Entering the final stretch to the European launch of Sony's PlayStation 3, Dave Karraker took the time to clear up some persistent rumors. Talking to Joystiq, Karraker confronted the issues regarding the lack of 20GB PS3 models in the U.S. and that incessant bit on the Euro PS3 backwards compatibility.

First on the issue of the 20GB model. Says the SCEA senior director of communications, "the 20GB model of PS3 is available in North America, along with the 60GB model. While we make it available to retailers, they are the ones who ultimately place the order for what they want to sell, based on consumer demand."

This was in response to the allegations that major retailers have been removing the 20GB model from their computer systems. To further clarify, Karraker said that about 80% of the orders placed by the stores are for the bigger models, while the remaining 20% are for the 20GB model units. As such, it would then logically follow that since there's more distribution for the 60GB model, there are then less 20GB PS3s seen around. But this does not, in any way, affirm the buzz that the shops are pulling out the 20GB units from their stocks list.

On the other issue regarding the European PS3 backward compatibility, he says the real compatibility list will be out on March 23, along with the firmware update. So, until Sony reveals and confirms this for real, then there is no way for us to find out what is the real list of backward compatibility titles for Europe.