Politicians Attack European Central Bank

French Finance Minister Nicolas Sarkozy said that the ECB concentrated too much on keeping inflation below its target of 2 percent and too little on economic growth and job creation."I believe in fighting against inflation, but first of all in fighting for economic growth and employment," Sarkozy said, speaking at a debate on European economic governance. "What bothers me is this 2 percent level and the fact that sustainable growth takes second place. It is something that could be looked at. I am a bit uncomfortable with it." Sarkozy's comments come shortly after another attack on the ECB and its independence - from Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who suggested - on the margins of last weekend's G8 summit - that a "political committee" should be established to guide the decision-making of the ECB if the bank failed to do what the politicians want - and lower interest rates. (EUobserver.com)