IMF spokesman warns time is running very short for deal on Greece

Discussions continue on policies that could support the participation of the International Monetary Fund in the Greek program and the arrangement of the national debt, IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said in Washington on Thursday, but stressed that "time is running very short" for a solution.

Rice cited a recent meeting of the Washington Group in Paris and noted the participation of senior IMF officials Poul Thomsen and Peter Dolman in it to illustrate that the Fund remains fully engaged in the process.

He described the following steps in the Greek case: efforts will continue for the possibility of financing the program and secure the easing of the debt which the IMF considers necessary.

Rice further noted that the IMF is planning for an Article IV report on Greece that will also include a debt sustainability analysis. He explained that Article IV could be the...