IMF mission heads to debt-stricken Greece

The International Monetary Fund said Monday it is sending an IMF mission to Athens this week for talks on helping debt-stricken Greece overcome its financial crisis.
The IMF said in a statement that the mission at the request of the Greek authorities would begin Tuesday and last for about a week "to explore possibilities for technical assistance from the IMF in the coming months on pension reform, tax policy, tax administration, and budget management."
"The mission is within the context of the regular surveillance that the IMF provides to its membership," it said.
The Greek government on Friday announced a 20 percent increase in tobacco and alcohol taxes and a higher inheritance tax as it fended off European Union pressure for drastic action to tackle its debt mountain.