The officials meeting in Dublin also unanimously accepted the inevitability of rapid German reunification after East Germany's elections on March 18.

Political candidates here issue furious denials when rivals accuse them of favoring rapid reunification.

That, in turn, has made the exodus the dominant argument for rapid reunification.

It began to moderate its calls for rapid reunification of the peninsula, the common stated goal of both countries.

On both sides, dreams of rapid reunification have receded.

The alliance promised East Germans rapid reunification, including monetary union and a free-market economy.

That accord assures the Government of the two-thirds majority needed in Parliament to change East Germany's Constitution, thus clearing the path to rapid reunification.

Mr. Kohl and cohorts stood for rapid reunification, and that spelled the fastest possible access to the fleshpots of West German capitalism.

Economic experts said the frenetic activity was an indication of how critically important monetary union is for the Kohl Government's plans for rapid reunification of the two states.

Mr Eduard Shevardnadze, the Soviet foreign minister, has warned that demands for a rapid reunification of Germany could threaten European stability.