1.   Soon after France adopted the euro, the French franc ceased to be legal tender.

2.   And it has insisted, but without convincing evidence, that this message is getting through and that the euro will be adopted.

3.   Any prospect of Britain and Sweden adopting the euro would also recede.

4.   Austria has been on a firm course toward adopting the euro since it signed the treaty.

5.   Before the election, Blair said he expected to decide within two years whether to take the most pivotal step, calling a referendum on adopting the euro.

6.   Adopting the euro is seen by many Conservatives as a surrender of sovereignty to a system they perceive as dominated by Germany and its closest EU partner, France.

7.   Adding to the pressure, European officials are preparing for another blast of bad press on Thursday when Denmark votes on whether to adopt the euro.

8.   Britain and Denmark chose to attend negotiations but may opt not to adopt the euro.

9.   Britain, Denmark and Sweden are the only European Union members that have refused to adopt the euro.

10.   Britain, which has not adopted the euro, has been wrestling with similar issues.