Greek Cabinet Mulls Austerity Mandates

 　　Greek cabinet members are discussing how best to implement¹ a series of budget cuts and other austerity measures that have already sparked rioting in the streets.

　　The officials gathered Saturday in Athens, facing several difficult choices.

　　The austerity measures are needed in order to secure a $170 billion bailout from the European Union and again prevent Greece from defaulting on its debt.  But ministers are also expressing concerns about just how much more the Greek people can take.

　　Civil Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis told reporters, "the Greek people have done what they could. We have gone above and beyond and done more than the system can stand."

　　He also said Greece would honor its commitments, but also appealed for understanding from other European leaders.

　　Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate George Papaconstantiunou also expressed concerns, saying, "getting out of the crisis is much more than just austerity. It's about growth.''

　　Papaconstantiunou said Cabinet members expected to approve what he described as two big growth projects, including a plan to export solar energy.

　　European leaders say the $170 billion bailout for Greece will likely be approved Monday at a meeting in Brussels.

　　But concern for the plight² of the Greek people appears to be growing.

　　In Paris, more than 1,000 people rallied to show solidarity³ with Greece.  One protester who gave her name only as Maria said it was shameful⁴ the way the EU was treating Greece.

　　She said, "I am very angry. I would like all European people to realize what is coming up. Today it's Greece's turn, tomorrow it will be Spain's turn and the day after it will be France's turn.''

　　German Chancellor⁵ Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, after conferring Friday with Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos on a conference call,  said they are confident that a Greek rescue deal can be reached.

　　French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said that France and Germany, Europe's two biggest economies, agree that Greece must be supported to avoid default.

　　Greece is still working out some details of the bailout, the country's second in two years, with its international creditors⁶.  Last weekend, Greek lawmakers complied with the far-reaching demands of the lenders to impose more austerity measures on top of earlier ones despite violent protests in the streets of Athens.

　　The austerity measures have imposed hardship on many Greeks as the country has cut social spending, trimmed the country's minimum wage and agreed to eliminate thousands of government jobs.

　　The government says it needs the bailout to avoid defaulting next month on $19 billion in financial obligations.  As part of its rescue, Greece is also completing negotiations with large financial

1 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

2 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

3 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。

4 shameful   

adj.可耻的，不道德的

参考例句：

• It is very shameful of him to show off.他向人炫耀自己，真不害臊。
• We must expose this shameful activity to the newspapers.我们一定要向报社揭露这一无耻行径。

5 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。

6 creditors   

n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They agreed to repay their creditors over a period of three years. 他们同意3年内向债主还清欠款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Creditors could obtain a writ for the arrest of their debtors. 债权人可以获得逮捕债务人的令状。 来自《简明英汉词典》