FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                News Media contact:
July 1, 1999                                    David Fiske: (202) 418-0500


                DONALD ABELSON ASSUMES DUTIES AS
               CHIEF OF FCC INTERNATIONAL BUREAU
  
Donald Abelson, recently Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for Industry and
Communications, today began his new duties as Chief of the International Bureau at the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC).
  
     Abelson comes to the Commission with extensive experience in international
communications issues.  Before being named to his current position, he led USTR's effort to
facilitate global electronic commerce over the Internet.  As USTR's Chief Negotiator for
Communications and Information, Ableson headed the U.S. delegation to the World
Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations on basic telecommunications services from 1994,
through their successful conclusion in February 1997.  These negotiations resulted in a precedent-
setting agreement on basic telecommunications in which 70 countries made trade commitments
covering 95% of global local, long-distance and international services delivered by wire, wireless
and satellite technologies.
 
Abelson has a Bachelor's Degree from Sarah Lawrence College and a Master's
Degree in International Economics from the School of Advanced International Studies at
Johns Hopkins University (SAIS).

     FCC Chairman William Kennard said, "I am delighted that Don Abelson has joined the   
FCC. He brings to the International Bureau a wealth of knowledge and years of hands-on
experience with international communications issues that will be increasingly important to
continued prosperity at home and economic development abroad."  
       
  

                                                                  - FCC-