Brad Burns, a WorldCom spokesman, declined to discuss the specific adjustment mechanism employed or to say how much Mr. Ebbers owed.

Brad Burns, an MCI spokesman, declined to discuss what MCI's board would do.

"It's designed to make people question if those powerful words did not connect with people," said Brad Burns, senior vice president for corporate communications at Alcatel.

Brad Burns, a WorldCom spokesman, declined to comment.

Brad Burns, a WorldCom spokesman verified the authenticity of the spreadsheet, but played down its significance.

Brad Burns, a WorldCom spokesman, said he had no knowledge of the talks.

Brad Burns, an MCI spokesman, said, "We have full confidence that our governance has been and continues to be appropriate."

Brad Burns, a WorldCom spokesman, said the company did not cancel the event because it had been planned and nearly paid for months ago.

"The regulatory approval process is well under way and we are looking forward to our upcoming shareholder vote," an MCI spokesman, Brad Burns, said.

Brad Burns, a spokesman for WorldCom, declined to comment on the company's negotiations with its banks yesterday.