71.   During the night finance ministers ended a preparatory meeting without reaching agreement on moves towards the planned single European currency.

72.   The reforms are seen as necessary if France is to be eligible to join with Germany in the planned single European currency.

73.   They envisage control over income tax being pooled by national governments inside the planned European single currency area, according to The Independent.

74.   The white paper also said that Dublin wanted Ireland and Britain to take part in the planned European single currency at the same time.

75.   Other European currencies generally firmed a bit against the mark, and the new controversy about the planned European single currency did not seem to affect the market much.

76.   Operators were waiting for statements by monetary officials in Frankfurt in the afternoon, including one by Bundesbank President Hans Tietmeyer on the planned European single currency.

77.   The dollar also benefited from weekend reports that Germany was ready to accept some flexibility in the Maastricht criteria for participation in the planned common European currency.

78.   The current ceiling set out in the Maastricht treaty for countries to qualify for joining the planned single European currency is three percent.

79.   The first day was dominated by a row over the planned single European currency.