1.  Lower American interest rates would, other things being equal, probably weaken the dollar, thus taking some pressure off those emerging currencies that are linked to it.

2.  Besides the five emerging Asian currencies, Tan said there was also interest in the Philippine peso, Korean won and new Taiwan dollar.

3.  Commenting on the poll, Andy Tan, general manager of MMS International in Singapore, said emerging Asian currencies themselves were riding high based on their own fundamentals.

4.  Some foreign exchange dealers have said that his remarks were a factor behind an emerging currency crisis in Europe.