Trichet is avoiding the tough questions, saying the ECB did not discuss purchasing government bonds at the meeting, full stop. He will entertain no other questions on the matter. He also gave a long, convoluted, and unconvincing answer on why Greek bonds were singled out for different collateral rules.

Merkel said in Parliament that Europe could not handle the Greek situation alone, requiring the IMF to step in. That helped push the EUR to session lows at 1.2705.

5-6 punt