Austria threatened to block its share of the next transfer of aid funds to Greece unless the government meets deficit-cutting goals agreed upon six months ago with the European Union and International Monetary Fund.<\/p>\n
Austrian Finance Minister Josef Proell said in Vienna that he lacked assurances from Greece to commit to the payment. He toned down his remarks later, telling journalists in Brussels that Austria was prepared to meet its pledge to Greece and that Greece was \u201con a good path.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are getting indications that the Greeks can\u2019t stick to their plan in a sufficient manner, in particular on the revenue side,\u201d\u009d Proell said according to a government e-mail that confirmed remarks made after a Cabinet meeting today. \u201cThe data we have at the moment doesn\u2019t give any reason to approve the December tranche from the Austrian point of view.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n