Despite the recent optimism coming from Athens, it looks like there are still big roadblocks in the way of a bailout deal. The government is running out of cash — it may practically already be dry. It has both pension and salary payments to make at the end of May, and a debt repayment to make to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). If that payment isn't made, the Greek state would technically default. In that case, the European Central Bank (EBC) could pull its credit lifeline to the Greek banking system, and Greece might have to begin the process of leaving the euro. At least, that's the possible chain of events. ... (full story)