The Baby Bells have established a cartel arrangement that violates the premises of a competitive marketplace. It is unfair to consumers and advertisers as well as to competitors.

GTE must be in a position, if necessary, to vindicate its rights and ensure that all its concerns have been adequately and effectively met. This matter is important to GTE as both a customer and a competitor.

The Internet is still a new frontier and many of the rules of electronic commerce are yet to be defined, but it is subject to the same antitrust laws that have governed America's businesses throughout this century.

I am excited to be involved in this major effort bringing together financial institutions, technology vendors, and consulting organizations. I am confident that my years of experience in the development and implementation of business and technology strategies will be an asset to this dynamic organization.