FINN DE SIÈCLE

Date: 18/01/01

STOCKHOLM: There was much talk of those crucial three 'e's of employment, enlargement and the environment when the Commission met the new Presidency last week. “Add E-uro” to that, piped up Romano Prodi. “Or E-quality”, interjected social affairs chief Anna Diamantopoulou. “What about E-Liikanen?” asked a certain Finn.

E-gotist, however, was rejected.

BRUSSELS: Meanwhile, back in Belgium, the enterprising Erkki Liikanen showed what he is made of by inviting a journalist to shadow him on one his regular 12-hour stints in the office. “We started at 8am and by 6pm she was exhausted and had to go home,” crowed Erkki. That'll teach her...