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Spain bailout rumour played down Spain bailout rumour played down
(about 3 hours later)
Reports that Spain will ask for help for its banks this weekend have been played down by authorities across the eurozone.Reports that Spain will ask for help for its banks this weekend have been played down by authorities across the eurozone.
There were also reports that the Eurogroup of finance ministers would meet on Saturday to discuss the issue.There were also reports that the Eurogroup of finance ministers would meet on Saturday to discuss the issue.
Spokespeople for the Spanish government and European authorities said they had no knowledge of such plans.Spokespeople for the Spanish government and European authorities said they had no knowledge of such plans.
Spain has said all week that no action would be taken until it knows how much money its banks need.Spain has said all week that no action would be taken until it knows how much money its banks need.
But the Reuters news agency said the request would come on Saturday, quoting a senior German official as saying: "The government of Spain has realised the seriousness of their problem."But the Reuters news agency said the request would come on Saturday, quoting a senior German official as saying: "The government of Spain has realised the seriousness of their problem."
A number of audits into the extent of bad loans is being carried out to determine how much needs to be found to shore up the stricken banks.A number of audits into the extent of bad loans is being carried out to determine how much needs to be found to shore up the stricken banks.
The first report is due on Monday from the International Monetary Fund, with the findings of two further audits expected to be published later in the month.The first report is due on Monday from the International Monetary Fund, with the findings of two further audits expected to be published later in the month.
At the government's weekly press conference, the Spanish deputy prime minister was asked repeatedly whether Spain was preparing to request financial assistance from Europe for the country's banks.At the government's weekly press conference, the Spanish deputy prime minister was asked repeatedly whether Spain was preparing to request financial assistance from Europe for the country's banks.
Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said the government would respect "the proper procedures" and was waiting for the IMF and independent auditors to report on how much money was needed to shore up Spanish banks.Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said the government would respect "the proper procedures" and was waiting for the IMF and independent auditors to report on how much money was needed to shore up Spanish banks.
She did not make any comment on whether Spain would ask for financial assistance this weekend.She did not make any comment on whether Spain would ask for financial assistance this weekend.
When asked whether a conference call was planned with eurozone finance ministers on Saturday, the deputy prime minister said several times that nothing was planned "at this moment".When asked whether a conference call was planned with eurozone finance ministers on Saturday, the deputy prime minister said several times that nothing was planned "at this moment".
A spokeswoman for the Spanish government told the BBC there was no mention of a Saturday conference call of eurozone finance leaders, or of an imminent announcement on a bailout for Spanish banks, at a weekly meeting of the government this morning.A spokeswoman for the Spanish government told the BBC there was no mention of a Saturday conference call of eurozone finance leaders, or of an imminent announcement on a bailout for Spanish banks, at a weekly meeting of the government this morning.
When pressed on whether negotiations were taking place about a possible international rescue for Spanish banks, the spokeswoman said that the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, was talking to "partners all the time these days, not just about Spain, but about a road map for the whole eurozone".When pressed on whether negotiations were taking place about a possible international rescue for Spanish banks, the spokeswoman said that the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, was talking to "partners all the time these days, not just about Spain, but about a road map for the whole eurozone".
German Chancellor Angela Merkel repeated her country's position that it was up to Spain to make an application for assistance.German Chancellor Angela Merkel repeated her country's position that it was up to Spain to make an application for assistance.
"We have everything we need for a stable eurozone and it is up to the individual countries to come to us. That has not happened," she said."We have everything we need for a stable eurozone and it is up to the individual countries to come to us. That has not happened," she said.
A European Commission spokesman said he could not confirm reports of a request for aid, but said they were ready to help.A European Commission spokesman said he could not confirm reports of a request for aid, but said they were ready to help.
"Should there be such a request the appropriate instruments are in place ready for use," Amadeu Altafaj added."Should there be such a request the appropriate instruments are in place ready for use," Amadeu Altafaj added.