Also (though Mr Cable does not make this very nerdy point), it's worth remembering that the government measure - net debt - is what you get when you subtract the government's assets from its gross liabilities (debt).

BBC: Vince Cable's plan B: a "matter of judgement"

By 1993 the Greek government's liabilities had reached a crippling 110% of the nation's gross domestic product.

FORBES: Athens At The Crossroads