Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, buffeted by negative polls and continuing protests at economic austerity measures, says he will continue with policies aimed at drastically cutting the country's debt and says the alternative -- a default -- would be a catastrophe.
In an interview with Sunday newspaper To Vima, Papandreou says he has chosen the least painful of two alternatives and that he is determined that Greece avoid the "catastrophic" consequences of a default.
Papandreou faces continued protests and dwindling support in opinion polls. More than 10,000 have gathered at Syntagma Square, in central Athens, while a poll published Sunday shows the ruling Socialists trailing the conservative opposition by 4 percent.
AP
