France, Jan. 23 -- At Monday's meeting of the French cabinet, the government vowed to push ahead with the contested reform of the pension system, saying there would be no stepping back on the proposed retirement age of 64 years.

"If we go back on the age question," the Labour MinisterOlivier Dussopt told a press conference after Monday's cabinet meeting, "then we go back on the promise to balance the finances of the pension system by 2030.

"And that would be to fail in our duty to future generations.

"Yes," the minister agreed, "we are aware of the complaints of the trade union organisations.

"But the president has called for a resolute attitude in the face of oppositionand the government shares that determination."

Apart from increa...