Eugenio Domingo Solans, the European Central Bank official directly responsible for the changeover, said that demand for the new money had been very strong and that cash withdrawals in some countries were four times above normal levels.
A recent European Union survey showed that support for the changeover was growing in the 12 affected countries -- France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Austria and Greece.
Even though they have long been preparing for the changeover, banks admit that they will not be able to reload all their automated tellers on the first day, and that they may also have trouble replenishing machines if customers rush to withdraw euros during the first few days.
Implementation of the systems was supported by training at Headquarters and Regional Offices to ensure that all users were prepared for the changeover.
However, Crown Castle warned that getting transmitters and broadcasters ready for the changeover could take at least three years.
The European Council adopted the scenario for the changeover to the single currency, confirming unequivocally that this stage will commence on 1 January 1999.
At the moment Williams willfully overcame a 4-1 definithen the first set, upon the point that gave her a startling 5-4 lead, she strutted off the court for the changeover with her head tilted high.
