WASHINGTON : Money Matters

Finance ministers and central bankers from the world’s largest industrial nations--the so-called Group of Seven--are to gather Saturday in a traditional prelude to next week’s annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

This past weekend, Germany’s central bank sought to defuse one dispute by announcing plans to lower interest rates. U.S. officials complain that higher German rates have slowed economic growth in Europe, limited U.S. export opportunities and contributed to the dollar’s decline. Germany has contended that high rates are needed to contain inflationary pressures caused by its reunification program.

The G-7 ministers, who represent the United States, Japan, Germany, Canada, France, Italy and Britain, are also expected to consider granting leniency to Russia on repaying its heavy foreign debt.