Greece won't sell islands to reduce debt

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said that his government won’t sell islands to help reduce the country’s debt load.

“Rather than selling our islands, we plan to make our islands green prototypes for tourism,” Papandreou said in a speech in Berlin today.

Earlier, his speech was interrupted by student protesters chanting slogans and hurling insults in Greek at the premier. Papandreou said Greece is prepared to go through hard times to cut its debt.

“We are ready to take this pain and make these changes for the better of our country,” Papandreou said.

Papandreou is due to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel tomorrow.