European governments can let deficits rise to focus on fighting an economic slowdown, but must not let them overrun 3% of gross domestic product, European Commissioner Pedro Solbes, right, said yesterday. Solbes's remarks, after talks with European Union finance ministers, made it clear governments were determined not to be tied by strictures of customary deficit-cutting policies, at a time when attacks on the US have raised fears of recession. ''It's true to say that legally speaking 3% is the limit,'' Solbes, commissioner with the job of monitoring EU government deficits and economic policies, told a news conference. ''Three percent is not to be overcome (breached),'' he added. ''Automatic stabilisers will be let play

off on deficit control.