| For some time now the small principality of Monaco
- home to rich sporting stars and the jet-set
elite - has been plagued with money laundering
accusations and allegations, much like its
European neighbour Liechtenstein. Monaco has
previously shrugged off money laundering charges,
which emanate largely from France, but the renewed
vigour with which French Finance Minister Laurent
Fabius is approaching the issue is beginning to
cause concern in Monaco, where it is feared that
the French initiative is beginning to dent
Monaco's efforts to gain financial respectability
as it seeks to join the European Monetary Union. |