*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 36591* STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN MICHAEL POWELL Re: In the Matter of Qwest Corporation Apparent Liability for Forfeiture Today we release a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture against Qwest, containing the largest proposed forfeiture in the Commission’s history. We propose a forfeiture of this size, $9 million, due to Qwest’s apparent non- compliance with the pro-competitive requirements of section 252 of the Communications Act and Commission orders. I would like to emphasize that our action complements state enforcement actions in Minnesota and Arizona. This action sends a clear message, along with the complementary state actions, that violations of the key pro- competitive provisions of the Act will not be tolerated. 1