VEBA SHARE PLACEMENT STILL EXPECTED THIS MONTH The sale of the government's 25.55 pct stake in VEBA AG <VEBG.F> is still expected this month, banking sources closely linked with the transaction said. A spokesman for the Finance Ministry said no exact date had yet been set for the privatisation, which the government has tabled for the second half of March. However, he added a scandal at Volkswagen AG <VOWG.F>, VW, over currency losses "has nothing to do" with the timing of the VEBA sale. Finance Minister Gerhard Stoltenberg has said the sale of the Federal government's stake in VW, originally scheduled for later this year, may be delayed because of the currency affair. A banker involved in the VEBA placement said "Nothing has changed in the planning. I still presume that it will take place in the second half of March." This banker said there would be no reason to postpone the issue of the 10 mln VEBA shares for a few days. He added that the consortium which is arranging the deal had completed its preparatory work, although the price had not been decided. The VEBA share has been weaker ahead of the placement but West German stocks have been generally bearish and news of the VW scandal last week put further pressure on the market.