*Pages 1--1 from  Microsoft Word - 39226*
 NEWS  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).  News  Media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  TTY:  1-  888-  835-  5322 
 FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE  NEWS  MEDIA  CONTACTS  June  14,  2004  Matt  Brill:  202-  418-  2400 
 STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  KATHLEEN  Q.  ABERNATHY  ON  DEVELOPMENT  OF  NEW  LOCAL  COMPETITION  RULES 
 “I  am  pleased  that  we  are  turning  a  corner  and  putting  litigation  behind  us  by  commencing  a  rulemaking  in  response  to  the  D.  C.  Circuit’s  USTA  II  decision.  In  fact,  I  have 
 argued  over  the  last  few  months  that  writing  new  rules  consistent  with  the  Court’s  directives  is  essential  to  bringing  certainty  to  the  market  and  ensuring  appropriate  investment  incentives.  I 
 also  join  my  colleagues  in  encouraging  all  parties  to  continue  marketplace  negotiations  during  the  pendency  of  this  proceeding.” 


 -  FCC  - 
1