DIFFERENT VOICES

Date: 17/04/1997

“I cannot imagine the euro without Italy. It is impossible. It is like having Paris without the Eiffel Tower.”

Bank of France monetary policy council member Paul Marchelli, who also insisted that Spain and Portugal should be in from the start of economic and monetary union.

“An EMU delay should not be categorically ruled out, turned into a taboo or branded a question of war and peace.”

Bundesbank council member Reimut Jochimsen warning it was becoming increasingly evident that Germany would find it very difficult to meet the convergence criteria for economic and monetary union in time.

“The yardstick is the lasting fulfilment of the criteria ... Germany will fulfil the criteria. Even current developments give no cause to veer from these forecasts. But should there still be a need to act, we will not hesitate to do so.”

German Finance Minister Theo Waigel insisting that his country would meet the deadline.

“Our government has bet everything on Italy joining from 1999.”

Italian tycoon Giovanni Agnelli warning that elections might have to be called if his country was not among the first group of euro-bloc members.

“Changing from the red flag to the white flag is no bargain for Britain in Europe.”

UK Prime Minister John Major attacking the opposition Labour Party for its pledge to sign up to the Maastricht Treaty social chapter if it wins the 1 May British election.

“The Tory truce on the single currency has collapsed. Tory election literature reveals the Tory Party as divided, dogmatic and disloyal over Europe.”

Labour foreign affairs spokesman Robin Cook claiming a survey of the election literature of 100 Conservative candidates showed 'a clear majority' were flouting the party's official ' wait-and-see' policy on monetary union by promising they would never support a single currency.

“Europe needs to adopt a more even-handed approach. We need the assistance of a facilitator and I think the US is the only one that can play this role. Too many cooks spoil the broth.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking before leaving for a four-day trip to the Netherlands and Italy.