Greek Leaders Appeal for Support as U.S. Presses for Action

Greek leaders appealed for support at home and abroad to avert default before key legislative votes as the U.S. criticized European leaders for moving too slowly to stem the debt crisis.

Prime Minister George Papandreou traveled to Berlin two days before German lawmakers ratify an overhaul of the euro rescue fund, pledging success in a struggle to restore budget balance. Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos promised “superhuman” efforts hours before a vote in Athens on an unpopular property tax needed to avoid default.