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International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde is retreatingfrom remarks that she has more sympathy for poor African childrenthan Greeks suffering under the country's economic problems andausterity measures. Thousands of angry messages were posted on her Facebook page afterthe Guardian newspaper published an interview Saturday in whichLagarde chastises Greeks for not paying their taxes. In response tothe firestorm, Lagarde issued a statement late Saturday stating shewas "very sympathetic to the Greek people and the challenges theyare facing."{ IMF managing director Christine Lagarde has bactracked from earlierremarks, saying she hasw 'sympathy' for the Greeks. (Charles Dharapak/Associated Press) "That's why the IMF is supporting Greece in its endeavour toovercome the current crisis," she said. In the article, Lagarde made it clear that the IMF has no plans torelent on its austerity requirements for the country and said shewas aware that many Greeks were struggling to access services likehealth care because of the country's economic crisis, but believed people in other countries deserved more sympathy. "I think more of the little kids from a school in a little villagein Niger who get teaching two hours a day, sharing one chair forthree of them, and who are very keen to get an education," she toldThe Guardian in an interview published Saturday. "I have them in mymind all the time. Because I think they need even more help thanthe people in Athens." Greek Socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos accused Largarde of"insulting the Greek people," while left-wing leader Alexis Tsiprasreiterated: "Greek workers pay their taxes, which are unbearable." Culture of tax evasion Lagarde pointed to Greece's culture of tax evasion as a majorfactor behind the country's financial difficulties, saying: "So,you know what? As far as Athens is concerned, I also think aboutall those people who are trying to escape tax all the time." Greeks "should also help themselves collectively" by paying theirtaxes, she said. Greece's economy is being kept afloat on international loansprovided by the European Union and the IMF, along with a harshausterity package of cuts and higher taxes that is deeply unpopularwith the country's electorate. The government that agreed to theloan and austerity package was voted out of office in May. The new parties, who mainly campaigned on anti-austerityplatforms,have not been able to form a government and new elections are scheduled for June 17. One of the most popular parties in Greece, the left-wing Syrizaparty, wants to abolish Greece's international bailout agreements,raising fears that Greece will leave the eurozone and destabilizeworld markets. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as UPS Accessories Manufacturer , Uninterrupted Power Supply for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Line Interactive UPS.
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