European Commission approves the sale of ALSTOM's heavy
duty gas turbine business to GE

The European Commission yesterday gave approval for the sale
by ALSTOM of its GE-licensed heavy-duty gas turbine business to
GE.

As announced on 23rd March 1999, ALSTOM's GE-licensed heavy
duty gas turbine business has sales of 750 million euros and
employs approximately 2,500 people. The net consideration of
the related transaction to be received by ALSTOM will be US$
910 million.