EUROPE

Belgium Completes Economic Reforms: The Belgian government put the finishing touches on its economic reform plan and in the process infuriated banks by telling them they would have to help pay for job creation in Belgium. Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene said the measures were essential to cut the budget deficit, create jobs and improve the competitiveness of Belgian companies. The government will force banks in Belgium to finance job creation schemes using the savings they earn by keeping wages down. The government said banks should do more to create jobs because they are one of the most profitable businesses in Belgium and are less exposed to international competition than others.