STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER
KEVIN MARTIN

RE:	Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications, Comsat Corporation, and Comsat 
General Corporation, Assignor, and Telenor Satellite Mobile Services, Inc., and 
Telenor Satellite, Inc. Assignee, Order and Authorization, SES-ASG-20010504 
00896, et al.

Although I vote in support of this item, the high level of foreign government 
ownership implicated in this transaction does give me some pause.  I believe this decision 
is correct under our precedent, and I applaud the International Bureau for their hard work 
in analyzing these complex issues.  I am concerned, however, that levels of foreign 
government ownership appear to be going in the wrong direction.  History teaches us that 
when the regulator and operator are independent, competition is more robust, there is 
greater confidence in the market, higher levels of investment, increased incentive for 
technical innovation, and a more rapid expansion of network infrastructure and services.  
I am encouraged, generally, by the pace of privatization of the telecommunications 
industry worldwide.  I look forward to working with the International Bureau and foreign 
regulators in pursuing pro-competitive policies and initiatives across the globe.  

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