1.   Issing declined to name the likely participants, saying that the treaty permits as few as two to go ahead.

2.   Issing declined to say what impact the above-target inflation rate will have on interest rates, which the Bundesbank has kept on hold for three months.

3.   Issing declined comment on whether the Bundesbank will stick with a variable securities repurchase, or repo, rate, its target interbank lending rate.

4.   Issing declined to speculate on which countries will meet the economic targets for qualifying next year.