*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 12437.doc* NEWS News media Information 202 / 418- 0500 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: News Media contact: October 26, 2001 Paul Margie at (202) 418- 2000 COMMISSIONER COPPS STATEMENT ON ALTERATION OF GE- SES MERGER APPROVAL I am troubled by today’s approval of a substantial increase in foreign ownership in the GE/ SES merger without public notice and without seeking comment, as I believe we are required to do under the Communications Act. The Agency performed its public interest responsibilities for this merger and explicitly allowed 29% equity indirect foreign ownership. The parties now, after approval, tell us that they mistakenly failed to reveal an additional 22% foreign equity ownership and would like explicit approval of this additional foreign ownership. This means that we are now dealing with a merger that requires us to explicitly approve approximately 50% equity and 63% voting foreign ownership. Section 309 of the Communications Act requires us to issue a public notice and allow thirty days for public comment for any “substantial amendment” to an application. Today’s action seems to be based on the belief that nearly doubling the foreign ownership is “minor,” and that the Agency can therefore approve it without notice or the opportunity for public participation. I believe that the statute requires the opportunity for public notice in this instance. - FCC - 1