DR Helmut Kohl, the German chancellor, has said the German economy showed a pleasant level of economic growth in the first quarter, and that the government's target of 2.5 per cent growth for the full year was attainable. Dr Kohl added, however, that the government's goal of halving unemployment by the year 2000 may not be possible. On European monetary union (EMU), Dr Kohl said critics who say the single currency should be delayed should consider the effects this would have on the mark and on German exports.