41.   He urged private banks to merge operations, but said there would be no more liquidations.

42.   In the Philippines, Sky Cable Co and Sun Cable Co have merged operations.

43.   KPMG is attempting to merge operations with as many Andersen companies as possible.

44.   Late Monday, KPMG and Andersen opened talks to merge their operations outside the United States.

45.   Officials of the German divisions of Andersen and KPMG said Monday the two accounting giants are in talks about merging their operations outside the United States.

46.   Nonetheless, the Thai units of Andersen Worldwide and KPMG International said Wednesday they have reached a preliminary agreement to merge their operations in the country.

47.   Qantas Airways Ltd. on Monday announced plans to merge its operations in Bangkok and Singapore with British Airways Ltd. in a cost-cutting move.

48.   Speculation that the two companies would merge came after Krupp in March offered and then withdrew a hostile takeover bid for Thyssen, agreeing instead to merge steel operations.

49.   Some companies feared layoffs if they had to merge operations.

50.   The companies will merge operations in mid-February.