DIFFERENT VOICES

Date: 06/03/1997

“We shall not be joining on 1 January 1999 because we shall not be putting the legislation through on the time-scale which makes that possible.”

British Health Secretary Stephen Dorrell breaks ranks with UK government policy by declaring the UK will definitely not join the euro-zone at the start - a statement he later retracted.

“Stephen declared yesterday that he had not intended to change the policy ... This is the usual froth and nonsense that somehow the cabinet is changing a policy which the cabinet agreed a few weeks ago and has stuck to ever since.”

UK Chancellor Kenneth Clarke insisting that the British government was sticking to its 'wait and see' policy on EMU and seeking to blame the media for the furore caused by Dorrell's remarks.

“I am sure that if we had to postpone, it would be the end of monetary union.” Economics Commissioner Yves-Thibault de Silguy insisting the 1 January 1999 deadline for the start of monetary union must be adhered to, but stressing concessions could not be made to help countries qualify.

“The European Union is not a travel agency. It is a political institution.

There is no 'Club Med'.”

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres insisting it would be a violation of the Maastricht Treaty to exclude Portugal from the launch of EMU simply because it is a southern European country.

“It would be unfortunate, if not disastrous, for Europe if we create the impression ... that some are more equal than others.”

Greek Commissioner Christos Papoutsis stressing the need to ensure the equal participation of all member states in the EU's institutional framework in the revised treaty which emerges from the Intergovernmental Conference.

“This year, Cypriots of both communities have an historic opportunity to take a step towards a lasting settlement in a dispute which has harmed this island for too long, and then to move on together to join the Union.”

Foreign Affairs Commissioner Hans van den Broek speaking during a visit to Cyprus and defending moves to include Turkish Cypriots in the island's negotiations on EU membership.