That leaves one spot to be decided in the group of 16 nations.

The fund said the American economy would grow by 2.4 percent from 1995 to 1998, the lowest among the group of seven nations.

That is by far the largest ratio among the Group of 7 industrial nations.

Eight teams entered the tournament and were drawn into two groups of four nations.

Russia isn't as rich as the other Group of 8 nations and is far less democratic.

Developing 8 Countries, a group of eight large, mostly Muslim nations.

The news comes as the Group of 7 industrialized nations said over the weekend that "more flexibility in exchange rates is desirable for major countries."

Efforts by the Group of Seven industrialized nations to stop the dollar's rise have failed.

Nine teams entered the tournament and were drawn into three groups of three nations.

Canada already has the highest personal income tax burden among the Group of Seven industrialized nations.