Germany: IMF help for Greece not ruled out

German officials say Berlin isn't ruling out financial aid from the International Monetary Fund for Greece, but say no decision is needed now.

Government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said Friday that "we haven't ruled out IMF financial assistance." But he stressed that Berlin remains confident that austerity measures taken by Greece will defuse the debt crisis.

Greece has warned it will be forced to turn to the IMF if the European Union can't agree to a bailout plan next week.

Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble's spokesman, Michael Offer, says the minister would be "very reticent" toward IMF financial aid for Greece.

Schaeuble has proposed a European Monetary Fund that could help defuse future crises.