For Immediate Release

Public Relations Division
Public Affairs Department
1170 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
(610) 694-3711 - Phone
(610) 694-1509 - Fax

BETHLEHEM, Pa., November 13, 1998 -- The following statement by Curtis H. Barnette, chairman and chief executive officer, Bethlehem Steel Corporation, was issued in reaction to the vote by the International Trade Commission on the American steel industry's hot rolled trade cases:

"We are pleased that all six members of the International Trade Commission voted affirmatively in a preliminary determination on the question of injury to the domestic steel industry caused by dumped hot rolled sheets from Japan, Russia and Brazil. We await the text of the decision, which will be available early next week, and we will have further comment after our analysis of the details.

"We do believe that there is sufficient reason for the Department of Commerce to issue a prompt finding of 'critical circumstances,' and that it should apply remedies at the earliest possible date. We believe that these cases should be allowed to run their full course under the law, with application of duties to offset the unfair trade practices.

"While this is a positive development in the hot rolled cases, serious injury to the American steel industry continues, requiring prompt and effective action."