Path: blob/master/2 - Natural Language Processing with Probabilistic Models/Week 2/WSJ_24.pos
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The DT
economy NN
's POS
temperature NN
will MD
be VB
taken VBN
from IN
several JJ
vantage NN
points NNS
this DT
week NN
, ,
with IN
readings NNS
on IN
trade NN
, ,
output NN
, ,
housing NN
and CC
inflation NN
. .
The DT
most RBS
troublesome JJ
report NN
may MD
be VB
the DT
August NNP
merchandise NN
trade NN
deficit NN
due JJ
out IN
tomorrow NN
. .
The DT
trade NN
gap NN
is VBZ
expected VBN
to TO
widen VB
to TO
about IN
$ $
9 CD
billion CD
from IN
July NNP
's POS
$ $
7.6 CD
billion CD
, ,
according VBG
to TO
a DT
survey NN
by IN
MMS NNP
International NNP
, ,
a DT
unit NN
of IN
McGraw-Hill NNP
Inc. NNP
, ,
New NNP
York NNP
. .
Thursday NNP
's POS
report NN
on IN
the DT
September NNP
consumer NN
price NN
index NN
is VBZ
expected VBN
to TO
rise VB
, ,
although IN
not RB
as RB
sharply RB
as IN
the DT
0.9 CD
% NN
gain NN
reported VBN
Friday NNP
in IN
the DT
producer NN
price NN
index NN
. .
That DT
gain NN
was VBD
being VBG
cited VBD
as IN
a DT
reason NN
the DT
stock NN
market NN
was VBD
down IN
early RB
in IN
Friday NNP
's POS
session NN
, ,
before IN
it PRP
got VBD
started VBN
on IN
its PRP$
reckless JJ
190-point JJ
plunge NN
. .
Economists NNS
are VBP
divided VBN
as IN
to TO
how WRB
much JJ
manufacturing VBG
strength NN
they PRP
expect VBP
to TO
see VB
in IN
September NNP
reports NNS
on IN
industrial JJ
production NN
and CC
capacity NN
utilization NN
, ,
also RB
due JJ
tomorrow NN
. .
Meanwhile RB
, ,
September NNP
housing NN
starts NNS
, ,
due JJ
Wednesday NNP
, ,
are VBP
thought VBN
to TO
have VB
inched VBN
upward RB
. .
`` ``
There EX
's VBZ
a DT
possibility NN
of IN
a DT
surprise NN
'' ''
in IN
the DT
trade NN
report NN
, ,
said VBD
Michael NNP
Englund NNP
, ,
director NN
of IN
research NN
at IN
MMS NNP
. .
A DT
widening NN
of IN
the DT
deficit NN
, ,
if IN
it PRP
were VBD
combined VBN
with IN
a DT
stubbornly RB
strong JJ
dollar NN
, ,
would MD
exacerbate VB
trade NN
problems NNS
-- :
but CC
the DT
dollar NN
weakened VBD
Friday NNP
as IN
stocks NNS
plummeted VBD
. .
In IN
any DT
event NN
, ,
Mr. NNP
Englund NNP
and CC
many JJ
others NNS
say VBP
that IN
the DT
easy JJ
gains NNS
in IN
narrowing VBG
the DT
trade NN
gap NN
have VBP
already RB
been VBN
made VBN
. .
`` ``
Trade NN
is VBZ
definitely RB
going VBG
to TO
be VB
more RBR
politically RB
sensitive JJ
over IN
the DT
next JJ
six CD
or CC
seven CD
months NNS
as IN
improvement NN
begins VBZ
to TO
slow VB
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
said VBD
. .
Exports NNS
are VBP
thought VBN
to TO
have VB
risen VBN
strongly RB
in IN
August NNP
, ,
but CC
probably RB
not RB
enough RB
to TO
offset VB
the DT
jump NN
in IN
imports NNS
, ,
economists NNS
said VBD
. .
Views NNS
on IN
manufacturing VBG
strength NN
are VBP
split VBN
between IN
economists NNS
who WP
read VBP
September NNP
's POS
low JJ
level NN
of IN
factory NN
job NN
growth NN
as IN
a DT
sign NN
of IN
a DT
slowdown NN
and CC
those DT
who WP
use VBP
the DT
somewhat RB
more JJR
comforting VBG
total JJ
employment NN
figures NNS
in IN
their PRP$
calculations NNS
. .
The DT
wide JJ
range NN
of IN
estimates NNS
for IN
the DT
industrial JJ
output NN
number NN
underscores VBZ
the DT
differences NNS
: :
The DT
forecasts NNS
run VBD
from IN
a DT
drop NN
of IN
0.5 CD
% NN
to TO
an DT
increase NN
of IN
0.4 CD
% NN
, ,
according VBG
to TO
MMS NNP
. .
A DT
rebound NN
in IN
energy NN
prices NNS
, ,
which WDT
helped VBD
push VB
up RP
the DT
producer NN
price NN
index NN
, ,
is VBZ
expected VBN
to TO
do VB
the DT
same JJ
in IN
the DT
consumer NN
price NN
report NN
. .
The DT
consensus NN
view NN
expects VBZ
a DT
0.4 CD
% NN
increase NN
in IN
the DT
September NNP
CPI NNP
after IN
a DT
flat JJ
reading NN
in IN
August NNP
. .
Robert NNP
H. NNP
Chandross NNP
, ,
an DT
economist NN
for IN
Lloyd NNP
's POS
Bank NNP
in IN
New NNP
York NNP
, ,
is VBZ
among IN
those DT
expecting VBG
a DT
more RBR
moderate JJ
gain NN
in IN
the DT
CPI NNP
than IN
in IN
prices NNS
at IN
the DT
producer NN
level NN
. .
`` ``
Auto NN
prices NNS
had VBD
a DT
big JJ
effect NN
in IN
the DT
PPI NNP
, ,
and CC
at IN
the DT
CPI NNP
level NN
they PRP
wo MD
n't RB
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
said VBD
. .
Food NN
prices NNS
are VBP
expected VBN
to TO
be VB
unchanged JJ
, ,
but CC
energy NN
costs NNS
jumped VBD
as RB
much RB
as IN
4 CD
% NN
, ,
said VBD
Gary NNP
Ciminero NNP
, ,
economist NN
at IN
Fleet\/Norstar NNP
Financial NNP
Group NNP
. .
He PRP
also RB
says VBZ
he PRP
thinks VBZ
`` ``
core NN
inflation NN
, ,
'' ''
which WDT
excludes VBZ
the DT
volatile JJ
food NN
and CC
energy NN
prices NNS
, ,
was VBD
strong JJ
last JJ
month NN
. .
He PRP
expects VBZ
a DT
gain NN
of IN
as RB
much JJ
as IN
0.5 CD
% NN
in IN
core NN
inflation NN
after IN
a DT
summer NN
of IN
far JJ
smaller JJR
increases NNS
. .
Housing NN
starts NNS
are VBP
expected VBN
to TO
quicken VB
a DT
bit NN
from IN
August NNP
's POS
annual JJ
pace NN
of IN
1,350,000 CD
units NNS
. .
Economists NNS
say VBP
an DT
August NNP
rebound NN
in IN
permits NNS
for IN
multifamily RB
units NNS
signaled VBD
an DT
increase NN
in IN
September NNP
starts NNS
, ,
though IN
activity NN
remains VBZ
fairly RB
modest JJ
by IN
historical JJ
standards NNS
. .
Two-Way NNP
Street NNP
If IN
the DT
sixty-day JJ
plant-closing JJ
law NN
's VBZ
fair JJ
, ,
Why WRB
should MD
we PRP
not RB
then RB
amend VB
the DT
writ NN
To TO
require VB
that IN
all DT
employees NNS
give VBP
Similar JJ
notice NN
before IN
they PRP
quit VBP
? .
-- :
Rollin NNP
S. NNP
Trexler NNP
. .
Candid NNP
Comment NNP
When WRB
research NN
projects NNS
are VBP
curtailed VBN
due JJ
to TO
government NN
funding NN
cuts NNS
, ,
are VBP
we PRP
`` ``
caught VBN
with IN
our PRP$
grants NNS
down IN
'' ''
? .
-- :
C.E. NNP
Friedman NNP
. .
Assuming VBG
the DT
stock NN
market NN
does VBZ
n't RB
crash VB
again RB
and CC
completely RB
discredit VB
yuppies NNS
and CC
trading NN
rooms NNS
, ,
American JJ
television NN
audiences NNS
in IN
a DT
few JJ
months NNS
may MD
be VB
seeing VBG
Britain NNP
's POS
concept NN
of IN
both DT
. .
`` ``
Capital NNP
City NNP
'' ''
is VBZ
a DT
weekly JJ
series NN
that WDT
premiered VBD
here RB
three CD
weeks NNS
ago IN
amid IN
unprecedented JJ
hype NN
by IN
its PRP$
producer NN
, ,
Thames NNP
Television NNP
. .
The DT
early JJ
episodes NNS
make VBP
you PRP
long JJ
for IN
a DT
rerun NN
of IN
the DT
crash NN
of IN
1987 CD
. .
Let VB
's PRP
make VB
that DT
1929 CD
, ,
just RB
to TO
be VB
sure JJ
. .
According VBG
to TO
the DT
program NN
's POS
publicity NN
prospectus NN
, ,
`` ``
Capital NNP
City NNP
, ,
'' ''
set VBN
at IN
Shane NNP
Longman NNP
, ,
a DT
fictional JJ
mid-sized JJ
securities NNS
firm JJ
with IN
# #
500 CD
million CD
capital NN
, ,
`` ``
follows VBZ
the DT
fortunes NNS
of IN
a DT
close-knit JJ
team NN
of IN
young JJ
, ,
high-flying JJ
dealers NNS
, ,
hired VBN
for IN
their PRP$
particular JJ
blend NN
of IN
style NN
, ,
genius NN
and CC
energy NN
. .
But CC
with IN
all PDT
the DT
money NN
and CC
glamour NN
of IN
high JJ
finance NN
come VBP
the DT
relentless JJ
pressures NNS
to TO
do VB
well RB
; :
pressure NN
to TO
pull VB
off RP
another DT
million CD
before IN
lunch NN
; :
pressure NN
to TO
anticipate VB
the DT
market NN
by IN
a DT
fraction NN
of IN
a DT
second NN
... :
'' ''
You PRP
need MD
n't RB
be VB
a DT
high-powered JJ
securities NNS
lawyer NN
to TO
realize VB
the DT
prospectus NN
is VBZ
guilty JJ
of IN
less RBR
than IN
full JJ
disclosure NN
. .
The DT
slickly RB
produced VBD
series NN
has VBZ
been VBN
criticized VBN
by IN
London NNP
's POS
financial JJ
cognoscenti NNS
as IN
inaccurate JJ
in IN
detail NN
, ,
but CC
its PRP$
major JJ
weakness NN
is VBZ
its PRP$
unrealistic JJ
depiction NN
of IN
the DT
characters NNS
' POS
professional JJ
and CC
private JJ
lives NNS
. .
Turned VBN
loose RB
in IN
Shane NNP
Longman NNP
's POS
trading NN
room NN
, ,
the DT
yuppie NN
dealers NNS
do VBP
little RB
right RB
. .
Judging VBG
by IN
the DT
money NN
lost VBN
and CC
mistakes NNS
made VBN
in IN
the DT
early JJ
episodes NNS
, ,
Shane NNP
Longman NNP
's POS
capital NN
should MD
be VB
just RB
about IN
exhausted VBN
by IN
the DT
final JJ
13th JJ
week NN
. .
In IN
the DT
opening VBG
episode NN
we PRP
learn VBP
that IN
Michelle NNP
, ,
a DT
junior JJ
bond NN
trader NN
, ,
has VBZ
indeed RB
pulled VBN
off RP
another DT
million CD
before IN
lunch NN
. .
Trouble NN
is VBZ
, ,
she PRP
has VBZ
lost VBN
it PRP
just RB
as RB
quickly RB
. .
Rather RB
than IN
keep VB
the DT
loss NN
a DT
secret NN
from IN
the DT
outside JJ
world NN
, ,
Michelle NNP
blabs VBZ
about IN
it PRP
to TO
a DT
sandwich NN
man NN
while IN
ordering VBG
lunch NN
over IN
the DT
phone NN
. .
Little JJ
chance NN
that IN
Shane NNP
Longman NNP
is VBZ
going VBG
to TO
recoup VB
today NN
. .
Traders NNS
spend VBP
the DT
morning NN
frantically RB
selling VBG
bonds NNS
, ,
in IN
the DT
belief NN
that IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
monthly JJ
trade NN
figures NNS
will MD
look VB
lousy JJ
. .
Ah UH
, ,
perfidious JJ
Columbia NNP
! .
The DT
trade NN
figures NNS
turn VBP
out RP
well RB
, ,
and CC
all PDT
those DT
recently RB
unloaded VBN
bonds NNS
spurt VBP
in IN
price NN
. .
So RB
much RB
for IN
anticipating VBG
the DT
market NN
by IN
a DT
fraction NN
of IN
a DT
second NN
. .
And CC
a DT
large JJ
slice NN
of IN
the DT
first JJ
episode NN
is VBZ
devoted VBN
to TO
efforts NNS
to TO
get VB
rid JJ
of IN
some DT
nearly RB
worthless JJ
Japanese JJ
bonds NNS
( (
since IN
when WRB
is VBZ
anything NN
Japanese JJ
nearly RB
worthless JJ
nowadays RB
? .
) )
. .
Surprisingly RB
, ,
Shane NNP
Longman NNP
survives VBZ
the DT
week NN
, ,
only RB
to TO
have VB
a DT
senior JJ
executive NN
innocently RB
bumble VB
his PRP$
way NN
into IN
becoming VBG
the DT
target NN
of IN
a DT
criminal JJ
insider NN
trading NN
investigation NN
. .
Instead RB
of IN
closing VBG
ranks NNS
to TO
protect VB
the DT
firm NN
's POS
reputation NN
, ,
the DT
executive NN
's POS
internal JJ
rivals NNS
, ,
led VBN
by IN
a DT
loutish JJ
American NNP
, ,
demand VBP
his PRP$
resignation NN
. .
The DT
plot NN
is VBZ
thwarted VBN
when WRB
the DT
firm NN
's POS
major JJ
stockholder NN
, ,
kelp NN
farming NN
on IN
the DT
other JJ
side NN
of IN
the DT
globe NN
, ,
hurries VBZ
home RB
to TO
support VB
the DT
executive NN
. .
But CC
the DT
investigation NN
continues VBZ
. .
If IN
you PRP
can MD
swallow VB
the DT
premise NN
that IN
the DT
rewards NNS
for IN
such JJ
ineptitude NN
are VBP
six-figure JJ
salaries NNS
, ,
you PRP
still RB
are VBP
left VBN
puzzled VBN
, ,
because IN
few JJ
of IN
the DT
yuppies NNS
consume VBP
very RB
conspicuously RB
. .
In IN
fact NN
, ,
few JJ
consume VBP
much RB
of IN
anything NN
. .
Two CD
share NN
a DT
house NN
almost RB
devoid JJ
of IN
furniture NN
. .
Michelle NNP
lives VBZ
in IN
a DT
hotel NN
room NN
, ,
and CC
although IN
she PRP
drives VBZ
a DT
canary-colored JJ
Porsche NNP
, ,
she PRP
has VBZ
n't RB
time NN
to TO
clean VB
or CC
repair VB
it PRP
; :
the DT
beat-up JJ
vehicle NN
can MD
be VB
started VBN
only RB
with IN
a DT
huge JJ
pair NN
of IN
pliers NNS
because IN
the DT
ignition NN
key NN
has VBZ
broken VBN
off RP
in IN
the DT
lock NN
. .
And CC
it PRP
takes VBZ
Declan NNP
, ,
the DT
obligatory JJ
ladies NNS
' POS
man NN
of IN
the DT
cast NN
, ,
until IN
the DT
third JJ
episode NN
to TO
get VB
past IN
first JJ
base NN
with IN
any DT
of IN
his PRP$
prey NN
. .
Perhaps RB
the DT
explanation NN
for IN
these DT
anomalies NNS
is VBZ
that IN
class-conscious JJ
Britain NNP
is VBZ
n't RB
ready JJ
to TO
come VB
to TO
terms NNS
with IN
the DT
wealth NN
created VBN
by IN
the DT
Thatcherian JJ
free-enterprise NN
regime NN
. .
After IN
all DT
, ,
this DT
is VBZ
n't RB
old JJ
money NN
, ,
but CC
new JJ
money NN
, ,
and CC
in IN
many JJ
cases NNS
, ,
young JJ
money NN
. .
This DT
attitude NN
is VBZ
clearly RB
illustrated VBN
in IN
the DT
treatment NN
of IN
Max NNP
, ,
the DT
trading NN
room NN
's POS
most RBS
flamboyant JJ
character NN
. .
Yuppily RB
enough RB
, ,
he PRP
lives VBZ
in IN
a DT
lavishly RB
furnished VBN
converted VBN
church NN
, ,
wears VBZ
designer NN
clothes NNS
and CC
drives VBZ
an DT
antique JJ
car NN
. .
But CC
apparently RB
to TO
make VB
him PRP
palatable JJ
, ,
even RB
lovable JJ
, ,
to TO
the DT
masses NNS
, ,
the DT
script NN
inflates VBZ
pony-tailed JJ
Max NNP
into IN
an DT
eccentric JJ
genius NN
, ,
master NN
of IN
11 CD
Chinese JJ
dialects NNS
. .
He PRP
takes VBZ
his PRP$
wash NN
to TO
the DT
laundromat NN
, ,
where WRB
he PRP
meets VBZ
a DT
punky JJ
French JJ
girl NN
who WP
dupes VBZ
him PRP
into IN
providing VBG
a DT
home NN
for IN
her PRP$
pet NN
piranha NN
and CC
then RB
promptly RB
steals VBZ
his PRP$
car NN
and CC
dumps VBZ
it PRP
in IN
Dieppe NNP
. .
In IN
producing VBG
and CC
promoting VBG
`` ``
Capital NNP
City NNP
, ,
'' ''
Thames NNP
has VBZ
spent VBN
about IN
as RB
much JJ
as IN
Shane NNP
Longman NNP
loses VBZ
on IN
a DT
good JJ
day NN
. .
The DT
production NN
costs NNS
are VBP
a DT
not RB
inconsiderable JJ
# #
8 CD
million CD
( (
$ $
12.4 CD
million CD
) )
, ,
and CC
would MD
have VB
been VBN
much RB
higher JJR
had VBD
not RB
the DT
cost NN
of IN
the DT
trading NN
floor NN
set NN
been VBN
absorbed VBN
in IN
the DT
budget NN
of IN
`` ``
Dealers NNS
, ,
'' ''
an DT
earlier JJR
made-for-TV JJ
movie NN
. .
Another DT
half DT
million CD
quid NN
went VBD
for IN
a DT
volley NN
of IN
full-page JJ
advertisements NNS
in IN
six CD
major JJ
British JJ
newspapers NNS
and CC
for IN
huge JJ
posters NNS
in IN
the DT
London JJ
subway NN
. .
These DT
expenses NNS
create VBP
a DT
special JJ
incentive NN
for IN
`` ``
Capital NNP
City NNP
's POS
'' ''
producers NNS
to TO
flog VB
it PRP
, ,
or CC
a DT
Yank-oriented JJ
version NN
of IN
it PRP
, ,
in IN
America NNP
. .
Thames NNP
's POS
U.S. NNP
marketing NN
agent NN
, ,
Donald NNP
Taffner NNP
, ,
is VBZ
preparing VBG
to TO
do VB
just RB
that DT
. .
He PRP
is VBZ
discreetly RB
hopeful JJ
, ,
citing VBG
three CD
U.S. NNP
comedy NN
series NN
-- :
`` ``
Three NNP
's POS
Company NNP
, ,
'' ''
`` ``
Too NNP
Close NNP
for IN
Comfort NNP
'' ''
and CC
`` ``
Check NNP
It NNP
Out NNP
'' ''
-- :
that WDT
had VBD
British JJ
antecedents NNS
. .
Perhaps RB
without IN
realizing VBG
it PRP
, ,
Mr. NNP
Taffner NNP
simultaneously RB
has VBZ
put VBN
his PRP$
finger NN
on IN
the DT
problem NN
and CC
an DT
ideal JJ
solution NN
: :
`` ``
Capital NNP
City NNP
'' ''
should MD
have VB
been VBN
a DT
comedy NN
, ,
a DT
worthy JJ
sequel NN
to TO
the DT
screwball JJ
British JJ
`` ``
Carry NNP
On NNP
'' ''
movies NNS
of IN
the DT
1960s CD
. .
The DT
seeds NNS
already RB
are VBP
in IN
the DT
script NN
. .
The DT
first JJ
episode NN
concluded VBD
with IN
a DT
marvelously RB
cute JJ
scene NN
in IN
which WDT
the DT
trading-room NN
crew NN
minded VBD
a DT
baby NN
, ,
the DT
casualty NN
of IN
a DT
broken VBN
marriage NN
at IN
the DT
firm NN
. .
And CC
many JJ
in IN
the DT
young JJ
cast NN
bear VBP
striking JJ
resemblances NNS
to TO
American JJ
TV NN
and CC
movie NN
personalities NNS
known VBN
for IN
light JJ
roles NNS
. .
Joanna NNP
Kanska NNP
looks VBZ
like IN
a DT
young JJ
Zsa NNP
Zsa NNP
Gabor NNP
; :
William NNP
Armstrong NNP
, ,
who WP
plays VBZ
Max NNP
, ,
could MD
pass VB
for IN
Hans NNP
Conreid NNP
, ,
and CC
Douglas NNP
Hodge NNP
( (
Declan NNP
) )
for IN
James NNP
Farentino NNP
; :
Rolf NNP
Saxon NNP
is VBZ
a DT
passable JJ
Tommy NNP
Noonan NNP
and CC
Dorian NNP
Healy NNP
could MD
easily RB
double VB
for IN
Huntz NNP
Hall NNP
, ,
the DT
blank-faced JJ
foil NN
of IN
the DT
Bowery NNP
Boys NNPS
comedies NNS
. .
So RB
, ,
OK UH
kids NNS
, ,
everybody NN
on IN
stage NN
for IN
`` ``
Carry NNP
On NNP
Trading NNP
'' ''
: :
The DT
cast NN
is VBZ
frantically RB
searching VBG
the DT
office NN
for IN
misplaced VBN
Japanese JJ
bonds NNS
that WDT
suddenly RB
have VBP
soared VBN
in IN
value NN
because IN
Dai-Ichi NNP
Kangyo NNP
Bank NNP
has VBZ
just RB
bought VBN
the DT
White NNP
House NNP
. .
The DT
pressure NN
is VBZ
too RB
much RB
for IN
Zsa NNP
Zsa NNP
, ,
who WP
slaps VBZ
a DT
security NN
guard NN
. .
He PRP
backflips VBZ
into IN
a DT
desktop NN
computer NN
terminal NN
, ,
which WDT
explodes VBZ
, ,
covering VBG
Huntz NNP
Hall NNP
's POS
face NN
with IN
microchips NNS
. .
And CC
all PDT
the DT
while NN
, ,
the DT
bonds NNS
are VBP
in IN
the DT
baby NN
's POS
diaper NN
. .
It PRP
should MD
run VB
forever RB
. .
Mr. NNP
Rustin NNP
is VBZ
senior JJ
correspondent NN
in IN
the DT
Journal NNP
's POS
London NNP
bureau NN
. .
Axa-Midi NNP
Assurances NNPS
of IN
France NNP
gave VBD
details NNS
of IN
its PRP$
financing VBG
plans NNS
for IN
its PRP$
proposed VBN
$ $
4.5 CD
billion CD
acquisition NN
of IN
Farmers NNPS
Group NNP
Inc. NNP
, ,
in IN
amended VBN
filings NNS
with IN
insurance NN
regulators NNS
in IN
the DT
nine CD
U.S. NNP
states NNS
where WRB
Farmers NNP
operates VBZ
. .
The DT
proposed VBN
acquisition NN
is VBZ
part NN
of IN
Sir NNP
James NNP
Goldsmith NNP
's POS
unfriendly JJ
takeover NN
attempt NN
for IN
B.A.T NNP
Industries NNPS
PLC NNP
, ,
the DT
British JJ
tobacco NN
, ,
retailing NN
, ,
paper NN
and CC
financial JJ
services NNS
concern NN
that WDT
is VBZ
parent NN
of IN
Los NNP
Angeles-based JJ
Farmers NNPS
. .
In IN
an DT
attempt NN
to TO
appease VB
U.S. NNP
regulators NNS
' POS
concern NN
over IN
a DT
Goldsmith NNP
acquisition NN
of IN
Farmers NNPS
, ,
Sir NNP
James NNP
in IN
August NNP
agreed VBD
to TO
sell VB
Farmers NNPS
to TO
Axa NNP
if IN
he PRP
is VBZ
successful JJ
in IN
acquiring VBG
B.A.T NNP
. .
As IN
part NN
of IN
the DT
agreement NN
, ,
Axa NNP
agreed VBD
to TO
invest VB
$ $
1 CD
billion CD
in IN
Hoylake NNP
Investments NNPS
Ltd. NNP
, ,
Sir NNP
James NNP
's POS
acquisition NN
vehicle NN
. .
Of IN
the DT
total JJ
$ $
5.5 CD
billion CD
to TO
be VB
paid VBN
to TO
Hoylake NNP
by IN
Axa NNP
, ,
about IN
$ $
1 CD
billion CD
will MD
come VB
from IN
available JJ
resources NNS
of IN
Axa NNP
's POS
parent NN
, ,
Axa-Midi NNP
Group NNP
, ,
$ $
2.25 CD
billion CD
will MD
be VB
in IN
the DT
form NN
of IN
notes NNS
issued VBN
by IN
Axa NNP
, ,
and CC
the DT
remaining VBG
$ $
2.25 CD
billion CD
will MD
be VB
in IN
long-term JJ
bank NN
loans NNS
. .
In IN
an DT
interview NN
Thursday NNP
, ,
Claude NNP
Bebear NNP
, ,
chairman NN
and CC
chief NN
executive JJ
officer NN
of IN
Axa NNP
, ,
said VBD
his PRP$
group NN
has VBZ
already RB
obtained VBN
assurances NNS
from IN
a DT
group NN
of IN
banks NNS
led VBN
by IN
Cie NNP
. .
Financiere NNP
de NNP
Paribas NNP
that IN
they PRP
can MD
provide VB
the DT
loan NN
portion NN
of IN
the DT
financing NN
. .
The DT
other JJ
banking VBG
companies NNS
in IN
the DT
group NN
are VBP
Credit NNP
Lyonnais NNP
, ,
Societe NNP
Generale NNP
, ,
BankAmerica NNP
Corp. NNP
and CC
Citicorp NNP
, ,
he PRP
said VBD
. .
Mr. NNP
Bebear NNP
said VBD
Axa-Midi NNP
Group NNP
has VBZ
`` ``
more RBR
than IN
$ $
2.5 CD
billion CD
of IN
non-strategic JJ
assets NNS
that IN
we PRP
can MD
and CC
will MD
sell VB
'' ''
to TO
help VB
pay VB
off RP
debt NN
from IN
the DT
acquisition NN
. .
He PRP
said VBD
the DT
assets NNS
to TO
be VB
sold VBN
would MD
be VB
`` ``
non-insurance NN
'' ''
assets NNS
, ,
including VBG
a DT
beer NN
company NN
and CC
a DT
real JJ
estate NN
firm NN
, ,
and CC
would MD
n't RB
include VB
any DT
pieces NNS
of IN
Farmers NNPS
. .
`` ``
We PRP
wo MD
n't RB
put VB
any DT
burden NN
on IN
Farmers NNPS
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
said VBD
. .
The DT
amended VBN
filings NNS
also RB
point VBP
out RP
that DT
under IN
a DT
new JJ
agreement NN
, ,
Hoylake NNP
has VBZ
an DT
absolute JJ
obligation NN
to TO
sell VB
Farmers NNPS
to TO
Axa NNP
upon IN
an DT
acquisition NN
of IN
B.A.T NNP
. .
`` ``
We PRP
hope VBP
that DT
with IN
what WP
we PRP
did VBD
, ,
the DT
regulators NNS
will MD
not RB
need VB
to TO
evaluate VB
Hoylake NNP
, ,
and CC
they PRP
can MD
directly RB
look VB
at IN
the DT
agreement NN
with IN
us PRP
, ,
because IN
Hoylake NNP
wo MD
n't RB
be VB
an DT
owner NN
of IN
Farmers NNPS
at IN
anytime RB
, ,
'' ''
Mr. NNP
Bebear NNP
said VBD
. .
Any DT
change NN
of IN
control NN
in IN
Farmers NNPS
needs VBZ
approval NN
of IN
the DT
insurance NN
commissioners NNS
in IN
the DT
nine CD
states NNS
where WRB
Farmers NNPS
and CC
its PRP$
related VBN
companies NNS
are VBP
incorporated VBN
. .
The DT
amended VBN
filings NNS
were VBD
required VBN
because IN
of IN
the DT
new JJ
agreement NN
between IN
Axa NNP
and CC
Hoylake NNP
, ,
and CC
to TO
reflect VB
the DT
extension NN
that IN
Sir NNP
James NNP
received VBD
last JJ
month NN
under IN
British JJ
takeover NN
rules NNS
to TO
complete VB
his PRP$
proposed VBN
acquisition NN
. .
Hoylake NNP
dropped VBD
its PRP$
initial JJ
# #
13.35 CD
billion CD
( (
$ $
20.71 CD
billion CD
) )
takeover NN
bid NN
after IN
it PRP
received VBD
the DT
extension NN
, ,
but CC
said VBD
it PRP
would MD
launch VB
a DT
new JJ
bid NN
if IN
and CC
when WRB
the DT
propsed VBN
sale NN
of IN
Farmers NNPS
to TO
Axa NNP
receives VBZ
regulatory JJ
approval NN
. .
A DT
spokesman NN
for IN
B.A.T NNP
said VBD
of IN
the DT
amended VBN
filings NNS
that IN
, ,
`` ``
It PRP
would MD
appear VB
that IN
nothing NN
substantive JJ
has VBZ
changed VBN
. .
The DT
new JJ
financing NN
structure NN
is VBZ
still RB
a DT
very-highly JJ
leveraged JJ
one CD
, ,
and CC
Axa NNP
still RB
plans VBZ
to TO
take VB
out RP
75 CD
% NN
of IN
Farmers NNPS
' POS
earnings NNS
as IN
dividends NNS
to TO
service VB
their PRP$
debt NN
. .
'' ''
That DT
dividend NN
is VBZ
almost RB
double RB
the DT
35 CD
% NN
currently RB
taken VBN
out IN
of IN
Farmers NNPS
by IN
B.A.T NNP
, ,
the DT
spokesman NN
added VBD
. .
`` ``
It PRP
would MD
have VB
severe JJ
implications NNS
for IN
Farmers NNPS
' POS
policy NN
holders NNS
. .
'' ''
To TO
fend VB
off RP
Sir NNP
James NNP
's POS
advances NNS
, ,
B.A.T NNP
has VBZ
proposed VBN
a DT
sweeping JJ
restructuring NN
that WDT
would MD
pare VB
it PRP
to TO
a DT
tobacco NN
and CC
financial JJ
services NNS
concern NN
. .
Dismal JJ
sales NNS
at IN
General NNP
Motors NNPS
Corp. NNP
dragged VBD
the DT
U.S. NNP
car NN
and CC
truck NN
market NN
down IN
below IN
year-ago JJ
levels NNS
in IN
early JJ
October NNP
, ,
the DT
first JJ
sales NNS
period NN
of IN
the DT
1990 CD
model NN
year NN
. .
The DT
eight CD
major JJ
domestic JJ
auto NN
makers NNS
sold VBD
160,510 CD
North NNP
American-made JJ
cars NNS
in IN
the DT
first JJ
10 CD
days NNS
of IN
October NNP
, ,
a DT
12.6 CD
% NN
drop NN
from IN
a DT
year NN
earlier RBR
. .
Domestically RB
built VBN
truck NN
sales NNS
were VBD
down IN
10.4 CD
% NN
to TO
86,555 CD
pickups NNS
, ,
vans NNS
and CC
sport NN
utility NN
vehicles NNS
. .
The DT
heavy JJ
use NN
of IN
incentives NNS
to TO
clear VB
out RP
1989 CD
models NNS
appears VBZ
to TO
have VB
taken VBN
the DT
steam NN
, ,
at IN
least JJS
initially RB
, ,
out IN
of IN
1990 CD
model NN
sales NNS
, ,
which WDT
began VBD
officially RB
Oct. NNP
1 CD
. .
This DT
appears VBZ
particularly RB
true JJ
at IN
GM NNP
, ,
which WDT
had VBD
strong JJ
sales NNS
in IN
August NNP
and CC
September NNP
but CC
saw VBD
its PRP$
early JJ
October NNP
car NN
and CC
truck NN
results NNS
fall VB
26.3 CD
% NN
from IN
last JJ
year NN
's POS
unusually RB
high JJ
level NN
. .
Overall RB
, ,
sales NNS
of IN
all DT
domestic-made JJ
vehicles NNS
fell VBD
11.9 CD
% NN
from IN
a DT
year NN
ago IN
. .
Without IN
GM NNP
, ,
overall JJ
sales NNS
for IN
the DT
other JJ
U.S. NNP
automakers NNS
were VBD
roughly RB
flat JJ
with IN
1989 CD
results NNS
. .
Some DT
of IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
auto NN
makers NNS
have VBP
already RB
adopted VBN
incentives NNS
on IN
many JJ
1990 CD
models NNS
, ,
but CC
they PRP
may MD
have VB
to TO
broaden VB
their PRP$
programs NNS
to TO
keep VB
sales NNS
up IN
. .
`` ``
We PRP
've VBP
created VBN
a DT
condition NN
where WRB
, ,
without IN
incentives NNS
, ,
it PRP
's VBZ
a DT
tough JJ
market NN
, ,
'' ''
said VBD
Tom NNP
Kelly NNP
, ,
sales NNS
manager NN
for IN
Bill NNP
Wink NNP
Chevrolet NNP
in IN
Dearborn NNP
, ,
Mich NNP
. .
Car NN
sales NNS
fell VBD
to TO
a DT
seasonally RB
adjusted VBN
annual JJ
selling VBG
rate NN
of IN
5.8 CD
million CD
vehicles NNS
, ,
the DT
lowest JJS
since IN
October NNP
1987 CD
. .
The DT
poor JJ
performance NN
contrasts VBZ
with IN
a DT
robust JJ
selling NN
rate NN
of IN
almost RB
eight CD
million CD
last JJ
month NN
. .
Furthermore RB
, ,
dealers NNS
contacted VBD
late JJ
last JJ
week NN
said VBD
they PRP
could MD
n't RB
see VB
any DT
immediate JJ
impact NN
on IN
sales NNS
of IN
Friday NNP
's POS
steep JJ
market NN
decline NN
. .
GM NNP
's POS
domestic JJ
car NN
sales NNS
dropped VBD
24.3 CD
% NN
and CC
its PRP$
domestic JJ
trucks NNS
were VBD
down IN
an DT
even RB
steeper JJR
28.7 CD
% NN
from IN
the DT
same JJ
period NN
a DT
year NN
ago IN
. .
All DT
of IN
the DT
GM NNP
divisions NNS
except IN
Cadillac NNP
showed VBD
big JJ
declines NNS
. .
Cadillac NNP
posted VBD
a DT
3.2 CD
% NN
increase NN
despite IN
new JJ
competition NN
from IN
Lexus NNP
, ,
the DT
fledging VBG
luxury-car NN
division NN
of IN
Toyota NNP
Motor NNP
Corp NNP
. .
Lexus NNP
sales NNS
were VBD
n't RB
available JJ
; :
the DT
cars NNS
are VBP
imported VBN
and CC
Toyota NNP
reports VBZ
their PRP$
sales NNS
only RB
at IN
month-end NN
. .
The DT
sales NNS
drop VBP
for IN
the DT
No. NN
1 CD
car NN
maker NN
may MD
have VB
been VBN
caused VBN
in IN
part NN
by IN
the DT
end NN
in IN
September NNP
of IN
dealer NN
incentives NNS
that IN
GM NNP
offered VBD
in IN
addition NN
to TO
consumer NN
rebates NNS
and CC
low-interest JJ
financing NN
, ,
a DT
company NN
spokesman NN
said VBD
. .
Last JJ
year NN
, ,
GM NNP
had VBD
a DT
different JJ
program NN
in IN
place NN
that WDT
continued VBD
rewarding JJ
dealers NNS
until IN
all PDT
the DT
1989 CD
models NNS
had VBD
been VBN
sold VBN
. .
Aside RB
from IN
GM NNP
, ,
other JJ
car NN
makers NNS
posted VBD
generally RB
mixed VBN
results NNS
. .
Ford NNP
Motor NNP
Co. NNP
had VBD
a DT
1.8 CD
% NN
drop NN
in IN
domestic JJ
car NN
sales NNS
but CC
a DT
2.4 CD
% NN
increase NN
in IN
domestic JJ
truck NN
sales NNS
. .
Chrysler NNP
Corp. NNP
had VBD
a DT
7.5 CD
% NN
drop NN
in IN
car NN
sales NNS
, ,
echoing VBG
its PRP$
generally RB
slow JJ
performance NN
all DT
year NN
. .
However RB
, ,
sales NNS
of IN
trucks NNS
, ,
including VBG
the DT
company NN
's POS
popular JJ
minivans NNS
, ,
rose VBD
4.3 CD
% NN
. .
Honda NNP
Motor NNP
Co. NNP
's POS
sales NNS
of IN
domestically RB
built VBN
vehicles NNS
plunged VBD
21.7 CD
% NN
from IN
a DT
year NN
earlier RBR
. .
Honda NNP
's POS
plant NN
in IN
Marysville NNP
, ,
Ohio NNP
, ,
was VBD
gearing VBG
up RP
to TO
build VB
1990 CD
model NN
Accords NNPS
, ,
a DT
Honda NNP
spokesman NN
said VBD
. .
`` ``
We PRP
're VBP
really RB
confident JJ
everything NN
will MD
bounce VB
back RB
to TO
normal JJ
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
added VBD
. .
Separately RB
, ,
Chrysler NNP
said VBD
firm JJ
prices NNS
on IN
its PRP$
1990-model JJ
domestic JJ
cars NNS
and CC
minivans NNS
will MD
rise VB
an DT
average NN
of IN
5 CD
% NN
over IN
comparably RB
equipped VBN
1989 CD
models NNS
. .
Firm JJ
prices NNS
were VBD
generally RB
in IN
line NN
with IN
the DT
tentative JJ
prices NNS
announced VBD
earlier RBR
this DT
fall NN
. .
At IN
that DT
time NN
, ,
Chrysler NNP
said VBD
base NN
prices NNS
, ,
which WDT
are VBP
n't RB
adjusted VBN
for IN
equipment NN
changes NNS
, ,
would MD
rise VB
between IN
4 CD
% NN
and CC
9 CD
% NN
on IN
most JJS
vehicle NN
. .
a SYM
- :
Totals NNS
include VBP
only JJ
vehicle NN
sales NNS
reported VBN
in IN
period NN
. .
c SYM
- :
Domestic JJ
car NN
d SYM
- :
Percentage NN
change NN
is VBZ
greater JJR
than IN
999 CD
% NN
. .
x SYM
- :
There EX
were VBD
8 CD
selling VBG
days NNS
in IN
the DT
most RBS
recent JJ
period NN
and CC
8 CD
a DT
year NN
earlier RBR
. .
Percentage NN
differences NNS
based VBN
on IN
daily JJ
sales NNS
rate NN
rather RB
than IN
sales NNS
volume NN
. .
Antonio NNP
L. NNP
Savoca NNP
, ,
66 CD
years NNS
old JJ
, ,
was VBD
named VBN
president NN
and CC
chief NN
executive JJ
officer NN
of IN
the DT
Atlantic NNP
Research NNP
Corp. NNP
subsidiary NN
. .
Mr. NNP
Savoca NNP
had VBD
been VBN
a DT
consultant NN
to TO
the DT
subsidiary NN
's POS
rocket-propulsion NN
operations NNS
. .
Mr. NNP
Savoca NNP
succeeds VBZ
William NNP
H. NNP
Borten NNP
, ,
who WP
resigned VBD
to TO
pursue VB
personal JJ
interests NNS
. .
Sequa NNP
makes VBZ
and CC
repairs VBZ
jet NN
engines NNS
. .
It PRP
also RB
has VBZ
interests NNS
in IN
military JJ
electronics NNS
and CC
electro-optics NNS
, ,
marine JJ
transportation NN
and CC
machinery NN
used VBN
to TO
make VB
food NN
and CC
beverage NN
cans NNS
. .
It PRP
was VBD
n't RB
so RB
long JJ
ago IN
that IN
a DT
radio NN
network NN
funded VBN
by IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
Congress NNP
-- :
and CC
originally RB
by IN
the DT
Central NNP
Intelligence NNP
Agency NNP
-- :
was VBD
accused VBN
by IN
officials NNS
here RB
of IN
employing VBG
propagandists NNS
, ,
imperialists NNS
and CC
spies NNS
. .
Now RB
, ,
the DT
network NN
has VBZ
opened VBN
a DT
news NN
bureau NN
in IN
the DT
Hungarian JJ
capital NN
. .
Employees NNS
held VBD
an DT
open JJ
house NN
to TO
celebrate VB
and CC
even RB
hung VBD
out RP
a DT
sign NN
: :
`` ``
Szabad NNP
Europa NNP
Radio NNP
'' ''
-- :
Radio NNP
Free NNP
Europe NNP
. .
`` ``
I PRP
think VBP
this DT
is VBZ
a DT
victory NN
for IN
the DT
radio NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Barnabas NNP
de NNP
Bueky NNP
, ,
a DT
55-year-old JJ
former JJ
Hungarian JJ
refugee NN
who WP
works VBZ
in IN
the DT
Munich NNP
, ,
West NNP
Germany NNP
, ,
headquarters NN
as IN
deputy JJ
director NN
of IN
the DT
Hungarian JJ
service NN
. .
In IN
fact NN
, ,
the DT
network NN
hopes VBZ
to TO
set VB
up RP
offices NNS
in IN
Warsaw NNP
and CC
anywhere RB
else RB
in IN
the DT
East NNP
Bloc NNP
that WDT
will MD
have VB
it PRP
. .
But CC
the DT
rapid JJ
changes NNS
brought VBD
on RP
by IN
glasnost NN
and CC
open JJ
borders NNS
are VBP
altering VBG
the DT
network NN
's POS
life NN
in IN
more JJR
ways NNS
than IN
one CD
. .
In IN
fact NN
, ,
Radio NNP
Free NNP
Europe NNP
is VBZ
in IN
danger NN
of IN
suffering VBG
from IN
its PRP$
success NN
. .
While IN
the DT
network NN
currently RB
can MD
operate VB
freely RB
in IN
Budapest NNP
, ,
so RB
can MD
others NNS
. .
In IN
addition NN
, ,
competition NN
for IN
listeners NNS
is VBZ
getting VBG
tougher JJR
in IN
many JJ
ways NNS
than IN
when WRB
broadcasting NN
here RB
was VBD
strictly RB
controlled VBN
. .
Instead RB
of IN
being VBG
denounced VBN
as IN
an DT
evil JJ
agent NN
of IN
imperialism NN
, ,
Radio NNP
Free NNP
Europe NNP
is VBZ
more RBR
likely JJ
to TO
draw VB
the DT
criticism NN
that IN
its PRP$
programs NNS
are VBP
too RB
tame JJ
, ,
even RB
boring JJ
. .
`` ``
They PRP
have VBP
a DT
lot NN
to TO
do VB
these DT
days NNS
to TO
compete VB
with IN
Hungarian JJ
radio NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Andrew NNP
Deak NNP
, ,
a DT
computer-science NN
student NN
at IN
the DT
Technical NNP
University NNP
in IN
Budapest NNP
. .
`` ``
The DT
Hungarian NNP
{ (
radio NN
} )
reporters NNS
seem VBP
better RB
informed VBN
and CC
more RBR
critical JJ
about IN
about IN
what WP
's VBZ
going VBG
on RP
here RB
. .
'' ''
Indeed RB
, ,
Hungary NNP
is VBZ
in IN
the DT
midst NN
of IN
a DT
media NNS
explosion NN
. .
Boys NNS
on IN
busy JJ
street NN
corners NNS
peddle VBP
newspapers NNS
of IN
every DT
political JJ
stripe NN
. .
Newsstands NNS
are VBP
packed VBN
with IN
a DT
colorful JJ
array NN
of IN
magazines NNS
. .
Radio NN
and CC
television NN
are VBP
getting VBG
livelier JJR
and CC
bolder JJR
. .
The DT
British NNP
Broadcasting NNP
Corp. NNP
and CC
the DT
U.S. NNP
State NNP
Department NNP
's POS
Voice NNP
of IN
America NNP
broadcast NN
over IN
Hungarian JJ
airwaves NNS
, ,
though IN
only RB
a DT
few JJ
hours NNS
a DT
day NN
each DT
in IN
Hungarian NNP
. .
Australian JJ
press NN
magnate NN
Rupert NNP
Murdoch NNP
has VBZ
bought VBN
50 CD
% NN
stakes NNS
in IN
two CD
popular JJ
and CC
gossipy JJ
Hungarian JJ
newspapers NNS
, ,
while IN
Britain NNP
's POS
Robert NNP
Maxwell NNP
has VBZ
let VBN
it PRP
be VB
known VBN
here RB
that IN
he PRP
is VBZ
thinking VBG
about IN
similar JJ
moves NNS
. .
But CC
Radio NNP
Free NNP
Europe NNP
does VBZ
n't RB
plan VB
to TO
fade VB
away RB
. .
With IN
its PRP$
mission NN
for IN
free JJ
speech NN
and CC
the DT
capitalist NN
way NN
, ,
the DT
network NN
's POS
staff NN
says VBZ
it PRP
still RB
has VBZ
plenty RB
to TO
do VB
-- :
in IN
Hungary NNP
and CC
in IN
the DT
`` ``
Great NNP
Eastern NNP
Beyond NNP
. .
'' ''
Radio NNP
Free NNP
Europe NNP
and CC
its PRP$
sister NN
station NN
for IN
the DT
Soviet NNP
Union NNP
, ,
Radio NNP
Liberty NNP
, ,
say VBP
they PRP
wo MD
n't RB
cut VB
back RP
their PRP$
more RBR
than IN
19 CD
hours NNS
of IN
daily JJ
broadcasts NNS
. .
They PRP
are VBP
still RB
an DT
important JJ
source NN
of IN
news NN
for IN
60 CD
million CD
listeners NNS
in IN
23 CD
exotic JJ
tongues NNS
: :
from IN
Bulgarian NNP
and CC
Belorussian NNP
to TO
Kazakh NNP
and CC
Kirghiz NNP
. .
The DT
establishment NN
of IN
its PRP$
first JJ
bureau NN
in IN
Warsaw NNP
Pact NNP
territory NN
shows VBZ
the DT
depth NN
of IN
some DT
of IN
the DT
changes NNS
in IN
Eastern NNP
Europe NNP
. .
Months NNS
before IN
the DT
decision NN
by IN
the DT
Hungarian NNP
Communist NNP
Party NNP
to TO
rename VB
itself PRP
Socialist JJ
and CC
try VB
to TO
look VB
more RBR
appealing JJ
to TO
voters NNS
, ,
the DT
country NN
's POS
rulers NNS
were VBD
trying VBG
to TO
look VB
more RBR
hospitable JJ
. .
It PRP
proved VBD
a DT
perfect JJ
time NN
for IN
Radio NNP
Free NNP
Europe NNP
to TO
ask VB
for IN
permission NN
to TO
set VB
up RP
office NN
. .
Not RB
only RB
did VBD
the DT
Hungarian NNP
Ministry NNP
of IN
Foreign NNP
Affairs NNPS
approve VB
Radio NNP
Free NNP
Europe NNP
's POS
new JJ
location NN
, ,
but CC
the DT
Ministry NNP
of IN
Telecommunications NNPS
did VBD
something NN
even RB
more RBR
amazing JJ
: :
`` ``
They PRP
found VBD
us PRP
four CD
phone NN
lines NNS
in IN
central JJ
Budapest NNP
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Geza NNP
Szocs NNP
, ,
a DT
Radio NNP
Free NNP
Europe NNP
correspondent NN
who WP
helped VBD
organize VB
the DT
Budapest NNP
location NN
. .
`` ``
That DT
is VBZ
a DT
miracle NN
. .
'' ''
It PRP
's VBZ
a DT
far JJ
cry NN
from IN
the DT
previous JJ
treatment NN
of IN
the DT
network NN
, ,
which WDT
had VBD
to TO
overcome VB
jamming NN
of IN
its PRP$
frequencies NNS
and CC
intimidation NN
of IN
local JJ
correspondents NNS
( (
who WP
filed VBD
reports NNS
to TO
the DT
network NN
by IN
phone NN
, ,
secret JJ
messengers NNS
or CC
letters NNS
) )
. .
In IN
fact NN
, ,
some DT
of IN
the DT
network NN
's POS
Hungarian JJ
listeners NNS
say VBP
they PRP
owe VBP
Radio NNP
Free NNP
Europe NNP
loyalty NN
because IN
it PRP
was VBD
responsible JJ
in IN
many JJ
ways NNS
for IN
keeping VBG
hope NN
alive JJ
through IN
what WP
one CD
writer NN
here RB
calls VBZ
the DT
`` ``
Dark NNP
Ages NNPS
of IN
the DT
20th JJ
Century NN
. .
'' ''
`` ``
During IN
the DT
past JJ
four CD
years NNS
, ,
many JJ
of IN
us PRP
have VBP
sat VBN
up IN
until IN
late JJ
at IN
night NN
listening VBG
to TO
our PRP$
radios NNS
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
the DT
writer NN
. .
`` ``
There EX
were VBD
some DT
very RB
brave JJ
broadcasts NNS
. .
'' ''
The DT
listeners NNS
, ,
too RB
, ,
had VBD
to TO
be VB
brave JJ
. .
Through IN
much JJ
of IN
the DT
post-World NNP
War NNP
II NNP
period NN
, ,
listening VBG
to TO
Western JJ
broadcasts NNS
was VBD
a DT
crime NN
in IN
Hungary NNP
. .
`` ``
When WRB
we PRP
listen VBP
to TO
the DT
Europe NNP
station NN
, ,
my PRP$
mother NN
still RB
gets VBZ
nervous JJ
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
a DT
Budapest NNP
translator NN
. .
`` ``
She PRP
wants VBZ
to TO
turn VB
down RP
the DT
volume NN
and CC
close VB
the DT
curtains NNS
. .
'' ''
Now RB
, ,
the DT
toughest JJS
competition NN
for IN
Radio NNP
Free NNP
Europe NNP
comes VBZ
during IN
the DT
late-night JJ
slot NN
. .
Hungarian JJ
radio NN
often RB
saves VBZ
its PRP$
most RBS
politically RB
outspoken JJ
broadcasts NNS
for IN
around IN
midnight NN
. .
Television NN
, ,
which WDT
most JJS
of IN
the DT
time NN
is VBZ
considered VBN
rather RB
tame JJ
, ,
has VBZ
entered VBN
the DT
running VBG
with IN
a DT
new JJ
program NN
, ,
`` ``
The NNP
End NNP
of IN
the DT
Day NNP
, ,
'' ''
which WDT
comes VBZ
on RP
after IN
11 CD
p.m RB
. .
It PRP
is VBZ
a DT
talk NN
show NN
with IN
opposition NN
leaders NNS
and CC
political JJ
experts NNS
who WP
discuss VBP
Hungary NNP
's POS
domestic JJ
problems NNS
as RB
well RB
as IN
foreign JJ
affairs NNS
. .
Those DT
who WP
want VBP
to TO
hear VB
even RB
more RBR
radical JJ
views NNS
have VBP
to TO
get VB
up RB
at IN
five CD
on IN
Sunday NNP
morning NN
for IN
`` ``
Sunday NNP
Journal NNP
, ,
'' ''
on IN
Hungarian NNP
Radio NNP
. .
The DT
competitive JJ
spirit NN
is VBZ
clearly RB
influencing VBG
Radio NNP
Free NNP
Europe NNP
, ,
which WDT
is VBZ
trying VBG
to TO
beef VB
up RP
programs NNS
. .
The DT
Budapest NNP
office NN
plans VBZ
to TO
hire VB
free-lance JJ
reporters NNS
to TO
cover VB
the DT
latest JJS
happenings NNS
in IN
Hungarian JJ
country NN
towns NNS
from IN
Nagykanizsa NNP
in IN
the DT
west NN
to TO
Nyiregyhaza NNP
in IN
the DT
east JJ
. .
The DT
Hungarian JJ
service NN
has VBZ
a DT
daily JJ
40-minute JJ
news NN
show NN
called VBN
Newsreel NNP
, ,
with IN
international JJ
and CC
domestic JJ
news NN
, ,
plus CC
a DT
daily JJ
news NN
review NN
of IN
opinions NNS
from IN
around IN
the DT
world NN
. .
There EX
's VBZ
also RB
a DT
host NN
of IN
new JJ
programs NNS
, ,
trying VBG
to TO
lighten VB
up RP
on IN
the DT
traditional JJ
diet NN
of IN
politics NNS
. .
A DT
daily JJ
35-minute JJ
program NN
called VBN
`` ``
The NNP
March NNP
of IN
Time NNP
'' ''
tries VBZ
to TO
find VB
interesting JJ
tidbits NNS
of IN
lighthearted JJ
news NN
and CC
gossip NN
from IN
around IN
the DT
world NN
. .
There EX
's VBZ
a DT
program NN
for IN
women NNS
and CC
a DT
science NN
show NN
. .
And CC
to TO
attract VB
younger JJR
listeners NNS
, ,
Radio NNP
Free NNP
Europe NNP
intersperses VBZ
the DT
latest JJS
in IN
Western JJ
rock NN
groups NNS
. .
The DT
Pet NNP
Shop NNP
Boys NNPS
are VBP
big JJ
this DT
year NN
in IN
Budapest NNP
. .
`` ``
We PRP
are VBP
starving VBG
for IN
all PDT
the DT
news NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Mr. NNP
Deak NNP
, ,
the DT
student NN
. .
`` ``
Every DT
moment NN
we PRP
want VBP
to TO
know VB
everything NN
about IN
the DT
world NN
. .
Proposals NNS
for IN
government-operated JJ
`` ``
national JJ
service NN
, ,
'' ''
like IN
influenza NN
, ,
flare VBP
up RP
from IN
time NN
to TO
time NN
, ,
depress VBP
the DT
resistance NN
of IN
the DT
body NN
politic JJ
, ,
run VBP
their PRP$
course NN
, ,
and CC
seem VBP
to TO
disappear VB
, ,
only RB
to TO
mutate VB
and CC
afflict VB
public JJ
life NN
anew RB
. .
The DT
disease NN
metaphor NN
comes VBZ
to TO
mind NN
, ,
of IN
course NN
, ,
not RB
as IN
an DT
aspersion NN
on IN
the DT
advocates NNS
of IN
national JJ
service NN
. .
Rather RB
, ,
it PRP
is VBZ
born VBN
of IN
frustration NN
with IN
having VBG
to TO
combat VB
constantly RB
changing VBG
strains NNS
of IN
a DT
statist JJ
idea NN
that IN
one NN
thought VBD
had VBD
been VBN
eliminated VBN
in IN
the DT
early JJ
1970s CD
, ,
along IN
with IN
smallpox NN
. .
It PRP
is VBZ
back RB
with IN
us PRP
again RB
, ,
in IN
the DT
form NN
of IN
legislation NN
to TO
pay VB
volunteers NNS
under IN
a DT
`` ``
National NNP
and CC
Community NNP
Service NNP
Act NNP
, ,
'' ''
a DT
proposal NN
with IN
a DT
serious JJ
shot NN
at IN
congressional JJ
passage NN
this DT
fall NN
. .
Why WRB
does VBZ
the DT
national-service JJ
virus NN
keep VB
coming VBG
back RB
? .
Perhaps RB
it PRP
is VBZ
because RB
utopian JJ
nostalgia NN
evokes VBZ
both DT
military JJ
experience NN
and CC
the DT
social JJ
gospel NN
. .
If IN
only RB
we PRP
could MD
get VB
America NNP
's POS
wastrel NN
youth NN
into IN
at IN
least JJS
a DT
psychic JJ
uniform NN
we PRP
might MD
be VB
able JJ
to TO
teach VB
self-discipline NN
again RB
and CC
revive VB
the DT
spirit NN
of IN
giving VBG
. .
A DT
quarter NN
of IN
a DT
century NN
ago IN
national JJ
service NN
was VBD
promoted VBN
as IN
a DT
way NN
of IN
curing VBG
the DT
manifest JJ
inequities NNS
of IN
the DT
draft NN
-- :
by IN
, ,
of IN
all DT
things NNS
, ,
expanding VBG
the DT
draft NN
. .
Those DT
of IN
us PRP
who WP
resisted VBD
the DT
idea NN
then RB
suspect VBP
today NN
that IN
an DT
obligation NN
of IN
government NN
service NN
for IN
all DT
young JJ
people NNS
is VBZ
still RB
the DT
true JJ
long-term JJ
aim NN
of IN
many JJ
national-service JJ
backers NNS
, ,
despite IN
their PRP$
protests NNS
that IN
present JJ
plans NNS
contain VBP
no DT
coercion NN
. .
Choice NN
of IN
the DT
volunteer NN
military NN
in IN
the DT
1970s CD
seemed VBD
to TO
doom VB
national JJ
service NN
as RB
much RB
as IN
the DT
draft NN
. .
But CC
the DT
virus NN
was VBD
kept VBN
alive JJ
in IN
sociology NN
departments NNS
until IN
a DT
couple NN
of IN
years NNS
ago IN
, ,
when WRB
it PRP
again RB
was VBD
let VBN
loose RB
. .
This DT
time NN
it PRP
attempted VBD
to TO
invade VB
two CD
connected VBN
problems NNS
, ,
the DT
rising VBG
cost NN
of IN
higher JJR
education NN
and CC
the DT
rising VBG
expense NN
to TO
the DT
federal JJ
government NN
of IN
educational JJ
grants NNS
and CC
loans NNS
. .
Why WRB
not RB
keep VB
and CC
even RB
expand VB
the DT
loans NNS
and CC
grants NNS
, ,
the DT
advocates NNS
reasoned VBD
, ,
but CC
require VB
some DT
form NN
of IN
service NN
from IN
each DT
recipient NN
? .
Military JJ
service NN
, ,
moreover RB
, ,
could MD
be VB
a DT
national-service NN
option NN
. .
Thus RB
, ,
undoubtedly RB
it PRP
was VBD
hoped VBN
that IN
the DT
new JJ
strain NN
of IN
national JJ
service NN
would MD
prove VB
contagious JJ
, ,
infecting VBG
patriotic JJ
conservatives NNS
, ,
pay-as-you-go JJ
moderates NNS
, ,
and CC
idealistic JJ
liberals NNS
. .
The DT
Democratic NNP
Leadership NNP
Council NNP
, ,
a DT
centrist JJ
group NN
sponsoring VBG
the DT
plan NN
, ,
surely RB
thought VBD
it PRP
might MD
help VB
the DT
party NN
to TO
attract VB
support NN
, ,
especially RB
among IN
college NN
students NNS
and CC
their PRP$
parents NNS
. .
A DT
provision NN
allowing VBG
grants NNS
to TO
be VB
applied VBN
to TO
first-home JJ
purchases NNS
was VBD
added VBN
to TO
appeal VB
to TO
those DT
who WP
had VBD
had VBN
enough RB
of IN
schooling NN
. .
The DT
DLC NNP
plan NN
envisaged VBN
`` ``
volunteers NNS
'' ''
planting VBG
trees NNS
, ,
emptying VBG
bedpans NNS
, ,
tutoring VBG
children NNS
, ,
and CC
assisting VBG
librarians NNS
for IN
$ $
100 CD
a DT
week NN
, ,
tax NN
free JJ
, ,
plus CC
medical JJ
care NN
. .
With IN
a DT
tax-free JJ
$ $
10,000 CD
voucher NN
payment NN
at IN
the DT
end NN
of IN
each DT
year NN
, ,
the DT
volunteers NNS
would MD
be VB
making VBG
a DT
wage NN
comparable JJ
to TO
$ $
17,500 CD
a DT
year NN
. .
Mind VB
you PRP
, ,
most JJS
of IN
`` ``
the DT
volunteers NNS
'' ''
would MD
be VB
unskilled JJ
17 CD
- :
to TO
18-year-olds NNS
, ,
some DT
not RB
even RB
high JJ
school NN
graduates NNS
, ,
and CC
many JJ
saving VBG
money NN
by IN
living VBG
at IN
home NN
. .
They PRP
would MD
be VB
doing VBG
better RB
financially RB
under IN
national JJ
service NN
than IN
many JJ
taxpayers NNS
working VBG
at IN
the DT
same JJ
kinds NNS
of IN
jobs NNS
and CC
perhaps RB
supporting VBG
families NNS
. .
As IN
it PRP
happened VBD
, ,
political JJ
resistance NN
developed VBD
among IN
educational JJ
and CC
minority NN
interests NNS
that WDT
count VBP
on IN
the DT
present JJ
education NN
grant NN
system NN
, ,
so IN
the DT
national-service NN
devotees NNS
decided VBD
to TO
abandon VB
the DT
supposedly RB
crucial JJ
principle NN
of IN
`` ``
give VB
in IN
order NN
to TO
get VB
. .
'' ''
Opposition NN
to TO
national JJ
service NN
from IN
the DT
Pentagon NNP
, ,
which WDT
wants VBZ
to TO
protect VB
its PRP$
own JJ
recruitment NN
process NN
, ,
also RB
led VBD
to TO
the DT
military-service JJ
option NN
being VBG
dropped VBN
. .
Clearly RB
, ,
a DT
new JJ
rationale NN
for IN
national JJ
service NN
had VBD
to TO
be VB
cooked VBN
up IN
. .
What WP
better JJR
place NN
to TO
turn VB
than IN
Sen. NNP
Edward NNP
Kennedy NNP
's POS
Labor NNP
Committee NNP
, ,
that IN
great JJ
stove NN
of IN
government NN
expansionism NN
, ,
where WRB
many JJ
a DT
stagnant JJ
pot NN
of IN
porridge NN
is VBZ
kept VBN
on IN
the DT
back NN
burner NN
until IN
it PRP
can MD
be VB
brought VBN
forward RB
and CC
presented VBD
as IN
nouvelle JJ
cuisine NN
? .
In IN
this DT
case NN
, ,
the DT
new JJ
recipe NN
for IN
national JJ
service NN
called VBD
for IN
throwing VBG
many JJ
assorted JJ
legislative JJ
leftovers NNS
into IN
one CD
kettle NN
: :
a DT
demonstration NN
project NN
for IN
educational JJ
aid NN
( (
particularly RB
satisfying VBG
to TO
the DT
DLC NNP
and CC
Sen. NNP
Sam NNP
Nunn NNP
) )
, ,
a DT
similar JJ
demonstration NN
program NN
for IN
youth NN
conservation NN
( (
a FW
la FW
Sen. NNP
Chris NNP
Dodd NNP
) )
, ,
a DT
competitive JJ
grants NNS
program NN
to TO
states NNS
to TO
spark VB
youth NN
and CC
senior JJ
citizen NN
volunteer NN
projects NNS
( (
a DT
Kennedy NNP
specialty NN
) )
, ,
a DT
community NN
service NN
work-study NN
program NN
for IN
students NNS
( (
pleasing JJ
to TO
the DT
palate NN
of IN
Sen. NNP
Dale NNP
Bumpers NNP
, ,
among IN
others NNS
) )
, ,
plus CC
engorgement NN
of IN
the DT
VISTA NNP
volunteer NN
program NN
and CC
the DT
Retired NNP
Senior NNP
Volunteer NNP
, ,
Foster NNP
Grandparent NNP
, ,
and CC
Senior NNP
Companion NNP
programs NNS
. .
Before IN
the DT
menu NN
is VBZ
printed VBN
, ,
the DT
House NN
may MD
add VB
more JJR
ingredients NNS
, ,
also RB
changing VBG
the DT
initial JJ
price NN
, ,
now RB
posted VBN
at IN
some DT
$ $
330 CD
million CD
. .
It PRP
is VBZ
widely RB
known VBN
that IN
`` ``
too RB
many JJ
cooks NNS
spoil VBP
the DT
broth NN
, ,
'' ''
but CC
that DT
wisdom NN
does VBZ
not RB
necessarily RB
reflect VB
the DT
view NN
of IN
the DT
cooks NNS
, ,
especially RB
if IN
they PRP
are VBP
senators NNS
. .
The DT
`` ``
omnibus JJ
'' ''
bill NN
coming VBG
out IN
of IN
Congress NNP
may MD
be VB
unwholesome JJ
glop NN
, ,
but CC
the DT
assorted JJ
chefs NNS
are VBP
happy JJ
and CC
the DT
restaurant NN
is VBZ
pushing VBG
the DT
dish NN
very RB
hard RB
. .
The DT
aroma NN
of IN
patronage NN
is VBZ
in IN
the DT
air NN
. .
Is VBZ
the DT
voluntary JJ
sector NN
so RB
weak JJ
that IN
it PRP
needs VBZ
such JJ
unsolicited JJ
assistance NN
? .
On IN
the DT
contrary NN
, ,
it PRP
is VBZ
as RB
robust JJ
as IN
ever RB
. .
According VBG
to TO
the DT
Gallup NNP
Poll NNP
, ,
American JJ
adults NNS
contribute VBP
an DT
average NN
of IN
two CD
hours NNS
a DT
week NN
of IN
service NN
, ,
while IN
financial JJ
contributions NNS
to TO
charity NN
in IN
the DT
1980s CD
have VBP
risen VBN
30 CD
% NN
( (
adjusted VBN
for IN
inflation NN
) )
. .
Even RB
if IN
government NN
does VBZ
see VB
various JJ
`` ``
unmet JJ
needs NNS
, ,
'' ''
national JJ
service NN
is VBZ
not RB
the DT
way NN
to TO
meet VB
them PRP
. .
If IN
we PRP
want VBP
to TO
support VB
students NNS
, ,
we PRP
might MD
adopt VB
the DT
idea NN
used VBN
in IN
other JJ
countries NNS
of IN
offering VBG
more JJR
scholarships NNS
based VBN
on IN
something NN
called VBN
`` ``
scholarship NN
, ,
'' ''
rather RB
than IN
on IN
the DT
government NN
's POS
idea NN
of IN
`` ``
service NN
. .
'' ''
Or CC
we PRP
might MD
provide VB
a DT
tax NN
credit NN
for IN
working VBG
students NNS
. .
What WP
we PRP
do VBP
not RB
need VB
to TO
do VB
is VBZ
start VB
a DT
war NN
, ,
and CC
then RB
try VB
to TO
justify VB
it PRP
by IN
creating VBG
a DT
GI NNP
Bill NNP
. .
To TO
the DT
extent NN
we PRP
lack VBP
manpower NN
to TO
staff VB
menial JJ
jobs NNS
in IN
hospitals NNS
, ,
for IN
example NN
, ,
we PRP
should MD
raise VB
pay VB
, ,
pursue VB
labor-saving JJ
technology NN
, ,
or CC
allow VB
more RBR
legal JJ
immigration NN
, ,
rather RB
than IN
overpay VB
high JJ
school NN
graduates NNS
as IN
short-term JJ
workers NNS
and CC
cause VB
resentment NN
among IN
permanent JJ
workers NNS
paid VBD
lesser JJR
amounts NNS
to TO
do VB
the DT
same JJ
jobs NNS
. .
Will MD
national JJ
service NN
, ,
in IN
the DT
current NN
highly RB
politicized VBN
and CC
opportunistic JJ
form NN
exert VB
enough JJ
appeal NN
to TO
get VB
adopted VBN
? .
Not RB
necessarily RB
. .
Polls NNS
show VBP
wide JJ
, ,
generalized JJ
support NN
for IN
some DT
vague JJ
concept NN
of IN
service NN
, ,
but CC
the DT
bill NN
now RB
under IN
discussion NN
lacks VBZ
any DT
passionate JJ
public JJ
backing NN
. .
Nonetheless RB
, ,
Senate NNP
Democrats NNP
are VBP
organizing VBG
a DT
roll NN
of IN
supporting VBG
`` ``
associations NNS
, ,
'' ''
`` ``
societies NNS
'' ''
and CC
`` ``
councils NNS
, ,
'' ''
some DT
of IN
which WDT
may MD
hope VB
to TO
receive VB
the DT
paid VBN
`` ``
volunteers NNS
. .
'' ''
So IN
far RB
, ,
the DT
president NN
seems VBZ
ill-disposed JJ
to TO
substitute VB
any DT
of IN
the DT
omnibus NN
for IN
his PRP$
own JJ
free-standing JJ
proposal NN
to TO
endow VB
a DT
`` ``
Points NNPS
of IN
Light NNP
'' ''
foundation NN
with IN
$ $
25 CD
million CD
to TO
inform VB
citizens NNS
of IN
all DT
ages NNS
and CC
exhort VB
them PRP
to TO
genuine JJ
volunteerism NN
. .
However RB
, ,
even RB
this DT
admirable JJ
plan NN
could MD
become VB
objectionable JJ
if IN
the DT
White NNP
House NNP
gives VBZ
in RP
to TO
congressional JJ
Democratic JJ
pressure NN
to TO
add VB
to TO
the DT
scope NN
of IN
the DT
president NN
's POS
initiative NN
or CC
to TO
involve VB
the DT
independent JJ
foundation NN
in IN
`` ``
brokering VBG
'' ''
federal JJ
funds NNS
for IN
volunteer NN
projects NNS
. .
There EX
's VBZ
no DT
need NN
for IN
such JJ
concessions NNS
. .
The DT
omnibus NN
can MD
be VB
defeated VBN
, ,
the DT
virus NN
controlled VBN
, ,
and CC
real JJ
service NN
protected VBN
. .
National JJ
service NN
, ,
the DT
utopian JJ
idea NN
, ,
still RB
wo MD
n't RB
go VB
away RB
then RB
, ,
of IN
course NN
, ,
but CC
the DT
millions NNS
of IN
knee-socked JJ
youth NN
performing VBG
works NNS
of IN
`` ``
civic JJ
content NN
'' ''
will MD
be VB
mobilized VBN
only RB
in IN
the DT
imagination NN
of IN
their PRP$
progenitors NNS
. .
Mr. NNP
Chapman NNP
is VBZ
a DT
fellow NN
at IN
the DT
Indianapolis-based JJ
Hudson NNP
Institute NNP
. .
This DT
article NN
is VBZ
adapted VBN
from IN
remarks NNS
at IN
a DT
Hoover NNP
Institution NNP
conference NN
on IN
national JJ
service NN
, ,
in IN
which WDT
Mr. NNP
Szanton NNP
also RB
participated VBD
. .
Drug NNP
Emporium NNP
Inc. NNP
said VBD
Gary NNP
Wilber NNP
, ,
39 CD
years NNS
old JJ
, ,
who WP
had VBD
been VBN
president NN
and CC
chief NN
operating VBG
officer NN
for IN
the DT
past NN
year NN
, ,
was VBD
named VBN
chief NN
executive NN
officer NN
of IN
this DT
drugstore NN
chain NN
. .
He PRP
succeeds VBZ
his PRP$
father NN
, ,
Philip NNP
T. NNP
Wilber NNP
, ,
who WP
founded VBD
the DT
company NN
and CC
remains VBZ
chairman NN
. .
Robert NNP
E. NNP
Lyons NNP
III NNP
, ,
39 CD
, ,
who WP
headed VBD
the DT
company NN
's POS
Philadelphia NNP
region NN
, ,
was VBD
appointed VBN
president NN
and CC
chief NN
operating VBG
officer NN
, ,
succeeding VBG
Gary NNP
Wilber NNP
. .
American NNP
Physicians NNPS
Service NNP
Group NNP
Inc. NNP
said VBD
it PRP
purchased VBD
about IN
42 CD
% NN
of IN
Prime NNP
Medical NNP
Services NNPS
Inc. NNP
for IN
about IN
$ $
5 CD
million CD
from IN
Texas NNP
American NNP
Energy NNP
Corp NNP
. .
American NNP
Physicians NNPS
said VBD
it PRP
also RB
replaced VBD
four CD
Texas NNP
American NNP
representatives NNS
on IN
Prime NNP
's POS
five-member JJ
board NN
. .
American NNP
provides VBZ
a DT
variety NN
of IN
financial JJ
services NNS
to TO
doctors NNS
and CC
hospitals NNS
. .
Prime NNP
, ,
based VBN
in IN
Bedminster NNP
, ,
N.J. NNP
, ,
provides VBZ
management NN
services NNS
to TO
cardiac JJ
rehabilitation NN
clinics NNS
and CC
diagnostic JJ
imaging NN
centers NNS
. .
For IN
the DT
year NN
ended VBD
June NNP
30 CD
, ,
Prime NNP
had VBD
a DT
net JJ
loss NN
of IN
$ $
3 CD
million CD
on IN
sales NNS
of IN
$ $
13.8 CD
million CD
. .
The DT
inflation-adjusted JJ
growth NN
rate NN
for IN
France NNP
's POS
gross JJ
domestic JJ
product NN
for IN
the DT
second JJ
quarter NN
was VBD
revised VBN
upward RB
to TO
0.8 CD
% NN
from IN
the DT
previous JJ
three CD
months NNS
from IN
the DT
initial JJ
estimate NN
of IN
0.7 CD
% NN
, ,
the DT
National NNP
Statistics NNP
Institute NNP
said VBD
. .
The DT
state NN
agency NN
said VBD
the DT
latest JJS
revision NN
left VBD
the DT
growth NN
rate NN
for IN
the DT
first-quarter NN
compared VBN
with IN
the DT
previous JJ
three CD
months NNS
unchanged JJ
at IN
1.3 CD
% NN
. .
If IN
the DT
economy NN
continues VBZ
to TO
expand VB
by IN
0.8 CD
% NN
a DT
quarter NN
for IN
the DT
rest NN
of IN
the DT
year NN
, ,
it PRP
would MD
leave VB
GDP NNP
growth NN
for IN
all DT
of IN
1989 CD
at IN
3 CD
% NN
, ,
the DT
institute NN
said VBD
. .
That DT
would MD
be VB
down IN
from IN
the DT
3.8 CD
% NN
rise NN
posted VBN
in IN
1988 CD
. .
The DT
Canadian JJ
government NN
announced VBD
a DT
new JJ
, ,
12-year JJ
Canada NNP
Savings NNP
Bond NNP
issue NN
that WDT
will MD
yield VB
investors NNS
10.5 CD
% NN
in IN
the DT
first JJ
year NN
. .
The DT
annual JJ
interest NN
rate NN
for IN
each DT
of IN
the DT
next JJ
11 CD
years NNS
will MD
be VB
set VBN
each DT
fall NN
, ,
when WRB
details NNS
of IN
a DT
new JJ
series NN
are VBP
released VBN
. .
Canada NNP
Savings NNP
Bonds NNP
are VBP
major JJ
government NN
instruments NNS
for IN
meeting VBG
its PRP$
financial JJ
requirements NNS
. .
The DT
government NN
has VBZ
about IN
41.4 CD
billion CD
Canadian JJ
dollars NNS
( (
US$ $
35.2 CD
billion CD
) )
of IN
such JJ
bonds NNS
currently RB
outstanding JJ
. .
Only RB
Canadian JJ
residents NNS
are VBP
permitted VBN
to TO
buy VB
Canada NNP
Savings NNP
Bonds NNP
, ,
which WDT
may MD
be VB
redeemed VBN
any DT
time NN
at IN
face NN
value NN
. .
The DT
bonds NNS
go VBP
on IN
sale NN
Oct. NNP
19 CD
. .
The DT
debate NN
over IN
National NNP
Service NNP
has VBZ
begun VBN
again RB
. .
After IN
a DT
decade NN
in IN
which WDT
more JJR
than IN
50 CD
localities NNS
established VBD
their PRP$
own JJ
service NN
or CC
conservation NN
corps NN
and CC
dozens NNS
of IN
school NN
systems NNS
made VBD
community NN
service NN
a DT
prerequisite NN
to TO
high-school NN
graduation NN
, ,
the DT
focus NN
has VBZ
shifted VBN
to TO
Washington NNP
. .
At IN
least JJS
10 CD
bills NNS
proposing VBG
one CD
or CC
another DT
national JJ
program NN
were VBD
introduced VBN
in IN
Congress NNP
this DT
spring NN
. .
One CD
, ,
co-sponsored JJ
by IN
Sen. NNP
Sam NNP
Nunn NNP
( (
D. NNP
, ,
Ga NNP
. .
) )
and CC
Rep. NNP
Dave NNP
McCurdy NNP
( (
D. NNP
, ,
Okla. NNP
) )
, ,
would MD
have VB
restricted VBN
federal JJ
college NN
subsidies NNS
to TO
students NNS
who WP
had VBD
served VBN
. .
An DT
omnibus NN
bill NN
assembled VBN
by IN
Sen. NNP
Edward NNP
Kennedy NNP
( (
D. NNP
, ,
Mass. NNP
) )
, ,
and CC
including VBG
some DT
diluted JJ
Nunn-McCurdy NNP
provisions NNS
along IN
with IN
proposals NNS
by IN
fellow NN
Democratic NNP
Sens. NNP
Claiborne NNP
Pell NNP
, ,
Barbara NNP
Mikulski NNP
and CC
Christopher NNP
Dodd NNP
, ,
has VBZ
been VBN
reported VBN
out IN
of IN
the DT
Senate NNP
Labor NNP
Committee NNP
. .
It PRP
might MD
well RB
win VB
Senate NNP
passage NN
. .
President NNP
Bush NNP
has VBZ
outlined VBN
his PRP$
own JJ
Youth NNP
Entering NNP
Service NNP
( (
YES NNP
) )
plan NN
, ,
though IN
its PRP$
details NNS
remain VBP
to TO
be VB
specified VBN
. .
What WP
is VBZ
one NN
to TO
think VB
of IN
all PDT
this DT
? .
Doctrine NN
and CC
special JJ
interests NNS
govern VBP
some DT
responses NNS
. .
People NNS
eager JJ
to TO
have VB
youth NN
`` ``
pay VBP
their PRP$
dues NNS
to TO
society NN
'' ''
favor VBP
service NN
proposals NNS
-- :
preferably RB
mandatory JJ
ones NNS
. .
So RB
do VBP
those DT
who WP
seek VBP
a DT
`` ``
re-energized JJ
concept NN
of IN
citizenship NN
, ,
'' ''
a DT
concept NN
imposing VBG
stern JJ
obligations NNS
as RB
well RB
as IN
conferring VBG
rights NNS
. .
Then RB
there EX
are VBP
instinctive JJ
opponents NNS
. .
To TO
libertarians NNS
, ,
mandatory JJ
service NN
is VBZ
an DT
abomination NN
and CC
voluntary JJ
systems NNS
are VBP
illegitimate JJ
uses NNS
of IN
tax NN
money NN
. .
Devotees NNS
of IN
the DT
market NN
question VBP
the DT
value NN
of IN
the DT
work NN
national JJ
service NN
would MD
perform VB
: :
If IN
the DT
market NN
wo MD
n't RB
pay VB
for IN
it PRP
, ,
they PRP
argue VBP
, ,
it PRP
ca MD
n't RB
be VB
worth JJ
its PRP$
cost NN
. .
Elements NNS
of IN
the DT
left JJ
are VBP
also RB
reflexively RB
opposed VBN
; :
they PRP
see VBP
service NN
as IN
a DT
cover NN
for IN
the DT
draft NN
, ,
or CC
fear VBP
the DT
regimentation NN
of IN
youth NN
, ,
or CC
want VB
to TO
see VB
rights NNS
enlarged VBN
, ,
not RB
obligations NNS
. .
But CC
what WP
about IN
those DT
of IN
us PRP
whose WP$
views NNS
are VBP
not RB
predetermined VBN
by IN
formula NN
or CC
ideology NN
? .
How WRB
should MD
we PRP
think VB
about IN
national JJ
service NN
? .
Let VB
's PRP
begin VB
by IN
recognizing VBG
a DT
main JJ
source NN
of IN
confusion NN
-- :
`` ``
national JJ
service NN
'' ''
has VBZ
no RB
agreed VBN
meaning NN
. .
Would MD
service NN
be VB
voluntary JJ
or CC
compulsory JJ
? .
Short JJ
or CC
long JJ
? .
Part-time JJ
or CC
full-time JJ
? .
Paid VBN
or CC
unpaid JJ
? .
Would MD
participants NNS
live VB
at IN
home NN
and CC
work VB
nearby RB
or CC
live VB
in IN
barracks NN
and CC
work VB
on IN
public JJ
lands NNS
? .
What WDT
kinds NNS
of IN
work NN
would MD
they PRP
do VB
? .
What WP
does VBZ
`` ``
national JJ
'' ''
mean VB
? .
Would MD
the DT
program NN
be VB
run VBN
by IN
the DT
federal JJ
government NN
, ,
by IN
local JJ
governments NNS
, ,
or CC
by IN
private JJ
voluntary JJ
organizations NNS
? .
And CC
who WP
would MD
serve VB
? .
Only JJ
males NNS
, ,
as RB
with IN
the DT
draft NN
, ,
or CC
both DT
sexes NNS
? .
Youth NN
only RB
or CC
all DT
ages NNS
? .
Middle-class JJ
people NNS
, ,
or CC
poor JJ
people NNS
, ,
or CC
a DT
genuine JJ
cross-section NN
? .
Many JJ
or CC
few JJ
? .
Those DT
are VBP
not RB
trivial JJ
questions NNS
, ,
and CC
the DT
label NN
`` ``
national JJ
service NN
'' ''
answers VBZ
none NN
of IN
them PRP
. .
Then RB
how WRB
should MD
we PRP
think VB
about IN
national JJ
service NN
? .
As IN
a DT
starting VBG
point NN
, ,
here RB
are VBP
five CD
propositions NNS
: :
1 LS
. .
Consider VB
the DT
ingredients NNS
, ,
not RB
the DT
name NN
. .
Ignore VB
`` ``
national JJ
service NN
'' ''
in IN
the DT
abstract JJ
; :
consider VB
specific JJ
proposals NNS
. .
They PRP
will MD
differ VB
in IN
crucial JJ
ways NNS
. .
2 LS
. .
`` ``
Service NN
'' ''
should MD
be VB
service NN
. .
As IN
commonly RB
understood VBN
, ,
service NN
implies VBZ
sacrifice NN
. .
It PRP
involves VBZ
accepting VBG
risk NN
, ,
or CC
giving VBG
up RP
income NN
, ,
or CC
deferring VBG
a DT
career NN
. .
It PRP
follows VBZ
that IN
proposals NNS
like IN
Nunn-McCurdy NNP
, ,
whose WP$
benefits NNS
to TO
enrollees NNS
are VBP
worth JJ
some DT
$ $
17,500 CD
a DT
year NN
, ,
do VBP
not RB
qualify VB
. .
There EX
is VBZ
a DT
rationale NN
for IN
such JJ
bills NNS
: :
Federal NNP
subsidies NNS
to TO
college NN
students NNS
amount VBP
to TO
`` ``
a DT
GI NNP
Bill NNP
without IN
the DT
GI NNP
'' ''
; :
arguably RB
those DT
benefits NNS
should MD
be VB
earned VBN
, ,
not RB
given VBN
. .
But CC
the DT
earnings NNS
exceed VBP
by IN
20 CD
% NN
the DT
average JJ
income NN
of IN
young JJ
high-school NN
graduates NNS
with IN
full-time JJ
jobs NNS
. .
Why WRB
call VB
that DT
service NN
? .
3 LS
. .
Encouragement NN
is VBZ
fine JJ
; :
compulsion NN
is VBZ
not RB
. .
Compelled VBN
service NN
is VBZ
unconstitutional JJ
. .
It PRP
is VBZ
also RB
unwise JJ
and CC
unenforceable JJ
. .
( (
Who WP
will MD
throw VB
several JJ
hundred CD
thousand CD
refusers NNS
in IN
jail NN
each DT
year NN
? .
) )
But CC
through IN
tax NN
policy NN
and CC
in IN
other JJ
ways NNS
the DT
federal JJ
government NN
encourages VBZ
many JJ
kinds NNS
of IN
behavior NN
. .
It PRP
should MD
also RB
encourage VB
service NN
-- :
preferably RB
by IN
all DT
classes NNS
and CC
all DT
ages NNS
. .
Its PRP$
encouragement NN
should MD
strengthen VB
and CC
not RB
undercut VB
the DT
strong JJ
tradition NN
of IN
volunteering NN
in IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
, ,
should MD
build VB
on IN
the DT
service NN
programs NNS
already RB
in IN
existence NN
, ,
and CC
should MD
honor VB
local JJ
convictions NNS
about IN
which WDT
tasks NNS
most RBS
need VBP
doing VBG
. .
4 LS
. .
Good JJ
programs NNS
are VBP
not RB
cheap JJ
. .
Enthusiasts NNS
assume VBP
that IN
national JJ
service NN
would MD
get VB
important JJ
work NN
done VBN
cheaply RB
: :
forest NN
fires NNS
fought VBN
, ,
housing NN
rehabilitated VBN
, ,
students NNS
tutored VBN
, ,
day-care NN
centers NNS
staffed VBN
. .
There EX
is VBZ
important JJ
work NN
to TO
be VB
done VBN
, ,
and CC
existing VBG
service NN
and CC
conservation NN
corps NN
have VBP
shown VBN
that IN
even JJ
youths NNS
who WP
start VBP
with IN
few JJ
skills NNS
can MD
do VB
much RB
of IN
it PRP
well RB
-- :
but CC
not RB
cheaply RB
. .
Good JJ
service NN
programs NNS
require VBP
recruitment NN
, ,
screening NN
, ,
training NN
and CC
supervision NN
-- :
all DT
of IN
high JJ
quality NN
. .
They PRP
involve VBP
stipends NNS
to TO
participants NNS
. .
Full-time JJ
residential JJ
programs NNS
also RB
require VB
housing NN
and CC
full-time JJ
supervision NN
; :
they PRP
are VBP
particularly RB
expensive JJ
-- :
more JJR
per IN
participant NN
than IN
a DT
year NN
at IN
Stanford NNP
or CC
Yale NNP
. .
Non-residential JJ
programs NNS
are VBP
cheaper JJR
, ,
but CC
good JJ
ones NNS
still RB
come VB
to TO
some DT
$ $
10,000 CD
a DT
year NN
. .
Are VBP
they PRP
worth JJ
that DT
? .
Evaluations NNS
suggest VBP
that IN
good JJ
ones NNS
are VBP
-- :
especially RB
so IN
if IN
the DT
effects NNS
on IN
participants NNS
are VBP
counted VBN
. .
But CC
the DT
calculations NNS
are VBP
challengeable JJ
. .
5 LS
. .
Underclass NNS
youth NN
are VBP
a DT
special JJ
concern NN
. .
Are VBP
such JJ
expenditures NNS
worthwhile JJ
, ,
then RB
? .
Yes UH
, ,
if IN
targeted VBN
. .
People NNS
of IN
all DT
ages NNS
and CC
all DT
classes NNS
should MD
be VB
encouraged VBN
to TO
serve VB
, ,
but CC
there EX
are VBP
many JJ
ways NNS
for IN
middle-class JJ
kids NNS
, ,
and CC
their PRP$
elders NNS
, ,
to TO
serve VB
at IN
little JJ
public JJ
cost NN
. .
They PRP
can MD
volunteer VB
at IN
any DT
of IN
thousands NNS
of IN
non-profit JJ
institutions NNS
, ,
or CC
participate VB
in IN
service NN
programs NNS
required VBN
by IN
high JJ
schools NNS
or CC
encouraged VBN
by IN
colleges NNS
or CC
employers NNS
. .
Underclass JJ
youth NN
do VBP
n't RB
have VB
those DT
opportunities NNS
. .
They PRP
are VBP
not RB
enrolled VBN
in IN
high JJ
school NN
or CC
college NN
. .
They PRP
are VBP
unlikely JJ
to TO
be VB
employed VBN
. .
And CC
they PRP
have VBP
grown VBN
up RP
in IN
unprecedentedly RB
grim JJ
circumstances NNS
, ,
among IN
family NN
structures NNS
breaking VBG
down IN
, ,
surrounded VBN
by IN
self-destructive JJ
behaviors NNS
and CC
bleak JJ
prospects NNS
. .
But CC
many JJ
of IN
them PRP
can MD
be VB
quite RB
profoundly RB
reoriented VBN
by IN
productive JJ
and CC
disciplined VBN
service NN
. .
Some DT
wo MD
n't RB
accept VB
the DT
discipline NN
; :
others NNS
drop VBP
out RP
for IN
other JJ
reasons NNS
. .
But CC
some DT
whom WP
nothing NN
else RB
is VBZ
reaching VBG
are VBP
transformed VBN
. .
Learning VBG
skills NNS
, ,
producing VBG
something NN
cooperatively RB
, ,
feeling VBG
useful JJ
, ,
they PRP
are VBP
no RB
longer RB
dependent JJ
-- :
others NNS
now RB
depend VBP
on IN
them PRP
. .
Even RB
if IN
it PRP
is VBZ
cheaper JJR
to TO
build VB
playgrounds NNS
or CC
paint VB
apartments NNS
or CC
plant VB
dune-grass NN
with IN
paid VBN
professionals NNS
, ,
the DT
effects NNS
on IN
the DT
young JJ
people NNS
providing VBG
those DT
services NNS
alter VBP
the DT
calculation NN
. .
Strictly RB
speaking VBG
, ,
these DT
youth NN
are VBP
not RB
performing VBG
service NN
. .
They PRP
are VBP
giving VBG
up RP
no DT
income NN
, ,
deferring VBG
no DT
careers NNS
, ,
incurring VBG
no DT
risk NN
. .
But CC
they PRP
believe VBP
themselves PRP
to TO
be VB
serving VBG
, ,
and CC
they PRP
begin VBP
to TO
respect VB
themselves PRP
( (
and CC
others NNS
) )
, ,
to TO
take VB
control NN
of IN
their PRP$
lives NNS
, ,
to TO
think VB
of IN
the DT
future NN
. .
That DT
is VBZ
a DT
service NN
to TO
the DT
nation NN
. .
It PRP
is VBZ
what WP
federal JJ
support NN
should MD
try VB
hardest RBS
to TO
achieve VB
. .
Mr. NNP
Szanton NNP
, ,
a DT
Carter NNP
administration NN
budget NN
official NN
, ,
heads VBZ
his PRP$
own JJ
Washington-based JJ
strategic JJ
planning NN
firm NN
. .
He PRP
is VBZ
a DT
co-author NN
of IN
`` ``
National NNP
Service NNP
: :
What WP
Would MD
It PRP
Mean VB
? .
'' ''
( (
Lexington NNP
Books NNPS
, ,
1986 CD
) )
. .
Government NNP
officials NNS
here RB
and CC
in IN
other JJ
countries NNS
laid VBD
plans NNS
through IN
the DT
weekend NN
to TO
head VB
off RP
a DT
Monday NNP
market NN
meltdown NN
-- :
but CC
went VBD
out IN
of IN
their PRP$
way NN
to TO
keep VB
their PRP$
moves NNS
quiet JJ
. .
Federal NNP
Reserve NNP
Chairman NNP
Alan NNP
Greenspan NNP
was VBD
on IN
the DT
telephones NNS
, ,
making VBG
it PRP
clear JJ
to TO
officials NNS
in IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
and CC
abroad RB
that IN
the DT
Fed NNP
was VBD
prepared VBN
to TO
inject VB
massive JJ
amounts NNS
of IN
money NN
into IN
the DT
banking NN
system NN
, ,
as IN
it PRP
did VBD
in IN
October NNP
1987 CD
, ,
if IN
the DT
action NN
were VBD
needed VBN
to TO
prevent VB
a DT
financial JJ
crisis NN
. .
And CC
at IN
the DT
Treasury NNP
, ,
Secretary NNP
Nicholas NNP
Brady NNP
talked VBD
with IN
friends NNS
and CC
associates NNS
on IN
Wall NNP
Street NNP
while IN
Assistant NNP
Secretary NNP
David NNP
Mullins NNP
carefully RB
analyzed VBD
data NNS
on IN
the DT
Friday NNP
market NN
plunge NN
. .
But CC
the DT
officials NNS
feared VBD
that IN
any DT
public JJ
announcements NNS
would MD
only RB
increase VB
market NN
jitters NNS
. .
In IN
addition NN
, ,
officials NNS
at IN
the DT
Fed NNP
and CC
in IN
the DT
Bush NNP
administration NN
decided VBD
that IN
avoiding VBG
overt JJ
actions NNS
and CC
statements NNS
over IN
the DT
weekend NN
would MD
give VB
them PRP
more JJR
strength NN
and CC
flexibility NN
should MD
Friday NNP
's POS
market NN
drop NN
turn VB
into IN
this DT
morning NN
's POS
rout NN
. .
`` ``
The DT
disadvantage NN
at IN
this DT
point NN
is VBZ
that DT
anything NN
you PRP
do VBP
that DT
looks VBZ
like IN
you PRP
are VBP
doing VBG
too RB
much RB
tends VBZ
to TO
reinforce VB
a DT
sense NN
of IN
crisis NN
, ,
'' ''
said VBD
one CD
government NN
official NN
, ,
insisting VBG
on IN
anonymity NN
. .
The DT
Fed NNP
's POS
efforts NNS
at IN
secrecy NN
were VBD
partly RB
foiled VBN
Sunday NNP
morning NN
, ,
when WRB
both PDT
the DT
New NNP
York NNP
Times NNP
and CC
the DT
Washington NNP
Post NNP
carried VBD
stories NNS
quoting VBG
a DT
senior JJ
Fed NNP
official NN
saying VBG
the DT
central JJ
bank NN
was VBD
prepared VBN
to TO
pour VB
cash NN
into IN
the DT
banking NN
system NN
Monday NNP
morning NN
. .
Fed NNP
Chairman NNP
Greenspan NNP
was VBD
surprised VBN
by IN
both DT
stories NNS
, ,
according VBG
to TO
knowledgeable JJ
sources NNS
, ,
and CC
insisted VBD
he PRP
had VBD
n't RB
authorized VBN
any DT
public JJ
comment NN
. .
Nevertheless RB
, ,
Fed NNP
officials NNS
acknowledged VBD
the DT
stories NNS
were VBD
reasonably RB
accurate JJ
portrayals NNS
of IN
the DT
central JJ
bank NN
's POS
game NN
plan NN
. .
It PRP
is VBZ
prepared VBN
to TO
assume VB
the DT
same JJ
role NN
it PRP
played VBD
in IN
October NNP
1987 CD
, ,
providing VBG
money NN
to TO
the DT
markets NNS
if IN
necessary JJ
to TO
keep VB
the DT
financial JJ
system NN
afloat RB
. .
The DT
Fed NNP
provides VBZ
money NN
to TO
the DT
banking NN
system NN
by IN
buying VBG
government NN
securities NNS
from IN
financial JJ
institutions NNS
. .
The DT
reticence NN
of IN
federal JJ
officials NNS
was VBD
evident JJ
in IN
the DT
appearance NN
Sunday NNP
of IN
Budget NNP
Director NNP
Richard NNP
Darman NNP
on IN
ABC NNP
's POS
`` ``
This DT
Week NNP
. .
'' ''
`` ``
Secretary NNP
of IN
the DT
Treasury NNP
Brady NNP
and CC
Chairman NNP
Greenspan NNP
and CC
the DT
chairman NN
of IN
the DT
SEC NNP
and CC
others NNS
have VBP
been VBN
in IN
close JJ
contact NN
. .
I PRP
'm VBP
sure JJ
they PRP
'll MD
do VB
what WP
's VBZ
right JJ
, ,
what WP
's VBZ
prudent JJ
, ,
what WP
's VBZ
sensible JJ
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
said VBD
. .
When WRB
it PRP
was VBD
suggested VBN
his PRP$
comment NN
was VBD
a DT
`` ``
non-answer JJ
, ,
'' ''
Mr. NNP
Darman NNP
replied VBD
: :
`` ``
It PRP
is VBZ
a DT
non-answer NN
. .
But CC
, ,
in IN
this DT
context NN
, ,
that DT
's VBZ
the DT
smart JJ
thing NN
to TO
do VB
. .
'' ''
At IN
the DT
Treasury NNP
, ,
Secretary NNP
Brady NNP
issued VBD
a DT
statement NN
minimizing VBG
the DT
stock NN
market NN
's POS
drop NN
. .
`` ``
Today NN
's POS
stock NN
market NN
decline NN
does VBZ
n't RB
signal VB
any DT
fundamental JJ
change NN
in IN
the DT
condition NN
of IN
the DT
economy NN
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
said VBD
. .
`` ``
The DT
economy NN
remains VBZ
well-balanced JJ
, ,
and CC
the DT
outlook NN
is VBZ
for IN
continued VBN
moderate JJ
growth NN
. .
'' ''
But CC
administration NN
officials NNS
conceded VBD
that IN
Friday NNP
's POS
drop NN
carried VBD
the DT
chance NN
of IN
further JJ
declines NNS
this DT
week NN
. .
`` ``
One CD
possibility NN
is VBZ
that IN
this DT
is VBZ
a DT
surgical JJ
setback NN
, ,
reasonably RB
limited VBN
in IN
its PRP$
breadth NN
, ,
and CC
not RB
a DT
major JJ
problem NN
, ,
'' ''
said VBD
one CD
senior JJ
administration NN
official NN
, ,
who WP
also RB
asked VBD
that IN
he PRP
not RB
be VB
named VBN
. .
`` ``
The DT
other JJ
is VBZ
that IN
we PRP
see VBP
another DT
major JJ
disaster NN
, ,
like IN
two CD
years NNS
ago IN
. .
I PRP
think VBP
that DT
's VBZ
less RBR
likely JJ
. .
'' ''
Nevertheless RB
, ,
Fed NNP
Chairman NNP
Greenspan NNP
and CC
Vice NNP
Chairman NNP
Manuel NNP
Johnson NNP
were VBD
in IN
their PRP$
offices NNS
Sunday NNP
evening NN
, ,
monitoring VBG
events NNS
as IN
they PRP
unfolded VBD
in IN
markets NNS
around IN
the DT
world NN
. .
The DT
action NN
was VBD
expected VBN
to TO
begin VB
with IN
the DT
opening NN
of IN
the DT
New NNP
Zealand NNP
foreign JJ
exchange NN
markets NNS
at IN
5 CD
p.m. NN
EST NNP
-- :
when WRB
stocks NNS
there RB
plunged VBD
-- :
and CC
to TO
continue VB
as IN
the DT
trading NN
day NN
began VBD
later RB
in IN
the DT
evening NN
in IN
Tokyo NNP
and CC
through IN
early RB
this DT
morning NN
in IN
Europe NNP
. .
Both PDT
the DT
Treasury NNP
and CC
the DT
Fed NNP
planned VBD
to TO
keep VB
market NN
rooms NNS
operating VBG
throughout IN
the DT
night NN
to TO
monitor VB
the DT
developments NNS
. .
In IN
Tokyo NNP
, ,
share NN
prices NNS
dropped VBD
sharply RB
by IN
1.7 CD
% NN
in IN
early JJ
Monday NNP
morning NN
trading NN
. .
After IN
the DT
initial JJ
slide NN
, ,
the DT
market NN
appeared VBD
to TO
be VB
turning VBG
around IN
but CC
by IN
early JJ
afternoon NN
was VBD
headed VBN
lower JJR
. .
In IN
the DT
Bush NNP
administration NN
, ,
the DT
lead NN
is VBZ
being VBG
taken VBN
by IN
Treasury NNP
Secretary NNP
Brady NNP
, ,
Undersecretary NNP
Robert NNP
Glauber NNP
and CC
Assistant NNP
Secretary NNP
Mullins NNP
. .
The DT
three CD
men NNS
worked VBD
together RB
on IN
the DT
so-called JJ
Brady NNP
Commission NNP
, ,
headed VBN
by IN
Mr. NNP
Brady NNP
, ,
which WDT
was VBD
established VBN
after IN
the DT
1987 CD
crash NN
to TO
examine VB
the DT
market NN
's POS
collapse NN
. .
As IN
a DT
result NN
they PRP
have VBP
extensive JJ
knowledge NN
in IN
financial JJ
markets NNS
, ,
and CC
financial JJ
market NN
crises NNS
. .
Mr. NNP
Brady NNP
was VBD
at IN
the DT
White NNP
House NNP
Friday NNP
afternoon NN
when WRB
the DT
stock NN
market NN
's POS
decline NN
began VBD
. .
He PRP
was VBD
quickly RB
on IN
the DT
phone NN
with IN
Mr. NNP
Mullins NNP
, ,
who WP
in IN
turn NN
was VBD
talking VBG
with IN
the DT
chairmen NNS
of IN
the DT
New NNP
York NNP
and CC
Chicago NNP
exchanges NNS
. .
Later RB
, ,
Mr. NNP
Brady NNP
phoned VBD
Mr. NNP
Greenspan NNP
, ,
SEC NNP
Chairman NNP
Richard NNP
Breeden NNP
and CC
numerous JJ
contacts NNS
in IN
New NNP
York NNP
and CC
overseas RB
. .
Aides NNS
say VBP
he PRP
continued VBD
to TO
work VB
the DT
phones NNS
through IN
the DT
weekend NN
. .
Administration NN
officials NNS
say VBP
President NNP
Bush NNP
was VBD
briefed VBN
throughout IN
Friday NNP
afternoon NN
and CC
evening NN
, ,
even RB
after IN
leaving VBG
for IN
Camp NNP
David NNP
. .
He PRP
had VBD
frequent JJ
telephone NN
consultations NNS
with IN
Mr. NNP
Brady NNP
and CC
Michael NNP
Boskin NNP
, ,
chairman NN
of IN
the DT
counsel NN
of IN
economic JJ
advisers NNS
. .
Government NNP
officials NNS
tried VBD
throughout IN
the DT
weekend NN
to TO
render VB
a DT
business-as-usual JJ
appearance NN
in IN
order NN
to TO
avoid VB
any DT
sense NN
of IN
panic NN
. .
Treasury NNP
Undersecretary NNP
David NNP
Mulford NNP
, ,
for IN
instance NN
, ,
was VBD
at IN
a DT
meeting NN
of IN
the DT
Business NNP
Council NNP
in IN
Hot NNP
Springs NNPS
, ,
Va. NNP
, ,
when WRB
the DT
stock NN
market NN
fell VBD
, ,
and CC
remained VBD
there RB
through IN
the DT
following VBG
day NN
. .
And CC
as IN
of IN
last JJ
night NN
, ,
Fed NNP
Chairman NNP
Greenspan NNP
had VBD
n't RB
canceled VBN
his PRP$
plans NNS
to TO
address VB
the DT
American NNP
Bankers NNPS
Association NNP
convention NN
in IN
Washington NNP
at IN
10 CD
a.m. NN
this DT
morning NN
. .
Ironically RB
, ,
Mr. NNP
Greenspan NNP
was VBD
scheduled VBN
to TO
address VB
the DT
same JJ
convention NN
in IN
Dallas NNP
on IN
Oct. NNP
20 CD
, ,
1987 CD
. .
He PRP
flew VBD
to TO
Dallas NNP
on IN
Oct. NNP
19 CD
, ,
when WRB
the DT
market NN
plummeted VBD
508 CD
points NNS
, ,
but CC
then RB
turned VBD
around RB
the DT
next JJ
morning NN
and CC
returned VBD
to TO
Washington NNP
without IN
delivering VBG
his PRP$
speech NN
. .
Following VBG
is VBZ
a DT
weekly JJ
listing NN
of IN
unadited JJ
net JJ
asset NN
values NNS
of IN
publicly RB
traded VBN
investment NN
fund NN
shares NNS
, ,
reported VBN
by IN
the DT
companies NNS
as IN
of IN
Friday NNP
's POS
close NN
. .
Also RB
shown VBN
is VBZ
the DT
closing NN
listed VBD
market NN
price NN
or CC
a DT
dealer-to-dealer JJ
asked VBN
price NN
of IN
each DT
fund NN
's POS
shares NNS
, ,
with IN
the DT
percentage NN
of IN
difference NN
. .
b SYM
- :
As IN
of IN
Thursday NNP
's POS
close NN
. .
c SYM
- :
Translated VBN
at IN
Commercial NNP
Rand NNP
exchange NN
rate NN
. .
e SYM
- :
In IN
Canadian JJ
dollars NNS
. .
f SYM
- :
As IN
of IN
Wednesday NNP
's POS
close NN
. .
g SYM
- :
10.06.89 CD
NAV:22.15 NN
. .
z SYM
- :
Not RB
available JJ
. .
Put VB
down IN
that DT
phone NN
. .
Walk VB
around IN
the DT
room NN
; :
take VB
two CD
deep JJ
breaths NNS
. .
Resist VB
the DT
urge NN
to TO
call VB
your PRP$
broker NN
and CC
sell VB
all PDT
your PRP$
stocks NNS
. .
That DT
's VBZ
the DT
advice NN
of IN
most JJS
investment NN
professionals NNS
after IN
Friday NNP
's POS
190-point JJ
drop NN
in IN
the DT
Dow NNP
Jones NNP
Industrial NNP
Average NNP
. .
No DT
one NN
can MD
say VB
for IN
sure JJ
what WP
will MD
happen VB
today NN
. .
And CC
investment NN
pros NNS
are VBP
divided VBN
on IN
whether IN
stocks NNS
will MD
perform VB
well RB
or CC
badly RB
in IN
the DT
next JJ
six CD
months NNS
. .
But CC
they PRP
're VBP
nearly RB
unanimous JJ
on IN
one CD
point NN
: :
Do VB
n't RB
sell VB
into IN
a DT
panic NN
. .
Investors NNS
who WP
sold VBD
everything NN
after IN
the DT
crash NN
of IN
1987 CD
lived VBD
to TO
regret VB
it PRP
. .
Even RB
after IN
Friday NNP
's POS
plunge NN
, ,
the DT
Dow NNP
Jones NNP
Industrial NNP
Average NNP
was VBD
48 CD
% NN
above IN
where WRB
it PRP
landed VBD
on IN
Oct. NNP
19 CD
two CD
years NNS
ago IN
. .
Panic NN
selling NN
also RB
was VBD
unwise JJ
during IN
other JJ
big JJ
declines NNS
in IN
the DT
past NN
. .
The DT
crash NN
of IN
1929 CD
was VBD
followed VBN
by IN
a DT
substantial JJ
recovery NN
before IN
the DT
great JJ
Depression NN
and CC
awful JJ
bear NN
market NN
of IN
the DT
1930s CD
began VBD
. .
The DT
`` ``
October NNP
massacres NNS
'' ''
of IN
1978 CD
and CC
1979 CD
were VBD
scary JJ
, ,
but CC
did VBD
n't RB
lead VB
to TO
severe JJ
or CC
sustained VBN
downturns NNS
. .
Indeed RB
, ,
some DT
pros NNS
see VBP
Friday NNP
's POS
plunge NN
, ,
plus CC
any DT
further JJ
damage NN
that WDT
might MD
occur VB
early RB
this DT
week NN
, ,
as IN
a DT
chance NN
for IN
bargain NN
hunting NN
. .
`` ``
There EX
has VBZ
been VBN
a DT
lot NN
of IN
emotional JJ
selling NN
that WDT
presents VBZ
a DT
nice JJ
buying NN
opportunity NN
if IN
you PRP
've VBP
got VBN
the DT
cash NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Stephen NNP
B. NNP
Timbers NNP
, ,
chief NN
investment NN
officer NN
of IN
Chicago-based JJ
Kemper NNP
Financial NNP
Services NNPS
Inc NNP
. .
But CC
most JJS
advisers NNS
think VBP
the DT
immediate JJ
course NN
for IN
individual JJ
investors NNS
should MD
be VB
to TO
stand VB
pat NN
. .
`` ``
When WRB
you PRP
see VBP
a DT
runaway JJ
train NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Steve NNP
Janachowski NNP
, ,
partner NN
in IN
the DT
San NNP
Francisco NNP
investment NN
advisory NN
firm NN
Brouwer NNP
& CC
Janachowski NNP
, ,
`` ``
you PRP
wait VBP
for IN
the DT
train NN
to TO
stop VB
. .
'' ''
Even RB
for IN
people NNS
who WP
expect VBP
a DT
bear NN
market NN
in IN
coming VBG
months NNS
-- :
and CC
a DT
sizable JJ
number NN
of IN
money NN
managers NNS
and CC
market NN
pundits NNS
do VBP
-- :
the DT
advice NN
is VBZ
: :
Wait VB
for IN
the DT
market NN
to TO
bounce VB
back RB
, ,
and CC
sell VB
shares NNS
gradually RB
during IN
rallies NNS
. .
The DT
best JJS
thing NN
individual NN
investors NNS
can MD
do VB
is VBZ
`` ``
just RB
sit VBP
tight RB
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Marshall NNP
B. NNP
Front NNP
, ,
executive JJ
vice NN
president NN
and CC
head NN
of IN
investment NN
counseling NN
at IN
Stein NNP
Roe NNP
& CC
Farnham NNP
Inc. NNP
, ,
a DT
Chicago-based JJ
investment NN
counseling VBG
firm NN
that WDT
manages VBZ
about IN
$ $
18 CD
billion CD
. .
On IN
the DT
one CD
hand NN
, ,
Mr. NNP
Front NNP
says VBZ
, ,
it PRP
would MD
be VB
misguided VBN
to TO
sell VB
into IN
`` ``
a DT
classic JJ
panic NN
. .
'' ''
On IN
the DT
other JJ
hand NN
, ,
it PRP
's VBZ
not RB
necessarily RB
a DT
good JJ
time NN
to TO
jump VB
in IN
and CC
buy VB
. .
`` ``
This DT
is VBZ
all DT
emotion NN
right RB
now RB
, ,
and CC
when WRB
emotion NN
starts VBZ
to TO
run VB
, ,
it PRP
can MD
run VB
further RB
than IN
anyone NN
anticipates VBZ
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
said VBD
. .
`` ``
So IN
it PRP
's VBZ
more RBR
prudent JJ
to TO
wait VB
and CC
see VB
how WRB
things NNS
stabilize VBP
. .
'' ''
Roger NNP
Ibbotson NNP
, ,
professor NN
of IN
finance NN
at IN
Yale NNP
University NNP
and CC
head NN
of IN
the DT
market NN
information NN
firm NN
Ibbotson NNP
Associates NNPS
Inc. NNP
, ,
says VBZ
, ,
`` ``
My PRP$
real JJ
advice NN
would MD
be VB
to TO
just RB
ride VB
through IN
it PRP
. .
Generally RB
, ,
it PRP
is VBZ
n't RB
wise JJ
to TO
be VB
in IN
and CC
out IN
'' ''
of IN
the DT
stock NN
market NN
. .
Mr. NNP
Ibbotson NNP
thinks VBZ
that IN
this DT
week NN
is VBZ
`` ``
going VBG
to TO
be VB
a DT
roller-coaster NN
week NN
. .
'' ''
But CC
he PRP
also RB
thinks VBZ
it PRP
is VBZ
`` ``
a DT
good JJ
week NN
to TO
consider VB
buying VBG
. .
'' ''
John NNP
Snyder NNP
, ,
former JJ
president NN
of IN
the DT
Los NNP
Angeles NNP
chapter NN
of IN
the DT
National NNP
Association NNP
of IN
Investors NNPS
Corp. NNP
, ,
an DT
organization NN
of IN
investment NN
clubs NNS
and CC
individual JJ
investors NNS
, ,
says VBZ
his PRP$
fellow NN
club NN
members NNS
did VBD
n't RB
sell NN
in IN
the DT
crash NN
of IN
1987 CD
, ,
and CC
see VB
no DT
reason NN
to TO
sell VB
now RB
. .
`` ``
We PRP
're VBP
dedicated VBN
long-term JJ
investors NNS
, ,
not RB
traders NNS
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
says VBZ
. .
`` ``
We PRP
understand VBP
panics NNS
and CC
euphoria NN
. .
And CC
we PRP
hope VBP
to TO
take VB
advantage NN
of IN
panics NNS
and CC
buy VB
stocks NNS
when WRB
they PRP
plunge VBP
. .
'' ''
One CD
camp NN
of IN
investment NN
pros NNS
sees VBZ
what WP
happened VBD
Friday NNP
as IN
an DT
opportunity NN
. .
Over IN
the DT
next JJ
days NNS
and CC
weeks NNS
, ,
they PRP
say VBP
, ,
investors NNS
should MD
look VB
for IN
stocks NNS
to TO
buy VB
. .
Friday NNP
's POS
action NN
`` ``
was VBD
an DT
old-fashioned JJ
panic NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Alfred NNP
Goldman NNP
, ,
director NN
of IN
technical JJ
market NN
analysis NN
for IN
A.G. NNP
Edwards NNP
& CC
Sons NNPS
in IN
St. NNP
Louis NNP
. .
`` ``
Stocks NNS
were VBD
being VBG
thrown VBN
out IN
of IN
windows NNS
at IN
any DT
price NN
. .
'' ''
His PRP$
advice NN
: :
`` ``
You PRP
ought MD
to TO
be VB
there RB
with IN
a DT
basket NN
catching VBG
them PRP
. .
'' ''
James NNP
Craig NNP
, ,
portfolio NN
manager NN
for IN
the DT
Denver-based JJ
Janus NNP
Fund NNP
, ,
which WDT
has VBZ
one CD
of IN
the DT
industry NN
's POS
better JJR
track NN
records NNS
, ,
started VBD
his PRP$
buying NN
during IN
Friday NNP
's POS
plunge NN
. .
Stocks NNS
such JJ
as IN
Hershey NNP
Foods NNPS
Corp. NNP
, ,
Wal-Mart NNP
Stores NNPS
Inc. NNP
, ,
American NNP
International NNP
Group NNP
Inc. NNP
and CC
Federal NNP
National NNP
Mortgage NNP
Association NNP
became VBD
such JJ
bargains NNS
that IN
he PRP
could MD
n't RB
resist VB
them PRP
, ,
he PRP
says VBZ
. .
And CC
Mr. NNP
Craig NNP
expects VBZ
to TO
pick VB
up RP
more JJR
shares NNS
today NN
. .
`` ``
It PRP
will MD
be VB
chaotic JJ
at IN
first JJ
, ,
but CC
I PRP
would MD
not RB
be VB
buying VBG
if IN
I PRP
thought VBD
we PRP
were VBD
headed VBN
for IN
real JJ
trouble NN
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
says VBZ
. .
He PRP
argues VBZ
that IN
stocks NNS
are VBP
reasonably RB
valued VBN
now RB
, ,
and CC
that IN
interest NN
rates NNS
are VBP
lower JJR
now RB
than IN
in IN
the DT
fall NN
of IN
1987 CD
. .
Mr. NNP
Front NNP
of IN
Stein NNP
Roe NNP
suggests VBZ
that IN
any DT
buying NN
should MD
`` ``
concentrate VB
in IN
stocks NNS
that WDT
have VBP
lagged VBN
the DT
market NN
on IN
the DT
up IN
side NN
, ,
or CC
stocks NNS
that WDT
have VBP
been VBN
beaten VBN
down RB
a DT
lot NN
more RBR
than IN
the DT
market NN
in IN
this DT
correction NN
. .
'' ''
His PRP$
firm NN
favors VBZ
selected VBN
computer NN
, ,
drug NN
and CC
pollution-control JJ
stocks NNS
. .
Other JJ
investment NN
pros NNS
are VBP
more RBR
pessimistic JJ
. .
They PRP
say VBP
investors NNS
should MD
sell VB
stocks NNS
-- :
but CC
not RB
necessarily RB
right RB
away RB
. .
Many JJ
of IN
them PRP
stress VBP
that IN
the DT
selling NN
can MD
be VB
orderly JJ
, ,
gradual JJ
, ,
and CC
done VBN
when WRB
stock NN
prices NNS
are VBP
rallying VBG
. .
On IN
Thursday NNP
, ,
William NNP
Fleckenstein NNP
, ,
a DT
Seattle NNP
money NN
manager NN
, ,
used VBD
futures NNS
contracts NNS
in IN
his PRP$
personal JJ
account NN
to TO
place VB
a DT
bet NN
that IN
the DT
broad JJ
market NN
averages NNS
would MD
decline VB
. .
He PRP
thinks VBZ
the DT
underlying VBG
inflation NN
rate NN
is VBZ
around IN
5 CD
% NN
to TO
6 CD
% NN
, ,
far RB
higher JJR
than IN
most JJS
people NNS
suppose VBP
. .
In IN
the DT
pension NN
accounts NNS
he PRP
manages VBZ
, ,
Mr. NNP
Fleckenstein NNP
has VBZ
raised VBN
cash NN
positions NNS
and CC
invested VBN
in IN
gold NN
and CC
natural JJ
gas NN
stocks NNS
, ,
partly RB
as IN
an DT
inflation NN
hedge NN
. .
He PRP
thinks VBZ
government NN
officials NNS
are VBP
terrified VBN
to TO
let VB
a DT
recession NN
start VB
when WRB
government NN
, ,
corporate JJ
and CC
personal JJ
debt NN
levels NNS
are VBP
so RB
high JJ
. .
So IN
he PRP
thinks VBZ
the DT
government NN
will MD
err VB
on IN
the DT
side NN
of IN
rekindled VBN
inflation NN
. .
As IN
a DT
result NN
, ,
Mr. NNP
Fleckenstein NNP
says VBZ
, ,
`` ``
I PRP
think VBP
the DT
ball NN
game NN
's VBZ
over IN
, ,
'' ''
and CC
investors NNS
are VBP
about IN
to TO
face VB
a DT
bear NN
market NN
. .
David NNP
M. NNP
Jones NNP
, ,
vice NN
president NN
at IN
Aubrey NNP
G. NNP
Lanston NNP
& CC
Co. NNP
, ,
recommends VBZ
Treasury NN
securities NNS
( (
of IN
up IN
to TO
five CD
years NNS
' POS
maturity NN
) )
. .
He PRP
says VBZ
the DT
Oct. NNP
6 CD
employment NN
report NN
, ,
showing VBG
slower JJR
economic JJ
growth NN
and CC
a DT
severe JJ
weakening NN
in IN
the DT
manufacturing VBG
sector NN
, ,
is VBZ
a DT
warning VBG
sign NN
to TO
investors NNS
. .
One CD
strategy NN
for IN
investors NNS
who WP
want VBP
to TO
stay VB
in IN
but CC
hedge VB
their PRP$
bets NNS
is VBZ
to TO
buy VB
`` ``
put VBN
'' ''
options NNS
, ,
either CC
on IN
the DT
individual JJ
stocks NNS
they PRP
own VBP
or CC
on IN
a DT
broad JJ
market NN
index NN
. .
A DT
put VBN
option NN
gives VBZ
its PRP$
holder NN
the DT
right RB
( (
but CC
not RB
the DT
obligation NN
) )
to TO
sell VB
a DT
stock NN
( (
or CC
stock NN
index NN
) )
for IN
a DT
specified VBN
price NN
( (
the DT
strike NN
price NN
) )
until IN
the DT
option NN
expires VBZ
. .
Whether IN
this DT
insurance NN
is VBZ
worthwhile JJ
depends VBZ
on IN
the DT
cost NN
of IN
an DT
option NN
. .
The DT
cost NN
, ,
or CC
premium NN
, ,
tends VBZ
to TO
get VB
fat JJ
in IN
times NNS
of IN
crisis NN
. .
Thus RB
, ,
buying VBG
puts NNS
after IN
a DT
big JJ
market NN
slide NN
can MD
be VB
an DT
expensive JJ
way NN
to TO
hedge VB
against IN
risk NN
. .
The DT
prices NNS
of IN
puts NNS
generally RB
did VBD
n't RB
soar VB
Friday NNP
. .
For IN
example NN
, ,
the DT
premium NN
as IN
a DT
percentage NN
of IN
the DT
stock NN
price NN
for IN
certain JJ
puts NNS
on IN
Eli NNP
Lilly NNP
& CC
Co. NNP
moved VBD
up RB
from IN
3 CD
% NN
at IN
Thursday NNP
's POS
close NN
to TO
only RB
3.3 CD
% NN
at IN
Friday NNP
's POS
close NN
, ,
even RB
though IN
the DT
shares NNS
dropped VBD
more JJR
than IN
$ $
5.50 CD
. .
But CC
put-option NN
prices NNS
may MD
zoom VB
when WRB
trading NN
resumes VBZ
today NN
. .
It PRP
's VBZ
hard JJ
to TO
generalize VB
about IN
a DT
reasonable JJ
price NN
for IN
puts NNS
. .
But CC
investors NNS
should MD
keep VB
in IN
mind NN
, ,
before IN
paying VBG
too RB
much JJ
, ,
that IN
the DT
average JJ
annual JJ
return NN
for IN
stock NN
holdings NNS
, ,
long-term JJ
, ,
is VBZ
9 CD
% NN
to TO
10 CD
% NN
a DT
year NN
; :
a DT
return NN
of IN
15 CD
% NN
is VBZ
considered VBN
praiseworthy JJ
. .
Paying VBG
, ,
say VB
, ,
10 CD
% NN
for IN
insurance NN
against IN
losses NNS
takes VBZ
a DT
deep JJ
bite NN
out IN
of IN
the DT
return NN
. .
James NNP
A. NNP
White NNP
and CC
Tom NNP
Herman NNP
contributed VBD
to TO
this DT
article NN
. .
Coldwell NNP
Banker NNP
Commercial NNP
Group NNP
said VBD
it PRP
sold VBD
$ $
47 CD
million CD
of IN
common JJ
stock NN
to TO
its PRP$
employees NNS
at IN
$ $
10 CD
a DT
share NN
, ,
giving VBG
them PRP
a DT
total JJ
stake NN
of IN
more RBR
than IN
40 CD
% NN
in IN
the DT
commercial JJ
real JJ
estate NN
brokerage NN
firm NN
. .
The DT
firm NN
, ,
which WDT
was VBD
acquired VBN
in IN
April NNP
from IN
Sears NNP
, ,
Roebuck NNP
& CC
Co. NNP
in IN
a DT
management-led JJ
buy-out NN
, ,
had VBD
planned VBN
to TO
sell VB
up IN
to TO
$ $
56.4 CD
million CD
of IN
stock NN
, ,
or CC
a DT
50 CD
% NN
stake NN
in IN
the DT
company NN
, ,
to TO
its PRP$
5,000 CD
employees NNS
. .
Though IN
the DT
offering NN
did VBD
n't RB
sell VB
out IN
, ,
James NNP
J. NNP
Didion NNP
, ,
chairman NN
and CC
chief NN
executive NN
officer NN
, ,
said VBD
, ,
`` ``
We PRP
're VBP
pretty RB
proud JJ
of IN
the DT
employees NNS
' POS
response NN
. .
'' ''
He PRP
noted VBD
that IN
unlike IN
an DT
employee NN
stock NN
ownership NN
plan NN
, ,
where WRB
a DT
company NN
usually RB
borrows VBZ
money NN
from IN
third JJ
party NN
lenders NNS
to TO
buy VB
stock NN
that IN
it PRP
sets VBZ
aside RB
to TO
award VB
employees NNS
over IN
time NN
, ,
here RB
employees NNS
had VBD
to TO
fork VB
out RP
their PRP$
own JJ
cash NN
for IN
the DT
stock NN
. .
`` ``
They PRP
came VBD
up RP
with IN
their PRP$
own JJ
money NN
instead RB
of IN
borrowed VBN
money NN
, ,
'' ''
Mr. NNP
Didion NNP
said VBD
. .
`` ``
It PRP
's VBZ
totally RB
different JJ
. .
'' ''
He PRP
said VBD
the DT
offering NN
was VBD
designed VBN
to TO
create VB
long-term JJ
incentives NNS
for IN
employees NNS
. .
`` ``
We PRP
're VBP
in IN
a DT
service NN
business NN
, ,
and CC
in IN
that DT
context NN
, ,
it PRP
's VBZ
vital JJ
to TO
have VB
your PRP$
employees NNS
involved VBN
in IN
the DT
ownership NN
so IN
they PRP
have VBP
a DT
stake NN
in IN
the DT
success NN
. .
'' ''
The DT
brokerage NN
firm NN
wo MD
n't RB
pay VB
a DT
dividend NN
on IN
the DT
stock NN
. .
Employees NNS
have VBP
the DT
right NN
to TO
trade VB
stock NN
among IN
themselves PRP
, ,
and CC
the DT
company NN
will MD
establish VB
an DT
internal JJ
clearing NN
house NN
for IN
these DT
transactions NNS
. .
They PRP
may MD
also RB
eventually RB
sell VB
the DT
shares NNS
to TO
third JJ
parties NNS
, ,
but CC
the DT
outside JJ
investors NNS
who WP
own VBP
the DT
remaining VBG
60 CD
% NN
of IN
Coldwell NNP
Banker NNP
have VBP
the DT
right NN
to TO
first JJ
refusal NN
. .
Those DT
outside JJ
investors NNS
in IN
Coldwell NNP
Banker NNP
include VBP
Carlyle NNP
Group NNP
, ,
a DT
closely RB
held VBN
Washington NNP
, ,
D.C. NNP
, ,
merchant NN
banking NN
firm NN
whose WP$
co-chairman NN
is VBZ
Frank NNP
Carlucci NNP
, ,
former JJ
secretary NN
of IN
defense NN
; :
Frederic NNP
V. NNP
Malek NNP
, ,
senior JJ
adviser NN
to TO
Carlyle NNP
Group NNP
; :
Mellon NNP
Family NNP
Trust NNP
of IN
Pittsburgh NNP
; :
Westinghouse NNP
Credit NNP
Corp. NNP
, ,
the DT
financial JJ
services NNS
unit NN
of IN
Westinghouse NNP
Electric NNP
Corp. NNP
; :
Bankers NNPS
Trust NNP
Co. NNP
, ,
a DT
unit NN
of IN
Bankers NNPS
Trust NNP
New NNP
York NNP
Corp. NNP
; :
and CC
a DT
group NN
of IN
Japanese JJ
investors NNS
represented VBN
by IN
the DT
investment NN
banking NN
unit NN
of IN
Tokyo-based JJ
Sumitomo NNP
Bank NNP
. .
Bankers NNPS
Trust NNP
and CC
Sumitomo NNP
financed VBD
the DT
$ $
300 CD
million CD
acquisition NN
from IN
Sears NNP
Roebuck NNP
. .
Coldwell NNP
Banker NNP
also RB
named VBD
three CD
outside IN
director NN
nominees NNS
for IN
its PRP$
17 CD
member NN
board NN
. .
The DT
nominees NNS
are VBP
Gary NNP
Wilson NNP
, ,
chief NN
financial JJ
officer NN
of IN
Walt NNP
Disney NNP
Co. NNP
; :
James NNP
Montgomery NNP
, ,
chief NN
executive NN
officer NN
of IN
Great NNP
Western NNP
Financial NNP
Corp. NNP
; :
and CC
Peter NNP
Ubberroth NNP
, ,
former JJ
commissioner NN
of IN
baseball NN
and CC
now RB
a DT
private JJ
investor NN
. .
The DT
first JJ
major JJ
event NN
this DT
morning NN
in IN
U.S. NNP
stock NN
and CC
futures NNS
trading NN
may MD
be VB
a DT
pause NN
at IN
the DT
Chicago NNP
Mercantile NNP
Exchange NNP
. .
Under IN
a DT
reform NN
arising VBG
from IN
the DT
1987 CD
crash NN
, ,
trading VBG
in IN
the DT
Merc NNP
's POS
stock-index NN
futures NNS
will MD
break VB
for IN
10 CD
minutes NNS
if IN
the DT
contract NN
opens VBZ
and CC
stays VBZ
five CD
points NNS
from IN
Friday NNP
's POS
close NN
, ,
a DT
move NN
equal JJ
to TO
40 CD
points NNS
on IN
the DT
Dow NNP
Jones NNP
Industrial NNP
Average NNP
. .
The DT
aim NN
of IN
the DT
interruption NN
would MD
be VB
to TO
ease VB
the DT
opening NN
of IN
the DT
New NNP
York NNP
Stock NNP
Exchange NNP
, ,
which WDT
would MD
be VB
hammered VBN
by IN
such PDT
a DT
volatile JJ
move NN
on IN
the DT
Merc NNP
. .
That DT
early-morning NN
breather NN
is VBZ
just RB
one CD
of IN
a DT
number NN
of IN
safeguards NNS
adopted VBN
after IN
the DT
1987 CD
crash NN
. .
The DT
Big NNP
Board NNP
also RB
added VBD
computer NN
capacity NN
to TO
handle VB
huge JJ
surges NNS
in IN
trading NN
volume NN
. .
Several JJ
of IN
those DT
post-crash JJ
changes NNS
kicked VBD
in RP
during IN
Friday NNP
's POS
one-hour JJ
collapse NN
and CC
worked VBD
as IN
expected VBN
, ,
even RB
though IN
they PRP
did VBD
n't RB
prevent VB
a DT
stunning JJ
plunge NN
. .
But CC
the DT
major JJ
`` ``
circuit NN
breakers NNS
'' ''
have VBP
yet RB
to TO
be VB
evaluated VBN
. .
A DT
deeper JJR
market NN
plunge NN
today NN
could MD
give VB
them PRP
their PRP$
first JJ
test NN
. .
A DT
further JJ
slide NN
also RB
would MD
resurrect VB
debate NN
over IN
a DT
host NN
of IN
other JJ
, ,
more JJR
sweeping VBG
changes NNS
proposed VBN
-- :
but CC
not RB
implemented VBN
-- :
after IN
the DT
last JJ
crash NN
. .
Most RBS
notably RB
, ,
several JJ
of IN
the DT
regulatory JJ
steps NNS
recommended VBN
by IN
the DT
Brady NNP
Task NNP
Force NNP
, ,
which WDT
analyzed VBD
the DT
1987 CD
crash NN
, ,
would MD
be VB
revived VBN
-- :
especially RB
because IN
that DT
group NN
's POS
chairman NN
is VBZ
now RB
the DT
Treasury NN
secretary NN
. .
The DT
most RBS
controversial JJ
of IN
the DT
Brady NNP
recommendations NNS
involved VBD
establishing VBG
a DT
single JJ
overarching VBG
regulator NN
to TO
handle VB
crucial JJ
cross-market JJ
questions NNS
, ,
such JJ
as IN
setting VBG
consistent JJ
margin NN
requirements NNS
for IN
the DT
stock NN
and CC
futures NNS
markets NNS
. .
But CC
for IN
the DT
moment NN
, ,
attention NN
focuses VBZ
on IN
the DT
reforms NNS
that WDT
were VBD
put VBN
into IN
place NN
, ,
and CC
market NN
regulators NNS
and CC
participants NNS
said VBD
the DT
circuit NN
breakers NNS
worked VBD
as RB
intended VBN
. .
Big NNP
Board NNP
and CC
Merc NNP
officials NNS
expressed VBD
satisfaction NN
with IN
the DT
results NNS
of IN
two CD
limits NNS
imposed VBN
on IN
of IN
the DT
Merc NNP
's POS
Standard NNP
& CC
Poor NNP
's POS
500 CD
contract NN
, ,
as RB
well RB
as IN
`` ``
hot-line NN
'' ''
communications NNS
among IN
exchanges NNS
. .
Those DT
pauses NNS
-- :
from IN
2:07 CD
p.m. NN
to TO
2:30 CD
p.m. NN
CDT NNP
and CC
from IN
2:45 CD
p.m. NN
until IN
the DT
close NN
of IN
trading NN
a DT
half-hour NN
later RB
-- :
forced VBD
traders NNS
to TO
buy VB
and CC
sell VB
contracts NNS
at IN
prices NNS
at IN
or CC
higher JJR
than IN
their PRP$
frozen VBN
levels NNS
. .
During IN
the DT
first JJ
halt NN
, ,
after IN
the DT
S&P NNP
index NN
had VBD
fallen VBN
12 CD
points NNS
, ,
the DT
Big NNP
Board NNP
's POS
`` ``
Sidecar NN
'' ''
computer NN
program NN
automatically RB
was VBD
triggered VBN
. .
That DT
system NN
is VBZ
designed VBN
to TO
separate VB
computer-generated JJ
program NN
trades NNS
from IN
all DT
other JJ
trades NNS
to TO
help VB
exchange NN
officials NNS
resolve VB
order NN
imbalances NNS
in IN
individual JJ
stocks NNS
. .
One CD
Merc NNP
broker NN
compared VBD
the DT
action NN
in IN
the DT
S&P NNP
pit NN
during IN
the DT
two CD
freezes NNS
to TO
a DT
fire NN
at IN
a DT
well-drilled JJ
school NN
. .
`` ``
You PRP
do VBP
n't RB
want VB
the DT
fire NN
but CC
you PRP
know VBP
what WP
to TO
do VB
, ,
'' ''
said VBD
Howard NNP
Dubnow NNP
, ,
an DT
independent JJ
floor NN
broker NN
and CC
a DT
Merc NNP
governor NN
. .
`` ``
There EX
was VBD
no DT
panic NN
. .
The DT
system NN
worked VBD
the DT
way NN
we PRP
devised VBD
it PRP
to TO
work VB
. .
'' ''
After IN
reopening VBG
for IN
about IN
15 CD
minutes NNS
, ,
the DT
S&P NNP
index NN
tumbled VBD
to TO
its PRP$
30-point JJ
limit NN
and CC
the DT
second JJ
freeze NN
went VBD
into IN
effect NN
. .
Traders NNS
then RB
spent VBD
the DT
last JJ
half-hour NN
`` ``
watching VBG
to TO
see VB
if IN
the DT
Dow NNP
would MD
drop VB
250 CD
points NNS
, ,
'' ''
Mr. NNP
Dubnow NNP
added VBD
, ,
referring VBG
to TO
the DT
level NN
at IN
which WDT
the DT
stock NN
market NN
itself PRP
would MD
have VB
closed VBN
for IN
an DT
hour NN
. .
One CD
observer NN
estimated VBD
that IN
80 CD
% NN
to TO
90 CD
% NN
of IN
the DT
S&P NNP
traders NNS
`` ``
were VBD
just RB
standing VBG
around IN
watching VBG
. .
'' ''
But CC
the DT
250-point JJ
circuit NN
breaker NN
never RB
had VBD
to TO
kick VB
in IN
, ,
and CC
freezes VBZ
on IN
the DT
Chicago NNP
Board NNP
of IN
Trade NNP
's POS
Major NNP
Market NNP
Index NNP
also RB
were VBD
n't RB
triggered VBN
. .
The DT
MMI NNP
and CC
the DT
S&P NNP
500 CD
are VBP
the DT
two CD
major JJ
indexes NNS
used VBN
by IN
program NN
traders NNS
to TO
run VB
their PRP$
computerized VBN
trading NN
strategies NNS
. .
The DT
programs NNS
are VBP
considered VBN
by IN
many JJ
to TO
be VB
a DT
major JJ
cause NN
of IN
the DT
1987 CD
crash NN
. .
The DT
process NN
of IN
post-crash JJ
reforms NNS
began VBD
with IN
calls NNS
to TO
remake VB
the DT
markets NNS
and CC
wound VBD
up RP
a DT
year NN
later RB
with IN
a DT
series NN
of IN
rather RB
technical JJ
adjustments NNS
. .
In IN
October NNP
1987 CD
, ,
just RB
after IN
the DT
market NN
drop NN
, ,
Washington NNP
was VBD
awash JJ
in IN
talk NN
of IN
sweeping VBG
changes NNS
in IN
the DT
way NN
the DT
financial JJ
markets NNS
are VBP
structured VBN
and CC
regulated VBN
. .
Over IN
the DT
next JJ
year NN
that IN
grand JJ
agenda NN
was VBD
whittled VBN
down RB
to TO
a DT
series NN
of IN
steps NNS
to TO
soften VB
big JJ
stock NN
drops NNS
by IN
interrupting VBG
trading NN
to TO
give VB
market NN
players NNS
time NN
to TO
pause VB
and CC
reconsider VB
positions NNS
. .
In IN
addition NN
, ,
limits NNS
were VBD
placed VBN
on IN
computer-driven JJ
trading NN
, ,
and CC
steps NNS
were VBD
taken VBN
to TO
better RB
link VB
the DT
stock NN
and CC
futures NNS
markets NNS
. .
Few JJ
changes NNS
were VBD
made VBN
in IN
the DT
way NN
the DT
markets NNS
are VBP
regulated VBN
. .
At IN
the DT
outset NN
the DT
prime JJ
target NN
was VBD
program NN
trading NN
, ,
which WDT
was VBD
much RB
discussed VBN
but CC
little RB
understood VBN
on IN
Capitol NNP
Hill NNP
. .
There EX
were VBD
also RB
calls VBZ
to TO
strip VB
the DT
stock NN
markets NNS
of IN
`` ``
derivative JJ
'' ''
products NNS
, ,
such JJ
as IN
stock-index JJ
futures NNS
and CC
options NNS
, ,
which WDT
Federal NNP
Judge NNP
Stanley NNP
Sporkin NNP
, ,
for IN
example NN
, ,
likened VBD
to TO
`` ``
barnacles NNS
attached VBN
to TO
the DT
basic JJ
market NN
. .
'' ''
And CC
there EX
was VBD
much JJ
criticism NN
of IN
the DT
New NNP
York NNP
Stock NNP
Exchange NNP
's POS
system NN
of IN
having VBG
stock NN
trades NNS
flow VB
through IN
specialists NNS
, ,
or CC
market NN
makers NNS
. .
When WRB
the DT
Brady NNP
Task NNP
Force NNP
's POS
powerful JJ
analysis NN
of IN
the DT
crash NN
was VBD
released VBN
in IN
January NNP
1988 CD
, ,
it PRP
immediately RB
reshaped VBD
the DT
reformers NNS
' POS
agenda NN
. .
Arguing VBG
that IN
the DT
separate JJ
financial JJ
marketplaces NNS
acted VBD
as IN
one CD
, ,
and CC
concluding VBG
that IN
the DT
crash NN
had VBD
`` ``
raised VBN
the DT
possibility NN
of IN
a DT
full-scale JJ
financial JJ
system NN
breakdown NN
, ,
'' ''
the DT
presidential JJ
task NN
force NN
called VBD
for IN
establishing VBG
a DT
super-regulator NN
to TO
oversee VB
the DT
markets NNS
, ,
to TO
make VB
margins NNS
consistent JJ
across IN
markets NNS
, ,
to TO
unify VB
clearing VBG
systems NNS
and CC
to TO
install VB
circuit NN
breakers NNS
. .
Only RB
the DT
last JJ
of IN
those DT
recommendations NNS
ever RB
was VBD
implemented VBN
. .
The DT
Reagan NNP
White NNP
House NNP
held VBD
the DT
Brady NNP
recommendations NNS
at IN
arm NN
's POS
length NN
and CC
named VBD
a DT
second JJ
panel NN
-- :
the DT
Working NNP
Group NNP
on IN
the DT
Financial NNP
Markets NNPS
-- :
to TO
review VB
its PRP$
analysis NN
and CC
those DT
of IN
other JJ
crash NN
studies NNS
. .
In IN
May NNP
1988 CD
, ,
the DT
Working NNP
Group NNP
, ,
made VBD
up RP
of IN
representatives NNS
from IN
the DT
Federal NNP
Reserve NNP
, ,
the DT
Treasury NNP
, ,
the DT
Securities NNPS
and CC
Exchange NNP
Commission NNP
, ,
and CC
the DT
Commodity NNP
Futures NNPS
Trading NNP
Commission NNP
, ,
finally RB
endorsed VBD
only JJ
circuit NN
breakers NNS
. .
After IN
several JJ
more JJR
months NNS
of IN
arguments NNS
among IN
various JJ
stock NN
exchanges NNS
and CC
futures NNS
markets NNS
, ,
circuit NN
breakers NNS
were VBD
set VBN
in IN
place NN
, ,
with IN
the DT
most RBS
notable JJ
suspending VBG
trading NN
after IN
250 CD
and CC
400 CD
point NN
drops NNS
in IN
the DT
Dow NNP
Jones NNP
Industrial NNP
Average NNP
. .
Privately RB
, ,
some DT
free JJ
marketeers NNS
dismissed VBD
such JJ
mechanisms NNS
as IN
sops NNS
to TO
interventionists NNS
. .
After IN
all DT
, ,
this DT
free-market NN
argument NN
went VBD
, ,
the DT
Dow NNP
only RB
dropped VBD
more JJR
than IN
250 CD
points NNS
once RB
this DT
century NN
. .
`` ``
Circuit NN
breakers NNS
'' ''
set VBN
to TO
soften VB
big JJ
drops NNS
: :
-- :
If IN
S&P NNP
futures NNS
fall VBP
5 CD
points NNS
at IN
opening NN
, ,
contract NN
trading NN
pauses VBZ
for IN
10 CD
minutes NNS
. .
-- :
If IN
Dow NNP
Industrials NNPS
fall VBP
25 CD
points NNS
at IN
opening NN
, ,
contract NN
trading NN
pauses VBZ
for IN
10 CD
minutes NNS
. .
-- :
If IN
S&P NNP
futures NNS
fall VBP
12 CD
points NNS
( (
equivalent NN
to TO
about IN
100 CD
points NNS
on IN
DJIA NNP
) )
, ,
trading NN
is VBZ
frozen VBN
for IN
half DT
hour NN
to TO
that DT
price NN
or CC
higher JJR
. .
On IN
NYSE NNP
program NN
trades NNS
are VBP
diverted VBN
into IN
a DT
separate JJ
computer NN
file NN
to TO
determine VB
buy VB
and CC
sell VB
orders NNS
. .
-- :
If IN
S&P NNP
futures NNS
fall VBP
30 CD
points NNS
, ,
trading NN
is VBZ
restricted VBN
for IN
an DT
hour NN
to TO
that DT
price NN
or CC
higher JJR
. .
-- :
If IN
Dow NNP
Industrials NNPS
fall VBP
250 CD
points NNS
, ,
trading NN
on IN
the DT
Big NNP
Board NNP
halts VBZ
for IN
an DT
hour NN
. .
S&P NNP
and CC
MMI NNP
contracts NNS
also RB
halt VBP
. .
-- :
If IN
DJIA NNP
drops VBZ
400 CD
points NNS
, ,
Big NNP
Board NNP
halts VBZ
trading NN
for IN
two CD
hours NNS
. .
Trading NN
in IN
MMI NNP
and CC
S&P NNP
futures NNS
also RB
halted VBD
. .
Brady NNP
Task NNP
Force NNP
recommendations NNS
( (
Jan. NNP
1988 CD
) )
: :
-- :
Establish VB
an DT
overarching VBG
regulator NN
for IN
financial JJ
markets NNS
-- :
Unify VB
trade-clearing JJ
systems NNS
-- :
Make VB
margins NNS
consistent JJ
across IN
stock NN
and CC
futures NNS
markets NNS
SEC NNP
proposals NNS
( (
May NNP
1988 CD
) )
: :
-- :
Require VB
prompt JJ
reports NNS
of IN
large JJ
securities NNS
trades NNS
. .
-- :
Give VB
SEC NNP
authority NN
to TO
monitor VB
risk-taking NN
by IN
affiliates NNS
of IN
brokerage NN
firms NNS
. .
-- :
Transfer NN
jurisdiction NN
over IN
stock-related JJ
futures NNS
to TO
SEC NNP
from IN
CFTC NNP
. .
( (
Opposed VBN
by IN
new JJ
SEC NNP
chairman NN
) )
-- :
Give VB
SEC NNP
authority NN
to TO
halt VB
securities NNS
trading NN
, ,
( (
also RB
opposed VBN
by IN
new JJ
SEC NNP
chairman NN
) )
. .
Congressional JJ
proposal NN
: :
-- :
Create VB
a DT
task NN
force NN
to TO
review VB
current JJ
state NN
of IN
the DT
securities NNS
markets NNS
and CC
securities NNS
laws NNS
. .
Breaking VBG
the DT
Soviet JJ
government NN
's POS
television NN
monopoly NN
, ,
an DT
independent JJ
company NN
has VBZ
gained VBN
rights NNS
to TO
show VB
world NN
programming NN
, ,
including VBG
American JJ
films NNS
. .
`` ``
There EX
must MD
not RB
be VB
a DT
monopoly NN
, ,
there EX
must MD
be VB
freedom NN
of IN
choice NN
for IN
both DT
journalists NNS
and CC
viewers NNS
, ,
'' ''
Nikolai NNP
I. NNP
Lutsenko NNP
, ,
the DT
president NN
of IN
the DT
Nika NNP
TV NN
company NN
, ,
told VBD
the DT
weekly JJ
newspaper NN
Nedelya NNP
. .
The DT
company NN
is VBZ
already RB
working VBG
on IN
its PRP$
own JJ
programming NN
in IN
several JJ
provincial JJ
cities NNS
and CC
hopes VBZ
to TO
be VB
on IN
the DT
air NN
regularly RB
in IN
about IN
a DT
year NN
, ,
the DT
newspaper NN
said VBD
. .
Mr. NNP
Lutsenko NNP
told VBD
Nedelya NNP
that IN
he PRP
recently RB
had VBD
been VBN
to TO
the DT
U.S. NNP
to TO
pick VB
up RP
the DT
rights NNS
to TO
show VB
5,000 CD
U.S. NNP
films NNS
in IN
the DT
Soviet NNP
Union NNP
. .
Nedelya NNP
's POS
article NN
was VBD
accompanied VBN
by IN
a DT
picture NN
of IN
Mr. NNP
Lutsenko NNP
interviewing VBG
singer NN
John NNP
Denver NNP
in IN
Colorado NNP
. .
Even RB
though IN
it PRP
will MD
be VB
independent JJ
of IN
official JJ
television NN
, ,
Nika NNP
will MD
have VB
an DT
oversight NN
board NN
that WDT
will MD
include VB
members NNS
of IN
the DT
Communist NNP
youth NN
league NN
. .
South NNP
Africa NNP
's POS
National NNP
Union NNP
of IN
Mineworkers NNPS
said VBD
that IN
about IN
10,000 CD
diamond NN
miners NNS
struck VBN
for IN
higher JJR
wages NNS
at IN
De NNP
Beers NNP
Consolidated NNP
Mines NNPS
Ltd. NNP
De NNP
Beers NNP
said VBD
that IN
workers NNS
at IN
five CD
of IN
the DT
group NN
's POS
mines NNS
were VBD
on IN
strike NN
, ,
which WDT
it PRP
said VBD
was VBD
peaceful JJ
, ,
with IN
orderly JJ
picketing NN
occurring VBG
at IN
one CD
of IN
the DT
mines NNS
. .
The DT
deadlock NN
in IN
negotiations NNS
occurred VBD
with IN
De NNP
Beers NNP
offering VBG
a DT
17 CD
% NN
increase NN
in IN
the DT
minimum-wage NN
category NN
while IN
the DT
union NN
demanded VBD
a DT
37.6 CD
% NN
increase NN
in IN
the DT
minimum JJ
wage NN
. .
Japan NNP
's POS
opposition NN
Socialist NNP
Party NNP
denied VBD
that IN
its PRP$
legislators NNS
had VBD
been VBN
bribed VBN
by IN
pinball-parlor NN
owners NNS
. .
The DT
allegation NN
had VBD
been VBN
raised VBN
in IN
Parliament NNP
by IN
the DT
governing VBG
Liberal NNP
Democratic NNP
Party NNP
following VBG
magazine NN
reports NNS
suggesting VBG
that DT
money NN
from IN
Japanese-style JJ
pinball NN
, ,
called VBN
pachinko NN
, ,
had VBD
infiltrated VBN
politics NNS
. .
Tsuruo NNP
Yamaguchi NNP
, ,
secretary NN
general NN
of IN
the DT
Socialist NNP
Party NNP
, ,
acknowledged VBD
that IN
nine CD
party NN
lawmakers NNS
had VBD
received VBN
donations NNS
from IN
the DT
pachinko NN
association NN
totaling VBG
8 CD
million CD
yen NN
( (
about IN
$ $
55,000 CD
) )
but CC
said VBD
the DT
donations NNS
were VBD
legal JJ
and CC
none NN
of IN
its PRP$
members NNS
acted VBD
to TO
favor VB
the DT
industry NN
. .
The DT
World NNP
Wide NNP
Fund NNP
for IN
Nature NNP
said VBD
that IN
Spain NNP
, ,
Argentina NNP
, ,
Thailand NNP
and CC
Indonesia NNP
were VBD
doing VBG
too RB
little JJ
to TO
prevent VB
illegal JJ
trade NN
in IN
endangered VBN
wildlife NN
across IN
their PRP$
borders NNS
. .
A DT
report NN
by IN
the DT
conservation NN
group NN
presented VBN
at IN
the DT
U.N.-sponsored JJ
Convention NNP
on IN
International NNP
Trade NNP
in IN
Endangered NNP
Species NNP
in IN
Lausanne NNP
accused VBD
the DT
four CD
of IN
trading VBG
protected VBN
species NNS
ranging VBG
from IN
parakeets NNS
to TO
orchids NNS
. .
Fund NNP
official NN
Simon NNP
Lyster NNP
said VBD
world NN
trade NN
in IN
wildlife NN
was VBD
estimated VBN
to TO
total VB
$ $
5 CD
billion CD
of IN
business NN
annually RB
. .
A DT
NATO NNP
project NN
to TO
build VB
a DT
frigate NN
for IN
the DT
1990s CD
was VBD
torpedoed VBN
by IN
the DT
pull-out NN
of IN
three CD
of IN
its PRP$
eight CD
participating VBG
nations NNS
. .
Britain NNP
, ,
France NNP
and CC
Italy NNP
announced VBD
technical JJ
reasons NNS
for IN
withdrawing VBG
, ,
but CC
some DT
officials NNS
pointed VBD
to TO
growing VBG
reluctance NN
among IN
the DT
allies NNS
to TO
commit VB
themselves PRP
to TO
big JJ
defense NN
spending NN
while IN
East-West NNP
disarmament NN
talks NNS
show VBP
signs NNS
of IN
success NN
. .
Small JJ
wonder NN
that IN
Britain NNP
's POS
Labor NNP
Party NNP
wants VBZ
credit NN
controls NNS
. .
A DT
few JJ
hours NNS
after IN
the DT
party NN
launched VBD
its PRP$
own JJ
affinity NN
credit NN
card NN
earlier RBR
this DT
month NN
, ,
the DT
Tories NNS
raised VBD
the DT
nation NN
's POS
base NN
interest NN
rate NN
. .
Labor NNP
's POS
Visa NNP
card NN
is VBZ
believed VBN
to TO
be VB
the DT
first RB
linked VBN
to TO
a DT
British JJ
political JJ
party NN
. .
Labor NNP
gets VBZ
25 CD
pence NN
( (
39 CD
cents NNS
) )
for IN
every DT
100 CD
( (
about IN
$ $
155 CD
) )
that IN
a DT
user NN
charges VBZ
to TO
the DT
card NN
. .
As IN
with IN
other JJ
plastic NN
in IN
Britain NNP
's POS
high-interest-rate JJ
environment NN
, ,
the DT
Labor NNP
card NN
, ,
administered VBN
by IN
Co-operative NNP
Bank NNP
, ,
carries VBZ
a DT
stiff JJ
( (
in IN
this DT
case NN
, ,
29.8 CD
% NN
) )
annual JJ
rate NN
on IN
the DT
unpaid JJ
balance NN
. .
China NNP
's POS
year-long JJ
austerity NN
program NN
has VBZ
achieved VBN
some DT
successes NNS
in IN
harnessing VBG
runaway JJ
economic JJ
growth NN
and CC
stabilizing VBG
prices NNS
but CC
has VBZ
failed VBN
to TO
eliminate VB
serious JJ
defects NNS
in IN
state NN
planning NN
and CC
an DT
alarming VBG
drain NN
on IN
state NN
budgets NNS
. .
The DT
official JJ
China NNP
Daily NNP
said VBD
retail JJ
prices NNS
of IN
non-staple JJ
foods NNS
have VBP
n't RB
risen VBN
since IN
last JJ
December NNP
but CC
acknowledged VBD
that DT
huge JJ
government NN
subsidies NNS
were VBD
a DT
main JJ
factor NN
in IN
keeping VBG
prices NNS
down IN
. .
The DT
State NNP
Statistical NNP
Bureau NNP
found VBD
that IN
more RBR
than IN
1 CD
billion CD
yuan NN
( (
$ $
270 CD
million CD
) )
was VBD
spent VBN
in IN
the DT
first JJ
half DT
of IN
the DT
year NN
for IN
pork NN
subsidies NNS
. .
The DT
newspaper NN
quoted VBD
experts NNS
as IN
saying VBG
the DT
subsidies NNS
would MD
cause VB
the DT
difference NN
between IN
prices NNS
and CC
real JJ
values NNS
of IN
commodities NNS
to TO
`` ``
become VB
very RB
unreasonable JJ
'' ''
and CC
reduce VB
needed VBN
funds NNS
for IN
investment NN
in IN
the DT
`` ``
already RB
difficult JJ
state NN
budget NN
. .
'' ''
The DT
aim NN
of IN
the DT
austerity NN
measures NNS
was VBD
to TO
slice VB
economic JJ
growth NN
, ,
which WDT
soared VBD
to TO
20.7 CD
% NN
last JJ
year NN
, ,
to TO
8 CD
% NN
in IN
1990 CD
. .
Economists NNS
now RB
predict VBP
the DT
growth NN
rate NN
will MD
be VB
about IN
11.5 CD
% NN
for IN
the DT
year NN
. .
In IN
a DT
sign NN
of IN
growing VBG
official JJ
tolerance NN
for IN
religion NN
, ,
Russian NNP
Orthodox NNP
priests NNS
were VBD
allowed VBN
to TO
celebrate VB
the DT
400th JJ
anniversary NN
of IN
the DT
Moscow NNP
patriarchate NN
in IN
the DT
Kremlin NNP
's POS
15th-century JJ
Uspensky NNP
Cathedral NNP
, ,
where WRB
czars NNS
were VBD
crowned VBN
... :
. .
A DT
34-foot-tall JJ
, ,
$ $
7.7 CD
million CD
statue NN
of IN
Buddha NNP
was VBD
completed VBN
on IN
a DT
hill NN
outside IN
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
, ,
facing VBG
China NNP
. .
The DT
statue NN
is VBZ
the DT
brainchild NN
of IN
Sik NNP
Chi NNP
Wan NNP
, ,
director NN
of IN
the DT
Po NNP
Lin NNP
Monastery NNP
, ,
who WP
said VBD
: :
`` ``
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
is VBZ
such JJ
a DT
prosperous JJ
place NN
, ,
we PRP
also RB
need VBP
some DT
kind NN
of IN
religious JJ
symbol NN
. .
It PRP
all DT
seemed VBD
innocent JJ
enough RB
: :
Last JJ
April NNP
, ,
one CD
Steven NNP
B. NNP
Iken NNP
visited VBD
Justin NNP
Products NNPS
Inc. NNP
here RB
, ,
identified VBD
himself PRP
as IN
a DT
potential JJ
customer NN
and CC
got VBD
the DT
word NN
on IN
the DT
little JJ
company NN
's POS
new JJ
cassette NN
players NNS
for IN
children NNS
. .
`` ``
It PRP
is VBZ
almost RB
identical JJ
to TO
the DT
Sony NNP
product NN
, ,
'' ''
Mr. NNP
Iken NNP
remarked VBD
, ,
after IN
seeing VBG
prototypes NNS
and CC
pictures NNS
. .
Replied VBD
a DT
Justin NNP
salesman NN
: :
`` ``
Exactly RB
. .
'' ''
The DT
Justin NNP
merchandise NN
carried VBD
wholesale JJ
prices NNS
some DT
40 CD
% NN
below IN
those DT
of IN
Sony NNP
Corp. NNP
of IN
Japan NNP
's POS
`` ``
My NNP
First NNP
Sony NNP
'' ''
line NN
. .
The DT
visitor NN
waxed VBD
enthusiastic JJ
and CC
promised VBD
to TO
return VB
. .
But CC
instead RB
of IN
a DT
new JJ
customer NN
-- :
part NN
of IN
a DT
hoped-for JJ
bonanza NN
from IN
underselling VBG
Sony NNP
-- :
Justin NNP
got VBD
a DT
costly JJ
legal JJ
morass NN
. .
Mr. NNP
Iken NNP
, ,
it PRP
turned VBD
out RP
, ,
was VBD
a DT
private JJ
detective NN
using VBG
a DT
hidden VBN
tape NN
recorder NN
to TO
gather VB
information NN
for IN
Sony NNP
. .
His PRP$
recording NN
later RB
turned VBD
up RP
as IN
a DT
court NN
exhibit NN
. .
Seeking VBG
to TO
keep VB
Justin NNP
's POS
`` ``
My NNP
Own NNP
'' ''
product NN
line NN
off IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
market NN
, ,
Sony NNP
last JJ
May NNP
filed VBD
a DT
suit NN
in IN
Manhattan NNP
federal JJ
court NN
accusing VBG
the DT
upstart NN
of IN
trademark NN
infringement NN
, ,
unfair JJ
competition NN
and CC
other JJ
violations NNS
of IN
business NN
law NN
. .
Since IN
then RB
, ,
life NN
has VBZ
changed VBN
a DT
lot NN
for IN
61-year-old JJ
Leonard NNP
Kaye NNP
, ,
Justin NNP
's POS
owner NN
. .
`` ``
I PRP
have VBP
n't RB
been VBN
able JJ
to TO
get VB
a DT
decent JJ
night NN
's POS
sleep NN
since IN
this DT
has VBZ
been VBN
going VBG
on IN
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
says VBZ
. .
`` ``
It PRP
's VBZ
the DT
most RBS
distracting VBG
thing NN
in IN
my PRP$
life NN
-- :
I PRP
ca MD
n't RB
even RB
attend VB
to TO
my PRP$
business NN
. .
'' ''
His PRP$
company NN
( (
annual JJ
sales NNS
: :
about IN
$ $
25 CD
million CD
) )
may MD
suffer VB
a DT
costly JJ
blow NN
-- :
losing VBG
an DT
estimated VBN
10 CD
% NN
of IN
total JJ
sales NNS
-- :
if IN
Sony NNP
( (
annual JJ
sales NNS
: :
about IN
$ $
16 CD
billion CD
) )
prevails VBZ
. .
Justin NNP
's POS
plight NN
shows VBZ
what WP
can MD
happen VB
when WRB
a DT
tiny JJ
company NN
suddenly RB
faces VBZ
the DT
full JJ
legal JJ
might NN
of IN
a DT
wrathful JJ
multinational JJ
. .
With IN
considerable JJ
irony NN
, ,
the DT
case NN
also RB
shows VBZ
how WRB
completely RB
Japan NNP
has VBZ
turned VBN
the DT
tables NNS
on IN
U.S. NNP
business NN
. .
Americans NNPS
used VBD
to TO
complain VB
bitterly RB
about IN
being VBG
undersold NN
by IN
look-alike JJ
products NNS
from IN
Japan NNP
. .
Now RB
Sony NNP
, ,
whose WP$
innovative JJ
, ,
premium-priced JJ
products NNS
are VBP
among IN
the DT
most RBS
admired VBN
in IN
consumer NN
electronics NNS
, ,
is VBZ
bitterly RB
complaining VBG
about IN
a DT
little JJ
U.S. NNP
firm NN
with IN
a DT
cheap JJ
look-alike NN
produced VBN
in IN
China NNP
. .
`` ``
The DT
gist NN
of IN
this DT
is VBZ
that DT
Justin NNP
knocked VBD
off RP
the DT
Sony NNP
line NN
and CC
Sony NNP
wants VBZ
to TO
stop VB
it PRP
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Lewis NNP
H. NNP
Eslinger NNP
, ,
Sony NNP
's POS
attorney NN
, ,
who WP
previously RB
guarded VBD
Rubik NNP
's POS
Cube NNP
. .
( (
Sony NNP
itself PRP
declines VBZ
to TO
comment VB
. .
) )
If IN
Sony NNP
wins VBZ
, ,
Mr. NNP
Eslinger NNP
says VBZ
, ,
its PRP$
little JJ
rival NN
will MD
have VB
to TO
try VB
to TO
sell VB
the DT
products NNS
overseas RB
. .
At IN
worst JJS
, ,
he PRP
adds VBZ
, ,
`` ``
They PRP
'd MD
have VB
to TO
grind VB
them PRP
all DT
up IN
and CC
throw VB
them PRP
away RB
. .
'' ''
Mr. NNP
Kaye NNP
denies VBZ
the DT
suit NN
's POS
charges NNS
and CC
says VBZ
his PRP$
only JJ
mistake NN
was VBD
taking VBG
on RP
Sony NNP
in IN
the DT
marketplace NN
. .
`` ``
I PRP
made VBD
a DT
similar JJ
line NN
and CC
I PRP
produced VBD
it PRP
cheaper JJR
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
says VBZ
. .
Today NN
, ,
U.S. NNP
Judge NNP
John NNP
E. NNP
Sprizzo NNP
is VBZ
expected VBN
to TO
rule VB
on IN
Sony NNP
's POS
renewed VBN
request NN
for IN
a DT
pre-trial JJ
order NN
blocking VBG
sale NN
of IN
the DT
disputed VBN
products NNS
, ,
on IN
which WDT
deliveries NNS
began VBD
in IN
July NNP
. .
The DT
judge NN
turned VBD
down RP
an DT
earlier JJR
Sony NNP
request NN
for IN
such PDT
an DT
order NN
-- :
a DT
decision NN
upheld VBN
on IN
appeal NN
-- :
but CC
Sony NNP
returned VBD
with IN
additional JJ
evidence NN
and CC
arguments NNS
. .
Though IN
hoping VBG
to TO
settle VB
the DT
case NN
, ,
Justin NNP
vows VBZ
to TO
fight VB
on IN
, ,
if IN
necessary JJ
. .
But CC
the DT
battle NN
is VBZ
more JJR
than IN
Justin NNP
bargained VBD
for IN
. .
`` ``
I PRP
had VBD
no DT
idea NN
I PRP
was VBD
getting VBG
in IN
so RB
deep JJ
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Mr. NNP
Kaye NNP
, ,
who WP
founded VBD
Justin NNP
in IN
1982 CD
. .
Mr. NNP
Kaye NNP
had VBD
sold VBN
Capetronic NNP
Inc. NNP
, ,
a DT
Taiwan NNP
electronics NNS
maker NN
, ,
and CC
retired VBD
, ,
only RB
to TO
find VB
he PRP
was VBD
bored VBN
. .
With IN
Justin NNP
, ,
he PRP
began VBD
selling VBG
toys NNS
and CC
electronics NNS
made VBN
mostly RB
in IN
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
, ,
beginning NN
with IN
Mickey NNP
Mouse NNP
radios NNS
. .
The DT
company NN
has VBZ
grown VBN
-- :
to TO
about IN
40 CD
employees NNS
, ,
from IN
four CD
initially RB
, ,
Mr. NNP
Kaye NNP
says VBZ
. .
Justin NNP
has VBZ
been VBN
profitable JJ
since IN
1986 CD
, ,
adds VBZ
the DT
official NN
, ,
who WP
shares VBZ
his PRP$
office NN
with IN
numerous JJ
teddy NN
bears VBZ
, ,
all DT
samples NNS
from IN
his PRP$
line NN
of IN
plush JJ
toys NNS
. .
Like IN
many JJ
others NNS
, ,
Mr. NNP
Kaye NNP
took VBD
notice NN
in IN
1987 CD
when WRB
Sony NNP
, ,
in IN
a DT
classic JJ
example NN
of IN
market NN
segmentation NN
, ,
changed VBD
the DT
plastic JJ
skin NN
and CC
buttons NNS
on IN
the DT
famous JJ
Walkman NNP
line NN
of IN
portable JJ
audio JJ
equipment NN
and CC
created VBD
the DT
My NNP
First NNP
Sony NNP
line NN
for IN
children NNS
. .
The DT
brightly RB
colored VBN
new JJ
products NNS
looked VBD
more JJR
like IN
toys NNS
than IN
the DT
adult NN
models NNS
. .
( (
In IN
court NN
papers NNS
, ,
Sony NNP
says VBZ
it PRP
has VBZ
spent VBN
more RBR
than IN
$ $
3 CD
million CD
to TO
promote VB
the DT
line NN
, ,
with IN
resulting VBG
sales NNS
of IN
over IN
a DT
million CD
units NNS
. .
) )
Sony NNP
found VBD
a DT
new JJ
market NN
niche NN
, ,
but CC
Mr. NNP
Kaye NNP
figured VBD
that IN
its PRP$
prices NNS
left VBD
plenty NN
of IN
room NN
for IN
a DT
lower-priced JJ
competitor NN
. .
His PRP$
products NNS
are VBP
n't RB
exact JJ
copies NNS
of IN
Sony NNP
's POS
but CC
strongly RB
resemble VBP
them PRP
in IN
size NN
, ,
shape NN
and CC
, ,
especially RB
, ,
color NN
. .
Sony NNP
uses VBZ
mostly RB
red JJ
and CC
blue JJ
, ,
with IN
traces NNS
of IN
yellow JJ
-- :
and CC
so RB
does VBZ
Justin NNP
, ,
on IN
the DT
theory NN
that IN
kids NNS
prefer VBP
these DT
colors NNS
. .
( (
`` ``
To NN
be VB
successful JJ
, ,
a DT
product NN
can MD
be VB
any DT
color NN
whatsoever RB
, ,
as RB
long RB
as IN
it PRP
is VBZ
fire-engine JJ
red JJ
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Charles NNP
E. NNP
Baxley NNP
, ,
Justin NNP
's POS
attorney NN
. .
) )
By IN
last JJ
winter NN
, ,
Justin NNP
was VBD
showing VBG
prototypes NNS
at IN
toy JJ
fairs NNS
in IN
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
and CC
New NNP
York NNP
-- :
and CC
Sony NNP
noticed VBD
. .
Indeed RB
, ,
concerned VBD
that IN
Sony NNP
sales NNS
personnel NNS
were VBD
threatening VBG
legal JJ
action NN
or CC
other JJ
retaliation NN
-- :
such JJ
as IN
withholding VBG
desirable JJ
Sony NNP
products NNS
-- :
against IN
Justin NNP
's POS
customers NNS
, ,
Mr. NNP
Baxley NNP
fired VBD
off RP
a DT
letter NN
to TO
Sony NNP
in IN
April NNP
. .
He PRP
himself PRP
threatened VBD
to TO
take VB
the DT
matter NN
to TO
the DT
Federal NNP
Trade NNP
Commission NNP
or CC
U.S. NNP
Justice NNP
Department NNP
. .
But CC
Justin NNP
has VBZ
n't RB
pursued VBN
those DT
charges NNS
( (
which WDT
were VBD
without IN
merit NN
, ,
according VBG
to TO
Mr. NNP
Eslinger NNP
, ,
the DT
Sony NNP
attorney NN
) )
. .
Recalls VBZ
Mr. NNP
Baxley NNP
: :
`` ``
Our PRP$
purpose NN
was VBD
to TO
influence VB
them PRP
to TO
leave VB
us PRP
alone RB
. .
We PRP
never RB
intended VBD
taking VBG
on RP
Sony NNP
-- :
we PRP
do VBP
n't RB
have VB
the DT
resources NNS
. .
'' ''
Sony NNP
answered VBD
the DT
empty JJ
threat NN
with IN
its PRP$
real JJ
suit NN
. .
Off IN
and CC
on IN
since IN
then RB
, ,
the DT
companies NNS
have VBP
skirmished VBN
in IN
court NN
. .
And CC
Justin NNP
, ,
in IN
a DT
news NN
release NN
, ,
says VBZ
, ,
`` ``
Once RB
competitive JJ
, ,
Sony NNP
now RB
resorts VBZ
to TO
strong-arm JJ
tactics NNS
in IN
American JJ
courtrooms NNS
to TO
carve VB
out RP
and CC
protect VB
niche NN
markets NNS
. .
'' ''
Sony NNP
's POS
lawyer NN
insists VBZ
that IN
the DT
company NN
's POS
tactics NNS
-- :
including VBG
the DT
use NN
of IN
a DT
private JJ
detective NN
posing VBG
as IN
a DT
buyer NN
-- :
are VBP
routine JJ
in IN
such JJ
matters NNS
. .
He PRP
also RB
insists VBZ
that IN
Sony NNP
, ,
no RB
less JJR
than IN
others NNS
, ,
has VBZ
a DT
legal JJ
right NN
to TO
protect VB
its PRP$
`` ``
trade NN
dress NN
, ,
'' ''
in IN
this DT
case NN
, ,
mostly RB
the DT
colors NNS
that IN
it PRP
claims VBZ
make VB
My NNP
First NNP
Sony NNP
products NNS
distinctive JJ
. .
( (
Justin NNP
claims VBZ
it PRP
began VBD
using VBG
the DT
same JJ
colors NNS
on IN
electronic JJ
goods NNS
for IN
children NNS
long JJ
before IN
Sony NNP
entered VBD
the DT
children NNS
's POS
market NN
. .
) )
Whatever WDT
its PRP$
merits NNS
, ,
Sony NNP
's POS
aggressive JJ
defense NN
is VBZ
debilitating JJ
for IN
Justin NNP
. .
It PRP
's VBZ
also RB
costly JJ
. .
Mr. NNP
Kaye NNP
says VBZ
he PRP
has VBZ
paid VBN
more RBR
than IN
$ $
70,000 CD
in IN
legal JJ
fees NNS
so RB
far RB
. .
Of IN
Sony NNP
, ,
Mr. NNP
Kaye NNP
says VBZ
: :
`` ``
They PRP
know VBP
there EX
's VBZ
no DT
way NN
for IN
them PRP
to TO
lose VB
. .
They PRP
just RB
keep VBP
digging VBG
me PRP
in IN
deeper JJR
until IN
I PRP
reach VBP
the DT
point NN
where WRB
I PRP
give VBP
up IN
and CC
go VBP
away RB
. .
'' ''
For IN
now RB
, ,
though RB
, ,
he PRP
vows VBZ
to TO
hang VB
in IN
. .
@ IN
Charles NNP
H. NNP
Tenney NNP
II NNP
, ,
chairman NN
of IN
Unitil NNP
Corp. NNP
, ,
purchased VBD
34,602 CD
shares NNS
, ,
or CC
4.9 CD
% NN
, ,
of IN
Unitil NNP
's POS
common NN
, ,
according VBG
to TO
a DT
filing NN
with IN
the DT
Securities NNPS
and CC
Exchange NNP
Commission NNP
. .
The DT
stock NN
was VBD
bought VBN
on IN
Thursday NNP
in IN
a DT
privately RB
negotiated VBN
transaction NN
, ,
the DT
filing NN
said VBD
. .
As IN
previously RB
reported VBN
, ,
Unitil NNP
, ,
Exeter NNP
, ,
N.H. NNP
, ,
and CC
Fitchburg NNP
Gas NNP
& CC
Electric NNP
Co. NNP
, ,
Fitchburg NNP
, ,
Mass. NNP
, ,
are VBP
targets NNS
of IN
unsolicited JJ
tender NN
offers VBZ
from IN
Boston-based JJ
Eastern NNP
Utilities NNPS
Associates NNPS
. .
Eastern NNP
Utilities NNPS
has VBZ
offered VBN
$ $
40 CD
a DT
share NN
for IN
Unitil NNP
and CC
$ $
36 CD
a DT
share NN
for IN
Fitchburg NNP
Gas NNP
and CC
has VBZ
extended VBN
both DT
offers NNS
to TO
Dec. NNP
4 CD
. .
Both DT
companies NNS
rejected VBD
the DT
offers NNS
. .
Dresdner NNP
Bank NNP
AG NNP
of IN
West NNP
Germany NNP
has VBZ
announced VBN
a DT
friendly JJ
tender NN
offer NN
for IN
control NN
of IN
Banque NNP
Internationale NNP
de IN
Placements NNP
, ,
a DT
French JJ
bank NN
whose WP$
main JJ
shareholder NN
is VBZ
France NNP
's POS
Societe NNP
Generale NNP
, ,
the DT
Societe NNP
de FW
Bourses NNP
Francaises NNP
said VBD
. .
The DT
tender NN
offer NN
by IN
West NNP
Germany NNP
's POS
second-biggest JJ
commercial JJ
bank NN
is VBZ
in IN
two CD
stages NNS
. .
Dresdner NNP
is VBZ
offering VBG
to TO
acquire VB
32.99 CD
% NN
of IN
BIP NNP
's POS
capital NN
for IN
1,015 CD
francs NNS
( (
$ $
156.82 CD
) )
a DT
share NN
. .
The DT
terms NNS
of IN
the DT
offer NN
put VBD
a DT
value NN
of IN
528 CD
million CD
francs NNS
( (
$ $
81.6 CD
million CD
) )
on IN
the DT
32.99 CD
% NN
shareholding NN
. .
The DT
Societe NNP
Generale NNP
banking NN
group NN
controls VBZ
18.2 CD
% NN
of IN
the DT
shareholding NN
, ,
while IN
Societe NNP
Generale NNP
de FW
Belgique NNP
S.A. NNP
owns VBZ
9.69 CD
% NN
and CC
Financiere NNP
Tradition NNP
, ,
a DT
holding VBG
company NN
, ,
owns VBZ
5.1 CD
% NN
. .
Mexican JJ
investor NN
Joel NNP
Rocha NNP
Garza NNP
said VBD
he PRP
sold VBD
a DT
block NN
of IN
600,000 CD
shares NNS
of IN
Smith NNP
Laboratories NNPS
Inc. NNP
common JJ
stock NN
to TO
companies NNS
affiliated VBN
with IN
him PRP
. .
In IN
a DT
filing NN
with IN
the DT
Securities NNPS
and CC
Exchange NNP
Commission NNP
, ,
Mr. NNP
Rocha NNP
Garza NNP
said VBD
Biscayne NNP
Syndicate NNP
Inc. NNP
, ,
Lahus NNP
II NNP
Inc. NNP
, ,
and CC
Lahus NNP
III NNP
Inc. NNP
bought VBD
the DT
600,000 CD
shares NNS
on IN
Oct. NNP
11 CD
for IN
$ $
1.4 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
$ $
2.375 CD
a DT
share NN
. .
Mr. NNP
Rocha NNP
Garza NNP
said VBD
that IN
he PRP
, ,
Clarendon NNP
Group NNP
Ltd. NNP
, ,
Biscayne NNP
, ,
Lahus NNP
II NNP
, ,
and CC
Lahus NNP
III NNP
are VBP
all RB
affiliated VBN
and CC
hold VBP
a DT
combined VBN
stake NN
of IN
1,234,100 CD
shares NNS
, ,
or CC
9.33 CD
% NN
. .
Mr. NNP
Rocha NNP
Garza NNP
has VBZ
said VBN
he PRP
wants VBZ
to TO
purchase VB
more JJR
shares NNS
. .
In IN
San NNP
Diego NNP
, ,
Smith NNP
Laboratories NNPS
President NNP
Timothy NNP
Wollaeger NNP
said VBD
the DT
transfer NN
of IN
the DT
shares NNS
is VBZ
n't RB
significant JJ
. .
Investcorp NNP
, ,
New NNP
York NNP
, ,
said VBD
it PRP
and CC
the DT
management NN
of IN
Sports NNPS
& CC
Recreation NNP
Inc. NNP
bought VBD
the DT
operator NN
of IN
the DT
10-store JJ
Sports NNPS
Unlimited NNP
chain NN
for IN
some DT
$ $
40 CD
million CD
. .
The DT
investment NN
bank NN
becomes VBZ
majority NN
shareholder NN
in IN
Sports NNPS
& CC
Recreation NNP
, ,
a DT
10-year-old JJ
sporting NN
goods NNS
retailer NN
, ,
said VBD
Oliver NNP
E. NNP
Richardson NNP
, ,
a DT
member NN
of IN
Investcorp NNP
's POS
management NN
committee NN
and CC
a DT
director NN
of IN
the DT
chain NN
. .
Sports NNPS
Unlimited NNP
, ,
Tampa NNP
, ,
Fla. NNP
, ,
posted VBD
revenue NN
of IN
$ $
59 CD
million CD
for IN
the DT
year NN
ended VBD
July NNP
31 CD
. .
The DT
company NN
is VBZ
`` ``
very RB
profitable JJ
'' ''
on IN
an DT
operating VBG
basis NN
, ,
Mr. NNP
Richardson NNP
said VBD
, ,
but CC
he PRP
declined VBD
to TO
specify VB
numbers NNS
. .
In IN
1982 CD
, ,
Sports NNPS
& CC
Recreation NNP
's POS
managers NNS
and CC
certain JJ
passive JJ
investors NNS
purchased VBD
the DT
company NN
from IN
Brunswick NNP
Corp. NNP
of IN
Skokie NNP
, ,
Ill NNP
. .
In IN
the DT
latest JJS
transaction NN
, ,
management NN
bought VBD
out RP
the DT
passive JJ
investors NNS
' POS
holding NN
, ,
Mr. NNP
Richardson NNP
said VBD
. .
Hammond NNP
Co. NNP
, ,
Newport NNP
Beach NNP
, ,
Calif. NNP
, ,
said VBD
Fidelity NNP
National NNP
Financial NNP
Inc. NNP
extended VBD
its PRP$
previous JJ
agreement NN
, ,
under IN
which WDT
it PRP
wo MD
n't RB
purchase VB
any DT
more JJR
of IN
the DT
mortgage NN
banker NN
's POS
common JJ
stock NN
, ,
through IN
Oct. NNP
31 CD
. .
The DT
previous JJ
agreement NN
expired VBD
Thursday NNP
. .
Hammond NNP
said VBD
that IN
its PRP$
discussions NNS
with IN
Fidelity NNP
, ,
an DT
Irvine NNP
, ,
Calif. NNP
, ,
title-insurance NN
underwriter NN
, ,
are VBP
continuing VBG
, ,
but CC
that IN
prospects NNS
for IN
a DT
longer-term JJ
standstill NN
agreement NN
are VBP
uncertain JJ
. .
Fidelity NNP
has VBZ
increased VBN
its PRP$
stake NN
in IN
Hammond NNP
to TO
23.57 CD
% NN
in IN
recent JJ
months NNS
. .
Statements NNS
made VBN
in IN
Securities NNPS
and CC
Exchange NNP
Commission NNP
filings NNS
led VBD
Hammond NNP
to TO
request VB
a DT
standstill JJ
agreement NN
. .
Giant NNP
Group NNP
Ltd. NNP
said VBD
it PRP
terminated VBD
negotiations NNS
for IN
the DT
purchase NN
of IN
Aspen NNP
Airways NNPS
, ,
a DT
Denver-based JJ
regional JJ
carrier NN
that WDT
operates VBZ
the DT
United NNP
Express NNP
connector NN
service NN
under IN
contract NN
to TO
UAL NNP
Corp. NNP
's POS
United NNP
Airlines NNPS
. .
Giant NNP
, ,
a DT
Beverly NNP
Hills NNPS
, ,
Calif. NNP
, ,
collection NN
of IN
companies NNS
that WDT
is VBZ
controlled VBN
by IN
Hollywood NNP
producer NN
Burt NNP
Sugarman NNP
, ,
did VBD
n't RB
give VB
a DT
reason NN
for IN
halting VBG
its PRP$
plan NN
to TO
acquire VB
the DT
airline NN
, ,
and CC
Aspen NNP
officials NNS
could MD
n't RB
be VB
reached VBN
for IN
comment NN
. .
Giant NNP
agreed VBD
last JJ
month NN
to TO
purchase VB
the DT
carrier NN
. .
Giant NNP
has VBZ
n't RB
ever RB
disclosed VBN
the DT
proposed VBN
price NN
, ,
although IN
Avmark NNP
Inc. NNP
, ,
an DT
Arlington NNP
, ,
Va.-based JJ
aircraft NN
consulting VBG
concern NN
, ,
has VBZ
valued VBN
Aspen NNP
's POS
fleet NN
at IN
about IN
$ $
46 CD
million CD
. .
The DT
airline NN
would MD
have VB
become VBN
the DT
latest JJS
in IN
a DT
peculiar JJ
blend NN
of IN
Giant NNP
companies NNS
, ,
which WDT
are VBP
involved VBN
in IN
making VBG
cement NN
, ,
recycling VBG
newsprint NN
and CC
operating VBG
fast-food NN
restaurants NNS
. .
The DT
state-controlled JJ
insurer NN
Assurances NNP
Generales NNP
de FW
France NNP
said VBD
it PRP
has VBZ
obtained VBN
regulatory JJ
approval NN
to TO
increase VB
its PRP$
stake NN
in IN
the DT
financial JJ
holding VBG
company NN
Cie. NNP
de FW
Navigation NNP
Mixte NNP
above IN
10 CD
% NN
from IN
the DT
current JJ
level NN
of IN
about IN
8 CD
% NN
. .
Friday NNP
's POS
approval NN
was VBD
needed VBN
to TO
conform VB
with IN
Bourse NNP
rules NNS
regarding VBG
companies NNS
with IN
bank NN
interests NNS
and CC
follows VBZ
a DT
similar JJ
approval NN
given VBN
Wednesday NNP
to TO
Cie NNP
. .
Financiere NNP
de IN
Paribas NNP
. .
Both DT
Paribas NNP
and CC
AGF NNP
have VBP
been VBN
increasing VBG
their PRP$
stakes NNS
in IN
Navigation NNP
Mixte NNP
recently RB
for IN
what WP
they PRP
have VBP
termed VBN
`` ``
investment NN
purposes NNS
, ,
'' ''
although IN
the DT
issue NN
has VBZ
been VBN
surrounded VBN
by IN
takeover NN
speculation NN
in IN
recent JJ
weeks NNS
. .
AGF NNP
did VBD
n't RB
comment VB
officially RB
on IN
its PRP$
reasons NNS
for IN
seeking VBG
the DT
approval NN
, ,
but CC
people NNS
close JJ
to TO
the DT
group NN
said VBD
it PRP
was VBD
done VBN
to TO
make VB
sure JJ
the DT
group NN
would MD
have VB
the DT
flexibility NN
to TO
increase VB
its PRP$
stake NN
in IN
the DT
future NN
, ,
should MD
interesting JJ
price NN
opportunities NNS
arise VB
. .
An DT
AGF NNP
official NN
did VBD
specify VB
, ,
however RB
, ,
that IN
there EX
was VBD
no DT
foundation NN
to TO
recent JJ
rumors NNS
the DT
group NN
might MD
be VB
acting VBG
in IN
concert NN
with IN
Paribas NNP
. .
Lockheed NNP
Aeronautical NNP
Systems NNPS
Co. NNP
, ,
a DT
unit NN
of IN
Lockheed NNP
Corp. NNP
, ,
said VBD
it PRP
agreed VBD
to TO
join VB
with IN
Aermacchi NNP
S.p NNP
. .
A. NNP
of IN
Varese NNP
, ,
Italy NNP
, ,
to TO
propose VB
a DT
new JJ
generation NN
of IN
jet NN
trainers NNS
for IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
Air NNP
Force NNP
. .
The DT
Air NNP
Force NNP
is VBZ
looking VBG
to TO
buy VB
540 CD
new JJ
primary JJ
jet NN
trainers NNS
, ,
with IN
a DT
total JJ
value NN
of IN
$ $
1.5 CD
billion CD
to TO
$ $
2 CD
billion CD
, ,
between IN
1994 CD
and CC
2004 CD
. .
The DT
aircraft NN
would MD
replace VB
the DT
T-37 NN
, ,
made VBN
by IN
the DT
Cessna NNP
Aircraft NNP
Co. NNP
unit NN
of IN
General NNP
Dynamics NNPS
Corp. NNP
, ,
which WDT
the DT
Air NNP
Force NNP
uses VBZ
to TO
train VB
jet NN
pilots NNS
. .
Lockheed NNP
said VBD
the DT
U.S. NNP
Navy NNP
may MD
also RB
buy VB
an DT
additional JJ
340 CD
trainer NN
aircraft NN
to TO
replace VB
its PRP$
T34C CD
trainers NNS
made VBN
by IN
the DT
Beech NNP
Aircraft NNP
Corp. NNP
unit NN
of IN
Raytheon NNP
Corp NNP
. .
Under IN
the DT
agreement NN
with IN
Lockheed NNP
, ,
Aermacchi NNP
will MD
license VB
Lockheed NNP
to TO
build VB
the DT
Aermacchi NNP
MB-339 NNP
jet NN
tandem-trainer NN
and CC
will MD
supply VB
certain JJ
structures NNS
. .
Lockheed NNP
will MD
build VB
additional JJ
structures NNS
and CC
perform VB
final JJ
assembly NN
of IN
the DT
tandem-seat JJ
trainer NN
at IN
its PRP$
Marietta NNP
, ,
Ga. NNP
, ,
plant NN
should MD
the DT
Air NNP
Force NNP
order VB
the DT
craft NN
. .
A DT
Lockheed NNP
spokesman NN
in IN
Burbank NNP
, ,
Calif. NNP
, ,
said VBD
he PRP
was VBD
n't RB
aware JJ
of IN
which WDT
other JJ
companies NNS
would MD
be VB
competing VBG
for IN
the DT
Air NNP
Force NNP
contract NN
. .
Striking JJ
auto NN
workers NNS
ended VBD
their PRP$
19-day JJ
occupation NN
of IN
a DT
metal NN
shop NN
at IN
a DT
Peugeot NNP
S.A. NNP
factory NN
in IN
eastern JJ
France NNP
Friday NNP
as IN
pay NN
talks NNS
got VBD
under IN
way NN
in IN
the DT
capital NN
. .
But CC
the DT
Peugeot NNP
breakthrough NN
came VBD
as IN
a DT
nationwide JJ
dispute NN
by IN
Finance NNP
Ministry NNP
employees NNS
disrupted VBD
border NN
checkpoints NNS
and CC
threatened VBD
the DT
government NN
's POS
ability NN
to TO
pay VB
its PRP$
bills NNS
. .
The DT
Peugeot NNP
metalworkers NNS
began VBD
filing VBG
out IN
of IN
the DT
shop NN
, ,
which WDT
makes VBZ
auto NN
parts NNS
, ,
at IN
the DT
plant NN
in IN
Mulhouse NNP
after IN
voting VBG
589 CD
to TO
193 CD
to TO
abandon VB
the DT
occupation NN
. .
Their PRP$
withdrawal NN
was VBD
based VBN
on IN
promises NNS
by IN
Peugeot NNP
to TO
open VB
negotiations NNS
in IN
Paris NNP
at IN
the DT
same JJ
time NN
the DT
last JJ
man NN
left VBD
the DT
premises NNS
. .
The DT
strike NN
by IN
customs NNS
officers NNS
, ,
tax NN
collectors NNS
, ,
treasury NN
workers NNS
and CC
other JJ
civil JJ
servants NNS
attached VBN
to TO
the DT
Ministry NNP
of IN
Finance NNP
may MD
pose VB
a DT
more RBR
serious JJ
challenge NN
to TO
the DT
government NN
and CC
the DT
average JJ
Frenchman NNP
. .
Ministry NNP
employees NNS
complain VBP
that IN
they PRP
are VBP
poorly RB
paid VBN
because IN
of IN
a DT
complex JJ
job-rating JJ
system NN
they PRP
say VBP
fails VBZ
to TO
take VB
into IN
account NN
their PRP$
education NN
and CC
level NN
of IN
technical JJ
expertise NN
. .
The DT
market NN
for IN
$ $
200 CD
billion CD
of IN
high-risk JJ
junk NN
bonds NNS
, ,
battered VBN
by IN
a DT
succession NN
of IN
defaults NNS
and CC
huge JJ
price NN
declines NNS
this DT
year NN
, ,
practically RB
vanished VBD
Friday NNP
. .
Trading NN
ground VBD
to TO
a DT
halt NN
as IN
investors NNS
rushed VBD
to TO
sell VB
bonds NNS
, ,
only RB
to TO
find VB
themselves PRP
deserted VBN
by IN
potential JJ
buyers NNS
. .
Stunned VBN
, ,
they PRP
watched VBD
brokerage NN
houses NNS
mark VB
down IN
price NN
quotations NNS
on IN
their PRP$
junk NN
holdings NNS
while IN
being VBG
able JJ
to TO
execute VB
very RB
few JJ
actual JJ
trades NNS
. .
`` ``
The DT
junk NN
bond NN
market NN
is VBZ
in IN
a DT
state NN
of IN
gridlock NN
now RB
-- :
there EX
are VBP
no DT
bids NNS
, ,
only RB
offers NNS
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
independent JJ
investor NN
Martin NNP
D. NNP
Sass NNP
, ,
who WP
manages VBZ
nearly RB
$ $
4 CD
billion CD
and CC
who WP
recently RB
decided VBD
to TO
buy VB
distressed JJ
securities NNS
for IN
a DT
new JJ
fund NN
. .
This DT
calamity NN
is VBZ
`` ``
far RB
from IN
over IN
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
says VBZ
. .
Junk NN
's POS
collapse NN
helped VBD
stoke VB
the DT
panicky JJ
selling NN
of IN
stocks NNS
that WDT
produced VBD
the DT
deepest JJS
one-day JJ
dive NN
in IN
the DT
Dow NNP
Jones NNP
Industrial NNP
Average NNP
since IN
the DT
Oct. NNP
19 CD
, ,
1987 CD
, ,
crash NN
. .
Simultaneously RB
, ,
it PRP
also RB
helped VBD
trigger VB
this DT
year NN
's POS
biggest JJS
rally NN
in IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
government NN
bond NN
market NN
as IN
investors NNS
rushed VBD
to TO
move VB
capital NN
into IN
the DT
highest-quality NN
securities NNS
they PRP
could MD
find VB
. .
But CC
`` ``
an DT
eerie JJ
silence NN
pervaded VBD
'' ''
the DT
junk NN
market NN
Friday NNP
as IN
prices NNS
tumbled VBD
on IN
hundreds NNS
of IN
high-yield JJ
bonds NNS
despite IN
`` ``
no DT
active JJ
trading NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
John NNP
Lonski NNP
, ,
an DT
economist NN
at IN
Moody NNP
's POS
Investors NNPS
Service NNP
Inc NNP
. .
For IN
example NN
, ,
the DT
price NN
of IN
Southland NNP
Corp. NNP
's POS
$ $
500 CD
million CD
of IN
16 CD
3\/4 CD
% NN
bonds NNS
due JJ
2002 CD
-- :
sold VBD
less JJR
than IN
two CD
years NNS
ago IN
by IN
Goldman NNP
, ,
Sachs NNP
& CC
Co. NNP
-- :
plummeted VBD
25 CD
% NN
to TO
just RB
30 CD
cents NNS
on IN
the DT
dollar NN
. .
But CC
not RB
even RB
Goldman NNP
would MD
make VB
a DT
market NN
in IN
the DT
securities NNS
of IN
Southland NNP
, ,
the DT
owner NN
of IN
the DT
nationwide JJ
chain NN
of IN
7-11 CD
convenience NN
stores NNS
that WDT
is VBZ
strapped VBN
for IN
cash NN
. .
Goldman NNP
officials NNS
declined VBD
to TO
comment VB
. .
Junk NN
bonds NNS
, ,
which WDT
mushroomed VBD
from IN
less RBR
than IN
$ $
2 CD
billion CD
at IN
the DT
start NN
of IN
this DT
decade NN
, ,
have VBP
been VBN
declining VBG
for IN
months NNS
as IN
issuer NN
after IN
issuer NN
sank VBD
beneath IN
the DT
weight NN
of IN
hefty JJ
interest NN
payments NNS
. .
The DT
shaky JJ
market NN
received VBD
its PRP$
biggest JJS
jolt NN
last JJ
month NN
from IN
Campeau NNP
Corp. NNP
, ,
which WDT
created VBD
its PRP$
U.S. NNP
retailing NN
empire NN
with IN
junk NN
financing NN
. .
Campeau NNP
developed VBD
a DT
cash NN
squeeze NN
that WDT
caused VBD
it PRP
to TO
be VB
tardy JJ
on IN
some DT
interest NN
payments NNS
and CC
to TO
put VB
its PRP$
prestigious JJ
Bloomingdales NNP
department-store JJ
chain NN
up IN
for IN
sale NN
. .
Now RB
, ,
dozens NNS
of IN
corporations NNS
, ,
including VBG
Ethan NNP
Allen NNP
, ,
TW NNP
Services NNPS
and CC
York NNP
International NNP
, ,
that WDT
are VBP
counting VBG
on IN
at IN
least JJS
$ $
7 CD
billion CD
of IN
scheduled VBN
new JJ
junk NN
financings NNS
to TO
keep VB
their PRP$
highly RB
leveraged JJ
takeovers NNS
and CC
buy-outs NNS
afloat RB
, ,
may MD
never RB
get VB
the DT
money NN
. .
`` ``
The DT
music NN
has VBZ
stopped VBN
playing VBG
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Michael NNP
Harkins NNP
, ,
a DT
principal NN
in IN
the DT
investment NN
firm NN
of IN
Levy NNP
Harkins NNP
. .
`` ``
You PRP
've VBP
either RB
got VBN
a DT
chair NN
or CC
you PRP
do VBP
n't RB
. .
'' ''
In IN
Friday NNP
's POS
aftermath NN
, ,
says VBZ
R. NNP
Douglas NNP
Carleton NNP
, ,
a DT
director NN
of IN
high-yield JJ
finance NN
at IN
First NNP
Boston NNP
Corp. NNP
, ,
`` ``
much RB
of IN
the DT
$ $
7 CD
billion CD
forward JJ
calendar NN
could MD
be VB
deferred VBN
, ,
depending VBG
on IN
the DT
hysteria NN
. .
'' ''
In IN
August NNP
, ,
First NNP
Boston NNP
withdrew VBD
a DT
$ $
475 CD
million CD
junk NN
offering VBG
of IN
Ohio NNP
Mattress NNP
bonds NNS
because IN
potential JJ
buyers NNS
were VBD
`` ``
very RB
skittish JJ
. .
'' ''
The DT
outlook NN
`` ``
looks VBZ
shaky JJ
because IN
we PRP
're VBP
still RB
waiting VBG
'' ''
for IN
mutual JJ
funds NNS
, ,
in IN
particular JJ
, ,
to TO
dump VB
some DT
of IN
their PRP$
junk NN
bond NN
holdings NNS
to TO
pay VB
off RP
redemptions NNS
by IN
individual JJ
investors NNS
, ,
says VBZ
King NNP
Penniman NNP
, ,
senior JJ
vice NN
president NN
at IN
McCarthy NNP
, ,
Crisanti NNP
& CC
Maffei NNP
, ,
an DT
investment NN
arm NN
of IN
Xerox NNP
Financial NNP
Services NNPS
. .
Indeed RB
, ,
a DT
Moody NNP
's POS
index NN
that WDT
tracks VBZ
the DT
net JJ
asset NN
values NNS
of IN
24 CD
high-yield JJ
mutual JJ
funds NNS
declined VBD
for IN
the DT
17th JJ
consecutive JJ
day NN
Friday NNP
. .
In IN
a DT
stark JJ
contrast NN
, ,
the DT
benchmark JJ
30-year JJ
Treasury NNP
bond NN
climbed VBD
more JJR
than IN
2 CD
1\/2 CD
points NNS
, ,
or CC
about IN
$ $
25 CD
for IN
each DT
$ $
1,000 CD
face NN
amount NN
, ,
to TO
103 CD
12\/32 CD
, ,
its PRP$
biggest JJS
gain NN
of IN
the DT
year NN
. .
The DT
bond NN
's POS
yield NN
dropped VBD
to TO
7.82 CD
% NN
, ,
the DT
lowest JJS
since IN
March NNP
31 CD
, ,
1987 CD
, ,
according VBG
to TO
Technical NNP
Data NNP
Global NNP
Markets NNPS
Group NNP
. .
The DT
yield NN
on IN
three-month JJ
Treasury NNP
bills NNS
, ,
considered VBD
the DT
safest JJS
of IN
all DT
investments NNS
, ,
plummeted VBD
about IN
0.7 CD
percentage NN
point NN
to TO
7.16 CD
% NN
, ,
the DT
largest JJS
one-day JJ
decline NN
since IN
1982 CD
. .
The DT
main JJ
catalyst NN
for IN
government NN
bond NN
market NN
rally NN
was VBD
the DT
190.58-point JJ
drop NN
in IN
the DT
Dow NNP
Jones NNP
Industrial NNP
Average NNP
. .
`` ``
When WRB
you PRP
get VBP
panic NN
in IN
one CD
market NN
, ,
you PRP
get VBP
flight NN
to TO
quality NN
in IN
the DT
other JJ
, ,
'' ''
said VBD
Maria NNP
Ramirez NNP
, ,
money NN
market NN
economist NN
at IN
Drexel NNP
Burnham NNP
Lambert NNP
Inc NNP
. .
Nevertheless RB
, ,
the DT
problems NNS
of IN
the DT
junk NN
market NN
could MD
prompt VB
the DT
Federal NNP
Reserve NNP
to TO
ease VB
credit NN
in IN
the DT
months NNS
ahead RB
. .
`` ``
This DT
marks VBZ
a DT
significant JJ
shift NN
in IN
the DT
interest NN
rate NN
outlook NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
William NNP
Sullivan NNP
, ,
director NN
of IN
money NN
market NN
research NN
at IN
Dean NNP
Witter NNP
Reynolds NNP
Inc. NNP
, ,
New NNP
York NNP
. .
Any DT
sustained VBN
credit-easing NN
could MD
be VB
a DT
lift NN
for IN
junk NN
bonds NNS
as RB
well RB
as IN
other JJ
securities NNS
. .
Robert NNP
Dow NNP
, ,
a DT
partner NN
and CC
portfolio NN
manager NN
at IN
Lord NNP
, ,
Abbett NNP
& CC
Co. NNP
, ,
which WDT
manages VBZ
$ $
4 CD
billion CD
of IN
high-yield JJ
bonds NNS
, ,
says VBZ
he PRP
does VBZ
n't RB
`` ``
think VB
there EX
is VBZ
any DT
fundamental JJ
economic JJ
rationale NN
{ (
for IN
the DT
junk NN
bond NN
rout NN
} )
. .
It PRP
was VBD
herd NN
instinct NN
. .
'' ''
He PRP
adds VBZ
: :
`` ``
The DT
junk NN
market NN
has VBZ
witnessed VBN
some DT
trouble NN
and CC
now RB
some DT
people NNS
think VBP
that IN
if IN
the DT
equity NN
market NN
gets VBZ
creamed VBN
that DT
means VBZ
the DT
economy NN
will MD
be VB
terrible JJ
and CC
that DT
's VBZ
bad JJ
for IN
junk NN
. .
I PRP
do VBP
n't RB
believe VB
that DT
's VBZ
the DT
case NN
, ,
but CC
I PRP
believe VBP
that IN
people NNS
are VBP
running RB
scared VBN
. .
There EX
is VBZ
a DT
flight NN
to TO
quality NN
, ,
and CC
the DT
quality NN
is VBZ
not RB
in IN
equities NNS
and CC
not RB
in IN
junk NN
-- :
it PRP
's VBZ
in IN
Treasurys NNS
. .
'' ''
Even RB
as IN
trading NN
in IN
high-yield JJ
issues NNS
dried VBN
up RP
over IN
the DT
past JJ
month NN
, ,
corporations NNS
sold VBD
more JJR
than IN
$ $
2 CD
billion CD
of IN
new JJ
junk NN
bonds NNS
. .
For IN
example NN
, ,
a DT
recent JJ
$ $
375 CD
million CD
offering NN
of IN
Petrolane NNP
Gas NNP
Services NNPS
L.P. NNP
bonds NNS
sold VBN
by IN
First NNP
Boston NNP
was VBD
three CD
times NNS
oversubscribed VBN
. .
A DT
$ $
550 CD
million CD
offering NN
of IN
Turner NNP
Broadcasting NNP
System NNP
Inc NNP
. .
high-yield JJ
securities NNS
sold VBD
last JJ
week NN
by IN
Drexel NNP
was VBD
increased VBN
$ $
50 CD
million CD
because IN
of IN
strong JJ
demand NN
. .
First NNP
Boston NNP
estimates VBZ
that IN
in IN
November NNP
and CC
December NNP
alone RB
, ,
junk NN
bond NN
investors NNS
will MD
receive VB
$ $
4.8 CD
billion CD
of IN
coupon NN
interest NN
payments NNS
. .
`` ``
That DT
's VBZ
a DT
clear JJ
indication NN
that IN
there EX
is VBZ
and CC
will MD
be VB
an DT
undercurrent NN
of IN
basic JJ
business NN
going VBG
on IN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Mr. NNP
Carleton NNP
of IN
First NNP
Boston NNP
. .
`` ``
I PRP
do VBP
n't RB
know VB
how WRB
people NNS
can MD
say VB
the DT
junk NN
bond NN
market NN
disappeared VBD
when WRB
there EX
were VBD
$ $
1.5 CD
billion CD
of IN
orders NNS
for IN
$ $
550 CD
million CD
of IN
junk NN
bonds NNS
sold VBD
last JJ
week NN
by IN
Turner NNP
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Raymond NNP
Minella NNP
, ,
co-head NN
of IN
merchant NN
banking NN
at IN
Merrill NNP
Lynch NNP
& CC
Co NNP
. .
`` ``
When WRB
the DT
rally NN
comes VBZ
, ,
insurance NN
companies NNS
will MD
be VB
leading VBG
it PRP
because IN
they PRP
have VBP
billions NNS
to TO
invest VB
and CC
invest VB
they PRP
will MD
. .
There EX
is VBZ
plenty NN
of IN
money NN
available JJ
from IN
people NNS
who WP
want VBP
to TO
buy VB
well-structured JJ
deals NNS
; :
it PRP
's VBZ
the DT
stuff NN
that WDT
's VBZ
financed VBN
on IN
a DT
shoestring NN
that IN
people NNS
are VBP
wary JJ
of IN
. .
'' ''
But CC
such JJ
highly RB
leveraged JJ
transactions NNS
seemed VBD
to TO
have VB
multiplied VBN
this DT
year NN
, ,
casting VBG
a DT
pall NN
over IN
much RB
of IN
the DT
junk NN
market NN
. .
Michael NNP
McNamara NNP
, ,
director NN
of IN
fixed-income NN
research NN
at IN
Kemper NNP
Financial NNP
Services NNPS
, ,
says VBZ
the DT
quality NN
of IN
junk NN
issues NNS
has VBZ
been VBN
getting VBG
poorer JJR
, ,
contributing VBG
to TO
the DT
slide NN
in IN
prices NNS
. .
`` ``
Last JJ
year NN
we PRP
probably RB
bought VBD
one CD
out IN
of IN
every DT
three CD
new JJ
deals NNS
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
says VBZ
. .
`` ``
This DT
year NN
, ,
at IN
best RB
, ,
it PRP
's VBZ
in IN
one CD
in IN
every DT
five CD
or CC
six CD
. .
And CC
our PRP$
credit NN
standards NNS
have VBP
n't RB
changed VBN
one CD
iota NN
. .
'' ''
However RB
, ,
Mr. NNP
McNamara NNP
said VBD
the DT
slide NN
in IN
junk NN
is VBZ
creating VBG
`` ``
one CD
hell NN
of IN
a DT
buying VBG
opportunity NN
'' ''
for IN
selective JJ
buyers NNS
. .
For IN
the DT
moment NN
, ,
investors NNS
seem VBP
more RBR
preoccupied VBN
with IN
the DT
`` ``
bad JJ
'' ''
junk NN
than IN
the DT
`` ``
good JJ
'' ''
junk NN
. .
`` ``
The DT
market NN
has VBZ
been VBN
weak JJ
since IN
'' ''
the DT
announcement NN
of IN
the DT
Campeau NNP
cash NN
squeeze NN
and CC
the DT
company NN
's POS
subsequent JJ
bailout NN
by IN
Olympia NNP
& CC
York NNP
, ,
says VBZ
Mr. NNP
Minella NNP
of IN
Merrill NNP
Lynch NNP
. .
`` ``
That DT
really RB
affected VBD
the DT
market NN
in IN
that IN
people NNS
started VBD
to TO
ask VB
` ``
What WP
else RB
is VBZ
in IN
trouble NN
? .
' ''
'' ''
Well RB
before IN
Campeau NNP
, ,
though RB
, ,
there EX
were VBD
signs NNS
that IN
the DT
junk NN
market NN
was VBD
stumbling VBG
through IN
one CD
of IN
its PRP$
worst JJS
years NNS
ever RB
. .
Despite IN
the DT
relatively RB
strong JJ
economy NN
, ,
junk NN
bond NN
prices NNS
did VBD
nothing NN
except IN
go VB
down IN
, ,
hammered VBN
by IN
a DT
seemingly RB
endless JJ
trail NN
of IN
bad JJ
news NN
: :
-- :
In IN
June NNP
, ,
two CD
months NNS
before IN
it PRP
would MD
default VB
on IN
interest NN
payments NNS
covering VBG
some DT
of IN
its PRP$
$ $
1.2 CD
billion CD
of IN
speculative JJ
debt NN
securities NNS
, ,
New NNP
York-based JJ
Integrated NNP
Resources NNPS
Inc. NNP
said VBD
it PRP
ran VBD
out RP
of IN
borrowed VBN
money NN
. .
-- :
In IN
July NNP
, ,
Southmark NNP
Corp. NNP
, ,
the DT
Dallas-based JJ
real JJ
estate NN
and CC
financial JJ
services NNS
company NN
with IN
about IN
$ $
1.3 CD
billion CD
of IN
junk NN
bonds NNS
, ,
voluntarily RB
filed VBN
for IN
protection NN
under IN
U.S. NNP
bankruptcy NN
law NN
. .
-- :
By IN
the DT
end NN
of IN
July NNP
, ,
the DT
difference NN
in IN
yield NN
between IN
an DT
index NN
of IN
junk NN
bonds NNS
and CC
seven-year JJ
Treasury NN
notes NNS
widened VBD
to TO
more RBR
than IN
5.5 CD
percentage NN
points NNS
. .
-- :
In IN
August NNP
, ,
Resorts NNPS
International NNP
Inc. NNP
, ,
which WDT
sold VBD
more JJR
than IN
$ $
500 CD
million CD
of IN
junk NN
bonds NNS
, ,
suspended VBN
interest NN
payments NNS
. .
-- :
In IN
September NNP
, ,
just RB
as IN
the DT
cash NN
squeeze NN
hit VBD
Campeau NNP
, ,
Lomas NNP
Financial NNP
Corp. NNP
defaulted VBD
on IN
$ $
145 CD
million CD
of IN
notes NNS
and CC
appeared VBD
unlikely JJ
to TO
pay VB
interest NN
on IN
a DT
total NN
of IN
$ $
1.2 CD
billion CD
of IN
debt NN
securities NNS
. .
Meantime RB
, ,
regulators NNS
are VBP
becoming VBG
increasingly RB
worried VBN
as IN
the DT
rush NN
to TO
leverage VB
shows VBZ
no DT
signs NNS
of IN
abating VBG
. .
Moody NNP
's POS
says VBZ
the DT
frequency NN
of IN
corporate JJ
credit NN
downgrades NNS
is VBZ
the DT
highest JJS
this DT
year NN
since IN
1982 CD
. .
In IN
addition NN
, ,
there EX
are VBP
six CD
times NNS
as IN
many JJ
troubled VBN
banks NNS
as IN
there EX
were VBD
in IN
the DT
recession NN
of IN
1981 CD
, ,
according VBG
to TO
the DT
Federal NNP
Deposit NNP
Insurance NNP
Corp NNP
. .
`` ``
The DT
era NN
of IN
the DT
1980s CD
is VBZ
about IN
compound JJ
interest NN
and CC
the DT
reaching NN
for IN
it PRP
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
James NNP
Grant NNP
, ,
editor NN
of IN
Grant NNP
's POS
Interest NNP
Rate NNP
Observer NNP
, ,
an DT
early JJ
critic NN
of IN
the DT
junk NN
bond NN
market NN
. .
`` ``
What WP
we PRP
've VBP
begun VBN
to TO
see VB
is VBZ
the DT
damage NN
to TO
businesses NNS
of IN
paying VBG
exorbitant JJ
compound NN
interest NN
. .
Businesses NNS
were VBD
borrowing VBG
at IN
interest NN
rates NNS
higher JJR
than IN
their PRP$
own JJ
earnings NNS
. .
What WP
we PRP
're VBP
seeing VBG
now RB
is VBZ
the DT
wrenching VBG
readjustment NN
of IN
asset NN
values NNS
to TO
a DT
future NN
when WRB
speculative-grade JJ
debt NN
will MD
be VB
hard JJ
to TO
obtain VB
rather RB
than IN
easy JJ
. .
'' ''
Friday NNP
's POS
Market NNP
Activity NNP
Prices NNS
of IN
Treasury NNP
bonds NNS
surged VBD
in IN
the DT
biggest JJS
rally NN
of IN
the DT
year NN
as IN
investors NNS
fled VBD
a DT
plummeting VBG
stock NN
market NN
. .
The DT
benchmark NN
30-year JJ
Treasury NN
bond NN
was VBD
quoted VBN
6 CD
p.m. NN
EDT NNP
at IN
103 CD
12\/32 CD
, ,
compared VBN
with IN
100 CD
27\/32 CD
Thursday NNP
, ,
up IN
2 CD
1\/2 CD
points NNS
. .
The DT
yield NN
on IN
the DT
benchmark NN
fell VBD
to TO
7.82 CD
% NN
, ,
the DT
lowest JJS
since IN
March NNP
31 CD
, ,
1987 CD
, ,
according VBG
to TO
Technical NNP
Data NNP
Global NNP
Markets NNPS
Group NNP
. .
The DT
`` ``
flight NN
to TO
quality NN
'' ''
began VBD
late RB
in IN
the DT
day NN
and CC
followed VBD
a DT
precipitous JJ
fall NN
in IN
the DT
stock NN
market NN
. .
Treasurys NNS
opened VBD
lower JJR
, ,
reacting VBG
negatively RB
to TO
news NN
that IN
the DT
producer NN
price NN
index NN
-- :
a DT
measure NN
of IN
inflation NN
on IN
the DT
wholesale JJ
level NN
-- :
accelerated VBD
in IN
September NNP
. .
Bond NN
prices NNS
barely RB
budged VBD
until IN
midday NN
. .
Many JJ
bond NN
market NN
participants NNS
will MD
be VB
closely RB
eying VBG
the DT
action NN
of IN
the DT
Federal NNP
Reserve NNP
, ,
which WDT
might MD
repeat VB
its PRP$
October NNP
1987 CD
injection NN
of IN
huge JJ
amounts NNS
of IN
liquidity NN
to TO
buoy VB
the DT
financial JJ
markets NNS
and CC
keep VB
the DT
economy NN
from IN
slowing VBG
into IN
a DT
recession NN
. .
Prices NNS
of IN
municipals NNS
, ,
investment-grade JJ
corporates NNS
and CC
mortgage-backed JJ
bonds NNS
also RB
rose VBD
, ,
but CC
lagged VBD
behind IN
their PRP$
Treasury NN
counterparts NNS
. .
Mortgage NN
securities NNS
rose VBD
in IN
hectic JJ
trading NN
, ,
with IN
most JJS
of IN
the DT
activity NN
concentrated VBN
in IN
Government NNP
National NNP
Mortgage NNP
Association NNP
9 CD
% NN
coupon NN
securities NNS
, ,
the DT
most RBS
liquid JJ
mortgage NN
issue NN
. .
The DT
Ginnie NNP
Mae NNP
November NNP
9 CD
% NN
issue NN
ended VBD
at IN
98 CD
25\/32 CD
, ,
up IN
7\/8 CD
point NN
on IN
the DT
day NN
, ,
to TO
yield VB
about IN
9.28 CD
% NN
to TO
a DT
12-year JJ
average NN
life NN
assumption NN
. .
Investment-grade JJ
corporate JJ
bonds NNS
were VBD
up IN
about IN
1\/2 CD
to TO
3\/4 CD
point NN
. .
But CC
the DT
yield NN
spread VBD
between IN
lower-quality NN
, ,
investment-grade JJ
issues NNS
and CC
higher-quality NN
bonds NNS
widened VBD
. .
And CC
the DT
yields NNS
on IN
telephone NN
and CC
utility NN
issues NNS
rose VBD
relative JJ
to TO
other JJ
investment-grade JJ
bonds NNS
in IN
anticipation NN
of IN
this DT
week NN
's POS
$ $
3 CD
billion CD
bond NN
offering VBG
by IN
the DT
Tennessee NNP
Valley NNP
Authority NNP
. .
Despite IN
rumors NNS
that IN
the DT
TVA NNP
's POS
long-awaited JJ
offering NN
would MD
be VB
postponed VBN
because IN
of IN
the DT
debacle NN
in IN
the DT
equity NN
markets NNS
, ,
sources NNS
in IN
the DT
underwriting NN
syndicate NN
said VBD
they PRP
expect VBP
the DT
issue NN
will MD
be VB
priced VBN
as IN
scheduled VBN
. .
One CD
of IN
the DT
sources NNS
said VBD
the DT
smaller JJR
portions NNS
of IN
$ $
750 CD
million CD
each DT
of IN
five-year JJ
and CC
10-year JJ
bonds NNS
have VBP
already RB
been VBN
`` ``
substantially RB
oversubscribed VBN
. .
'' ''
Municipal JJ
bonds NNS
rose VBD
as RB
much RB
as IN
3\/4 CD
point NN
. .
Roger NNP
Lowenstein NNP
contributed VBD
to TO
this DT
article NN
. .
Friday NNP
's POS
190-point JJ
plunge NN
in IN
stocks NNS
does VBZ
not RB
come VBN
atop IN
the DT
climate NN
of IN
anxiety NN
that WDT
dominated VBD
financial JJ
markets NNS
just RB
prior RB
to TO
their PRP$
1987 CD
October NNP
crash NN
, ,
and CC
mechanisms NNS
have VBP
been VBN
put VBN
in IN
place NN
to TO
keep VB
markets NNS
more RBR
orderly JJ
. .
Still RB
, ,
the DT
lesson NN
is VBZ
about IN
the DT
same JJ
: :
On IN
Friday NNP
the DT
13th JJ
, ,
the DT
market NN
was VBD
spooked VBN
by IN
Washington NNP
. .
The DT
consensus NN
along IN
the DT
street NN
seems VBZ
to TO
be VB
that IN
the DT
plunge NN
was VBD
triggered VBN
by IN
the DT
financing VBG
problems NNS
of IN
the DT
UAL NNP
takeover NN
, ,
and CC
it PRP
's VBZ
certainly RB
true JJ
the DT
rout NN
began VBD
immediately RB
after IN
the DT
UAL NNP
trading NN
halt NN
. .
Still RB
, ,
the DT
consensus NN
seems VBZ
almost RB
as RB
wide JJ
that IN
one CD
faltering VBG
bid NN
is VBZ
no DT
reason NN
to TO
write VB
down RP
the DT
value NN
of IN
all DT
U.S. NNP
business NN
. .
This DT
observation NN
leads VBZ
us PRP
to TO
another DT
piece NN
of IN
news NN
moving VBG
on IN
the DT
Dow NNP
Jones NNP
ticker NN
shortly RB
before IN
the DT
downturn NN
: :
the DT
success NN
of IN
Senate NNP
Democrats NNPS
in IN
stalling VBG
the DT
capital NN
gains NNS
tax NN
cut NN
. .
The DT
real JJ
value NN
of IN
all DT
shares NNS
, ,
after IN
all DT
, ,
is VBZ
directly RB
impacted VBN
by IN
the DT
tax NN
on IN
any DT
profits NNS
( (
all PDT
the DT
more RBR
so RB
given VBN
the DT
limits NNS
on IN
deductions NNS
for IN
losses NNS
that WDT
show VBP
gains NNS
are VBP
not RB
`` ``
ordinary JJ
income NN
'' ''
) )
. .
And CC
market NN
expectations NNS
clearly RB
have VBP
been VBN
raised VBN
by IN
the DT
capital NN
gains NNS
victory NN
in IN
the DT
House NN
last JJ
month NN
. .
An DT
hour NN
before IN
Friday NNP
's POS
plunge NN
, ,
that DT
provision NN
was VBD
stripped VBN
from IN
the DT
tax NN
bill NN
, ,
leaving VBG
it PRP
with IN
$ $
5.4 CD
billion CD
in IN
tax NN
increases NNS
without IN
a DT
capital NN
gains NNS
cut NN
. .
There EX
is VBZ
a DT
great JJ
deal NN
to TO
be VB
said VBN
, ,
to TO
be VB
sure JJ
, ,
for IN
stripping VBG
the DT
garbage NN
out IN
of IN
the DT
reconciliation NN
bill NN
. .
It PRP
would MD
be VB
a DT
good JJ
thing NN
if IN
Congress NNP
started VBD
to TO
decide VB
issues NNS
one-by-one JJ
on IN
their PRP$
individual JJ
merits NNS
without IN
trickery NN
. .
For IN
one CD
thing NN
, ,
no DT
one CD
doubts VBZ
that IN
the DT
capital NN
gains NNS
cut NN
would MD
pass VB
on IN
an DT
up-or-down JJ
vote NN
. .
Since IN
Senate NNP
leaders NNS
have VBP
so RB
far RB
fogged JJ
it PRP
up RP
with IN
procedural JJ
smokescreens NNS
, ,
promises NNS
of IN
a DT
cleaner JJR
bill NN
are VBP
suspect JJ
. .
Especially RB
so RB
since IN
President NNP
Bush NNP
has VBZ
been VBN
weakened VBN
by IN
the DT
Panama NNP
fiasco NN
. .
To TO
the DT
extent NN
that IN
the DT
UAL NNP
troubles NNS
contributed VBD
to TO
the DT
plunge NN
, ,
they PRP
are VBP
another DT
instance NN
of IN
Washington NNP
's POS
sticky JJ
fingers NNS
. .
As IN
the DT
best JJS
opportunities NNS
for IN
corporate JJ
restructurings NNS
are VBP
exhausted VBN
of IN
course NN
, ,
at IN
some DT
point NN
the DT
market NN
will MD
start VB
to TO
reject VB
them PRP
. .
But CC
the DT
airlines NNS
are VBP
scarcely RB
a DT
clear JJ
case NN
, ,
given VBN
anti-takeover JJ
mischief NN
by IN
Secretary NNP
of IN
Transportation NNP
Skinner NNP
, ,
who WP
professes VBZ
to TO
believe VB
safety NN
will MD
be VB
compromised VBN
if IN
KLM NNP
and CC
British NNP
Airways NNPS
own VBP
interests NNS
in IN
companies NNS
that WDT
fly VBP
airplanes NNS
. .
Worse NNP
, ,
Congress NNP
has VBZ
started VBN
to TO
jump VB
on IN
the DT
Skinner NNP
bandwagon NN
. .
James NNP
Oberstar NNP
, ,
the DT
Minnesota NNP
Democrat NNP
who WP
chairs VBZ
the DT
Public NNP
Works NNPS
and CC
Transportation NNP
Committee NNP
's POS
aviation NN
subcommittee NN
, ,
has VBZ
put VBN
an DT
anti-airline NN
takeover NN
bill NN
on IN
supersonic JJ
speed NN
so IN
that IN
it PRP
would MD
be VB
passed VBN
in IN
time NN
to TO
affect VB
the DT
American JJ
and CC
United NNP
Air NNP
Lines NNPS
bids NNS
. .
It PRP
would MD
give VB
Mr. NNP
Skinner NNP
up IN
to TO
50 CD
days NNS
to TO
`` ``
review VB
'' ''
any DT
bid NN
for IN
15 CD
% NN
or CC
more JJR
of IN
the DT
voting VBG
stock NN
of IN
any DT
U.S. NNP
carrier NN
with IN
revenues NNS
of IN
$ $
1 CD
billion CD
or CC
more JJR
. .
So IN
the DT
UAL NNP
deal NN
has VBZ
problems NNS
, ,
and CC
the DT
market NN
loses VBZ
190 CD
points NNS
. .
Congratulations UH
, ,
Mr. NNP
Secretary NNP
and CC
Mr. NNP
Congressman NNP
. .
In IN
the DT
1987 CD
crash NN
, ,
remember VB
, ,
the DT
market NN
was VBD
shaken VBN
by IN
a DT
Danny NNP
Rostenkowski NNP
proposal NN
to TO
tax NN
takeovers NNS
out IN
of IN
existance NN
. .
Even RB
more RBR
important JJ
, ,
in IN
our PRP$
view NN
, ,
was VBD
the DT
Treasury NNP
's POS
threat NN
to TO
thrash VB
the DT
dollar NN
. .
The DT
Treasury NNP
is VBZ
doing VBG
the DT
same JJ
thing NN
today NN
; :
thankfully RB
, ,
the DT
dollar NN
is VBZ
not RB
under IN
1987-style JJ
pressure NN
. .
Also RB
, ,
traders NNS
are VBP
in IN
better JJR
shape NN
today NN
than IN
in IN
1987 CD
to TO
survive VB
selling VBG
binges NNS
. .
They PRP
are VBP
better RB
capitalized VBN
. .
They PRP
are VBP
in IN
less JJR
danger NN
of IN
losing VBG
liquidity NN
simply RB
because IN
of IN
tape NN
lags NNS
and CC
clearing NN
and CC
settlement NN
delays NNS
. .
The DT
Fed NNP
promises VBZ
any DT
needed VBN
liquidity NN
. .
The DT
Big NNP
Board NNP
's POS
liaison NN
with IN
the DT
Chicago NNP
Board NNP
of IN
Trade NNP
has VBZ
improved VBN
; :
it PRP
will MD
be VB
interesting JJ
to TO
learn VB
if IN
`` ``
circuit NN
breakers NNS
'' ''
prove VBP
to TO
be VB
a DT
good JJ
idea NN
. .
In IN
any DT
event NN
, ,
some DT
traders NNS
see VBP
stocks NNS
as IN
underpriced VBN
today NN
, ,
unlike IN
1987 CD
. .
There EX
is VBZ
nothing NN
wrong JJ
with IN
the DT
market NN
that WDT
ca MD
n't RB
be VB
cured VBN
by IN
a DT
little JJ
coherence NN
and CC
common JJ
sense NN
in IN
Washington NNP
. .
But CC
on IN
the DT
bearish JJ
side NN
, ,
that WDT
may MD
be VB
too RB
much JJ
to TO
expect VB
. .
First NNP
Chicago NNP
Corp. NNP
posted VBD
a DT
third-quarter NN
loss NN
of IN
$ $
23.3 CD
million CD
after IN
joining VBG
other JJ
big JJ
banks NNS
in IN
further RB
adding VBG
to TO
its PRP$
reserves NNS
for IN
losses NNS
on IN
foreign JJ
loans NNS
. .
The DT
parent NN
company NN
of IN
First NNP
National NNP
Bank NNP
of IN
Chicago NNP
, ,
with IN
$ $
48 CD
billion CD
in IN
assets NNS
, ,
said VBD
it PRP
set VBD
aside RB
$ $
200 CD
million CD
to TO
absorb VB
losses NNS
on IN
loans NNS
and CC
investments NNS
in IN
financially RB
troubled VBN
countries NNS
. .
The DT
addition NN
, ,
on IN
top NN
of IN
two CD
big JJ
1987 CD
additions NNS
to TO
foreign-loan JJ
reserves NNS
, ,
brings VBZ
the DT
reserve NN
to TO
a DT
level NN
equaling VBG
79 CD
% NN
of IN
medium-term JJ
and CC
long-term JJ
loans NNS
outstanding JJ
to TO
troubled VBN
nations NNS
. .
First NNP
Chicago NNP
since IN
1987 CD
has VBZ
reduced VBN
its PRP$
loans NNS
to TO
such JJ
nations NNS
to TO
$ $
1.7 CD
billion CD
from IN
$ $
3 CD
billion CD
. .
Despite IN
this DT
loss NN
, ,
First NNP
Chicago NNP
said VBD
it PRP
does VBZ
n't RB
need VB
to TO
sell VB
stock NN
to TO
raise VB
capital NN
. .
During IN
the DT
quarter NN
, ,
the DT
company NN
realized VBD
a DT
pretax NN
gain NN
of IN
$ $
60.4 CD
million CD
from IN
the DT
sale NN
of IN
its PRP$
First NNP
Chicago NNP
Investment NNP
Advisors NNPS
unit NN
. .
Combined VBN
foreign JJ
exchange NN
and CC
bond NN
trading NN
profits NNS
dipped VBD
24 CD
% NN
against IN
last JJ
year NN
's POS
third JJ
quarter NN
, ,
to TO
$ $
38.2 CD
million CD
from IN
$ $
50.5 CD
million CD
. .
Gains NNS
from IN
First NNP
Chicago NNP
's POS
venture NN
capital NN
unit NN
, ,
a DT
big JJ
leveraged JJ
buy-out NN
investor NN
, ,
rose VBD
32 CD
% NN
to TO
$ $
34 CD
million CD
from IN
$ $
25.7 CD
million CD
a DT
year NN
ago IN
. .
Interest NN
income NN
and CC
most JJS
fee NN
income NN
was VBD
strong JJ
. .
Greece NNP
's POS
second JJ
bout NN
of IN
general JJ
elections NNS
this DT
year NN
is VBZ
slated VBN
for IN
Nov. NNP
5 CD
. .
For IN
those DT
hoping VBG
to TO
see VB
a DT
modicum NN
of IN
political JJ
normalcy NN
restored VBD
-- :
in IN
view NN
of IN
Greece NNP
's POS
eight-year JJ
misadventure NN
under IN
autocratic JJ
pseudosocialism NN
and CC
subsequent JJ
three-month JJ
hitch NN
with IN
a DT
conservative-communist JJ
coalition NN
government NN
-- :
there EX
is VBZ
but CC
one CD
bright JJ
sign NN
: :
The DT
scandals NNS
still RB
encircling VBG
former JJ
Prime NNP
Minister NNP
Andreas NNP
Papandreou NNP
and CC
his PRP$
fallen VBN
socialist JJ
government NN
are VBP
like JJ
flies NNS
buzzing VBG
around IN
a DT
rotting VBG
carcass NN
. .
In IN
the DT
mid-June NNP
round NN
of IN
voting NN
, ,
Greeks NNPS
gave VBD
no DT
clear JJ
mandate NN
to TO
any DT
single JJ
political JJ
party NN
. .
The DT
ad NN
interim NN
coalition NN
government NN
that WDT
emerged VBD
from IN
post-electoral JJ
hagglings NNS
was VBD
, ,
in IN
essence NN
, ,
little RB
more JJR
than IN
the DT
ill-conceived JJ
offspring NN
of IN
ideological JJ
miscegenation NN
: :
On IN
one CD
side NN
, ,
the DT
center-right JJ
New NNP
Democracy NNP
Party NNP
, ,
headed VBN
by IN
Constantine NNP
Mitsotakis NNP
. .
On IN
the DT
other JJ
, ,
the DT
so-called JJ
Coalition NNP
of IN
the DT
Left NNP
and CC
Progress NNP
-- :
a DT
quaint JJ
and CC
rather RB
deceptive JJ
title NN
for IN
a DT
merger NN
of IN
the DT
pro-Soviet JJ
Communist NNP
Party NNP
of IN
Greece NNP
and CC
its PRP$
Euro-Communist NNP
cousin NN
, ,
the DT
Hellenic NNP
Left NNP
. .
The DT
unifying VBG
bond NN
for IN
this DT
left-right JJ
mismatch NN
was VBD
plain JJ
: :
PASOK NNP
( (
Mr. NNP
Papandreou NNP
's POS
party NN
) )
as IN
common JJ
political JJ
enemy NN
. .
The DT
ostensible JJ
goal NN
was VBD
a DT
mop-up NN
of IN
government NN
corruption NN
, ,
purportedly RB
at IN
all DT
levels NNS
, ,
but CC
the DT
main JJ
marks NNS
were VBD
Mr. NNP
Papandreou NNP
and CC
his PRP$
closest JJS
associates NNS
. .
In IN
point NN
of IN
fact NN
, ,
this DT
catharsis NN
was VBD
overdue JJ
by IN
decades NNS
. .
When WRB
reduced VBN
to TO
buzzword NN
status NN
in IN
ex JJ
parte NN
pledges NNS
, ,
however RB
, ,
the DT
notion NN
transmogrified VBD
into IN
a DT
promised VBN
assault NN
, ,
with IN
targets NNS
primarily RB
for IN
political JJ
gains NNS
, ,
not RB
justice NN
. .
With IN
regard NN
to TO
Greece NNP
's POS
long-bubbling JJ
bank-looting JJ
scandal NN
, ,
Mr. NNP
Papandreou NNP
's POS
principal JJ
accuser NN
remains VBZ
George NNP
Koskotas NNP
, ,
former JJ
owner NN
of IN
the DT
Bank NNP
of IN
Crete NNP
and CC
self-confessed JJ
embezzler NN
, ,
now RB
residing VBG
in IN
a DT
jail NN
cell NN
in IN
Salem NNP
, ,
Mass. NNP
, ,
from IN
where WRB
he PRP
is VBZ
fighting VBG
extradition NN
proceedings NNS
that WDT
would MD
return VB
him PRP
to TO
Greece NNP
. .
Mr. NNP
Koskotas NNP
's POS
credibility NN
is VBZ
, ,
at IN
best JJS
, ,
problematic JJ
. .
He PRP
has VBZ
ample JJ
motive NN
to TO
shift VB
the DT
blame NN
, ,
and CC
his PRP$
testimony NN
has VBZ
also RB
been VBN
found VBN
less RBR
than IN
forthright JJ
on IN
numerous JJ
points NNS
. .
Nevertheless RB
, ,
the DT
New NNP
Democracy NNP
and CC
Communist NNP
parties NNS
herald VBP
his PRP$
assertions NNS
as IN
proof NN
of IN
PASOK NNP
complicity NN
. .
Among IN
unanswered JJ
questions NNS
are VBP
whether IN
Mr. NNP
Papandreou NNP
received VBD
$ $
23 CD
million CD
of IN
stolen VBN
Bank NNP
of IN
Crete NNP
funds NNS
and CC
an DT
additional JJ
$ $
734,000 CD
in IN
bribes NNS
, ,
as RB
contended VBN
; :
whether IN
the DT
prime JJ
minister NN
ordered VBD
state NN
agencies NNS
to TO
deposit VB
some DT
$ $
57 CD
million CD
in IN
Mr. NNP
Koskotas NNP
's POS
bank NN
and CC
then RB
skim VB
off RP
the DT
interest NN
; :
and CC
, ,
what WP
PASOK NNP
's POS
cut NN
was VBD
from IN
the DT
$ $
210 CD
million CD
Mr. NNP
Koskotas NNP
pinched VBD
. .
Two CD
former JJ
ministers NNS
were VBD
so RB
heavily RB
implicated VBN
in IN
the DT
Koskotas NNP
affair NN
that IN
PASOK NNP
members NNS
of IN
Parliament NNP
voted VBD
to TO
refer VB
them PRP
to TO
the DT
special JJ
court NN
. .
But CC
eluding VBG
parliamentary JJ
probe NN
was VBD
the DT
case NN
of IN
millions NNS
of IN
drachmas NN
Mr. NNP
Koskotas NNP
funneled VBD
into IN
New NNP
Democracy NNP
coffers NNS
. .
In IN
the DT
end NN
, ,
the DT
investigation NN
produced VBD
only RB
circumstantial JJ
evidence NN
and CC
`` ``
indications NNS
'' ''
that IN
point NN
to TO
PASOK NNP
, ,
not RB
clinching VBG
proof NN
. .
On IN
another DT
issue NN
, ,
Greeks NNPS
were VBD
told VBN
how WRB
their PRP$
national JJ
intelligence NN
agency NN
, ,
the DT
EYP NNP
, ,
regularly RB
monitored VBD
the DT
telephone NN
conversations NNS
of IN
prominent JJ
figures NNS
, ,
including VBG
key JJ
opposition NN
politicians NNS
, ,
journalists NNS
and CC
PASOK NNP
cabinet NN
members NNS
. .
Despite IN
convincing JJ
arguments NNS
, ,
it PRP
was VBD
never RB
established VBN
that IN
Mr. NNP
Papandreou NNP
personally RB
ordered VBD
or CC
directed VBD
the DT
wiretaps NNS
. .
The DT
central JJ
weakness NN
of IN
the DT
`` ``
scandals NNS
'' ''
debates NNS
was VBD
pointed VBN
up RP
especially RB
well RB
when WRB
discussions NNS
focused VBD
on IN
arms NNS
deals NNS
and CC
kickbacks NNS
. .
The DT
coalition NN
government NN
tried VBD
to TO
show VB
that IN
PASOK NNP
ministers NNS
had VBD
received VBN
hefty JJ
sums NNS
for IN
OKing NNP
the DT
purchase NN
of IN
F-16 NNP
Fighting NNP
Falcon NNP
and CC
Mirage NNP
2000 CD
combat NN
aircraft NN
, ,
produced VBN
by IN
the DT
U.S.based JJ
General NNP
Dynamics NNP
Corp. NNP
and CC
France NNP
's POS
Avions NNP
Marcel NNP
Dassault NNP
, ,
respectively RB
. .
Naturally RB
, ,
neither CC
General NNP
Dynamics NNP
nor CC
Dassault NNP
could MD
be VB
expected VBN
to TO
hamper VB
its PRP$
prospective JJ
future NN
dealings NNS
by IN
making VBG
disclosures NNS
of IN
sums NNS
paid VBN
( (
or CC
not RB
) )
to TO
various JJ
Greek JJ
officials NNS
for IN
services NNS
rendered VBN
. .
So IN
it PRP
seems VBZ
that IN
Mr. NNP
Mitsotakis NNP
and CC
his PRP$
communist NN
chums NNS
may MD
have VB
unwittingly RB
served VBN
Mr. NNP
Papandreou NNP
a DT
moral JJ
victory NN
on IN
a DT
platter JJ
: :
PASOK NNP
, ,
whether IN
guilty JJ
or CC
not RB
, ,
can MD
now RB
traipse VB
the DT
countryside NN
condemning VBG
the DT
whole JJ
affair NN
as IN
a DT
witch NN
hunt NN
at IN
Mr. NNP
Papandreou NNP
's POS
expense NN
. .
But CC
while IN
verbal JJ
high JJ
jinks NNS
alone RB
wo MD
n't RB
help VB
PASOK NNP
regain VB
power NN
, ,
Mr. NNP
Papandreou NNP
should MD
never RB
be VB
underestimated VBN
. .
First RB
came VBD
his PRP$
predictable JJ
fusillade NN
: :
He PRP
charged VBD
the DT
Coalition NNP
of IN
the DT
Left NNP
and CC
Progress NNP
had VBD
sold VBN
out RP
its PRP$
leftist JJ
tenets NNS
by IN
collaborating VBG
in IN
a DT
right-wing JJ
plot NN
aimed VBN
at IN
ousting VBG
PASOK NNP
and CC
thwarting VBG
the DT
course NN
of IN
socialism NN
in IN
Greece NNP
. .
Then RB
, ,
to TO
buttress VB
his PRP$
credibility NN
with IN
the DT
left JJ
, ,
he PRP
enticed VBD
some DT
smaller JJR
leftist JJ
parties NNS
to TO
stand VB
for IN
election NN
under IN
the DT
PASOK NNP
banner NN
. .
Next JJ
, ,
he PRP
continued VBD
to TO
court VB
the DT
communists NNS
-- :
many JJ
of IN
whom WP
feel VBP
betrayed VBN
by IN
the DT
left-right JJ
coalition NN
's POS
birth NN
-- :
by IN
bringing VBG
into IN
PASOK NNP
a DT
well-respected JJ
Communist NNP
Party NNP
candidate NN
. .
For IN
balance NN
, ,
and CC
in IN
hopes NNS
of IN
gaining VBG
some DT
disaffected JJ
centrist JJ
votes NNS
, ,
he PRP
managed VBD
to TO
attract VB
a DT
former JJ
New NNP
Democracy NNP
Party NNP
representative NN
and CC
known VBN
political JJ
enemy NN
of IN
Mr. NNP
Mitsotakis NNP
. .
Thus RB
PASOK NNP
heads VBZ
for IN
the DT
polls NNS
not RB
only RB
with IN
diminished VBN
scandal-stench NN
, ,
but CC
also RB
with IN
`` ``
seals NNS
of IN
approval NN
'' ''
from IN
representatives NNS
of IN
its PRP$
harshest JJS
accusers NNS
. .
Crucial JJ
as IN
these DT
elections NNS
are VBP
for IN
Greece NNP
, ,
pressing VBG
issues NNS
of IN
state NN
are VBP
getting VBG
lost VBN
in IN
the DT
shuffle NN
. .
The DT
country NN
's POS
future JJ
NATO NNP
participation NN
remains VBZ
unsure JJ
, ,
for IN
instance NN
. .
Greece NNP
also RB
must MD
revamp VB
major JJ
pieces NNS
of IN
legislation NN
in IN
preparation NN
for IN
the DT
1992 CD
targets NNS
of IN
heightened VBN
Common NNP
Market NNP
cooperation NN
. .
Greece NNP
's POS
bilateral JJ
relations NNS
with IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
need VBP
attention NN
soon RB
as IN
well RB
. .
For IN
one CD
, ,
the DT
current JJ
accord NN
concerning VBG
U.S. NNP
military JJ
bases NNS
in IN
Greece NNP
lapses VBZ
in IN
May NNP
1990 CD
. .
Negotiations NNS
for IN
a DT
new JJ
agreement NN
were VBD
frozen VBN
before IN
the DT
June NNP
elections NNS
, ,
but CC
the DT
clock NN
is VBZ
running VBG
. .
Another DT
matter NN
of IN
concern NN
is VBZ
the DT
extradition NN
of IN
Mohammed NNP
Rashid NNP
, ,
a DT
Palestinian JJ
terrorist NN
who WP
is VBZ
wanted VBN
in IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
for IN
the DT
1982 CD
bombing NN
of IN
a DT
Pan NNP
American NNP
Airways NNPS
flight NN
. .
The DT
Greek NNP
courts NNS
have VBP
decided VBN
in IN
favor NN
of IN
extradition NN
in IN
the DT
Rashid NNP
case NN
, ,
but CC
the DT
matter NN
awaits VBZ
final JJ
approval NN
from IN
Greece NNP
's POS
next JJ
justice NN
minister NN
. .
The DT
Greeks NNPS
seem VBP
barely RB
aware JJ
of IN
the DT
importance NN
of IN
the DT
case NN
as IN
a DT
litmus NN
test NN
of IN
whether IN
Greece NNP
will MD
be VB
counted VBN
in RB
or CC
out RB
for IN
international JJ
efforts NNS
to TO
combat VB
terrorism NN
. .
That IN
PASOK NNP
could MD
win VB
the DT
elections NNS
outright RB
is VBZ
improbable JJ
; :
the DT
Greek JJ
press NN
, ,
previously RB
eager JJ
to TO
palm VB
off RP
PASOK NNP
's POS
line NN
, ,
has VBZ
turned VBN
on IN
Mr. NNP
Papandreou NNP
with IN
a DT
wild-eyed JJ
vengeance NN
. .
Yet RB
the DT
possibility NN
of IN
another DT
lash-up JJ
government NN
is VBZ
all RB
too RB
real JJ
. .
If IN
Mr. NNP
Papandreou NNP
becomes VBZ
the DT
major JJ
opposition NN
leader NN
, ,
he PRP
could MD
hamstring VB
a DT
conservative-led JJ
coalition NN
. .
Also RB
, ,
he PRP
could MD
force VB
new JJ
elections NNS
early JJ
next JJ
year NN
by IN
frustrating VBG
the DT
procedures NNS
for IN
the DT
election NN
of IN
the DT
president NN
of IN
the DT
republic NN
in IN
March NNP
. .
New NNP
Democracy NNP
has VBZ
once RB
again RB
glaringly RB
underestimated VBN
the DT
opponent NN
and CC
linked VBN
its PRP$
own JJ
prospects NNS
to TO
negative JJ
reaction NN
against IN
PASOK NNP
, ,
forgetting VBG
to TO
tend VB
to TO
either CC
program NN
clarity NN
or CC
the DT
rectification NN
of IN
internal JJ
squabbles NNS
. .
As IN
for IN
Mr. NNP
Papandreou NNP
? .
He PRP
's VBZ
not RB
exactly RB
sitting VBG
pretty RB
at IN
this DT
stage NN
. .
But CC
since IN
he PRP
is VBZ
undoubtedly RB
one CD
of IN
the DT
most RBS
proficient JJ
bull NN
slingers NNS
who WP
ever RB
raked VBD
muck NN
, ,
it PRP
seems VBZ
far RB
wiser JJR
to TO
view VB
him PRP
as IN
sidelined VBN
, ,
but CC
certainly RB
not RB
yet RB
eliminated VBN
. .
Mr. NNP
Carpenter NNP
, ,
a DT
regional JJ
correspondent NN
for IN
National NNP
Review NNP
, ,
has VBZ
lived VBN
in IN
Athens NNP
since IN
1981 CD
. .
U.S. NNP
OFFICIALS NNS
MOVED VBD
to TO
head VB
off RP
any DT
repeat NN
of IN
Black NNP
Monday NNP
today NN
following VBG
Friday NNP
's POS
plunge NN
in IN
stock NN
prices NNS
. .
Fed NNP
Chairman NNP
Greenspan NNP
signaled VBD
that IN
the DT
central JJ
bank NN
was VBD
prepared VBN
to TO
inject VB
massive JJ
amounts NNS
of IN
money NN
into IN
the DT
banking NN
system NN
to TO
prevent VB
a DT
financial JJ
crisis NN
. .
Other JJ
U.S. NNP
and CC
foreign JJ
officials NNS
also RB
mapped VBN
out RP
plans NNS
, ,
though IN
they PRP
kept VBD
their PRP$
moves NNS
quiet JJ
to TO
avoid VB
making VBG
the DT
financial JJ
markets NNS
more RBR
jittery JJ
. .
Friday NNP
's POS
sell-off NN
was VBD
triggered VBN
by IN
the DT
collapse NN
of IN
UAL NNP
's POS
buy-out NN
plan NN
and CC
a DT
big JJ
rise NN
in IN
producer NN
prices NNS
. .
The DT
Dow NNP
Jones NNP
industrials NNS
skidded VBD
190.58 CD
, ,
to TO
2569.26 CD
. .
The DT
junk NN
bond NN
market NN
came VBD
to TO
a DT
standstill NN
, ,
while IN
Treasury NN
bonds NNS
soared VBD
and CC
the DT
dollar NN
fell VBD
. .
Japanese JJ
stocks NNS
dropped VBD
early JJ
Monday NNP
, ,
but CC
by IN
late JJ
morning NN
were VBD
turning VBG
around IN
. .
The DT
dollar NN
was VBD
trading VBG
sharply RB
lower JJR
in IN
Tokyo NNP
. .
Prospects NNS
for IN
a DT
new JJ
UAL NNP
buy-out NN
proposal NN
appear VBP
bleak JJ
. .
Many JJ
banks NNS
refused VBD
to TO
back VB
the DT
$ $
6.79 CD
billion CD
transaction NN
, ,
but CC
bankers NNS
said VBD
it PRP
was VBD
not RB
from IN
any DT
unwillingness NN
to TO
finance VB
takeovers NNS
. .
The DT
decision NN
was VBD
based VBN
solely RB
on IN
problems NNS
with IN
the DT
UAL NNP
management-pilot NN
plan NN
, ,
they PRP
said VBD
. .
The DT
surge NN
in IN
producer NN
prices NNS
in IN
September NNP
followed VBD
three CD
months NNS
of IN
declines NNS
, ,
but CC
analysts NNS
were VBD
divided VBN
on IN
whether IN
the DT
0.9 CD
% NN
jump NN
signaled VBD
a DT
severe JJ
worsening NN
of IN
inflation NN
. .
Also RB
, ,
retail JJ
sales NNS
grew VBD
0.5 CD
% NN
last JJ
month NN
. .
A DT
capital-gains JJ
tax NN
cut NN
was VBD
removed VBN
from IN
the DT
Senate NNP
's POS
deficit NN
reduction NN
bill NN
, ,
but CC
proponents NNS
still RB
hope VB
to TO
enact VB
the DT
cut NN
this DT
year NN
. .
Bush NNP
wo MD
n't RB
press VB
for IN
a DT
capital-gains JJ
provision NN
in IN
the DT
final JJ
deficit NN
bill NN
when WRB
House-Senate NNP
conferees NNS
meet VBP
later RB
this DT
week NN
. .
General NNP
Motors NNPS
signaled VBD
that IN
up IN
to TO
five CD
North NNP
American NNP
assembly NN
plants NNS
may MD
close VB
by IN
the DT
mid-1990s CD
as IN
it PRP
tries VBZ
to TO
cut VB
excess JJ
capacity NN
. .
U.S. NNP
car NN
and CC
truck NN
sales NNS
fell VBD
12.6 CD
% NN
in IN
early JJ
October NNP
, ,
the DT
first JJ
sales NNS
period NN
of IN
the DT
1990-model JJ
year NN
, ,
dragged VBD
down IN
by IN
a DT
sharp JJ
decline NN
in IN
GM NNP
sales NNS
. .
Warner NNP
and CC
Sony NNP
are VBP
entangled VBN
in IN
a DT
legal JJ
battle NN
over IN
movie NN
producers NNS
Peter NNP
Gruber NNP
and CC
Jon NNP
Peters NNP
. .
The DT
fight NN
could MD
set VB
back RP
Sony NNP
's POS
plans NNS
to TO
enter VB
the DT
U.S. NNP
movie NN
business NN
. .
Hooker NNP
's POS
U.S. NNP
unit NN
received VBD
a DT
$ $
409 CD
million CD
bid NN
for IN
most JJS
of IN
its PRP$
real-estate NN
and CC
shopping-center NN
assets NNS
from IN
an DT
investor NN
group NN
. .
The DT
offer NN
does VBZ
n't RB
include VB
Bonwit NNP
Teller NNP
or CC
B. NNP
Altman NNP
. .
The DT
Boeing NNP
strike NN
is VBZ
starting VBG
to TO
affect VB
airlines NNS
. .
America NNP
West NNP
said VBD
Friday NNP
it PRP
will MD
postpone VB
its PRP$
new JJ
service NN
out IN
of IN
Houston NNP
because IN
of IN
delays NNS
in IN
receiving VBG
aircraft NN
from IN
Boeing NNP
. .
Saatchi NNP
& CC
Saatchi NNP
would MD
launch VB
a DT
management NN
buy-out NN
if IN
a DT
hostile JJ
suitor NN
emerged VBD
, ,
an DT
official NN
said VBD
. .
British NNP
Aerospace NNP
and CC
France NNP
's POS
Thomson-CSF NNP
are VBP
nearing VBG
a DT
pact NN
to TO
merge VB
guided-missile JJ
divisions NNS
. .
New NNP
U.S. NNP
steel-import JJ
quotas NNS
will MD
give VB
a DT
bigger JJR
share NN
to TO
developing VBG
nations NNS
that WDT
have VBP
relatively RB
unsubsidized JJ
steel NN
industries NNS
. .
Japan NNP
's POS
steel NN
quota NN
will MD
be VB
cut VBN
significantly RB
. .
Four CD
ailing VBG
S&Ls NNS
were VBD
sold VBN
off RP
by IN
government NN
regulators NNS
, ,
but CC
low JJ
bids NNS
prevented VBD
the DT
sale NN
of IN
a DT
fifth JJ
. .
Markets NNS
-- :
Stocks NNS
: :
Volume NN
251,170,000 CD
shares NNS
. .
Dow NNP
Jones NNP
industrials NNS
2569.26 CD
, ,
off IN
190.58 CD
; :
transportation NN
1406.29 CD
, ,
off IN
78.06 CD
; :
utilities NNS
211.96 CD
, ,
off IN
7.29 CD
. .
Bonds NNS
: :
Shearson NNP
Lehman NNP
Hutton NNP
Treasury NNP
index NN
3421.29 CD
, ,
up IN
Commodities NNS
: :
Dow NNP
Jones NNP
futures NNS
index NN
129.87 CD
, ,
up IN
0.01 CD
; :
spot NN
index NN
129.25 CD
, ,
up IN
0.28 CD
. .
Dollar NN
: :
142.10 CD
yen NN
, ,
off IN
2.07 CD
; :
1.8740 CD
marks NNS
, ,
off IN
0.0343 CD
. .
A DT
federal JJ
appeals NNS
court NN
in IN
San NNP
Francisco NNP
ruled VBD
that IN
shareholders NNS
ca MD
n't RB
hold VB
corporate JJ
officials NNS
liable JJ
for IN
false JJ
sales NNS
projections NNS
on IN
new JJ
products NNS
if IN
the DT
news NN
media NNS
concurrently RB
revealed VBD
substantial JJ
information NN
about IN
the DT
product NN
's POS
flaws NNS
. .
The DT
ruling NN
stems VBZ
from IN
a DT
1984 CD
suit NN
filed VBN
by IN
shareholders NNS
of IN
Apple NNP
Computer NNP
Inc. NNP
, ,
claiming VBG
that IN
company NN
officials NNS
misled VBD
investors NNS
about IN
the DT
expected VBN
success NN
of IN
the DT
Lisa NNP
computer NN
, ,
introduced VBN
in IN
1983 CD
. .
Lawyers NNS
specializing VBG
in IN
shareholder NN
suits NNS
said VBD
they PRP
are VBP
concerned VBN
that IN
use NN
of IN
the DT
`` ``
press NN
defense NN
'' ''
by IN
corporations NNS
may MD
become VB
popular JJ
as IN
a DT
result NN
of IN
the DT
ruling NN
. .
According VBG
to TO
the DT
suit NN
, ,
Apple NNP
officials NNS
created VBD
public JJ
excitement NN
by IN
touting VBG
Lisa NNP
as IN
an DT
office NN
computer NN
that WDT
would MD
revolutionize VB
the DT
workplace NN
and CC
be VB
extremely RB
successful JJ
in IN
its PRP$
first JJ
year NN
. .
The DT
plaintiffs NNS
also RB
alleged VBN
that IN
prior JJ
to TO
the DT
fanfare NN
, ,
the DT
company NN
circulated VBD
internal JJ
memos NNS
indicating VBG
problems NNS
with IN
Lisa NNP
. .
The DT
suit NN
claimed VBD
Apple NNP
's POS
stock NN
climbed VBD
to TO
a DT
high JJ
of IN
$ $
63.50 CD
a DT
share NN
on IN
the DT
basis NN
of IN
the DT
company NN
's POS
optimistic JJ
forecasts NNS
. .
But CC
when WRB
the DT
company NN
revealed VBD
Lisa NNP
's POS
poor JJ
sales NNS
late RB
in IN
1983 CD
, ,
the DT
stock NN
plummeted VBD
to TO
a DT
low JJ
of IN
$ $
17.37 CD
a DT
share NN
, ,
according VBG
to TO
the DT
suit NN
. .
The DT
shareholders NNS
claimed VBD
more JJR
than IN
$ $
150 CD
million CD
in IN
losses NNS
. .
In IN
1987 CD
, ,
the DT
San NNP
Francisco NNP
district NN
court NN
dismissed VBD
the DT
case NN
largely RB
because IN
newspaper NN
reports NNS
had VBD
sufficiently RB
counterbalanced VBN
the DT
company NN
's POS
statements NNS
by IN
alerting VBG
consumers NNS
to TO
Lisa NNP
's POS
problems NNS
. .
Late JJ
last JJ
month NN
, ,
the DT
appeals NNS
court NN
agreed VBD
that IN
most JJS
of IN
the DT
case NN
should MD
be VB
dismissed VBN
. .
However RB
, ,
it PRP
gave VBD
the DT
shareholders NNS
the DT
right NN
to TO
pursue VB
a DT
small JJ
portion NN
of IN
their PRP$
claim NN
that WDT
pertains VBZ
to TO
Lisa NNP
's POS
disk NN
drive NN
, ,
known VBN
as IN
Twiggy NNP
. .
The DT
court NN
ruled VBD
that IN
the DT
news NN
media NNS
did VBD
n't RB
reveal VB
Twiggy NNP
's POS
problems NNS
at IN
the DT
time NN
. .
Lawyers NNS
are VBP
worried VBN
about IN
the DT
ruling NN
's POS
implication NN
in IN
other JJ
shareholder NN
suits NNS
but CC
pointed VBD
out RP
that IN
the DT
court NN
stressed VBD
that IN
the DT
ruling NN
should MD
be VB
regarded VBN
as IN
very RB
specific JJ
to TO
the DT
Apple NNP
case NN
. .
`` ``
The DT
court NN
was VBD
careful JJ
to TO
say VB
that IN
the DT
adverse JJ
information NN
appeared VBD
in IN
the DT
very RB
same JJ
articles NNS
and CC
received VBD
the DT
same JJ
attention NN
as IN
the DT
company NN
's POS
statements NNS
, ,
'' ''
said VBD
Patrick NNP
Grannon NNP
, ,
a DT
Los NNP
Angeles NNP
lawyer NN
at IN
the DT
firm NN
of IN
Greenfield NNP
& CC
Chimicles NNP
, ,
which WDT
was VBD
n't RB
involved VBN
in IN
the DT
case NN
. .
`` ``
The DT
court NN
is VBZ
saying VBG
that IN
the DT
adverse JJ
facts NNS
have VBP
to TO
be VB
transferred VBN
to TO
the DT
market NN
with IN
equal JJ
intensity NN
and CC
credibility NN
as IN
the DT
statements NNS
of IN
corporate JJ
insiders NNS
. .
'' ''
Shareholders NNS
' POS
attorneys NNS
at IN
the DT
New NNP
York NNP
firm NN
of IN
Milberg NNP
, ,
Weiss NNP
, ,
Bershad NNP
, ,
Specthrie NNP
& CC
Lerach NNP
last JJ
week NN
petitioned VBD
for IN
a DT
rehearing NN
of IN
the DT
case NN
. .
They PRP
wrote VBD
: :
`` ``
The DT
opinion NN
establishes VBZ
a DT
new JJ
rule NN
of IN
immunity NN
-- :
that IN
if IN
a DT
wide JJ
variety NN
of IN
opinions NNS
on IN
a DT
company NN
's POS
business NN
are VBP
publicly RB
reported VBN
, ,
the DT
company NN
can MD
say VB
anything NN
without IN
fear NN
of IN
securities NNS
liability NN
. .
'' ''
NFL NNP
ORDERED VBN
to TO
pay VB
$ $
5.5 CD
million CD
in IN
legal JJ
fees NNS
to TO
defunct VB
The DT
National NNP
Football NNP
League NNP
is VBZ
considering VBG
appealing VBG
the DT
ruling NN
stemming VBG
from IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
Football NNP
League NNP
's POS
largely RB
unsuccessful JJ
antitrust JJ
suit NN
against IN
the DT
NFL NNP
. .
A DT
jury NN
in IN
1986 CD
agreed VBD
with IN
the DT
USFL NNP
's POS
claims NNS
that IN
the DT
NFL NNP
monopolized VBD
major JJ
league NN
football NN
. .
But CC
the DT
jury NN
awarded VBD
the DT
USFL NNP
only RB
$ $
1 CD
in IN
damages NNS
, ,
trebled VBD
because IN
of IN
the DT
antitrust JJ
claims NNS
. .
Last JJ
week NN
, ,
the DT
U.S. NNP
Court NNP
of IN
Appeals NNPS
in IN
New NNP
York NNP
upheld VBD
a DT
$ $
5.5 CD
million CD
award NN
of IN
attorneys NNS
fees NNS
to TO
the DT
defunct JJ
league NN
. .
Harvey NNP
D. NNP
Myerson NNP
, ,
of IN
Myerson NNP
& CC
Kuhn NNP
, ,
then RB
of IN
Finley NNP
, ,
Kumble NNP
, ,
Wagner NNP
, ,
Heine NNP
, ,
Underberg NNP
, ,
Manley NNP
, ,
Myerson NNP
& CC
Casey NNP
, ,
was VBD
the DT
lead NN
trial NN
lawyer NN
, ,
and CC
his PRP$
new JJ
firm NN
pursued VBD
the DT
application NN
appeal NN
. .
Douglas NNP
R. NNP
Pappas NNP
of IN
Myerson NNP
& CC
Kuhn NNP
says VBZ
about IN
$ $
5.3 CD
million CD
of IN
the DT
award NN
goes VBZ
directly RB
to TO
the DT
USFL NNP
to TO
reimburse VB
it PRP
for IN
fees NNS
already RB
paid VBN
. .
Myerson NNP
& CC
Kuhn NNP
will MD
get VB
about IN
$ $
260,000 CD
for IN
the DT
costs NNS
of IN
pressing VBG
the DT
application NN
. .
The DT
federal JJ
appeals NNS
court NN
held VBD
that IN
the DT
nominal JJ
damages NNS
and CC
the DT
failure NN
to TO
prove VB
all DT
claims NNS
did VBD
n't RB
exclude VB
the DT
USFL NNP
from IN
being VBG
reimbursed VBN
. .
Antitrust JJ
laws NNS
provide VBP
that IN
injured VBN
parties NNS
may MD
be VB
reimbursed VBN
for IN
lawyers NNS
' POS
fees NNS
. .
But CC
Shepard NNP
Goldfein NNP
, ,
an DT
attorney NN
for IN
the DT
NFL NNP
, ,
says VBZ
his PRP$
client NN
will MD
consider VB
asking VBG
for IN
another DT
hearing NN
or CC
appealing VBG
to TO
the DT
U.S. NNP
Supreme NNP
Court NNP
. .
Mr. NNP
Goldfein NNP
, ,
of IN
Skadden NNP
, ,
Arps NNP
, ,
Slate NNP
, ,
Meagher NNP
& CC
Flom NNP
in IN
New NNP
York NNP
, ,
says VBZ
the DT
ruling NN
is VBZ
wrong JJ
and CC
the DT
fee NN
award NN
is VBZ
excessive JJ
because IN
the DT
USFL NNP
lost VBD
its PRP$
major JJ
claims NNS
, ,
including VBG
its PRP$
contention NN
that IN
the DT
NFL NNP
restrained JJ
trade NN
through IN
television NN
contracts NNS
. .
`` ``
The DT
USFL NNP
was VBD
not RB
the DT
prevailing VBG
party NN
, ,
'' ''
Mr. NNP
Goldfein NNP
insists VBZ
. .
HOUSTON-CALGARY NNP
ALLIANCE NNP
: :
Fulbright NNP
& CC
Jaworski NNP
of IN
Houston NNP
and CC
Fenerty NNP
, ,
Robertson NNP
, ,
Fraser NNP
& CC
Hatch NNP
of IN
Calgary NNP
, ,
Alberta NNP
, ,
are VBP
affiliating VBG
to TO
help VB
serve VB
their PRP$
energy-industry NN
clients NNS
. .
The DT
affiliation NN
is VBZ
believed VBN
to TO
be VB
the DT
first JJ
such JJ
cross-border JJ
arrangement NN
among IN
major JJ
law NN
firms NNS
. .
The DT
firms NNS
are VBP
n't RB
required VBN
to TO
refer VB
work NN
exclusively RB
to TO
each DT
other JJ
and CC
remain VB
separate JJ
organizations NNS
. .
But CC
they PRP
will MD
work VB
together RB
on IN
energy NN
- :
, ,
environmental JJ
- :
and CC
fair-trade-related JJ
issues NNS
and CC
conduct VB
seminars NNS
on IN
topics NNS
of IN
mutual JJ
interest NN
, ,
said VBD
Gibson NNP
Gayle NNP
Jr. NNP
of IN
585-lawyer NN
Fulbright NNP
& CC
Jaworski NNP
. .
In IN
addition NN
, ,
Fulbright NNP
& CC
Jaworski NNP
's POS
Washington NNP
, ,
D.C. NNP
, ,
office NN
will MD
play VB
a DT
key JJ
role NN
as IN
the DT
firms NNS
work VBP
together RB
on IN
regulatory JJ
issues NNS
, ,
particularly RB
natural-gas NN
exports NNS
, ,
for IN
their PRP$
clients NNS
. .
The DT
arrangement NN
, ,
reached VBN
after IN
about IN
eight CD
months NNS
of IN
negotiations NNS
, ,
grew VBD
out IN
of IN
80-lawyer NN
Fenerty NNP
Robertson NNP
's POS
desire NN
to TO
develop VB
ties NNS
with IN
a DT
U.S. NNP
firm NN
in IN
light NN
of IN
relaxed VBN
trade NN
barriers NNS
between IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
and CC
Canada NNP
, ,
said VBD
Francis NNP
M. NNP
Saville NNP
of IN
Fenerty NNP
Robertson NNP
. .
IN IN
WHAT WP
MAY MD
SIGNAL VB
a DT
turnaround NN
for IN
asbestos NN
manufacturers NNS
, ,
W.R. NNP
Grace NNP
& CC
Co. NNP
won VBD
a DT
3 CD
1\/2-week JJ
trial NN
in IN
Pittsburgh NNP
over IN
whether IN
it PRP
should MD
be VB
required VBN
to TO
remove VB
asbestos NN
fireproofing NN
from IN
a DT
local JJ
high JJ
school NN
. .
Mount NNP
Lebanon NNP
High NNP
School NNP
, ,
near IN
Pittsburgh NNP
, ,
sought VBD
$ $
21 CD
million CD
in IN
compensatory JJ
damages NNS
from IN
Grace NNP
, ,
arguing VBG
that IN
the DT
asbestos NN
, ,
which WDT
can MD
cause VB
respiratory JJ
diseases NNS
and CC
lung NN
cancer NN
, ,
posed VBD
a DT
risk NN
to TO
students NNS
. .
Grace NNP
successfully RB
contended VBD
that IN
removing VBG
the DT
fire NN
retardant NN
would MD
pose VB
a DT
greater JJR
health NN
risk NN
than IN
leaving VBG
it PRP
alone RB
. .
A DT
spokesman NN
for IN
the DT
company NN
said VBD
the DT
verdict NN
is VBZ
thought VBN
to TO
be VB
the DT
first JJ
in IN
favor NN
of IN
an DT
asbestos NN
manufacturer NN
where WRB
the DT
plaintiff NN
was VBD
a DT
school NN
and CC
the DT
asbestos NN
in IN
question NN
was VBD
used VBN
for IN
fireproofing VBG
. .
FCC NNP
COUNSEL NN
JOINS VBZ
FIRM NN
: :
Diane NNP
S. NNP
Killory NNP
will MD
join VB
500-lawyer NN
Morrison NNP
& CC
Foerster NNP
as IN
a DT
partner NN
in IN
its PRP$
Washington NNP
, ,
D.C. NNP
, ,
office NN
in IN
mid-November NNP
. .
She PRP
will MD
help VB
develop VB
the DT
mass-media NNS
practice NN
of IN
the DT
San NNP
Francisco-based JJ
firm NN
's POS
communications NNS
group NN
. .
Ms. NNP
Killory NNP
, ,
35 CD
years NNS
old JJ
, ,
resigned VBD
as IN
Federal NNP
Communications NNP
Commission NNP
general JJ
counsel NN
early RB
this DT
month NN
after IN
nearly RB
three CD
years NNS
in IN
that DT
post NN
. .
She PRP
was VBD
the DT
first JJ
woman NN
to TO
be VB
appointed VBN
FCC NNP
general JJ
counsel NN
. .
RICHARD NNP
P. NNP
MAGURNO NNP
, ,
formerly RB
Eastern NNP
Airlines NNP
' POS
top NN
lawyer NN
, ,
joined VBD
the DT
New NNP
York NNP
law NN
firm NN
of IN
Lord NNP
Day NNP
& CC
Lord NNP
, ,
Barrett NNP
Smith NNP
as IN
a DT
partner NN
. .
Mr. NNP
Magurno NNP
, ,
45 CD
, ,
spent VBD
17 CD
years NNS
at IN
the DT
Miami NNP
airline NN
unit NN
of IN
Houston-based JJ
Texas NNP
Air NNP
Corp. NNP
and CC
was VBD
named VBN
general JJ
counsel NN
in IN
1984 CD
. .
He PRP
left VBD
the DT
company NN
in IN
1987 CD
. .
Mr. NNP
Magurno NNP
said VBD
he PRP
will MD
split VB
his PRP$
time NN
between IN
the DT
200-lawyer NN
firm NN
's POS
offices NNS
in IN
Washington NNP
, ,
D.C. NNP
, ,
and CC
New NNP
York NNP
, ,
with IN
specialties NNS
in IN
aviation NN
and CC
labor NN
law NN
. .
Apple NNP
Computer NNP
Inc. NNP
said VBD
it PRP
will MD
offer VB
cash NN
rebates NNS
on IN
several JJ
of IN
its PRP$
machines NNS
from IN
Oct. NNP
14 CD
to TO
Dec. NNP
31. CD
, ,
as IN
part NN
of IN
a DT
holiday-season JJ
sales NNS
promotion NN
. .
Apple NNP
will MD
offer VB
a DT
$ $
150 CD
rebate NN
on IN
its PRP$
Apple NNP
IIGS NNP
with IN
any DT
Apple NNP
Monitor NNP
and CC
disk NN
drive NN
; :
$ $
200 CD
on IN
the DT
basic JJ
Macintosh NNP
Plus NNP
central JJ
processing NN
unit NN
; :
$ $
250 CD
on IN
the DT
Macintosh NNP
SE NNP
central JJ
processing NN
unit NN
; :
$ $
250 CD
on IN
the DT
Macintosh NNP
SE\/30 NNP
cpu NN
, ,
and CC
$ $
300 CD
on IN
a DT
Macintosh NNP
IIcx NNP
with IN
any DT
Apple NNP
video NN
card NN
and CC
Apple NNP
monitor NN
. .
The DT
rebates NNS
, ,
as IN
a DT
percentage NN
of IN
the DT
retail JJ
cost NN
of IN
the DT
cpu NN
of IN
each DT
system NN
, ,
amount NN
to TO
6 CD
% NN
to TO
13 CD
% NN
. .
The DT
company NN
is VBZ
also RB
offering VBG
a DT
free JJ
trial NN
of IN
its PRP$
computers NNS
to TO
consumers NNS
who WP
qualify VBP
for IN
its PRP$
credit NN
cards NNS
or CC
leases NNS
. .
Matsushita NNP
Electric NNP
Industrial NNP
Co. NNP
of IN
Japan NNP
and CC
Siemens NNP
AG NNP
of IN
West NNP
Germany NNP
announced VBD
they PRP
have VBP
completed VBN
a DT
100 CD
million-mark JJ
( (
$ $
52.2 CD
million CD
) )
joint JJ
venture NN
to TO
produce VB
electronics NNS
parts NNS
. .
In IN
the DT
venture NN
's POS
first JJ
fiscal JJ
year NN
, ,
Siemens NNP
will MD
hold VB
74.9 CD
% NN
of IN
the DT
venture NN
and CC
a DT
Matsushita NNP
subsidiary NN
, ,
Matsushita NNP
Electronic NNP
Components NNPS
Co. NNP
, ,
25.1 CD
% NN
. .
A DT
basic JJ
agreement NN
between IN
the DT
two CD
companies NNS
was VBD
announced VBN
in IN
June NNP
. .
The DT
new JJ
company NN
is VBZ
to TO
be VB
called VBN
Siemens NNP
Matsushita NNP
Components NNPS
G.m.b NNP
. .
H NN
. .
It PRP
will MD
have VB
its PRP$
headquarters NNS
in IN
Munich NNP
. .
Matsushita NNP
's POS
share NN
in IN
the DT
venture NN
will MD
rise VB
to TO
35 CD
% NN
Oct. NNP
1 CD
, ,
1990 CD
, ,
and CC
to TO
50 CD
% NN
the DT
following VBG
Oct. NNP
1 CD
. .
Siemens NNP
will MD
retain VB
majority NN
voting VBG
rights NNS
. .
The DT
parent NN
companies NNS
forecast VBP
sales NNS
for IN
the DT
venture NN
of IN
around IN
750 CD
million CD
marks NNS
for IN
its PRP$
first JJ
fiscal JJ
year NN
, ,
Matsushita NNP
said VBD
. .
Sales NNS
are VBP
expected VBN
to TO
rise VB
to TO
one CD
billion CD
marks NNS
after IN
four CD
years NNS
. .
The DT
company NN
will MD
have VB
production NN
facilities NNS
in IN
West NNP
Germany NNP
, ,
Austria NNP
, ,
France NNP
and CC
Spain NNP
. .
Roger NNP
Rosenblatt NNP
, ,
editor NN
of IN
U.S. NNP
News NNP
& CC
World NNP
Report NNP
, ,
resigned VBD
Friday NNP
from IN
the DT
weekly JJ
news NN
magazine NN
. .
Mr. NNP
Rosenblatt NNP
said VBD
he PRP
resigned VBD
because IN
of IN
difficulties NNS
with IN
commuting VBG
between IN
his PRP$
home NN
in IN
New NNP
York NNP
and CC
the DT
magazine NN
's POS
editorial NN
offices NNS
in IN
Washington NNP
. .
`` ``
Frankly NNP
, ,
I PRP
missed VBD
my PRP$
family NN
, ,
'' ''
said VBD
Mr. NNP
Rosenblatt NNP
. .
In IN
Mr. NNP
Rosenblatt NNP
's POS
tenure NN
, ,
the DT
magazine NN
's POS
advertising NN
pages NNS
and CC
circulation NN
have VBP
grown VBN
significantly RB
. .
But CC
at IN
2.3 CD
million CD
weekly RB
paid VBN
circulation NN
, ,
U.S. NNP
News NNP
still RB
ranks VBZ
third JJ
behind IN
Time NNP
Warner NNP
Inc. NNP
's POS
Time NNP
magazine NN
, ,
with IN
4.4 CD
million CD
circulation NN
, ,
and CC
Washington NNP
Post NNP
Co. NNP
's POS
Newsweek NNP
, ,
with IN
3.3 CD
million CD
circulation NN
. .
Mortimer NNP
B. NNP
Zuckerman NNP
, ,
chairman NN
and CC
editor NN
in IN
chief NN
, ,
said VBD
Mr. NNP
Rosenblatt NNP
would MD
be VB
succeeded VBN
starting VBG
today NN
by IN
Michael NNP
Ruby NNP
, ,
the DT
magazine NN
's POS
executive NN
editor NN
, ,
and CC
Merrill NNP
McLoughlin NNP
, ,
a DT
senior JJ
writer NN
. .
Mr. NNP
Ruby NNP
and CC
Ms. NNP
McLoughlin NNP
are VBP
married VBN
to TO
each DT
other JJ
. .
Mr. NNP
Zuckerman NNP
said VBD
his PRP$
magazine NN
would MD
maintain VB
its PRP$
editorial NN
format NN
, ,
which WDT
is VBZ
a DT
mix NN
of IN
analysis NN
and CC
trend NN
stories NNS
with IN
service-oriented JJ
, ,
how-to JJ
articles NNS
. .
Mr. NNP
Rosenblatt NNP
, ,
a DT
senior JJ
writer NN
at IN
Time NNP
magazine NN
before IN
joining VBG
U.S. NNP
News NNP
& CC
World NNP
Report NNP
, ,
said VBD
he PRP
had VBD
numerous JJ
job NN
offers NNS
from IN
other JJ
magazines NNS
while IN
he PRP
was VBD
editor NN
. .
The DT
offers NNS
were VBD
to TO
work VB
as IN
a DT
writer NN
, ,
not RB
an DT
editor NN
. .
He PRP
said VBD
he PRP
will MD
now RB
consider VB
those DT
offers NNS
. .
Avions NNP
Marcel NNP
Dassault-Breguet NNP
Aviation NNP
S.A. NNP
said VBD
group NN
profit NN
before IN
taxes NNS
and CC
contributions NNS
to TO
employee NN
profit-sharing NNS
soared VBD
97 CD
% NN
to TO
839 CD
million CD
francs NNS
( (
$ $
129.6 CD
million CD
) )
in IN
the DT
first JJ
half DT
of IN
1989 CD
from IN
425 CD
million CD
francs NNS
a DT
year NN
earlier RBR
. .
The DT
French NNP
aircraft NN
group NN
pointed VBD
out RP
, ,
however RB
, ,
that IN
financial JJ
results NNS
from IN
its PRP$
sector NN
of IN
industry NN
are VBP
frequently RB
erratic JJ
because IN
of IN
irregular JJ
cash NN
flow NN
from IN
large JJ
contracts NNS
. .
It PRP
noted VBD
, ,
for IN
example NN
, ,
that IN
group NN
revenue NN
for IN
the DT
first JJ
half DT
was VBD
8.734 CD
billion CD
francs NNS
, ,
down RB
about IN
12 CD
% NN
from IN
9.934 CD
billion CD
francs NNS
a DT
year NN
earlier RBR
. .
Still RB
, ,
it PRP
said VBD
it PRP
expects VBZ
sales NNS
for IN
all DT
of IN
1989 CD
to TO
be VB
on IN
the DT
order NN
of IN
20 CD
billion CD
francs NNS
, ,
reflecting VBG
anticipated VBN
billings NNS
for IN
two CD
large JJ
contracts NNS
in IN
the DT
second JJ
half DT
of IN
the DT
year NN
. .
For IN
all DT
of IN
1988 CD
, ,
Dassault NNP
had VBD
group NN
profit NN
of IN
428 CD
million CD
francs NNS
on IN
revenue NN
of IN
18.819 CD
billion CD
francs NNS
. .
The DT
group NN
has VBZ
n't RB
yet RB
released VBN
earnings NNS
figures NNS
for IN
the DT
first JJ
half DT
of IN
1989 CD
, ,
nor CC
has VBZ
it PRP
made VBN
a DT
detailed VBN
forecast NN
of IN
its PRP$
full-year JJ
earnings NNS
. .
Keystone NNP
Consolidated NNP
Industries NNPS
Inc. NNP
expects VBZ
to TO
report VB
earnings NNS
before IN
extraordinary JJ
tax NN
benefits NNS
of IN
about IN
$ $
1.5 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
about IN
41 CD
cents NNS
a DT
share NN
, ,
for IN
the DT
third JJ
quarter NN
, ,
compared VBN
with IN
a DT
loss NN
last JJ
year NN
, ,
said VBD
Glenn NNP
R. NNP
Simmons NNP
, ,
chairman NN
and CC
chief NN
executive NN
officer NN
. .
After IN
a DT
tax NN
benefit NN
of IN
about IN
$ $
780,000 CD
, ,
Keystone NNP
expects VBZ
to TO
report VB
net JJ
income NN
of IN
$ $
2.3 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
about IN
62 CD
cents NNS
a DT
share NN
, ,
Mr. NNP
Simmons NNP
said VBD
. .
For IN
third JJ
quarter NN
last JJ
year NN
, ,
Keystone NNP
reported VBD
a DT
$ $
1 CD
million CD
loss NN
from IN
continuing VBG
operations NNS
and CC
a DT
$ $
200,000 CD
loss NN
from IN
discontinued VBN
operations NNS
, ,
for IN
a DT
net JJ
loss NN
of IN
$ $
1.2 CD
million CD
. .
Revenue NN
for IN
the DT
latest JJS
third JJ
quarter NN
was VBD
about IN
$ $
70.5 CD
million CD
, ,
up RB
10 CD
% NN
from IN
$ $
63.6 CD
million CD
last JJ
year NN
, ,
he PRP
said VBD
. .
Mr. NNP
Simmons NNP
said VBD
the DT
results NNS
signal VBP
a DT
turnaround NN
for IN
the DT
maker NN
of IN
wire NN
and CC
wire NN
products NNS
, ,
which WDT
has VBZ
struggled VBN
to TO
remain VB
competitive JJ
in IN
the DT
face NN
of IN
lower-priced JJ
, ,
imported VBN
steel NN
. .
A DT
new JJ
$ $
46 CD
million CD
steel NN
rod NN
minimill NN
, ,
which WDT
got VBD
off RP
to TO
a DT
rocky JJ
start NN
in IN
early JJ
1988 CD
, ,
now RB
is VBZ
running VBG
efficiently RB
and CC
a DT
new JJ
management NN
team NN
is VBZ
more RBR
heavily RB
marketing VBG
Keystone NN
's POS
products NNS
, ,
Mr. NNP
Simmons NNP
said VBD
. .
As IN
a DT
result NN
, ,
the DT
company NN
hopes VBZ
to TO
report VB
net JJ
income NN
for IN
the DT
year NN
of IN
about IN
$ $
11.6 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
about IN
$ $
3.10 CD
to TO
$ $
3.15 CD
a DT
share NN
, ,
compared VBN
with IN
a DT
net JJ
loss NN
of IN
$ $
24.4 CD
million CD
last JJ
year NN
, ,
after IN
a DT
loss NN
from IN
discontinued VBN
operations NNS
of IN
$ $
18.4 CD
million CD
. .
Revenue NN
for IN
1989 CD
is VBZ
expected VBN
to TO
be VB
about IN
$ $
300 CD
million CD
, ,
up IN
about IN
21 CD
% NN
from IN
$ $
247.3 CD
million CD
in IN
1988 CD
. .
For IN
the DT
nine CD
months NNS
ended VBD
Sept. NNP
30 CD
, ,
Keystone NNP
expects VBZ
to TO
report VB
net JJ
income NN
of IN
$ $
9.3 CD
milion NN
, ,
or CC
about IN
$ $
2.53 CD
a DT
share NN
, ,
after IN
an DT
extraordinary JJ
gain NN
from IN
$ $
3.2 CD
million CD
in IN
tax NN
benefits NNS
. .
Last JJ
year NN
, ,
the DT
company NN
had VBD
a DT
net JJ
loss NN
of IN
$ $
6.5 CD
million CD
, ,
including VBG
a DT
$ $
6.1 CD
million CD
loss NN
from IN
continuing VBG
operations NNS
and CC
a DT
$ $
400,000 CD
loss NN
from IN
discontinued VBN
operations NNS
. .
Revenue NN
for IN
the DT
nine CD
months NNS
is VBZ
expected VBN
to TO
be VB
about IN
$ $
230.5 CD
million CD
, ,
up IN
about IN
21 CD
% NN
from IN
$ $
190.4 CD
million CD
last JJ
year NN
. .
Mr. NNP
Simmons NNP
said VBD
Keystone NNP
's POS
new JJ
mill NN
is VBZ
expected VBN
to TO
produce VB
about IN
585,000 CD
tons NNS
of IN
steel NN
rods NNS
this DT
year NN
, ,
up IN
from IN
413,000 CD
tons NNS
in IN
1988 CD
. .
Production NN
at IN
the DT
mill NN
has VBZ
exceeded VBN
the DT
ability NN
of IN
Keystone NNP
's POS
casting NN
operation NN
to TO
supply VB
it PRP
, ,
he PRP
said VBD
, ,
which WDT
will MD
force VB
Keystone NNP
to TO
purchase VB
billet NN
, ,
or CC
unfinished JJ
steel NN
bars NNS
, ,
from IN
outside IN
the DT
company NN
during IN
the DT
fourth JJ
quarter NN
and CC
next JJ
year NN
. .
Keystone NNP
will MD
have VB
to TO
consider VB
expanding VBG
its PRP$
casting NN
operation NN
, ,
at IN
an DT
estimated VBN
cost NN
of IN
$ $
8 CD
million CD
to TO
$ $
10 CD
million CD
, ,
within IN
the DT
next JJ
18 CD
to TO
24 CD
months NNS
, ,
Mr. NNP
Simmons NNP
said VBD
. .
Under IN
Robert NNP
W. NNP
Singer NNP
, ,
who WP
was VBD
named VBN
president NN
and CC
chief NN
operating VBG
officer NN
last JJ
year NN
, ,
Keystone NNP
has VBZ
expanded VBN
its PRP$
sales NNS
force NN
to TO
about IN
20 CD
people NNS
from IN
about IN
15 CD
and CC
hopes VBZ
to TO
expand VB
its PRP$
sales NNS
from IN
the DT
middle JJ
portion NN
of IN
the DT
country NN
toward IN
the DT
East NNP
and CC
West NNP
coasts NNS
. .
`` ``
Prior RB
to TO
a DT
year NN
ago IN
, ,
Keystone NNP
was VBD
an DT
order-taker NN
. .
Now RB
I PRP
think VBP
we PRP
have VBP
a DT
group NN
of IN
marketing VBG
people NNS
who WP
are VBP
out IN
selling VBG
to TO
retailers NNS
and CC
wholesalers NNS
, ,
'' ''
Mr. NNP
Simmons NNP
said VBD
. .
Still RB
, ,
he PRP
said VBD
, ,
the DT
100-year-old JJ
company NN
plans VBZ
to TO
continue VB
its PRP$
premium-priced JJ
strategy NN
for IN
its PRP$
distinctive JJ
brand NN
of IN
red-tipped JJ
wire NN
fencing NN
and CC
other JJ
products NNS
. .
The DT
company NN
claims VBZ
a DT
40 CD
% NN
share NN
of IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
field NN
fence NN
business NN
, ,
a DT
35 CD
% NN
share NN
of IN
poultry NN
netting VBG
sales NNS
and CC
a DT
30 CD
% NN
share NN
of IN
barbed VBN
wire NN
sales NNS
. .
Freeport-McMoRan NNP
Inc. NNP
said VBD
a DT
temporary JJ
cessation NN
of IN
operations NNS
at IN
its PRP$
Sunshine NNP
Bridge NNP
uranium-recovery JJ
facility NN
in IN
Donaldsonville NNP
, ,
La. NNP
, ,
will MD
result VB
in IN
slight JJ
earnings NNS
improvement NN
to TO
both PDT
the DT
company NN
and CC
its PRP$
Freeport-McMoRan NNP
Resource NNP
Partners NNPS
Limited NNP
Partnership NNP
unit NN
. .
The DT
company NN
did VBD
n't RB
elaborate JJ
. .
The DT
diversified JJ
energy NN
and CC
minerals NNS
concern NN
said VBD
that IN
a DT
depressed VBN
uranium NN
market NN
is VBZ
responsible JJ
for IN
the DT
temporary JJ
mothballing NN
of IN
the DT
plant NN
, ,
but CC
that IN
the DT
plant NN
can MD
be VB
reactivated VBN
quickly RB
when WRB
the DT
market NN
improves VBZ
. .
More JJR
than IN
400,000 CD
pounds NNS
of IN
uranium NN
a DT
year NN
have VBP
been VBN
produced VBN
at IN
the DT
facility NN
during IN
the DT
past JJ
seven CD
years NNS
. .
A DT
second JJ
uranium-recovery JJ
plant NN
at IN
Uncle NNP
Sam NNP
, ,
La. NNP
, ,
that WDT
produces VBZ
more JJR
than IN
700,000 CD
pounds NNS
of IN
uranium NN
annually RB
, ,
will MD
continue VB
to TO
operate VB
. .
Freeport-McMoRan NNP
said VBD
the DT
shutdown NN
wo MD
n't RB
affect VB
sales JJ
volumes NNS
under IN
long-term JJ
sales NNS
contracts NNS
of IN
its PRP$
Freeport NNP
Uranium NNP
Recovery NNP
Co. NNP
unit NN
, ,
but CC
will MD
reduce VB
the DT
amount NN
of IN
product NN
sold VBN
on IN
the DT
spot NN
market NN
. .
Freeport-McMoRan NNP
Resource NNP
Partners NNPS
, ,
as IN
owner NN
of IN
the DT
uranium-recovery JJ
technology NN
, ,
receives VBZ
royalty NN
payments NNS
. .
Business NNP
Week NNP
subscribers NNS
may MD
hear VB
this DT
week NN
's POS
issue NN
talking VBG
back RB
to TO
them PRP
. .
A DT
four-page JJ
ad NN
from IN
Texas NNP
Instruments NNPS
Inc. NNP
, ,
running VBG
in IN
approximately RB
140,000 CD
issues NNS
of IN
the DT
Oct. NNP
20 CD
`` ``
Corporate NNP
Elite NNP
'' ''
issue NN
of IN
the DT
McGraw-Hill NNP
Inc. NNP
publication NN
, ,
contains VBZ
a DT
speech NN
synthesizer NN
laminated VBN
between IN
two CD
of IN
the DT
pages NNS
. .
Readers NNS
who WP
pull VBP
off RP
a DT
piece NN
of IN
tape NN
and CC
press VB
a DT
switch NN
will MD
hear VB
a DT
tiny JJ
-- :
but CC
distinctly RB
human-sounding JJ
-- :
voice NN
announce VB
, ,
`` ``
I PRP
am VBP
the DT
talking VBG
chip NN
, ,
'' ''
as IN
it PRP
launches VBZ
into IN
a DT
15-second JJ
discourse NN
on IN
its PRP$
own JJ
attributes NNS
. .
The DT
talking VBG
chip NN
is VBZ
n't RB
cheap JJ
-- :
the DT
per-ad JJ
cost NN
to TO
Texas NNP
Instruments NNPS
is VBZ
about IN
$ $
4 CD
, ,
and CC
that DT
's VBZ
without IN
adding VBG
in RP
Business NNP
Week NNP
's POS
charge NN
-- :
but CC
Texas NNP
Instruments NNPS
believes VBZ
it PRP
is VBZ
a DT
first JJ
. .
Previous JJ
efforts NNS
have VBP
included VBN
musical JJ
ads NNS
, ,
featuring VBG
simple JJ
tone-generating JJ
chips NNS
that WDT
play VBP
a DT
tune NN
, ,
but CC
the DT
voice NN
synthesizer NN
in IN
this DT
effort NN
is VBZ
much RB
more RBR
sophisticated JJ
, ,
with IN
none NN
of IN
the DT
robotic JJ
flatness NN
that IN
one NN
hears VBZ
, ,
for IN
example NN
, ,
when WRB
calling VBG
telephone NN
directory NN
services NNS
. .
And CC
for IN
those DT
who WP
miss VBP
the DT
message NN
the DT
first JJ
time NN
around IN
, ,
not RB
to TO
worry VB
: :
Three CD
tiny JJ
batteries NNS
provide VBP
enough JJ
juice NN
for IN
as RB
many JJ
as IN
650 CD
replays NNS
. .
Lomas NNP
Financial NNP
Corp. NNP
, ,
Dallas NNP
, ,
said VBD
it PRP
will MD
ask VB
a DT
U.S. NNP
bankruptcy NN
court NN
to TO
allow VB
it PRP
to TO
hire VB
Lazard NNP
Freres NNP
& CC
Co. NNP
to TO
help VB
it PRP
sell VB
its PRP$
leasing NN
unit NN
. .
Lomas NNP
, ,
assisted VBN
by IN
Merrill NNP
Lynch NNP
Capital NNP
Markets NNPS
, ,
has VBZ
been VBN
trying VBG
to TO
sell VB
its PRP$
Equitable NNP
Lomas NNP
Leasing NNP
Co. NNP
for IN
several JJ
months NNS
, ,
apparently RB
without IN
success NN
. .
The DT
real JJ
estate NN
and CC
mortgage NN
banking NN
concern NN
had VBD
hoped VBN
to TO
use VB
proceeds NNS
from IN
the DT
sale NN
to TO
reduce VB
its PRP$
debt NN
. .
Without IN
cash NN
from IN
asset NN
sales NNS
and CC
unable JJ
to TO
reach VB
a DT
new JJ
bank-credit NN
agreement NN
, ,
Lomas NNP
defaulted VBD
on IN
$ $
145 CD
million CD
in IN
notes NNS
that WDT
became VBD
due JJ
Sept. NNP
1 CD
. .
It PRP
filed VBD
for IN
protection NN
from IN
creditors NNS
under IN
Chapter NN
11 CD
of IN
the DT
federal JJ
Bankruptcy NNP
Code NNP
Sept. NNP
24 CD
to TO
give VB
it PRP
additional JJ
time NN
to TO
work VB
on IN
a DT
plan NN
to TO
restructure VB
its PRP$
$ $
1.45 CD
billion CD
in IN
senior JJ
debt NN
. .
Lomas NNP
said VBD
Merrill NNP
Lynch NNP
, ,
which WDT
owns VBZ
bonds NNS
and CC
equity NN
in IN
Lomas NNP
, ,
could MD
n't RB
continue VB
as IN
Lomas NNP
's POS
investment NN
banker NN
because IN
it PRP
is VBZ
also RB
a DT
creditor NN
. .
It PRP
said VBD
it PRP
chose VBD
Lazard NNP
in IN
part NN
because IN
of IN
Lazard NNP
's POS
offices NNS
in IN
Europe NNP
and CC
Japan NNP
, ,
where WRB
investors NNS
might MD
be VB
interested JJ
in IN
a DT
U.S. NNP
leasing NN
company NN
. .
Canadian NNP
Imperial NNP
Bank NNP
of IN
Commerce NNP
said VBD
it PRP
will MD
increase VB
its PRP$
loan-loss NN
provisions NNS
to TO
cover VB
all PDT
its PRP$
loans NNS
to TO
lesser JJR
developed VBN
countries NNS
, ,
except IN
Mexico NNP
, ,
resulting VBG
in IN
an DT
after-tax JJ
charge NN
to TO
1989 CD
earnings NNS
of IN
300 CD
million CD
Canadian JJ
dollars NNS
( (
US$ $
255 CD
million CD
) )
. .
Don NNP
Bowder NNP
, ,
senior JJ
vice NN
president NN
and CC
chief NN
accountant NN
, ,
said VBD
the DT
bank NN
's POS
strong JJ
earnings NNS
enable VBP
it PRP
to TO
be VB
the DT
first JJ
major JJ
Canadian JJ
bank NN
to TO
set VB
aside RB
provisions NNS
covering VBG
all PDT
its PRP$
C$ $
1.17 CD
billion CD
in IN
non-Mexican JJ
LDC NNP
debt NN
. .
`` ``
It PRP
eliminates VBZ
the DT
continuing VBG
uncertainty NN
with IN
respect NN
to TO
the DT
ultimate JJ
value NN
of IN
the DT
loans NNS
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
said VBD
. .
The DT
bank NN
said VBD
about IN
C$ $
525 CD
million CD
will MD
be VB
added VBN
to TO
its PRP$
existing VBG
LDC NNP
and CC
general JJ
loss NN
provisions NNS
in IN
its PRP$
fourth JJ
quarter NN
, ,
ending VBG
Oct. NNP
31 CD
. .
Mr. NNP
Bowder NNP
said VBD
the DT
C$ $
300 CD
million CD
charge NN
to TO
earnings NNS
would MD
amount VB
to TO
about IN
C$ $
1.34 CD
a DT
share NN
. .
The DT
bank NN
's POS
net JJ
income NN
for IN
the DT
nine CD
months NNS
ended VBD
July NNP
31 CD
was VBD
C$ $
577 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
C$ $
3.10 CD
a DT
share NN
. .
Mr. NNP
Bowder NNP
said VBD
the DT
bank NN
will MD
restructure VB
its PRP$
C$ $
604 CD
million CD
of IN
Mexican JJ
debt NN
, ,
of IN
which WDT
C$ $
255 CD
million CD
is VBZ
in IN
Mexican JJ
notes NNS
secured VBN
by IN
U.S. NNP
government NN
bonds NNS
. .
The DT
bank NN
has VBZ
a DT
45 CD
% NN
reserve NN
against IN
the DT
remaining VBG
C$ $
349 CD
million CD
of IN
Mexican JJ
debt NN
and CC
expects VBZ
to TO
swap VB
that IN
for IN
other JJ
Mexican JJ
notes NNS
supported VBN
by IN
U.S. NNP
Treasury NNP
zero-coupon NN
bonds NNS
. .
Mr. NNP
Bowder NNP
said VBD
the DT
bank NN
's POS
experience NN
with IN
LDC NNP
debt NN
has VBZ
been VBN
`` ``
painful JJ
'' ''
and CC
this DT
latest JJS
move NN
represents VBZ
the DT
final JJ
phase NN
of IN
a DT
program NN
begun VBN
seven CD
years NNS
ago IN
to TO
reduce VB
its PRP$
exposure NN
through IN
provisioning VBG
, ,
debt NN
sales NNS
and CC
debt NN
swaps NNS
. .
He PRP
said VBD
the DT
bank NN
will MD
no RB
longer RB
participate VB
in IN
LDC NNP
sovereign JJ
lending NN
, ,
but CC
will MD
support VB
trade NN
financing NN
and CC
other JJ
transactions NNS
that WDT
meet VBP
the DT
bank NN
's POS
standards NNS
. .
The DT
carnage NN
among IN
takeover NN
stocks NNS
Friday NNP
does VBZ
n't RB
mean VB
the DT
end NN
of IN
mega-mergers NNS
but CC
simply RB
marks VBZ
the DT
start NN
of IN
a DT
less RBR
ambitious JJ
game NN
, ,
Wall NNP
Street NNP
's POS
big-time JJ
deal NN
makers NNS
say VBP
. .
Suitors NNS
from IN
now RB
on IN
are VBP
more RBR
likely JJ
to TO
be VB
expansion-minded JJ
companies NNS
, ,
rather RB
than IN
raiders NNS
or CC
debt-happy JJ
financiers NNS
. .
And CC
they PRP
will MD
be VB
launching VBG
lower-priced JJ
and CC
perhaps RB
fewer JJR
deals NNS
, ,
now RB
that IN
it PRP
's VBZ
tougher JJR
to TO
finance VB
them PRP
. .
This DT
is VBZ
an DT
ominous JJ
sign NN
for IN
a DT
stock NN
market NN
that WDT
lately RB
has VBZ
been VBN
fueled VBN
by IN
takeover NN
speculation NN
and CC
bidding NN
wars NNS
for IN
companies NNS
that WDT
put VBP
themselves PRP
up IN
for IN
sale NN
. .
Whenever WRB
the DT
1980s CD
merger NN
boom NN
seems VBZ
to TO
be VB
stalling VBG
, ,
shock NN
waves NNS
ripple VBP
through IN
the DT
stock NN
market NN
. .
`` ``
The DT
market NN
is VBZ
overvalued VBN
, ,
not RB
cheap JJ
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Alan NNP
Gaines NNP
of IN
the DT
New NNP
York NNP
money-management NN
firm NN
Gaines NNP
Berland NNP
. .
He PRP
recently RB
began VBD
increasing VBG
his PRP$
cash NN
position NN
to TO
45 CD
% NN
of IN
his PRP$
portfolio NN
. .
`` ``
I PRP
look VBP
at IN
where WRB
deals NNS
can MD
get VB
done VBN
, ,
'' ''
he PRP
says VBZ
, ,
`` ``
and CC
they PRP
're VBP
not RB
getting VBG
done VBN
'' ''
at IN
current JJ
prices NNS
. .
Lenders NNS
are VBP
growing VBG
increasingly RB
nervous JJ
about IN
debt-financed JJ
takeovers NNS
, ,
investment NN
bankers NNS
say VBP
. .
`` ``
You PRP
had VBD
a DT
week NN
of IN
a DT
deteriorating VBG
junk-bond NN
market NN
that WDT
ran VBD
smack RB
into IN
the DT
news NN
on IN
Friday NNP
about IN
what WP
appeared VBD
to TO
be VB
happening VBG
to TO
the DT
bank NN
debt NN
market NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Steven NNP
Rattner NNP
, ,
a DT
partner NN
and CC
merger NN
specialist NN
with IN
Lazard NNP
Freres NNP
& CC
Co NNP
. .
Trading NN
dried VBD
up RP
Friday NNP
in IN
the DT
market NN
for IN
high-yield JJ
junk NN
bonds NNS
, ,
often RB
used VBN
to TO
finance VB
takeovers NNS
. .
It PRP
was VBD
the DT
latest JJS
in IN
a DT
series NN
of IN
setbacks NNS
for IN
the DT
junk NN
bond NN
market NN
, ,
where WRB
prices NNS
began VBD
weakening VBG
last JJ
month NN
after IN
Campeau NNP
hit VBD
a DT
cash NN
crunch NN
. .
And CC
banks NNS
appear VBP
to TO
be VB
taking VBG
an DT
increasingly RB
skeptical JJ
view NN
of IN
requests NNS
for IN
high-risk JJ
takeover NN
loans NNS
. .
The DT
group NN
trying VBG
to TO
buy VB
UAL NNP
announced VBD
Friday NNP
that IN
it PRP
could MD
n't RB
arrange VB
the DT
$ $
7.2 CD
billion CD
in IN
bank NN
loans NNS
it PRP
needs VBZ
to TO
buy VB
the DT
parent NN
of IN
United NNP
Airlines NNPS
for IN
$ $
300 CD
a DT
share NN
. .
Takeover-stock JJ
traders NNS
today NN
will MD
be VB
scrambling VBG
to TO
learn VB
of IN
any DT
UAL NNP
developments NNS
, ,
and CC
other JJ
takeover NN
stocks NNS
are VBP
likely JJ
to TO
trade VB
in IN
sympathy NN
. .
Investment NN
bankers NNS
representing VBG
the DT
buy-out NN
group NN
and CC
UAL NNP
's POS
board NN
spent VBD
a DT
frantic JJ
weekend NN
trying VBG
to TO
hammer VB
out RP
new JJ
terms NNS
that WDT
would MD
be VB
more RBR
acceptable JJ
to TO
the DT
banks NNS
. .
After IN
UAL NNP
, ,
the DT
stock NN
viewed VBN
as IN
most RBS
vulnerable JJ
is VBZ
American NNP
Airlines NNPS
' POS
parent NN
AMR NNP
, ,
the DT
target NN
of IN
a DT
$ $
120-a-share JJ
takeover NN
proposal NN
from IN
New NNP
York NNP
real JJ
estate NN
developer NN
Donald NNP
Trump NNP
. .
Trading NN
in IN
AMR NNP
shares NNS
was VBD
suspended VBN
shortly RB
after IN
3 CD
p.m. NN
EDT NNP
Friday NNP
and CC
did VBD
n't RB
resume VB
. .
Before IN
the DT
halt NN
, ,
AMR NNP
last RB
traded VBD
at IN
98 CD
5\/8 CD
. .
Late JJ
Friday NNP
night NN
, ,
the DT
London NNP
office NN
of IN
Jefferies NNP
& CC
Co. NNP
, ,
a DT
Los NNP
Angeles NNP
securities NNS
firm NN
, ,
traded VBD
AMR NNP
shares NNS
at IN
prices NNS
as RB
low RB
as IN
80 CD
. .
Similarly RB
, ,
Delta NNP
Air NNP
Lines NNPS
and CC
USAir NNP
Group NNP
dropped VBD
10.1 CD
% NN
and CC
8.5 CD
% NN
, ,
respectively RB
, ,
on IN
Friday NNP
and CC
could MD
weaken VB
further RB
. .
Over IN
the DT
weeked NN
, ,
however RB
, ,
two CD
developments NNS
in IN
other JJ
deals NNS
indicated VBD
that IN
commerical JJ
banks NNS
and CC
Wall NNP
Street NNP
firms NNS
still RB
are VBP
willing JJ
to TO
commit VB
billions NNS
of IN
dollars NNS
to TO
finance VB
takeover NN
bids NNS
launched VBN
by IN
major JJ
companies NNS
. .
Vitro NNP
S.A. NNP
, ,
a DT
major JJ
Mexican NNP
glass NN
maker NN
, ,
said VBD
yesterday NN
that IN
it PRP
agreed VBD
to TO
buy VB
Anchor NNP
Glass NNP
Container NNP
in IN
a DT
tender NN
offer NN
for IN
$ $
21.25 CD
a DT
share NN
, ,
sweetened VBN
from IN
the DT
original JJ
$ $
20-a-share JJ
offer NN
Vitro NNP
launched VBD
two CD
months NNS
ago IN
. .
On IN
Friday NNP
, ,
Anchor NNP
shares NNS
fell VBD
1 CD
1\/4 CD
to TO
close VB
at IN
18 CD
1\/2 CD
. .
For IN
the DT
broader JJR
market NN
, ,
the DT
greatest JJS
significance NN
of IN
the DT
Vitro-Anchor NNP
deal NN
may MD
be VB
that IN
it PRP
was VBD
put VBN
together RB
late JJ
Friday NNP
night NN
-- :
after IN
the DT
market NN
rout NN
-- :
and CC
involves VBZ
a DT
$ $
155 CD
million CD
temporary JJ
`` ``
bridge NN
'' ''
loan NN
from IN
Donaldson NNP
, ,
Lufkin NNP
& CC
Jenrette NNP
Securities NNPS
and CC
a DT
$ $
139 CD
million CD
loan NN
from IN
Security NNP
Pacific NNP
National NNP
Bank NNP
. .
Moreover RB
, ,
to TO
complete VB
the DT
entire JJ
Anchor NNP
Glass NNP
purchase NN
and CC
refinance VB
existing VBG
debt NN
, ,
Donaldson NNP
said VBD
it PRP
is VBZ
`` ``
highly RB
confident JJ
'' ''
that IN
it PRP
will MD
be VB
able JJ
to TO
sell VB
$ $
400 CD
million CD
of IN
junk NN
bonds NNS
for IN
Vitro NNP
, ,
despite IN
the DT
current JJ
disarray NN
in IN
the DT
junk NN
bond NN
market NN
. .
Donaldson NNP
's POS
statement NN
is VBZ
n't RB
merely RB
an DT
idle JJ
boast NN
, ,
because IN
those DT
bonds NNS
will MD
have VB
to TO
be VB
sold VBN
before IN
Donaldson NNP
's POS
bridge NN
loan NN
can MD
be VB
paid VBN
back RB
. .
Security NNP
Pacific NNP
, ,
meanwhile RB
, ,
said VBD
it PRP
expects VBZ
to TO
arrange VB
$ $
430 CD
million CD
in IN
bank NN
loans NNS
for IN
Vitro NNP
. .
In IN
another DT
takeover NN
battle NN
, ,
a DT
spokesman NN
for IN
McCaw NNP
Cellular NNP
Communications NNP
said VBD
yesterday NN
that IN
McCaw NNP
has VBZ
been VBN
advised VBN
by IN
three CD
commercial JJ
banks NNS
that IN
they PRP
remain VBP
`` ``
highly RB
confident JJ
'' ''
they PRP
can MD
arrange VB
$ $
4.5 CD
billion CD
of IN
bank NN
loans NNS
for IN
McCaw NNP
's POS
tender JJ
offer NN
for IN
about IN
45 CD
% NN
of IN
LIN NNP
Broadcasting NNP
, ,
`` ``
notwithstanding IN
recent JJ
events NNS
. .
'' ''
McCaw NNP
is VBZ
offering VBG
$ $
125 CD
a DT
share NN
for IN
22 CD
million CD
LIN NNP
shares NNS
, ,
thereby RB
challenging VBG
LIN NNP
's POS
proposal NN
to TO
spin VB
off RP
its PRP$
television NN
properties NNS
, ,
pay VB
shareholders NNS
a DT
$ $
20-a-share JJ
special JJ
dividend NN
and CC
combine VB
its PRP$
cellular-telephone JJ
operations NNS
with IN
BellSouth NNP
's POS
cellular JJ
business NN
. .
On IN
Friday NNP
, ,
LIN NNP
shares NNS
were VBD
among IN
the DT
few JJ
takeover NN
issues NNS
that WDT
did VBD
n't RB
fall VB
much RB
, ,
dropping VBG
5 CD
1\/2 CD
, ,
or CC
4.9 CD
% NN
, ,
to TO
close VB
at IN
107 CD
1\/2 CD
. .
Traders NNS
and CC
investment NN
bankers NNS
said VBD
LIN NNP
shares NNS
were VBD
n't RB
hurt VBN
much RB
because IN
BellSouth NNP
is VBZ
viewed VBN
as IN
a DT
well-financed JJ
corporate JJ
buyer NN
unlikely JJ
to TO
be VB
affected VBN
by IN
skittishness NN
among IN
bankers NNS
or CC
bond NN
buyers NNS
. .
Investment NN
bankers NNS
interviewed VBN
over IN
the DT
weekend NN
see VBP
a DT
silver NN
lining VBG
for IN
the DT
merger NN
business NN
in IN
the DT
stock-market NN
drop NN
. .
Potential JJ
bidders NNS
for IN
companies NNS
`` ``
were VBD
saying VBG
that IN
things NNS
were VBD
beginning VBG
to TO
look VB
expensive JJ
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Mr. NNP
Rattner NNP
of IN
Lazard NNP
. .
`` ``
Nothing NN
makes VBZ
things NNS
look VB
cheaper JJR
than IN
a DT
200-point JJ
drop NN
in IN
the DT
Dow NNP
, ,
'' ''
Mr. NNP
Rattner NNP
says VBZ
. .
`` ``
Just RB
as IN
there EX
are VBP
people NNS
waiting VBG
to TO
become VB
bargain NN
hunters NNS
in IN
the DT
stock NN
market NN
, ,
there EX
are VBP
people NNS
waiting VBG
to TO
become VB
bargain NN
hunters NNS
in IN
the DT
deal NN
market NN
. .
'' ''
Investment NN
bankers NNS
expect VBP
most JJS
of IN
those DT
bargain NN
hunters NNS
to TO
be VB
well-heeled JJ
corporations NNS
. .
`` ``
In IN
the DT
past NN
, ,
corporate JJ
buyers NNS
were VBD
often RB
discouraged VBN
from IN
making VBG
bids NNS
because IN
of IN
competition NN
from IN
LBO NNP
firms NNS
, ,
which WDT
were VBD
often RB
prepared VBN
to TO
outbid VB
'' ''
the DT
corporations NNS
, ,
says VBZ
J. NNP
Tomilson NNP
Hill NNP
, ,
head NN
of IN
mergers NNS
and CC
acquisitions NNS
at IN
Shearson NNP
Lehman NNP
Hutton NNP
. .
Now RB
, ,
`` ``
corporate JJ
buyers NNS
should MD
be VB
willing JJ
to TO
re-enter VB
the DT
acquisition NN
market NN
because IN
the DT
competition NN
from IN
junkbond-financed JJ
buyers NNS
has VBZ
been VBN
reduced VBN
. .
'' ''
Many JJ
takeover NN
stocks NNS
plunged VBD
Friday NNP
, ,
as IN
speculators NNS
retained VBD
their PRP$
confidence NN
in IN
corporate JJ
buyers NNS
but CC
fled VBD
from IN
the DT
socalled VBN
whisper NN
stocks NNS
, ,
the DT
targets NNS
of IN
rumored VBN
deals NNS
. .
Columbia NNP
Pictures NNPS
Entertainment NNP
, ,
which WDT
has VBZ
agreed VBN
to TO
a DT
friendly JJ
$ $
27-a-share JJ
bid NN
from IN
Sony NNP
of IN
Japan NNP
, ,
fell VBD
only RB
1\/8 CD
to TO
close VB
at IN
26 CD
5\/8 CD
. .
But CC
several JJ
stocks NNS
long RB
rumored VBN
to TO
be VB
ripe JJ
for IN
a DT
takeover NN
or CC
restructuring VBG
fell VBD
10 CD
% NN
or CC
more JJR
. .
They PRP
include VBP
USX NNP
, ,
down IN
11.7 CD
% NN
; :
Upjohn NNP
, ,
down IN
11.1 CD
% NN
; :
Campbell NNP
Soup NNP
, ,
down IN
11 CD
% NN
; :
Paramount NNP
Communications NNPS
, ,
off IN
10.3 CD
% NN
; :
Woolworth NNP
, ,
down IN
10.2 CD
% NN
; :
Delta NNP
Air NNP
Lines NNPS
, ,
down IN
10.1 CD
% NN
, ,
and CC
MCA NNP
, ,
down IN
9.7 CD
% NN
. .
The DT
market NN
-- :
and CC
investment NN
bankers NNS
-- :
are VBP
even RB
less JJR
sanguine NN
about IN
companies NNS
that WDT
have VBP
had VBN
at IN
least JJS
one CD
bid NN
, ,
merger NN
agreement NN
or CC
restructuring VBG
plan NN
fall VB
through RP
already RB
. .
Given VBN
the DT
weakness NN
in IN
both PDT
the DT
junk NN
bond NN
market NN
and CC
the DT
stock NN
market NN
, ,
traders NNS
fear VBP
that IN
these DT
transactions NNS
may MD
be VB
revised VBN
yet RB
again RB
. .
Examples NNS
include VBP
Kollmorgen NNP
, ,
whose WP$
agreement NN
to TO
be VB
acquired VBN
for IN
$ $
25 CD
a DT
share NN
by IN
Vernitron NNP
collapsed VBD
last JJ
month NN
. .
Kollmorgen NNP
shares NNS
fell VBD
nearly RB
20 CD
% NN
on IN
Friday NNP
to TO
close VB
at IN
12 CD
7\/8 CD
. .
Ramada NNP
, ,
which WDT
first RB
delayed VBD
and CC
then RB
shelved VBD
a DT
$ $
400 CD
million CD
junk NN
bond NN
sale NN
that WDT
was VBD
designed VBN
to TO
help VB
finance VB
a DT
restructuring VBG
, ,
fell VBD
15.6 CD
% NN
to TO
close VB
at IN
9 CD
1\/2 CD
. .
Ramada NNP
has VBZ
said VBN
it PRP
hopes VBZ
to TO
propose VB
a DT
new JJ
restructuring VBG
plan NN
but CC
has VBZ
n't RB
indicated VBN
when WRB
it PRP
will MD
do VB
so RB
. .
Shares NNS
of IN
American NNP
Medical NNP
International NNP
, ,
which WDT
agreed VBD
last JJ
week NN
to TO
accept VB
a DT
lower JJR
price NN
from IN
a DT
buy-out NN
group NN
that WDT
includes VBZ
First NNP
Boston NNP
Corp. NNP
and CC
the DT
Pritzker NNP
family NN
of IN
Chicago NNP
, ,
fell VBD
15.8 CD
% NN
on IN
Friday NNP
to TO
close VB
at IN
20 CD
. .
The DT
buy-out NN
group NN
is VBZ
offering VBG
$ $
26.50 CD
a DT
share NN
for IN
63 CD
million CD
American NNP
Medical NNP
shares NNS
, ,
down IN
from IN
its PRP$
offer NN
in IN
July NNP
of IN
$ $
28 CD
a DT
share NN
for IN
68.8 CD
million CD
shares NNS
. .
But CC
investment NN
bankers NNS
say VBP
the DT
market NN
may MD
have VB
oversold VB
some DT
takeover-related JJ
stocks NNS
. .
Hilton NNP
Hotels NNPS
, ,
for IN
example NN
, ,
was VBD
among IN
the DT
worst-hit JJ
issues NNS
, ,
falling VBG
20.2 CD
% NN
to TO
close VB
at IN
85 CD
, ,
down IN
21 CD
1\/2 CD
on IN
Friday NNP
. .
Hilton NNP
currently RB
is VBZ
soliciting VBG
bids NNS
for IN
a DT
sale NN
of IN
part NN
or CC
all DT
of IN
its PRP$
hotel NN
and CC
casino NN
businesses NNS
. .
People NNS
familiar JJ
with IN
Hilton NNP
said VBD
over IN
the DT
weekend NN
that IN
the DT
depth NN
of IN
the DT
sell-off NN
in IN
Hilton NNP
shares NNS
was VBD
unwarranted JJ
because IN
none NN
of IN
the DT
likely JJ
buyers NNS
would MD
be VB
dependent JJ
on IN
junk-bond JJ
financing NN
. .
However RB
, ,
they PRP
conceded VBD
that IN
some DT
potential JJ
bidders NNS
would MD
rely VB
on IN
bank NN
loans NNS
and CC
would MD
be VB
hurt VBN
if IN
the DT
troubles NNS
of IN
the DT
UAL NNP
buy-out NN
group NN
signified VBD
a DT
general JJ
unwillingness NN
among IN
banks NNS
to TO
provide VB
credit NN
for IN
debt-financed JJ
takeovers NNS
. .
Hilton NNP
officials NNS
said VBD
they PRP
were VBD
n't RB
worried VBN
about IN
the DT
drop NN
in IN
the DT
company NN
's POS
stock NN
. .
William NNP
Lebo NNP
, ,
Hilton NNP
's POS
general JJ
counsel NN
, ,
said VBD
plans NNS
to TO
consider VB
a DT
sale NN
of IN
the DT
company NN
or CC
some DT
of IN
its PRP$
assets NNS
are VBP
`` ``
on IN
track NN
'' ''
for IN
what WP
has VBZ
been VBN
described VBN
previously RB
as IN
`` ``
a DT
slow JJ
and CC
deliberate JJ
process NN
. .
'' ''
`` ``
I PRP
ca MD
n't RB
believe VB
that IN
any DT
potential JJ
buyer NN
for IN
Hilton NNP
would MD
be VB
affected VBN
by IN
one CD
day NN
's POS
trading NN
, ,
'' ''
Mr. NNP
Lebo NNP
said VBD
. .
But CC
the DT
stock NN
market NN
as IN
a DT
whole NN
, ,
bolstered VBD
as IN
it PRP
is VBZ
by IN
takeover NN
speculation NN
, ,
remains VBZ
vulnerable JJ
to TO
any DT
further JJ
pullback NN
by IN
takeover NN
financiers NNS
, ,
both DT
in IN
the DT
junkbond NN
market NN
and CC
among IN
commercial JJ
banks NNS
. .
For IN
debt-ridden JJ
suitors NNS
, ,
`` ``
the DT
takeover NN
game NN
has VBZ
been VBN
over IN
for IN
some DT
time NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
New NNP
York NNP
money NN
manager NN
Neil NNP
Weisman NNP
of IN
Chilmark NNP
Capital NNP
, ,
who WP
has VBZ
been VBN
keeping VBG
85 CD
% NN
of IN
his PRP$
portfolio NN
in IN
cash NN
. .
`` ``
The DT
market NN
is VBZ
just RB
waking VBG
up RP
to TO
that DT
point NN
. .
'' ''
Pauline NNP
Yoshihashi NNP
in IN
Los NNP
Angeles NNP
contributed VBD
to TO
this DT
column NN
. .
Of IN
all PDT
the DT
one-time JJ
expenses NNS
incurred VBN
by IN
a DT
corporation NN
or CC
professional JJ
firm JJ
, ,
few JJ
are VBP
larger JJR
or CC
longer JJR
term NN
than IN
the DT
purchase NN
of IN
real JJ
estate NN
or CC
the DT
signing NN
of IN
a DT
commercial JJ
lease NN
. .
To TO
take VB
full JJ
advantage NN
of IN
the DT
financial JJ
opportunities NNS
in IN
this DT
commitment NN
, ,
however RB
, ,
the DT
corporation NN
or CC
professional JJ
firm NN
must MD
do VB
more RBR
than IN
negotiate VB
the DT
best JJS
purchase NN
price NN
or CC
lease NN
terms NNS
. .
It PRP
must MD
also RB
evaluate VB
the DT
real-estate NN
market NN
in IN
the DT
chosen VBN
location NN
from IN
a DT
new JJ
perspective NN
. .
Specifically RB
, ,
it PRP
must MD
understand VB
how WRB
real-estate NN
markets NNS
overreact VBP
to TO
shifts NNS
in IN
regional JJ
economies NNS
and CC
then RB
take VBP
advantage NN
of IN
these DT
opportunities NNS
. .
When WRB
a DT
regional JJ
economy NN
catches VBZ
cold NN
, ,
the DT
local JJ
real-estate NN
market NN
gets VBZ
pneumonia NN
. .
In IN
other JJ
words NNS
, ,
real-estate NN
market NN
indicators NNS
, ,
such JJ
as IN
building NN
permits NNS
and CC
leasing NN
activity NN
, ,
plummet VBP
much RB
further RB
than IN
a DT
local JJ
economy NN
in IN
recession NN
. .
This DT
was VBD
seen VBN
in IN
the DT
late JJ
1960s CD
in IN
Los NNP
Angeles NNP
and CC
the DT
mid-1970s CD
in IN
New NNP
York NNP
. .
But CC
the DT
reverse NN
is VBZ
also RB
true JJ
: :
When WRB
a DT
region NN
's POS
economy NN
rebounds VBZ
from IN
a DT
slowdown NN
, ,
these DT
real-estate NN
indicators NNS
will MD
rebound VB
far RB
faster RBR
than IN
the DT
improving VBG
economy NN
. .
Why WRB
do VBP
local JJ
real-estate NN
markets NNS
overreact VB
to TO
regional JJ
economic JJ
cycles NNS
? .
Because IN
real-estate NN
purchases NNS
and CC
leases NNS
are VBP
such JJ
major JJ
long-term JJ
commitments NNS
that IN
most JJS
companies NNS
and CC
individuals NNS
make VBP
these DT
decisions NNS
only RB
when WRB
confident JJ
of IN
future JJ
economic JJ
stability NN
and CC
growth NN
. .
Metropolitan NNP
Detroit NNP
was VBD
written VBN
off RP
economically RB
during IN
the DT
early JJ
1980s CD
, ,
as IN
the DT
domestic JJ
auto NN
industry NN
suffered VBD
a DT
serious JJ
sales NNS
depression NN
and CC
adjustment NN
. .
Area NN
employment NN
dropped VBD
by IN
13 CD
% NN
from IN
its PRP$
1979 CD
peak NN
and CC
retail JJ
sales NNS
were VBD
down IN
14 CD
% NN
. .
However RB
, ,
the DT
real-estate NN
market NN
was VBD
hurt VBN
even RB
more JJR
. .
For IN
example NN
, ,
residential JJ
building NN
permits NNS
in IN
the DT
trough NN
year NN
of IN
1982 CD
were VBD
off IN
76 CD
% NN
from IN
the DT
1979 CD
peak NN
level NN
. .
Once RB
metropolitan JJ
Detroit NNP
's POS
economy NN
rallied VBD
in IN
the DT
mid-1980s CD
, ,
real JJ
estate NN
rebounded VBD
. .
Building NN
permits NNS
, ,
for IN
example NN
, ,
soared VBD
a DT
staggering JJ
400 CD
% NN
between IN
1982 CD
and CC
the DT
peak NN
year NN
of IN
1986 CD
. .
Where WRB
, ,
savvy JJ
corporations NNS
and CC
professional JJ
firms NNS
are VBP
now RB
asking VBG
, ,
are VBP
today NN
's POS
opportunities NNS
? .
Look VB
no RB
further RB
than IN
metropolitan JJ
Houston NNP
and CC
Denver NNP
, ,
two CD
of IN
the DT
most RBS
depressed VBN
, ,
overbuilt NN
and CC
potentially RB
undervalued VBD
real-estate NN
markets NNS
in IN
the DT
nation NN
. .
Of IN
course NN
, ,
some DT
observers NNS
have VBP
touted VBN
Houston NNP
and CC
Denver NNP
for IN
the DT
past JJ
five CD
years NNS
as IN
a DT
counter-cyclical JJ
play NN
. .
But CC
now RB
appears VBZ
to TO
be VB
the DT
time NN
to TO
act VB
. .
Metropolitan NNP
Houston NNP
's POS
economy NN
did VBD
drop VB
and CC
then RB
flatten VB
in IN
the DT
years NNS
after IN
its PRP$
1982 CD
peak NN
. .
In IN
the DT
mid-1980s CD
, ,
employment NN
was VBD
down IN
as RB
much JJ
as IN
5 CD
% NN
from IN
the DT
1982 CD
peak NN
and CC
retail JJ
sales NNS
were VBD
off IN
13 CD
% NN
. .
The DT
real-estate NN
market NN
suffered VBD
even RB
more RBR
severe JJ
setbacks NNS
. .
Office NN
construction NN
dropped VBD
97 CD
% NN
. .
The DT
vacancy NN
rate NN
soared VBD
more JJR
than IN
20 CD
% NN
in IN
nearly RB
every DT
product NN
category NN
, ,
and CC
more JJR
than IN
30 CD
% NN
of IN
office NN
space NN
was VBD
vacant JJ
. .
To TO
some DT
observers NNS
, ,
the DT
empty JJ
office NN
buildings NNS
of IN
Houston NNP
's POS
`` ``
see-through JJ
skyline NN
'' ''
were VBD
indicative JJ
of IN
a DT
very RB
troubled JJ
economy NN
. .
As IN
usual JJ
, ,
the DT
real-estate NN
market NN
had VBD
overreacted VBN
. .
Actually RB
, ,
the DT
region NN
's POS
economy NN
retained VBD
a DT
firm JJ
foundation NN
. .
Metropolitan NNP
Houston NNP
's POS
population NN
has VBZ
held VBN
steady JJ
over IN
the DT
past JJ
six CD
years NNS
. .
And CC
personal JJ
income NN
, ,
after IN
slumping VBG
in IN
the DT
mid-1980s CD
, ,
has VBZ
returned VBN
to TO
its PRP$
1982 CD
level NN
in IN
real JJ
dollar NN
terms NNS
. .
Today NN
, ,
metropolitan JJ
Houston NNP
's POS
real-estate NN
market NN
is VBZ
poised VBN
for IN
a DT
significant JJ
turnaround NN
. .
More JJR
than IN
42,000 CD
jobs NNS
were VBD
added VBN
in IN
metro NN
Houston NNP
last JJ
year NN
, ,
primarily RB
in IN
biotechnology NN
, ,
petrochemical NN
processing NN
, ,
and CC
the DT
computer NN
industry NN
. .
This DT
growth NN
puts VBZ
Houston NNP
in IN
the DT
top JJ
five CD
metro NN
areas NNS
in IN
the DT
nation NN
last JJ
year NN
. .
And CC
forecasts NNS
project VBP
a DT
2.5 CD
% NN
to TO
3 CD
% NN
growth NN
rate NN
in IN
jobs NNS
over IN
the DT
next JJ
few JJ
years NNS
-- :
nearly RB
twice RB
the DT
national JJ
average NN
. .
Denver NNP
is VBZ
another DT
metropolitan JJ
area NN
where WRB
the DT
commercial JJ
real-estate NN
market NN
has VBZ
overreacted VBN
to TO
the DT
region NN
's POS
economic JJ
trends NNS
, ,
although IN
Denver NNP
has VBZ
not RB
experienced VBN
as IN
severe JJ
an DT
economic JJ
downturn NN
as IN
Houston NNP
. .
By IN
some DT
measures NNS
, ,
metropolitan JJ
Denver NNP
's POS
economy NN
has VBZ
actually RB
improved VBN
in IN
the DT
past JJ
four CD
years NNS
. .
Its PRP$
population NN
has VBZ
continued VBN
to TO
increase VB
since IN
1983 CD
, ,
the DT
peak NN
year NN
of IN
the DT
economic JJ
cycle NN
. .
Employment NN
is VBZ
now RB
4 CD
% NN
higher JJR
than IN
in IN
1983 CD
. .
Buying VBG
income NN
in IN
real JJ
dollars NNS
actually RB
increased VBD
15 CD
% NN
between IN
1983 CD
and CC
1987 CD
( (
the DT
most RBS
recent JJ
year NN
available JJ
) )
. .
The DT
rates NNS
of IN
increase NN
, ,
however RB
, ,
are VBP
less JJR
than IN
the DT
rapid JJ
growth NN
of IN
the DT
boom NN
years NNS
, ,
and CC
this DT
has VBZ
resulted VBN
in IN
a DT
loss NN
of IN
confidence NN
in IN
the DT
economy NN
. .
In IN
a DT
self-fulfilling JJ
prophecy NN
, ,
therefore RB
, ,
the DT
region NN
's POS
real-estate NN
market NN
all DT
but CC
collapsed VBD
in IN
recent JJ
years NNS
. .
Housing NN
building NN
permits NNS
are VBP
down IN
more RBR
than IN
75 CD
% NN
from IN
their PRP$
1983 CD
peaks NNS
. .
Although IN
no DT
one NN
can MD
predict VB
when WRB
metropolitan JJ
Denver NNP
's POS
real-estate NN
market NN
will MD
rebound VB
, ,
major JJ
public JJ
works NNS
projects NNS
costing VBG
several JJ
billion CD
dollars NNS
are VBP
under IN
way NN
or CC
planned VBD
-- :
such JJ
as IN
a DT
new JJ
convention NN
center NN
, ,
a DT
major JJ
beltway NN
encircling VBG
the DT
metropolitan JJ
area NN
, ,
and CC
a DT
new JJ
regional JJ
airport NN
. .
When WRB
Denver NNP
's POS
regional JJ
economy NN
begins VBZ
to TO
grow VB
faster RBR
-- :
such PDT
a DT
recovery NN
could MD
occur VB
as RB
early RB
as IN
next JJ
year NN
-- :
business NN
and CC
consumer NN
confidence NN
will MD
return VB
, ,
and CC
the DT
resulting VBG
explosion NN
of IN
real-estate NN
activity NN
will MD
dwarf VB
the DT
general JJ
economic JJ
rebound NN
. .
What WDT
real-estate NN
strategy NN
should MD
one NN
follow VB
in IN
a DT
metropolitan JJ
area NN
whose WP$
economic JJ
health NN
is VBZ
not RB
as RB
easy JJ
to TO
determine VB
as IN
Houston NNP
's POS
or CC
Denver NNP
's POS
? .
Generally RB
, ,
overcapacity NN
in IN
commercial JJ
real JJ
estate NN
is VBZ
dropping VBG
from IN
its PRP$
mid-1980s CD
peak NN
, ,
even RB
in IN
such JJ
economically RB
healthy JJ
metropolitan JJ
areas NNS
as IN
Washington NNP
, ,
New NNP
York NNP
and CC
Los NNP
Angeles NNP
. .
Vacancy NN
rates NNS
in IN
the DT
15 CD
% NN
to TO
19 CD
% NN
range NN
today NN
may MD
easily RB
rise VB
to TO
the DT
low JJ
to TO
mid-20 CD
% NN
range NN
in IN
a DT
couple NN
of IN
years NNS
. .
Under IN
these DT
conditions NNS
, ,
even RB
a DT
flattening VBG
out IN
of IN
economic JJ
growth NN
-- :
`` ``
catching VBG
cold NN
'' ''
-- :
in IN
the DT
healthy JJ
metropolitan JJ
areas NNS
will MD
create VB
significant JJ
opportunities NNS
for IN
corporations NNS
and CC
professional JJ
service NN
firms NNS
looking VBG
for IN
bargains NNS
as IN
the DT
realestate NN
industry NN
catches VBZ
pneumonia NN
. .
Those DT
looking VBG
for IN
real-estate NN
bargains NNS
in IN
distressed JJ
metropolitan JJ
areas NNS
should MD
lock VB
in RP
leases NNS
or CC
buy VB
now RB
; :
those DT
looking VBG
in IN
healthy JJ
metropolitan JJ
areas NNS
should MD
take VB
a DT
short-term JJ
( (
three-year JJ
) )
lease NN
and CC
wait VB
for IN
the DT
bargains NNS
ahead RB
. .
Mr. NNP
Leinberger NNP
is VBZ
managing VBG
partner NN
of IN
a DT
real-estate NN
advisory JJ
firm NN
based VBN
in IN
Beverly NNP
Hills NNPS
, ,
Calif NNP
. .
Kysor NNP
Industrial NNP
Corp. NNP
said VBD
it PRP
expects VBZ
its PRP$
third-quarter NN
net NN
earnings NNS
to TO
be VB
between IN
two CD
cents NNS
and CC
four CD
cents NNS
a DT
share NN
, ,
compared VBN
with IN
61 CD
cents NNS
a DT
share NN
a DT
year NN
ago IN
. .
Analysts NNS
had VBD
been VBN
projecting VBG
that IN
the DT
company NN
's POS
earnings NNS
would MD
be VB
between IN
25 CD
cents NNS
and CC
30 CD
cents NNS
a DT
share NN
. .
The DT
year-earlier JJ
third-quarter NN
earnings NNS
amounted VBD
to TO
$ $
4.1 CD
million CD
. .
The DT
company NN
said VBD
a DT
drop NN
in IN
activity NN
in IN
the DT
powerboat NN
industry NN
reduced VBD
sales JJ
volume NN
at IN
its PRP$
two CD
marine-related JJ
operations NNS
. .
Also RB
, ,
the DT
company NN
said VBD
its PRP$
commercial JJ
products NNS
operation NN
failed VBD
to TO
meet VB
forecasts NNS
. .
Kysor NNP
, ,
a DT
maker NN
of IN
heavy-duty JJ
truck NN
and CC
commercial JJ
refrigeration NN
equipment NN
, ,
said VBD
it PRP
expects VBZ
its PRP$
fourth-quarter NN
earnings NNS
to TO
be VB
more RBR
closely RB
in IN
line NN
with IN
usual JJ
levels NNS
, ,
which WDT
are VBP
between IN
30 CD
cents NNS
and CC
50 CD
cents NNS
a DT
share NN
. .
Common NNP
Cause NNP
asked VBD
both PDT
the DT
Senate NNP
Ethics NNP
Committee NNP
and CC
the DT
Justice NNP
Department NNP
to TO
investigate VB
$ $
1 CD
million CD
in IN
political JJ
gifts NNS
by IN
Arizona NNP
businessman NN
Charles NNP
Keating NNP
to TO
five CD
U.S. NNP
senators NNS
who WP
interceded VBD
with IN
thrift-industry NN
regulators NNS
for IN
him PRP
. .
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
is VBZ
currently RB
the DT
subject NN
of IN
a DT
$ $
1.1 CD
billion CD
federal JJ
anti-racketeering JJ
lawsuit NN
accusing VBG
him PRP
of IN
bleeding VBG
off RP
assets NNS
of IN
a DT
California NNP
thrift NN
he PRP
controlled VBD
, ,
Lincoln NNP
Savings NNP
& CC
Loan NNP
Association NNP
, ,
and CC
driving VBG
it PRP
into IN
insolvency NN
. .
Fred NNP
Wertheimer NNP
-- :
president NN
of IN
Common NNP
Cause NNP
, ,
the DT
self-styled JJ
citizens NNS
lobby NN
-- :
said VBD
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
already RB
has VBZ
conceded VBN
attempting VBG
to TO
buy VB
influence NN
with IN
the DT
lawmakers NNS
-- :
Democratic NNP
Sens. NNP
Dennis NNP
DeConcini NNP
of IN
Arizona NNP
, ,
Alan NNP
Cranston NNP
of IN
California NNP
, ,
John NNP
Glenn NNP
of IN
Ohio NNP
and CC
Donald NNP
Riegle NNP
of IN
Michigan NNP
; :
and CC
GOP NNP
Sen. NNP
John NNP
McCain NNP
of IN
Arizona NNP
. .
Mr. NNP
Wertheimer NNP
based VBD
this DT
on IN
a DT
statement NN
by IN
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
that WDT
was VBD
quoted VBN
in IN
a DT
Wall NNP
Street NNP
Journal NNP
story NN
in IN
April NNP
: :
`` ``
One CD
question NN
... :
had VBD
to TO
do VB
with IN
whether IN
my PRP$
financial JJ
support NN
in IN
any DT
way NN
influenced VBD
several JJ
political JJ
figures NNS
to TO
take VB
up RP
my PRP$
cause NN
. .
I PRP
want VBP
to TO
say VB
in IN
the DT
most RBS
forceful JJ
way NN
I PRP
can MD
: :
I PRP
certainly RB
hope VB
so RB
. .
'' ''
In IN
a DT
highly RB
unusual JJ
meeting NN
in IN
Sen. NNP
DeConcini NNP
's POS
office NN
in IN
April NNP
1987 CD
, ,
the DT
five CD
senators NNS
asked VBD
federal JJ
regulators NNS
to TO
ease VB
up RP
on IN
Lincoln NNP
. .
According VBG
to TO
notes NNS
taken VBN
by IN
one CD
of IN
the DT
participants NNS
at IN
the DT
meeting NN
, ,
the DT
regulators NNS
said VBD
Lincoln NNP
was VBD
gambling VBG
dangerously RB
with IN
depositors NNS
' POS
federally RB
insured VBN
money NN
and CC
was VBD
`` ``
a DT
ticking VBG
time NN
bomb NN
. .
'' ''
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
had VBD
complained VBN
that IN
the DT
regulators NNS
were VBD
being VBG
too RB
zealous JJ
. .
The DT
notes NNS
show VBP
that IN
Sen. NNP
DeConcini NNP
called VBD
the DT
Federal NNP
Home NNP
Loan NNP
Bank NNP
Board NNP
's POS
regulations NNS
`` ``
grossly RB
unfair JJ
, ,
'' ''
and CC
that IN
Sen. NNP
Glenn NNP
insisted VBD
that IN
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
's POS
thrift NN
was VBD
`` ``
viable JJ
and CC
profitable JJ
. .
'' ''
For IN
the DT
next JJ
two CD
years NNS
, ,
the DT
Bank NNP
Board NNP
, ,
which WDT
at IN
the DT
time NN
was VBD
the DT
agency NN
responsible JJ
for IN
regulating VBG
thrifts NNS
, ,
failed VBD
to TO
act VB
-- :
even RB
after IN
federal JJ
auditors NNS
warned VBD
in IN
May NNP
1987 CD
that IN
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
had VBD
caused VBN
Lincoln NNP
to TO
become VB
insolvent JJ
. .
Lincoln NNP
's POS
parent NN
company NN
, ,
American NNP
Continental NNP
Corp. NNP
, ,
entered VBD
bankruptcy-law NN
proceedings NNS
this DT
April NNP
13 CD
, ,
and CC
regulators NNS
seized VBD
the DT
thrift NN
the DT
next JJ
day NN
. .
The DT
newly RB
formed VBN
Resolution NNP
Trust NNP
Corp. NNP
, ,
successor NN
to TO
the DT
Bank NNP
Board NNP
, ,
filed VBD
suit NN
against IN
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
and CC
several JJ
others NNS
on IN
Sept. NNP
15 CD
. .
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
has VBZ
filed VBN
his PRP$
own JJ
suit NN
, ,
alleging VBG
that IN
his PRP$
property NN
was VBD
taken VBN
illegally RB
. .
The DT
cost NN
to TO
taxpayers NNS
of IN
Lincoln NNP
's POS
collapse NN
has VBZ
been VBN
estimated VBN
at IN
as RB
much JJ
as IN
$ $
2.5 CD
billion CD
. .
Details NNS
of IN
the DT
affair NN
have VBP
become VBN
public JJ
gradually RB
over IN
the DT
past JJ
two CD
years NNS
, ,
mostly RB
as IN
a DT
result NN
of IN
reporting VBG
by IN
several JJ
newspapers NNS
. .
In IN
the DT
midst NN
of IN
his PRP$
1988 CD
re-election NN
campaign NN
, ,
Sen. NNP
Riegle NNP
, ,
chairman NN
of IN
the DT
Senate NNP
Banking NNP
Committee NNP
, ,
returned VBD
$ $
76,000 CD
in IN
contributions NNS
after IN
a DT
Detroit NNP
newspaper NN
said VBD
that IN
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
had VBD
gathered VBN
the DT
money NN
for IN
him PRP
about IN
two CD
weeks NNS
before IN
the DT
meeting NN
with IN
regulators NNS
. .
Sen. NNP
DeConcini NNP
, ,
after IN
months NNS
of IN
fending VBG
off RP
intense JJ
press NN
criticism NN
, ,
returned VBD
$ $
48,000 CD
only JJ
last JJ
month NN
, ,
shortly RB
after IN
the DT
government NN
formally RB
accused VBD
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
of IN
defrauding VBG
Lincoln NNP
. .
In IN
addition NN
, ,
Sen. NNP
McCain NNP
last JJ
week NN
disclosed VBD
that IN
he PRP
belatedly RB
had VBD
paid VBN
$ $
13,433 CD
to TO
American NNP
Continental NNP
as IN
reimbursement NN
for IN
trips NNS
he PRP
and CC
his PRP$
family NN
took VBD
aboard IN
the DT
corporate JJ
jet NN
to TO
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
's POS
vacation NN
home NN
at IN
Cat NNP
Cay NNP
, ,
the DT
Bahamas NNPS
, ,
from IN
1984 CD
through IN
1986 CD
. .
Sen. NNP
McCain NNP
said VBD
he PRP
had VBD
meant VBN
to TO
pay VB
for IN
the DT
trips NNS
at IN
the DT
time NN
but CC
that IN
the DT
matter NN
`` ``
fell VBD
between IN
the DT
cracks NNS
. .
'' ''
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
, ,
his PRP$
family NN
members NNS
and CC
associates NNS
also RB
donated VBD
$ $
112,000 CD
to TO
Sen. NNP
McCain NNP
's POS
congressional JJ
campaigns NNS
over IN
the DT
years NNS
, ,
according VBG
to TO
press NN
accounts NNS
. .
But CC
Sen. NNP
McCain NNP
says VBZ
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
broke VBD
off RP
their PRP$
friendship NN
abruptly RB
in IN
1987 CD
, ,
because IN
the DT
senator NN
refused VBD
to TO
press VB
the DT
thrift NN
executive NN
's POS
case NN
as RB
vigorously RB
as IN
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
wanted VBD
. .
`` ``
He PRP
became VBD
very RB
angry JJ
at IN
that DT
, ,
left VBD
my PRP$
office NN
and CC
told VBD
a DT
number NN
of IN
people NNS
that IN
I PRP
was VBD
a DT
wimp NN
, ,
'' ''
Sen. NNP
McCain NNP
recalls VBZ
. .
In IN
July NNP
, ,
California NNP
newspapers NNS
disclosed VBD
that IN
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
gave VBD
$ $
850,000 CD
in IN
corporate JJ
funds NNS
to TO
three CD
tax-exempt JJ
voter NN
registration NN
organizations NNS
in IN
1987 CD
and CC
1988 CD
at IN
the DT
behest NN
of IN
Sen. NNP
Cranston NNP
, ,
who WP
conceded VBD
that IN
soliciting VBG
the DT
money NN
was VBD
`` ``
a DT
pretty RB
stupid JJ
thing NN
to TO
do VB
politically RB
. .
'' ''
In IN
addition NN
, ,
Sen. NNP
Cranston NNP
received VBD
$ $
47,000 CD
in IN
campaign NN
donations NNS
through IN
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
, ,
and CC
the DT
California NNP
Democratic NNP
party NN
received VBD
$ $
85,000 CD
in IN
corporate JJ
donations NNS
for IN
a DT
1986 CD
get-out-the-vote JJ
drive NN
that WDT
benefited VBD
the DT
senator NN
's POS
re-election NN
campaign NN
that DT
year NN
. .
Also RB
in IN
July NNP
, ,
Ohio NNP
newspapers NNS
disclosed VBD
$ $
200,000 CD
in IN
corporate JJ
donations NNS
by IN
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
to TO
the DT
National NNP
Council NNP
on IN
Public NNP
Policy NNP
, ,
a DT
political JJ
committee NN
controlled VBN
by IN
Sen. NNP
Glenn NNP
. .
That DT
was VBD
in IN
addition NN
to TO
$ $
34,000 CD
in IN
direct JJ
campaign NN
donations NNS
arranged VBN
by IN
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
to TO
the DT
Ohio NNP
senator NN
. .
Mr. NNP
Wertheimer NNP
said VBD
the DT
Senate NNP
Ethics NNP
Committee NNP
should MD
hire VB
a DT
special JJ
outside JJ
counsel NN
to TO
conduct VB
an DT
investigation NN
, ,
as IN
was VBD
done VBN
in IN
the DT
case NN
of IN
former JJ
House NNP
Speaker NNP
James NNP
Wright NNP
. .
Wilson NNP
Abney NNP
, ,
staff NN
director NN
of IN
the DT
ethics NNS
panel NN
, ,
would MD
n't RB
comment VB
. .
Sen. NNP
Riegle NNP
said VBD
he PRP
would MD
cooperate VB
with IN
any DT
inquiry NN
, ,
but CC
that IN
his PRP$
conduct NN
had VBD
been VBN
`` ``
entirely RB
proper JJ
. .
'' ''
Sen. NNP
McCain NNP
said VBD
he PRP
had VBD
been VBN
`` ``
deeply RB
concerned VBN
'' ''
at IN
the DT
time NN
of IN
the DT
meeting NN
that IN
it PRP
might MD
seem VB
to TO
be VB
improper JJ
, ,
but CC
decided VBD
it PRP
was VBD
`` ``
entirely RB
appropriate JJ
'' ''
for IN
him PRP
to TO
seek VB
fair JJ
treatment NN
for IN
a DT
constituent NN
. .
Sen. NNP
Glenn NNP
said VBD
he PRP
had VBD
already RB
made VBN
a DT
complete JJ
disclosure NN
of IN
his PRP$
role NN
in IN
the DT
affair NN
and CC
`` ``
I PRP
am VBP
completely RB
satisfied VBN
to TO
let VB
this DT
matter NN
rest NN
in IN
the DT
hands NNS
of IN
the DT
Senate NNP
Ethics NNP
Committee NNP
. .
'' ''
Sen. NNP
DeConcini NNP
said VBD
, ,
`` ``
When WRB
all DT
is VBZ
said VBD
and CC
done VBN
, ,
I PRP
expect VBP
to TO
be VB
fully RB
exonerated VBN
. .
'' ''
Sen. NNP
Cranston NNP
, ,
who WP
had VBD
already RB
volunteered VBN
his PRP$
help NN
to TO
the DT
Federal NNP
Bureau NNP
of IN
Investigation NNP
in IN
any DT
investigation NN
of IN
Mr. NNP
Keating NNP
, ,
portrayed VBD
his PRP$
role NN
in IN
1987 CD
as IN
prodding VBG
regulators NNS
to TO
act VB
. .
`` ``
Why WRB
did VBD
n't RB
the DT
Bank NNP
Board NNP
act VB
sooner RBR
? .
'' ''
he PRP
said VBD
. .
`` ``
That DT
is VBZ
what WP
Common NNP
Cause NNP
should MD
ask VB
be VB
investigated VBN
. .
Trinity NNP
Industries NNPS
Inc. NNP
said VBD
it PRP
reached VBD
a DT
preliminary JJ
agreement NN
to TO
manufacture VB
1,000 CD
coal NN
rail NN
cars NNS
for IN
Norfolk NNP
Southern NNP
Corp NNP
. .
Trinity NNP
estimated VBD
the DT
value NN
of IN
the DT
pact NN
at IN
more RBR
than IN
$ $
40 CD
million CD
. .
Trinity NNP
said VBD
it PRP
plans VBZ
to TO
begin VB
delivery NN
of IN
the DT
rail NN
cars NNS
in IN
the DT
first JJ
quarter NN
of IN
1990 CD
. .
It PRP
said VBD
the DT
1,000 CD
rail NN
cars NNS
are VBP
in IN
addition NN
to TO
the DT
1,450 CD
coal NN
rail NN
cars NNS
presently RB
being VBG
produced VBN
for IN
Norfolk NNP
Southern NNP
, ,
a DT
Norfolk NNP
, ,
Va.-based JJ
railroad NN
concern NN
. .
When WRB
China NNP
opened VBD
its PRP$
doors NNS
to TO
foreign JJ
investors NNS
in IN
1979 CD
, ,
toy JJ
makers NNS
from IN
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
were VBD
among IN
the DT
first JJ
to TO
march VB
in IN
. .
Today NN
, ,
with IN
about IN
75 CD
% NN
of IN
the DT
companies NNS
' POS
products NNS
being VBG
made VBN
in IN
China NNP
, ,
the DT
chairman NN
of IN
the DT
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
Toys NNPS
Council NNP
, ,
Dennis NNP
Ting NNP
, ,
has VBZ
suggested VBN
a DT
new JJ
sourcing VBG
label NN
: :
`` ``
Made VBN
in IN
China NNP
by IN
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
Companies NNPS
. .
'' ''
The DT
toy NN
makers NNS
were VBD
pushed VBN
across IN
the DT
border NN
by IN
rising VBG
labor NN
and CC
land NN
costs NNS
in IN
the DT
British JJ
colony NN
. .
But CC
in IN
the DT
wake NN
of IN
the DT
shootings NNS
in IN
Beijing NNP
on IN
June NNP
4 CD
, ,
the DT
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
toy NN
industry NN
is VBZ
worrying VBG
about IN
its PRP$
strong JJ
dependence NN
on IN
China NNP
. .
Although IN
the DT
manufacturers NNS
stress VBP
that IN
production NN
has VBZ
n't RB
been VBN
affected VBN
by IN
China NNP
's POS
political JJ
turmoil NN
, ,
they PRP
are VBP
looking VBG
for IN
additional JJ
sites NNS
. .
The DT
toy NN
makers NNS
, ,
and CC
their PRP$
foreign JJ
buyers NNS
, ,
cite VBP
uncertainty NN
about IN
China NNP
's POS
economic JJ
and CC
political JJ
policies NNS
. .
`` ``
Nobody NN
wants VBZ
to TO
have VB
all PDT
his PRP$
eggs NNS
in IN
one CD
basket NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
David NNP
Yeh NNP
, ,
chairman NN
and CC
chief NN
executive JJ
officer NN
of IN
International NNP
Matchbox NNP
Group NNP
Ltd NNP
. .
Indeed RB
, ,
Matchbox NNP
and CC
other JJ
leading VBG
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
toy NN
makers NNS
were VBD
setting VBG
up RP
factories NNS
in IN
Southeast NNP
Asia NNP
, ,
especially RB
in IN
Thailand NNP
, ,
long RB
before IN
the DT
massacre NN
. .
Their PRP$
steps NNS
were VBD
partly RB
prompted VBN
by IN
concern NN
over IN
a DT
deterioration NN
of IN
business NN
conditions NNS
in IN
southern JJ
China NNP
. .
By IN
diversifying VBG
supply NN
sources NNS
, ,
the DT
toy JJ
makers NNS
do VBP
n't RB
intend VB
to TO
withdraw VB
from IN
China NNP
, ,
manufacturers NNS
and CC
foreign JJ
buyers NNS
say VBP
. .
It PRP
would MD
n't RB
be VB
easy JJ
to TO
duplicate VB
quickly RB
the DT
manufacturing VBG
capacity NN
built VBN
up RP
in IN
southern JJ
China NNP
during IN
the DT
past JJ
decade NN
. .
A DT
supply NN
of IN
cheap JJ
labor NN
and CC
the DT
access NN
to TO
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
's POS
port NN
, ,
airport NN
, ,
banks NNS
and CC
support NN
industries NNS
, ,
such JJ
as IN
printing NN
companies NNS
, ,
have VBP
made VBN
China NNP
's POS
Guangdong NNP
province NN
a DT
premier NN
manufacturing NN
site NN
. .
`` ``
South NNP
China NNP
is VBZ
the DT
most RBS
competitive JJ
source NN
of IN
toys NNS
in IN
the DT
world NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Henry NNP
Hu NNP
, ,
executive JJ
director NN
of IN
Wah NNP
Shing NNP
Toys NNPS
Consolidated NNP
Ltd NNP
. .
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
trade NN
figures NNS
illustrate VBP
the DT
toy JJ
makers NNS
' POS
reliance NN
on IN
factories NNS
across IN
the DT
border NN
. .
In IN
1988 CD
, ,
exports NNS
of IN
domestically RB
produced VBN
toys NNS
and CC
games NNS
fell VBD
19 CD
% NN
from IN
1987 CD
, ,
to TO
HK$ $
10.05 CD
billion CD
( (
US$ $
1.29 CD
billion CD
) )
. .
But CC
re-exports NNS
, ,
mainly RB
from IN
China NNP
, ,
jumped VBD
75 CD
% NN
, ,
to TO
HK$ $
15.92 CD
billion CD
. .
In IN
1989 CD
's POS
first JJ
seven CD
months NNS
, ,
domestic JJ
exports NNS
fell VBD
29 CD
% NN
, ,
to TO
HK$ $
3.87 CD
billion CD
, ,
while IN
re-exports NNS
rose VBD
56 CD
% NN
, ,
to TO
HK$ $
11.28 CD
billion CD
. .
Manufacturers NNS
say VBP
there EX
is VBZ
no DT
immediate JJ
substitute NN
for IN
southern JJ
China NNP
, ,
where WRB
an DT
estimated VBN
120,000 CD
people NNS
are VBP
employed VBN
by IN
the DT
toy NN
industry NN
. .
`` ``
For IN
the DT
next JJ
few JJ
years NNS
, ,
like IN
it PRP
or CC
not RB
, ,
China NNP
is VBZ
going VBG
to TO
be VB
the DT
main JJ
supplier NN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Edmund NNP
Young NNP
, ,
vice NN
president NN
of IN
Perfecta NNP
Enterprises NNPS
Ltd. NNP
, ,
one CD
of IN
the DT
first JJ
big JJ
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
toy NN
makers NNS
to TO
move VB
across IN
the DT
border NN
. .
In IN
the DT
meantime NN
, ,
as IN
manufacturers NNS
and CC
buyers NNS
seek VBP
new JJ
sites NNS
, ,
they PRP
are VBP
focusing VBG
mainly RB
on IN
Southeast NNP
Asia NNP
. .
Several JJ
big JJ
companies NNS
have VBP
established VBN
manufacturing VBG
joint JJ
ventures NNS
in IN
Thailand NNP
, ,
including VBG
Matchbox NNP
, ,
Wah NNP
Shing NNP
and CC
Kader NNP
Industrial NNP
Co. NNP
, ,
the DT
toy NN
manufacturer NN
headed VBN
by IN
Mr. NNP
Ting NNP
. .
Malaysia NNP
, ,
the DT
Philippines NNP
and CC
Indonesia NNP
also RB
are VBP
being VBG
studied VBN
. .
With IN
the DT
European NNP
Community NNP
set VBD
to TO
remove VB
its PRP$
internal JJ
trade NN
barriers NNS
in IN
1992 CD
, ,
several JJ
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
companies NNS
are VBP
beginning VBG
to TO
consider VB
Spain NNP
, ,
Portugal NNP
and CC
Greece NNP
as IN
possible JJ
manufacturing VBG
sites NNS
. .
Worries NNS
about IN
China NNP
came VBD
just RB
as IN
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
's POS
toy NN
industry NN
was VBD
recovering VBG
from IN
a DT
1987 CD
sales NNS
slump NN
and CC
bankruptcy NN
filings NNS
by IN
two CD
major JJ
U.S. NNP
companies NNS
, ,
Worlds NNPS
of IN
Wonder NNP
Inc. NNP
and CC
Coleco NNP
Industries NNPS
Inc NNP
. .
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
manufacturers NNS
say VBP
large JJ
debt NN
writeoffs NNS
and CC
other JJ
financial JJ
problems NNS
resulting VBG
from IN
the DT
1987 CD
difficulties NNS
chastened VBD
the DT
local JJ
industry NN
, ,
causing VBG
it PRP
to TO
tighten VB
credit NN
policies NNS
and CC
financial JJ
management NN
. .
The DT
industry NN
regards VBZ
last JJ
year NN
and CC
this DT
year NN
as IN
a DT
period NN
of IN
recovery NN
that WDT
will MD
lead VB
to TO
improved VBN
results NNS
. .
Still RB
, ,
they PRP
long VBP
for IN
a DT
`` ``
mega-hit JJ
'' ''
toy NN
to TO
excite VB
retail JJ
sales NNS
in IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
, ,
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
's POS
biggest JJS
market NN
for IN
toys NNS
and CC
games NNS
. .
The DT
closest JJS
thing NN
the DT
colony NN
's POS
companies NNS
have VBP
to TO
a DT
U.S. NNP
mega-hit NN
this DT
year NN
is VBZ
the DT
Teenage NNP
Mutant NNP
Ninja NNP
Turtles NNPS
series NN
of IN
action NN
figures NNS
manufactured VBN
by IN
Playmates NNPS
Holdings NNP
Ltd NNP
. .
Introduced VBN
in IN
mid-1988 CD
, ,
the DT
15-centimeter-tall JJ
plastic NN
turtles NNS
are VBP
based VBN
on IN
an DT
American JJ
comic JJ
book NN
and CC
television NN
series NN
. .
Paul NNP
Kwan NNP
, ,
managing VBG
director NN
of IN
Playmates NNPS
, ,
says VBZ
10 CD
million CD
Ninja NNP
Turtles NNPS
have VBP
been VBN
sold VBN
, ,
placing VBG
the DT
reptilian JJ
warriors NNS
among IN
the DT
10 CD
biggest-selling JJ
toys NNS
in IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
. .
Should MD
sales NNS
continue VB
to TO
be VB
strong JJ
through IN
the DT
Christmas NNP
season NN
, ,
which WDT
accounts VBZ
for IN
about IN
60 CD
% NN
of IN
U.S. NNP
retail JJ
toy NN
sales NNS
, ,
Mr. NNP
Kwan NNP
said VBD
the DT
Ninja NNP
Turtles NNPS
could MD
make VB
1989 CD
a DT
record NN
sales NNS
year NN
for IN
Playmates NNPS
. .
Other JJ
Hong NNP
Kong NNP
manufacturers NNS
expect VBP
their PRP$
results NNS
to TO
improve VB
only RB
slightly RB
this DT
year NN
from IN
1988 CD
. .
Besides IN
the DT
lack NN
of IN
a DT
fast-selling JJ
product NN
, ,
they PRP
cite VBP
the DT
continued VBN
dominance NN
of IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
market NN
by IN
Nintendo NNP
Entertainment NNP
System NNP
, ,
an DT
expensive JJ
video NN
game NN
made VBN
by IN
Nintendo NNP
Co. NNP
of IN
Japan NNP
. .
Nintendo NNP
buyers NNS
have VBP
little JJ
money NN
left VBN
to TO
spend VB
on IN
other JJ
products NNS
. .
Many JJ
of IN
the DT
toy JJ
makers NNS
' POS
problems NNS
started VBD
well RB
before IN
June NNP
4 CD
as IN
a DT
result NN
of IN
overstrained VBN
infrastructure NN
and CC
Beijing NNP
's POS
austerity NN
programs NNS
launched VBN
late JJ
last JJ
year NN
. .
Toy NN
makers NNS
complain VBP
that DT
electricity NN
in IN
Guangdong NNP
has VBZ
been VBN
provided VBN
only RB
three CD
days NNS
a DT
week NN
in IN
recent JJ
months NNS
, ,
down IN
from IN
five CD
days NNS
a DT
week NN
, ,
as IN
the DT
province NN
's POS
rapid JJ
industrialization NN
has VBZ
outstripped VBN
its PRP$
generating NN
capacity NN
. .
Manufacturers NNS
are VBP
upgrading VBG
standby JJ
power NN
plants NNS
. .
Bank NN
credit NN
for IN
China NNP
investments NNS
all DT
but CC
dried VBD
up RP
following VBG
June NNP
4 CD
. .
Also RB
, ,
concern NN
exists VBZ
that IN
the DT
harder-line JJ
Beijing NNP
leadership NN
will MD
tighten VB
its PRP$
control NN
of IN
Guangdong NNP
, ,
which WDT
has VBZ
been VBN
the DT
main JJ
laboratory NN
for IN
the DT
open-door NN
policy NN
and CC
economic JJ
reforms NNS
. .
But CC
, ,
toy JJ
manufacturers NNS
and CC
other JJ
industrialists NNS
say VBP
Beijing NNP
will MD
be VB
restrained VBN
from IN
tightening VBG
controls NNS
on IN
export-oriented JJ
southern JJ
China NNP
. .
They PRP
say VBP
China NNP
's POS
trade NN
deficit NN
is VBZ
widening VBG
and CC
the DT
country NN
is VBZ
too RB
short JJ
of IN
foreign JJ
exchange NN
for IN
it PRP
to TO
hamper VB
production NN
in IN
Guangdong NNP
. .
`` ``
The DT
Chinese JJ
leaders NNS
have VBP
to TO
decide VB
whether IN
they PRP
want VBP
control NN
or CC
whether IN
the DT
want NN
exports NNS
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
Mr. NNP
Kwan NNP
of IN
Playmates NNPS
. .
The DT
Bush NNP
administration NN
, ,
urging VBG
the DT
Supreme NNP
Court NNP
to TO
give VB
states NNS
more JJR
leeway NN
to TO
restrict VB
abortions NNS
, ,
said VBD
minors NNS
have VBP
n't RB
any DT
right NN
to TO
abortion NN
without IN
the DT
consent NN
of IN
their PRP$
parents NNS
. .
Solicitor NNP
General NNP
Kenneth NNP
Starr NNP
argued VBD
that IN
the DT
1973 CD
Supreme NNP
Court NNP
decision NN
, ,
Roe NNP
vs. CC
Wade NNP
, ,
recognizing VBG
a DT
constitutional JJ
right NN
to TO
abortion NN
, ,
was VBD
incorrect JJ
. .
He PRP
also RB
argued VBD
that IN
the DT
high JJ
court NN
was VBD
wrong JJ
in IN
1976 CD
to TO
rule VB
that IN
minors NNS
have VBP
a DT
right NN
to TO
abortion NN
that WDT
ca MD
n't RB
be VB
absolutely RB
vetoed VBN
by IN
their PRP$
parents NNS
. .
The DT
administration NN
's POS
position NN
was VBD
outlined VBN
in IN
a DT
friend-of-the-court JJ
brief NN
filed VBN
in IN
one CD
of IN
three CD
abortion NN
cases VBZ
the DT
Supreme NNP
Court NNP
will MD
hear VB
argued VBN
and CC
will MD
decide VB
this DT
term NN
. .
The DT
administration NN
filed VBD
the DT
brief NN
in IN
an DT
appeal NN
involving VBG
a DT
Minnesota NNP
law NN
that WDT
requires VBZ
that IN
both DT
parents NNS
of IN
a DT
minor NN
be VB
notified VBN
before IN
she PRP
may MD
have VB
an DT
abortion NN
. .
The DT
administration NN
urged VBD
the DT
justices NNS
to TO
adopt VB
a DT
legal JJ
standard NN
suggested VBN
by IN
Chief NNP
Justice NNP
William NNP
Rehnquist NNP
last JJ
July NNP
when WRB
the DT
high JJ
court NN
upheld VBD
Missouri NNP
's POS
abortion NN
restrictions NNS
. .
Under IN
that DT
standard NN
, ,
which WDT
garnered VBD
the DT
votes NNS
of IN
only RB
three CD
of IN
the DT
nine CD
justices NNS
, ,
a DT
state NN
restriction NN
of IN
abortion NN
is VBZ
constitutional JJ
if IN
the DT
state NN
has VBZ
a DT
`` ``
reasonable JJ
'' ''
justification NN
for IN
adopting VBG
it PRP
. .
That DT
is VBZ
a DT
much RB
easier JJR
standard NN
for IN
a DT
state NN
to TO
satisfy VB
than IN
the DT
Supreme NNP
Court NNP
's POS
test NN
since IN
1973 CD
, ,
which WDT
requires VBZ
a DT
state NN
to TO
have VB
a DT
`` ``
compelling JJ
'' ''
reason NN
for IN
restricting VBG
abortion NN
. .
On IN
the DT
provisions NNS
of IN
the DT
Minnesota NNP
law NN
, ,
the DT
Bush NNP
administration NN
said VBD
that IN
requiring VBG
that IN
both DT
parents NNS
be VB
notified VBN
is VBZ
a DT
reasonable JJ
regulation NN
, ,
and CC
that IN
there EX
is VBZ
no DT
need NN
to TO
have VB
an DT
alternative NN
that WDT
allows VBZ
minors NNS
to TO
go VB
to TO
court NN
for IN
a DT
judge NN
's POS
permission NN
instead RB
. .
The DT
case NN
, ,
Hodgson NNP
vs. CC
Minnesota NNP
, ,
will MD
be VB
argued VBN
Nov. NNP
29 CD
. .
Aluminum NNP
Co. NNP
of IN
America NNP
, ,
hit VBD
hard RB
by IN
the DT
strength NN
of IN
the DT
dollar NN
overseas NN
, ,
said VBD
net JJ
income NN
for IN
the DT
third JJ
quarter NN
dropped VBD
3.2 CD
% NN
to TO
$ $
219 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
$ $
2.46 CD
a DT
share NN
. .
The DT
nation NN
's POS
No. NN
1 CD
aluminum NN
maker NN
earned VBD
$ $
226.3 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
$ $
2.56 CD
a DT
share NN
, ,
a DT
year NN
earlier RBR
. .
Revenue NN
rose VBD
11 CD
% NN
to TO
$ $
2.83 CD
billion CD
from IN
$ $
2.56 CD
billion CD
. .
Analysts NNS
, ,
who WP
were VBD
expecting VBG
Alcoa NNP
to TO
post VB
around IN
$ $
2.70 CD
to TO
$ $
3 CD
a DT
share NN
, ,
were VBD
surprised VBN
at IN
the DT
lackluster NN
third-quarter NN
results NNS
. .
`` ``
It PRP
's VBZ
disappointing JJ
, ,
'' ''
said VBD
William NNP
Siedenburg NNP
, ,
an DT
analyst NN
with IN
Smith NNP
Barney NNP
, ,
Harris NNP
Upham NNP
& CC
Co NNP
. .
Much RB
of IN
the DT
earnings NNS
decline NN
was VBD
led VBN
by IN
currency-exchange JJ
rate NN
adjustments NNS
, ,
which WDT
affected VBD
the DT
bottom NN
line NN
by IN
$ $
15.3 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
17 CD
cents NNS
a DT
share NN
, ,
compared VBN
with IN
$ $
3.6 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
four CD
cents NNS
a DT
share NN
, ,
the DT
previous JJ
year NN
. .
Lower JJR
prices NNS
for IN
aluminum NN
ingots NNS
and CC
certain JJ
alloy NN
products NNS
and CC
a DT
shift NN
in IN
the DT
product NN
mix NN
also RB
contributed VBD
to TO
lower JJR
earnings NNS
, ,
the DT
company NN
said VBD
. .
`` ``
In IN
addition NN
, ,
costs NNS
were VBD
higher JJR
partly RB
due JJ
to TO
scheduled VBN
plant NN
outages NNS
for IN
modernization NN
work NN
, ,
'' ''
the DT
company NN
said VBD
. .
Excluding VBG
the DT
higher JJR
tax NN
rate NN
, ,
which WDT
rose VBD
two CD
percentage NN
points NNS
to TO
38 CD
% NN
, ,
and CC
the DT
negative JJ
exchange NN
rate NN
adjustment NN
, ,
the DT
company NN
would MD
have VB
met VBN
analysts NNS
' POS
expectations NNS
, ,
said VBD
R. NNP
Wayne NNP
Atwell NNP
, ,
an DT
analyst NN
with IN
Goldman NNP
, ,
Sachs NNP
& CC
Co NNP
. .
Noting VBG
that IN
the DT
third JJ
quarter NN
is VBZ
usually RB
the DT
aluminum NN
industry NN
's VBZ
slowest JJS
, ,
Mr. NNP
Atwell NNP
added VBD
, ,
`` ``
the DT
third JJ
quarter NN
is VBZ
never RB
a DT
bang NN
up IN
period NN
for IN
them PRP
anyway RB
. .
'' ''
Nevertheless RB
, ,
the DT
company NN
said VBD
shipments NNS
were VBD
up IN
slightly RB
to TO
679,000 CD
metric JJ
tons NNS
from IN
671,000 CD
, ,
buffing VBG
the DT
impact NN
of IN
the DT
unexpected JJ
earning NN
decline NN
. .
The DT
results NNS
were VBD
announced VBN
after IN
the DT
stock NN
market NN
closed VBD
. .
In IN
New NNP
York NNP
Stock NNP
Exchange NNP
composite JJ
trading NN
Friday NNP
, ,
Alcoa NNP
closed VBD
at IN
$ $
72 CD
a DT
share NN
, ,
down IN
$ $
4.75 CD
, ,
in IN
a DT
sharply RB
lower JJR
market NN
. .
For IN
20 CD
years NNS
, ,
federal JJ
rules NNS
have VBP
barred VBN
the DT
three CD
major JJ
television NN
networks NNS
from IN
sharing VBG
in IN
one CD
of IN
the DT
most RBS
lucrative JJ
and CC
fastest-growing JJ
parts NNS
of IN
the DT
television NN
business NN
. .
And CC
for IN
six CD
years NNS
, ,
NBC NNP
, ,
ABC NNP
and CC
CBS NNP
have VBP
negotiated VBN
with IN
Hollywood NNP
studios NNS
in IN
a DT
futile JJ
attempt NN
to TO
change VB
that DT
. .
But CC
with IN
foreign JJ
companies NNS
snapping VBG
up RP
U.S. NNP
movie NN
studios NNS
, ,
the DT
networks NNS
are VBP
pressing VBG
their PRP$
fight NN
harder RBR
than IN
ever RB
. .
They PRP
hope VBP
the DT
foreign JJ
deals NNS
will MD
divide VB
the DT
Hollywood NNP
opposition NN
and CC
prod VB
Congress NNP
to TO
push VB
for IN
ending VBG
federal JJ
rules NNS
that WDT
prohibit VBP
the DT
networks NNS
from IN
grabbing VBG
a DT
piece NN
of IN
rerun NN
sales NNS
and CC
owning VBG
part NN
of IN
the DT
shows NNS
they PRP
put VBP
on IN
the DT
air NN
. .
Even RB
network NN
executives NNS
, ,
however RB
, ,
admit VBP
privately RB
that DT
victory NN
-- :
either CC
in IN
Congress NNP
or CC
in IN
talks NNS
with IN
the DT
studios NNS
-- :
is VBZ
highly RB
doubtful JJ
any DT
time NN
soon RB
. .
And CC
so IN
the DT
networks NNS
also RB
are VBP
pushing VBG
for IN
new JJ
ways NNS
to TO
sidestep VB
the DT
`` ``
fin-syn JJ
'' ''
provisions NNS
, ,
known VBN
formally RB
as IN
the DT
Financial NNP
Interest NNP
and CC
Syndication NNP
Rules NNPS
. .
That DT
became VBD
clear JJ
last JJ
week NN
with IN
the DT
disclosure NN
that IN
National NNP
Broadcasting NNP
Co. NNP
, ,
backed VBN
by IN
the DT
deep JJ
pockets NNS
of IN
parent NN
General NNP
Electric NNP
Co. NNP
, ,
had VBD
tried VBN
to TO
help VB
fund NN
Qintex NNP
Australia NNP
Ltd. NNP
's POS
now-scuttled JJ
$ $
1.5 CD
billion CD
bid NN
for IN
MGM\/UA NNP
Communications NNPS
Co NNP
. .
NBC NNP
's POS
interest NN
may MD
revive VB
the DT
deal NN
, ,
which WDT
MGM\/UA NNP
killed VBD
last JJ
week NN
when WRB
the DT
Australian JJ
concern NN
had VBD
trouble NN
raising VBG
cash NN
. .
Even RB
if IN
that DT
deal NN
is VBZ
n't RB
revived VBN
, ,
NBC NNP
hopes VBZ
to TO
find VB
another DT
. .
`` ``
Our PRP$
doors NNS
are VBP
open JJ
, ,
'' ''
an DT
NBC NNP
spokesman NN
says VBZ
. .
NBC NNP
may MD
yet RB
find VB
a DT
way NN
to TO
take VB
a DT
passive JJ
, ,
minority NN
interest NN
in IN
a DT
program-maker NN
without IN
violating VBG
the DT
rules NNS
. .
And CC
any DT
NBC NNP
effort NN
could MD
prompt VB
CBS NNP
Inc. NNP
and CC
ABC NNP
's POS
parent NN
, ,
Capital NNP
Cities\/ABC NNP
Inc. NNP
, ,
to TO
look VB
for IN
ways NNS
of IN
skirting VBG
the DT
fin-syn JJ
regulations NNS
. .
But CC
the DT
networks NNS
' POS
push NN
may MD
only RB
aggravate VB
an DT
increasingly RB
bitter JJ
rift NN
between IN
them PRP
and CC
Hollywood NNP
studios NNS
. .
Both DT
sides NNS
are VBP
to TO
sit VB
down IN
next JJ
month NN
for IN
yet RB
another DT
meeting NN
on IN
how WRB
they PRP
might MD
agree VB
on IN
reducing VBG
fin-syn JJ
restraints NNS
. .
Few JJ
people NNS
privy JJ
to TO
the DT
talks NNS
expect VBP
the DT
studios NNS
to TO
budge VB
. .
The DT
networks NNS
still RB
are VBP
`` ``
uninhibited JJ
in IN
their PRP$
authority NN
'' ''
over IN
what WDT
shows NNS
get VBP
on IN
the DT
air NN
, ,
charges VBZ
Motion NNP
Picture NNP
Association NNP
President NNP
Jack NNP
Valenti NNP
, ,
the DT
most RBS
vociferous JJ
opponent NN
of IN
rescinding VBG
the DT
rules NNS
. .
Studios NNS
are VBP
`` ``
powerless JJ
'' ''
to TO
get VB
shows NNS
in IN
prime-time JJ
lineups NNS
and CC
keep VB
them PRP
there RB
long JJ
enough RB
to TO
go VB
into IN
lucrative JJ
rerun NN
sales NNS
, ,
he PRP
contends VBZ
. .
And CC
that DT
's VBZ
why WRB
the DT
rules NNS
, ,
for IN
the DT
most JJS
part NN
, ,
must MD
stay VB
in IN
place NN
, ,
he PRP
says VBZ
. .
Studio NN
executives NNS
in IN
on IN
the DT
talks NNS
- :
including JJ
officials NNS
at IN
Paramount NNP
Communications NNPS
Inc. NNP
, ,
Fries NNP
Entertainment NNP
Inc. NNP
, ,
Warner NNP
Communications NNPS
Inc. NNP
and CC
MCA NNP
Inc. NNP
-- :
declined VBD
to TO
be VB
interviewed VBN
. .
But CC
Mr. NNP
Valenti NNP
, ,
who WP
represents VBZ
the DT
studios NNS
, ,
asserts VBZ
: :
`` ``
The DT
whole JJ
production NN
industry NN
, ,
to TO
a DT
man NN
, ,
is VBZ
on IN
the DT
side NN
of IN
preserving VBG
'' ''
the DT
rules NNS
. .
Such JJ
proclamations NNS
leave VBP
network NN
officials NNS
all PDT
the DT
more RBR
doubtful JJ
that IN
the DT
studios NNS
will MD
bend VB
. .
`` ``
They PRP
do VBP
n't RB
seem VB
to TO
have VB
an DT
incentive NN
to TO
negotiate VB
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
one CD
network NN
executive NN
. .
`` ``
And CC
there EX
's VBZ
no DT
indication NN
that IN
Washington NNP
is VBZ
prepared VBN
to TO
address VB
the DT
rules NNS
. .
That DT
's VBZ
the DT
problem NN
, ,
is VBZ
n't RB
it PRP
? .
'' ''
Indeed RB
it PRP
is VBZ
. .
Congress NNP
has VBZ
said VBN
repeatedly RB
it PRP
wants VBZ
no DT
part NN
of IN
the DT
mess NN
, ,
urging VBG
the DT
studios NNS
and CC
the DT
networks NNS
, ,
which WDT
license VBP
rights NNS
to TO
air NN
shows NNS
made VBN
by IN
the DT
studios NNS
, ,
to TO
work VB
out RP
their PRP$
own JJ
compromise NN
. .
But CC
recent JJ
developments NNS
have VBP
made VBN
the DT
networks NNS
-- :
and CC
NBC NNP
President NNP
Robert NNP
Wright NNP
, ,
in IN
particular JJ
-- :
ever RB
more RBR
adamant JJ
that IN
the DT
networks NNS
must MD
be VB
unshackled JJ
to TO
survive VB
. .
The DT
latest JJS
provocation NN
: :
Sony NNP
Corp. NNP
's POS
plan NN
to TO
acquire VB
Columbia NNP
Pictures NNPS
Entertainment NNP
Inc. NNP
for IN
$ $
3.4 CD
billion CD
, ,
and CC
to TO
buy VB
independent JJ
producer NN
Guber NNP
Peters NNP
Entertainment NNP
Co. NNP
for IN
$ $
200 CD
million CD
. .
`` ``
I PRP
wonder VBP
what WP
Walter NNP
Cronkite NNP
will MD
think VB
of IN
the DT
Sony\/Columbia NNP
Broadcast NNP
System NNP
Trinitron NNP
Evening NNP
News NNP
with IN
Dan NNP
Rather NNP
broadcast VBN
exclusively RB
from IN
Tokyo NNP
, ,
'' ''
wrote VBD
J.B. NNP
Holston NNP
, ,
an DT
NBC NNP
vice NN
president NN
, ,
in IN
a DT
commentary NN
in IN
last JJ
week NN
's POS
issue NN
of IN
Broadcasting VBG
magazine NN
. .
In IN
his PRP$
article NN
, ,
Mr. NNP
Holston NNP
, ,
who WP
was VBD
in IN
Europe NNP
last JJ
week NN
and CC
unavailable JJ
, ,
complained VBD
that IN
the DT
`` ``
archaic JJ
restraints NNS
'' ''
in IN
fin-syn JJ
rules NNS
have VBP
`` ``
contributed VBN
directly RB
to TO
the DT
acquisition NN
of IN
the DT
studios NNS
by IN
non-U.S. JJ
enterprises NNS
. .
'' ''
( (
He PRP
did VBD
n't RB
mention VB
that IN
NBC NNP
, ,
in IN
the DT
meantime NN
, ,
was VBD
hoping VBG
to TO
assist VB
Australia NNP
's POS
Qintex NNP
in IN
buying NN
An DT
NBC NNP
spokesman NN
counters NNS
that IN
Mr. NNP
Holston NNP
's POS
lament NN
was VBD
`` ``
entirely RB
consistent JJ
'' ''
with IN
NBC NNP
plans NNS
because IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
rules NNS
would MD
limit VB
NBC NNP
's POS
involvement NN
in IN
the DT
Qintex NNP
deal NN
so RB
severely RB
as IN
to TO
be VB
`` ``
light JJ
years NNS
away RB
from IN
the DT
type NN
of IN
unrestrained JJ
deals NNS
available JJ
to TO
Sony NNP
-- :
and CC
everyone NN
else RB
except IN
the DT
three CD
networks NNS
. .
'' ''
The DT
Big NNP
Three CD
's POS
drumbeat NN
for IN
deregulation NN
began VBD
intensifying VBG
in IN
the DT
summer NN
when WRB
the DT
former JJ
Time NNP
Inc. NNP
went VBD
ahead RB
with IN
plans NNS
to TO
acquire VB
Warner NNP
. .
Although IN
Time NNP
already RB
had VBD
a DT
long-term JJ
contract NN
to TO
buy VB
movies NNS
from IN
Warner NNP
, ,
the DT
merger NN
will MD
let VB
Time NNP
's POS
largely RB
unregulated JJ
pay-cable JJ
channel NN
, ,
Home NNP
Box NNP
Office NNP
, ,
own VB
the DT
Warner NNP
movies NNS
aired VBN
on IN
HBO NNP
-- :
a DT
vertical JJ
integration NN
that WDT
is VBZ
effectively RB
blocked VBN
by IN
fin-syn JJ
regulations NNS
. .
NBC NNP
's POS
Mr. NNP
Wright NNP
led VBD
the DT
way NN
in IN
decrying VBG
the DT
networks NNS
' POS
inability NN
to TO
match VB
a DT
Time-Warner NNP
combination NN
. .
He PRP
spoke VBD
up RP
again RB
when WRB
the DT
Sony NNP
bid NN
for IN
Columbia NNP
was VBD
announced VBN
. .
Since IN
NBC NNP
's POS
interest NN
in IN
the DT
Qintex NNP
bid NN
for IN
MGM\/UA NNP
was VBD
disclosed VBN
, ,
Mr. NNP
Wright NNP
has VBZ
n't RB
been VBN
available JJ
for IN
comment NN
. .
With IN
a DT
Qintex NNP
deal NN
, ,
NBC NNP
would MD
move VB
into IN
uncharted JJ
territory NN
-- :
possibly RB
raising VBG
hackles NNS
at IN
the DT
studios NNS
and CC
in IN
Washington NNP
. .
`` ``
It PRP
's VBZ
never RB
really RB
been VBN
tested VBN
, ,
'' ''
says VBZ
William NNP
Lilley NNP
III NNP
, ,
who WP
as IN
a DT
top JJ
CBS NNP
executive NN
spent VBD
years NNS
lobbying VBG
to TO
have VB
the DT
rules NNS
lifted VBN
. .
He PRP
now RB
runs VBZ
Policy NNP
Communications NNPS
in IN
Washington NNP
, ,
consulting VBG
to TO
media NNS
companies NNS
. .
Fin-syn JJ
rules NNS
do VBP
n't RB
explicitly RB
block VB
a DT
network NN
from IN
buying VBG
a DT
passive JJ
, ,
small JJ
stake NN
in IN
a DT
company NN
that IN
profits VBZ
from IN
the DT
rerun NN
syndication NN
networks NNS
ca MD
n't RB
enjoy VB
. .
Hence RB
, ,
NBC NNP
might MD
be VB
able JJ
to TO
take VB
, ,
say VB
, ,
a DT
5 CD
% NN
stake NN
in IN
a DT
company NN
such JJ
as IN
MGM\/UA NNP
. .
If IN
the DT
transaction NN
raised VBD
objections NNS
, ,
the DT
studio NN
's POS
syndication NN
operations NNS
could MD
be VB
spun VBN
off IN
into IN
a DT
separate JJ
firm NN
in IN
which WDT
the DT
network NN
does VBZ
n't RB
have VB
a DT
direct JJ
stake NN
. .
But CC
such JJ
convolutions NNS
would MD
still RB
block VB
the DT
networks NNS
from IN
grabbing VBG
a DT
big JJ
chunk NN
of IN
the DT
riches NN
of IN
syndication NN
. .
Under IN
current JJ
rules NNS
, ,
even RB
when WRB
a DT
network NN
fares VBZ
well RB
with IN
a DT
100%-owned JJ
series NN
-- :
ABC NNP
, ,
for IN
example NN
, ,
made VBD
a DT
killing NN
in IN
broadcasting VBG
its PRP$
popular JJ
crime\/comedy NN
`` ``
Moonlighting NNP
'' ''
-- :
it PRP
is VBZ
n't RB
allowed VBN
to TO
share VB
in IN
the DT
continuing VBG
proceeds NNS
when WRB
the DT
reruns NNS
are VBP
sold VBN
to TO
local JJ
stations NNS
. .
Instead RB
, ,
ABC NNP
will MD
have VB
to TO
sell VB
off RP
the DT
rights NNS
for IN
a DT
one-time JJ
fee NN
. .
The DT
networks NNS
admit VBP
that IN
the DT
chances NNS
of IN
getting VBG
the DT
relief NN
they PRP
want VBP
are VBP
slim JJ
-- :
for IN
several JJ
years NNS
at IN
the DT
least JJS
. .
Six CD
years NNS
ago IN
they PRP
were VBD
tantalizingly RB
close JJ
. .
The DT
Reagan-era NNP
Federal NNP
Communications NNPS
Commission NNP
had VBD
ruled VBN
in IN
favor NN
of IN
killing VBG
most JJS
of IN
the DT
rules NNS
. .
Various JJ
evidence NN
, ,
including VBG
a DT
Brookings NNP
Institution NNP
study NN
of IN
some DT
800 CD
series NN
that IN
the DT
networks NNS
had VBD
aired VBN
and CC
had VBD
partly RB
owned VBN
in IN
the DT
1960s CD
, ,
showed VBD
the DT
networks NNS
did VBD
n't RB
wield VB
undue JJ
control NN
over IN
the DT
studios NNS
as IN
had VBD
been VBN
alleged VBN
. .
But CC
just RB
eight CD
days NNS
before IN
the DT
rules NNS
were VBD
to TO
die VB
, ,
former JJ
President NNP
Ronald NNP
Reagan NNP
, ,
a DT
one-time JJ
actor NN
, ,
intervened VBD
on IN
behalf NN
of IN
Hollywood NNP
. .
The DT
FCC NNP
effort NN
collapsed VBD
. .
The DT
networks NNS
and CC
studios NNS
have VBP
bickered VBN
ever RB
since IN
. .
Network NN
officials NNS
involved VBN
in IN
the DT
studio NN
talks NNS
may MD
hope VB
the DT
foreign JJ
influx NN
builds VBZ
more JJR
support NN
in IN
Washington NNP
, ,
but CC
that DT
seems VBZ
unlikely JJ
. .
In IN
Congress NNP
, ,
the DT
issue NN
falters VBZ
: :
It PRP
's VBZ
about IN
money NN
, ,
not RB
program NN
quality NN
, ,
and CC
Hollywood NNP
has VBZ
lots NNS
of IN
clout NN
given VBN
its PRP$
fund NN
raising NN
for IN
senators NNS
and CC
representatives NNS
overseeing VBG
the DT
issue NN
. .
A DT
spokesman NN
for IN
Rep. NNP
Edward NNP
J. NNP
Markey NNP
( (
D-Mass. NNP
) )
, ,
who WP
heads VBZ
a DT
subcommittee NN
that WDT
oversees VBZ
the DT
FCC NNP
, ,
says VBZ
Mr. NNP
Markey NNP
feels VBZ
`` ``
the DT
world NN
has VBZ
been VBN
forever RB
changed VBN
by IN
the DT
Sony-Columbia NNP
deal NN
. .
'' ''
But CC
he PRP
said VBD
Mr. NNP
Markey NNP
hopes VBZ
this DT
pushes VBZ
the DT
networks NNS
and CC
studios NNS
to TO
work VB
it PRP
out RP
on IN
their PRP$
own JJ
. .
And CC
at IN
the DT
FCC NNP
, ,
meanwhile RB
, ,
new JJ
Chairman NNP
Alfred NNP
C. NNP
Sikes NNP
has VBZ
said VBN
he PRP
wants VBZ
the DT
two CD
sides NNS
to TO
hammer VB
out RP
their PRP$
own JJ
plan NN
. .
Recognition NNP
Equipment NNP
Inc. NNP
said VBD
it PRP
settled VBD
a DT
civil JJ
action NN
filed VBN
against IN
it PRP
by IN
the DT
federal JJ
government NN
on IN
behalf NN
of IN
the DT
U.S. NNP
Postal NNP
Service NNP
. .
The DT
government NN
sued VBD
the DT
company NN
in IN
April NNP
, ,
seeking VBG
$ $
23,000 CD
and CC
other JJ
unspecified JJ
damages NNS
related VBN
to TO
an DT
alleged JJ
contract-steering JJ
scheme NN
. .
The DT
suit NN
named VBD
the DT
company NN
, ,
former JJ
chief NN
executive NN
officer NN
William NNP
G. NNP
Moore NNP
Jr. NNP
, ,
former JJ
vice NN
president NN
Robert NNP
W. NNP
Reedy NNP
and CC
five CD
defendants NNS
who WP
were VBD
n't RB
part NN
of IN
the DT
company NN
. .
The DT
suit NN
charged VBD
the DT
defendants NNS
with IN
causing VBG
Peter NNP
E. NNP
Voss NNP
, ,
an DT
ex-member NN
of IN
the DT
Postal NNP
Service NNP
board NN
of IN
governors NNS
, ,
to TO
accept VB
$ $
23,000 CD
in IN
bribes NNS
, ,
kickbacks NNS
and CC
gratuities NNS
. .
Mr. NNP
Voss NNP
was VBD
previously RB
sentenced VBN
to TO
four CD
years NNS
in IN
prison NN
and CC
fined VBN
$ $
11,000 CD
for IN
his PRP$
role NN
in IN
the DT
scheme NN
. .
In IN
the DT
agreement NN
, ,
Recognition NN
agreed VBD
to TO
pay VB
the DT
government NN
$ $
20,000 CD
in IN
return NN
for IN
the DT
release NN
of IN
all DT
claims NNS
against IN
the DT
company NN
, ,
Mr. NNP
Moore NNP
and CC
Mr. NNP
Reedy NNP
. .
The DT
five CD
additional JJ
defendants NNS
were VBD
n't RB
parties NNS
to TO
the DT
settlement NN
. .
A DT
trial NN
on IN
criminal JJ
allegations NNS
against IN
the DT
company NN
and CC
the DT
same JJ
two CD
former JJ
executives NNS
began VBD
Sept. NNP
27 CD
in IN
federal JJ
court NN
for IN
the DT
District NNP
of IN
Columbia NNP
. .
They PRP
were VBD
indicted VBN
last JJ
October NNP
on IN
charges NNS
of IN
fraud NN
, ,
theft NN
and CC
conspiracy NN
related VBN
to TO
an DT
effort NN
to TO
win VB
$ $
400 CD
million CD
in IN
Postal NNP
Service NNP
equipment NN
contracts NNS
by IN
the DT
maker NN
of IN
data NNS
management NN
equipment NN
. .
The DT
company NN
and CC
its PRP$
executives NNS
deny VBP
the DT
charges NNS
. .
In IN
a DT
related VBN
development NN
, ,
Recognition NNP
Equipment NNP
said VBD
the DT
Postal NNP
Service NNP
has VBZ
barred VBN
the DT
company NN
from IN
bidding VBG
on IN
postal JJ
contracts NNS
for IN
an DT
additional JJ
120 CD
days NNS
. .
The DT
Postal NNP
Service NNP
originally RB
suspended VBD
the DT
company NN
Oct. NNP
7 CD
, ,
1988 CD
, ,
and CC
has VBZ
been VBN
renewing VBG
the DT
ban NN
ever RB
since IN
. .
The DT
company NN
said VBD
it PRP
will MD
continue VB
to TO
pursue VB
a DT
lifting NN
of IN
the DT
suspension NN
. .
Intel NNP
Corp. NNP
reported VBD
a DT
50 CD
% NN
drop NN
in IN
third-quarter NN
net NN
income NN
, ,
partly RB
because IN
of IN
a DT
one-time JJ
charge NN
for IN
discontinued VBN
operations NNS
. .
The DT
big JJ
semiconductor NN
and CC
computer NN
maker NN
, ,
said VBD
it PRP
had VBD
net NN
of IN
$ $
72 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
38 CD
cents NNS
, ,
down IN
50 CD
% NN
from IN
$ $
142.7 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
78 CD
cents NNS
a DT
share NN
. .
The DT
lower JJR
net NN
included VBD
a DT
charge NN
of IN
$ $
35 CD
million CD
, ,
equal JJ
to TO
12 CD
cents NNS
a DT
share NN
on IN
an DT
after-tax JJ
basis NN
, ,
for IN
the DT
cost NN
of IN
abandoning VBG
a DT
computer-systems NNS
joint NN
venture NN
with IN
Siemens NNP
AG NNP
of IN
West NNP
Germany NNP
. .
Earning NN
also RB
fell VBD
from IN
the DT
year-ago JJ
period NN
because IN
of IN
slowing VBG
microchip NN
demand NN
. .
Sales NNS
amounted VBD
to TO
$ $
771.4 CD
million CD
, ,
down IN
1.7 CD
% NN
from IN
$ $
784.9 CD
million CD
. .
Intel NNP
's POS
stock NN
rose VBD
in IN
early JJ
over-the-counter NN
trading NN
Friday NNP
, ,
as IN
investors NNS
appeared VBD
relieved VBN
that IN
the DT
company NN
's POS
income NN
from IN
continuing VBG
operations NNS
was VBD
only RB
slightly RB
below IN
the DT
second JJ
quarter NN
's POS
earnings NNS
of IN
$ $
99.3 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
53 CD
cents NNS
a DT
share NN
, ,
and CC
that IN
sales NNS
actually RB
exceeded VBD
the DT
$ $
747.3 CD
million CD
for IN
the DT
second JJ
period NN
. .
But CC
Intel NNP
later RB
succumbed VBD
to TO
the DT
stock NN
market NN
's POS
plunge NN
, ,
closing VBG
at IN
$ $
31.75 CD
, ,
down IN
$ $
2.125 CD
. .
In IN
August NNP
, ,
Intel NNP
warned VBD
that IN
third-quarter NN
earnings NNS
might MD
be VB
`` ``
flat JJ
to TO
down JJ
'' ''
from IN
the DT
previous JJ
period NN
's POS
because IN
of IN
slowing VBG
sales NNS
growth NN
of IN
its PRP$
80386 CD
microprocessor NN
, ,
start-up JJ
costs NNS
associated VBN
with IN
a DT
line NN
of IN
computers NNS
and CC
costs NNS
of IN
preparing VBG
for IN
mass NN
shipments NNS
of IN
the DT
company NN
's POS
new JJ
80486 CD
chip NN
in IN
the DT
current JJ
quarter NN
. .
On IN
Friday NNP
, ,
Andrew NNP
S.Grove NNP
, ,
Intel NNP
president NN
and CC
chief NN
executive NN
officer NN
, ,
said VBD
`` ``
Intel NNP
's POS
business NN
is VBZ
strong JJ
. .
Our PRP$
bookings NNS
improved VBD
as IN
the DT
quarter NN
progressed VBD
and CC
September NNP
was VBD
especially RB
good JJ
. .
For IN
the DT
full JJ
quarter NN
, ,
our PRP$
bookings NNS
were VBD
higher JJR
than IN
the DT
previous JJ
quarter NN
, ,
and CC
our PRP$
book-to-bill NN
ratio NN
exceeded VBD
1.0 CD
. .
'' ''
For IN
the DT
nine-month JJ
period NN
, ,
Intel NNP
reported VBD
net NN
of IN
$ $
268.3 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
$ $
1.43 CD
a DT
share NN
, ,
down IN
27 CD
% NN
from IN
$ $
367.1 CD
million CD
, ,
or CC
$ $
2.05 CD
a DT
share NN
. .
Revenue NN
amounted VBD
to TO
$ $
2.23 CD
billion CD
, ,
up IN
slightly RB
from IN
$ $
2.15 CD
billion CD
. .
Walter NNP
Sisulu NNP
and CC
the DT
African NNP
National NNP
Congress NNP
came VBD
home NN
yesterday NN
. .
After IN
26 CD
years NNS
in IN
prison NN
, ,
Mr. NNP
Sisulu NNP
, ,
the DT
77-year-old JJ
former JJ
secretary-general NN
of IN
the DT
liberation NN
movement NN
, ,
was VBD
dropped VBN
off RP
at IN
his PRP$
house NN
by IN
a DT
prison NN
services NNS
' POS
van NN
just RB
as IN
the DT
sun NN
was VBD
coming VBG
up IN
. .
At IN
the DT
same JJ
time NN
, ,
six CD
ANC NNP
colleagues NNS
, ,
five CD
of IN
whom WP
were VBD
arrested VBN
with IN
him PRP
in IN
1963 CD
and CC
sentenced VBN
to TO
life NN
imprisonment NN
, ,
were VBD
reunited VBN
with IN
their PRP$
families NNS
at IN
various JJ
places NNS
around IN
the DT
country NN
. .
And CC
as IN
the DT
graying VBG
men NNS
returned VBD
to TO
their PRP$
homes NNS
, ,
the DT
ANC NNP
, ,
outlawed VBN
in IN
South NNP
Africa NNP
since IN
1960 CD
and CC
still RB
considered VBN
to TO
be VB
the DT
chief NN
public JJ
enemy NN
by IN
the DT
white JJ
government NN
, ,
defiantly RB
returned VBD
to TO
the DT
streets NNS
of IN
the DT
country NN
's POS
black JJ
townships NNS
. .
A DT
huge JJ
ANC NNP
flag NN
, ,
with IN
black JJ
, ,
green JJ
and CC
gold JJ
stripes NNS
, ,
was VBD
hoisted VBN
over IN
the DT
rickety JJ
gate NN
at IN
Mr. NNP
Sisulu NNP
's POS
modest JJ
house NN
, ,
while IN
on IN
the DT
street NN
out IN
front NN
, ,
boys NNS
displayed VBD
the DT
ANC NNP
colors NNS
on IN
their PRP$
shirts NNS
, ,
caps NNS
and CC
scarves NN
. .
At IN
the DT
small JJ
four-room JJ
home NN
of IN
Elias NNP
Motsoaledi NNP
, ,
a DT
leading VBG
ANC NNP
unionist NN
and CC
a DT
former JJ
commander NN
in IN
the DT
group NN
's POS
armed VBN
wing NN
, ,
Umkhonto NNP
we PRP
Sizwe NNP
, ,
well-wishers NNS
stuck VBD
little JJ
ANC NNP
flags NNS
in IN
their PRP$
hair NN
and CC
a DT
man NN
tooted VBD
on IN
an DT
antelope NN
horn NN
wrapped VBN
in IN
ANC NNP
ribbons NNS
. .
`` ``
I PRP
am VBP
happy JJ
to TO
see VB
the DT
spirit NN
of IN
the DT
people NNS
, ,
'' ''
said VBD
Mr. NNP
Sisulu NNP
, ,
looking VBG
dapper JJ
in IN
a DT
new JJ
gray JJ
suit NN
. .
As IN
the DT
crowd NN
outside IN
his PRP$
home NN
shouted VBD
`` ``
ANC NNP
, ,
ANC NNP
, ,
'' ''
the DT
old JJ
man NN
shot VBD
his PRP$
fists NNS
into IN
the DT
air NN
. .
`` ``
I PRP
'm VBP
inspired VBN
by IN
the DT
mood NN
of IN
the DT
people NNS
. .
'' ''
Under IN
the DT
laws NNS
of IN
the DT
land NN
, ,
the DT
ANC NNP
remains VBZ
an DT
illegal JJ
organization NN
, ,
and CC
its PRP$
headquarters NNS
are VBP
still RB
in IN
Lusaka NNP
, ,
Zambia NNP
. .
But CC
the DT
unconditional JJ
release NN
of IN
the DT
seven CD
leaders NNS
, ,
who WP
once RB
formed VBD
the DT
intellectual JJ
and CC
organizational JJ
core NN
of IN
the DT
ANC NNP
, ,
is VBZ
a DT
de FW
facto FW
unbanning NN
of IN
the DT
movement NN
and CC
the DT
rebirth NN
of IN
its PRP$
internal JJ
wing NN
. .
`` ``
The DT
government NN
can MD
never RB
put VB
the DT
ANC NNP
back NN
into IN
the DT
bottle NN
again RB
, ,
'' ''
said VBD
Cassim NNP
Saloojee NNP
, ,
a DT
veteran JJ
anti-apartheid NN
activist NN
on IN
hand NN
to TO
welcome VB
Mr. NNP
Sisulu NNP
. .
`` ``
Things NNS
have VBP
gone VBN
too RB
far RB
for IN
the DT
government NN
to TO
stop VB
them PRP
now RB
. .
There EX
's VBZ
no DT
turning VBG
back NN
. .
'' ''
There EX
was VBD
certainly RB
no RB
stopping VBG
the DT
tide NN
of IN
ANC NNP
emotion NN
last JJ
night NN
, ,
when WRB
hundreds NNS
of IN
people NNS
jammed VBD
into IN
the DT
Holy NNP
Cross NNP
Anglican NNP
Church NNP
in IN
Soweto NNP
for IN
what WP
became VBD
the DT
first JJ
ANC NNP
rally NN
in IN
the DT
country NN
in IN
30 CD
years NNS
. .
Deafening VBG
chants NNS
of IN
`` ``
ANC NNP
'' ''
and CC
`` ``
Umkhonto NNP
we PRP
Sizwe NNP
'' ''
shook VBD
the DT
church NN
as IN
the DT
seven CD
aging VBG
men NNS
vowed VBD
that IN
the DT
ANC NNP
would MD
continue VB
its PRP$
fight NN
against IN
the DT
government NN
and CC
the DT
policies NNS
of IN
racial JJ
segregation NN
on IN
all DT
fronts NNS
, ,
including VBG
the DT
armed VBN
struggle NN
. .
And CC
they PRP
called VBD
on IN
the DT
government NN
to TO
release VB
Nelson NNP
Mandela NNP
, ,
the DT
ANC NNP
's POS
leading VBG
figure NN
, ,
who WP
was VBD
jailed VBN
with IN
them PRP
and CC
remains VBZ
in IN
prison NN
. .
Without IN
him PRP
, ,
said VBD
Mr. NNP
Sisulu NNP
, ,
the DT
freeing NN
of IN
the DT
others NNS
`` ``
is VBZ
only RB
a DT
half-measure NN
. .
'' ''
President NNP
F.W. NNP
de NNP
Klerk NNP
released VBD
the DT
ANC NNP
men NNS
-- :
along IN
with IN
one CD
of IN
the DT
founding VBG
members NNS
of IN
the DT
Pan NNP
Africanist NNP
Congress NNP
, ,
a DT
rival JJ
liberation NN
group NN
-- :
as IN
part NN
of IN
his PRP$
efforts NNS
to TO
create VB
a DT
climate NN
of IN
trust NN
and CC
peace NN
in IN
which WDT
his PRP$
government NN
can MD
begin VB
negotiations NNS
with IN
black JJ
leaders NNS
over IN
a DT
new JJ
constitution NN
aimed VBN
at IN
giving VBG
blacks NNS
a DT
voice NN
in IN
national JJ
government NN
. .
But CC
Pretoria NNP
may MD
instead RB
be VB
creating VBG
a DT
climate NN
for IN
more JJR
turmoil NN
and CC
uncertainty NN
in IN
this DT
racially RB
divided VBN
country NN
. .
As IN
other JJ
repressive JJ
governments NNS
, ,
particularly RB
Poland NNP
and CC
the DT
Soviet NNP
Union NNP
, ,
have VBP
recently RB
discovered VBN
, ,
initial JJ
steps NNS
to TO
open VB
up RP
society NN
can MD
create VB
a DT
momentum NN
for IN
radical JJ
change NN
that WDT
becomes VBZ
difficult JJ
, ,
if IN
not RB
impossible JJ
, ,
to TO
control VB
. .
As IN
the DT
days NNS
go VBP
by IN
, ,
the DT
South JJ
African JJ
government NN
will MD
be VB
ever RB
more RBR
hard RB
pressed VBN
to TO
justify VB
the DT
continued VBN
imprisonment NN
of IN
Mr. NNP
Mandela NNP
as RB
well RB
as IN
the DT
continued VBN
banning NN
of IN
the DT
ANC NNP
and CC
enforcement NN
of IN
the DT
state NN
of IN
emergency NN
. .
If IN
it PRP
does VBZ
n't RB
yield VB
on IN
these DT
matters NNS
, ,
and CC
eventually RB
begin VB
talking VBG
directly RB
to TO
the DT
ANC NNP
, ,
the DT
expectations NNS
and CC
promise NN
raised VBN
by IN
yesterday NN
's POS
releases NNS
will MD
turn VB
to TO
disillusionment NN
and CC
unrest NN
. .
If IN
it PRP
does VBZ
, ,
the DT
large JJ
number NN
of IN
right-wing JJ
whites NNS
, ,
who WP
oppose VBP
any DT
concessions NNS
to TO
the DT
black JJ
majority NN
, ,
will MD
step VB
up RP
their PRP$
agitation NN
and CC
threats NNS
to TO
take VB
matters NNS
into IN
their PRP$
own JJ
hands NNS
. .
The DT
newly RB
released VBN
ANC NNP
leaders NNS
also RB
will MD
be VB
under IN
enormous JJ
pressure NN
. .
The DT
government NN
is VBZ
watching VBG
closely RB
to TO
see VB
if IN
their PRP$
presence NN
in IN
the DT
townships NNS
leads VBZ
to TO
increased VBN
anti-government NN
protests NNS
and CC
violence NN
; :
if IN
it PRP
does VBZ
, ,
Pretoria NNP
will MD
use VB
this DT
as IN
a DT
reason NN
to TO
keep VB
Mr. NNP
Mandela NNP
behind IN
bars NNS
. .
Pretoria NNP
has VBZ
n't RB
forgotten VBN
why WRB
they PRP
were VBD
all DT
sentenced VBN
to TO
life NN
imprisonment NN
in IN
the DT
first JJ
place NN
: :
for IN
sabotage NN
and CC
conspiracy NN
to TO
overthrow VB
the DT
government NN
. .
In IN
addition NN
, ,
the DT
government NN
is VBZ
figuring VBG
that IN
the DT
releases NNS
could MD
create VB
a DT
split NN
between IN
the DT
internal JJ
and CC
external JJ
wings NNS
of IN
the DT
ANC NNP
and CC
between IN
the DT
newly RB
freed VBN
leaders NNS
and CC
those DT
activists NNS
who WP
have VBP
emerged VBN
as IN
leaders NNS
inside IN
the DT
country NN
during IN
their PRP$
imprisonment NN
. .
In IN
order NN
to TO
head VB
off RP
any DT
divisions NNS
, ,
Mr. NNP
Mandela NNP
, ,
in IN
a DT
meeting NN
with IN
his PRP$
colleagues NNS
before IN
they PRP
were VBD
released VBN
, ,
instructed VBD
them PRP
to TO
report VB
to TO
the DT
ANC NNP
headquarters NN
in IN
Lusaka NNP
as RB
soon RB
as IN
possible JJ
. .
The DT
men NNS
also RB
will MD
be VB
faced VBN
with IN
bridging VBG
the DT
generation NN
gap NN
between IN
themselves PRP
and CC
the DT
country NN
's POS
many JJ
militant JJ
black JJ
youths NNS
, ,
the DT
so-called JJ
young JJ
lions NNS
who WP
are VBP
anxious JJ
to TO
see VB
the DT
old JJ
lions NNS
in IN
action NN
. .
Says VBZ
Peter NNP
Mokaba NNP
, ,
president NN
of IN
the DT
South NNP
African NNP
Youth NNP
Congress NNP
: :
`` ``
We PRP
will MD
be VB
expecting VBG
them PRP
to TO
act VB
like IN
leaders NNS
of IN
the DT
ANC NNP
. .
'' ''
They PRP
never RB
considered VBD
themselves PRP
to TO
be VB
anything NN
else RB
. .
At IN
last JJ
night NN
's POS
rally NN
, ,
they PRP
called VBD
on IN
their PRP$
followers NNS
to TO
be VB
firm JJ
, ,
yet RB
disciplined VBN
, ,
in IN
their PRP$
opposition NN
to TO
apartheid NN
. .
`` ``
We PRP
emphasize VBP
discipline NN
because IN
we PRP
know VBP
that IN
the DT
government NN
is VBZ
very RB
, ,
very RB
sensitive JJ
, ,
'' ''
said VBD
Andrew NNP
Mlangeni NNP
, ,
another DT
early JJ
Umkhonto NNP
leader NN
who WP
is VBZ
now RB
63 CD
. .
`` ``
We PRP
want VBP
to TO
see VB
Nelson NNP
Mandela NNP
and CC
all PDT
our PRP$
comrades NNS
out IN
of IN
prison NN
, ,
and CC
if IN
we PRP
are VBP
n't RB
disciplined VBN
we PRP
may MD
not RB
see VB
them PRP
here RB
with IN
us PRP
. .