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., January 8, 1999 -- In response to media inquiries about Bethlehem Steel Corporation's reaction to the Clinton Administration's report on the crisis in the steel industry, the following statement is attributable to Curtis H. Barnette, chairman and chief executive officer, Bethlehem Steel:

"We appreciate that the deepening steel import crisis is receiving the highest level of attention in the Administration and the Congress.

"The Congress requested the Administration to report on a Comprehensive Plan for Responding to the Increase in Steel Imports, which was submitted on January 7, 1999. Unprecedented levels of unfairly traded steel imports have caused, and are continuing to cause, serious injury to the American steel industry. We acknowledge the efforts of the Administration that went into the preparation of The Plan. While The Plan reviews certain helpful actions that have been taken, and others that may be taken, The Plan falls short of what is required, and is not yet sufficiently comprehensive, timely or effective, given the significant increases in imports, the precipitous decline in prices due to the dumping of foreign steel, and the mounting losses by the American steel industry.

"We are continuing our review of The Plan, and will be meeting with the Administration in order to discuss our concerns in detail, and to make specific recommendations for immediate actions and for improvements in The Plan. We will continue to take all appropriate private actions and to work closely with the Administration and the Congress in an effort to restore fair trade in steel."