71.   The discovery has raised questions over the role of Balladur in the funding of his unsuccessful bid for the French presidency.

72.   The franc has been undermined by political tension in France during the campaign for the French presidency.

73.   The French presidency quickly denied the rumours Wednesday night but not before they had taken their toll on the French franc.

74.   The French franc slipped a bit the day before Paris Mayor Jacques Chirac takes over the French presidency.

75.   The French presidency is pushing for an even bigger increase.

76.   The French presidency on Monday called for the date of an extraordinary European council meeting scheduled to take place in Dublin to be confirmed as soon as possible.

77.   The magazine said Baumann claimed he was unaware the information was being passed to the East and believed he was dealing with people acting for the French presidency.

78.   The ministers asked the Commission to present proposals for an accord to their February meeting, a spokesman for the French presidency said.

79.   The ministers asked the European Commission to present proposals for an accord at a meeting they will hold next month, a spokesman for the French presidency said.