February 19) during a protest by citizens groups opposed to the government's economic reform policies. Police responded by firing teargas at the protesters outside the Greek parliament and detained several of the protesters.
Demonstrators had gathered to protest against austerity measures on the eve of talks in Brussels on a 130 billion euro (171 billion U.S. dollars) bailout needed to avert bankruptcy.
Hopes for a deal at the meeting of euro zone finance ministers have risen after Athens last week detailed new budget cuts. But skeptics, led by Germany, are wary about Greece's determination to shrink its debt mountain.
Some 2000 protesters of all backgrounds and ages assembled outside the national parliament by early afternoon but authorities are on guard after demonstrations last Sunday degenerated into looting and torching of buildings in central Athens.
After months of often acrimonious negotiations, Greek hopes are nonetheless rising that Monday's meeting in Brussels will endorse the rescue which Athens needs to avoid bankruptcy on March 20 when major debt repayments fall due.