IMF leader Christine Lagarde on Sunday responded to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ letter of April 2 regarding the wikileaks documents that revealed a conversation between top two IMF officials, Poul Thomsen and Delia Velculescu, showing that IMF was planning to push Greece to the brink of a credit event so as Greece would accept the strict measures it proposed.

Mrs. Lagarde thanked Mr. Tsipras for his letter and said that her positions had not changed while calling on him to ensure an environment that respects the privacy of the internal discussions of the IMF team coming to Athens for the negotiation talks on the Greek program.

She also said that Greece and the IMF were “still a good distance away from having a coherent program that I can present to our Executive Board”, saying the lender could “only support a program that is credible and based on realistic assumptions, and that delivers on its objective of setting Greece on a path of robust growth while gradually restoring debt sustainability.”

“Of course, any speculation that IMF staff would consider using a credit event as a negotiating tactic is simply nonsense,” Mrs. Lagarde said, while insisting on the decision that “if it were necessary to lower the fiscal targets to have a realistic chance of them being fully met, there would be an attendant need for more debt relief. In the interest of the Greek people, we need to bring these negotiations to a speedy conclusion.”

Moreover, she expressed her full support towards IMF team and said that “for them to be able to do their work, as you have invited us, it is critical that your authorities ensure an environment that respects the privacy of their internal discussions and take all necessary steps to guarantee their personal safety.”

Read Lagarade’s letter below.

His Excellency Mr. Alexis Tsipras
Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic
Athens, Greece

Dear Prime Minister,

Thank you for your letter of April 2, in which you ask about the IMF’s position regarding the program negotiations with Greece.

My view of the ongoing negotiations is that we are still a good distance away from having a coherent program that I can present to our Executive Board. I have on many occasions stressed that we can only support a program that is credible and based on realistic assumptions, and that delivers on its objective of setting Greece on a path of robust growth while gradually restoring debt sustainability.

Otherwise it would fail to re-establish confidence, with the implication, among others, that Greece would soon again be forced to adopt yet more measures. Of course, any speculation that IMF staff would consider using a credit event as a negotiating tactic is simply nonsense.
As you and I have discussed several times, including recently on the telephone, I have been consistent in pointing out that, if it were necessary to lower the fiscal targets to have a realistic chance of them being fully met, there would be an attendant need for more debt relief. In the interest of the Greek people, we need to bring these negotiations to a speedy conclusion.
I agree with you that successful negotiations are built on mutual trust, and this weekend’s incident has made me concerned as to whether we can indeed achieve progress in a climate of extreme sensitivity to statements of either side. On reflection, however, I have decided to allow our team to return to Athens to continue the discussions.

The team consists of experienced staff who have my full confidence and personal backing. For them to be able to do their work, as you have invited us, it is critical that your authorities ensure an environment that respects the privacy of their internal discussions and take all necessary steps to guarantee their personal safety.

Finally, the IMF conducts its negotiations in good faith, not by way of threats, and we do not communicate through leaks. To further enhance the transparency of our dialogue, I have therefore decided to release the text of this letter on our website at www.imf.org. I also look forward to any personal conversation with you on how to take the discussions forward.
Sincerely yours,

Christine Lagarde