81.   Zalm said the tentative accord, known as the stability pact, would be presented to EU heads of state later Monday afternoon for their approval.

82.   German central bank governor Ernst Welteke called on Monday for an domestic German economic stability pact that would force regional and municipal governments to save money.

83.   He also reiterated the need to respect the terms of the euro stability pact that underpins the new currency.

84.   He also defended the so-called stability pact, laying down fines for countries which exceed spending limits, as the best means of guaranteeing the success of EMU.

85.   He said Germany would honor the European Union stability pact that places a three percent limit on government deficits as a percentage of the gross national product.

86.   He said Germany would honor the European Union stability pact that places a three percent limit on public deficits as a percentage of the gross domestic product.

87.   His ministry later sought to allay doubts in a statement reiterating the minister supported of the stability pact.

88.   A foreign ministry spokesman added that France plans to propose a stability pact for the Balkans during the Paris peace conference, thought likely to be held next month.

89.   A stability pact must not lead to loosening the economic convergence criteria, he said.

90.   A stability pact would compel countries participating in the single European currency to respect strict limits on their budget deficits.