81.   Prime Minister Tony Blair has said he favors joining the euro in principle, but only when economic factors offer benefits to Britain.

82.   Prime Minister Tony Blair has stated his preference for joining the euro but only after certain economic conditions are met.

83.   Prime Minister Tony Blair said recently that he was still withholding judgment on whether it makes economic sense to join the euro.

84.   Prodi had staked his administration on joining the euro.

85.   So it will be when most of Western Europe joins the euro on Friday.

86.   Talk of strict budgetary discipline incenses Italy, Spain and others already struggling to meet the low inflation, deficit and debt targets required to join the euro.

87.   The British government has opted for now to keep the pound rather than join the euro.

88.   The deficit-to-GDP measure is one of several economic indicators that countries wishing to join the euro must meet.

89.   The government has said it will only join the euro when important economic factors are favorable, and if the electorate approves it in a referendum.

90.   The decision on which countries will join the euro is to be made in May.