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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest
Event Reported): January 16, 2001
CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
New Jersey 1-1550 04-1923360
(State or Other (Commission (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
Incorporation)
250 East Fifth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(513) 784-8000
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INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT
Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 , 8 and 9 are not applicable and are omitted from this
report.
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On January 16, 2001 the Company issued a news release announcing that
it will propose a restructuring of publicly traded debt issued by Chiquita
Brands International, Inc. As part of the restructuring initiative, the Company
is discontinuing interest and principal payments on this debt as of January 16,
2001. The Company's subsidiary, Chiquita Brands, Inc., has obtained a commitment
for an 18-month secured bank credit facility for up to $85 million. Further
information is included in the news release and the term sheet for the
commitment, which are attached as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to this Current Report
on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired
Not Applicable
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information
Not Applicable
(c) Exhibits
99.1 News Release of the Company issued January 16, 2001.
99.2 Term Sheet for commitment relating to proposed bank
credit facility with Fleet Capital Corporation, Fleet
National Bank and Back Bay Capital Funding, LLC.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: January 16, 2001 CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: /s/William A. Tsacalis
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William A. Tsacalis
Vice President and Controller
