21.   Chirac also ruled out a devaluation of the French franc.

22.   CIC Bank bought dollars today, particularly for marks and French francs, said Halligan.

23.   Clearly, the French franc is an infinitely more chic currency to be relieved of.

24.   Come January, it will offer all services in French francs, euros or a combination of currencies.

25.   Creation of a Brady-type bond for Ivory Coast would mark the first such security created in the French franc zone.

26.   Credit Agricole traders bought dollars for marks, Swiss francs and French francs last week, and are looking to buy more.

27.   CURRENCIES The deutsche mark rose against the French franc.

28.   DOLLAR GAINS, AIDED BY PESO The dollar gained, benefiting from recoveries in the Mexican peso and the French franc.

29.   Due to a bank strike, the French exchange bureaus had run out of French francs.

30.   Earlier, all European bond markets were pulled down by the weakness of the French franc, which weighed on bunds to a lesser extent than the peripheral markets.