T R O U B L E D C O M P A N Y R E P O R T E R E U R O P E Friday, December 7, 2007, Vol. 8, No. 243 Headlines A U S T R I A ABIS BAU: Vienna Court Orders Business Shutdown ADELE LLC: Creditors' Meeting Slated for December 19 HMF MONTAGE: Linz Court Orders Business Shutdown SCHINKO PFLASTER: Creditors' Meeting Slated for Dec. 20 B E L G I U M CHEMTURA CORPORATION: Appoints Lynn Schefsky as Secretary MAZDA MOTOR: Planned Sales Consolidation Will Not Push Through D E N M A R K ARROW ELECTRONICS: Combines Two Units Into US$1 Bln Software Biz KNOLL INC: Paying US$0.12/Share Cash Dividend on December 28 F R A N C E DELPHI CORP: Gets Committees' Support on Plan Amendments LAZARD LTD: Names Rodrigo de Rato as Senior Managing Director G E R M A N Y ABRAND GMBH: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 17, 2008 ARCADEN IMMOBILIEN: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 21 AUFBAU- UND VERMIETUNGS: Claims Registration Ends Jan. 18, 2008 BLITZ-BAU GMBH: Claims Registration Ends January 10, 2008 BRINKMANN HOLZ: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 18, 2008 BSA BAGGER: Claims Registration Ends January 8, 2008 CHRISTA LEMCKE: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 4, 2008 CSI SCHEELE: Claims Registration Ends January 25, 2008 DEUTSCHE VERKEHRSFLIEGERSCHULE: Registration Ends Jan. 8, 2008 EASY FILL: Claims Registration Ends January 22, 2008 GRABAN TRANSPORTE: Claims Registration Ends January 11, 2008 H & I BEDACHUNGEN: Claims Registration Ends January 22, 2008 HAKAN MEZBAHASI: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 3, 2008 HEINZ GUENTER: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 31 IPRO IMMOBILIEN: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 3, 2008 IT SERVICE: Claims Registration Ends January 11, 2008 KS SPEDITION: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 14, 2008 MAGICALWORKS DEUTSCHLAND: Claims Registration Ends Jan. 9, 2008 MBJ JOHANNISTHAL: Creditors' Meeting Slated for January 7, 2008 MTH SPESSARTER: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 27 NATALI DE LAURI: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 18, 2008 PARTNER AUF ZEIT: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 27 PETRA KLEIN: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 3, 2008 ROSSMANN JAHRESWAGEN: Claims Registration Ends January 8, 2008 SCHILLINGS STUCK: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 17 SELECT-CUSOMIZED MOBILE: Claims Registration Ends Jan. 8, 2008 TOV RESTAURATIONSBETRIEBE: Claims Filing Ends Jan. 23, 2008 WEA WIENHOEFER: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 16, 2008 H U N G A R Y AES CORP: Unit To Decrease Concession Area Power Losses To 11.6% AES CORP: Somerset Seeks Judge's Disqualification in Lawsuit GUESS INC: Earns US$58.3 Million in Third Quarter Ended Nov. 3 I R E L A N D EUROCREDIT CDO: Moody's Rates EUR24.5 Mln Class E Notes at Ba3 I T A L Y ALITALIA SPA: Three Groups Submit Non-Binding Offers COREL CORP: Partners with ConceptShare for Online Collaboration PARMALAT SPA: PET Shift Boosts Romanian Juice Sales by 300% K A Z A K H S T A N COLD TRADE: Proof of Claim Deadline Slated for Jan. 4 DINAMO-MARKET LLP: Creditors Must File Claims Jan. 4 FORESTER GROUP: Claims Filing Period Ends Jan. 4 IPRE-AKTAU LLP: Creditors' Claims Due on January 4 KAZSTROYDIAGNOSTIKA LLP: Claims Registration Ends Jan. 8 KOSTANAI AVIA-SERVICE: Proof of Claim Deadline Slated for Jan. 4 STANDART OIL: Creditors Must File Claims Jan. 4 TRANS-LOGISTIC LLP: Claims Filing Period Ends Jan. 4 UNONA LLP: Creditors' Claims Due on Jan. 4 ZAVODSKOY LLP: Claims Registration Ends Jan. 4 K Y R G Y Z S T A N I-DILI LLC: Creditors Must File Claims by January 11, 2008 N E T H E R L A N D S GLOBAL POWER: Asks Court to Extend Removal Period Past Dec. 31 N O R W A Y DRESSER-RAND: Employees Back to Work at Painted Post Facility MONITOR OIL: Bondholders Want Chapter 11 Case Dismissed P O R T U G A L ACXIOM CORPORATION: Inks Strategic Deal with Search Initiatives R O M A N I A PARMALAT ROMANIA: PET Shift Boosts Juice Sales by 300% R U S S I A ACHINSKAYA LLC: Creditors Must File Claims by Dec. 24 CHEREMKHOVSKIJ MECHANICAL: Asset Sale Slated for Dec. 25 GAZPROM NEFT: Sets Up Unit to Operate Oil Fields IRKUTSKIJ MECHANICAL: Creditors Must File Claims by Dec. 24 KHPTO ROSMYASOMOLTORG: Asset Sale Slated for Dec. 24 MAGNITOGORSK IRON: Earns US$1.4 Bln for First Nine Months 2007 METAL-CASTING PLANT: Creditors Must File Claims by Jan. 24, 2008 OSETROVSKIJ RIVER: Court Starts External Bankruptcy Procedure PETRODVORTSOVY CLOCK: Claims Filing Period Ends Jan. 24, 2008 SVYAZINVESTNEFTEKHIM OAO: Moody's Assigns Ba1 Corp Family Rating TARYAAN OJSC: Creditors Must File Claims by Jan. 24, 2008 S P A I N AYT CAIXANOVA: Moody's Junks EUR6.6 Million Series E Notes TDA CAJAMAR 2: Fitch Affirms BB+ Rating on Class D Notes TDA TARRAGONA 1: Moody's Junks EUR14.7 Million Series D Notes S W I T Z E R L A N D AKB TELESWITCH: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by December 13 ATELIER-QUBUS LLC: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by Dec. 31 ATLAS INDUSTRIE: Creditors Must File Claims by Jan. 31, 2008 DEKON JSC: Zurich Court Closes Bankruptcy Proceedings EAGLE COLLEGE: Schwyz Court Closes Bankruptcy Proceedings HOMERANGE LLC: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by December 17 LOMELUS TRADING: Creditors' Liquidation Claims Due by Dec. 13 POWERDYNAMICS LLC: Creditors Must File Claims by Jan. 28, 2008 STEP OFF LLC: Bern Court Closes Bankruptcy Proceedings VERPRO INDUSTRIESPRITZWERK: Bern Court Closes Bankruptcy Process U K R A I N E DISKUS T: Creditors Must Submit Claims by December 12 DO-WHOLESALE UNION: Creditors Must Submit Claims by December 12 FORMA-BUILDING LLC: Creditors Must Submit Claims by December 12 ISTOK LLC: Creditors Must Submit Claims by December 12 PROMTEKS LLC: Creditors Must Submit Claims by December 12 QUARTA-WEST LLC: Creditors Must Submit Claims by December 12 TURBOENERGYSET LLC: Creditors Must Submit Claims by December 12 VARIATON LLC: Creditors Must Submit Claims by December 12 U N I T E D K I N G D O M AMATO DISCO: Brings In Administrators from DTE Leonard ANIXTER INT'L: Has Up to 1 Mil. Shares Under Repurchase Program BRITISH AIRWAYS: Traffic Figures Up 2.4% in November 2007 FEDERAL-MOGUL: Court Dismisses 75 Chapter 11 Cases FORD MOTOR: November 2007 Truck Sales in Canada Up 3 Percent GLOBAL ENGINEERING: Names Joint Administrators from PwC GOODYEAR TIRE: Board OKs to Keep World Headquarters in Akron MAJESTIC CORRUGATED: NatWest Bank Taps Begbies as Receivers MENTON II: Moody's May Cut Ba2 Rating After Review MS VEHICLE: Brings In Administrators from Tenon Recovery NASDAQ STOCK: Qatar Holding Withdraws from OMX AB Bidding Race RDS SYSTEMS: Taps Menzies to Administer Assets SHAW GROUP: Expects US$19 Million Net Loss for Fiscal Year 2007 SHAWCROSS & DICKINSON: Appoints Administrators from Deloitte TATA MOTORS: November Vehicle Sales Down 4% in 2007 * BOOK REVIEW: Bankruptcy Investing: How to Profit from Distressed Companies (Revised Edition) ********* ============= A U S T R I A ============= ABIS BAU: Vienna Court Orders Business Shutdown ----------------------------------------------- The Trade Court of Vienna entered on Oct. 30 an order shutting down the business of LLC ABIS Bau (FN 63903a). Court-appointed estate administrator Wolfgang Winkler recommended the business shutdown after determining that the continuing operations would reduce the value of the estate. The estate administrator can be reached at: Mag. Wolfgang Winkler c/o Dr. Maximilian Schludermann Reisnerstrasse 32/12 1030 Vienna Tel: 715 50 45 Fax: 715 50 474 E-mail: office@anwalt-vienna.at Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the Debtor declared bankruptcy on Oct. 23 (Bankr. Case No 4 S 123/07a). Maximilian Schludermann represents Mag. Winkler in the bankruptcy proceedings. ADELE LLC: Creditors' Meeting Slated for December 19 ---------------------------------------------------- Creditors owed money by LLC Adele (FN 66326p) are encouraged to attend the creditors' meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Dec. 19. The creditors' meeting will be held at: The Land Court of Krems an der Donau Hall A Second Floor Krems an der Donau Austria Headquartered in Krems an der Donau, Austria, the Debtor declared bankruptcy on Oct. 30 (9 S 62/07a). Frank Riel serves as the court-appointed estate administrator of the Bankrupt's estate. The estate administrator can be reached at: Dr. Frank Riel Gartenaugasse 1 3500 Krems Tel: 02732/86565 Fax: 02732/86566-11 E-mail: anwalt@riel-grohmann.at HMF MONTAGE: Linz Court Orders Business Shutdown ------------------------------------------------ The Land Court of Linz entered on Oct. 25 an order shutting down the business of LLC HMF Montage & Fertigungstechnik (FN 213621z). Court-appointed estate administrator Wolfgang Kempf recommended the business shutdown after determining that the continuing operations would reduce the value of the estate. The estate administrator can be reached at: Mag. Wolfgang Kempf Buergerstrasse 41 4020 Linz Austria Tel: 77 72 07 Fax: 78 25 70 E-mail: ra.kempf.linz@utanet.at Headquartered in Traun, Austria, the Debtor declared bankruptcy on Oct. 22 (Bankr. Case No 38 S 55/07b). SCHINKO PFLASTER: Creditors' Meeting Slated for Dec. 20 ------------------------------------------------------- Creditors owed money by LLC Schinko Pflaster (FN 63505s) are encouraged to attend the creditors' meeting at 2:10 p.m. on Dec. 20. The creditors' meeting will be held at: The Land Court of Graz Room 230 Hall L Graz Austria Headquartered in Wolfsberg, Austria, the Debtor declared bankruptcy on Oct. 30 (25 S 116/07g). Candidus Cortolezis serves as the court-appointed estate administrator of the Bankrupt's estate. The estate administrator can be reached at: Dr. Candidus Cortolezis Hauptplatz 14 8010 Graz Tel: 0316/813973 Fax: 0316/847797 E-mail: office@cortolezis.com ============= B E L G I U M ============= CHEMTURA CORPORATION: Appoints Lynn Schefsky as Secretary --------------------------------------------------------- Chemtura Corporation disclosed that Lynn A. Schefsky, has added the role of secretary to his current position of senior vice president and general counsel, which he has held since 2004. Mr. Schefsky was named secretary, effective Dec. 1, 2007, following the recent retirement of Barry J. Shainman, who had served as secretary since 2000. "We thank Barry for his 18 years of service with Chemtura and its predecessor companies and wish him a long and healthy retirement," said Mr. Schefsky, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. About Chemtura Corp. Headquartered in Middlebury, Connecticut, Chemtura Corp. (NYSE:CEM) -- http://www.chemtura.com/-- is a global manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals, crop protection, and pool, spa and home care products. The company has approximately 6,400 employees around the world and sells its products in more than 100 countries. The company has facilities in Singapore, Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Brazil, Belgium, France, Germany, Mexico, and The United Kingdom. * * * As reported in the Troubled Company Reporter-Latin America on May 18, 2007, Moody's Investors Service lowered Chemtura Corporation's ratings: -- Corporate Family Rating: Ba2 from Ba1 -- Senior notes, US$500 million due 2016: Ba2 from Ba1; LGD4 (53%) -- Senior Unsecured Notes, US$150 million due 2026: Ba2 from Ba1; LGD4 (53%) -- Senior Unsecured Notes, US$400 million due 2009: Ba2 from Ba1; LGD4 (53%) MAZDA MOTOR: Planned Sales Consolidation Will Not Push Through -------------------------------------------------------------- Mazda Motor Corp.'s China unit has recently named its chief operating officer, Noriaki Yamada, as head of its marketing and sales in China, reports SinoCast China Transportation Watch. According to the report, Mazda, which planned to consolidate its sales operations in China into only FAW Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd., failed to make the plan come true. Originally, Mazda China will take charge of the sales operation in China with two sales networks in FAW Mazda and Chang'an Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. in order to support Mazda's plan to enrich its products portfolio in the country, states the report. SCTW relates that the plan was Mazda's strategy to sell Mazda-branded cars that would be made in China in future via FAW Mazda, Mr. Yamada, former president of FAW Mazda, disclosed when the Japanese auto giant formed the sales venture in 2005 in partnership with China FAW Group Corp. and its subsidiary FAW Car Co., Ltd. However, Chang'An Auto Group, another Chinese partner of Mazda, opposed to the proposition. Mazda, its controlling shareholder Ford Motor Co., joined hands with Chang'An Auto to form Chang'an Ford Mazda, recalls the report. After discussions, Chang'an Ford Mazda, Mazda Motor and FAW reached accord that Mazda 3 and the future models to be made in Chang'an Ford Mazda would only be available in the new sales arm of Chang'an Ford Mazda. About Mazda Motor Headquartered in Hiroshima Prefecture, in Japan, Mazda Motor Corporation -- http://www.mazda.co.jp/-- together with its subsidiaries and associates, is primarily involved in the manufacture and distribution of automobiles. The company manufactures passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Mazda Motor distributes its products in both domestic and overseas markets. The company has 58 subsidiaries. It has overseas operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Austria, Russia, Columbia, New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia and China. The Company has a global network. * * * As reported on April 27, 2007, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services raised Mazda Motor Corp.'s long-term corporate credit rating and the company's long-term senior unsecured debt to: * Corporate Credit Rating: BB /Stable/ * Company's Long-term Senior Unsecured Debt: BB+ S&P's rating actions reflect Mazda's improved operational and financial performance, and financial risk profile. Mazda's operating and financial performance has been improving over the past several years due to the success of new products following a shift in strategy. The company continued to improve operating and financial performance in the nine months ended Dec. 31, 2006, owing to an improved sales mix and favorable foreign exchange rates. Although the EBITDA margin of about 6% remains lower than most of its Japanese peers, profitability is steadily improving. Mazda is now focusing on certain segments instead of attempting to compete as a full-line producer. The company also has excellent product engineering capabilities. ============= D E N M A R K ============= ARROW ELECTRONICS: Combines Two Units Into US$1 Bln Software Biz ---------------------------------------------------------------- Arrow Electronics, Inc.'s Enterprise Computing Solutions business has announced that it is transitioning its software distribution business to Arrow's subsidiary, Alternative Technology, Inc., creating a software business in excess of US$1 billion. Through this arrangement, Alternative Technology will gain eight additional product lines that previously were part of Arrow ECS' Software Group and will oversee partner relationships and internal staff for that business. Product lines that will be transferred to Alternative Tech include Bakbone, BEA, CA, CommVault, McAfee, Novell, Oracle and Symantec. Arrow ECS' storage, HP and IBM businesses will not change. "Arrow ECS is committed to increasing the depth of our offerings in high- growth sectors, including software and security. In addition, Arrow ECS is focused on delivering comprehensive solutions to our partners," said Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions president, Kevin Gilroy. "This initiative enables Arrow ECS to best serve our software suppliers and partners by providing focused support and dedicated resources to grow their business." It is anticipated that the suppliers will be transitioned to Alternative Technology by the end of Arrow's first quarter in 2008. A team comprising representatives from both Arrow ECS and ATI will manage the integration process. "This integration best enables Arrow ECS and ATI to share and apply best practices within our respective software businesses," said Alternative Technology, Inc. president and chief executive officer, Bill Botti. "Partners will benefit from enhanced complementary product lines and a full suite of professional services available through ATI." About Alternative Technology Alternative Technology, Inc. represents more than 30 software and security suppliers, including Citrix and VMware. Established in 1986, the company provides end-to-end solutions, presales support, order management and marketing services to more than 3,000 partners. The company also offers a robust portfolio of processional services for partners, including onsite engineering, security assessments and technical call support. Alternative Tech is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions, which is a business unit of Arrow Electronics, Inc. About Arrow Electronics Headquartered in Melville, New York, Arrow Electronics Inc. (NYSE: ARW) -- http://www.arrow.com/-- provides products, services and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and computer products. Arrow serves as a supply channel partner for nearly 600 suppliers and more than 130,000 original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers and commercial customers through a global network of over 270 locations in 53 countries and territories. The company operates in France, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Philippines and Singapore. * * * Arrow Electronics senior subordinated stock continues to carry Moody's Investors Service's Ba1 rating. The company's senior preferred stock is rated at Ba2. KNOLL INC: Paying US$0.12/Share Cash Dividend on December 28 ------------------------------------------------------------ Knoll Inc.'s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of US$0.12 per share payable Dec. 28, 2007, to stockholders of record on Dec. 14, 2007. The board intends to declare and pay quarterly dividends of US$0.12 per share on our common stock. The declaration and payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of the board and depends on various factors, including the company's net income, restrictions in our credit facility, financial position, cash requirements and other factors deemed relevant by its board. Based in East Greenville, Pennsylvania, Knoll Inc. (NYSE: KNL) -- http://www.knoll.com/-- designs and manufactures branded office furniture products and textiles, serves clients worldwide. It distributes its products through a network of more than 300 dealerships and 100 showrooms and regional offices. The company has locations in Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Poland, Portugal and Singapore, among others. * * * Standard & Poor's placed Knoll Inc.'s long term foreign and local issuer credit ratings at 'BB' in July 2006. The ratings still hold to date with a stable outlook. =========== F R A N C E =========== DELPHI CORP: Gets Committees' Support on Plan Amendments -------------------------------------------------------- Delphi Corp. has reached agreements in principle with its Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, its Official Committee of Equity Security Holders, General Motors Corp. and its Plan Investors on amendments to its Joint Plan of Reorganization, Global Settlement Agreement and Master Restructuring Agreement between Delphi and GM, and the Investment Agreement with Delphi's Plan Investors led by an affiliate of Appaloosa Management L.P. Delphi filed potential amendments to all four documents on Monday evening in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York as revisions to the company's Disclosure Statement and appendices to the company's Disclosure Statement. Delphi expects to make further amended filings prior to the resumption on Dec. 6, 2007, of the Disclosure Statement hearing commenced in Oct. 2007. These filings will include further changes required to reflect the agreements in principle with Delphi's key stakeholders and executed signature pages with respect to the Company's agreements with GM and the Plan Investors. These agreements currently remain subject to proposed amendments announced on Nov. 14, which are also subject to Bankruptcy Court approval. The potential amendments primarily reflect changes required by Delphi's Statutory Committees to obtain their support of Delphi's Plan and related Disclosure Statement. In the event these amendments do not become effective, the original underlying agreements as approved by the Bankruptcy Court on Aug. 2 remain in effect. The company continues to pursue emergence from Chapter 11 during the first quarter of 2008. The potential amendments to the Disclosure Statement and certain Appendices (which include amendments to the POR, the GM Global Settlement Agreement, the GM Master Restructuring Agreement and the Investment Agreement) will be available on http://www.delphidocket.com/ About Delphi Corp. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Delphi Corporation (OTC: DPHIQ) -- http://www.delphi.com/-- is the single supplier of vehicle electronics, transportation components, integrated systems and modules, and other electronic technology. The company's technology and products are present in more than 75 million vehicles on the road worldwide. Delphi has regional headquarters in Japan, Brazil and France. The company filed for chapter 11 protection on Oct. 8, 2005 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. Lead Case No. 05-44481). John Wm. Butler Jr., Esq., John K. Lyons, Esq., and Ron E. Meisler, Esq., at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, represent the Debtors in their restructuring efforts. Robert J. Rosenberg, Esq., Mitchell A. Seider, Esq., and Mark A. Broude, Esq., at Latham & Watkins LLP, represents the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors. As of March 31, 2007, the Debtors' balance sheet showed US$11,446,000,000 in total assets and US$23,851,000,000 in total debts. The Debtors' exclusive plan-filing period expires on Dec. 31, 2007. On Sept. 6, 2007, the Debtors filed their Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization and a Disclosure Statement explaining that Plan. (Delphi Bankruptcy News, Issue No. 100; Bankruptcy Creditors' Service Inc., http://bankrupt.com/newsstand/or 215/945-7000) LAZARD LTD: Names Rodrigo de Rato as Senior Managing Director ------------------------------------------------------------- Lazard Ltd. has appointed Rodrigo de Rato as its Senior Managing Director of Investment Banking, effective Feb. 1, 2008. Mr. Rato was most recently the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and was formerly the Minister of Economy for the Government of Spain for eight years. He will be based in Madrid and London. "Mr. Rato brings an abundance of economic knowledge and relationships in both the private and public sectors due to his rich history of high profile finance positions,"said Bruce Wasserstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lazard. "He will serve as a knowledgeable advisor to our clients, and will play an important strategic role for Lazard on a global level." "Lazard has an outstanding reputation as a trusted, independent advisor known for intellectual rigor, creativity and integrity - qualities that I value deeply and endorse," said Mr. Rato. "I am delighted to be joining Lazard, and look forward to working with the firm's global network of exceptional bankers." "We have known and admired Rodrigo de Rato over the years, both from his tenure at the IMF and during his term as Minister of the Economy for the Government of Spain. We are pleased to bring such high caliber finance expertise into Lazard for the benefit of our clients,"said Georges Ralli, Chief Executive Officer of Lazard's European investment banking business. Mr. Rato served as Managing Director of the IMF from June 2004 until Oct. 31, 2007. Prior to the IMF, he was Vice President for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy for the Government of Spain, a post to which he was appointed in 1996. During that time he also was Governor for Spain, and served on the Boards of Governors of the IMF, the World Bank, the Intra-American Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He regularly attended the European Union's Economics and Finance Ministers meetings, and represented the EU at the Group of Seven Finance Ministers meeting in 2002. He was a member of Spain's parliament from 1982 to 2004. Mr. Rato received a law degree at the Complutense University, an MBA at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business and a PhD in economics at the University of Madrid. About Lazard Ltd. Lazard Ltd. (NYSE:LAZ) -- http://www.lazard.com/-- is a preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, that operates from 32 cities across 16 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. With origins dating back to 1848, the firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and capital raising, well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments, and individuals. The company has locations in Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea and Singapore. The company's consolidated balance sheet at Sept. 30, 2007, showed US$3.51 billion in total assets, US$3.54 billion in total liabilities, and US$49.0 million minority interest, resulting in a US$74.5 million total shareholders' deficiency. ============= G E R M A N Y ============= ABRAND GMBH: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 17, 2008 ---------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of ABrand GmbH have until Jan. 17, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Wolfgang Hohenadl. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 30, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Augsburg Meeting Hall 162 Alten Einlass 1 86150 Augsburg Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Wolfgang Hohenadl Froelichst. 14 86150 Augsburg Germany The District Court of Augsburg opened bankruptcy proceedings against ABrand GmbH on Nov. 22. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: ABrand GmbH Ulmer Str. 160a 86156 Augsburg Germany ARCADEN IMMOBILIEN: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 21 ----------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of Arcaden Immobilien GmbH have until Dec. 21 to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Volker Dick. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 9:05 a.m. on Jan. 30, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Bonn Hall S 2.18 William-Strasse 23 53111 Bonn Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Volker Dick Koelnstrasse 135 53757 Sankt Augustin Germany Tel: 02241/90600 Fax: 02241906090 The District Court of Bonn opened bankruptcy proceedings against Arcaden Immobilien GmbH on Nov. 19. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Arcaden Immobilien GmbH Am Boeselagerhof 11 53111 Bonn Germany Attn: Sylvia Neusser, Manager Bahnhofstr. 3 f 53842 Troisdorf Germany AUFBAU- UND VERMIETUNGS: Claims Registration Ends Jan. 18, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of Aufbau- und Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH have until Jan. 18, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Torsten Gutmann. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 8, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Gifhorn Hall 118 Schlossgarten 4 38518 Gifhorn Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Torsten Gutmann Zum Blauen See 5 31275 Lehrte Germany Tel: 05132/82680 Fax: 05132/8268-96 The District Court of Gifhorn opened bankruptcy proceedings against Aufbau- und Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH on Nov. 20. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Aufbau- und Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH Peiner Strasse Peinerstr. 39 31319 Sehnde Germany BLITZ-BAU GMBH: Claims Registration Ends January 10, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of Blitz-Bau GmbH have until Jan. 10, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Dr. Lucas F. Floether. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 10:15 a.m. on Feb. 7, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Leipzig Hall 056 Ground Floor Enforcement Court Bernhard Goering Strasse 64 04275 Leipzig Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Dr. Lucas F. Floether Specks Hof Eingang C Nikolaistrasse 3-5 04109 Leipzig Germany Tel: 0341/652200 Fax: O341/65220111 The District Court of Leipzig opened bankruptcy proceedings against Blitz-Bau GmbH on Nov. 15. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Blitz-Bau GmbH Gartenallee 8 04827 Machern Germany Attn: Ulf Hoehne, Manager Katharinenstrasse 21 06886 Wittenberg Germany BRINKMANN HOLZ: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 18, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of Brinkmann Holz-/Trockenbau GmbH have until Jan. 18, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Bernd Wetjen. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 4, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Hildesheim Hall 124 Main Building Kaiserstrasse 60 31134 Hildesheim Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Bernd Wetjen Alter Markt (Kaiserhaus) 1 31134 Hildesheim Germany Tel: 91710 Fax: 917171 The District Court of Hildesheim opened bankruptcy proceedings against Brinkmann Holz-/Trockenbau GmbH on Nov. 19. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Brinkmann Holz-/Trockenbau GmbH In den Wispeln 7 31174 Schellerten Germany Attn: Dietmar Schlesener, Manager Helmerser Str. 8 31185 Soehlde Germany BSA BAGGER: Claims Registration Ends January 8, 2008 ---------------------------------------------------- Creditors of BSA Bagger und Baustoffe GmbH have until Jan. 8, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Joachim C. Hausherr. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 5, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Wolfsburg Hall D Rothenfelder Strasse 43 38440 Wolfsburg Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Joachim C. Hausherr Bruchtorwall 6 38100 Braunschweig Tel: 0531/244 80-29 Fax: 0531/244 80-80 E-Mail: jchausherr@hausherr-steuerwald.de. The District Court of Wolfsburg opened bankruptcy proceedings against BSA Bagger und Baustoffe GmbH on Nov. 15. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: BSA Bagger und Baustoffe GmbH Emmerstedter Str. 23 38350 Helmstedt Germany Attn: Wolfram Kaestner, Manager Lichtenberger Strasse 23 38271 Baddeckenstedt Germany CHRISTA LEMCKE: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 4, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------ Creditors of Christa Lemcke Brandschutz- und Sanierungskonzepte GmbH have until Jan. 4, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Stefan Hinrichs. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Hamburg Hall B 405 Fourth Floor Annex Civil Justice Bldg. Sievkingplatz 1 20355 Hamburg Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Stefan Hinrichs Kaiser-Wilhelm-Strasse 93 20355 Hamburg Germany The District Court of Hamburg opened bankruptcy proceedings against Christa Lemcke Brandschutz- und Sanierungskonzepte GmbH on Nov. 22. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Christa Lemcke Brandschutz- und Sanierungskonzepte GmbH Attn: Katja Wiese, Manager Jungfernstieg 38 20354 Hamburg Germany CSI SCHEELE: Claims Registration Ends January 25, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------ Creditors of CSI Scheele GmbH & Co. KG have until Jan. 25, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Ulrich Kuehn. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 19, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Siegen Meeting Hall 009 Ground Floor Main Building Berliner Str. 21-22 57072 Siegen Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Ulrich Kuehn Riehler Str. 26 50668 Cologne Germany Tel: (0221) 9726157 Fax: (0221) 9726227 The District Court of Siegen opened bankruptcy proceedings against CSI Scheele GmbH & Co. KG on Nov. 22. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: CSI Scheele GmbH & Co. KG Agathastr. 63 57368 Lennestadt Germany DEUTSCHE VERKEHRSFLIEGERSCHULE: Registration Ends Jan. 8, 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of DVS Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule GmbH have until Jan. 8, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Stefan Rieger. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Offenbach am Main Hall 162N First Floor Kaiserstrasse 63065 Offenbach am Main Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Stefan Rieger Brueder-Grimm-Str. 13 D 60314 Frankfurt am Main Germany Tel: 069/405862-80 Fax: 069/405862-85 The District Court of Offenbach am Main opened bankruptcy proceedings against DVS Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule GmbH on Nov. 19. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: DVS Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule GmbH Attn: Eberhard Herr, Manager Geisbaum 2 63329 Egelsbach Germany EASY FILL: Claims Registration Ends January 22, 2008 ---------------------------------------------------- Creditors of Easy Fill GmbH have until Jan. 22, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Dr. Leo Schoofs. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 9:35 a.m. on Feb. 12, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court Muenster Meeting Hall 101 B First Floor Gerichtsstr. 2-6 48149 Muenster Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Dr. Leo Schoofs Salierstr. 4 46395 Bocholt Germany Tel: 02871/2183-0 Fax: +4928712183410 The District Court of Muenster opened bankruptcy proceedings against Easy Fill GmbH on Nov. 21. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Easy Fill GmbH Winterswijkerstrasse 114 46399 Bocholt Germany Attn: Richard Stapper, Manager Schoolstr. 15A NLD-6641 Beuningen Germany GRABAN TRANSPORTE: Claims Registration Ends January 11, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------ Creditors of Graban Transporte GmbH have until Jan. 11, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Dr. Joern-H. Meyn. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 10:20 a.m. on Feb. 12, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Hamburg Hall B 405 Fourth Floor Annex Civil Justice Bldg. Sievkingplatz 1 20355 Hamburg Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Dr. Joern-H. Meyn Herrengraben 31 20459 Hamburg Germany The District Court of Hamburg opened bankruptcy proceedings against Graban Transporte GmbH on Nov. 20. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Graban Transporte GmbH Attn: Rolf Schmidt, Manager Ochsenwerder Elbdeich 56 21037 Hamburg Germany H & I BEDACHUNGEN: Claims Registration Ends January 22, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------ Creditors of H & I Bedachungen GmbH have until Jan. 22, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Dr. Leo Schoofs. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 9:15 a.m. on Feb. 12, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court Muenster Meeting Hall 101 B Gerichtsstr. 2-6 48149 Muenster Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Dr. Leo Schoofs Salierstr. 4 46395 Bocholt Germany Tel: 02871/2183-0 Fax: +4928712183410 The District Court of Muenster opened bankruptcy proceedings against H & I Bedachungen GmbH on Nov. 16. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: H & I Bedachungen GmbH Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse 9 48734 Reken Germany Attn: Reinhard Becker, Manager Kaiserweg 371 46286 Dorsten Germany HAKAN MEZBAHASI: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 3, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of Hakan Mezbahasi GmbH have until Jan. 3, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Stephan Schlegel. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 14, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Darmstadt Hall 4.307 Fourth Floor Building D Mathildenplatz 15 64283 Darmstadt Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Dr. Stephan Schlegel Hauptstrasse 336 65760 Eschborn Germany Tel: 06173/9394-0 Fax: 06173/9394-20 The District Court of Darmstadt opened bankruptcy proceedings against Hakan Mezbahasi GmbH on Nov. 20. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Hakan Mezbahasi GmbH Hirslander Weg 3 64521 Gross-Gerau Germany HEINZ GUENTER: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 31 ------------------------------------------------------ Creditors of Heinz Guenter GmbH Schifffahrt und Spedition have until Dec. 31 to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Norman Haering. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 9:16 a.m. on Jan. 23, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Mayen Hall 220 St. Veit-Strasse 38 56727 Mayen Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Norman Haering W. Th. Roemheld Strasse 14 55130 Mainz Germany Tel: 06131/28500 Fax: 06131/285028 E-Mail: mainz@hess-rechtsanwaelte.de The District Court of Mayen opened bankruptcy proceedings against Heinz Guenter GmbH Schifffahrt und Spedition on Nov. 21. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Heinz Guenter GmbH, Schifffahrt und Spedition Auf der Ley 20 56575 Weissenthurm Germany IPRO IMMOBILIEN: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 3, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of IPRO Immobilien Pojektentwicklung Rostock-Berlin GmbH have until Jan. 3, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Dirk Decker. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 20, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Rostock Hall 330 Zochstrasse 18057 Rostock Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Dirk Decker Stampfmuellerstrasse 39 18057 Rostock Germany The District Court of Rostock opened bankruptcy proceedings against IPRO Immobilien Pojektentwicklung Rostock-Berlin GmbH on Nov. 21. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: IPRO Immobilien Pojektentwicklung Rostock-Berlin GmbH Attn: Lolita Rockel, Manager Petridamm 3a 18146 Rostock Germany IT SERVICE: Claims Registration Ends January 11, 2008 ----------------------------------------------------- Creditors of IT Service GmbH have until Jan. 11, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Miguel Grosser. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 9:20 a.m. on Feb. 12, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Frankfurt (Main) Hall 2 Building F Klingerstrasse 20 60313 Frankfurt (Main) Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Miguel Grosser Muenchener Strasse 13 60329 Frankfurt am Main Germany Tel: 069/2400650 Fax: 069/24006510 The District Court of Frankfurt (Main) opened bankruptcy proceedings against IT Service GmbH on Nov. 16. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: IT Service GmbH Ben-Gurion-Ring 72 60437 Frankfurt am Main Germany KS SPEDITION: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 14, 2008 ----------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of KS Spedition und Logistik GmbH have until Jan. 14, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Walter Broehan. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 4, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Luebeck Hall 256 Am Burgfeld 7 23568 Luebeck Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Walter Broehan Muehlenstrasse 56 23552 Luebeck Germany The District Court of Luebeck opened bankruptcy proceedings against KS Spedition und Logistik GmbH on Nov. 20. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: KS Spedition und Logistik GmbH Attn: Hans Hermann Kempke, Manager Taschenmacherstr. 14-16 23556 Luebeck Germany MAGICALWORKS DEUTSCHLAND: Claims Registration Ends Jan. 9, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of MagicalWorks Deutschland GmbH have until Jan. 9, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Diplom-Oekonom Bjoern von Goesseln. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 11:20 a.m. on Feb. 6, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Hannover Hall 226 Second Upper Floor Service Bldg. Hamburger Allee 26 30161 Hannover Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Diplom-Oekonom Bjoern von Goesseln Hohenzollernstrasse 53 30161 Hannover Germany Tel: 0511 6968460 Fax: 0511 69684679 The District Court of Hannover opened bankruptcy proceedings against MagicalWorks Deutschland GmbH on Nov. 22. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: MagicalWorks Deutschland GmbH Ilseder Ring 56 30880 Laatzen Germany Attn: Patrick Gruhn, Manager Laerchenkamp 4a 31832 Springe Germany MBJ JOHANNISTHAL: Creditors' Meeting Slated for January 7, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------- The court-appointed insolvency manager for MBJ Johannisthal GmbH, Dr. Petra Hilgers will present his first report on the Company's insolvency proceedings at a creditors' meeting at 11:10 a.m. on Jan. 7, 2008. The meeting of creditors and other interested parties will be held at: The District Court of Charlottenburg Hall 218 Second Floor Amtsgerichtsplatz 1 14057 Berlin Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report at 10:00 a.m. on March 17, 2008, at the same venue. Creditors have until Jan. 22, 2008, to register their claims with the court-appointed insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Dr. Petra Hilgers Goethestr. 85 10623 Berlin Germany The District Court of Charlottenburg opened bankruptcy proceedings against MBJ Johannisthal GmbH on Nov. 22. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: MBJ Johannisthal GmbH Agavensteig 60 12437 Berlin Germany MTH SPESSARTER: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 27 ------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of MTH-Spessarter-Teigwaren-Vertriebs-GmbH have until Dec. 27 to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Nikolaus Ackermann. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 2:10 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Aschaffenburg Meeting Room 5.103 First Upper Floor Schlossplatz 5 63739 Aschaffenburg Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Nikolaus Ackermann Friedrichstr. 19 63739 Aschaffenburg Germany Tel: 06021/368919 Fax: 06021/368924 The District Court of Aschaffenburg opened bankruptcy proceedings against MTH-Spessarter-Teigwaren-Vertriebs-GmbH on Nov. 19. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: MTH-Spessarter-Teigwaren-Vertriebs-GmbH Am Dreispitzweg 3 Gebaude 11 63906 Erlenbach Germany NATALI DE LAURI: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 18, 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of Natali de Lauri Filmproduktion GmbH have until Jan. 18, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Jens-Soeren Schroeder. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 9:15 a.m. on Feb. 18, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Hamburg Hall B 405 Fourth Floor Annex Civil Justice Bldg. Sievkingplatz 1 20355 Hamburg Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Jens-Soeren Schroeder Raboisen 38 20095 Hamburg Germany The District Court of Hamburg opened bankruptcy proceedings against Natali de Lauri Filmproduktion GmbH on Nov. 22. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Natali de Lauri Filmproduktion GmbH Strandweg 46A 22587 Hamburg Germany PARTNER AUF ZEIT: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 27 --------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of Partner auf Zeit GmbH have until Dec. 27 to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Kaufmann Helmut B�renkemper. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 24, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Dortmund Hall 3.201 Second Floor Gerichtsplatz 1 44135 Dortmund Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Kaufmann Helmut B�renkemper Lipperoder Strasse 9 59555 Lippstadt Germany The District Court of Dortmund opened bankruptcy proceedings against Partner auf Zeit GmbH on Nov. 13. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Partner auf Zeit GmbH Attn: Bernd Schulze, Manager Auf dem Knuf 13 59073 Hamm Germany PETRA KLEIN: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 3, 2008 --------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of PETRA KLEIN shoe's GmbH have until Jan. 3, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Helmut Hopmeier. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Pirmasens Hall 235 Second Floor Pirmasens Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Helmut Hopmeier Berliner Ring 31 66955 Pirmasens Germany Tel: 06331-24800 Fax: 06331-78513 The District Court of Pirmasens opened bankruptcy proceedings against PETRA KLEIN shoe's GmbH on Nov. 21. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: PETRA KLEIN shoe's GmbH Attn: Karl Klein, Manager Bahnhofstrasse 14 66981 Muenchweiler/Rodalb Germany ROSSMANN JAHRESWAGEN: Claims Registration Ends January 8, 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of Rossmann Jahreswagen GmbH & Co. KG have until Jan. 8, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Marianne Poeppel. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 11:20 a.m. on Jan. 29, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Bielefeld Hall 4065 Fourth Floor Gerichtstrasse 66 33602 Bielefeld Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Marianne Poeppel Stiftstrasse 21 32427 Minden Germany The District Court of Bielefeld opened bankruptcy proceedings against Rossmann Jahreswagen GmbH & Co. KG on Nov. 16. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Rossmann Jahreswagen GmbH & Co. KG Kreisstr. 4 a 32457 Porta Westfalica Germany Attn: Patrick Rossmann, Manager Alter Rehmer Weg 83 b 32547 Bad Oeynhausen Germany SCHILLINGS STUCK: Claims Registration Period Ends Dec. 17 --------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of Schillings Stuck GmbH have until Dec. 17 to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Klaus Siemon. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 8:00 a.m. on Jan. 16, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Moenchengladbach Meeting Room A 14 Ground Floor Hohenzollernstr. 157 41061 Moenchengladbach Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Klaus Siemon Homberger Strasse 12 40474 Duesseldorf Germany Tel: 0211/479970 Fax: +492114799750 The District Court of Moenchengladbach opened bankruptcy proceedings against Schillings Stuck GmbH on Nov. 16. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Schillings Stuck GmbH Attn: Peter Schillings and Kay Beyen, Managers Talstrasse 114 41516 Grevenbroich Germany SELECT-CUSOMIZED MOBILE: Claims Registration Ends Jan. 8, 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of Select-cusomized mobile devices GmbH have until Jan. 8, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Stephan Neubauer. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 19, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Reinbek Parkallee 6 21465 Reinbek Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Stephan Neubauer Spitaler Strasse 4 20095 Hamburg Germany The District Court of Reinbek opened bankruptcy proceedings against Select-cusomized mobile devices GmbH on Nov. 20. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: Select-cusomized mobile devices GmbH Attn: Mark Schulze, Manager Grosse Str. 34 a 22926 Ahrensburg Germany TOV RESTAURATIONSBETRIEBE: Claims Filing Ends Jan. 23, 2008 ----------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of TOV Restaurationsbetriebe GmbH & Co. KG have until Jan. 23, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Michael W. Kuleisa. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 11:35 a.m. on Feb. 13, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Hamburg Meeting Hall B 405 Fourth Floor Sievkingplatz 1 20355 Hamburg Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Michael W. Kuleisa Speersort 4-6 20095 Hamburg Germany WEA WIENHOEFER: Claims Registration Period Ends Jan. 16, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------- Creditors of WEA Wienhoefer Elektrotechnik GmbH have until Jan. 16, 2008, to register their claims with court-appointed insolvency manager Dr. Stefanie Kuche. Creditors and other interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 13, 2008, at which time the insolvency manager will present his first report on the insolvency proceedings. The meeting of creditors will be held at: The District Court of Hannover Hall 226 Second Upper Floor Service Bldg. Hamburger Allee 26 30161 Hannover Germany The Court will also verify the claims set out in the insolvency manager's report during this meeting, while creditors may constitute a creditors' committee or opt to appoint a new insolvency manager. The insolvency manager can be reached at: Dr. Stefanie Kuche Arthur-Menge-Ufer 5 30169 Hannover Germany Tel.: 0511 626287-0 Fax: 0511 626287-10 The District Court of Hannover opened bankruptcy proceedings against WEA Wienhoefer Elektrotechnik GmbH on Nov. 20. Consequently, all pending proceedings against the company have been automatically stayed. The Debtor can be reached at: WEA Wienhoefer Elektrotechnik GmbH Anderter Str. 86 30629 Hannover Germany ============= H U N G A R Y ============= AES CORP: Unit To Decrease Concession Area Power Losses To 11.6% ---------------------------------------------------------------- AES Eletropaulo's corporate revenue manager Charles Capdeville told Business News Americas that power losses in the firm's concession area will decrease to 11.6% of overall distribution in 2007, from 12.0% in 2006. AES Eletropaulo wants to reduce the "rate," planning to bring down power losses in its concession area by 0.4 percentage points a year to 9.7% or 9.8% in the next five years, BNamericas says, citing AES Eletropaulo's loss reduction manager Jose Cavaretti. Mr. Capdeville told BNamericas.com that AES Eletropaulo decreased by a third energy consumption in Paraisopolis, one of Sao Paulo's poorest neighborhoods. BNamericas relates that consumption declined partly due to AES Eletropaulo's Paraisopolis clients, who began paying for power. Mr. Capdeville commented to BNamericas, "We had a 100% loss rate in Paraisopolis. After a major and thorough community awareness program, we were able to reduce power losses to 65% of all consumption." According to BNamericas, Paraisopolis has about 4,365 power- consuming units: -- 80% are residential customers, -- 10% are commercial users, and -- 10% are a mix of residential and commercial clients. Mr. Cavaretti told BNamericas that the firm was able to catalog power users in the community through door-to-door visits, conducting mini-audits in over 4,000 homes and 70 shops. The firm distributed about 9,600 efficient light bulbs and some 500 new refrigerators in the community in an effort to encourage conservation. "After a user migrates to our client database, it is hard for them to become delinquent again as we connected Paraisopolis slum to the system with state-of-the-art cables, which make illegal connections more difficult," Mr. Capdeville commented to BNamericas. BNamericas notes that polling institute Ibope 's director Silvia Penteado Cervellini said during a conference in Sao Paulo that a market study by the institute indicated that 62% of Paraisopolis residents accept Eletropaulo's program. Ms. Cervellini explained that the approval rating was taken from interviews with 400 power users. When the institute only considers users who were given brand new refrigerators, this increases to 88%. The residents were positive that the program can lessen the risk of fire and boost efficiency. Paraisopolis was chosen as it is among the poorest areas in AES Eletropaulo's concession area. It also has a mix of residential and commercial users, BNamericas states, citing Mr. Capdeville. About AES Eletropaulo AES Eletropaulo is a power distributor in Sao Paulo. It has 4.6 million clients and serves an estimated 14 million people in its 4,526sq km concession area. In terms of revenues, it is the largest electricity distributor in Latin America. About AES Corp. AES Corp. -- http://www.aes.com/-- is a global power company. The company operates in South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean countries. Specifically, it also has operations in India. Generating 44,000 megawatts of electricity through 124 power facilities, the company delivers electricity through 15 distribution companies. The company's Latin America business group is comprised of generation plants and electric utilities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Panama and Venezuela. AES has been in Eastern Europe for over ten years, since it acquired three power plants in Hungary in 1996. Currently, AES has two distribution companies in Ukraine, which serve 1.2 million customers and generation plants in the Czech Republic and Hungary. AES is also the leading company in biomass conversion in Hungary, generating 37% of the nation's total renewable generation in 2004. * * * As reported in the Troubled Company Reporter-Latin America on Oct. 12, 2007, Moody's Investors Service affirmed The AES Corporation's Corporate Family Rating at B1 and the senior unsecured rating assigned to its new senior unsecured notes offering at B1 following its upsizing to US$2 billion from US$500 million. LGD assessments are subject to change pending the final capital structure. As reported on Oct. 12, 2007, Fitch Ratings assigned a 'BB/RR1' rating to AES Corporation's US$500 million issue of senior unsecured notes due 2017. AES' long-term Issuer Default Rating is rated 'B+' by Fitch. Fitch said the rating outlook is stable. AES CORP: Somerset Seeks Judge's Disqualification in Lawsuit ------------------------------------------------------------ The Buffalo News reports that the Town of Somerset has sought the disqualification of State Supreme Court Justice Richard C. Kloch Sr. from the lawsuits against the AES Corp.'s planned power plant. According to the Buffalo News, Somerset claimed that Judge Kloch made several statements in open court prejudging the result of the cases and "slamming the attorneys for the town." Shoemaker's partner, Robert S. Roberson, signed the motion. It asserts that Judge Kloch made several statements in court during hearings in June 2007 on the tax break that indicated that he had decided how he would rule on the power plant assessment case if he had to do so. The Buffalo News notes that as indicated by a courtroom transcript, Judge Kloch said on June 11, 2007, "Only one person really knows the value, and that's myself, and that's without the benefit of hearing all the proof." The judge also admitted, "I have a recurring nightmare, and the nightmare is that I have to, in fact, try these [assessment] proceedings." The Buffalo News says that the motion also claims that Judge Kloch made critical comments about Mr. Roberson and Shoemaker in court. The complainants commented to the Buffalo News, "Various actions and statements of Justice Kloch . . . were improper, establish actual impropriety as well as create the appearance of impropriety on behalf of Justice Kloch, [and] establish bias on the part of Justice Kloch toward the town and its attorneys." The report says that the motion demanding that Judge Kloch remove himself from the assessment cases would be heard before him on Jan. 24, 2007. Town Attorney Edwin J. Shoemaker told the Buffalo News that he is positive the complainants will win the appeal on the tax break case. The motion was "obviously without foundation, and highly ironic, because Judge Kloch has ruled against AES in every instance [in the assessment cases]," the Buffalo News says, citing Mark McNamara, the attorney for AES. Judge Kloch was citing other cases. "Since when does looking at legal precedent rise to the level of bias?" Mr. McNamara commented to the Buffalo News. The assessment suits were dismissed but could be reinstated once the town and the Barker Central School District succeed in their appeals on Judge Kloch's ruling that a tax break for the AES plant was legal, the Buffalo News states. AES Corp. -- http://www.aes.com/-- is a global power company. The company operates in South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean countries. Specifically, it also has operations in India. Generating 44,000 megawatts of electricity through 124 power facilities, the company delivers electricity through 15 distribution companies. AES has been in Eastern Europe for over ten years, since it acquired three power plants in Hungary in 1996. Currently, AES has two distribution companies in Ukraine, which serve 1.2 million customers and generation plants in the Czech Republic and Hungary. AES is also the leading company in biomass conversion in Hungary, generating 37% of the nation's total renewable generation in 2004. * * * As reported in the Troubled Company Reporter-Latin America on Oct. 12, 2007, Moody's Investors Service affirmed The AES Corporation's Corporate Family Rating at B1 and the senior unsecured rating assigned to its new senior unsecured notes offering at B1 following its upsizing to US$2 billion from US$500 million. LGD assessments are subject to change pending the final capital structure. As reported on Oct. 12, 2007, Fitch Ratings assigned a 'BB/RR1' rating to AES Corporation's US$500 million issue of senior unsecured notes due 2017. AES' long-term Issuer Default Rating is rated 'B+' by Fitch. Fitch said the rating outlook is stable. GUESS INC: Earns US$58.3 Million in Third Quarter Ended Nov. 3 -------------------------------------------------------------- Guess?, Inc. reported financial results for the third quarter of its 2008 fiscal year, which ended Nov. 3, 2007. For the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the company reported record net earnings of US$58.3 million, an increase of 32% compared to net earnings of US$44.0 million for the recast quarter ended Oct. 28, 2006. Diluted earnings per share increased 29% to US$0.62 per share in the current quarter versus US$0.48 per share in the prior-year quarter. Paul Marciano, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are very pleased with our solid financial performance this quarter. These results reflect the global strength of our Guess brand and our highly diversified business model. The investments we are making to develop and expand our business in North America, Europe and Asia are clearly yielding positive results. In the period, we increased revenues by 43% to US$469.1 million and operating earnings by 45% to US$95.6 million � all time records for any quarter in our Company's history. I am particularly pleased with these results, considering that during the quarter we made significant investments to support the Company's future growth." Mr. Marciano continued, "Once again, all of our business segments delivered double-digit revenue growth and all contributed to the increase in our operating earnings. Overall, this strong performance resulted in a 32% increase in earnings and marked our 17th consecutive quarter of earnings growth. We are encouraged by these results, especially in light of today's challenging retail environment. I believe this success is due to the great product assortment developed by our teams of designers, merchants and licensees worldwide. Based on these results and our recent sales trends, we are confident that we continue to be well positioned for the holiday selling season." Total net revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 42.7% to US$469.1 million from US$328.8 million in the prior- year period. The company's retail stores in the U.S. and Canada generated revenue of US$210.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, a 17.7% increase from US$178.8 million in the same period a year ago. Comparable store sales increased 15.8% for the quarter ended Nov. 3, 2007, compared to the thirteen weeks ended Nov. 4, 2006. This represents the 19th consecutive quarter of same store sales growth in North America. The company operated 365 retail stores in the U.S. and Canada at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2008 versus 332 stores a year earlier. Net revenue from the company's wholesale segment, which includes the company's Asian operations, increased 75.0% to US$76.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, from US$43.9 million in the prior-year period. Net revenue from the company's European segment increased 78.8% to US$159.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, compared to US$89.1 million in the prior-year period. Licensing segment net revenue increased 32.6% to US$22.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, from US$16.9 million in the prior-year period. Operating earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 44.6% to US$95.6 million from US$66.2 million in the prior-year period. Operating margin in the third quarter improved 30 basis points to 20.4%, compared to the prior year's quarter. This margin expansion was driven by improved leverage over occupancy costs and leverage over selling and administrative costs, partially offset by lower product margins. The company also announced that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of US$0.08 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend will be payable on Jan. 4, 2008, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 19, 2007. Guess? Inc. (NYSE: GES) -- http://www.guessinc.com/-- designs, markets, distributes and licenses a lifestyle collection of contemporary apparel, accessories and related consumer products. At May 5, 2007, the company operated 336 retail stores in the United States and Canada. The company also distributes its products through better department and specialty stores around the world, including the Philippines, Hungary and the Dominican Republic. * * * Guess? Inc. still carries Standard & Poor's "BB" long-term foreign and local issuer credit ratings, which were assigned in December 2006. ============= I R E L A N D ============= EUROCREDIT CDO: Moody's Rates EUR24.5 Mln Class E Notes at Ba3 -------------------------------------------------------------- Moody's Investors Service assigned definitive ratings to five classes of notes to be issued by Eurocredit CDO VIII Limited, a bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle incorporated under the laws of Ireland: The ratings are: -- Aaa to EUR432,300,000 Class A Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2020; -- Aa2 to EUR47,700,000 Class B Senior Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2020; -- A2 to EUR42,000,000 Class C Senior Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2020; -- Baa3 to EUR29,000,000 Class D Senior Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2020; and -- Ba3 to EUR24,500,000 Class E Senior Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2020. The ratings address the expected loss posed to investors by the legal final maturity in 2020. These ratings are based upon: 1. an assessment of the eligibility criteria and portfolio guidelines applicable to the future additions to the portfolio; 2. the protection against losses through the subordination of the more junior classes of notes to the more senior classes of notes; 3. the hedging transactions, which insulate Eurocredit CDO VIII Limited from the volatility of the foreign currency exchange rates (25% of the assets are expected to be GBP denominated obligations) 4. the expertise of Intermediate Capital Managers Limited as loan manager; and 5. the legal and structural integrity of the issue. This transaction is a senior collateralized loan obligation related to a portfolio of approximately EUR627.7 million mostly European senior and mezzanine loans (with a predominance of senior secured loans). This portfolio is dynamically managed by Intermediate Capital Managers Limited as investment manager. It is expected that the portfolio is approximately 80% ramped-up at closing. The remainder of the portfolio will be acquired during the one year ramp-up period at the end of which the portfolio shall comply with portfolio guidelines. Thereafter, the portfolio of loans is actively managed and the investment manager has the option, on behalf of the issuer to buy or sell loans. Any addition or removal of loans is subject to a number of portfolio criteria. ========= I T A L Y ========= ALITALIA SPA: Three Groups Submit Non-Binding Offers ---------------------------------------------------- The Board of Directors of Alitalia S.p.A. took note -� referring to the Company�s project aimed at rapidly identifying industrial and financial subjects committed to carry forward Alitalia�s restructuring, development and re-launching and, in such context, willing to acquire a majority shareholding in the Company -- of the communication from the advisor Citi regarding the receipt of non-binding Proposals from: -- Air France-KLM, -- AP Holding S.p.A., and -- Cordata Baldassarre. As regards to Cordata Baldassarre, represented by Prof. Antonio Cordata Baldassarre, the Board, even after having taken note that it hasn't been provided to the advisor Citi the basic information elements to participate in the project, making it impossible to proceed to the necessary further analysis, assigned to the advisor of Alitalia the task to proceed with the evaluation of the Proposal and to report his findings to the Board of Directors. Upon completion of the examination by the advisor of the Proposals presented, the Board of Directors will meet, presumably during next week, to select the subject with which to begin exclusive negotiations. About Alitalia Headquartered in Rome, Italy, Alitalia S.p.A. -- http://www.alitalia.it/-- provides air travel services for passengers and air transport of cargo on national, international and inter-continental routes. The Italian government owns 49.9% of Alitalia. The company has operations in Argentina. Despite a EUR1.4 billion state-backed restructuring in 1997, Alitalia posted net losses of EUR256 million and EUR907 million in 2000 and 2001 respectively. Alitalia posted EUR93 million in net profits in 2002 after a EUR1.4 billion capital injection. The carrier booked annual net losses of EUR520 million in 2003, EUR813 million in 2004, EUR168 million in 2005, and EUR625.6 million in 2006. Italian Transport Minister Alessandro Bianchi has warned that Alitalia may file for bankruptcy if the current attempt to sell the government's 49.9% stake fails. COREL CORP: Partners with ConceptShare for Online Collaboration --------------------------------------------------------------- Corel Corporation has partnered with ConceptShare Inc., an emerging leader in Online collaboration. www.CorelDRAWConceptShare.com is launched as the first project in a five-year partnership between the two companies. This new Online tool enables designers to easily share their work with other designers, colleagues or clients, providing a more dynamic and collaborative experience, while accelerating the design process. CorelDRAWConceptShare.com helps designers and clients by making it easier to review concepts, make adjustments and complete projects faster. By moving consultations Online, CorelDRAWConceptShare.com also saves time and money by eliminating the need to travel for face-to-face meetings. In addition, discussions about visual concepts are centralized, improving information flow and the speed of decision making between designers and their key stakeholders. "CorelDRAW(R) has long been recognized as a premier graphics application that delivers the features and functionality our users need to be more productive in their day-to-day activities,"said Gerard Metrailler, Director of Product Management, Graphics for Corel. "We understand the time many users spend trying to collaborate on designs and feel that partnering with ConceptShare, an emerging leader in the Online collaboration space, provides our users with the ability to get the feedback they need on all of their designs in an efficient and meaningful way." "We are enthusiastic about our partnership with Corel. The CorelDRAW version of ConceptShare(TM) provides us immediate exposure to millions of CorelDRAW users worldwide and will help to accelerate our growth into international markets,"said Bernie Aho, Product Manager and Co-Founder, ConceptShare. "This strategic partnership demonstrates a new model for relationships between web application providers and desktop software companies." About ConceptShare Inc. ConceptShare Inc. -- http://www.conceptshare.com/-- is a world leader in Online design collaboration founded in 2006 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada by a team of designers and industry professionals that understood the pains of the design collaboration process. The company has developed a web application that allows users to easily share, discuss and mark- up designs for review over the web. About Corel Corp. Ottawa, Ontario-based Corel Corporation (NASDAQ: CREL) (TSX: CRE) -- http://www.corel.com/-- is a packaged software company with an estimated installed base of over 40 million users. The company provides productivity, graphics and digital imaging software. Its products are sold in over 75 countries through a scalable distribution platform comprised of original equipment manufacturers, Corel's international websites, and a global network of resellers and retailers. The company's product portfolio features CorelDRAW(R) Graphics Suite, Corel(R) WordPerfect(R) Office, WinZip(R), Corel(R) Paint Shop(R) Pro, and Corel Painter(TM). The company has operations in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Korea, Brazil, and Mexico, among others. * * * As reported Troubled Company Reporter-Latin America on Nov. 15, 2007, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has revised its outlook on Corel Corp. to stable from positive. At the same time, S&P affirmed the ratings, including the 'B' long-term corporate credit rating, on the company. PARMALAT SPA: PET Shift Boosts Romanian Juice Sales by 300% ----------------------------------------------------------- Parmalat Romania, a unit of Parmalat S.p.A., posted a 300% hike in sales for its juice and nectar segments for the first nine months of 2007, Mihaela Popescu writes for Ziarul Financiar. Giampaolo Manzonetto, Parmalat Romania's manager, attributed the increase to a shift to PET packaging, particularly on Santal juices, Ziarul relates. "For ice tea, Santal posted a 241% increase during this period, after we launched the PET alternative," Mr. Manzonetto told Ziarul. "This year, the still drinks segment was bolstered by high temperatures in the summer. As a rule, December is the most important month for us, however in 2007, July and August brought us sales double the monthly average," Mr. Manzonetto added. Mr. Manzonetto forecasts sales to reach over EUR14 million this year, up EUR12.1 million, Ziarul relates. The manager also forecasts the unit's operating income to reach EUR3 million by year-end. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Parmalat S.p.A. -- http://www.parmalat.net/-- sells nameplate milk products that can be stored at room temperature for months. It also has about 40 brand product lines, which include yogurt, cheese, butter, cakes and cookies, breads, pizza, snack foods and vegetable sauces, soups and juices. The company's U.S. operations filed for chapter 11 protection on Feb. 24, 2004 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. Case No. 04-11139). Gary Holtzer, Esq., and Marcia L. Goldstein, Esq., at Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, represent the Debtors. When the U.S. Debtors filed for bankruptcy protection, they reported more than $200 million in assets and debts. The U.S. Debtors emerged from bankruptcy on April 13, 2005. Parmalat S.p.A. and its Italian affiliates filed separate petitions for Extraordinary Administration before the Italian Ministry of Productive Activities and the Civil and Criminal District Court of the City of Parma, Italy on Dec. 24, 2003. Dr. Enrico Bondi was appointed Extraordinary Commissioner in each of the cases. The Parma Court has declared the units insolvent. On June 22, 2004, Dr. Bondi filed a Sec. 304 Petition, Case No. 04-14268, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Parmalat has three financing arms: Dairy Holdings Ltd., Parmalat Capital Finance Ltd., and Food Holdings Ltd. Dairy Holdings and Food Holdings are Cayman Island special-purpose vehicles established by Parmalat S.p.A. The Finance Companies are under separate winding up petitions before the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. Gordon I. MacRae and James Cleaver of Kroll (Cayman) Ltd. serve as Joint Provisional Liquidators in the cases. On Jan. 20, 2004, the Liquidators filed Sec. 304 petition, Case No. 04-10362, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. In May 2006, the Cayman Island Court appointed Messrs. MacRae and Cleaver as Joint Official Liquidators. Gregory M. Petrick, Esq., at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, and Richard I. Janvey, Esq., at Janvey, Gordon, Herlands Randolph, represent the Finance Companies in the Sec. 304 case. The Honorable Robert D. Drain presides over the Parmalat Debtors' U.S. cases. On June 21, 2007, the U.S. Court Granted Parmalat Permanent Injunction. =================== K A Z A K H S T A N =================== COLD TRADE: Proof of Claim Deadline Slated for Jan. 4 ----------------------------------------------------- LLP Cold Trade System has declared insolvency. Creditors have until Jan. 4 to submit written proofs of claims to: LLP Cold Trade System Jubanov Str. 3a Auezovski District 480062, Almaty &nb