41.   Some two-thirds of German exports go to other European Union countries.

42.   Still, the weak mark benefits the German economy by lowering the price of German exports.

43.   That convinced traders it wants to neutralize the damage the strong mark has wreaked on German exports.

44.   That makes German exports cheaper and German companies more competitive in foreign markets.

45.   The Bundesbank will tolerate a weaker mark because a falling mark will boost German exports, helping the sagging economy, Gomes said.

46.   The German economy has been expanding for a year, as a fall in the value of the deutsche mark fueled demand for German exports.

47.   The dollar held up better against the mark after comments by Bundesbank council member Ernst Welteke that a strong yen is good for German exports.

48.   The rise in the mark has hampered German exports and contributed to the slump in growth.

49.   To be sure, a weaker mark can boost German exports by making them more competitive.

50.   When Baker then threatened to push the dollar lower at the expense of German exports, markets around the world fell drastically.