Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-04-13 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] PM Tsipras: We have the pressure but also the political momentum --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] PM Tsipras: We have the pressure but also the political momentum Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Thursday speaking to a cabinet meeting attributed the delays to the IMF and its initial fiscal and labour demands. "The IMF did not succeed in fully meeting any of its targets," according to government sources. The agreement is "defendable," he said and gave the signal for growth. The same government sources said that he accused main opposition New Democracy (ND) of its stance and underlined that it (ND) is now at a very difficult position. Addressing his ministers he said that "we are under pressure as a result of the austerity but we also have the political momentum, which we need to use so that the Greek economy skyrockets." He also noted that "this development may lead to a political success and to a new victory in the general elections" adding that "for this reason we need a great political counter-attack. A counter-attack with substance and not one made for communication reasons because this is what will lead us out of the memoranda and the supervision."