101.   He also said the United States must clarify whether it intends to defend its currency, the Kyodo News Service reported.

102.   He said governments such as his own could not defend their currencies against powerful speculators who could access trillions of dollars to launch attacks in the marketplace.

103.   He said investors remain concerned about local interest rates, which surged to historical highs in late October as the government defended the currency against international speculators.

104.   He was also quoted as saying the United States must clarify whether it intends to defend its currency, the Kyodo News Service reported.

105.   However, the announcement probably meant the government and the National Bank have revised their ambitious plans for defending the currency this year.

106.   However, institutional investors remained on the sidelines, worried about the ability of Asian governments to defend their currencies and tackle pressing economic problems.

107.   In an interview late Thursday, Tsang had said there are costs Hong Kong is not willing to bear to defend the currency.

108.   In another development, President Boris Yeltsin said his government remained committed to defending the currency, which has come under pressure during the current crisis.

109.   In Seoul, investors expecting government intervention to defend the currency and boost the market pushed the main share index upward for the first time in four sessions.

110.   In Seoul, investors expecting government intervention to defend the currency pushed the main share index upward for the first time in four sessions.