Greek PM appeals for austerity

ATHENS, Greece, March 2 (UPI) -- Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has appealed to the nation to rally in the face of major budgetary changes to rein in a massive deficit.

"We ask Greek men and women to enlist in our common cause to save our country and the overwhelming majority of our citizens are willing to do it despite the price and despite the burden," he said in a televised address Monday. "Otherwise, we risk losing the ability to determine our own fate."

That remark related to the possibility of the European Union taking charge of the country's economy, which is running a deficit of 12.7 percent, or more than $400 billion, the Kathimerini newspaper reported.

"I am touched that citizens are stopping me in the street and telling me they are ready to sacrifice a salary for the good of the country," Papandreou said.

The austerity measures include cuts in civil servants' pay, higher sales taxes and special duties on fuel, tobacco and luxury items, the Financial Times said.

Papandreou is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin Friday and is expected to travel to Washington Tuesday to meet U.S. President Barack Obama.