French Workers Burn Tires, Hold 3M Manager Hostage

The mood soured further after Liberation newspaper reported Wednesday that Cheuvreux executives will get bonuses worth €51 million even as the bank is cutting 75 jobs. Its parent company, Credit Agricole, took €3 billion in a government bailout plan last year.

The bank declined to confirm the amount, but said 2008 bonuses will be paid. Job cuts are on a voluntary basis and concern 31 positions, the bank said.

"There shouldn't be any more bonuses, distribution of free shares or stock options in companies which get state aid" or who make large job cuts, Sarkozy said late Tuesday in the northern town of Saint-Quentin.

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Associated press writers Scott Sayare and Laurent Pirot in Paris, George Frey and Antje Homburger in Frankfurt, and Ben McConville in Edinburgh contributed to this report.

(This version CORRECTS corrects title of 3M manager)