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IMF Chief Dismisses Wikileaks Report on Greece as 'Simply Nonsense'

christine_LagardeInternational Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde has dismissed the WikiLeaks report that suggests IMF is deliberately trying to push Greece towards a “credit event.”
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras sent a letter to Lagarde asking if this is the official position of the Fund. He also wrote that he expects the IMF to act in good faith and trust in the negotiations. The IMF chief replied in a letter that the speculations are “simply nonsense.”
A negative climate for IMF is cultivated in Greece as several press reports have “demonized” the Fund, and particularly the director for European Affairs Poul Thomsen who along with IMF mission chief for Greece Delia Velculescu are the two officials in the alleged leaks. Even President of the Republic has called on the European Stability Mechanism to replace IMF in the bailout program.
Lagarde said that the IMF “conducts its negotiations in good faith, not by way of threats.” In addition, she said, she is expecting a “speedy conclusion” to the talks.
The IMF chief called on Athens to ensure the safety of the Fund representatives visiting Athens to negotiate the deal and that they get privacy for internal discussions.
“My view of the ongoing negotiations is that we are still a good distance away from having a coherent program that I can present to our Executive Board,” Lagarde wrote.
“In the interest of the Greek people, we need to bring these negotiations to a speedy conclusion. I agree with you that successful negotiations are built on mutual trust, and this weekend’s incident has made me concerned as to whether we can indeed achieve progress in a climate of extreme sensitivity to statements of either side. On reflection, however, I have decided to allow our team to return to Athens to continue the discussions,” Lagarde continued.
The IMF managing director expressed the opinion that fiscal targets for Greece would be lowered so they are more realistic and reiterated that she is for a bailout program “that is credible and based on realistic assumptions, and that delivers on its objective of setting Greece on a path of robust growth while gradually restoring debt sustainability.”

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