---

            T R O U B L E D   C O M P A N Y   R E P O R T E R

                             E U R O P E

                 Wednesday, September 25, 2002, Vol. 3, No. 190


                              Headlines


* B E L G I U M *

GIB SA: CNP Discloses Acquisition of Interest for EUR43 a Share
GIB SA: CNP's Bid Could Push Ackermans to Offer Higher
LERNOUT & HAUSPIE: ScanSoft to Complete Share Repurchase

* F I N L A N D *

SONERA: Uses Cisco Technology to Deliver Broadband to Customers

* F R A N C E *

ALCATEL: Yemen PTC Alcatel to Pursue Its Global Network Expansion
ALCATEL: Optus Chooses Multiservice, Multiprotocol Network
ALCATEL: S&P Assigns CreditWatch on 'BB+' Rating
NORTEL NETWORKS: S&P Lowers Rating on Lease Pass-Thru Trust
NORTEL NETWORKS: Wins US$40 Million Contract With China Unicom
VIVENDI UNIVERSAL: Chief May Announce Cut Price Sale of Assets
VIVENDI UNIVERSAL: Messier Held to Post at Vivendi Environnement

* G E R M A N Y *

DEUTSCHE TELEKOM: Shows Renewed Interest in German Army Order
GERLING-KONZERN: S&P: Gerling-Konzern Remains on Watch Dev
KIRCHGRUPPE: Court Rules Kirch Must Give 40% Media Stake to Bank
PHILIP HOLZMANN: Balfour Beatty Withdraws Offer for JA Jones

* I R E L A N D *

GREEN PROPERTY PLC: Fitch Downgrades Rating to 'BB+'
JEFFERSON SMURFIT: Notification in Relation to Share Interests
JEFFERSON SMURFIT: Notification of Major Interests in Shares

* N E T H E R L A N D S *

AEGON NV: Announces Placement of 350 Million Common Shares

* P O L A N D *

NETIA HOLDINGS: Signs Managerial Contracts With New CEO

* S W I T Z E R L A N D *

CREDIT SUISSE: CSFB to Cooperate With Attorney General on Probe
SWISS LIFE: Unit Offers Buy Back of EUR300 Million Bond

* U N I T E D   K I N G D O M *

BIG FOOD: In Talks With Equity Firms for Possible Buyout
BRITISH ENERGY: Confident of Being Cleared by FSA Probe
BRITISH ENERGY: Talks With the U.K. Government Continues
COMPASS GROUP: Announces Update on Shares Subscription
EDIOS: Notification of Interests of Director
EIDOS: Dealings by Simon Protheroe
GLOBAL CROSSING: Court Sets Exclusivity Hearing for October 21
INDIGOVISION: Lourd Young Resigns as Chairman
INVENSYS Integrates Metering Technologies With Itron's AMR
INVENSYS: Bradley Joins Invensys Production Management Division
KINGFISHER: Notification of Major Interests in Shares
KINGFISHER: Acquires More Than 66.67% of Castorama
LASTMINUTE.COM: Earn-out Consideration Payment/ Directors Dealing
MARCONI: Introduces New LMS1000 Remote Power Monitoring System
MARCONI: Introduces New ProFORM Series of Outdoor Pedestals
WORLDCOM INC: MessagePhone Demands Prompt Decision on Contract
WORLDCOM INC: Committee Continues to Work With Senior Management
WORLDCOM INC: Pays GCI Against Pre-petition Obligation


=============
B E L G I U M
=============

GIB SA: CNP Discloses Acquisition of Interest for EUR43 a Share
---------------------------------------------------------------
Compagnie Nationale a Portfeuille SA, a Belgian holding company,
declared it bought stakes in former retailing giant GIB SA for
EUR43 a share.

The announcement came after rival bidder Ackermans & Van Haaren
NV, another Belgian holding company, said it increased its bid to
acquire at least 90% of the share from EUR41 a share to EUR42 a
share.

CNP declared it bought an 11.9% stake in GIB for EUR140.7 million
from Wyser-Pratte Management Co. in New York. Frere's CNP bought
the 5% shareholding of U.S. financier Guy Wyser-Pratte and the
6.85% holding of U.S. mutual fund firm Franklin Resources Inc.

Ackerman's bid, based on the retailer's net equity of EUR1.23
billion stated in its liquidation statement, values the company
at around EUR1.16 billion from the previous EUR1.13 billion.

CONTACT:  GIB SA
          Avenue des Olympiades 20
          B-1140 Brussels, Belgium
          Phone: +32-2-729-21-11
          Fax: +32-2-729-18-18
          Home Page: http://www.gib.be

          Compagnie Nationale a Portefeuille
          12 rue de la Blanche Borne
          6280 Loverval
          BELGIUM
          Phone: +32 71 60 60 60
                 +32 71 60 60 70


          ACKERMANS & VAN HAAREN NV
          Begijnenvest 113
          2000 Anvers
          BELGIUM
          Phone: +32 3 231 87 70
                 +32 3 225 25 33
          Home Page: http://www.avh.be


GIB SA: CNP's Bid Could Push Ackermans to Offer Higher
------------------------------------------------------
Holding company Compagnie Nationale a Portefeuille's EUR43 a
share offer for GIB SA is seen to block Ackermans & Van Haaren
NV's bid for a low-priced majority control of the former
retailing giant.

According to Dow Jones, investors are likely to believe Albert
Frere of CNP will win forcing Ackerman's to pay more.

Ackermans is seen as unlikely to meet its 90% share holding
target if its sticks with its EUR42 a share offering since Frere
is not inclined to sell at a loss. Ackermans may be forced to
raise its bid.  The brilliant financial mogul Albert Frere is
believed to be up to short-term profit from the scheme.

Maud Watelet, analyst at ING in Brussels, predicts that basing on
GIB's cash pile, the bid could still be raised. An offer of
EUR47.8 a share would see the bidder break-even.  Watelet,
however, also admits GIB may be holding unreported off-balance
sheet commitments.

Under the Belgian law, another bidder's entry into the battle
could also increase the bidding price by 5% or EUR44.1 per share.

Potential players include Almanij NV and Sofina SA--although
Cobepa SA, which owns 30.5% of GIB, may also launch its own bid.

If Ackermans left the bidding arena, Frere may wait with other
GIB shareholders until the retailer's liquidation is finished to
get back his investment.  He could also opt to take full control
of GIB.

According to the report, GIB is an attractive investment with its
enticing EUR1.3 billion cash from assets sale, including the GB
supermarket chain, which accounts for 70% of its business
activities.

GIB's stock climbed 3.5% to EUR42.78 in heavy trading.


LERNOUT & HAUSPIE: ScanSoft to Complete Share Repurchase
--------------------------------------------------------
ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), the leading supplier of digital
imaging, speech and language solutions, confirmed that it is
repurchasing 1.46 million shares of its common stock from L&H
Holdings U.S., Inc. at a price of $4.79 a share, totaling $7
million.

This transaction is part of a definitive agreement between
ScanSoft and L&H that provides for an orderly disposition of the
approximately 7.4 million shares of ScanSoft common stock that
L&H received as consideration when ScanSoft acquired the L&H
Speech and Language Technologies business in December 2001. L&H
will include the approximately six million remaining shares in a
ScanSoft-facilitated, underwritten public offering to be
completed no later than February 15, 2003.

"ScanSoft's completion of the first phase of the share
disposition with the buyback of nearly 1.5 million shares
underscores its commitment to preserving shareholder value," said
Paul Ricci, chairman and CEO of ScanSoft. "Through the
forthcoming underwritten public offering, ScanSoft intends to
place the remaining six million L&H-owned shares in the hands of
long-term, fundamental investors."

About ScanSoft, Inc.
ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT) is the leading supplier of imaging,
speech and language solutions that are used to automate a wide
range of manual processes - saving time, increasing worker
productivity and improving customer service. For more information
regarding ScanSoft products and technologies, please visit
www.scansoft.com.

Trademark reference: ScanSoft and the ScanSoft logo are
registered trademarks or trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc. in the
United States and other countries. All other company or product
names mentioned may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT:  ScanSoft, Inc.
          Richard Mack
          Phone: 978/977-2175
          E-mail: richard.mack@scansoft.com
                  or
          Sharon Merrill Associates, Inc.
          Tim Green
          Phone: 617/542-5300
          E-mail: tgreen@investorrelations.com


=============
F I N L A N D
=============


SONERA: Uses Cisco Technology to Deliver Broadband to Customers
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) announced that Sonera, Finland's
leading provider of mobile and telecommunications services, is
deploying a combination of Cisco Catalyst(R) 2950 switches and
metropolitan optical fiber to provide next-generation Ethernet-
based broadband. Initially, 15,000 existing residential customers
in the apartments of the Helsinki Area Student Villages (HOAS)
will be able to receive high speed Internet access via 10/100
Ethernet ports so that each user has an initial reserved capacity
of 256 kbps. This initial network will provide a foundation to
address Helsinki's increasing demand for high speed Internet
access.

The Cisco technology will help provide Ethernet access through an
optical fiber network running right to the basement of apartment
blocks. Subscribers will be able to access the service using a
simple Ethernet socket in the apartment together with a network
card, which will eliminate the need for a modem.

"The combination of Ethernet, optical fiber and IP provides
Sonera with a solid foundation for future offering of services
such as voice over IP and video on demand down the line," said
Mr. Jari Hakalin, Director, for Sonera. "We were particularly
impressed by the level of support we received from Cisco's Metro
Ethernet access team and the advanced features in Cisco's
switching products."

Sonera is deploying Cisco Catalyst 2950 switches in the basement
of apartment blocks and Points of Presence (PoPs) to effectively
provide local area network access for subscribers. Sonera will
take advantage of its existing investment in optical fiber,
together with existing category 5 in-building cabling to deliver
these services to end customers.

"Sonera has recognised the advanced nature of the broadband
market in Finland, and is providing consumers with residential
Ethernet-based broadband connectivity which can scale to 10 or
100 Mbps access speeds for a compelling price," said Mark de
Simone, VP technology & solutions marketing for Cisco in EMEA.
"Many European providers are recognising that the next-generation
Ethernet broadband model now makes rolling out advanced broadband
services to consumers and businesses a viable prospect."

About Sonera
Sonera Corporation (HEX:SRA)(NASDAQ:SNRA) is a leading provider
of mobile and advanced telecommunications services. Sonera is
growing as an operator, as well as a provider of transaction and
content services in Finland and in selected international
markets. The company also offers advanced data solutions to
businesses, and fixed network voice services in Finland and
neighboring markets. In 2001, Sonera's revenues totaled EUR 2.2
billion, and profit before extraordinary items and taxes was EUR
0.45 billion. Sonera employs about 7,500 people.

About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in
networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are
available at http://www.cisco.com.Cisco equipment in Europe is
supplied by Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc.

Note to Editors: Cisco, Cisco Systems, the Cisco Systems logo and
Cisco IOS are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cisco
Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other
countries.

CONTACT:  Cisco Systems
          Marc Musgrove
          Phone: +44 (0)208 824 6200
          (Industry Analyst Contact)
          E-mail: dwtaylor@cisco.com
          Roberta De Tata
          Phone: 408/527-6388
          (Financial Analyst Contact)
          E-mail: rdetata@cisco.com


===========
F R A N C E
===========


ALCATEL: Yemen PTC Alcatel to Pursue Its Global Network Expansion
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Alcatel announced that it has been selected by Public
Telecommunication Corporation (PTC) of Yemen to provide
additional network expansion and to modernize its fixed network.
Alcatel's solutions will enable Yemen PTC to deploy more than
220,000 new telephones lines across the country.

Kamal Al Gerby, director general of Yemen PTC, says: "The
deployment of Alcatel 1000 MM switching systems will enable
Yemen PTC to offer new services such as high-speed Internet
access and multimedia services. It will also  significantly raise
its network capacity and reduce drastically its costs in network
engineering and operations (OPEX)."

Ludwig De Maeyer, President of Alcatel's voice network
activities, adds: "We are delighted to have accompanied Yemen PTC
in its network expansion for more than twenty-four years. This
contract reflects their satisfaction in the reliability of
Alcatel's solutions already in operation and our strength   in
the ability to quickly deliver the state-of-the-art technological
solutions they need to develop their business."

Deliveries have already started and the operator's network will
be open for commercial use end of September 2002.

Alcatel's current installed base in Yemen amounts to 630,000
terminations, representing an 80 % share of the local fixed
market. With more than 320 million lines delivered worldwide on
digital switching systems, Alcatel connects one out of five
subscribers in the world.


ALCATEL: Optus Chooses Multiservice, Multiprotocol Network
----------------------------------------------------------
Alcatel (http://www.alcatel.com)announced that it has signed an
agreement with Optus to supply its Alcatel 7670 Routing Switch
Platform for the Australian carrier's core network. The Alcatel
7670 is designed for the heart of next generation multiservice
networks, ready to support Optus' current and future network
services today. Including the Alcatel 5620 Network Manager, the
Alcatel 7670 gives Optus a highly scalable and efficient core
infrastructure significantly reducing the cost of future network
growth.

The Alcatel 7670 is an MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching)
enabled ATM core platform, allowing different networking
protocols like IP or ATM to work together on the one centrally
managed network.  Equipped with a platform capable of supporting
multiservices and multiprotocols, Optus stand to make
considerable operational and capital savings. In addition the
Alcatel 7670's ability to support next generation IP services
today will dramatically reduce the cost of Optus' network
migration.

"As the demand for broadband services intensifies Optus needs a
core platform that will give advanced services to more
customers," said Stephen Rotheram, director of Optus Networks.
"With product features that are widely acknowledged throughout
the industry as 'state of the art', the Alcatel 7670 was the
obvious choice for Optus."

Ross Fowler, CEO of Alcatel Australia said, "The solution that we
have provided to Optus not only takes into account their current
network requirements but also their future requirements,
particularly as we are on the edge of a broadband explosion. The
Alcatel 7670 will increase Optus' revenue given its ability to
offer new services, whilst significantly reducing a number of
costs, a great solution whichever way you look at it."

Alcatel designs, develops and builds innovative and competitive
communications networks, enabling carriers, service providers and
enterprises to deliver any type of content, such as voice, data
and multimedia, to any type of consumer, anywhere in the world.

Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions
portfolio, stretching from end-to-end optical infrastructures,
fixed and mobile networks to broadband access, Alcatel's
customers can focus on optimizing their service offerings and
revenue streams. With sales of EURO 25 billion in 2001 and 99,000
employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.


ALCATEL: S&P Assigns CreditWatch on 'BB+' Rating
------------------------------------------------
Standard & Poor's Ratings placed the 'BB+' corporate credit and
senior unsecured debt ratings of Alcatel on CreditWatch with
negative implications.  The rating agency also affirmed the
telecommunication supplier's short-term corporate credit rating
of 'B'.

The action follows the company's profit warning on Friday.

The CreditWatch reflects a further severe deterioration of
conditions in the global telecoms equipment industry beyond
expectations, and lack of visibility.

On Friday, Alcatel announced that sales would be down 10% in the
second half compared with the last quarter due to a further
downturn in its markets.  The telecommunications company further
predicts a sales decline of 15% in the third quarter.

Although Alcatel has sufficient liquidity at the end of June 30,
2002, S&P warns that, "Liquidity and headroom, under covenants of
the bank facility and the securitization fund, could erode over
time in a stressed scenario if market conditions continue to
weaken".

At the end of the previous quarter Alcatel has cash of more than
EUR4 billion, undrawn bank facility of EUR2.07 billion, and
listed participations with a market value of EUR1.4 billion.

CONTACT:  ALCATEL
          54, rue La Bo,tie
          75008 Paris, France
          Phone: +33-1-40-76-10-10
          Fax: +33-1-40-76-14-00
          Toll Free: 800-777-6804
          Home Page: http://www.alcatel.com


NORTEL NETWORKS: S&P Lowers Rating on Lease Pass-Thru Trust
-----------------------------------------------------------
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today lowered its rating on
Nortel Networks Lease Pass-Through Trust to single-'B' from
double-'B'-minus.

The outlook remains negative (see list).

The rating on Nortel Networks Lease Pass-Through Trust is
dependent on the corporate credit rating of Nortel Networks Ltd.
(Nortel), which was lowered to single-'B' from double-'B'-minus
on Sept. 18, 2002.

The pass-through trust certificates reflect security interests in
five single-tenant, office/research and development buildings
leased to Nortel. Nortel guarantees the payment and performance
of all obligations of the tenant under the leases.

RATINGS LOWERED Nortel Networks Lease Pass-Through Trust Pass-
through trust cert series 2001-1

                   Rating
Class       To                From
Certs       B/Negative        BB-/Negative


CONTACT:  Standard & Poor's, New York
          Eric Thompson
          Phone: 212/438-2620
          Roy Chun
          Phone: 212/438-2430


NORTEL NETWORKS: Wins US$40 Million Contract With China Unicom
--------------------------------------------------------------
China Unicom, the country's leading alternate wireless operator,
has selected Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT - News; TSX:NT. - News) for
an estimated US$40 million expansion of its GSM networks in the
autonomous regions of Xinjiang Uygur and Ningxia Hui, the
province of Shanxi, and the municipality of Chongqing.

This expansion will help position China Unicom to address growing
demand for wireless services by increasing overall network
capacity to approximately 925,000 subscribers. It will also
enable China Unicom to drive optimized network performance, and
to create a platform for introduction of new wireless data
services.

"Nortel Networks is very proud to have been chosen by China
Unicom to implement this major GSM network expansion," said
Robert Mao, president and chief executive officer, Nortel
Networks China. "We have already deployed GSM networks for China
Unicom in nine provinces and CDMA networks in seven, and this
latest expansion strongly endorses, yet again, the quality and
reliability of our wireless data networks and the services they
facilitate."

Nortel Networks solution for this latest China Unicom expansion
will include GSM switching, radio base station and transmission
systems. It will also feature integrated Signal Switching Points,
positioning China Unicom to offer personalized IP (Internet
Protocol) services like Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to help
generate new revenues.

Nortel Networks has deployed wireless networks in 17 of China's
31 provinces. Nortel Networks has also deployed 80 GSM/GPRS
networks in 41 countries, enabling wireless data network services
for more than 50 operators.

China Unicom (www.chinaunicom.com.hk) is one of China's two
largest cellular communications operators. It provides integrated
telecommunications services that include cellular communications,
domestic and international long distance, data, Internet and
paging services. At the end of 2001, China Unicom's GSM
subscriber base comprised over 27 million customers, its long
distance services covered 304 major Chinese cities, its IP
telephony services reached 320 cities, and its broadband data
network, providing leased lines, frame relay, ATM, virtual
private network (VPN) and Internet services, covered 303 cities.

Nortel Networks is an industry leader and innovator focused on
transforming how the world communicates and exchanges
information. The company is supplying its service provider and
enterprise customers with communications technology and
infrastructure to enable value-added IP data, voice and
multimedia services spanning Metro and Enterprise Networks,
Wireless Networks and Optical Networks. As a global company,
Nortel Networks does business in more than 150 countries.

CONTACT: NORTEL NETWORKS
         Michelle Wu, 86-10-6510-7132
         E-mail: wumich@nortelnetworks.com
        or
        Daniel Zhao, 86-10-6510-7140
        E-mail: danielz@nortelnetworks.com
        or
        Jay Barta, 972/685-2381
        E-mail: jbarta@nortelnetworks.com


VIVENDI UNIVERSAL: Chief May Announce Cut Price Sale of Assets
--------------------------------------------------------------
The chief executive of Vivendi Universal may announce a cut price
sale of assets after completing a strategic review to cut debt,
according to CNN.

Chief executive Jean-Rene Fourtou, who is scheduled to pronounce
the company's findings on September 25, is expected to announce a
strategy that can prevent the company's collapse under a EUR19
billion debt load.  The company's stock has fallen 85% this year
from EUR64.40.

Mr. Fourtou is also expected to disclose his intention to keep
the conglomerate's 44% stake in Cegetel, and even increase this
to above 50% to consolidate the group's cash flow. He is also
seen as likely to keep the company's entertainment assets,
including Universal Music Group, movie studios Universal Studios
and USA Network, although the company may decide to reduce its
stake on the business.  Merrill Lynch also sees an IPO of the
assets, while maintaining a controlling stake in the
entertainment assets, as an option.

As for its water utility, Vivendi Environnement, the media group
is foreseen to dispose its remaining 41% interest, although the
decision could be delayed until December 2003 because of "lock
up" agreements.

According to CNN, analysts at Merrill Lynch foresees a sale of
Vivendi's publishing assets for EUR3 billion to EUR4 billion,
although its Italian pay TV platform Telepiu to News Corp may
raise about EUR1 billion less than the original price of EUR1.5
billion.

Its Canal+ Technologies could also be sold at a marked down price
of EUR200 million from the expected EUR300 million.

The media group was bailed out by a EUR3 billion loan from a
group of 11 banks.  The amount is to give the media giant six
months to launch strategies to reduce debts.  Vivendi is planning
to sell EUR10 billion assets over the next two years.

According to Merrill Lynch, the group may be pressured in the
short term due to debt levels of EUR18.6 billion.

CONTACT:  VIVENDI UNIVERSAL
          42 avenue de Friedland
          75380 Paris Cedex 08, France
          Phone: +33-1-71-71-10-00
          Fax: +33-1-71-71-11-79
    Home Page: http://www.vivendiuniversal.com


VIVENDI UNIVERSAL: Messier Held to Post at Vivendi Environnement
----------------------------------------------------------------
Jean-Marie Messier refused to step down as director of Vivendi
Environnement, the water distributor business of Vivendi
Universal, the Financial Times reports.

Mr. Messier resigned as chairman of Vivendi Universal on July 3
but refused to exit as chairman and director of the supervisory
board of Vivendi Environnement.

According to the report, insiders said his refusal has something
to do with negotiations over his exit package from the media
company. The board is to decide on Wednesday on Mr. Messier's
eligibility for compensation. While Marc Vienot, another board
member, had already agreed compensation, chief executive Jean-
Rene Fourtou and Claude Bebear, a board member, has decided that
Mr. Messier will receive no compensation, the report says citing
one person close to Mr. Fourtou.

The board of Vivendi Environnement failed to replace Mr. Messier
with Mr. Fourtou as chairman of the supervisory board due to lack
of authority to oust Mr. Messier as director.  The French law
dictates that only shareholders meetings can change company
directors.

According to one Vivendi Univeral insider, "Messier will keep on
collecting his attendance fees as a board member because we will
not go to the expense of calling an extraordinary shareholder
meeting just to dismiss him."

CONTACT:  VIVENDI UNIVERSAL
          42 avenue de Friedland
          75380 Paris Cedex 08, France
          Phone: +33-1-71-71-10-00
          Fax: +33-1-71-71-11-79
          Home Page: http://www.vivendiuniversal.com


=============
G E R M A N Y
=============


DEUTSCHE TELEKOM: Shows Renewed Interest in German Army Order
-------------------------------------------------------------
Deutsche Telekom board member Josef Brauner said the fixed line
operator is still interested in getting part of a EUR6.5 billion
German army communications order, says Dow Jones.

In June, The group led by Deutsche Telekom fell out of the
bidding after the Defense Ministry chose a group including
European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., Computer Sciences
Corp.'s German unit and MobilCom AG.

Brauner sees MobilCom's uncertain future and sensitivity on both
sides of the Atlantic to involvement of a U.S. company in German
defense matters to open a new auction.

The board member expects the government to decide whether to
launch a new auction during the autumn. He expects either a new
auction or a new "constellation".

CONTACT:  DEUTSCH TELECOM AG
          Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 140
          53113 Bonn, Germany
          Phone: +49-228-181-0
          Fax: +49-228-181-8872
          Home Page: http://www.telekom.de

          MOBILCOM AG
          Hollerstra�e 126
          D-24782 B�delsdorf, Germany
          Phone: +49-43-31-69-11-73
          Fax: +49-43-31-69-28-88
          Home Page: http://www.mobilcom.de


GERLING-KONZERN: S&P: Gerling-Konzern Remains on Watch Dev
----------------------------------------------------------
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said Monday that its ratings
on Gerling-Konzern Globale Ruckversicherungs-AG (GKG) and related
entities remain on CreditWatch with developing implications,
where they were placed on Sept. 4, 2002.

The update follows the announcement of the group holding company
Gerling-Konzern Versicherungs-Beteiligungs-AG (GKB) on Sept. 20,
2002, of the termination of its exclusive negotiations with
France-based reinsurer SCOR (A+/Watch Neg/--) in respect of the
disposal of GKG's life reinsurance businesses and the majority of
its third-party non-life reinsurance activities.

"The absence of an immediate buyer and the continued discussion
about the Gerling group's future strategy with regard to its
reinsurance operations, creates substantial strain on GKG's
prospective business position and financial flexibility--the
ability of companies to source capital relative to requirements.
In addition, Standard & Poor's remains concerned about the
adequacy of GKG's current risk-based capitalization," said
Standard & Poor's credit analyst Karin Clemens.

"There is, however, some upside potential should the Gerling
group be able to find a buyer for some or all of the legal
entities comprising the GKG group in the near future. For
policyholders included in such a transaction, the transfer of
business to a higher rated counterparty would be positive in
terms of the financial strength of the new reinsurer," said Ms.
Clemens.

The termination of GKB's discussions with SCOR has no immediate
impact on the ratings and outlook on Gerling-Konzern Allgemeine
Versicherungs-AG (GKA; A/Developing/--) and Gerling-Konzern
Lebensversicherungs-AG (GKL; A/Developing/--). However, the
continued uncertainty around the group's reinsurance operations
may hinder GKB's progress in finding a partner at the group
level. Moreover, any potential capital shortfall at the group's
reinsurance operations or at the group level could be detrimental
to the ratings on GKA and GKL.

Standard & Poor's will be meeting with management of GKB and of
the respective legal entities within the next few weeks to
discuss the group's future strategy and expects to resolve the
CreditWatch status following these discussions.

CONTACT:  Standard & Poor's
          Karin Clemens, Frankfurt (49) 69-3 39 99-193
          Christian Dinesen, London (44) 20-7847-7043
          Peter Grant, London (44) 20-7847-7086
          Joerg Ritthaler, Frankfurt (49) 69-3 39 99-192


KIRCHGRUPPE: Court Rules Kirch Must Give 40% Media Stake to Bank
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Insolvent media empire KirchGruppe's founder Leo Kirch will be
forced to give his 40% stake in the German newspaper Bild to
Deutsche Bank as collateral for a loan, a court ruling revealed
on Friday, according to the Associated Press.

KirchGruppe, which succumbed to bankruptcy early this year due to
mounting debt pile had wanted to seek for an extension until
September 30 to sell the stake in Axel Springer Verlag, the
publisher of Bild.

The media empire was previously granted until September 20 to
sell its stake provided that in case in failed to obtain a deal
before the said deadline, Deutsche bank could take the as
collateral for a EUR720 million it is owed. Unfortunately, the
company did not reach the deadline.

Earlier, Deutsche Bank has already conducted preparatory work on
a secondary placement of the shares, it is now willing to let
Springer explore a friendly deal before seizing the stake from
Mr. Kirch.

The stakes are one of the priced assets of KirchGruppe, the once
mighty German media empire that collapsed under the weight of
some EUR5 billion or so debt-load.


PHILIP HOLZMANN: Balfour Beatty Withdraws Offer for JA Jones
------------------------------------------------------------
Engineering services provider Balfour Beatty PLC decided to pull
out from its negotiations to acquire JA Jones, the US operation
of insolvent construction company, Philipp  Holzmann, AFX
reports.

The British company, which is planning to launch an equity issue
to finance the acquisition, cited the current equity conditions
as the reason it is withdrawing from the talks.  It foresees that
the costs arising from the potential acquisition would take an
exception charge of around 9 million stg in its 2002 accounts.

The sale of J.A, Jones is aimed at gathering proceeds of EUR500
million (US$486 million). Concerns regarding antitrust fines are
earlier seen as likely to delay the sale.

Philipp Holzmann filed for insolvency in March after a frantic
last-ditch attempt to broker a rescue plan failed, two years
after its dramatic 1999 rescue orchestrated by Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder. The company has 164 units before the filing.

The 150-year-old firm has played a major part in rebuilding
Germany's bomb-shattered cities after World War II.

CONTACT:  PHILIPP HOLZMANN
          Taunusanlage 1
          60299 Frankfurt, Germany
          Phone: +49-69-2-62-1
          Fax: +49-69-2-62-433
          Home Page: http://www.philipp-holzmann.de

         BALFOUR BEATTY
         130 Wilton Rd.
         London SW1V 1LQ, United Kingdom
         Phone: +44-20-7216-6800
         Fax: +44-20-7216-6902
         Home Page: http://www.balfourbeatty.com


=============
I R E L A N D
=============


GREEN PROPERTY PLC: Fitch Downgrades Rating to 'BB+'
----------------------------------------------------
Fitch Ratings downgraded the Senior Unsecured Debt and Short-term
rating of Green Property PLC to 'BB+/B' from 'BBB/F3'. The rating
is assigned to the company's GBP150 million 2016 Eurobond.

The rating, which was maintained on Rating Watch Negative,
reflects the rating agency's belief that "funding facilities are
currently in place for the bonds' repayment at par whilst
acknowledging the potential subordination that could take place
even during the existing Change of Control Put Event period."

The action is referred to the company's transaction with
Rodinheights plc, whose bid for the company in July 2002 is now
complete. The special purpose entity clarified that its Offer
Document includes "provision for permanent secured funding which
can be put in place work within some of the confinements of
Green's 2016 Eurobond's covenants." A New Owner clause in the
agreement can potentially subordinate the credit position of
unsecured bondholders.  There is also a Change of Control Put
Event mechanism, which enables bondholders to put at par.

The rating agency reiterated that there is now sufficient
certainty of bondholders who chose not to exercise the put being
subordinated by acquisition funding to justify a worse case
assessment of the credit.


JEFFERSON SMURFIT: Notification in Relation to Share Interests
--------------------------------------------------------------
To: Jefferson Smurfit Group plc and The Irish Stock
Exchange Limited

On 17 September 2002, MDCP Acquisitions I acquired beneficial
title in the relevant share capital of the Company as set out
below.  Accordingly, in accordance with section 91 of the
Companies Act, 1990, the notifying parties named below hereby
notify you that the each of them have an interest in the relevant
share capital of the Company as follows:

Identity and address of notifying parties:

1) MDCP Acquisitions I
2) MDP Acquisitions plc
3) MDCP Acquisitions Limited
(each with their registered offices at Earlsfort Centre Earlsfort
Terrace Dublin 2)
4) MDCP IV Global Investments LP
c/o Walkers SPV Limited
PO Box 980 QT
WalkerHouse
Mary Street
George Town, Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS)

Class of share capital of the company to which this notification
relates:
New ordinary shares of EUR0.03 each
Number of shares and percentage in share capital in which the
notifying parties have an interest: 6, 104, 843,010 (91.39%)


JEFFERSON SMURFIT: Notification of Major Interests in Shares
-------------------------------------------------------------
Name of company: Jefferson Smurfit Group plc
Name of shareholder having a major interest:
1) MDCP Acquisitions I
2) MDCP Acquisitions plc
3) MDP Acquisitions plc
(each with their registered offices at Earlsfort Centre Earlsfort
Terrace Dublin 2)
4) MDCP IV Offshore Investments LP
5) MDP IV Offshore GP, LP
6) MDP Offshore Investors Limited
(with their registered offices at M&C Corporate Services Limited
PO Box 309GT Ugland House South Church Street George Town, Grand
Cayman CAYMAN ISLANDS)
Percentage of issued class: 91.39%
Class of security: New Ordinary shares of EUR 0.03 each
Date of transaction: September 17 2002
Date company informed: September 20 2002
Total holding following this notification: 6,104,843,010
Total percentage holding of issued class following this
notification: 91.39%
Name of contact and telephone number for queries:
Cathy Smith
Tel: +353-1-202 7162
Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for
making this notification:
Cathy Smith
Date of notification: September 23 2002


=====================
N E T H E R L A N D S
=====================


AEGON NV: Announces Placement of 350 Million Common Shares
---------------------------------------------------------
Vereniging AEGON (Association) and AEGON N.V. (AEGON) announce
the placement of 350 million existing AEGON common shares at an
offering price of EUR 10.00 per bearer share and USD 9.71 per New
York share, effective today. The Association sold 350 million
shares and made an additional contribution on its preferred
shares of EUR 2,064 million.

The Association currently holds 171,974,055 common shares AEGON
representing 12% of the common shares. Together with its 440
million preferred shares, the Association currently has a voting
interest of 33%.

CONTACT:  AEGON N.V.
          Investor Relations
          Phone: + 31 70 344 83 05

          Group Communications
          Phone: + 31 70 344 83 44


===========
P O L A N D
===========


NETIA HOLDINGS: Signs Managerial Contracts With New CEO
-------------------------------------------------------
Netia has signed managerial contracts with Wojciech Madalski, its
new President and CEO, for an indefinite period of time, and has
extended until December 31, 2003, the existing managerial
contracts with Avraham Hochman, member of the management board
and Chief Financial Officer. The terms of these agreements were
approved by the company's supervisory board.

CONTACT:  Netia, Warsaw
          Anna Kuchnio (IR), +48-22-330-2061
          Jolanta Ciesielska (Media), +48-22-330-2407
                or
          Taylor Rafferty, London
          Alexandra Jones, +44-(0)20-7936-0400
               or
          Taylor Rafferty, New York
          Jeff Zelkowitz, 212/889-4350


=====================
S W I T Z E R L A N D
=====================


CREDIT SUISSE: CSFB to Cooperate With Attorney General on Probe
---------------------------------------------------------------
Credit Suisse First Boston welcomes and will cooperate fully with
any examination of this matter by Attorney General Spitzer. The
Attorney General said he would review this matter, and we are
confident that after doing so he will determine that a criminal
proceeding is not warranted here. CSFB is dedicated to upholding
the highest standards for research independence and ethical
behavior. Over the past year, we fully embraced the Spitzer
initiatives to achieve systemic reforms to promote analyst
objectivity. We believe these reforms will help restore investor
and consumer confidence.

Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) is a leading global investment
bank serving institutional, corporate, government and individual
clients. CSFB's businesses include securities underwriting, sales
and trading, investment banking, private equity, financial
advisory services, investment research, venture capital,
correspondent brokerage services and retail online brokerage
services. CSFB operates in over 89 locations across more than 37
countries on 6 continents. The Firm is a business unit of the
Zurich-based Credit Suisse Group, a leading global financial
services company.

CONTACT: Victoria Harmon
         CSFB - New York
         Telephone: (212) 325-6914


SWISS LIFE: Unit Offers Buy Back of EUR300 Million Bond
-------------------------------------------------------
Swiss Life unit Swiss Life Finance offered to buy back its EUR300
million 0.5% exchangeable bond due in 2006 for accrued principal
and interest plus 0.25%, according to Reuters. The transaction,
which is managed by Credit Suisse First Boston, expires on
October 11.

If the bonds are dealt on October 16, the purchase price is
tagged at 103.61127% of the nominal value says a statement of the
company. The report, however, failed to reach anyone in the
insurance company for comment.

Swiss Life recently posted a 2002 first half loss of CHF386
million. The insurer alarmed investors by delaying to produce
details of a huge share issue. The firm's need for fresh funds
worried investors that there may be gaps in the company's
finances.

The insurer also recently announced its intension to refocus its
operation to core life insurance. The move will entail trimming
another 700 positions within the Group as a whole by the end of
2004, says Swiss Life in a statement.

CONTACT:  SWISS LIFE INSURANCE AND PENSION COMPANY
          General Guisan-Quai 40
          8022 Zurich, Switzerland
          Phone: +41-1-284-3311
          Fax: +41-1-281-2080
          E-mail: info.com@swisslife.ch
          Home Page: http://www.swisslife.com


===========================
U N I T E D   K I N G D O M
===========================


BIG FOOD: In Talks With Equity Firms for Possible Buyout
--------------------------------------------------------
Food wholesaler and retailer Big Food Group has entered into
informal discussions about a possible management buyout with at
least two private-equity firms, says the Wall Street Journal.

According to the report, people familiar with the matter say the
company held negotiations with CVC Capital Partners and Kohlberg
Kravis Roberts & Co.

In July, TCR-Europe reported that the British retailer is likely
to go into a bond battle with the City after it revealed a
surprise profit warning.

The company revealed during that period that change in promotions
strategy at Iceland, a chain of 760 supermarkets, was failing and
the company was heading for a slump in sales.

Big Food had revealed that sales at Iceland had fallen 8% during
the previous three weeks and would go into a loss on the first
half.

Speculations that the company started having problems as early as
May emerged in the conference call with bondholders in July.

CONTACT:  THE BIG FOOD GROUP PLC
          Second Ave., Deeside Industrial Park
          Deeside, Flintshire CH5 2NW, United Kingdom
          Phone: +44-1244-830-100
          Fax: +44-1244-814-531
          Home Page: http://www.thebigfoodgroup.co.uk


BRITISH ENERGY: Confident of Being Cleared by FSA Probe
-------------------------------------------------------
British Energy said it has nothing to fear on the investigation
conducted by the Financial Services Authority on the issue that
the nuclear power generator failed to inform investors of its
financial standing prior to the suspension of its shares on
September 5.

"We're fully confident that the company and its advisors have
acted properly and professionally," a British Energy spokeswoman
says on an AFX news.

The troubled nuclear power company had assured analyst just three
weeks prior to the suspension that it haD enough credit lines to
meet future obligations.

Reports also came out that brokers ABN Amro and HSBC warned the
nuclear generator of its status two days before it ran to the
government for rescue.

A report on the Telegraph says British Energy's board admitted
receiving the advice but delayed making the announcement as it is
still waiting for negotiations with British Nuclear fuels to give
good news for its troubled finances.  According to the report, it
is only later that day, on September 3, that the company
confirmed that the talks had failed.

An FSA spokeswoman, who confirmed the investigation, says the
regulator is "at the whole chronology of events in the run-up to
the announcement that they were going to the government for
financial assistance".

British Energy shares were suspended at a price of 80.75 pence
and collapsed to 28 pence when trading resumed the following
week.

CONTACT:  BRITISH ENERGY PLC
          3 Redwood Crescent, Peel Park
          East Kilbride, Strathclyde G74 5PR, United Kingdom
          Phone: +44-135-526-2000
          Fax: +44-135-556-5656F
          Home Page: http://www.british-energy.com


BRITISH ENERGY: Talks With the U.K. Government Continues
--------------------------------------------------------
Having regard to recent press comment, in particular about the
possible outcome of current discussions between the Company and
the UK Government, the Board of British Energy wish to emphasise
that these discussions are continuing.

The Board of British Energy has nothing to add to the RNS
announcement, which was released on 9 September 2002.

CONTACT:  BRITISH ENERGY PLC
          3 Redwood Crescent, Peel Park
          East Kilbride, Strathclyde G74 5PR
          United Kingdom
          Phone: +44-135-526-2000
          Fax: +44-135-556-5656
          Home Page: http://www.british-energy.com


COMPASS GROUP: Announces Update on Shares Subscription
------------------------------------------------------
Compass Group PLC announces that on 23 September 2002, Ogier
Employee Benefit Trustee Limited, as Trustee of the Compass Group
Employee Trust No 2, subscribed for 58,686 ordinary shares in the
company.

The Shares were subscribed at 276p per Share, being the middle
market quotation of a Share on 20 September 2002. Following this
acquisition, the Trustee distributed all the shares to satisfy
participants' entitlements under the Compass Group Commitment
Share Plan.

Following the distribution of these shares, no shares are held by
the Trustee.

CONTACT:  COMPASS GROUP PLC
          Cowley House
          Guildford Street
          Chertsey
          Surrey KT16 9BA
          United Kingdom
          Tel: +44 1932 573 000
          Fax: +44 1932 569 956


EDIOS: Notification of Interests of Director
--------------------------------------------
Eidos plc announces that on Friday, 20 September 2002, Michael
McGarvey, Chief Executive Officer, was awarded 145,000 Ordinary
shares in the company for nil consideration under the terms of a
Restricted Share Plan established pursuant to paragraph 13.13A(b)
of the Listing Rules.

The Shares awarded will comprise existing shares to be
immediately purchased in the market by the Trustee of the Eidos
employee benefit trust.  The Trustee will hold the Shares to the
Company's order for a period of three years at which time the
Shares will vest and be released to Mr McGarvey, subject to him
still being in the Company's employment at that time.  There are
no other pre-release conditions to be satisfied.

Whilst Mr McGarvey does not currently have a beneficial interest
in the Shares he does now have (and will retain during the three
year deferment period) a notifiable non-beneficial interest in
the Shares.

Following this notification, Mr McGarvey has an interest over
1,396,268 Ordinary shares in Eidos derived through his employment
with the Company.  His residual interest, over and above the
restricted share award referred to above, are in the form of
outstanding share options.

Michael Arnaouti
Company Secretary
Tel: 020 8636 3434

CONTACT:  EIDOS PLC
          Michael McGarvey
          Phone: 0011 44 20 8636 3000


EIDOS: Dealings by Simon Protheroe
----------------------------------
Name of company: Eidos Plc
Name of director: Simon Protheroe
Date of grant: September 20 2002
Period during which or date on which exercisable: September 20,
2005 through to September 19 2009
Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option: nil
Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number
option over 50,000 ordinary shares
Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that
price is to be fixed at time of exercise: 121 pence per share
Total number of shares or debentures over which options held
following this notification: 341,048
Name of contact and telephone number for queries:
Michael Arnaouti
Tel: 020 8636-3431
Date of Notification: September 23 2002

CONTACT:  EIDOS PLC
          Michael McGarvey
          Phone: 0011 44 20 8636 3000


GLOBAL CROSSING: Court Sets Exclusivity Hearing for October 21
--------------------------------------------------------------
Michael F. Walsh, Esq., at Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, in
NewcYork, tells the Court that Global Crossing Ltd., and its
debtor-affiliates have made significant progress toward their
reorganization, including negotiating and receiving Court
approval of a purchase agreement among the Debtors and Singapore
Technologies Telemedia Pte Ltd. and Hutchison Telecommunication
Limited and formulating. The Debtors have also negotiated a
consensual plan of reorganization and disclosure statement in
consultation with the Investors, the official committee of
unsecured creditors, and the Debtors' pre-petition lenders.

Despite the timeliness of the filing of the Plan, the Debtors
still seek an additional extension of the Exclusivity Periods to
protect them in case they are compelled to withdraw the Plan, or
the Court does not approve the Plan.  Insofar as consummation of
the Purchase Agreement and the Plan is contingent upon approval
from regulatory authorities and satisfaction of certain financial
covenants, Mr. Walsh admits that there is a risk, albeit small,
that the Exclusive Periods will lapse and the Plan will not be
confirmed.  The Debtors must protect themselves against this risk
to ensure their successful emergence from
Chapter 11. Specifically, the Debtors ask the Court to extend
their Exclusive Filing Period until 60 days after the day upon
which either:

-- the Debtors are compelled to withdraw the Plan, or

-- the Court denies the Plan.

Similarly, the Debtors ask the Court to extend the Exclusive
Solicitation Period until 60 days after the Extended Exclusive
Filing Period.  Mr. Walsh contends that these extensions will
provide the Debtors with sufficient time to formulate and file a
new plan of reorganization without the destabilizing effects of
competing plans.

According to Mr. Walsh, the Plan filed on September 16, 2002 is
the direct result of intense negotiations with the Investors,
culminating in the Purchase Agreement that was supported by the
Debtors' creditor constituencies.  The hearing date to approve
the Disclosure Statement is set for October 21, 2002, and the
Debtors are confident that the Plan will be adopted by the
requisite number of creditors and approved by the Court and that
they will emerge from Chapter 11 early in the first quarter of
2003.

But cause still exists for extending the Exclusivity Periods. Mr.
Walsh points out that the Debtors continue to implement
expenditure reductions, analyze and reject executory contracts
and leases, pursue and propose settlements with key vendors, and
take the necessary steps toward emerging from chapter 11 as a
viable and reorganized entity.

Despite the Debtors' confidence that the Plan and the Disclosure
Statement will be approved, Mr. Walsh insists that there is an
unjustified risk that, if the Plan or Disclosure Statement are
not approved by the Court, perhaps as a result of the failure to
satisfy any of the Closing Conditions or for any other reason,
the Exclusivity Periods will have expired in the interim period.
In this scenario, the Debtors would be left to operate their
business while scrambling to formulate and negotiate a new plan,
assess competing plans that are filed, and contend with the
destabilizing effect that these events would have on their
business, employees, vendors, and customers.  Therefore, the
Debtors seek to maintain the healthy balance with its creditor
constituencies that only an extension of the Exclusivity Periods
can provide.

"It would be nearly impossible for the Debtors to dedicate
sufficient resources to formulating a new plan if the Debtors
were required to focus on analyzing and responding to competing
plans submitted by other parties," Mr. Walsh says.  Moreover, the
Exclusivity Periods has permitted the Debtors to negotiate and
reach reasonable agreement with the Creditors' Committee and
Prepetition Lenders without the pressure of entertaining
competing plans of reorganization.  If the Debtors cannot
preserve the exclusive right to present and file a plan of
reorganization, the balance that has permitted the parties in
interest to forge reasonable terms of reorganization will be
lost.

Mr. Walsh assures the Court that the Debtors are not seeking to
extend the Exclusivity Periods to pressure creditors to accede to
the Debtors' reorganization demands.  The Debtors and its major
creditor constituencies have already reached agreement on the
terms of the Plan.  The Debtors are requesting an extension of
the Exclusivity Period and the Solicitation Period to enable
these parties to once again negotiate and reach accord on the
terms of a new plan of reorganization without the pressure of
competing plans if the Court does not ultimately approve the
Plan.

A hearing on the motion is scheduled on October 21, 2002.
Accordingly, Judge Gerber extends the deadline of the Exclusive
Filing Period until the conclusion of that hearing. (Global
Crossing Bankruptcy News, Issue No. 22; Bankruptcy Creditors'
Service, Inc., 609/392-0900)

Global Crossing Holdings Ltd.'s 9.625% bonds due 2008
(GBLX08USR1) are trading at 1.75 cents-on-the-dollar, DebtTraders
reports. For real-time bond pricing, see
http://www.debttraders.com/price.cfm?dt_sec_ticker=GBLX08USR1


INDIGOVISION: Lourd Young Resigns as Chairman
---------------------------------------------
Lord Young of Graffham has, as a result of increasing pressure of
other business commitments, resigned as Chairman of IndigoVision.
David Sibbald, who joined the board of IndigoVision in March 2002
has been appointed Non-Executive Chairman with immediate effect.

David Sibbald (aged 42) founded Atlantech Technologies, a
communications software company, which provided service creation
tools for broadband service providers, and was Chairman and CEO
of Atlantech Technologies from 1992 until its sale to Cisco
Systems in March 2000 for US$180m.  Subsequently, he worked at
Cisco until July 2001 and ran Worldwide Marketing, Hand Business
Development for Cisco's communications software group.  He is
currently also Chairman and
CEO of Sumerian Networks, a privately owned networked
applications services company.

CONTACT: David Sibbald
         Chairman
         Tel. +44 (0)7836 505 068


INVENSYS Integrates Metering Technologies With Itron's AMR
----------------------------------------------------------
Joint Development Effort Brings Together Itron's Industry Leading
Automatic Meter Reading Technology With Invensys' New Solid-State
Residential Metering Platform

Itron Inc. (Nasdaq:ITRI) has partnered with Invensys Metering
Systems -- North America Inc., part of Invensys Plc
(London:ISYS.L), to offer a solution that integrates Itron's
51ESS ERT(R) AMR technology with the new Invensys solid-state,
single-phase residential iCon meter.

This technology, which is now commercially available, enables
Itron handheld and mobile systems to receive kWh consumption
billing data from the iCon meter register. In addition to the kWh
consumption billing data, the Itron fixed network system also
retrieves interval data from the 51ESS ERT.

The iCon meter with 51ESS ERT technology supports self-initiated
transmissions of standard kWh consumption and interval data
information, which enables utilities to calculate time-of-use,
demand and load profile data that can be used for billing, energy
management and demand response programs. The iCon meter with
51ESS ERT also transmits tamper detection notices such as meter
removal and meter inversion.

"Our commitment to provide open-architecture solutions that
enable our customers to keep their advanced meter technology
options open, is a key reason why Itron's AMR system architecture
is the most widely used in the utility industry," said Doug
Staker, vice president of Itron's Mobile and Network Telemetry
Systems Group. "This integration of our industry-leading advanced
automation technology with a low-cost, solid-state residential
metering platform from Invensys provides our electric utility
customers with new choices and capabilities to support their
advanced meter data collection strategies."

"The iCon meter provides the ideal platform for the 51ESS ERT,"
said Arlin Rummel, iCon System Program Director for Invensys
Metering Systems. "The iCon meter was specifically designed for
integration of advanced communication technology. The ERT
technology has been incorporated into the iCon meter with careful
consideration of cost, ease of replacement and retrofit. The iCon
meter is recognized for its superior performance. It is field
proven and compliant with the most stringent industry
requirements for a revenue class electricity meter."

"The 51ESS ERT radio performance is optimized for the iCon meter.
Also, it does not require any programming by the customer. The
iCon meter with 51ESS ERT is fully compatible with existing Itron
walk-by, drive-by, and fixed network systems. The iCon meter's
superior performance coupled with the ERT makes the meter a very
capable energy metering solution," said Bill Mazza, Manager of
Communication Systems.

About Itron

Itron is a leading technology provider and critical source of
knowledge to the global energy and water industries. More than
2,000 utilities worldwide rely on Itron technology to deliver the
knowledge they require to optimize the delivery and use of energy
and water. Itron delivers value to its clients by providing
industry-leading solutions for meter data collection, energy
information management, C&I customer care, load management and
demand response, transmission and distribution system design
software and services, and web-based workforce automation. For
more information on Itron, please visit www.itron.com.

About Invensys Metering Systems

Invensys Metering Systems, an operating group of Invensys Plc and
part of the Energy Management Division, is a leading worldwide
provider of water, gas, electric and heat meters, clamp and
coupling products, and Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) Systems for
utilities. For more information on Invensys Metering Systems,
please visit www.ims.invensys.com.

About Invensys, Plc

Invensys Plc is a global leader in production technology and
energy management. The group helps customers improve their
performance and profitability using innovative services and
technologies and a deep understanding of their industries and
applications.

Invensys Production Management works closely with customers in
order to drive up performance of their production assets,
maximize their return on investments in production technologies
and remove cost and cash from their whole supply chain. The
division includes APV, Avantis, Baan, Eurotherm, Foxboro,
Simsci/Esscor, Triconex and Wonderware. These businesses address
process and batch industries -- including the oil, gas and
chemicals, food, beverage and personal health care -- and the
discrete and hybrid manufacturing sectors.

Invensys Energy Management works with clients involved in the
supply, measurement and consumption of energy and water, to
reduce costs and waste and improve the efficiency, reliability
and security of power supply. The division includes Energy
Management Solutions, Appliance Controls, Climate Controls,
Global Services, Metering Systems, Powerware and Home Control
Systems. These businesses focus on markets connected with power
and energy infrastructure for industrial, commercial and
residential buildings.

The company also serves the specialized rail, wind-power and
electronic manufacturing (power components) markets through
Invensys Rail Systems, Hansen Transmissions and Lambda,
respectively, in its development division.

Invensys operates in more than 80 countries, with its
headquarters in London.

For more information, visit www.invensys.com.

iCon Meter is a trademark of Invensys plc. All other product and
company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.

CONTACT:  Itron
          Mima Scarpelli, 509/891-3565
          E-mail: mima.scarpelli@itron.com
          Home Page: www.itron.com
              or
          Invensys
          Invensys Metering Systems
          Arlin Rummel, 724/425-7957
          E-mail: arlin.rummel@invensys.com
          Home Page: www.ims.invensys.com


INVENSYS: Bradley Joins Invensys Production Management Division
---------------------------------------------------------------
Invensys plc announced that Michael S. Bradley, formerly chief
executive officer of Projexsys Inc., has joined the Invensys
Production Management Division as vice president and general
manager of the company's ArchestrA(TM) industrial automation
architecture program.

In the new post, Bradley will be responsible for all aspects of
the ArchestrA program, including architecture development,
marketing, sales direction, deployment and customer support. He
reports directly to Joe Cowan, chief operating officer for both
the Baan and Wonderware business units, and the Manufacturing and
Process Systems groups of Invensys plc.

The ArchestrA plant automation and information architecture is
comprehensive and helps disparate systems work together. It was
launched earlier this month to more than 2,000 customers and
other industry officials at the Invensys Showcase(TM) user group
meeting. Industry analysts, such as ARC Advisory Group, are
closely following the progress of the new ArchestrA platform.

In an Aug. 24 report, ARC stated: "Some of the things that make
(the) ArchestrA (architecture) unique are its availability to
third parties as an open development platform, view toward
extending the useful life of installed applications,
industrialized Microsoft(R) .NET services and flexible
application object model.

"ARC believes that the principles behind (the) ArchestrA
(architecture) are sound and matches ARC's vision of a
collaborative automation system."

"We are extremely pleased to have Mike Bradley formally join our
team to run our ArchestrA program because this massive effort
requires someone who possesses deep experience in the computer
and control automation industries, as well as a broad business
management background and an entrepreneurial spirit in growing
innovative and exciting new businesses," Cowan said.

"In addition, Mike has great expertise in market research,
statistical forecasting and market development, and has managed
companies of substantial size. We feel his management
capabilities will serve us well as we roll out the ArchestrA
program on a global basis."

The ArchestrA platform was designed from the outset to extend the
life of legacy systems by leveraging the latest software
technologies. In the ArchestrA environment, software applications
can be rapidly assembled rather than programmed. New applications
also can be created simply through the reassembly of existing
applications.

The ArchestrA architecture's complete approach to industrial
architecture significantly reduces a plant's total cost of
ownership through easy installation, operation, modification,
maintenance and replication of automation applications.

Offerings built upon this architecture empower decision-makers to
achieve their business goals, without abandoning prior
investments in automation systems, production processes or
intellectual property.

Bradley most recently was CEO of Projexsys, an electronic
business intelligence company serving industrial and financial
markets with information about planned investments by
manufacturing companies. In this capacity, he has worked as a
business consultant on the ArchestrA program since the beginning
of 2002.

Earlier, Bradley spent 14 years as CEO for Cimtek Commerce Inc.,
Cimtek-Thomas and Cimtek Inc., strategic research and marketing
database companies serving the industrial and medical
marketplaces. Before that Bradley was a sales and marketing
manager for Texas Instruments for 10 years, serving the Business
Personal Computer, Industrial Controls and Industrial Systems
divisions.

He also was instrumental in product planning for Dynatronics
Inc., Mead Corp. and Olin Corp. Bradley earned a bachelor's
degree in physics at North Carolina State University at Raleigh
and received a master's degree in business from the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"I'm excited to join Invensys to direct the ArchestrA program
because it has so much significance for industrial automation
users in so many industries around the world," Bradley said.

"Invensys plans to inject the ArchestrA architecture technology
into all of its own products and systems, giving the company the
very latest information and automation technologies while at the
same time preserving and protecting the legacy investments that
Invensys customers have made."

Bradley continued: "Even more importantly, the ArchestrA
architecture provides the industry's first truly open development
platform for use by solution providers outside of Invensys --
including system integrators, machine builders, OEMs and third-
party software developers.

"This permits Invensys business partners to easily add their own
value and domain knowledge on top of the ArchestrA architecture.
The end result of this transforming technology is that users
finally can have a unified industrial automation architecture and
a collaborative automation system framework with third parties
who can add significant value to customer solutions using this
architecture.

"They can benefit enormously because they can leverage third-
party products, systems and solutions that can instantly become
aware of and exchange information."

About Invensys
Invensys plc is a global leader in production technology and
energy management. The group helps customers improve their
performance and profitability using innovative services and
technologies and a deep understanding of their industries and
applications.

Invensys Production Management works closely with customers in
order to drive up performance of their production assets,
maximize their return on investments in production technologies
and remove cost and cash from their whole supply chain. The
division includes APV, Avantis, Baan, Eurotherm, Foxboro,
SIMSCI/Esscor, Triconex and Wonderware.

These businesses address process and batch industries --
including the oil, gas and chemicals, food, beverage and personal
health care -- and the discrete and hybrid manufacturing sectors.

Invensys Energy Management works with clients involved in the
supply, measurement and consumption of energy and water, to
reduce costs and waste and improve the efficiency, reliability
and security of power supply. The division includes Energy
Management Solutions, Appliance Controls, Climate Controls,
Global Services, Metering Systems, Powerware and Home Control
Systems.

These businesses focus on markets connected with power and energy
infrastructure for industrial, commercial and residential
buildings.

The company also serves the specialized rail, wind-power and
electronic manufacturing (power components) markets through
Invensys Rail Systems, Hansen Transmissions and Lambda,
respectively, in its development division.

Invensys operates in more than 80 countries, with its
headquarters in London. For more information, visit
www.invensys.com.

Note to Editors: Invensys, Invensys Showcase, Wonderware and
ArchestrA are trademarks of Invensys plc, its subsidiaries and
affiliated companies. All other brands may be trademarks of their
respective owners.

CONTACT:  Invensys Systems Inc.
          Mark Root
          Phone: 703/234-6548
          E-mail: mark.root@iss.invensys.com


KINGFISHER: Notification of Major Interests in Shares
------------------------------------------------------
Name of company: Kingfisher Plc
Name of shareholder having a major interest: Barclays Plc
State whether notification indicates that it is in respect of
- a holding of the shareholder named in 2. above
- a non-beneficial interest
- an individual holder's spouse or children under the age of
18

Percentage of issued class: 4.59%
Class of security : ordinary shares of 13.75p each
Date of transaction: September 18 2002
Date company informed: September 23 2002
Total holding following this notification: 118,785,905 shares
Total % holding of issued class following this notification:
4.59%

For Inqueries Contact:  J Wilson
                        Tel: 020 7725 5853
Name of authorised company official: J Wilson
                                    Company Secretariat Assistant
Date of notification: September 23 2002

To view names of the registered holder(s) and the number of
shares held by each of them, refer to this link:
http://bankrupt.com/misc/Kingfisher2.pdf

CONTACT: Broker and Institutional Enquiries:
Ian Harding, Director of Investor Relations
Tel:+44 (0) 207 725 4889


KINGFISHER: Acquires More Than 66.67% of Castorama
---------------------------------------------------
Kingfisher plc has notified the CMF (Conseil des Marches
Financiers) that the total number of shares in Castorama Dubois
Investissements SCA acquired through market purchases since 11
September 2002 had reached 18,497,773.  This brings its total
holding of Castorama shares to 106,766,609 shares, representing
67.64% of the issued share capital and exceeding the two-thirds
shareholding threshold defined under Article L 233-7 of the
French Commercial Code.

The offer for the shares in Castorama that Kingfisher does not
already own will close on 16 October 2002.

Kingfisher is Europe's leading home improvement retailer, and is
ranked number three in the world. The company operates more than
590 home improvement stores in 11 countries, and enjoys market-
leading positions in the U.K., France and Taiwan. Sales for the
Home Improvement sector for the year to 2 February 2002 were more
than GBP5.8 billion, with retail profit in excess of GBP430
million.

Kingfisher Electricals & Furniture operates more than 830 stores
in nine countries. It is Europe's third largest electricals
retailing business by sales and number two by retail profit. As
well as holding the leading position in France and the number two
position in the U.K., Kingfisher also enjoys leading positions in
Belgium and in the Czech and Slovak Republics.  Sales for the
year to 2 February 2002 were more than GBP3.7 billion, with
retail profit of GBP184 million.

CONTACT: Broker and Institutional Enquiries:
Ian Harding, Director of Investor Relations
Tel:+44 (0) 207 725 4889


LASTMINUTE.COM: Earn-out Consideration Payment/ Directors Dealing
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lastminute.com announces that it has paid GBP500,000 as an
initial Earn-out Consideration payment to Vimal Khosla & Gillian
Khosla pursuant to the terms of the agreement for the acquisition
of Travelselect.com announced in April 2002. The payment is the
first of an agreed phasing of payments, which may be due to May
2003. This initial payment has been satisfied by the issue and
allotment of a total of 579,374 shares to Vimal Khosla & Gillian
Khosla.

Vimal Khosla is a Director of the company and following this
allotment he will have an interest over 7,036,797 Ordinary
shares, representing 2.99% of the issued share capital of the
Company.

Application has been made to the U.K. Listing Authority and
London Stock Exchange for the listing of 579,374 new ordinary
shares. These new ordinary shares have been issued on September
23, 2002 and dealings are expected to commence in these shares on
Wednesday 25 September 2002.


CONTACT: lastminute.com plc
         Martha Lane Fox
         Group Managing Director
         Tel: 020 7802 4498


MARCONI: Introduces New LMS1000 Remote Power Monitoring System
--------------------------------------------------------------
Marconi introduced the LMS1000 remote power monitoring system and
will exhibit the solution at the INTELEC 2002 Conference in
Montreal, Canada, September 29 - October 3, 2002. Available now,
the LMS1000 is among the telecommunications industry's most
complete remote power monitoring systems, combining the proven
features of existing Marconi monitoring solutions with new
input/output (I/O) networking capability and a fully-integrated
Ethernet port.

In addition, the LMS1000 reduces overall installation costs by 5-
10% compared to competing solutions thanks to the LMS1000's
wiring, which is pre-configured in the factory - eliminating the
need for traditional in-field wiring. When integrated with
Marconi's Vortexr Power System, as well as with other DC power
systems, power monitoring equipment costs are reduced by 15-25%.

Built on the heritage of Marconi's Lorainr family of monitoring
products, the LMS1000 features a low profile design and extended
temperature performance range, plus plug-in I/O cards that make
the product well suited for smaller, outdoor applications. The
product's free-topology I/O networking capability provides
monitoring capability for over 1,600 I/O points, making it ideal
for a number of larger site applications as well.

Designed for the deployment of all telecommunications power
products, the LMS1000 offers added flexibility to meet today's
more dynamic requirements that go beyond traditional power
deployment monitoring. The list of common applications include:
alarm mediation, battery management, capacity management,
diagnostics, energy management, routing engine cycling, power
metering and rectifier sequencing, all from the basic three-
element configuration.

When used in conjunction with a digital power system like the
Marconi Vortex line, a simple communications link between the two
basic units provides an excellent low-cost monitoring solution.
Hundreds of I/O points inside the digital power system are
automatically mapped over to the LMS1000 to provide a seamless
monitoring solution. In addition, all advanced features of the
digital power system are made available for remote monitoring to
provide full remote control capability to the power plant with
quick and easy connectivity. Ease of communications is enhanced
with an RS232 connection and an Ethernet port as standard. A 56K
modem, TL1/X.25 and SNMP communications options are also
available.

Marconi will also be making two key technical presentations at
INTELEC 2002 in conjunction with its involvement in the
conference. These will include a technical paper entitled,
"Transient Suppression in Secondary Distribution" jointly written
and presented by Bram Bailey and Bill Crawford; and a second
paper, entitled "Audible Noise for Service Provider Enclosures
(The Last Mile)" by D. Bruce Canavan. Marconi, through its Lorain
Power business, was instrumental in the original formation of
INTELEC and has supported the organization since its founding.

INTELEC is an annual conference covering the latest developments
in telecommunications energy systems and related power processing
devices and circuits. Technical papers present research and new
developments in power electronics and telecommunications power
systems, including DC power plants, powering architectures, AC
systems, DC-DC converters, batteries, prime power systems,
grounding, physical and thermal design, alternative power
(engines, fuel cells, etc) and building and equipment cooling
systems.


MARCONI: Introduces New ProFORM Series of Outdoor Pedestals
------------------------------------------------------------
Marconi launched the ProFORMr series, its newest line of non-
metallic pedestals, and will exhibit the solution at the 105th
USTA Annual Convention & Exhibition in Boca Raton, Florida,
September 29 - October 2, 2002. This new line of pedestals is
geared specifically to the needs of Independent Telephone
Companies.

Built on the heritage of Marconi's Reliable Electricr family of
outside plant pedestals, the ProFORM products have already been
approved for deployment with key Regional Bell Operating
Companies (RBOCs) and meet the exacting requirements of RBOCs for
reliability, performance and compatibility with their network
deployment requirements. They are ideally suited for outside
plant deployment in wireline networks requiring non-metallic
construction, flood protection or 360� access.

The unique shape of the ProFORM pedestal provides a design that
is among the easiest on the market to install and service.
Besides featuring improved visual aesthetics over competitive
plastic pedestals, this shape also ensures optimal working space
for splicing, bonding, grounding, terminal block attachment,
service wire entry and wire management. Superior splicing
capacity helps better secure open wire bundles or wirework
enclosures. Its three-piece construction and "slide & secure"
mounting plate assembly also helps speed deployment through
simplified installation. ProFORM products are available in either
a solid base or a split/rehab base ideal for placement around or
the addition of cable. All versions are available with an
integral mounting spade or in a short base for use with a
supplemental mounting post.


ProFORM products are available in a number of sizes to cover a
very broad range of deployment requirements. They are configured
for buried distribution telecommunications equipment, including
splice and splice/fixed count termination applications.

Marconi plc is a global telecommunications equipment and
solutions company headquartered in London. The company's core
business is the provision of innovative and reliable optical
networks, broadband routing and switching and broadband access
technologies and services. The company's aim is to help fixed and
mobile telecommunications operators worldwide reduce costs and
increase revenues.

The company's customer base includes many of the world's largest
telecommunications operators. The company is listed on the London
Stock Exchange under the symbol MONI.

CONTACT: Heather Green
         Investor Relations
         Marconi PLC
         Tel: +44 (0) 207 306 1735
         E-mail: heather.green@marconi.com


WORLDCOM INC: MessagePhone Demands Prompt Decision on Contract
--------------------------------------------------------------
According to Richard G. Dafoe, Esq., in New York, MessagePhone
Inc., as licensor, entered into a nonexclusive License Agreement
with MCI WorldCom Networks Service Inc., as licensee, on December
28, 1999, under which the Debtors would pay MessagePhone a
royalty for use of its Message Service technology.  The Message
Service technology has been designed to allow a customer placing
a call through 1-800-COLLECT or a calling or credit card to leave
a message on the Debtors' server in the event of a busy signal or
no answer.  This service then will make a number of attempts to
deliver the message to the intended recipient.  The term of the
License Agreement was for the length of the term that
MessagePhone held the patent rights, which is through 2005.  The
License Agreement is an Executory Contract to be assumed or
rejected by the Debtors.

Mr. Dafoe tells the Court that the Debtors paid an initial
license fee for the Message Service technology usage of
US$237,500 to cover pre-2000 sales of its Message Service.  The
Debtors then paid an additional US$430,310 related to pre-2000
sales. Subsequent to that, the Debtors paid additional quarterly
royalty payments totaling US$1,159,762.  The Debtors now owes
MessagePhone over US$1,403,069 as of December 31, 2000.  There
has been no exact calculation of the amount of the underpayment
of royalties for the quarter after December 31, 2000.

Mr. Dafoe continues that the Debtors are required in the License
Agreement to provide and maintain records in "sufficient detail"
to allow MessagePhone to audit the records of the Debtors for the
purpose of verifying the accuracy of the royalty payments made to
MessagePhone.  However, as determined by an auditor, the records
maintained by the Debtors related to the royalty payment are not
maintained in "sufficient detail."  The records have been
discarded and destroyed by the Debtors.  This destruction of the
underlying competent data is a violation of the License
Agreement.

Until the Debtors are compelled to assume or reject the Executory
Contract with MessagePhone, Mr. Dafoe contends that MessagePhone
cannot take action to minimize the damage it will suffer from
lack of payment of royalties.  The Debtors are obligated to make
postpetition Chapter 11 royalty payments to MessagePhone or be
enjoined from using the service and technology that is owned by
MessagePhone.  The Debtors have not indicated if and when it will
assume or reject the License Agreement.  Time is of the essence
for MessagePhone.  "The Debtors have and continue to destroy
records used to provide the measure of royalties owing," Mr.
Dafoe tells the Court.

To assume the Contract, the Debtors must meet all statutory
requirements including its compliance with the non-monetary
provisions of the License Agreement.  The Debtors' assumption of
this agreement would not be burdensome to the estate, as the
License Agreement has been highly profitable to the Debtors and
can not be replaced without infringing on the MessagePhone
patents.

Mr. Dafoe believes that no prejudice to Debtors or its estate
should result if the Court compels the assumption or rejection of
the License Agreement.  On the other hand, MessagePhone is
continuously prejudiced by the Debtors' failures.  "The Court
should not permit the Debtors to continue to use the license
without assuming it," Mr. Dafoe argues.  MessagePhone has
invested a substantial amount of time and effort in attempting to
recover payments from the Debtors.

Thus, MessagePhone asks the Court to set a time for the Debtors
to assume or reject the License Agreement, and if assumed, then
require the Debtors to comply with the requirements of the
Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code. (Worldcom Bankruptcy News,
Issue No. 7; Bankruptcy Creditors' Service, Inc., 609/392-0900)


WORLDCOM INC: Committee Continues to Work With Senior Management
----------------------------------------------------------------
Van Greenfield of Blue River L.L.P. and Mark Neporent of Cerberus
Capital Management, L.P., the co-chairmen of the Official
Committee of Unsecured Creditors of WorldCom, Inc., issued the
following statement:

"We are perplexed as to the source and content of positions
attributed to the Committee regarding its relationship with
Company management in recent press reports.  Contrary to the
suggestion in Friday's New York Times, the Committee has been
working harmoniously and amicably with John Sidgmore and Bert
Roberts and the company's management and professionals in
connection with the company's reorganization.  An agreed upon
search process for a new CEO is underway and a nationally
recognized executive recruitment firm has been identified and is
in the process of being retained.  The Committee has formed a
sub-committee to participate in the search process and
anticipates that the search will be concluded on an expedited
basis.  Accordingly, the Committee expects that the new CEO will
have the support of both the Company and the Committee.  The
Committee appreciates the manner in which Messrs. Sidgmore and
Roberts have cooperated with the Committee in both the search
process and in the restructuring efforts to date."

Worldcom Inc.'s 11.25% bonds due 2007 (WCOM07USA1), DebtTraders
reports, are trading at 22.5 cents-on-the-dollar. See
http://www.debttraders.com/price.cfm?dt_sec_ticker=WCOM07USA1for
real-time bond pricing.


WORLDCOM INC: Pays GCI Against Pre-petition Obligation
-----------------------------------------------------
General Communication Inc., (Nasdaq: GNCMA) has received a US$3.5
million payment against its pre-petition receivable from
WorldCom. The payment was received from a third party obligor
that determined it was ultimately liable for services provided by
GCI to the third party under a contract that had been assigned to
WorldCom.

The payment reduces the amount that WorldCom owes to GCI for
services provided to WorldCom by GCI prior to WorldCom's filing
of bankruptcy on July 21, 2002. During its second quarter
conference call on August 8, 2002 GCI discussed its exposure to
the WorldCom bankruptcy. GCI reported that it had reserved US$9.7
million against its second quarter results to cover services that
had been billed to WorldCom during the second quarter but for
which payment had not been received prior to WorldCom's
bankruptcy filing. GCI also estimated that it would reserve up to
US$6.7 million against its third quarter results to cover
additional services billed to WorldCom in the third quarter prior
to WorldCom's filing. GCI had previously reserved approximately
US$0.6 million of disputed billings.

The US$3.5 million received directly reduces the estimated third
quarter charge. GCI now has a pre-petition receivable of US$13.5
million from WorldCom of which US$10.3 million has been reserved.
GCI also owes WorldCom approximately US$1 million that it
believes it may be entitled to offset against the amounts due to
GCI. Thus, the residual exposure to GCI that has not already been
reserved has been reduced to US$2.2 million. GCI is currently
evaluating how much, if any, value should be assigned to the
total US$13.5 million receivable that it holds from WorldCom and
will reserve any additional amounts against its third quarter
results. At this time, the amount of the third quarter reserve
increase is expected to be between zero and US$2.2 million.

GCI also announced that it has received timely payment for all
presently due invoices that have been rendered to WorldCom since
its filing. GCI has received more than US$4 million to date for
post petition services provided through August 31, 2002.
Finally, GCI reported that WorldCom traffic levels are running
consistently above the levels reported last year. Based on
revenues GCI is the largest Alaska-based and operated integrated
telecommunications provider and provides local, wireless, and
long distance telephone, cable television, Internet and data
communication services. More information about the company can be
found at http://www.gci.com

                                    ************

         S U B S C R I P T I O N   I N F O R M A T I O N

Troubled Company Reporter -- Europe is a daily newsletter co-
published by Bankruptcy Creditors' Service, Inc., Trenton, NJ
USA, and Beard Group, Inc., Washington, DC USA. Kimberly MacAdam,
Larri-Nil Veloso, Ma. Cristina Canson and Jean Claire Dy, Editors.

Copyright 2002.  All rights reserved.  ISSN 1529-2754.

This material is copyrighted and any commercial use, resale or
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Information contained herein is obtained from sources believed to
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