July 19, 1997


            STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER JIM QUELLO ON THE 
                     BELL ATLANTIC/NYNEX MERGER

     I'm delighted that we finally came to an agreement on the terms of the Bell
Atlantic/NYNEX negotiations. 

     I'm pleased we have progressed to the point that we can now approve the merger, which
serves the overall public interest. 



                             -- FCC --