Greek premier meets with party leaders backing coalition government over talks with creditors The USA Times

Ottawa cuts off some EI data just as it readies new rules for jobless claimants . Governor General's military citation presented to U.S. Army Green Beret unit . Premier Clark defends decision to overrule independent BC Hydro regulator . US appeals court rules on definition of piracy, says no one needs to board, rob ship . Vancouver Canucks sign head coach Alain Vigneault to contract extension . TSX negative but well off early, heavy losses on Eurozone worries . Officials: Mali's injured interim president leaves for treatment in France . Archery hits bull's eye from heroine's bow-and-arrow feats in "Hunger Games" . British television presenter says Piers Morgan told him how to hack a phone . Authorities find 13 illegal immigrants in phoney UPS van near California-Mexico border .

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Greek premier meets with party leaders backing coalition government over talks with creditors

(AP Photo/Kostas Tsironis)

ATHENS, Greece - Greece's prime minister and the leaders of the three parties backing his coalition government have concluded a nearly three-hour meeting discussing the country's negotiations with its creditors.

Premier Lucas Papademos released a statement after Sunday's meeting, saying he and the party leaders were in "complete agreement" over the positions to adopt in subsequent talks toward a 130 billion ($170 billion) bailout for Greece and a bond swap agreement with private creditors.

While talks with private creditors appear to be on the right track, Papademos concedes in his statement that "deviations" from agreed targets and "delays that are piling up" have led the European Union and the International Monetary Fund to ask for additional, painful austerity measures.