Greece ups ante with debt plan

Greece warned on Friday it may opt out of a debt swap crucial to its second international bailout if too few investors rally behind it, raising the ante on the stricken country’s €150-billion ($215 billion) lifeline.

Greece warned on Friday it may opt out of a debt swap crucial to its second international bailout if too few investors rally behind it, raising the ante on the stricken country’s €150-billion ($215 billion) lifeline.

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The swap to shave €37 billion off its existing debt is now conditional on 90% of private sector investors agreeing to the deal, the country said in its formal letter of inquiry to other governments.

Greece had previously set the threshold — which applies to the holders of Greek bonds maturing by both 2014 and by 2020 —as a target, not a condition.

"If these thresholds are not met, Greece shall not proceed with any portion of the transaction," the letter said.