WorldCom Europe: "Sales haven't halved"

NEWS WorldCom has responded to reports claiming sales have halved at the company's European business following the recent accounting scandal. Earlier stories, most of which draw on an article in Monday's FT, say a conference call between Lucy Woods, senior VP WorldCom EMEA, and staff shows sales for July and August are down 50 per cent. However, in a statement Woods today responded: "Contrary to news reports, overall sales in WorldCom's European operations have not fallen by 50 per cent." She adds: "Our sales performance in Europe remains solid and continues to be one of the company's largest growth drivers. Europe remains a core part WorldCom's operations." Reports last month suggested other carriers are eyeing all or parts of the company's successful European network and related operations.