COMSAT CORP
S-3, 1994-06-30
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, NEC
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<PAGE>
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 30, 1994

                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 33-
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549-1004
                                 --------------

                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                 --------------

                               COMSAT CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
     <S>                                     <C>
            DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA                         52-0781863
       (State or other jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)
</TABLE>

                             6560 ROCK SPRING DRIVE
                            BETHESDA, MARYLAND 20817
                        TELEPHONE NUMBER (301) 214-3000
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                                WARREN Y. ZEGER
                       VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                               COMSAT CORPORATION
                             6560 ROCK SPRING DRIVE
                               BETHESDA, MD 20817
                                 (301) 214-3000
           (Name, Address, including zip code, and Telephone Number,
                   including area code, of Agent for Service)
                                 --------------

        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
     FROM TIME TO TIME AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
                                 --------------

    If  the  only securities  being registered  on this  Form are  being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the  following
box. / /

    If  any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to  Rule 415 under the Securities Act  of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. /X/
                                 --------------

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            PROPOSED MAXIMUM    PROPOSED MAXIMUM
         TITLE OF SECURITIES               AMOUNT TO         OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE           AMOUNT OF
          TO BE REGISTERED               BE REGISTERED          PER UNIT         OFFERING PRICE     REGISTRATION FEE
<S>                                    <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Debt Securities......................   $200,000,000(1)        100%(2)(3)         $200,000,000          $68,966
<FN>
(1)  Or,  if any  Debt Securities  are issued  at original  issue discount, such
     greater amount as  may result  in the initial  offering prices  aggregating
     $200,000,000.
(2)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
(3)  Plus accrued interest, if any.
</TABLE>

                                 --------------

    THE  REGISTRANT HEREBY  AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON  SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT  SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN  ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933  OR UNTIL  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL  BECOME
EFFECTIVE  ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
THE  INFORMATION  CONTAINED  HEREIN IS  SUBJECT  TO COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED JUNE  , 1994

                               U.S. $100,000,000
                               COMSAT CORPORATION
                          Medium-Term Notes, Series A
                   Due Nine Months or more from Date of Issue
                                 --------------

COMSAT CORPORATION (THE "COMPANY") MAY OFFER  FROM TIME TO TIME ITS  MEDIUM-TERM
NOTES,  SERIES A (THE "NOTES")  IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL  AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
 $100,000,000 (OR, IF  ANY NOTES ARE  TO BE ORIGINAL  ISSUE DISCOUNT NOTES  (AS
 SUCH  TERM IS DEFINED UNDER "DESCRIPTION OF NOTES"), SUCH PRINCIPAL AMOUNT AS
  SHALL RESULT IN AN  INITIAL AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE  EQUIVALENT TO NO  MORE
  THAN  $100,000,000), SUBJECT TO REDUCTION AS A  RESULT OF THE SALE OF OTHER
   DEBT SECURITIES;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  THAT THE  COMPANY MAY  INCREASE  THE
   FOREGOING MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IF IN THE FUTURE IT DETERMINES THAT IT
    MAY  WISH TO SELL ADDITIONAL NOTES. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF NOTES" AND "PLAN
    OF DISTRIBUTION OF NOTES". EACH NOTE WILL MATURE ON A DATE NINE  MONTHS
     OR MORE FROM ITS DATE OF ORIGINAL ISSUANCE ("ISSUE DATE"), AS SELECTED
     BY  THE INITIAL PURCHASER AND AGREED TO  BY THE COMPANY. THE NOTES MAY
     BE SUBJECT TO OPTIONAL REDEMPTION,  OR OBLIGATE THE COMPANY TO  REDEEM
     OR   PURCHASE  THE  NOTES  PURSUANT  TO  SINKING  FUND  OR  ANALOGOUS
      PROVISIONS OR AT THE OPTION OF  THE HOLDER THEREOF, IN EACH CASE  AS
      INDICATED  IN THE APPLICABLE  PRICING SUPPLEMENT. THE  NOTES MAY BE
       ISSUED AS ORIGINAL  ISSUE DISCOUNT NOTES  OR AMORTIZING NOTES  (AS
       EACH  SUCH TERM IS DEFINED  HEREIN). UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED IN
       THE APPLICABLE PRICING  SUPPLEMENT, THE NOTES  WILL BE ISSUED  IN
        FULLY  REGISTERED FORM  IN DENOMINATIONS OF  $1,000 AND INTEGRAL
                     MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.

THE INTEREST  RATE  OR  INTEREST  RATE FORMULA,  IF  ANY,  ISSUE  PRICE,  STATED
MATURITY,  REDEMPTION OR REPAYMENT PROVISIONS, IF  ANY, AND OTHER TERMS FOR EACH
NOTE WILL BE ESTABLISHED BY  THE COMPANY AT THE DATE  OF ISSUANCE OF SUCH  NOTE
 AND  WILL BE  INDICATED IN A  PRICING SUPPLEMENT.  EACH INTEREST-BEARING NOTE
  WILL BEAR INTEREST AT EITHER (A) A FIXED RATE (A "FIXED RATE NOTE") OR (B) A
  VARIABLE RATE  DETERMINED BY  REFERENCE  TO AN  INTEREST RATE  FORMULA  (A
    "FLOATING  RATE NOTE"), WHICH  MAY BE ADJUSTED  BY ADDING OR SUBTRACTING
    THE  SPREAD  AND/OR  MULTIPLYING  BY  THE  SPREAD  MULTIPLIER,   UNLESS
     OTHERWISE  INDICATED  IN  THE  APPLICABLE  PRICING  SUPPLEMENT. UNLESS
     OTHERWISE INDICATED IN THE APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT, THE INTEREST
      RATE FORMULA WILL BE DETERMINED BY  REFERENCE TO ONE OR MORE OF  THE
      COMMERCIAL  PAPER RATE,  THE PRIME RATE,  THE CD  RATE, THE FEDERAL
       FUNDS RATE, LIBOR,  THE TREASURY  RATE, THE J.J.  KENNY RATE,  THE
       11TH  DISTRICT COST OF FUNDS RATE OR THE CMT RATE. INTEREST RATES,
       OR INTEREST RATE FORMULAS,  ARE SUBJECT TO  CHANGE BY THE  COMPANY
       FROM  TIME TO  TIME, BUT  NO SUCH CHANGE   WILL  AFFECT ANY NOTE
         ALREADY ISSUED OR AS  TO WHICH AN OFFER  TO PURCHASE HAS  BEEN
                            ACCEPTED BY THE COMPANY.

NOTES  MAY BE REPRESENTED EITHER  BY A CERTIFICATE ISSUED  IN DEFINITIVE FORM (A
"CERTIFICATED  NOTE")  OR  BY  A  PERMANENT  GLOBAL  SECURITY  OR  SECURITIES,
  REGISTERED  IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, AS DEPOSITARY, OR A
  NOMINEE OF  THE DEPOSITARY  (A "BOOK-ENTRY  NOTE"), AS  SPECIFIED IN  THE
     APPLICABLE  PRICING  SUPPLEMENT.  BENEFICIAL  INTERESTS  IN BOOK-ENTRY
     NOTES WILL ONLY BE EVIDENCED BY, AND TRANSFERS THEREOF WILL ONLY  BE
       EFFECTED  THROUGH, RECORDS  MAINTAINED BY  THE DEPOSITARY  AND ITS
       PARTICIPANTS. EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED UNDER "DESCRIPTION OF NOTES --
         BOOK-ENTRY  NOTES",  OWNERS  OF  BENEFICIAL  INTERESTS  IN   A
         BOOK-ENTRY   NOTE   WILL   NOT  BE   ENTITLED   TO  RECEIVE
                PHYSICAL DELIVERY OF  NOTES IN  DEFINITIVE FORM  AND
                  WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED THE HOLDERS THEREOF.
                                 --------------

THE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT  BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED  BY THE  SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE  SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
    ACCURACY  OR  ADEQUACY  OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT,  ANY  PRICING
     SUPPLEMENT HERETO OR  THE    PROSPECTUS. ANY  REPRESENTATION TO  THE
                        CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DISTRIBUTORS'
                                                    PRICE TO     COMMISSIONS OR         PROCEEDS
                                                    PUBLIC(1)     DISCOUNTS(2)      TO COMPANY(2)(3)
                                                   -----------  ----------------  --------------------
<S>                                                <C>          <C>               <C>
PER NOTE.........................................     100%        .125%-.750%       99.875%-99.250%
TOTAL............................................  $100,000,000 $125,000-$750,000 $99,875,000-$99,250,000
<FN>
(1)  UNLESS  OTHERWISE INDICATED IN THE APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT, EACH NOTE
     WILL BE ISSUED  AT 100% OF  ITS PRINCIPAL  AMOUNT. IF SO  INDICATED IN  THE
     APPLICABLE  PRICING SUPPLEMENT,  NOTES MAY  BE RESOLD  BY THE DISTRIBUTORS,
     ACTING AS PRINCIPALS AT  MARKET PRICES PREVAILING AT  THE TIME OF SALE,  AT
     PRICES RELATED TO SUCH PREVAILING MARKET PRICES, AT NEGOTIATED PRICES OR AT
     FIXED PUBLIC OFFERING PRICES.
(2)  UNLESS  OTHERWISE  SPECIFIED  IN  THE  APPLICABLE  PRICING  SUPPLEMENT, THE
     COMPANY WILL PAY  A COMMISSION  (OR GRANT A  DISCOUNT) TO  CS FIRST  BOSTON
     CORPORATION,  SALOMON BROTHERS  INC AND  NATIONSBANC CAPITAL  MARKETS, INC.
     (THE "DISTRIBUTORS") OF .125% TO .750% OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ANY NOTE,
     DEPENDING ON ITS STATED MATURITY, SOLD THROUGH ANY SUCH DISTRIBUTOR, ACTING
     AS AGENT (OR  SOLD TO  SUCH DISTRIBUTOR  AS PRINCIPAL  IN CIRCUMSTANCES  IN
     WHICH NO OTHER DISCOUNT IS AGREED); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT COMMISSIONS (OR
     DISCOUNTS) WITH RESPECT TO NOTES WITH A STATED MATURITY GREATER THAN THIRTY
     YEARS WILL BE NEGOTIATED.
(3)  BEFORE  DEDUCTING OTHER EXPENSES  PAYABLE BY THE  COMPANY ESTIMATED AT U.S.
     $252,466.
</TABLE>

                                 --------------
    THE NOTES ARE BEING OFFERED ON A CONTINUING BASIS BY THE COMPANY THROUGH THE
DISTRIBUTORS, EACH OF WHICH HAS AGREED TO USE REASONABLE BEST EFFORTS TO SOLICIT
OFFERS TO PURCHASE THE NOTES. THE COMPANY ALSO MAY SELL NOTES TO ANY DISTRIBUTOR
ON ITS OWN  BEHALF AT NEGOTIATED  DISCOUNTS. THE COMPANY  RESERVES THE RIGHT  TO
SELL  NOTES DIRECTLY ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND TO ACCEPT (BUT NOT SOLICIT) OFFERS TO
PURCHASE NOTES THROUGH ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTORS  ON SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME  TERMS
AND  CONDITIONS (INCLUDING COMMISSION RATES) AS  WOULD APPLY TO PURCHASES OF THE
NOTES TO OR  THROUGH THE DISTRIBUTORS.  THE COMPANY ALSO  RESERVES THE RIGHT  TO
WITHDRAW,  CANCEL OR MODIFY THE OFFER MADE HEREBY WITHOUT NOTICE. THE COMPANY OR
ANY DISTRIBUTOR MAY REJECT ANY OFFER TO PURCHASE NOTES, IN WHOLE OR IN PART. THE
NOTES WILL NOT BE LISTED ON ANY SECURITIES EXCHANGE, UNLESS OTHERWISE  INDICATED
IN  THE APPLICABLE PRICING  SUPPLEMENT, AND THERE  CAN BE NO  ASSURANCE THAT THE
NOTES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT WILL BE SOLD OR THAT THERE WILL BE A
SECONDARY MARKET FOR THE NOTES. SEE "PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION OF NOTES".

CS First Boston
                 Salomon Brothers Inc
                                               NationsBanc Capital Markets, Inc.

            THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS JUNE  , 1994.
<PAGE>
    IN  CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE DISTRIBUTORS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE  MARKET PRICE OF THE NOTES  OFFERED
HEREBY  AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH  MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET.
SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

                              DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

    THE FOLLOWING  DESCRIPTION OF  THE  PARTICULAR TERMS  OF THE  NOTES  OFFERED
HEREBY  SUPPLEMENTS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE  GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DEBT
SECURITIES SET FORTH UNDER THE HEADING  "DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES" IN  THE
PROSPECTUS,  TO  WHICH  DESCRIPTION  REFERENCE IS  HEREBY  MADE.  THE  TERMS AND
CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN  "DESCRIPTION OF NOTES" WILL  APPLY TO EACH NOTE  UNLESS
OTHERWISE  SPECIFIED IN THE APPLICABLE PRICING SUPPLEMENT. CAPITALIZED TERMS NOT
DEFINED UNDER  THIS HEADING  OR IN  THE GLOSSARY  CONTAINED IN  THIS  PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT  HAVE  THE  MEANINGS  ASSIGNED  TO  THEM  IN  THE  PROSPECTUS  OR THE
INDENTURE.

GENERAL

    The Notes offered hereby will be  issued under the Indenture referred to  in
the  accompanying Prospectus  between the Company  and The  Chase Manhattan Bank
(National Association),  as  Trustee (the  "Trustee").  The Notes  constitute  a
single  series for purposes of the  Indenture, limited to an aggregate principal
amount not to exceed  $100,000,000 (or, if  any Notes are  to be Original  Issue
Discount  Notes, such principal  amount as shall result  in an aggregate initial
offering price equivalent to no more than $100,000,000). The foregoing limit may
be increased by the Company if in the  future it determines that it may wish  to
sell  additional Notes.  The Notes  offered hereby may  be reduced  by an amount
equal to the aggregate initial offering  price of any other Debt Securities  (as
defined in the accompanying Prospectus) sold by the Company (including any other
series  of  medium-term  notes). See  "Plan  of  Distribution of  Notes".  For a
description of the rights attaching to different series of Securities (including
the Notes) under  the Indenture,  see "Description  of Debt  Securities" in  the
Prospectus.

    Each Note will mature on any day nine months or more from its Issue Date, as
selected  by the  initial purchaser  and agreed to  by the  Company (the "Stated
Maturity").

    The Notes  will  be issuable  only  in  fully registered  form  and,  unless
otherwise  indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, only in denominations
of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

    Notes will initially be  represented either by a  Certificated Note or by  a
Book-Entry  Note,  as  indicated  in  the  applicable  Pricing  Supplement.  See
"Description of Notes -- Book-Entry Notes" below.

    The Notes will be denominated in  U.S. dollars and payments of principal  of
and  any premium and interest on  the Notes will be made  in U.S. dollars in the
manner indicated in the accompanying Prospectus and this Prospectus Supplement.

    In addition, notes  may be issued  as Original Issue  Discount Notes, or  as
Amortizing  Notes. See  "Original Issue  Discount Notes"  and "Amortizing Notes"
below.

    The applicable Pricing Supplement will indicate either that a Note cannot be
redeemed prior to its Stated Maturity or  that a Note will be redeemable at  the
option  of the Company on or after a specified date prior to its Stated Maturity
at a specified  price or  prices (which may  include a  premium), together  with
accrued  interest  to the  date  of redemption  or  repayment. In  addition, the
applicable Pricing Supplement will indicate either that the Company will not  be
obligated  to redeem a Note pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions
or at the option of the Holder thereof or that the Company will be so obligated.
If the Company  will be  so obligated,  the applicable  Pricing Supplement  will
indicate the period or periods within which and the price or prices at which the
applicable  Notes  will be  redeemed,  in whole  or  in part,  pursuant  to such
obligation and the other detailed terms and provisions of such obligation.

    Payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, Book-Entry  Notes
will be made to the Depositary, or its nominee, as Holder thereof, in accordance
with arrangements then in effect between the

                                      S-2
<PAGE>
Trustee  and the Depositary. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Pricing
Supplement,  payments  of  principal  of,  and  any  premium  and  interest  on,
Certificated  Notes  denominated and  payable in  U.S. dollars  will be  made in
immediately available funds at the Corporate Trust Office of The Chase Manhattan
Bank (National Association), in The City of New York, PROVIDED that the Note  is
presented to the Paying Agent in time for the Paying Agent to make such payments
in  such funds  in accordance  with its  normal procedures;  except that  at the
option of the Company  payment of interest  may be made by  check mailed to  the
address  of the  Person entitled  thereto as  such address  shall appear  in the
Security Register, or by wire transfer  to an account maintained by such  Holder
with  a  bank located  in the  United  States, provided  such Holder  shall have
provided in writing to the Trustee, on  or prior to the relevant Regular  Record
Date,  appropriate  payment  instructions.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing, the
Holder of  $10,000,000 or  more in  aggregate principal  amount of  Certificated
Notes  denominated  and payable  in U.S.  dollars and  having the  same Interest
Payment Date shall  be entitled  to receive such  payments by  wire transfer  of
immediately  payable funds to an  account maintained by such  Holder with a bank
located in the United  States, provided that the  Holder shall have provided  in
writing  to  the Trustee,  on  or prior  to  the relevant  Regular  Record Date,
appropriate payment instructions.

    Certificated Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange
at  the  Corporate  Trust   Office  of  The   Chase  Manhattan  Bank   (National
Association),  in The City of  New York. No service charge  will be made for any
registration of transfer or exchange of Certificated Notes, but the Company  may
require  payment of  a sum  sufficient to  cover any  tax or  other governmental
charge that may be imposed in connection therewith. With respect to registration
of transfer  and exchange  of  Book-Entry Notes  see  "Description of  Notes  --
Book-Entry   Notes"  below  and  "Description   of  Debt  Securities  --  Global
Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus.

    Interest rates, interest rate bases and various other variable terms of  the
Notes  described herein are subject to change  by the Company from time to time,
but no such change will affect any Note  already issued or as to which an  offer
to purchase has been accepted by the Company.

INTEREST

    Each  interest-bearing Note will bear interest  from and including its Issue
Date or from and including the most recent Interest Payment Date with respect to
which interest on  such Note (or  any predecessor  Note) has been  paid or  duly
provided  for to but excluding, the relevant  Interest Payment Date at the fixed
rate per annum, or  at the rate  per annum determined  pursuant to the  interest
rate  formula, stated therein and in the applicable Pricing Supplement until the
principal thereof is paid or made  available for payment. Interest payments,  if
any,  will be  in the  amount of  interest accrued  from and  including the next
preceding Interest Payment Date  in respect of which  interest has been paid  or
duly  provided for (or from and including the  date of issue, if no interest has
been paid with respect to such Note) to, but excluding, the applicable  Interest
Payment Date.

    Interest,  if any,  will be  payable on  each Interest  Payment Date  and at
Maturity; see  "Description  of Notes  --  General". Interest  will  be  payable
generally  to the person (which, in the case  of a Book-Entry Note, shall be the
Depositary) in whose name a Note (or any predecessor Note) is registered at  the
close  of  business on  the  Regular Record  Date  next preceding  each Interest
Payment Date;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that  interest payable  at Maturity  will  be
payable  to the person  (which, in the case  of a Book-Entry  Note, shall be the
Depositary) to whom principal  shall be payable.  Unless otherwise indicated  in
the  applicable Pricing  Supplement, the first  payment of interest  on any Note
originally issued between  a Regular Record  Date and an  Interest Payment  Date
will  be made on the  next succeeding Interest Payment  Date following the Issue
Date of  such Note  to the  Holder of  record on  the Regular  Record Date  with
respect  to such succeeding  Interest Payment Date. With  respect to payments of
interest on Book-Entry Notes, see "Description of Notes -- Book-Entry Notes".

    FIXED RATE NOTES

    The applicable  Pricing  Supplement  relating  to a  Fixed  Rate  Note  will
designate  a  fixed rate  of interest  per  annum payable  on such  Note. Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable  Pricing Supplement, the Interest  Payment
Dates  with respect to Fixed Rate Notes other than Amortizing Notes shall be May
1st and

                                      S-3
<PAGE>
November 1st of each year and at Maturity and the Regular Record Dates for  such
Notes  shall be  the April  15th and  October 15th  next preceding  the relevant
Interest Payment Dates.  Unless otherwise  indicated in  the applicable  Pricing
Supplement,  interest on  Fixed Rate Notes  will be  computed on the  basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

    If any Interest Payment Date or the Maturity of a Fixed Rate Note falls on a
day that is not a Market Day, the related payment of principal, premium, if any,
or interest will be  made on the next  succeeding Market Day as  if made on  the
date  such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on the amount so payable
for the period from  and after such  Interest Payment Date  or Maturity, as  the
case may be.

    FLOATING RATE NOTES

    The  applicable Pricing  Supplement relating  to a  Floating Rate  Note will
designate an interest rate basis for such Floating Rate Note. Such basis may  be
determined  by reference  to one  or more of  the following:  (a) the Commercial
Paper Rate, in which case  such Note will be a  Commercial Paper Rate Note,  (b)
the  Prime Rate, in which case  such Note will be a  Prime Rate Note, (c) the CD
Rate, in which  case such Note  will be a  CD Rate Note,  (d) the Federal  Funds
Rate,  in which case such Note will be  a Federal Funds Rate Note, (e) LIBOR, in
which case such Note will be a LIBOR Note, (f) the Treasury Rate, in which  case
such  Note will be  a Treasury Rate Note,  or (g) the J.J.  Kenny Rate, in which
case such Note will  be a J.J. Kenny  Rate Note, (h) the  11th District Cost  of
Funds Rate, in which such Note will be an 11th District Cost of Funds Rate Note,
(i)  the CMT Rate in  which case such Note  will be a CMT  Rate Note or (j) such
other interest rate basis or formula as may be agreed to between the Company and
the purchaser and set forth in the applicable Pricing Supplement. In addition, a
Floating Rate Note may bear interest at the lowest or highest or average of  two
or more interest rate formulae. The applicable Pricing Supplement for a Floating
Rate Note also will specify the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if any, and the
maximum or minimum interest rate limitation, if any, applicable to each Note. In
addition, such Pricing Supplement will define or particularize for each Floating
Rate  Note the  following terms,  if applicable:  Calculation Agent, Calculation
Dates, Initial  Interest Rate,  Interest Payment  Dates, Regular  Record  Dates,
Index  Maturity,  Interest Determination  Dates  and Interest  Reset  Dates with
respect to such Note.  See "Glossary" for definitions  of certain terms used  in
this Prospectus Supplement.

    The  rate of interest on a  Floating Rate Note in effect  on any day will be
(a) if such day  is an Interest  Reset Date with respect  to such Floating  Rate
Note, the interest rate on such Floating Rate Note determined as of the Interest
Determination Date pertaining to such Interest Reset Date, or (b) if such day is
not an Interest Reset Date with respect to such Floating Rate Note, the interest
rate on such Floating Rate Note determined as of the Interest Determination Date
pertaining to the immediately preceding Interest Reset Date with respect to such
Floating Rate Note; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the interest rate in effect from the
Issue  Date of  a Floating  Rate Note  (or that  of a  predecessor Note)  to but
excluding the first Interest Reset Date with respect to such Floating Rate  Note
will  be  the Initial  Interest Rate  (as  set forth  in the  applicable Pricing
Supplement). Subject to  applicable provisions  of law and  except as  described
herein,  the rate of interest on a Floating Rate Note on any Interest Reset Date
with respect thereto will be the rate of interest determined with respect to the
Interest Determination Date pertaining to such Interest Reset Date as determined
in accordance with the applicable provisions described below.

    The rate of interest on each Floating Rate Note will be reset daily, weekly,
monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually  (each an "Interest Reset  Date"),
as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Unless otherwise specified in
the  applicable Pricing Supplement, the Interest Reset Date will be, in the case
of Floating  Rate Notes  which reset  daily, each  Market Day;  in the  case  of
Floating  Rate Notes  (other than Treasury  Rate Notes) which  reset weekly, the
Wednesday of each week; in the case  of Treasury Rate Notes which reset  weekly,
except  as provided in the following paragraph, the Tuesday of each week; in the
case of Floating  Rate Notes which  reset monthly, the  third Wednesday of  each
month;  in the  case of  Floating Rate  Notes which  reset quarterly,  the third
Wednesday of March, June, September and  December; in the case of Floating  Rate
Notes which reset semi-annually, the third Wednesday of two months of each year,
as  indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement;  and in the case of Floating
Rate Notes which reset annually, the third Wednesday of one month of each  year,
as    indicated    in    the    applicable    Pricing    Supplement.    If   any

                                      S-4
<PAGE>
Interest Reset Date for any Floating Rate Note would otherwise be a day that  is
not  a Market Day with  respect to such Note, such  Interest Reset Date shall be
postponed to the next  succeeding Market Day with  respect to such Note,  except
that  if such Note is a  LIBOR Note and the next  succeeding Market Day falls in
the next  succeeding calendar  month,  such Interest  Reset  Date shall  be  the
immediately preceding Market Day.

    The  Interest Determination Date pertaining to  an Interest Reset Date for a
Commercial Paper Rate Note (the "Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date"),
a Prime Rate Note (the "Prime Rate Interest Determination Date"), a CD Rate Note
(the "CD Rate  Interest Determination  Date"), a  Federal Funds  Rate Note  (the
"Federal  Funds Interest Determination Date"), a J.J. Kenny Rate Note (the "J.J.
Kenny Interest Determination Date"),  an 11th District Cost  of Funds Rate  Note
(the  "11th District Cost of  Funds Interest Determination Date")  or a CMT Rate
Note (the  "CMT Interest  Determination Date")  will be  the second  Market  Day
preceding  the  Interest Reset  Date  with respect  to  such Note.  The Interest
Determination Date pertaining to  an Interest Reset Date  for a LIBOR Note  (the
"LIBOR  Interest  Determination  Date") will  be  the second  London  Market Day
preceding such Interest Reset Date.  The Interest Determination Date  pertaining
to  an Interest  Reset Date  for a  Treasury Rate  Note (the  "Treasury Interest
Determination Date") will be the day  on which Treasury bills are auctioned  for
the  week in which such Interest Reset Date  falls, or if no auction is held for
such week, the Monday of  such week (or if Monday  is a legal holiday, the  next
succeeding  Market  Day) and  the Interest  Reset  Date will  be the  Market Day
immediately following such Treasury Interest Determination Date. Treasury  bills
are  usually sold at auction on Monday of  each week, unless that day is a legal
holiday, in which  case the auction  is usually held  on the following  Tuesday,
except  that such auction may be held on the preceding Friday. If an auction for
such week is held on  Monday or the preceding  Friday, such Monday or  preceding
Friday  shall be the Treasury Interest Determination Date for such week, and the
Interest Reset Date for such week shall be the Tuesday of such week (or, if such
Tuesday is not a Market Day, the next succeeding Market Day). If the auction for
such week is held on any day of such week other than Monday, then such day shall
be the Treasury Interest Determination Date and the Interest Reset Date for such
week shall be postponed to the next succeeding Market Day.

    A Floating Rate Note may have either or both of the following: (a) a maximum
numerical interest rate limitation,  or ceiling, on the  rate of interest  which
may accrue during any interest period; and (b) a minimum numerical interest rate
limitation,  or  floor, on  the rate  of  interest which  may accrue  during any
interest period.  In  addition  to  any  maximum  interest  rate  which  may  be
applicable  to any Floating Rate  Note, the interest rate  on such Floating Rate
Note will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law,
as the same may be modified by  United States law of general application.  Under
present  New York law the maximum rate  of interest, with certain exceptions, is
25% per annum on a  simple interest basis. The limit  may not apply to Notes  in
which $2,500,000 or more has been invested.

    Unless  otherwise indicated in the  applicable Pricing Supplement and except
as provided below, the Interest  Payment Date will be,  in the case of  Floating
Rate  Notes which reset  daily, weekly or  monthly, the third  Wednesday of each
month or on the third Wednesday of  March, June, September and December of  each
year  (as  indicated  in the  applicable  Pricing  Supplement); in  the  case of
Floating Rate Notes which reset quarterly,  the third Wednesday of March,  June,
September  and December of each  year; in the case  of Floating Rate Notes which
reset semi-annually,  the  third  Wednesday  of the  two  months  of  each  year
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and in the case of Floating Rate
Notes  which reset annually, the  third Wednesday of the  month specified in the
applicable Pricing  Supplement.  If,  pursuant to  the  preceding  sentence,  an
Interest  Payment Date  with respect  to any Floating  Rate Note  (other than an
Interest Payment Date at Maturity) would otherwise be a day that is not a Market
Day with respect to such Note, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed  to
the  next succeeding Market Day  with respect to such  Note, except that if such
Note is  a LIBOR  Note and  the next  succeeding Market  Day falls  in the  next
succeeding  calendar month, such Interest Payment  Date shall be the immediately
preceding Market Day. If  the Maturity of  a Floating Rate Note  falls on a  day
that  is  not a  Market  Day, the  payment of  principal,  premium, if  any, and
interest will be made on the next succeeding Market Day, and no interest on such

                                      S-5
<PAGE>
payment shall accrue from and after such Maturity. Unless otherwise indicated in
the applicable  Pricing Supplement,  the  Regular Record  Date with  respect  to
Floating  Rate Notes shall be  the date 15 calendar  days prior to each Interest
Payment Date, whether or not such date shall be a Market Day.

    Unless  otherwise  specified  in  the  applicable  Pricing  Supplement,  the
interest accrued from and including the date of issue, or from and including the
last date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, is calculated by
multiplying  the face amount of  such Floating Rate Note  by an accrued interest
factor. Such accrued interest factor is  computed by adding the interest  factor
calculated  for each day in such period from and including the date of issue, or
from and  including the  last  date to  which interest  has  been paid  or  duly
provided  for, to  but excluding  the date for  which accrued  interest is being
calculated. Unless otherwise specified  in the Note  and the applicable  Pricing
Supplement,  the interest factor (expressed as  a decimal rounded, if necessary,
as described below) for each such day is computed by dividing the interest  rate
(expressed as a decimal rounded, if necessary, as described below) applicable to
such  date by 360, (or, in the case of Treasury Rate Notes or CMT Rate Notes, by
the actual number of days in the year). The interest factor for Notes for  which
two  or more interest  rate formulae are  applicable will be  calculated in each
period in the same manner as if only  the lowest, highest or average of, as  the
case may be, such interest rate formulae applied.

    Unless   otherwise  specified  in  a  Pricing  Supplement,  all  percentages
resulting from  any calculation  on  Floating Rate  Notes  will be  rounded,  if
necessary,  to the  nearest one-hundred thousandth  of a  percentage point, with
five  one-millionths  of  a  percentage  point  rounded  (E.G.,  9.876545%   (or
.09876545)  being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655) and 9.876544% (or .09876544)
being rounded to  9.87654% (or  .0987654)), and all  dollar amounts  used in  or
resulting  from such calculation on  Floating Rate Notes will  be rounded to the
nearest cent.

    Upon the request of  the Holder of any  Floating Rate Note, the  Calculation
Agent  will provide the  interest rate then  in effect, and,  if determined, the
interest rate which will become effective as a result of a determination made on
the most recent Interest Determination Date  with respect to such Floating  Rate
Note.

    COMMERCIAL  PAPER RATE  NOTES.   Each Commercial  Paper Rate  Note will bear
interest at the interest rate (calculated with reference to the Commercial Paper
Rate and the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier,  if any) specified on the face  of
such Commercial Paper Rate Note and in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

    Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "Commercial
Paper  Rate" means, with respect to  any Commercial Paper Interest Determination
Date, the Money Market Yield (calculated as described below) of the rate on such
date for commercial paper having the Index Maturity specified in the  applicable
Pricing  Supplement  as published  in  H.15(519) under  the  heading "Commercial
Paper". In the event that such rate is not published prior to 3:00 P.M. New York
City time, on the Calculation Date pertaining to such Commercial Paper  Interest
Determination  Date, then  the Commercial Paper  Rate shall be  the Money Market
Yield of  the rate  on such  Commercial Paper  Interest Determination  Date  for
commercial  paper having the Index Maturity  specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement as published  in Composite Quotations  under the heading  "Commercial
Paper".  If by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on such Calculation Date such rate
is not yet published in either H.15(519) or Composite Quotations, the Commercial
Paper Rate for that  Commercial Paper Interest Determination  Date shall be  the
Money  Market Yield  of the  arithmetic mean,  as calculated  by the Calculation
Agent on such Calculation Date, of the offered rates, as of 11:00 A.M., New York
City time,  on  that Commercial  Paper  Interest Determination  Date,  of  three
leading  dealers of  commercial paper in  The City  of New York  selected by the
Calculation Agent (which may  include one or more  of the Distributors or  their
affiliates)  for commercial  paper having  the Index  Maturity specified  in the
applicable Pricing Supplement placed for an industrial issuer whose bond  rating
is  "AA",  or  the  equivalent,  from  a  nationally  recognized  rating agency;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if fewer than three dealers selected as aforesaid by the
Calculation Agent  are quoting  as mentioned  in this  sentence, the  Commercial
Paper  Rate will be the Commercial Paper Rate in effect on such Commercial Paper
Interest Determination Date.

                                      S-6
<PAGE>
    "Money Market Yield" shall be a yield (expressed as a percentage rounded, if
necessary, to  the next  higher one-hundred  thousandth of  a percentage  point)
calculated in accordance with the following formula:

<TABLE>
    <S>                   <C>             <C>
                             D X 360
    Money Market Yield =                  X 100
                          --------------
                          360 - (D X M)
</TABLE>

where  "D" refers to  the per annum rate  for commercial paper  quoted on a bank
discount basis and expressed as a decimal;  and "M" refers to the actual  number
of days in the interest period for which interest is being calculated.

    PRIME  RATE NOTES.  Each Prime Rate  Note will bear interest at the interest
rate (calculated with reference to the  Prime Rate and the Spread and/or  Spread
Multiplier,  if any) specified  on the face of  such Prime Rate  Note and in the
applicable Pricing Supplement.

    Unless otherwise  indicated in  the  applicable Pricing  Supplement,  "Prime
Rate"  means, with respect to any Prime Rate  Note as of any Prime Rate Interest
Determination Date,  the rate  set forth  on such  date in  H.15(519) under  the
heading "Bank Prime Loan." In the event that such rate is not published prior to
3:00  P.M., New York City time, on  such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date,
then the Prime Rate will be determined by the Calculation Agent and will be  the
arithmetic  mean of the rates  of interest publicly announced  by each bank that
appears on  the Reuters  Screen NYMF  Page as  such bank's  prime rate  or  base
lending  rate as in effect  for that Prime Rate  Interest Determination Date. If
fewer than four such rates appear on the Reuters Screen NYMF Page for the  Prime
Rate  Interest Determination Date, the Prime Rate will be the arithmetic mean of
the announced prime rates quoted  on the basis of the  actual number of days  in
the  year divided by 360 as of the close of business on such Prime Rate Interest
Determination Date by at least two of three major money center banks in The City
of New York selected by the Calculation Agent. If fewer than two such quotations
are provided, the  Prime Rate  shall be  determined on  the basis  of the  rates
furnished  in The City of New York by the appropriate number of substitute banks
or trust companies  organized and doing  business under the  laws of the  United
States,  or any  state thereof,  having total  equity capital  of at  least $500
million and being  subject to  supervision or  examination by  federal or  state
authority,  selected by  the Calculation  Agent to  provide such  rate or rates;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if  the banks selected as  aforesaid are not quoting  as
mentioned in this sentence, the Prime Rate will be the Prime Rate then in effect
on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date.

    CD  RATE NOTES.  Each  CD Rate Note will bear  interest at the interest rate
(calculated with  reference  to  the  CD  Rate  and  the  Spread  and/or  Spread
Multiplier,  if any)  specified on  the face  of such  CD Rate  Note and  in the
applicable Pricing Supplement.

    Unless otherwise indicated in the  applicable Pricing Supplement, "CD  Rate"
means, with respect to any CD Rate Interest Determination Date, the rate on such
date  for negotiable certificates of deposit having the Index Maturity specified
in the applicable Pricing Supplement as published in H.15(519) under the heading
"CDs (Secondary Market)". In the event that such rate is not published prior  to
3:00  P.M., New York  City time, on  the Calculation Date  pertaining to such CD
Rate Interest Determination Date, then the CD Rate shall be the rate on such  CD
Rate  Interest Determination Date for  negotiable certificates of deposit having
the Index Maturity specified in  the applicable Pricing Supplement as  published
in  Composite Quotations under the heading "Certificates of Deposit". If by 3:00
P.M., New  York  City time,  on  such Calculation  Date  such rate  is  not  yet
published  in either H.15(519) or Composite Quotations,  the CD Rate for that CD
Interest Determination Date  shall be  calculated by the  Calculation Agent  and
shall  be  the  arithmetic  mean  (rounded, if  necessary,  to  the  next higher
one-hundred thousandth of a  percentage point) of  the secondary market  offered
rates,  as  of  10:00  A.M.,  New  York City  time,  on  that  CD  Rate Interest
Determination Date, of three leading  nonbank dealers of negotiable U.S.  dollar
certificates  of deposit  in The  City of New  York selected  by the Calculation
Agent (which may include  one or more of  the Distributors or their  affiliates)
for negotiable certificates of deposit of major United States money market banks
with  a  remaining  maturity closest  to  the  Index Maturity  specified  in the
applicable   Pricing    Supplement   in    a   denomination    of    $5,000,000;

                                      S-7
<PAGE>
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if fewer than three dealers selected as aforesaid by the
Calculation Agent are quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the CD Rate will be
the CD Rate in effect on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date.

    FEDERAL  FUNDS RATE NOTES.  Each Federal  Funds Rate Note will bear interest
at the interest rate  (calculated with reference to  the Federal Funds Rate  and
the  Spread and/or  Spread Multiplier,  if any)  specified on  the face  of such
Federal Funds Rate Note and in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

    Unless otherwise indicated  in the applicable  Pricing Supplement,  "Federal
Funds  Rate" means,  with respect  to any  Federal Funds  Interest Determination
Date, the  rate  on  such date  for  Federal  Funds having  the  Index  Maturity
specified  in the applicable Pricing Supplement  as published in H.15(519) under
the heading "Federal  Funds (Effective)".  In the event  that such  rate is  not
published  prior  to 3:00  P.M., New  York  City time,  on the  Calculation Date
pertaining to such Federal Funds  Interest Determination Date, then the  Federal
Funds Rate will be the rate on such Federal Funds Interest Determination Date as
published  in Composite  Quotations under  the heading  "Federal Funds/Effective
Rate". If by 3:00 P.M., New York  City time, on such Calculation Date such  rate
is  not yet published  in either H.15(519) or  Composite Quotations, the Federal
Funds Rate  for that  Federal Funds  Interest Determination  Date shall  be  the
arithmetic  mean, as  calculated by  the Calculation  Agent on  such Calculation
Date, of the  rates, prior to  9:00 A.M., New  York City time,  on that  Federal
Funds Interest Determination Date, for the last transaction in overnight Federal
Funds  arranged by  three leading brokers  of Federal Funds  transactions in The
City of New York (which  may include one or more  of the Distributions or  their
affiliates)  selected by the Calculation Agent; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if fewer
than three brokers selected as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent are quoting as
mentioned in this  sentence, the Federal  Funds Rate will  be the Federal  Funds
Rate in effect on such Federal Funds Interest Determination Date.

    LIBOR  NOTES.   Each  LIBOR Note  will  bear interest  at the  interest rate
(calculated with reference to LIBOR and the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier,  if
any)  specified on  the face of  such LIBOR  Note and in  the applicable Pricing
Supplement.

    Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, LIBOR  will
be  determined  by  the  Calculation  Agent  in  accordance  with  the following
provisions: On each LIBOR Interest Determination Date, LIBOR will be  determined
on  the basis of the offered rate for  deposits in U.S. dollars having the Index
Maturity specified  in  the applicable  Pricing  Supplement, commencing  on  the
second London Market Day immediately following such LIBOR Interest Determination
Date,  which appears on the Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on
that LIBOR Interest Determination Date. If such  rate does not so appear on  the
Telerate  Page 3750,  the rate in  respect of such  LIBOR Interest Determination
Date will be  determined on the  basis of the  rates at which  deposits in  U.S.
dollars are offered by four major banks in the London interbank market (selected
by the Calculation Agent) at approximately 11:00 A.M., London Time, on the LIBOR
Interest  Determination Date next preceding the  relevant Interest Reset Date to
prime banks in the London  interbank market for a  period of the Index  Maturity
commencing  on that Interest  Reset Date and  in a principal  amount equal to an
amount not less than $1,000,000 that is representative for a single  transaction
in  such market at such  time. In such case,  the Calculation Agent will request
the principal London office of  each of the aforesaid  major banks to provide  a
quotation  of such rate. If at least two such quotations are provided in respect
of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date, the rate for that Interest Reset Date
will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, and, if fewer than two quotations
are provided as requested in respect of such LIBOR Interest Determination  Date,
the  rate for that Interest Reset Date will  be the arithmetic mean of the rates
quoted by three major banks in The City of New York, selected by the Calculation
Agent (which may include one or more of the Distributions or their  affiliates),
at  approximately  11:00  A.M.  New  York  City  time  on  that  LIBOR  Interest
Determination Date for  loans in U.S.  dollars to leading  European banks for  a
period  of the Index  Maturity commencing on  that Interest Reset  Date and in a
principal  amount  equal  to  an  amount  not  less  than  $1,000,000  that   is
representative  for a single  transaction in such market  at such time; PROVIDED
HOWEVER, if the aforesaid  rate cannot be determined  by the Calculation  Agent,
LIBOR in respect of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be LIBOR then in
effect on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date.

                                      S-8
<PAGE>
    TREASURY  RATE NOTES.   Each  Treasury Rate Note  will bear  interest at the
interest rate (calculated  with reference to  the Treasury Rate  and the  Spread
and/or  Spread Multiplier, if any)  specified on the face  of such Treasury Rate
Note and in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

    Unless otherwise indicated in  the applicable Pricing Supplement,  "Treasury
Rate"  means, with respect to any Treasury Interest Determination Date, the rate
for the  most  recent  auction  of  direct  obligations  of  the  United  States
("Treasury bills") having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement  as  published  in  H.15(519)  under  the  heading,  "U.S. Government
Securities/Treasury Bills  --  Auction  Average  (Investment)"  or,  if  not  so
published  by 3:00 P.M., New York City  time, on the Calculation Date pertaining
to  such  Treasury  Interest  Determination  Date,  the  auction  average   rate
(expressed  as a bond equivalent on  the basis of a year  of 365 or 366 days, as
applicable, and  applied  on  a  daily basis)  for  such  auction  as  otherwise
announced by the United States Department of the Treasury. In the event that the
results  of the auction of Treasury bills having the Index Maturity specified in
the applicable  Pricing Supplement  are not  published or  reported as  provided
above  by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on  such date, or if no such auction is
held in a particular week, then the Treasury Rate shall be the rate as published
in  H.15(S19)   under   the   heading   "U.S.   Government   Securities/Treasury
Bills/Secondary Market." In the event that such rate is not so published by 3:00
P.M.,  New York City time, on its Calculation Date, then the Treasury Rate shall
be calculated  by  the  Calculation Agent  and  shall  be a  yield  to  maturity
(expressed  as a bond equivalent on  the basis of a year  of 365 or 366 days, as
applicable, and applied on a daily basis) of the arithmetic mean, as  calculated
by  the Calculation Agent on such Calculation  Date, of the secondary market bid
rates as  of approximately  3:30 P.M.,  New  York City  time, on  such  Treasury
Interest  Determination Date, of three  leading primary United States government
securities dealers in  The City of  New York selected  by the Calculation  Agent
(which may include one or more of the Distributors or their affiliates), for the
issue of Treasury bills with a remaining maturity closest to the specified Index
Maturity;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that  if the dealers selected  as aforesaid by the
Calculation Agent are not  quoting as mentioned in  this sentence, the  Treasury
Rate will be the Treasury Rate in effect on such Treasury Interest Determination
Date.

    J.J.  KENNY RATE NOTES.  Each J.J. Kenny Rate Note will bear interest at the
interest rate (calculated with reference to  the J.J. Kenny Rate and the  Spread
and/or  Spread Multiplier, if any) specified on the face of such Note and in the
applicable Pricing Supplement.

    Unless otherwise indicated in the  applicable Pricing Supplement, the  "J.J.
Kenny  Rate" with  respect to  any J.J.  Kenny Rate  Note as  of any  J.J. Kenny
Interest Determination Date means the rate  in the high-grade weekly index  (the
"Weekly  Index")  on  such  date made  available  by  Kenny  Information Systems
("Kenny") to the  Calculation Agent. The  Weekly Index is,  and shall be,  based
upon  30-day yield evaluations at par of  bonds, the interest of which is exempt
from Federal  income  taxation under  the  Internal  Revenue Code  of  1986,  as
amended,  of not less than five  high-grade component issuers selected by Kenny;
which shall include,  without limitation, issuers  of general obligation  bonds.
The  specific issuers included  among the component issuers  may be changed from
time to time by Kenny in its discretion. The bonds on which the Weekly Index  is
based  shall not include any bonds on which the interest is subject to a minimum
tax or similar tax under the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,  unless
all  tax-exempt bonds are subject to such tax. In the event Kenny ceases to make
available such Weekly Index, a successor indexing agent will be selected by  the
Calculation  Agent, such index to reflect the prevailing rate for bonds rated in
the highest short-term rating  category by Moody's  Investors Service, Inc.  and
Standard  & Poor's Corporation in respect of issuers most closely resembling the
high-grade component  issuers  selected  by  Kenny for  its  Weekly  Index,  the
interest  on which is  (A) variable on  a weekly basis,  (B) exempt from Federal
income taxation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and (C) not
subject to a minimum tax or similar tax under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended,  unless  all tax-exempt  bonds  are subject  to  such tax.  If  such
successor  indexing agent is not available, the rate for any J.J. Kenny Interest
Determination Date shall  be 67%  of the rate  determined if  the Treasury  Rate
option  had been originally selected. The  Calculation Agent shall calculate the
J.J. Kenny Rate in accordance with the foregoing. At the request of a Holder  of
a  Floating Rate Note bearing  interest at the J.J.  Kenny Rate, the Calculation
Agent will provide such Holder with the interest rate that will become effective
as of the next Interest Reset Date.

                                      S-9
<PAGE>
    11TH DISTRICT COST OF FUNDS  RATE NOTES.  Each  11th District Cost of  Funds
Rate  Note will bear interest at the interest rate (calculated with reference to
the 11th District Cost of Funds Rate and the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if
any) specified  on  the  face  of  such  Note  and  in  the  applicable  Pricing
Supplement.

    Unless  otherwise  indicated  in the  applicable  Pricing  Supplement, "11th
District Cost of Funds Rate"  means, with respect to  any 11th District Cost  of
Funds Interest Determination Date, the monthly 11th District Cost of Funds Index
(the   "11th  District  Cost  of  Funds  Index")  normally  made  available  and
subsequently published by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (the "FHLB
of San Francisco")  during the  month immediately preceding  the Interest  Reset
Date  to  which such  11th District  Cost of  Funds Interest  Determination Date
applies.

    The 11th District Cost of Funds Index is normally made available by the FHLB
of San Francisco on the last day on which the FHLB of San Francisco is open  for
business in each month and represents the monthly weighted average cost of funds
for  savings institutions  in the  11th District of  the Federal  Home Loan Bank
system for the  month preceding the  month in  which the 11th  District Cost  of
Funds  index is made available. Currently, the 11th District Cost of Funds Index
is computed by the FHLB of San Francisco for each month by dividing the cost  of
funds  (interest paid during the month  by 11th District savings institutions on
savings, advances and  other borrowing) by  the average of  the total amount  of
those  funds  outstanding at  the  end of  that month  and  the prior  month and
analyzing and adjusting the result to reflect  the actual number of days in  the
particular  month.  If  necessary,  before  these  calculations  are  made,  the
component figures are adjusted  by the FHLB of  San Francisco to neutralize  the
effect  of  events such  as  member institutions  leaving  the 11th  District or
acquiring institutions outside the 11th District. Receipt by mail of Information
Bulletins announcing 11th District Cost of  Funds Index changes may be  arranged
by contacting the FHLB of San Francisco.

    If  the FHLB of San Francisco shall fail  in any month to make available the
11th District Cost of Funds Index (each such failure being referred to herein as
an "Alternate Rate Event"), then  the 11th District Cost  of Funds Rate for  the
11th District Cost of Funds Interest Determination Date after the Alternate Rate
Event  shall be calculated on the basis of the 11th District Cost of Funds Index
most recently made available prior to such 11th District Cost of Funds  Interest
Determination  Date. If an Alternate Rate  Event occurs in the month immediately
following a month in which a prior Alternate Rate Event occurred, then the  11th
District  Cost  of Funds  Rate  for the  11th  District Cost  of  Funds Interest
Determination Date immediately following the  second Alternate Rate Event  shall
be  calculated  on the  basis  of the  11th District  Cost  of Funds  Index most
recently made  available prior  to  the 11th  District  Cost of  Funds  Interest
Determination  Date and,  thereafter, the 11th  District Cost of  Funds Rate for
each succeeding 11th District Cost of Funds Interest Determination Date shall be
LIBOR, determined as though the interest  rate basis were LIBOR, and the  Spread
shall  be plus or minus  the number of basis  points specified in the applicable
11th District Cost of Funds Rate Note  as the "Alternate Rate Event Spread,"  if
any.

    In  determining that the  FHLB of San  Francisco has failed  in any month to
make available the 11th District Cost of Funds Index, the Calculation Agent  may
rely  conclusively on any written advice from  the FHLB of San Francisco to such
effect.

    CMT RATE NOTES.  CMT Rate Notes will bear interest at the rates  (calculated
with  reference to the CMT Rate and the Spread and/or Spread Multiplier, if any)
specified in such CMT Rate Notes and any applicable Pricing Supplement.

    Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "CMT  Rate"
means,  with respect to the CMT  Interest Determination Date, the rate displayed
on the  Designated  CMT Telerate  Page  (as  defined below)  under  the  caption
"...Treasury  Constant Maturities...Federal Reserve Board Release H.15...Mondays
Approximately 3:45 P.M.," under the Column for the Designated CMT Maturity Index
(as defined below) for (i) if the Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7055, the rate
on such CMT Interest Determination Date and (ii) if the Designated CMT  Telerate
Page is 7052, the week, or the month, as applicable, ended immediately preceding
the  week in which the  related CMT Interest Determination  Date occurs. If such
rate is no longer displayed  on the relevant page, or  if not displayed by  3:00
P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate for
such  CMT Interest  Determination Date will  be such  treasury constant maturity
rate  for   the   Designated   CMT   Maturity  Index   as   published   in   the

                                      S-10
<PAGE>
relevant  H.15(519). If such rate is no longer published, or if not published by
3:00 P.M., New York  City time, on  the related Calculation  Date, then the  CMT
Rate  for such  CMT Interest Determination  Date will be  such treasury constant
maturity rate for  the Designated  CMT Maturity  Index (or  other United  States
Treasury  rate  for the  Designated  CMT Maturity  Index)  for the  CMT Interest
Determination Date  with respect  to such  Interest Reset  Date as  may then  be
published  by either the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the
United States Department of the  Treasury that the Calculation Agent  determines
to  be comparable to the rate formerly  displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate
Page and  published  in the  relevant  H.15(519).  If such  information  is  not
provided by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then
the  CMT Rate for the CMT Interest  Determination Date will be calculated by the
Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity, based on the arithmetic  mean
of  the secondary market closing offer side prices as of approximately 3:30 P.M.
(New York City time) on the CMT Interest Determination Date reported,  according
to  their written  records, by  three leading  primary United  States government
securities dealers (each, a "Reference Dealer") in The City of New York selected
by the  Calculation Agent  (from five  such Reference  Dealers selected  by  the
Calculation  Agent and  eliminating the highest  quotation (or, in  the event of
equality, one of  the highest) and  the lowest  quotation (or, in  the event  of
equality,  one of the lowest)), for  the most recently issued direct noncallable
fixed rate obligations of the United States ("Treasury Notes") with an  original
maturity of approximately the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a remaining term
to  maturity of not less than such Designated CMT Maturity Index minus one year.
If the Calculation Agent cannot obtain three such Treasury Note quotations,  the
CMT  Rate for  such CMT  Interest Determination Date  will be  calculated by the
Calculation Agent and will be a yield  to maturity based on the arithmetic  mean
of  the secondary market  offer side prices  as of approximately  3:30 P.M. (New
York City  time) on  the  CMT Interest  Determination  Date of  three  Reference
Dealers  in The City of  New York (from five  such Reference Dealers selected by
the Calculation Agent and eliminating the  highest quotations (or, in the  event
of  equality, one of the highest) and the  lowest quotation (or, in the event of
equality, one of the lowest)), for  Treasury Notes with an original maturity  of
the  number of  years that is  the next  highest to the  Designated CMT Maturity
Index and a remaining  term to maturity closest  to the Designated CMT  Maturity
Index and in an amount of at least $100,000,000. If three of four (and not five)
of such Reference Dealers are quoting as described above, then the CMT Rate will
be  based on the  arithmetic mean of  the offer prices  obtained and neither the
highest nor the  lowest of such  quotes will be  eliminated; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,
that if fewer than three Reference Dealers selected by the Calculation Agent are
quoting as described herein, the CMT Rate will be the CMT Rate in effect on such
CMT Interest Determination Date. If two Treasury Notes with an original maturity
as  described in the third preceding  sentence, have remaining terms to maturity
equally close to the Designated CMT Maturity Index, the quotes for the CMT  Rate
Notes with the shorter remaining term to maturity will be used.

    "Designated  CMT Telerate Page" means the  display on the Dow Jones Telerate
Service on the  page designated  in the  applicable Pricing  Supplement (or  any
other  page  as  may  replace such  page  on  that service  for  the  purpose of
displaying Treasury  Constant  Maturities as  reported  in H.15(519)),  for  the
purpose  of displaying Treasury Constant Maturities as reported in H.15(519). If
no such page is specified in  the applicable Pricing Supplement, the  Designated
CMT Telerate Page shall be 7052, for the most recent week.

    "Designated CMT Maturity Index" means the original period to maturity of the
U.S.  Treasury securities (either 1, 2, 3, 5,  7, 10, 20, or 30 years) specified
in the applicable Pricing Supplement with respect to which the CMT Rate will  be
calculated.  If  no  such  maturity  is  specified  in  the  applicable  Pricing
Supplement, the Designated CMT Maturity Index shall be 2 years.

ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT NOTES

    Notes may be  issued as  Original Issue  Discount Notes.  An Original  Issue
Discount  Note is  a Note which  is issued at  a price lower  than the principal
amount thereof and which  provides that upon redemption  or acceleration of  the
Maturity  thereof an amount less than the principal thereof shall become due and
payable. In  the event  of redemption  or  acceleration of  the Maturity  of  an
Original Issue Discount Note, the amount payable to the Holder of such Note upon
such  redemption or acceleration will be determined in accordance with the terms
of the Note, but will  be an amount less than  the amount payable at the  Stated
Maturity of such

                                      S-11
<PAGE>
Note.  In addition, a Note  issued at a discount  may, for United States federal
income tax purposes, be considered  an original issue discount note,  regardless
of  the amount payable upon redemption or acceleration of Maturity of such Note.
See "United States Taxation -- Original Issue Discount".

SHORT-TERM NOTES

    The Company may  offer from  time to time  Notes with  maturities from  nine
months  to  one year  ("Short-Term Notes").  Unless  otherwise indicated  in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, interest on Short-Term Notes that are Fixed  Rate
Notes  will be payable at Maturity. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, interest on short-Term Notes (other than Treasury Rate Notes
and CMT Rate Notes) will be computed on  the basis of the actual number of  days
elapsed  divided by 360, and interest on Short-Term Notes that are Treasury Rate
Notes or CMT Rate Notes  will be computed on the  basis of the actual number  of
days elapsed divided by a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be.

AMORTIZING NOTES

    The  Company may from time to  time offer Amortizing Notes. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest on each Amortizing Note
will be  computed on  the  basis of  a 360-day  year  of twelve  30-day  months.
Payments of principal and interest on Amortizing Notes, which are securities for
which payments of principal and interest are made in equal installments over the
life  of the security, will  be made either quarterly  on each February 1st, May
1st, August 1st and November 1st, or  semiannually on each May 1st and  November
1st,  and on  the Stated Maturity,  unless otherwise specified  in an applicable
Pricing Supplement. Payments with  respect to Amortizing  Notes will be  applied
first  to interest  due and  payable thereon  and then  to the  reduction of the
unpaid principal amount thereof. Further information concerning additional terms
and conditions  of  any  issue of  Amortizing  Notes  will be  provided  in  the
applicable  Pricing Supplement. A  table setting forth  repayment information in
respect of  each Amortizing  Note will  be included  in the  applicable  Pricing
Supplement and set forth in such Notes.

EXTENSION OF MATURITY

    An  applicable Pricing Supplement will indicate  whether the Company has the
option to extend  the Stated  Maturity of such  Note (other  than an  Amortizing
Note)  for one or  more periods up  to but not  beyond a date  set forth in such
Pricing Supplement. If  the Company  has such option  with respect  to any  such
Note,  the procedures relating  thereto will be  as set forth  in the applicable
Pricing Supplement.

RENEWABLE NOTES

    An applicable Pricing Supplement will indicate whether such Note (other than
an Amortizing Note) will mature  unless the term of all  or any portion of  such
Note  is renewed  in accordance  with the  procedures described  in such Pricing
Supplement.

REDEMPTION

    REDEMPTION (OPTION OF COMPANY)

    If one or more Redemption Dates (or range of Redemption Dates) is  specified
in  the  applicable  Pricing Supplement,  the  Notes described  therein  will be
subject to  redemption,  in whole  or  in part,  as  specified in  such  Pricing
Supplement,  on any such date (or during any  such range of dates) at the option
of the Company upon not less than 30 days' or more than 60 days' notice, at  the
Redemption  Price  or Prices  specified  in the  applicable  Pricing Supplement,
together with interest accrued to  the Redemption Date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that
interest installments due prior to the date fixed for redemption will be payable
to  the Holder of record at the close of business on the Regular Record Date. If
less than  the entire  principal amount  of a  Note is  redeemed, the  principal
amount  of such Note that remains outstanding  after such redemption shall be an
authorized denomination (which  shall not  be less than  the minimum  authorized
denomination)  for the  Notes. If less  than all Notes  of like tenor  are to be
redeemed, the Notes  to be redeemed  shall be  selected by the  Trustee by  such
method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate.

    REDEMPTION (OPTION OF HOLDER)

    If one or more Redemption Dates (or range of such dates) is specified in the
applicable  Pricing Supplement, the  Notes described therein  will be subject to
redemption, in whole, or from time to time in

                                      S-12
<PAGE>
part, as specified in such Pricing Supplement,  on any such date (or during  any
such  range) or,  if such  date is  not a  Market Day,  on the  first Market Day
following such  date, at  the election  of the  Holder at  the Redemption  Price
determined  as set  forth in  the applicable  Pricing Supplement,  together with
interest accrued  to  the  Redemption Date;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  interest
installments due on or prior to the date fixed for redemption will be payable to
the Holder of record at the close of business on the Regular Record Date.

    Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, in order to
exercise  such an election, a  Holder must, unless a  different notice period is
specified in the  applicable Pricing Supplement,  give to the  Trustee not  less
than  30 days' nor more than 60  days' notice. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, any such notice  shall consist of either (i)  the
Note with the form entitled "Option to Elect Redemption" duly completed, or (ii)
a  telegram, facsimile  transmission or  a letter  from a  member of  a national
securities exchange, or of the National Association of Securities Dealers,  Inc.
or  a commercial bank or  trust company in the  United States, setting forth the
name of the Holder, the  principal amount of the  Note, the principal amount  of
the  Note to be redeemed,  the certificate number or  a description of the tenor
and terms of the Note, a statement that the option to elect redemption is  being
exercised  thereby  and  a guarantee  that  such  Note, together  with  the duly
completed form entitled "Option  to Elect Redemption", will  be received by  the
Trustee  not later than the fifth Business  Day after the date of such telegram,
facsimile  transmission  or  letter;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  such  telegram,
facsimile  transmission or letter shall only be  effective if such Note and such
form, duly completed, are received by the Trustee by such fifth Business Day.

    Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, exercise of
a redemption  option  by  a Holder  will  be  irrevocable. Such  option  may  be
exercised  with respect  to less  than the  entire principal  amount of  a Note,
provided that  the portion  remaining Outstanding  after such  redemption is  an
authorized denomination.

    If  a Note is represented by a Book-Entry Note the Depositary's nominee will
be the Holder thereof entitled  to exercise a right  to redemption. In order  to
ensure  that the Depositary's nominee will  timely exercise a right to repayment
with respect to a particular Note, the  beneficial owner of an interest in  such
Note  must instruct the  broker or other direct  or indirect participant through
which it holds an interest in such  Note to notify the Depositary of its  desire
to  exercise a right to repayment.  Different firms have different cut-off times
for accepting  instructions from  their customers  and, accordingly,  each  such
beneficial  owner  should  consult  the  broker  or  other  direct  or  indirect
participant through which it holds an interest in a Book-Entry Note in order  to
ascertain  the cut-off time by which such  an instruction must be given in order
for timely notice to be delivered to the Depositary.

REPURCHASE

    The Company may at any time purchase  Notes at any price in the open  market
or otherwise. Notes so purchased by the Company may, at its discretion, be held,
resold or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.

BOOK-ENTRY NOTES

    Upon  issuance, all Book-Entry Notes of like tenor and having the same Issue
Date will be represented by one or more fully registered securities in permanent
global form (each  a "Global Note").  See "Description of  Securities --  Global
Securities"  in the Prospectus.  Each Global Note  representing Book-Entry Notes
will be  deposited with,  or on  behalf  of, The  Depository Trust  Company,  as
Depositary (the "Depositary"), located in the Borough of Manhatttan, The City of
New  York, and will be registered in the  name of the Depositary or a nominee of
the Depositary. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
the Depositary will only accept the deposit of a Global Note denominated in U.S.
dollars.

    Ownership of beneficial interests in  a Global Note representing  Book-Entry
Notes  will be limited to institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or
its  nominee  ("participants")  or  person  that  may  hold  interests   through
participants.  The  Company has  been advised  by the  Depositary that  upon the
issuance of a Global Note representing Book-Entry Notes, and the deposit of such
Global Note with the Depositary, the

                                      S-13
<PAGE>
Depositary  will immediately credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer
system, the respective principal amounts of the Book-Entry Notes represented  by
such  Global Note to the  accounts of participants. The  accounts to be credited
shall be designated  by the soliciting  Distributor or, to  the extent that  the
Book-Entry Notes are offered and sold directly, by the Company.

    The  Company has  been advised  by the Depositary  that upon  receipt of any
payment of principal of or any premium or interest in respect of a Global  Note,
the  Depositary  will immediately  credit,  on its  book-entry  registration and
transfer system, accounts of participants with payments in amounts proportionate
to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such  Global
Note  as shown  on the  records of the  Depositary. Payments  by participants to
owners of beneficial interests in a  Global Note held through such  participants
will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the
case  with securities held  for the accounts of  customers registered in "street
name", and will be the sole responsibility of such participants.

    The Depositary  has advised  the Company  as follows:  the Depositary  is  a
limited-purpose  trust  company  organized under  the  New York  Banking  Law, a
"banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a  member
of  the Federal Reserve  System, a "clearing corporation"  within the meaning of
the New  York  Uniform  Commercial  Code, and  a  "clearing  agency"  registered
pursuant  to the  provisions of  Section 17A of  the Securities  Exchange Act of
1934, as  amended.  The  Depositary  was  created  to  hold  securities  of  its
participants  and  to  facilitate  the clearance  and  settlement  of securities
transactions, such  as transfers  and pledges,  among its  participants in  such
securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in accounts of the
participants,  thereby eliminating the need  for physical movement of securities
certificates. The  Depositary's  participants  include  securities  brokers  and
dealers   (including  the   Distributors),  banks,   trust  companies,  clearing
corporations, and  certain  other  organizations, some  of  whom  (and/or  their
representatives)  own  the  Depositary. Access  to  the  Depositary's book-entry
system is also available  to others, such as  banks, brokers, dealers and  trust
companies  that  clear  through  or maintain  a  custodial  relationship  with a
participant, either directly or indirectly.

                             UNITED STATES TAXATION

    The following  summary of  the principal  United States  federal income  tax
consequences  of the ownership of Notes is  based upon the opinion of Sullivan &
Cromwell, special tax counsel to the Company.  It deals only with Notes held  as
capital  assets by initial purchasers, and  not with special classes of holders,
such as dealers  in securities or  currencies, banks, tax-exempt  organizations,
life  insurance companies, persons that hold Notes  that are a hedge or that are
hedged against  currency risks  or that  are part  of a  straddle or  conversion
transaction,  or  persons  whose functional  currency  is not  the  U.S. dollar.
Moreover, the summary deals only with Notes  that are due to mature 30 years  or
less  from the date on  which they are issued.  The United States federal income
tax consequences of the ownership of Notes  that are due to mature more than  30
years  from  their date  of issue  will  be discussed  in an  applicable Pricing
Supplement. The  summary is  based on  the  Internal Revenue  Code of  1986,  as
amended (the "Code"), its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations
thereunder,  published rulings and  court decisions, all  as currently in effect
and all subject to change at any time, perhaps with retroactive effect.

    Prospective purchasers  of  Notes  should consult  their  own  tax  advisors
concerning  the consequences, in their  particular circumstances, under the Code
and the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction, of the ownership of Notes.

UNITED STATES HOLDERS

    PAYMENTS OF INTEREST

    Interest on a Note,  other than interest  on a "Discount  Note" that is  not
"qualified  stated  interest"  (each  as  defined  below  under  "Original Issue
Discount -- General"),  will be taxable  to a United  States Holder as  ordinary
income  at the time it is received  or accrued, depending on the holder's method
of accounting for tax purposes. A United States Holder is a beneficial owner who
or that is  (i) a  citizen or  resident of the  United States,  (ii) a  domestic
corporation  or (iii) otherwise subject to United States federal income taxation
on a net income basis in respect of the Note.

                                      S-14
<PAGE>
    ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT

    GENERAL.  A Note, other than a Short-Term Note, will be treated as issued at
an original  issue discount  (a "Discount  Note") if  the excess  of the  Note's
"stated  redemption price at  maturity" over its  issue price is  more than a de
minimis amount (as defined below). Generally, the issue price of a Note will  be
the  first price at which a substantial amount of Notes included in the issue of
which the Note is a part is sold to other than bond houses, brokers, or  similar
persons  or  organizations acting  in  the capacity  of  underwriters, placement
agents, or wholesalers. The stated redemption price at maturity of a Note is the
total of all payments provided by the  Note that are not payments of  "qualified
stated  interest." A qualified stated interest payment is generally any one of a
series of stated interest payments on a Note that are unconditionally payable at
least annually at a single fixed  rate (with certain exceptions for lower  rates
paid  during some  periods) applied to  the outstanding principal  amount of the
Note. Special rules for "Variable Rate Notes" (as defined below under  "Original
Issue  Discount --  Variable Rate  Notes") are  described below  under "Original
Issue Discount -- Variable Rate Notes."

    In general, if the  excess of a Note's  stated redemption price at  maturity
over  its  issue price  is  less than  1/4  of 1  percent  of the  Note's stated
redemption price at maturity multiplied by  the number of complete years to  its
maturity  (the "de minimis  amount"), then such excess,  if any, constitutes "de
minimis original  issue discount"  and the  Note  is not  a Discount  Note.  If,
however,  the amount of original issue discount on  the Note is more than the de
minimis amount as otherwise determined, and all stated interest provided for  in
the  Note would be qualified stated interest except that for one or more accrual
periods the interest rate is below the rate applicable for the remainder of  the
Note's  term, then for purposes  of determining whether the  Note has de minimis
original issue  discount, the  Note's  stated redemption  price at  maturity  is
treated  as equal to  the Note's issue price  plus the greater  of the amount of
"foregone interest" or the excess (if any) of the instrument's stated  principal
amount  over its issue price.  The amount of foregone  interest is the amount of
additional stated interest  that would  be required to  be payable  on the  Note
during the period of the interest shortfall so that all stated interest would be
qualified  stated interest. Unless the  election described below under "Election
to Treat  All Interest  as Original  Issue Discount"  is made,  a United  States
Holder  of a Note with  de minimis original issue  discount must include such de
minimis original issue discount  in income as stated  principal payments on  the
Note  are made.  The includible  amount with respect  to each  such payment will
equal the product of the  total amount of the  Note's de minimis original  issue
discount  and a fraction, the numerator of  which is the amount of the principal
payment made and the denominator of which is the stated principal amount of  the
Note.

    United  States Holders of Discount Notes having  a maturity of more than one
year from their date  of issue must include  original issue discount ("OID")  in
income  calculated  on  a  constant-yield  method  before  the  receipt  of cash
attributable to  such income,  and  generally will  have  to include  in  income
increasingly greater amounts of OID over the life of the Note. The amount of OID
includible  in income by a United States Holder of a Discount Note is the sum of
the daily portions of OID with respect to the Discount Note for each day  during
the  taxable year  or portion  of the  taxable year  on which  the United States
Holder holds such Discount Note ("accrued OID"). The daily portion is determined
by allocating to each day in any "accrual period" a pro rata portion of the  OID
allocable  to that accrual period. Accrual periods with respect to a Note may be
of any length selected by the United  States Holder and may vary in length  over
the  term of the Note as  long as (i) no accrual  period is longer than one year
and (ii) each scheduled payment of interest  or principal on the Note occurs  on
either  the final or first day of an accrual period. The amount of OID allocable
to an accrual period equals the excess of (a) the product of the Discount Note's
adjusted issue price  at the  beginning of the  accrual period  and such  Note's
yield  to maturity (determined on the basis  of compounding at the close of each
accrual period and properly adjusted for the length of the accrual period)  over
(b)  the sum of the payments of  qualified stated interest on the Note allocable
to the accrual  period. The "adjusted  issue price"  of a Discount  Note at  the
beginning  of any accrual period is the issue price of the Note increased by (x)
the amount of accrued OID for each prior accrual period and decreased by (y) the
amount of  any payments  previously made  on the  Note that  were not  qualified
stated  interest  payments.  For  purposes  of  determining  the  amount  of OID
allocable to an  accrual period, if  an interval between  payments of  qualified
stated interest on the Note contains more than one accrual period, the amount of
qualified stated

                                      S-15
<PAGE>
interest  payable at  the end  of the  interval (including  any qualified stated
interest that is  payable on  the first day  of the  accrual period  immediately
following  the interval) is allocated pro rata  on the basis of relative lengths
to each accrual  period in the  interval, and  the adjusted issue  price at  the
beginning of each accrual period in the interval must be increased by the amount
of  any qualified stated interest that has accrued prior to the first day of the
accrual period but that is not payable until the end of the interval. The amount
of OID allocable to an  initial short accrual period  may be computed using  any
reasonable  method if all other accrual periods other than a final short accrual
period are of equal  length. The amount  of OID allocable  to the final  accrual
period  is the difference between (x) the  amount payable at the maturity of the
Note (other than any  payment of qualified stated  interest) and (y) the  Note's
adjusted issue price as of the beginning of the final accrual period.

    ACQUISITION  PREMIUM.  A United  States Holder that purchases  a Note for an
amount less than or equal  to the sum of all  amounts payable on the Note  after
the purchase date other than payments of qualified stated interest but in excess
of  its adjusted issue  price (any such excess  being "acquisition premium") and
that does not  make the election  described below under  "Election to Treat  All
Interest  as Original Issue Discount" is  permitted to reduce the daily portions
of OID by a fraction, the numerator of which is the excess of the United  States
Holder's  adjusted basis  in the  Note immediately  after its  purchase over the
adjusted issue price of the Note, and the denominator of which is the excess  of
the  sum of all amounts payable on the  Note after the purchase date, other than
payments of qualified stated interest, over the Note's adjusted issue price.

    MARKET DISCOUNT.  A Note, other than  a Short-Term Note, will be treated  as
purchased  at a market discount (a "Market Discount Note") if (i) the amount for
which a United States Holder  purchased the Note is  less than the Note's  issue
price  (as determined above under "Original Issue Discount -- General") and (ii)
the Note's stated redemption  price at maturity  or, in the  case of a  Discount
Note,  the Note's "revised issue price," exceeds the amount for which the United
States Holder purchased the  Note by at  least 1/4 of 1  percent of such  Note's
stated  redemption  price  at  maturity or  revised  issue  price, respectively,
multiplied by  the number  of complete  years to  the Note's  maturity. If  such
excess  is not sufficient to  cause the Note to be  a Market Discount Note, then
such excess constitutes "de  minimis market discount."  The Code provides  that,
for these purposes, the revised issue price of a Note generally equals its issue
price, increased by the amount of any OID that has accrued on the Note.

    Any gain recognized on the maturity or disposition of a Market Discount Note
will  be treated as ordinary income to the extent that such gain does not exceed
the accrued market discount on such Note. Alternatively, a United States  Holder
of  a  Market Discount  Note  may elect  to  include market  discount  in income
currently over the life of  the Note. Such an election  shall apply to all  debt
instruments  with market discount acquired by  the electing United States Holder
on or  after the  first day  of the  first taxable  year to  which the  election
applies. This election may not be revoked without the consent of the Service.

    Market  discount on  a Market Discount  Note will accrue  on a straight-line
basis unless the  United States  Holder elects  to accrue  such market  discount
using  a constant-yield method.  Such an election  shall apply only  to the Note
with respect to which it is made and  may not be revoked without the consent  of
the  Service. A  United States Holder  of a  Market Discount Note  that does not
elect to include market discount in income currently generally will be  required
to  defer deductions  for interest  on borrowings allocable  to such  Note in an
amount not exceeding the accrued market discount on such Note until the maturity
or disposition of such Note.

    PRE-ISSUANCE ACCRUED INTEREST.   If (i)  a portion of  the initial  purchase
price of a Note is attributable to pre-issuance accrued interest, (ii) the first
stated  interest payment on the Note is to be made within one year of the Note's
issue date and (iii) the payment will equal or exceed the amount of pre-issuance
accrued interest, then the United States Holder may elect to decrease the  issue
price of the Note by the amount of pre-issuance accrued interest. In that event,
a  portion of the first  stated interest payment will be  treated as a return of
the excluded pre-issuance accrued interest and  not as an amount payable on  the
Note.

    NOTES  SUBJECT TO CONTINGENCIES INCLUDING  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.  In general,
if a Note provides for an  alternative payment schedule or schedules  applicable
upon the occurrence of a contingency or contingencies

                                      S-16
<PAGE>
and  the timing and amounts of the  payments that comprise each payment schedule
are known  as  of the  issue  date,  the yield  and  maturity of  the  Note  are
determined  by assuming that the  payments will be made  according to the Note's
stated payment schedule. If, however, based  on all the facts and  circumstances
as  of the issue date, it is more likely than not that the Note's stated payment
schedule will not occur, then,  in general, the yield  and maturity of the  Note
are computed based on the payment schedule most likely to occur.

    Notwithstanding  the general rules for determining yield and maturity in the
case of Notes  subject to  contingencies, if  the Company  has an  unconditional
option or options to redeem a Note, or the Holder has an unconditional option or
options  to cause a Note to be repurchased, prior to the Note's stated maturity,
then (i) in the case of an option or options of the Company, the Company will be
deemed to exercise or not  exercise an option or  combination of options in  the
manner that minimizes the yield on the Note and (ii) in the case of an option or
options  of the Holder, the Holder will be deemed to exercise or not exercise an
option or combination of options in the  manner that maximizes the yield on  the
Note. For purposes of those calculations, the yield on the Note is determined by
using  any date on which the Note may be redeemed or repurchased as the maturity
date and the amount  payable on such  date in accordance with  the terms of  the
Note as the principal amount payable at maturity.

    If  a contingency (including  the exercise of an  option) actually occurs or
does not occur contrary to  an assumption made according  to the above rules  (a
"change in circumstances") then, except to the extent that a portion of the Note
is  repaid as a result  of a change in circumstances  and solely for purposes of
the accrual of  OID, the  yield and  maturity of  the Note  are redetermined  by
treating  the Note as reissued on the date of the change in circumstances for an
amount equal to the Note's adjusted issue price on that date.

    ELECTION TO TREAT ALL INTEREST AS ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT.  A United  States
Holder  may elect to include in gross income all interest that accrues on a Note
using the  constant-yield method  described above  under the  heading  "Original
Issue Discount -- General," with the modifications described below. For purposes
of  this election, interest  includes stated interest,  OID, de minimis original
issue discount,  market  discount,  de  minimis  market  discount  and  unstated
interest,  as adjusted  by any amortizable  bond premium  (described below under
"Notes Purchased at a Premium") or acquisition premium.

    In applying the constant-yield method to  a Note with respect to which  this
election  has been  made, the issue  price of  the Note will  equal the electing
United States  Holder's  adjusted  basis  in  the  Note  immediately  after  its
acquisition,  the issue date of the Note will  be the date of its acquisition by
the electing United States Holder, and no  payments on the Note will be  treated
as  payments of  qualified stated interest.  This election  will generally apply
only to the Note with respect to which it is made and may not be revoked without
the consent of the Service. If this election is made with respect to a Note with
amortizable bond premium, then the electing United States Holder will be  deemed
to  have elected to apply amortizable bond premium against interest with respect
to  all  debt  instruments  with  amortizable  bond  premium  (other  than  debt
instruments  the interest on which is excludible  from gross income) held by the
electing United States Holder as of the  beginning of the taxable year in  which
the  Note with respect to  which the election is  made is acquired or thereafter
acquired. The deemed election with respect  to amortizable bond premium may  not
be revoked without the consent of the Service.

    If the election to apply the constant-yield method to all interest on a Note
is  made with  respect to  a Market  Discount Note,  the electing  United States
Holder will  be  treated as  having  made  the election  discussed  above  under
"Original  Issue  Discount --  Market Discount"  to  include market  discount in
income currently  over the  life  of all  debt  instruments held  or  thereafter
acquired by such United States Holder.

    VARIABLE  RATE NOTES.   A "Variable  Rate Note" is  a Note that:  (i) has an
issue price that does not exceed  the total noncontingent principal payments  by
more than the lesser of (1) the product of (x) the total noncontingent principal
payments,  (y) the number of complete years  to maturity from the issue date and
(z) .015, or (2) 15 percent  of the total noncontingent principal payments,  and
(ii)  provides for stated interest  compounded or paid at  least annually at (1)
one or more "qualified floating rates", (2) a single fixed rate and one or  more
qualified  floating rates, (3) a  single "objective rate" or  (4) a single fixed
rate and a single objective rate that is a "qualified inverse floating rate."

                                      S-17
<PAGE>
    A qualified floating rate or objective rate in effect at any time during the
term of the instrument must be set at a "current value" of that rate. A "current
value" of a rate is the value of the  rate on any day that is no earlier than  3
months prior to the first day on which that value is in effect and no later than
1 year following that first day.

    A  variable rate  is a  "qualified floating rate"  if (i)  variations in the
value of  the  rate  can  reasonably  be  expected  to  measure  contemporaneous
variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency in which the Note
is  denominated or (ii) it is equal to the product of such a rate and either (a)
a fixed multiple  that is greater  than zero but  not more than  1.35, or (b)  a
fixed  multiple greater than zero but not more than 1.35, increased or decreased
by a fixed rate. A rate is not  a qualified floating rate, however, if the  rate
is  subject to certain restrictions (including caps, floors, governors, or other
similar restrictions) unless such restrictions are fixed throughout the term  of
the Note or are not reasonably expected to affect significantly the yield on the
Note.

    An "objective rate" is a rate, other than a qualified floating rate, that is
determined  using a single, fixed  formula and that is based  on (i) one or more
qualified floating  rates, (ii)  one or  more rates  each of  which would  be  a
qualified  floating rate for  a debt instrument denominated  in a currency other
than the currency in which the  debt instrument is denominated, (iii) the  yield
or  changes  in the  price  of one  or more  actively  traded items  of personal
property other then stock or  debt of the issuer or  a related party, or (iv)  a
combination  of  objective rates.  A  variable rate  is  not an  objective rate,
however, if it is reasonably expected that the average value of the rate  during
the  first half  of the Note's  term will  be either significantly  less than or
significantly greater than the average value  of the rate during the final  half
of  the Note's term. An objective rate is a "qualified inverse floating rate" if
(i) the rate is equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate, and  (ii)
the  variations  in the  rate can  reasonably be  expected to  inversely reflect
contemporaneous variations  in the  cost of  newly borrowed  funds. Under  these
rules,  Commercial Paper  Rate Notes, Prime  Rate Notes, CD  Rate Notes, Federal
Funds Rate Notes, LIBOR Notes, Treasury Rate Notes, J.J. Kenny Rate Notes,  11th
District  Cost of Funds Rate Notes and  CMT Rate Notes will generally be treated
as Variable Rate Notes.

    In general, if a Variable Rate Note provides for stated interest at a single
qualified floating rate or  objective rate, all stated  interest on the Note  is
qualified  stated  interest  and the  amount  of OID,  if  any, on  the  Note is
determined by  using, in  the case  of a  qualified floating  rate or  qualified
inverse  floating rate, the value as of the issue date of the qualified floating
rate or qualified inverse floating rate, or, in the case of any other  objective
rate, a fixed rate that reflects the yield reasonably expected for the Note.

    If  a Variable Rate  Note does not  provide for stated  interest at a single
qualified floating rate or objective rate, or at a single fixed rate (other than
at a single fixed rate  for an initial period), the  amount of interest and  OID
accruals  on the Note are  generally determined by (i)  determining a fixed rate
substitute for  each  variable  rate  provided  under  the  Variable  Rate  Note
(generally, the value of each variable rate as of the issue date or, in the case
of  an objective rate that is not a qualified inverse floating rate, a rate that
reflects the  reasonably expected  yield  on the  Note), (ii)  constructing  the
equivalent fixed rate debt instrument (using the fixed rate substitute described
above),  (iii) determining the amount of  qualified stated interest and OID with
respect to  the equivalent  fixed  rate debt  instrument,  and (iv)  making  the
appropriate  adjustments for actual variable rates during the applicable accrual
period.

    If a Variable Rate Note provides for  stated interest either at one or  more
qualified  floating  rates  or at  a  qualified  inverse floating  rate,  and in
addition provides for stated interest  at a single fixed  rate (other than at  a
single  fixed  rate for  an  initial period),  the  amount of  interest  and OID
accruals are  determined as  in  the immediately  preceding paragraph  with  the
modification  that the Variable Rate Note is  treated, for purposes of the first
three steps of  the determination, as  if it provided  for a qualified  floating
rate  (or a qualified inverse floating rate, as the case may be) rather than the
fixed rate. The  qualified floating  rate (or qualified  inverse floating  rate)
replacing the fixed rate must be such that the fair market value of the Variable
Rate  Note as  of the  issue date would  be approximately  the same  as the fair
market value of  an otherwise identical  debt instrument that  provides for  the
qualified  floating rate  (or qualified inverse  floating rate)  rather than the
fixed rate.

                                      S-18
<PAGE>
    SHORT-TERM NOTES.   In general,  an individual  or other  cash basis  United
States  Holder of a Short-Term Note is  not required to accrue OID (as specially
defined below for  the purposes  of this  paragraph) for  United States  federal
income  tax purposes unless it  elects to do so (but  may be required to include
any stated interest in income as the interest is received). Accrual basis United
States Holders  and  certain  other  United  States  Holders,  including  banks,
regulated  investment  companies,  dealers in  securities,  common  trust funds,
United States  Holders who  hold Notes  as part  of certain  identified  hedging
transactions,  certain pass-thru entities  and cash basis  United States Holders
who so  elect, are  required  to accrue  OID on  Short-Term  Notes on  either  a
straight-line   basis  or  under  the  constant-yield  method  (based  on  daily
compounding), at the  election of the  United States  Holder. In the  case of  a
United  States Holder  not required  and not electing  to include  OID in income
currently, any gain realized  on the sale or  retirement of the Short-Term  Note
will  be ordinary  income to the  extent of  the OID accrued  on a straight-line
basis (unless an  election is made  to accrue the  OID under the  constant-yield
method)  through the date of  sale or retirement. United  States Holders who are
not required and do not elect to accrue OID on Short-Term Notes will be required
to defer deductions for interest on borrowings allocable to Short-Term Notes  in
an  amount  not  exceeding the  deferred  income  until the  deferred  income is
realized.

    For purposes of determining  the amount of OID  subject to these rules,  all
interest  payments on a Short-Term Note, including stated interest, are included
in the Short-Term Note's stated redemption price at maturity.

    NOTES PURCHASED AT A PREMIUM

    A United States Holder that purchases a Note for an amount in excess of  its
principal  amount may elect to treat  such excess as "amortizable bond premium,"
in which case the amount required to  be included in the United States  Holder's
income  each year with  respect to interest on  the Note will  be reduced by the
amount of  amortizable bond  premium allocable  (based on  the Note's  yield  to
maturity) to such year. Any election to amortize bond premium shall apply to all
bonds  (other than bonds the interest on  which is excludible from gross income)
held by the United States Holder at  the beginning of the first taxable year  to
which  the election applies or thereafter  acquired by the United States Holder,
and is irrevocable without the consent of the Service. See also "Original  Issue
Discount -- Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount".

    PURCHASE, SALE AND RETIREMENT OF THE NOTES

    A  United States  Holder's tax basis  in a  Note will generally  be its U.S.
dollar cost (as defined  below), increased by  the amount of  any OID or  market
discount  included in the United States Holder's income with respect to the Note
and the amount,  if any,  of income attributable  to de  minimis original  issue
discount  and de minimis market discount  included in the United States Holder's
income with respect to the Note, and  reduced by (i) the amount of any  payments
that  are not  qualified stated  interest payments, and  (ii) the  amount of any
amortizable bond premium applied to reduce interest on the Note. The U.S. dollar
cost of a Note purchased  with a Specified Currency  will generally be the  U.S.
dollar  value of the purchase price  on the date of purchase  or, in the case of
Notes traded on an established securities  market, as defined in the  applicable
Treasury  Regulations, that are  purchased by a cash  basis United States Holder
(or an accrual  basis United States  Holder that so  elects), on the  settlement
date for the purchase.

    A  United States Holder will generally recognize gain or loss on the sale or
retirement of a Note equal to the difference between the amount realized on  the
sale or retirement and the tax basis of the Note. Except to the extent described
above  under "Original  Issue Discount --  Short-Term Notes"  or "Original Issue
Discount -- Market Discount"  or described in the  next succeeding paragraph  or
attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, gain or loss recognized on the sale
or  retirement of  a Note  will be capital  gain or  loss and  will be long-term
capital gain or loss if the Note was held for more than one year.

    AMORTIZING NOTES

    The applicable Pricing Supplement will  contain a discussion of any  special
United States federal income tax rules with respect to any Amortizing Notes.

                                      S-19
<PAGE>
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING

    In  general, information  reporting requirements  will apply  to payments of
principal, any premium and interest on a Note and the proceeds of the sale of  a
Note before maturity within the United States to, and to the accrual of OID on a
Discount  Note with respect to, non-corporate United States Holders, and "backup
withholding" at a rate of 31 percent will apply to such payments and to payments
of OID  if  the United  States  Holder fails  to  provide an  accurate  taxpayer
identification  number or  to report all  interest and dividends  required to be
shown on its federal income tax returns.

                         PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION OF NOTES

    Under the terms of a Distribution Agreement, dated June   , 1994, among  the
Company,  CS  First Boston  Corporation,  Salomon Brothers  Inc  and Nationsbanc
Capital Markets, Inc. (the "Distribution Agreement"), the Notes are offered on a
continuing basis by  the Company  through the  Distributors, each  of which  has
agreed  to use reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases of the Notes. Unless
otherwise disclosed in the applicable pricing supplement, the Company will pay a
commission, or grant a discount, to the Distributors. The Company will pay  each
Distributor  a commission of from .125% to .750% of the principal amount of each
Note, depending on its Stated Maturity, sold through such Distributor, as agent;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that commissions with respect to Notes with a Stated Maturity
of more than thirty  years will be  negotiated. The Company  will have the  sole
right to accept offers to purchase Notes and may reject any such offer, in whole
or  in part. Each Distributor shall have the right, in its discretion reasonably
exercised, without notice to the Company, to reject any offer to purchase  Notes
received by it, in whole or in part.

    The  Company also may sell Notes to any Distributor, acting as principal, at
a discount to  be agreed  upon at  the time  of sale  except that,  if no  other
discount  is agreed,  the Company  may pay  a commission  (or grant  a discount)
equivalent to that set  forth on the cover  page of this Prospectus  Supplement.
Such  Notes may be resold at market prices  prevailing at the time of resale, at
prices related to  such prevailing  market prices  or at  negotiated prices,  as
determined  by  such  Distributor.  The  Company  also  may  sell  Notes  to any
Distributor or  to  a group  of  underwriters for  whom  a Distributor  acts  as
representative,  at a discount or  premium to be agreed at  the time of sale for
resale to one or more  investors or purchasers at a  fixed offering price or  at
varying  prices prevailing  at the  time of  resale, at  prices related  to such
prevailing market prices  at the time  of such resale  or at negotiated  prices.
Notes  purchased by a Distributor or by a group of underwriters may be resold to
certain securities dealers at the public  offering price set forth on the  cover
page  of the applicable Pricing Supplement for resale to investors or to certain
other dealers. Any  such dealers also  may receive compensation  in the form  of
discounts,  concessions or commissions from  the Distributors and/or commissions
from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Unless otherwise  specified
in the applicable pricing supplement, any concessions allowed by any Distributor
to any such dealer shall not be in excess of the commission or discount received
by such Distributor from the Company. The offering price and other selling terms
for such resales may from time to time be varied by such Distributor.

    The  Distributors, whether acting  as agents or as  principals for their own
accounts, may also receive  commissions from purchasers of  Notes for whom  they
may act as agents.

    The  Company has reserved the right to sell Notes directly on its own behalf
and to accept  (but not  solicit) offers  to purchase  Notes through  additional
distributors   on  substantially  the  same   terms  and  conditions  (including
commission rates)  as  would  apply  to  purchases  of  Notes  pursuant  to  the
Distribution  Agreement.  In addition,  the Company  has  reserved the  right to
appoint additional  agents for  the  purpose of  soliciting offers  to  purchase
Notes. Such additional distributors or agents, as the case may be, will be named
in the applicable Pricing Supplement. No commission will be payable on any Notes
sold directly by the Company.

    The Distributors and any dealers to whom the Distributors may sell Notes may
be  deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933
(the "Act").  The  Company has  agreed  to indemnify  the  Distributors  against
certain  liabilities, including  civil liabilities  under the  Securities Act of
1933, or contribute to payments which  the Distributors may be required to  make
in  respect thereof.  The Company has  agreed to reimburse  the Distributors for
certain expenses.

                                      S-20
<PAGE>
    Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, payment  of
the  purchase price of  Notes will be  required to be  made in funds immediately
available in The City of New York.

    The Distributors, the Trustee, and  certain of their respective  affiliates,
each  engages in transactions with and performs  services for the Company in the
ordinary course of business.

                               VALIDITY OF NOTES

    The validity of the Notes will be  passed upon for the Company by Warren  Y.
Zeger,  Vice  President  and  General  Counsel  of  the  Company,  and  for  the
Distributors by Sullivan & Cromwell, in New York, New York and Washington,  D.C.
Mr.  Zeger will  rely as  to all  matters of  New York  law upon  the opinion of
Sullivan & Cromwell. The opinions of Mr.  Zeger and Sullivan & Cromwell will  be
conditioned  upon, and subject  to certain assumptions  regarding, future action
required to be  taken by  the Company  and the  Trustee in  connection with  the
issuance  and sale of any particular Note, the specific terms of Notes and other
matters which may affect the validity  of Notes but which cannot be  ascertained
on the date of such opinions.

                                    GLOSSARY

    Set  forth below are definitions, or the locations elsewhere of definitions,
of some of the terms used in this Prospectus Supplement.

    "CALCULATION AGENT" means the  agent appointed by  the Company to  calculate
interest  rates for Floating Rate Notes.  Unless otherwise provided in a Pricing
Supplement, the Calculation Agent will be the Trustee.

    "CALCULATION DATE"  means the  date on  which the  Calculation Agent  is  to
calculate  an interest rate  for a Floating  Rate Note, which  is the applicable
date set  forth below,  unless  otherwise indicated  in the  applicable  Pricing
Supplement:

       PRIME RATE -- The Prime Rate Interest Determination Date.

       CD  RATE -- The  earlier of (i) the  tenth day after  the related CD Rate
       Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a Market Day, the next
    succeeding Market Day; and (ii) the  Market Day next preceding the  relevant
    Interest Payment Date or date of Maturity, as the case may be.

       COMMERCIAL  PAPER RATE  -- The  earlier of  (i) the  tenth day  after the
       related Commercial Paper Interest Determination  Date or, if such day  is
    not  a Market Day, the  next succeeding Market Day;  and (ii) the Market Day
    next preceding the relevant  Interest Payment Date or  date of Maturity,  as
    the case may be.

       LIBOR -- The LIBOR Interest Determination Date.

       TREASURY  RATE --  The earlier  of (i)  the tenth  day after  the related
       Treasury Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a Market Day,
    the next succeeding Market Day; and  (ii) the Market Day next preceding  the
    relevant Interest Payment Date or date of Maturity, as the case may be.

       FEDERAL  FUNDS RATE -- The earlier of (i) the tenth day after the related
       Federal Funds Effective Interest  Determination Date or,  if such day  is
    not  a Market Day, the  next succeeding Market Day;  and (ii) the Market Day
    next preceding the relevant  Interest Payment Date or  date of Maturity,  as
    the case may be.

       J.J.  KENNY RATE --  The earlier of  (i) the tenth  day after the related
       J.J. Kenny Interest Determination  Date or, if such  day is not a  Market
    Day,  the next succeeding Market Day; and (ii) the Market Day next preceding
    the relevant Interest Payment Date or Maturity Date, as the case may be.

       11TH DISTRICT COST  OF FUNDS RATE  -- The  earlier of (i)  the tenth  day
       after the related 11th District Cost of Funds Interest Determination Date
    or,  if such day  is not a Market  Day, the next  succeeding Market Day; and
    (ii) the Market  Day next preceding  the relevant Interest  Payment Date  or
    Maturity Date, as the case may be.

                                      S-21
<PAGE>
       CMT  RATE  -- The  earlier of  (i) the  tenth day  after the  related CMT
       Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a Market Day, the next
    succeeding Market Day; and (ii) the  Market Day next preceding the  relevant
    Interest Payment Date or Maturity Date, as the case may be.

    "CD  RATE"  means  the  rate  calculated  as  set  forth  under  the heading
"Description of Notes -- Floating Rate Notes -- CD Rate Notes", unless otherwise
indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

    "CMT RATE"  means  the  rate  calculated as  set  forth  under  the  heading
"Description  of  Notes  --  Floating  Rate Notes  --  CMT  Rate  Notes," unless
otherwise indicated in an applicable Pricing Supplement.

    "COMMERCIAL PAPER RATE"  means the rate  calculated as set  forth under  the
heading  "Description of Notes  -- Floating Rate Notes  -- Commercial Paper Rate
Notes", unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

    "COMPOSITE  QUOTATIONS"  means  the   daily  statistical  release   entitled
"Composite  3:30  P.M.  Quotations  for  U.S.  Government  Securities",  or  any
successor publication, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

    "11TH DISTRICT COST OF  FUNDS RATE" means the  rate calculated as set  forth
under  the heading "Description of Notes -- Floating Rate Notes -- 11th District
Cost of Funds Rate Notes," unless  otherwise indicated in an applicable  Pricing
Supplement.

    "FEDERAL  FUNDS  RATE" means  the  rate calculated  as  set forth  under the
heading "Description  of Notes  -- Floating  Rate Notes  -- Federal  Funds  Rate
Notes", unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

    "FIXED  RATE  NOTE"  shall have  the  meaning  set forth  under  the heading
"Description of Notes -- Interest".

    "FLOATING RATE NOTES"  shall have the  meaning set forth  under the  heading
"Description of Notes -- Interest".

    "H.15(519)"  means  the  weekly  statistical  release  entitled "Statistical
Release H.15(519),  Selected  Interest  Rates", or  any  successor  publication,
published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

    "INDEX  MATURITY" means, with respect to a Floating Rate Note, the period to
maturity of the instrument or obligation  on which the interest rate formula  is
based, as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

    "INITIAL INTEREST RATE" means the rate at which Floating Rate Note will bear
interest from, and including, its Issue Date (or that of a predecessor Note) to,
but  excluding, the  first Reset  Date, as  indicated in  the applicable Pricing
Supplement.

    "INTEREST DETERMINATION DATE" means the date  as of which the interest  rate
for  a  Floating Rate  Note  is to  be  calculated, to  be  effective as  of the
following Reset Date and calculated on  the related Calculation Date (except  in
the case of Prime Rate and LIBOR, which are calculated on the related Prime Rate
Interest   Determination   Date   and   LIBOR   Interest   Determination   Date,
respectively). See the fourth paragraph under the heading "Description of  Notes
--  Floating Rate Notes" for the  Interest Determination Dates for Floating Rate
Notes. The Interest Determination Dates for any Floating Rate Note will also  be
indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

    "INTEREST  RESET DATE"  means the  date on which  a Floating  Rate Note will
begin to  bear interest  at the  variable  interest rate  determined as  of  any
Interest Determination Date. See the third paragraph under the heading "Floating
Rate  Notes" for the applicable Reset Dates for such Notes. The Reset Dates with
respect to any  Floating Rate  Note will  also be  set forth  in the  applicable
Pricing Supplement and in such Note.

    "J.J.  KENNY RATE" means the rate calculated  as set forth under the heading
"Description of Notes -- Floating Rate  Notes -- J.J. Kenny Rate Notes,"  unless
otherwise indicated in an applicable supplement to this Prospectus Supplement or
the Book-Entry Note representing a J.J. Kenny Rate Note.

                                      S-22
<PAGE>
    "LIBOR"   means  the  rate  calculated  as   set  forth  under  the  heading
"Description of Notes -- Floating Rate  Notes -- LIBOR Notes", unless  otherwise
indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

    "LONDON  MARKET DAY"  means any  day on which  dealings in  deposits in U.S.
dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.

    "MARKET DAY" means (a) with respect  to any Note (unless otherwise  provided
in  this definition), any day that is a Business Day in The City of New York, or
(b) with respect to LIBOR Notes only, any Business Day in New York that is  also
a London Market Day.

    "PRIME  RATE"  means the  rate  calculated as  set  forth under  the heading
"Description of  Notes --  Floating  Rate Notes  --  Prime Rate  Notes",  unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

    "REUTERS  SCREEN NYMF PAGE"  means the display designated  as page "NYMF" on
the Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or  such other page as may replace  the
NYMF  page on  that service for  the purpose  of displaying prime  rates or base
lending rates of major United States banks).

    "SPREAD" means the  number of  basis points specified  in the  Note and  the
applicable Pricing Supplement as being applicable to the interest rate basis for
a particular Floating Rate Note.

    "SPREAD  MULTIPLIER"  means the  percentage specified  in  the Note  and the
applicable Pricing Supplement as being applicable to the interest rate basis for
a particular Floating Rate Note.

    "TELERATE PAGE 3750" means the display  page so designated on the Dow  Jones
Telerate  Service (or such other page as  may replace that page on that service,
or such other service  as may be  nominated as the  information vendor, for  the
purpose of displaying rates or prices relating to LIBOR).

    "TREASURY  RATE" means the  interest rate calculated as  set forth under the
heading "Description of Notes  -- Floating Rate Notes  -- Treasury Rate  Notes",
unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

                                      S-23
<PAGE>
-------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------

    NO  DEALER, AGENT,  SALESPERSON OR ANY  OTHER PERSON HAS  BEEN AUTHORIZED TO
GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE  ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE  CONTAINED
IN  THIS  PROSPECTUS,  PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT  AND  ANY  PRICING  SUPPLEMENT  IN
CONNECTION WITH  THE  OFFER  CONTAINED  HEREIN  AND,  IF  GIVEN  OR  MADE,  SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS, PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND
ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION
OF  AN OFFER TO BUY  ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN  THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT OR AN OFFER TO  SELL
OR  THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY  ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER  OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER  THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS, PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT NOR
ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY
IMPLICATION  THAT THE INFORMATION  CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN  IS CORRECT AS OF
ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE DATES.

                                 --------------

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PAGE
                                                 ---------
<S>                                              <C>
                  PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Description of Notes...........................        S-2
United States Taxation.........................       S-14
Plan of Distribution of Notes..................       S-20
Validity of Notes..............................       S-21
Glossary.......................................       S-21
                        PROSPECTUS
Available Information..........................          2
Documents Incorporated by Reference............          2
The Company....................................          3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.............          3
Use of Proceeds................................          3
Description of Debt Securities.................          3
Plan of Distribution...........................         11
Validity of Offered Securities.................         12
Experts........................................         12
</TABLE>

                               COMSAT CORPORATION

                               U.S. $100,000,000
                          Medium-Term Notes, Series A

                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

                                CS First Boston
                              Salomon Brothers Inc
                       NationsBanc Capital Markets, Inc.

-------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
                            ------------------------

                                   PROSPECTUS

                             ---------------------

                               COMSAT CORPORATION

                                ---------------

                                DEBT SECURITIES
                               ------------------

    COMSAT Corporation (the  "Company") from time  to time may  issue in one  or
more series up to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its debt securities
("Debt  Securities"), or,  if any Debt  Securities are issued  at original issue
discount, such  greater amount  as may  result in  an aggregate  offering  price
equivalent to no more than $200,000,000. The Debt Securities of each series will
be  offered on terms determined  at the time of  sale. The specific designation,
aggregate principal amount, rate (or method of calculation) and time of  payment
of  any  interest,  authorized  denominations,  maturity,  offering  price,  any
redemption terms or  other specific terms  of any series  of Debt Securities  in
respect  of which this  Prospectus is being  delivered will be  set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement ("Prospectus Supplement").

    The Debt Securities will be unsecured  and will rank equally with all  other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.

    The Debt Securities may be sold through one or more underwriters or dealers,
which  may  include  CS  First  Boston  Corporation,  Salomon  Brothers  Inc and
NationsBanc Capital Markets, Inc., to be designated by the Company. In addition,
Debt Securities may be sold by the Company directly or through agents designated
from time to time.  See "Plan of Distribution."  The names of any  underwriters,
dealers  or agents  involved in the  sale of  the Debt Securities  in respect of
which this Prospectus  is being  delivered and  their compensation  will be  set
forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

                            ------------------------

THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN APPROVED  OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE SECURITIES
   AND  EXCHANGE   COMMISSION  OR   ANY  STATE   SECURITIES  COMMISSION   NOR
     HAS   THE   SECURITIES   AND   EXCHANGE   COMMISSION   OR   ANY  STATE
        SECURITIES   COMMISSION    PASSED   UPON    THE   ACCURACY    OR
             ADEQUACY   OF  THIS   PROSPECTUS.  ANY  REPRESENTATION
                      TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                  THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS JUNE   , 1994
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

    The  Company is subject to the  informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act  of  1934, as  amended  (the  "Exchange Act"),  and  in  accordance
therewith  files  reports,  proxy  statements, and  other  information  with the
Securities and  Exchange  Commission  (the "Commission").  Such  reports,  proxy
statements,  and other information can be inspected and copied at the offices of
the  Commission  at  450  Fifth  Street,  N.W.,Washington,  D.C.,  and  at   the
Commission's  regional offices at 7 World Trade  Center, New York, New York, and
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois.  Copies
of  such material also can be obtained  from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York, Chicago, and Pacific Stock
Exchanges. Reports,  proxy  statements,  and other  information  concerning  the
Company  can be inspected  at the respective offices  of such Exchanges, located
at: 20  Broad  Street, New  York,  New York  10005;  440 South  LaSalle  Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60605; and 301 Pine Street, San Francisco, California 94104.

    This  Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement filed by the
Company with the Commission  under the Securities Act  of 1933, as amended  (the
"Securities Act"). This Prospectus omits certain of the information contained in
the  Registration Statement,  and reference is  hereby made  to the Registration
Statement and  related exhibits  for  further information  with respect  to  the
Company  and  the securities  offered  hereby. Any  statements  contained herein
concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and,  in
each  instance,  reference is  made to  the copy  of such  document filed  as an
exhibit to the Registration  Statement or otherwise  filed with the  Commission.
Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

    The  following  documents  filed  by the  Company  with  the  Commission are
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:

    1.  The  Company's Annual  Report on  Form 10-K  for the  fiscal year  ended
       December  31,  1993 (including  Amendment No.  1  thereto filed  with the
       Commission on April 29, 1994).

    2.  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
       March 31, 1994.

    3.  The Company's Current Reports on  Form 8-K filed with the Commission  on
       February  1, 1994, March 7, 1994, March 11, 1994, April 26, 1994, June 8,
       1994 and June 30, 1994.

    In addition, all documents filed by  COMSAT with the Commission pursuant  to
Sections  13(a), 13(c), 14 or  15(d) of the Exchange Act  after the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of  this offering shall be deemed to  be
incorporated  by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of  filing  of  such  documents. Any  statement  contained  in  a  document
incorporated  by reference herein  shall be deemed to  be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this
Prospectus  or  in  any  other   subsequently  filed  document  which  also   is
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement  so modified or superseded shall not  be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to  constitute a  part of  this Prospectus.  COMSAT will  provide
without  charge to  each person  to whom  this Prospectus  is delivered,  on the
written or oral request of  such person, a copy of  any or all of the  documents
referred  to above which have  been or may be  incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus, other  than exhibits  to such  documents (unless  such exhibits  are
specifically  incorporated by  reference in  such documents).  Requests for such
copies should be  directed to:  Shareholder Services,  COMSAT Corporation,  6560
Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817, telephone number (301) 214-3200.

                           FOR FLORIDA RESIDENTS ONLY

    The  Company is the  U.S. signatory to  the International Maritime Satellite
Organization ("Inmarsat"), an international  treaty organization which  operates
the satellites of a global mobile communications satellite system. A total of 72
other nations, including Cuba, are members of Inmarsat. Pursuant to the Inmarsat

                                       2
<PAGE>
Convention   and  Operating  Agreements,  vessels  registered  to  any  country,
including Cuba, must by  treaty be provided  access to satellite  communications
via   the  Company's  earth  stations,  which   results  in  incidental  use  by
Cuban-registered vessels.  Communications charges  are then  billed through  the
Inmarsat billing system, including to parties in Cuba. This is the extent of the
business  conducted by the Company with Cuba. This information is accurate as of
the date hereof. Current information concerning the Company's business  dealings
with  Cuba or with any person or affiliate  located in Cuba may be obtained from
the Division of Securities and Investor Protection of the Florida Department  of
Banking  and Finance,  the Capitol,  Tallahassee, Florida  32399-0350, telephone
number (904) 488-9806.

                                  THE COMPANY

    COMSAT Corporation (the "Company"),  which was incorporated  in 1963, is  an
international   communications,   information  and   entertainment  distribution
services  company  primarily  operating   in  four  business  segments.   COMSAT
International  Communications consists  of COMSAT World  Systems, which provides
voice, video and data services using  the satellite system of the  International
Telecommunications  Satellite Organization (INTELSAT),  and COMSAT International
Ventures, which  invests  in telecommunications  opportunities  internationally.
COMSAT  Mobile Communications  provides satellite  communications services using
the satellite  system  of  the  International  Maritime  Satellite  Organization
(Inmarsat).  The  Company is  the largest  owner  and user  of the  INTELSAT and
Inmarsat   systems.   COMSAT   RSI   designs,   manufactures,   and   integrates
communications  networks  and  products  for  the  federal  government  and  for
commercial  and  governmental  customers  throughout  the  world.  COMSAT  Video
Enterprises,  Inc.  provides  entertainment  and  information  services  to  the
hospitality  industry   throughout  the   United  States   and  domestic   video
distribution  services to television networks. The  Company also owns the Denver
Nuggets, a  franchise of  the National  Basketball Association.  Certain of  the
Company's  activities are  subject to  regulation by  the Federal Communications
Commission (the "FCC").

                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       QUARTER
                                                       YEAR ENDED       ENDED
                                                      DECEMBER 31,    MARCH 31,
                                                    ----------------  ----------
                                                    1993  1992  1991  1994  1993
                                                    ----  ----  ----  ----  ----
<S>                                                 <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges: (1)...........  3.7   2.6   3.1   3.4   3.6
<FN>
------------------------
(1)  For purposes of calculating this  ratio, fixed charges consist of  interest
     expense,  including  capitalized  interest,  the  interest  expense  of  an
     unconsolidated majority owned investment in 1991 and 1992, and an  estimate
     of the interest factor of rental expense. Earnings consist of pretax income
     (loss)  from  continuing operations  before fixed  charges, the  losses and
     undistributed earnings  of  equity  investments  and  the  amortization  of
     capitalized interest.
</TABLE>

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

    Unless  otherwise provided in a Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds from
the sale  of  the  Debt Securities  offered  hereby  will be  used  for  general
corporate  purposes, which may include the repayment of long-term and short-term
indebtedness of the Company  and additional capital  investment. In April  1994,
the  Company redeemed the $70,000,000  in aggregate principal amount outstanding
of its 9.55% Debentures Due 1994 at a redemption price of 100% of the  principal
amount  thereof plus  accrued interest  to the  date of  redemption. The Company
temporarily funded the redemption  of the 9.55% Debentures  Due 1994 by  issuing
short-term  indebtedness. A portion  of the proceeds  from the sale  of the Debt
Securities offered  hereby  may be  used  to repay  all  or a  portion  of  such
short-term indebtedness.

                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

    The  Debt Securities are to be issued  under an Indenture, dated as of March
15, 1991, as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 29,  1994
(the "Indenture"), between the Company and The

                                       3
<PAGE>
Chase  Manhattan Bank (National Association),  as Trustee (the "Trustee"), which
is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is
a part. The following  summaries of certain provisions  of the Indenture do  not
purport  to be complete and are subject  to, and are qualified in their entirety
by reference to, all the provisions of the Indenture, including the  definitions
therein of certain terms. Whenever particular provisions or defined terms of the
Indenture  are referred  to, such provisions  or defined  terms are incorporated
herein by reference.

GENERAL

    The Indenture provides that Debt Securities in separate series may be issued
thereunder from  time  to time  without  limitation as  to  aggregate  principal
amount.  The Company  may specify a  maximum aggregate principal  amount for the
Debt Securities of any series. (Section  3.01). The Debt Securities are to  have
such  terms  and  provisions  which are  not  inconsistent  with  the Indenture,
including as to maturity, principal and interest, as the Company may determine.

    The Debt Securities will  be unsecured obligations of  the Company and  will
rank  equally  with  all  other  unsecured  debt  of  the  Company,  except  any
subordinated debt.  The  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement  will  describe  the
following  terms of the Debt Securities being  offered thereby: (a) the title of
the Debt  Securities;  (b)  the  designation,  aggregate  principal  amount  and
authorized  denominations of  such Debt Securities;  (c) the price  or prices at
which such Debt Securities will be offered; (d) the date or dates on which  such
Debt  Securities will mature; (e) the rate or rates per annum at which such Debt
Securities will bear interest,  if any, or the  method of determination of  such
rate;  (f) the dates  on which such interest,  if any, will  be payable; (g) any
redemption terms  or other  specific terms;  (h) the  place (if  other than  the
Corporate  Trust Office of  the Trustee) where  and the currency  (if other than
U.S. Dollars) in  which payments  will be  payable; (i)  any applicable  Overdue
Rate; and (j) any other applicable terms and information applicable to such Debt
Securities.  Debt Securities of one or more  series may be sold at a substantial
discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at
a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates.

    The Debt Securities will  be issued only in  fully registered form,  without
coupons. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Debt  Securities of each series will be  issuable in denominations of $1,000 and
any integral multiple thereof. (Section 3.02) Debt Securities may be represented
either by a certificate issued in definitive form (a "Certificated Note") or  in
permanent  global form, registered in the name of a Depositary identified in the
applicable Prospectus  Supplement, or  a nominee  of the  Depositary (a  "Global
Security"),  as  specified  in  the  applicable  Pricing  Supplement. Beneficial
interests in Global Securities will only be evidenced by, and transfers  thereof
will  only be  effected through,  records maintained  by the  Depositary and its
participants.  Except  as  described  in  a  Prospectus  Supplement,  owners  of
beneficial  interests  in a  Global  Security will  not  be entitled  to receive
physical delivery of Certificated Notes and  will not be considered the  Holders
thereof.

    The  Debt Securities will  be exchangeable for other  Debt Securities of the
same series and like tenor,  registered in the same  name, for a like  aggregate
principal  amount in  authorized denominations and  will be  transferable at any
time or from time to time at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at any
other office or  agency of the  Company maintained for  that purpose. No  charge
will  be made to the Holder for any such exchange or transfer except for any tax
or governmental charge incidental thereto. (Section 3.05)

    The Company  has initially  appointed as  Securities Registrar  the  Trustee
acting  through its  Corporate Trust  Office in  New York  City. (Sections 3.05,
12.02) The Company reserves  the right to vary  or terminate the appointment  of
the  Securities Registrar  or to  appoint additional  or other  registrars or to
approve any change in  the office through which  the Securities Registrar  acts;
PROVIDED  THAT there  will at all  times be  a Securities Registrar  in New York
City. (Section 12.02)

CERTAIN FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES

    Federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any
series of  Debt  Securities  will  be described  in  the  Prospectus  Supplement
relating thereto.

                                       4
<PAGE>
GLOBAL SECURITIES

    Some  or all  of the Debt  Securities of  any series may  be represented, in
whole or in part, by one or more Global Securities which will have an  aggregate
principal  amount equal to that of the Debt Securities represented thereby. Each
Global Security will  be registered in  the name  of a Depositary  or a  nominee
thereof  identified in the  applicable Prospectus Supplement,  will be deposited
with such Depositary or nominee or a  custodian therefor and will bear a  legend
regarding  the restrictions  on exchanges  and registration  of transfer thereof
referred to below and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant  to
the Indenture.

    Notwithstanding  any  provision  of  the  Indenture  or  any  Debt  Security
described herein, no Global Security  may be exchanged in  whole or in part  for
Debt  Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in
part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary  for
such Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary unless (i) the Depositary
has  notified  the  Company  that  it is  unwilling  or  unable  to  continue as
Depositary for such Global Security or has ceased to be qualified to act as such
as required by the Indenture, (ii)  there shall have occurred and be  continuing
an  Event of Default with  respect to the Securities  represented by such Global
Security or (iii) there shall exist  such circumstances, if any, in addition  to
or  in  lieu of  those described  above as  may be  described in  the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. All securities issued  in exchange for a Global  Security
or  any portion thereof will  be registered in such  names as the Depositary may
direct. (Section 3.05)

    As long as the  Depositary, or its  nominee, is the  registered Holder of  a
Global  Security, the Depositary  or such nominee,  as the case  may be, will be
considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Security and the  Securities
represented  thereby for  all purposes under  the Securities  and the Indenture.
Except in  the limited  circumstances referred  to above,  owners of  beneficial
interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have such Global Security
or  any Debt Securities represented thereby  registered in their names, will not
receive or be  entitled to receive  physical delivery of  Certificated Notes  in
exchange therefor and will not be considered to be the owners or Holders of such
Global Security or any Debt Securities represented thereby for any purpose under
the  Debt Securities  or the  Indenture. All  payments of  principal of  and any
premium and interest on a Global Security will be made to the Depositary or  its
nominee,  as  the  case  may  be,  as  the  Holder  thereof.  The  laws  of some
jurisdictions require  that  certain  purchasers  of  securities  take  physical
delivery  of  such securities  in  definitive form.  These  laws may  impair the
ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security.

    Ownership of beneficial interests  in a Global Security  will be limited  to
institutions   that   have  accounts   with  the   Depositary  or   its  nominee
("participants") and  to  persons that  may  hold beneficial  interests  through
participants.  In  connection  with the  issuance  of any  Global  Security, the
Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system,  the
respective  principal  amounts  of  Debt Securities  represented  by  the Global
Security to the accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial  interests
in  a Global Security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership
interests will be effected  only through, records  maintained by the  Depositary
(with  respect to participants' interests) or any such participant (with respect
to interests of persons  held by such participants  on their behalf).  Payments,
transfers,  exchanges and others  matters relating to  beneficial interests in a
Global Security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the
Depositary from time to time. None of  the Company, the Trustee or any agent  of
the  Company or the  Trustee will have  any responsibility or  liability for any
aspect of the  Depositary's or  any participant's  records relating  to, or  for
payments  made on account of, beneficial interests  in a Global Security, or for
maintaining, supervising or  reviewing any records  relating to such  beneficial
interests.

    Secondary  trading in notes and debentures of corporate issuers is generally
settled in clearing-house or next-day  funds. In contrast, beneficial  interests
in  a Global  Security, in  some cases, may  trade in  the Depositary's same-day
funds settlement system,  in which  secondary market trading  activity in  those
beneficial   interests  would  be  required  by  the  Depositary  to  settle  in
immediately available funds.  There is no  assurance as to  the effect, if  any,
that settlement in immediately available funds would have on trading activity in
such   beneficial  interests.  Also,  settlement  for  purchases  of  beneficial
interests in a Global Security upon the original issuance thereof maybe required
to be made in immediately available funds.

                                       5
<PAGE>
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

    "Attributable Debt"  means the  present  value of  the  net amount  of  rent
required  to  be paid  during the  remaining term  of any  lease of  a Principal
Property, discounted at the rate of interest per annum implicit in the terms  of
such  lease as determined by  the Board of Directors  of the Company, compounded
semiannually. (Section 1.01)

    "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the aggregate amount of assets less
(a)  all  current  liabilities  and  (b)  all  goodwill,  trademarks,   patents,
unamortized  debt discount and expense,  organization or developmental expenses,
and other like  intangibles, all as  set forth on  the most recent  consolidated
balance  sheet of  the Company  prepared in  accordance with  generally accepted
accounting principles. (Section 1.01)

    "Indebtedness  for  Borrowed  Money"  shall  include  all  indebtedness  for
borrowed  money with  a term at  the date of  incurrence of more  than one year,
except for (a) purchase  money mortgages, (b)  mortgages incurred or  guaranteed
for the purpose of constructing or improving property, (c) mortgages existing on
property  at the time of its acquisition, (d) mortgages in favor of the Company,
(e) the refunding, extension or  renewal of any mortgage  referred to in (a)  to
(c)  above, or (f) certain other borrowings specified in the Indenture. (Section
1.01)

    "Principal Property" means any real  property, plant, or equipment owned  or
leased on the date of the Indenture (or acquired to replace such property, plant
or  equipment) by the  Company, the gross  book value (without  deduction of any
depreciation reserves) of  which on the  date as of  which the determination  is
being  made exceeds 5% of Consolidated Net  Tangible Assets, other than any such
real property, plant, or equipment, or portion thereof, which, in the opinion of
the Board of  Directors of the  Company, is  not of material  importance to  the
total  business conducted  by the Company  and its Subsidiaries  as an entirety.
(Section 1.01)

    "Subsidiary" means a corporation, a majority of the voting stock of which is
owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries of
the Company. (Section 1.01)

LIMITATION ON SECURED DEBT

    Nothing in the Debt Securities  of any series shall  in any way restrict  or
prevent  the  Company  or  any  Subsidiary of  the  Company  from  incurring any
indebtedness, except as hereafter provided.

    So long as any of the Debt Securities of any series remain Outstanding,  the
Company will not agree to secure Indebtedness for Borrowed Money, or provide any
guarantee  or indemnity  in respect of  Indebtedness for Borrowed  Money, by any
mortgage, lien  assignment,  pledge or  other  secured interest  upon,  or  with
respect to, any of the present or future revenues or assets of the Company (with
certain  exceptions specified in  the Indenture and  summarized in the following
sentence), without simultaneously therewith, or prior thereto, making  effective
provision  whereby amounts payable  by the Company under  the Debt Securities of
such series  shall be  secured equally  and ratably  with (or  prior to)  or  by
security not materially less beneficial than that securing such Indebtedness for
Borrowed  Money or  guarantee or indemnity  in respect  thereof. Such limitation
shall not  apply to:  (a) bank  liens; (b)  mechanics', materialmens'  or  other
similar  liens, liens relating to  workmen's compensation or insurance, deposits
in connection  with  contract  bids,  deposits  to  secure  public  obligations,
deposits  in lieu of surety bonds, or deposits as security for payment of taxes;
(c) liens  arising  from the  giving  of security  to  a government  body  as  a
condition  to  the  transaction of  business  or to  maintain  self-insurance or
participate in any  fund with  respect to  workmen's compensation,  unemployment
insurance  or  pensions;  (d)  any obligations  to  any  municipality  or public
authority with respect to any franchise  or permit; (e) any lien or  encumbrance
on  property covered by any lease, contract,  easement or right of way, existing
at the time of acquisition  of such lease, contract,  easement or right of  way;
(f) liens for taxes; (g) judgment liens so long as the finality of such judgment
is being contested and execution thereon is stayed; (h) leases; (i) easements or
similar  encumbrances  which do  not materially  impair the  use of  the subject
property; and  (j) other  liens which  singularly or  in the  aggregate are  not
material  to the Company and its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. (Section
12.05)

    The Company will not transfer a substantial portion of its operating  assets
to  any Subsidiary, unless (i) at the time of such transfer, the Company imposes
on the Subsidiary to which such operating assets are

                                       6
<PAGE>
transferred a  restriction preventing  such  Subsidiary from  issuing  Preferred
Stock  or incurring Indebtedness for Borrowed  Money unless the aggregate amount
of Preferred Stock and Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of all Subsidiaries would
not exceed 20% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and (ii) after giving  effect
to  such transfer, the aggregate amount  of Preferred Stock and Indebtedness for
Borrowed Money of  all Subsidiaries  would not  exceed 20%  of Consolidated  Net
Tangible  Assets. This restriction on the transfer of operating assets shall not
apply to any  such transfer  made pursuant to  an order  of the FCC  nor to  any
transfer of funds made to a Subsidiary. (Section 12.06)

RESTRICTIONS ON SALES AND LEASEBACKS

    The Company will not enter into any sale and leaseback transaction involving
any  Principal  Property, completion  of construction  and commencement  of full
operation of which has occurred more than 120 days prior thereto, unless (a) the
Company could mortgage such property in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt
with respect to the sale and  leaseback transaction without equally and  ratably
securing  the Debt Securities of any series Outstanding at such time, or (b) the
Company, within  120 days,  applies to  the retirement  of its  indebtedness  an
amount equal to the greater of (i) the net proceeds of the sale of the Principal
Property  leased pursuant  to such  arrangement or  (ii) the  fair value  of the
Principal Property so leased  (subject to credits  for voluntary retirements  of
indebtedness  secured by such Principal Property or incurred for the purchase of
such Principal  Property). This  restriction  will not  apply  to any  sale  and
leaseback  transaction  involving  the taking  back  of  a lease  for  a period,
including renewals, of three years or less. (Section 12.07)

CERTAIN EFFECTS OF RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

    The Company does not believe that the covenants described under  "Limitation
on  Secured Debt" and "Restrictions on Sales and Leasebacks," individually or in
the  aggregate,  will  have  a  material   effect  on  the  Company's,  or   any
Subsidiary's, ability to conduct its operations. Similar covenants have appeared
in  various indentures relating  to long-term indebtedness  of the Company since
1984 and are currently in effect with  respect to the Company's 8.95% Notes  Due
2001  and its 8 1/8% Notes Due 2004,  and such covenants have not had a material
effect on the operations of the Company or any Subsidiary.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

    Except  as  may  otherwise  be  set  forth  in  the  applicable   Prospectus
Supplement,  an Event of Default  with respect to any  series of Debt Securities
will occur under the Indenture if (a) there  shall be a failure to pay when  due
the  principal of, or  premium, if any, on,  any of the  Debt Securities of such
series, (b) there shall be a failure to pay an installment of interest on any of
the Debt Securities of such series for 30 days after the date when due, (c)  the
Company  shall fail to  perform or observe  any other covenant  or warranty with
respect to such series contained in the Indenture for a period of 60 days  after
written notice thereof shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee or to
the  Company  and  the Trustee  by  the Holders  of  at least  25%  in aggregate
principal amount of  the Debt Securities  of such series  then Outstanding,  (d)
there  shall be (i) an Event of Default with respect to any other series of Debt
Securities issued pursuant  to the  Indenture or  (ii) default  with respect  to
indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $10,000,000, which Event of Default
or  default results in such indebtedness being accelerated and such acceleration
is not rescinded  or annulled  or such  indebtedness is  not paid  prior to,  or
within  30 days after, appropriate written  notice thereof shall have been given
to the Company by the Trustee or to  the Company and the Trustee by the  Holders
of  at least 25%  in aggregate principal  amount of the  Debt Securities of such
series then Outstanding, (e) the Company or any Subsidiary, whether by a  single
transaction  or a number of related or unrelated transactions and whether at the
same time or over a  period of time, shall sell,  transfer, lease out, lend,  or
otherwise  dispose of the whole or the major part of its assets or the assets of
a Subsidiary, except (i) in the ordinary  course of its business for a full  and
fair  consideration or on an  arms-length basis, or (ii)  where such disposal or
disposals are in  favor of the  Company or  one or more  Subsidiaries, or  (iii)
where  the Board of Directors of the  Company determines that the transaction or
transactions are in  the best interests  of the Company,  (f) certain events  of
bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization with respect to the Company shall have
occurred,  or  (g)  any  other  Event of  Default  specified  in  the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing with
respect to any series of Debt Securities, the Trustee or the Holders of at least
25% in aggregate  principal amount of  the Debt Securities  of such series  then
Outstanding

                                       7
<PAGE>
may  declare the principal amount of the  Debt Securities of such series due and
payable and thereupon the Trustee may  at its discretion proceed to protect  and
enforce  the  rights  of the  Holders  of  such Debt  Securities  by appropriate
judicial proceedings. Such  declaration may  be annulled  by the  Holders of  at
least  a majority in aggregate  principal amount of the  Debt Securities of such
series then Outstanding upon the conditions provided in the Indenture  (Sections
7.01, 7.02, 7.03)

    The  Indenture contains  a provision entitling  the Trustee,  subject to the
duty of the Trustee during the continuance  of an Event of Default, to act  with
the  required  standard  of care,  to  be  indemnified by  the  Holders  of Debt
Securities of a series before exercising any right or power under the  Indenture
at  the request of such Holders. (Section  8.03) The Indenture provides that the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of  a
series then Outstanding may direct the time, method, and place of conducting any
proceeding  for any remedy available to the Trustee of such series or exercising
any trust or power conferred upon such Trustee. (Section 7.12)

    No Holder of any Debt Security of a series will have any right to  institute
any  proceeding  with respect  to the  Indenture or  for any  remedy thereunder,
unless (i) an Event of  Default shall have occurred  and be continuing and  such
Holder  shall  have  previously given  to  the  Trustee written  notice  of such
continuing Event of Default,  (ii) the Holders of  not less than $25,000,000  or
50%  (whichever  is  less) of  principal  amount  of the  then  Outstanding Debt
Securities of such  series shall  have made written  request to  the Trustee  to
institute  proceedings in respect  of such Event  of Default in  its own name as
Trustee, (iii) the Holders have offered  to the Trustee reasonable indemnity  to
institute  such proceedings, (iv) the Trustee for  60 days after receipt of such
notice and offer of indemnity has failed to institute such proceedings, and  (v)
no inconsistent direction has been given to the Trustee during the 60 day period
by  the  Holders of  a  majority in  principal  amount of  the  Outstanding Debt
Securities of such series. (Section 7.07) However, such limitations do not apply
to a suit instituted by a Holder  of a Debt Security for enforcement of  payment
of  the principal of, premium,  if any, or interest on  such Debt Security on or
after their respective due dates. (Section 7.08)

    The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Debt Securities of a series  then Outstanding may, on  behalf of the Holders  of
all the Debt Securities of such series, waive past defaults, except a default in
payment  of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Security
and certain other defaults as described in the Indenture. (Section 7.13)

    The Company will be required to furnish annually to the Trustee a  statement
as  to the fulfillment  of its obligations under  the Indenture. (Sections 9.04,
12.08)

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR TRANSFER

    The Company may,  without the  consent of  the Holders  of Debt  Securities,
consolidate  with,  merge  into, transfer,  or  lease substantially  all  of its
properties to, any  other corporation; PROVIDED  THAT the successor  corporation
assumes  by a  supplemental indenture all  obligations of the  Company under the
Indenture, that immediately after giving effect to such transaction no Event  of
Default,  and no  event which,  after notice  or lapse  of time,  or both, would
become an Event  of Default,  shall have occurred  and be  continuing, and  that
certain  other conditions described in the  Indenture are met. (Article Ten) For
example, if,  as a  result of  the transaction,  property of  the Company  would
become  subject to a  lien that would  not be permitted  under the limitation on
liens described above under "Limitations on Secured Debt", the Company would  be
required  to secure the Debt  Securities equally and ratably  with (or prior to)
the indebtedness secured by such lien. (Section 12.05)

DEFEASANCE

    The Indenture provides that  the Company will be  released from any and  all
obligations  in respect of the Debt Securities of any series (except for certain
obligations to register the transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, to  replace
stolen,  lost or mutilated Debt Securities,  to maintain paying agencies, and to
hold monies for payment in trust) upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee,
in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations which through the  payment
of  interest and principal  in respect thereof, in  accordance with their terms,
will provide  money  to  pay  the  principal  of,  premium,  if  any,  and  each
installment of

                                       8
<PAGE>
interest  on the Debt Securities of such series on the Stated Maturities of such
payments in accordance with the terms  of the Indenture and the Debt  Securities
of  such series, and  upon certain other conditions  described in the Indenture.
(Section 6.03)

    The Indenture also provides that the Company may omit to comply with certain
restrictive covenants in Sections 12.05 (Limitation on Secured Debt of  Company)
and  12.07  (Restrictions  on Sales  and  Leasebacks) and  that  Section 7.01(e)
(failure to pay, and acceleration of, certain indebtedness) shall not be  deemed
to  be an Event  of Default under the  Indenture and the  Debt Securities of any
series, upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or
U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and  principal
in  respect thereof, in accordance  with their terms, will  provide money to pay
the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the  Debt
Securities  of  such  series  on  the  Stated  Maturities  of  such  payments in
accordance with  the terms  of the  Indenture and  the Debt  Securities of  such
series,  and  upon  certain other  conditions  described in  the  Indenture. The
obligations of the  Company under the  Indenture and the  Debt Securities  other
than  with respect to the covenants referred to above shall remain in full force
and effect. (Section 6.03)

    Such defeasance  may be  treated as  a taxable  exchange by  Holders of  the
relevant  Debt Securities for  an issue consisting of  either obligations of the
trust or a direct interest in the money and/or U.S. Government Obligations  held
in  the  trust, with  the result  that such  Holders would  be required  for tax
purposes to recognize gain or  loss as if such  obligations or the money  and/or
U.S.  Government Obligations  deposited, as the  case may be,  had actually been
received by  them in  exchange for  the  Debt Securities.  In addition,  if  the
Holders  are treated  as the  owners of their  proportionate share  of the money
and/or U.S. Government  Obligations held in  trust, such Holders  would then  be
required  to include in their  income for tax purposes  any income, gain or loss
attributable thereto  even though  no  cash was  actually received.  Thus,  such
Holders  might be  required to  recognize income  for tax  purposes in different
amounts and  at different  times than  would  be recognized  in the  absence  of
defeasance. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors as
to the specific consequences of defeasance.

    If  under the terms of  any Debt Securities of a  series it is not possible,
due, for example, to the nature of the manner in which interest payable on  such
securities  is  determined, for  the Company  to determine  the amount  of money
necessary to pay  the principal  of, premium, if  any, and  each installment  of
interest  on the Debt Securities of such series on the Stated Maturities of such
payments in accordance with the terms  of the Indenture and the Debt  Securities
of  such  series,  then  the  Company shall  waive  its  right  to  exercise the
defeasance described in this section.

MODIFICATION AND WAIVER

    The Indenture (including the terms and conditions of the Debt Securities  of
any  series) may be modified or amended  by the Company and the Trustee, without
the consent of the Holder of any  Debt Security, for the purposes of (a)  adding
to  the covenants  of the  Company for the  benefit of  the Holders  of the Debt
Securities of any  or all series  or surrendering any  right or power  conferred
upon  the Company, (b) establishing the form  or terms of the Debt Securities of
any series, (c) providing for the issuance of Debt Securities in coupon form and
for exchanging Debt Securities in registered form for Debt Securities in  coupon
form,  (d) securing the  Debt Securities of  one or more  series pursuant to the
requirements of the Indenture or otherwise, (e) correcting or supplementing  any
defective  or ambiguous  provision contained  in the  Indenture, (f)  making any
other provisions  which  the Company  and  the  Trustee may  deem  necessary  or
desirable  and which will not  adversely affect the interests  of the Holders of
the Debt  Securities  of  any  affected series  in  any  material  respect,  (g)
effecting  the qualification of  the Indenture under the  Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, and adding to the Indenture certain other provisions as may be
expressly permitted by such Act, or  (h) making certain other changes  permitted
by the Indenture. (Section 11.01)

    Modifications  and amendments to the Indenture  may also be made, and future
compliance therewith or  past default  by the Company  may be  waived, with  the
written consent of the Holders of at least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount
of  each series of the Debt Securities at  the time Outstanding (or, in the case
of a  waiver of  a  past default,  of a  majority  of such  aggregate  principal
amount).  However, no such modification or amendment  to the Indenture or to the
terms  and  conditions  of  the   Debt  Securities  may,  without  the   consent

                                       9
<PAGE>
or the affirmative vote of the Holder of each Debt Security affected thereby (a)
change the Stated Maturity of the principal of or any installment of interest on
each  such Debt Security or  reduce the principal amount  thereof or the rate of
interest thereon  or  change the  currency  or place  of  payment of  such  Debt
Security  or interest thereon,  (b) impair the Holder's  right to institute suit
for the enforcement  of any such  payment on or  with respect to  any such  Debt
Security,  (c) modify the obligations of the  Company to maintain the offices or
agencies in New York City, or (d)  reduce the percentage in principal amount  of
the Debt Securities Outstanding necessary to modify or amend the Indenture or to
waive any future compliance or past default. (Sections 7.08, 7.13, 11.02)

    The  Indenture  provides  that in  determining  whether the  Holders  of the
requisite principal amount of the Securities Outstanding have given any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the  Indenture
as  of any date, (i)  Securities owned by the Company  or any other obligor upon
the Securities or any Affiliate  of the Company or  such other obligor shall  be
disregarded  and deemed not to be Outstanding,  and (ii) the principal amount of
an Original Issue Discount  Security that will be  deemed to be Outstanding  for
such  purposes will be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and
payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of  acceleration
of  the  Maturity  thereof to  such  date. Certain  Securities,  including those
cancelled, and those for whose payment or redemption money has been deposited or
set aside in trust for the Holders of such Securities. (Section 1.01)

TITLE

    The Company, the  Trustee or any  of their agents  may treat the  registered
owner  of any Debt Security  as the absolute owner  thereof (whether or not such
Debt Security shall be  overdue and notwithstanding any  notice of ownership  or
writing  thereon  or any  notice of  previous loss  or theft  or trust  or other
interest therein) for the purpose of making payment and for all other  purposes.
(Section 3.09)

NOTICES

    Notices  to Holders of Securities will be  given by mail to the addresses of
such Holders as they may appear in the Security Register. (Section 1.06)

PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS

    Unless  otherwise  specified  in   the  applicable  Prospectus   Supplement,
principal,  premium, if  any, and  interest, if  any, are  to be  payable at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or its successors in New York City, or  at
the  office or agency  of the Company  maintained for such  purposes in New York
City; PROVIDED THAT payment of  interest, if any, may be  made at the option  of
the  Company by check mailed  to the persons in  whose names the Debt Securities
are registered at the close of business  on the day specified in the  applicable
Prospectus Supplement. (Sections 3.12, 12.02)

    The Company has initially appointed the Trustee as Paying Agent. The Company
may  at  any time  terminate the  appointment  of any  Paying Agent  and appoint
additional or other Paying  Agents; PROVIDED THAT until  the Debt Securities  of
all  series  have been  delivered  to the  Trustee  for cancellation,  or monies
sufficient to pay the principal of, premium,  if any, and interest on, the  Debt
Securities of all series have been made available for payment and either paid or
returned  to the Company  as provided in  the Indenture, a  Paying Agent will be
maintained in New York  City for the  payment of the  principal of, premium,  if
any,  and interest on,  the Debt Securities.  Notice of any  such termination or
appointment and of any change in the office through which any Paying Agent  will
act will be given in accordance with the Indenture. (Section 12.02)

    All  monies paid by the Company to the  Trustee or a Paying Agent or held in
trust by  the Company  for the  payment of  principal of,  premium, if  any,  or
interest  on, any Debt Securities  which remain unclaimed at  the end of the two
years after such principal, premium, if  any, or interest shall have become  due
and  payable will be repaid  to the Company, or  the Company shall be discharged
from such trust, as the case may be,  and the holder of such Debt Security  will
thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof. (Section 12.03)

                                       10
<PAGE>
IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS

    The  Indenture provides that  the Debt Securities  are obligations solely of
the Company and that no personal liability for the Debt Securities shall  attach
to  the incorporators, shareholders, officers, or  directors of the Company, and
that all rights and claims against such persons relating to the Debt  Securities
and  the covenants,  warranties, and agreements  contained in  the Indenture are
waived. (Section 1.07)

GOVERNING LAW

    The Indenture and the Debt Securities  will be governed by and construed  in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York. (Section 1.13)

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

    The  Trustee from time to time may be  a creditor of the Company pursuant to
the Company's revolving credit agreements  with various banks. In addition,  the
Trustee  also serves as trustee under the Company's 8.95% Notes Due 2001 and its
8 1/8% Notes Due 2004.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    The Company may sell the Debt Securities  in any of the following ways:  (i)
through  underwriters or dealers;  (ii) directly to  one or a  limited number of
institutional purchasers; (iii) through agents; or (iv) a combination of any  of
the  foregoing.  Any  such  underwriter,  dealer  or  agent  may  be  deemed  an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Prospectus  Supplement
with respect to the Debt Securities of a particular series being offered thereby
will  set forth the terms of the offering of such Debt Securities, including the
name or names  of any underwriters  or agents, the  public offering or  purchase
price  of such Debt Securities  and the proceeds to  the Company from such sale,
any discounts  and commissions  to be  allowed or  paid to  the underwriters  or
agents,  all other items constituting  underwriters' compensation, any discounts
or concessions  allowed or  reallowed  or paid  to  dealers and  any  securities
exchanges on which such Debt Securities may be listed.

    Debt  Securities  may also  be  offered and  sold,  if so  indicated  in the
Prospectus Supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase,  in
accordance  with a redemption or  repurchase pursuant to their  terms, by one or
more firms ("remarketing firms") acting as principals for their own accounts  or
as agents for the Company. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms
of  its  agreement,  if any,  with  the  Company and  its  compensation  will be
described in connection with the Debt Securities remarketed thereby.

    If underwriters are used in the  sale, the Debt Securities will be  acquired
by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in
one  or more transactions, including negotiated  transactions, at a fixed public
offering price  or  at  varying prices  determined  at  the time  of  sale.  The
obligations of the underwriters to purchase such Debt Securities will be subject
to  certain  conditions precedent,  and the  underwriters  will be  obligated to
purchase all  the  Debt Securities  of  the  series offered  by  the  Prospectus
Supplement  if any  of such  Debt Securities  are purchased.  Any initial public
offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid  to
dealers may be changed from time to time.

    Debt  Securities may also be sold directly  by the Company or through agents
designated by the Company from time to time. Any agent involved in the  offering
and sale of the Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered
will  be named, and any commissions payable by the Company to such agent will be
set forth, in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicted in
such Prospectus Supplement, any such agent is acting on a best efforts basis for
the period of its appointment.

    If so indicated  in the  Prospectus Supplement, the  Company will  authorize
agents,  underwriters  or dealers  to  solicit offers  by  certain institutional
investors to purchase Debt  Securities providing for payment  and delivery on  a
future  date specified  in the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement. There  may be
limitations  on  the  minimum  amount  which  may  be  purchased  by  any   such
institutional  investor or on  the portion of the  aggregate principal amount of
the particular Debt Securities which may be sold pursuant to such  arrangements.
Institutional  investors  to which  such offers  may  be made,  when authorized,
include commercial  and  savings  banks,  insurance  companies,  pension  funds,
investment companies, educational and charitable

                                       11
<PAGE>
institutions  and other institutions, but  shall in all cases  be subject to the
approval of the Company. The obligations of any such purchasers pursuant to such
delayed delivery and payment arrangements will not be subject to any conditions,
except (i) the  purchase by  an institution  of the  particular Debt  Securities
shall  not  at  the  time  of  delivery be  prohibited  under  the  laws  of any
jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject, and (ii)
if the particular Debt  Securities are being sold  to underwriters, the  Company
shall  have sold to  such underwriters the  total principal amount  of such Debt
Securities less  the  principal amount  thereof  covered by  such  arrangements.
Underwriters will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity of such
arrangements  or the performance of the  Company or such institutional investors
thereunder.

    Agents, dealers  and  underwriters  and their  controlling  persons  may  be
entitled  under agreements entered  into with the  Company to indemnification by
the Company against certain civil  liabilities, including liabilities under  the
Securities  Act, or to  contribution with respect to  payments which the agents,
dealers or underwriters  may be  required to  make in  respect thereof.  Agents,
dealers  and underwriters may  engage in transactions  with, or perform services
for, the Company in the ordinary course of business.

                          VALIDITY OF DEBT SECURITIES

    The validity of the Debt Securities will  be passed upon for the Company  by
Warren  Y. Zeger, Vice President and General  Counsel of the Company. As of June
1, 1994, Mr. Zeger was the record owner of 12,158 shares of the Company's Common
Stock ("Common Stock")  and had  options to  purchase 134,819  shares of  Common
Stock, of which options to purchase 26,819 shares were exercisable.

                                    EXPERTS

    The   financial  statements,  related  financial  statement  schedules,  and
supplemental financial statements  of the Company  incorporated by reference  in
this  Prospectus from the  Company's Annual Report  on Form 10-K,  as amended on
Form 10-K/A for the year  ended December 31, 1993, and  from the Form 8-K  dated
June  29, 1994 and the financial statements, and the related financial statement
schedules  of  Radiation  Systems,  Inc.  incorporated  by  reference  in   this
Prospectus  from  the Radiation  Systems, Inc.  Annual Report  on Form  10-K, as
amended on Form 10-K/A by Amendment Nos. 1, 2 and 3 for the year ended June  30,
1993  have been audited by Deloitte & Touche, independent auditors, as stated in
their reports for the Company (which include an explanatory paragraph  referring
to  the changes in its  method of accounting for  postretirement health and life
insurance benefits and  in its method  of accounting for  income taxes) and  for
Radiation  Systems, Inc., which  are incorporated herein  by reference, and have
been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon  their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       12
<PAGE>
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    NO   PERSON  IS  AUTHORIZED   TO  GIVE  ANY  INFORMATION   OR  TO  MAKE  ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN  THIS PROSPECTUS, AND IF GIVEN  OR
MADE,  SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO  SELL
OR  A SOLICITATION OF AN  OFFER TO BUY ANY  SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES
OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER  TO
BUY  SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE SUCH OFFER OR  SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION.  NEITHER THE DELIVERY  OF
THIS  PROSPECTUS NOR  ANY SALE  MADE HEREUNDER  SHALL, UNDER  ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION  THAT THERE  HAS BEEN  NO CHANGE  IN THE  AFFAIRS OF  THE
COMPANY  SINCE  THE DATE  HEREOF, OR  THAT THE  INFORMATION HEREIN  CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY  REFERENCE IS  CORRECT AS  OF ANY  TIME SUBSEQUENT  TO THE  DATE
HEREOF.

                            ------------------------

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PAGE
                                                 ---------
<S>                                              <C>
Available Information..........................          2

Documents Incorporated by Reference............          2

The Company....................................          3

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.............          3

Use of Proceeds................................          3

Description of Debt Securities.................          3

Plan of Distribution...........................         11

Validity of Debt Securities....................         12

Experts........................................         12
</TABLE>

                               COMSAT CORPORATION

                                DEBT SECURITIES

                             ---------------------

                                   PROSPECTUS

                             ---------------------

                                        , 1994

-------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

    The  following  table  sets  forth the  estimated  expenses  payable  by the
registrant  with  respect  to  the  offering  described  in  this   Registration
Statement:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee......................  $ 68,966
Trustee's fees and expenses..............................................    10,000*
Printing and engraving...................................................    20,000*
Legal fees and expenses..................................................    50,000*
Accounting fees and expenses.............................................    35,000*
Rating Agency fees.......................................................    38,500*
Blue sky fees and expenses (including legal).............................    20,000*
Miscellaneous fees and expenses..........................................    10,000*
                                                                           ---------
    Total................................................................  $252,466
                                                                           ---------
                                                                           ---------
<FN>
--------------
*Estimated
</TABLE>

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.

    Reference  is  made to  the provisions  of Article  III of  the registrant's
Articles of Incorporation  filed as Exhibit  4(d) hereto and  the provisions  of
Article VIII of the registrant's By-laws filed as Exhibit 4(e) hereto.

    Section  29-304  of  the  District  of  Columbia  Business  Corporations Act
provides a District of  Columbia corporation shall have  the power to  indemnify
any  and all of its directors or officers or former directors or officers or any
person who may have served  at its request as a  director or officer of  another
corporation  in  which it  owns shares  of capital  stock  or of  which it  is a
creditor  against  expenses  actually  and  necessarily  incurred  by  them   in
connection  with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding in which they, or
any of them, are  made parties, or a  party, by reason of  being or having  been
directors  or officers or a  director or officer of  the corporation, or of such
other corporation, except in relation to  matters as to which any such  director
or  officer or former  director or officer  or person shall  be adjudged in such
action, suit or  proceeding to  be liable for  negligence or  misconduct in  the
performance  of duty. Such indemnification shall  not be deemed exclusive of any
other rights  to which  those  indemnified may  be  entitled, under  any  bylaw,
agreement, vote of stockholders, or otherwise.

    There  are in effect  directors' and officers'  liability insurance policies
which insure the registrant's directors and officers against certain liabilities
that they may incur in such capacities.

    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities  Act
of  1933  may be  permitted to  directors, officers  or persons  controlling the
registrant pursuant  to  the  foregoing  provisions,  the  registrant  has  been
informed  that in  the opinion  of the  Securities and  Exchange Commission such
indemnification is  against  public  policy  as expressed  in  the  Act  and  is
therefore unenforceable.

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.

    The exhibits listed below are listed according to the number assigned in the
table in Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NO.                               DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
------     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>
  1        Form of Distribution Agreement.

  4(a)     Standard  Multiple-Series Indenture Provisions, dated March 15, 1991.
           (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Registration  Statement
           on Form S-3 (Commission File No. 33-39472).)
</TABLE>

                                      II-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NO.                               DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
------     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  4(b)     Indenture,  dated as  of March 15,  1991, from the  registrant to The
           Chase   Manhattan   Bank   (National   Association),   as    Trustee.
           (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Registration Statement
           on Form S-3 (Commission File No. 33-39472).)
<C>        <S>

  4(c)     Supplemental  Indenture,  dated  as  of  June  29,  1994,  from   the
           registrant  to The  Chase Manhattan  Bank (National  Association), as
           Trustee. [The form or forms of  Debt Securities with respect to  each
           particular  offering will be filed as  an exhibit to a Current Report
           on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.]

  4(d)     Articles of Incorporation of  COMSAT Corporation (composite copy;  as
           amended  through June 1, 1993). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
           4(a) to  Registration  Statement on  Form  S-3 (Commission  File  No.
           33-51661).)

  4(e)     By-laws  of COMSAT Corporation  (as amended through  March 15, 1991).
           (Incorporated by  reference to  Exhibit 3(b)  to Registrant's  Annual
           Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991.)

  5        Opinion of Warren Y. Zeger, Vice President and General Counsel of the
           registrant,  as to the legality of  the Debt Securities to which this
           Registration Statement relates.

 12        Statement re Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

 23(a)     Consent of Deloitte & Touche.

 23(b)     Consent of Warren Y. Zeger (contained in Exhibit 5).

 24        Powers of Attorney.

 25        Statement on Form T-1 of  eligibility and qualification of The  Chase
           Manhattan  Bank (National Association) under  the Trust Indenture Act
           of 1939.
</TABLE>

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

       (a)(1)to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
             a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

           (i) to include  any prospectus  required by section  10(a)(3) of  the
       Securities Act of 1933;

           (ii)  to reflect in  the prospectus any facts  or event arising after
       the effective  date of  the registration  statement (or  the most  recent
       post-effective   amendment  thereof)   which,  individually   or  in  the
       aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
       the registration statement; and

          (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan  of
       distribution  not previously  disclosed in the  registration statement or
       any material change to such information in the registration statement;

    PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the undertakings  set forth in paragraphs  (a)(1)(i)
    and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included
    in  a post-effective amendment by those  paragraphs is contained in periodic
    reports filed  by the  registrant pursuant  to Section  13 or  15(d) of  the
    Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 that  are incorporated by reference in this
    registration statement;

        (2) that,  for  the  purpose  of determining  any  liability  under  the
    Securities  Act of 1933, each such  post-effective amendment shall be deemed
    to be  a  new registration  statement  relating to  the  securities  offered
    therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
    be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

        (3)  to remove from registration by  means of a post-effective amendment
    any  of  the  securities  being  registered  which  remain  unsold  at   the
    termination of the offering; and

                                      II-2
<PAGE>
        (b) that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
    Act  of  1933, each  filing of  the registrant's  annual report  pursuant to
    section 13(a) or section 15(d) of  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934  that
    is  incorporated by reference in the  registration statement shall be deemed
    to be  a  new registration  statement  relating to  the  securities  offered
    therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
    be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

    Insofar  as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of  the
registrant  pursuant to the provisions specified in Item 15 of this Registration
Statement, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion  of
the  Securities and Exchange  Commission such indemnification  is against public
policy as expressed in  the Act and is,  therefore, unenforceable. In the  event
that  a  claim  for indemnification  against  such liabilities  (other  than the
payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the  registrant in the successful  defense of any  action,
suit  or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will,  unless
in  the  opinion of  its  counsel the  matter  has been  settled  by controlling
precedent, submit to a  court of appropriate  jurisdiction the question  whether
such  indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

    Pursuant  to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to  be  signed  on  its behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized, in the County of Montgomery, Maryland, on June 30, 1994.

                                          COMSAT Corporation
                                            (Registrant)

                                          By         /s/ WARREN Y. ZEGER

                                          --------------------------------------
                                                    (Warren Y. Zeger,
                                           Vice President and General Counsel)

    Pursuant   to  the  requirements  of  the   Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has  been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the
capacities indicated and by power of attorney on June 30, 1994.

<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
(1)        Principal executive officer

                      /s/ BRUCE L. CROCKETT*
           -------------------------------------------
                       (Bruce L. Crockett,
              President and Chief Executive Officer)

(2)        Principal financial officer

                     /s/ C. THOMAS FAULDERS*
           -------------------------------------------
                    (C. Thomas Faulders, III,
           Vice President and Chief Financial Officer)

(3)        Principal accounting officer

                       /s/ ALLEN E. FLOWER*
           -------------------------------------------
                  (Allen E. Flower, Controller)

(4)        Board of Directors

                     /s/ LUCY WILSON BENSON*
           -------------------------------------------
                  (Lucy Wilson Benson, Director)

                       /s/ RUDY BOSCHWITZ*
           -------------------------------------------
                    (Rudy Boschwitz, Director)

           -------------------------------------------
                   (Edwin I. Colodny, Director)
</TABLE>

                                      II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
                      /s/ BRUCE L. CROCKETT*
           -------------------------------------------
                  (Bruce L. Crockett, Director)

                      /s/ FREDERICK B. DENT*
           -------------------------------------------
                  (Frederick B. Dent, Director)

           -------------------------------------------
                   (James B. Edwards, Director)

                       /s/ NEAL B. FREEMAN*
           -------------------------------------------
                   (Neal B. Freeman, Director)

                     /s/ BARRY M. GOLDWATER*
           -------------------------------------------
                  (Barry M. Goldwater, Director)

                       /s/ ARTHUR HAUSPURG*
           -------------------------------------------
                   (Arthur Hauspurg, Director)

                       /s/ MELVIN R. LAIRD*
           -------------------------------------------
                        (Melvin R. Laird,
               Chairman of the Board and Director)

                       /s/ PETER W. LIKINS*
           -------------------------------------------
                   (Peter W. Likins, Director)

                       /s/ HOWARD M. LOVE*
           -------------------------------------------
                    (Howard M. Love, Director)

                     /s/ ROBERT G. SCHWARTZ*
           -------------------------------------------
                  (Robert G. Schwartz, Director)

           -------------------------------------------
                     (C. J. Silas, Director)

                     /s/ DOLORES D. WHARTON*
           -------------------------------------------
                  (Dolores D. Wharton, Director)
</TABLE>

*By:       /s/ WARREN Y. ZEGER

------------------------------------
            Warren Y. Zeger,
          Attorney-in-fact

                                      II-5
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     SEQUENTIAL
EXHIBIT                                                                                                 PAGE
NUMBER                                          DESCRIPTION                                            NUMBER
------   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------
<C>      <S>                                                                                         <C>
  1      Form of Distribution Agreement............................................................

  4(a)   Standard Multiple-Series Indenture Provisions, dated March 15, 1991. (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Commission File No.
          33-39472).)..............................................................................

  4(b)   Indenture, dated as of March 15, 1991, from the registrant to The Chase Manhattan Bank
          (National Association), as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to
          Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Commission File No. 33-39472).)......................

  4(c)   Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 29, 1994, from the registrant to The Chase
          Manhattan Bank (National Association), as Trustee. [The form or forms of Debt Securities
          with respect to each particular offering will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report
          on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.].......................................

  4(d)   Articles of Incorporation of COMSAT Corporation (composite copy; as amended through June
          1, 1993). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Registration Statement on Form
          S-3 (Commission File No. 33-51661).).....................................................

  4(e)   By-laws of COMSAT Corporation (as amended through March 15, 1991). (Incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
          ended December 31, 1991.)................................................................

  5      Opinion of Warren Y. Zeger, Vice President and General Counsel of the registrant, as to
          the legality of the Debt Securities to which this Registration Statement relates.........

 12      Statement re Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges...........................................

 23(a)   Consent of Deloitte & Touche..............................................................

 23(b)   Consent of Warren Y. Zeger (contained in Exhibit 5).

 24      Powers of Attorney........................................................................

 25      Statement on Form T-1 of eligibility and qualification of The Chase Manhattan Bank
          (National Association) under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.............................
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 1

                                  $100,000,000

                               COMSAT CORPORATION

                           MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES A


                         FORM OF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

                                                                  June __, 1994



CS First Boston Corporation,
  Park Avenue Plaza,
    New York, New York 10055.

Salomon Brothers Inc,
  Seven World Trade Center,
    New York, New York 10048.

Nationsbanc Capital Markets, Inc.,
  NationsBank Corporate Center,
    100 North Tryon Street,
      Charlotte, North Carolina  28255-0065.

Dear Sirs:

          1.  INTRODUCTION.  COMSAT Corporation, a District of Columbia
corporation (the "Issuer"), confirms its agreement with each of you (individu-
ally, a "Distributor" and collectively, the "Distributors") with respect to the
issue and sale from time to time by the Issuer of up to $100,000,000 of its
medium-term notes, Series A, registered under the registration statement
referred to in Section 2(a) (any such medium-term notes being hereinafter
referred to as the "Securities", which expression shall, if the context so
admits, include any permanent global Security).  Securities may be offered and
sold pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement in an aggregate amount not to
exceed the amount of Registered Securities (as defined in Section 2(a) hereof)
reduced by the aggregate amount of any other Securities sold otherwise than
pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement.  The Securities will be issued under an
indenture, dated as of March 15, 1991, as supplemented by a supplemental
indenture dated as of June __, 1994 (the "Indenture"), between the Issuer and
The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), as trustee (the "Trustee").

<PAGE>

          The Securities shall have the terms described in the Prospectus
referred to in Section 2(a) as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, including any supplement to the Prospectus that sets forth only the terms
of a particular issue of the Securities (a "Pricing Supplement").  Securities
will be issued, and the terms thereof established, from time to time by the
Issuer in accordance with the Indenture and the Procedures (as defined in
Section 3(d) hereof).

          2.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ISSUER.  The Issuer
represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each Distributor as follows:

          (a)  A registration statement (No. 33-_____), including a prospectus,
     relating to debt securities of the Issuer, including the Securities
     ("Registered Securities"), has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission ("Commission") and has become effective under the Securities Act
     of 1933, as amended ("Act").  Such registration statement, as amended as of
     the Closing Date (as defined in Section 3(e) hereof), is hereinafter
     referred to as the "Registration Statement", and the prospectus included in
     such Registration Statement, as supplemented as of the Closing Date,
     including all material incorporated by reference therein, is hereinafter
     referred to as the "Prospectus".  Any reference in this Agreement to
     amending or supplementing the Prospectus shall be deemed to include the
     filing of materials incorporated by reference in the Prospectus after the
     Closing Date and any reference in this Agreement to any amendment or
     supplement to the Prospectus shall be deemed to include any such materials
     incorporated by reference in the Prospectus after the Closing Date.

          (b)  On the effective date of the registration statement relating to
     the Registered Securities, such registration statement conformed in all
     respects to the requirements of the Act, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
     as amended ("Trust Indenture Act"), and the rules and regulations of the
     Commission ("Rules and Regulations") and did not include any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
     be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading, and on the Closing Date, the Registration Statement and the
     Prospectus, and at each of the times of acceptance and of delivery referred
     to in Section 6(a) hereof and at each of the times of amendment or
     supplementing referred to in Section 6(b) hereof (the Closing Date and each
     such time being herein sometimes referred to as a "Representation Date"),
     the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as then amended or
     supplemented will conform in all respects to the requirements of the Act,
     the Trust Indenture Act and the Rules and Regulations, and neither of such
     documents will include any untrue statement of a material fact or will omit
     to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
     make the statements therein not misleading, except that the foregoing does
     not apply to statements in or omissions from any of such documents based
     upon written information furnished to the Issuer by any Distributor
     specifically for use therein.


                                       -2-
<PAGE>

          3.   APPOINTMENT AS DISTRIBUTORS; AGREEMENT OF DISTRIBUTORS;
               SOLICITATIONS.

          (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, the Issuer
     hereby appoints each of the Distributors as an agent of the Issuer for the
     purpose of soliciting or receiving offers to purchase the Securities from
     the Issuer by others.  So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect
     with respect to any Distributor, the Issuer shall not, without the consent
     of any such Distributor, solicit or accept offers to purchase Securities
     otherwise than through one of the Distributors; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that,
     subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the foregoing
     shall not be construed to prevent the Issuer from selling at any time any
     Registered Securities in a firm commitment underwriting pursuant to an
     underwriting agreement that does not provide for a continuous offering of
     such Registered Securities; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the Issuer reserves
     the right from time to time (i) to sell Securities directly to an investor,
     (ii) to accept a specific offer to purchase Securities solicited by, and
     made by the Issuer to or through, a dealer other than the Distributors
     (each an "Other Dealer"), without obtaining the prior consent of any of the
     Distributors, provided that (x) the Issuer shall give each of the
     Distributors notice of its decision to accept such an offer to purchase
     Securities in advance of such acceptance, and (y) any Other Dealer shall
     agree to be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of this
     Agreement binding on the Distributors (including the commission schedule
     set forth on Exhibit B), and (iii) to appoint additional agents for the
     purpose of soliciting or receiving offers to purchase Securities
     ("Additional Distributors") pursuant to the Agreement, provided that each
     Additional Distributor shall execute this Agreement and become a party
     hereto and thereafter the term "Distributor" as used in this Agreement
     shall mean the Distributors and such Additional Distributors.  Each
     Distributor is authorized to engage the services of any other broker or
     dealer in connection with the offer or sale of Securities purchased by such
     Distributor as principal for resale to others and may reallow to such
     broker or dealer any portion of the discount or commission payable pursuant
     hereto, but such Distributor is not authorized to appoint sub-agents.

          (b)  On the basis of the representations and warranties contained
     herein, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, each
     Distributor agrees, as an agent of the Issuer, to use its reasonable best
     efforts when requested by the Issuer to solicit offers to purchase the
     Securities upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus, as
     from time to time amended or supplemented.  No Distributor shall have any
     responsibility for maintaining records with respect to the aggregate
     principal amount of Securities sold, or otherwise monitoring the
     availability of Securities for sale under the Registration Statement.  In
     placing any Securities pursuant to an offer accepted by the Issuer, the
     Distributor that solicited or received such offer (the "Presenting
     Distributor") may act as agent or purchase such Securities from the Issuer
     as principal for resale.  Upon acceptance by the Issuer of an offer by the
     Presenting Distributor to purchase Securities as principal,


                                       -3-
<PAGE>

     the Presenting Distributor may complete a Terms Agreement substantially in
     the form of Exhibit A hereto (a "Terms Agreement") and transmit the
     completed Terms Agreement to the Issuer by hand or by facsimile or other
     similar means of telecommunication.  Upon acceptance by the Issuer of an
     offer to purchase Securities, unless the Issuer and the Presenting
     Distributor otherwise agree in writing, any such Terms Agreement or any
     other written confirmation or communication transmitted by the Presenting
     Distributor to the Issuer or, in the absence of a Terms Agreement or other
     written confirmation or communication from the Presenting Distributor, the
     oral agreement with respect to the terms of the Securities and of their
     offer and sale evidenced by the offer communicated by the Presenting
     Distributor and accepted by the Issuer, in each case together with the
     provisions of this Agreement, shall constitute an agreement between the
     Presenting Distributor and the Issuer for the sale and purchase of such
     Securities (whether or not any Terms Agreement or other written
     confirmation or communication shall have been executed by the Issuer or the
     Presenting Distributor).

          Upon receipt of notice from the Issuer as contemplated by Section 4(b)
     hereof, each Distributor shall suspend its solicitation of offers to pur-
     chase Securities until such time as the Issuer shall have furnished it with
     an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
     as the case may be, contemplated by Section 4(b) and shall have advised
     such Distributor that such solicitation may be resumed.

          The Issuer reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend
     solicitation of offers to purchase the Securities commencing at any time
     for any period of time or permanently.  Upon receipt of at least one
     Business Day's prior notice from the Issuer, the Distributors will
     forthwith suspend solicitation of offers to purchase Securities from the
     Issuer until such time as the Issuer has advised the Distributors that such
     solicitation may be resumed.  For purposes of the preceding sentence,
     "Business Day" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday, and
     that in The City of New York is not a day on which banking institutions
     generally are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

          The Distributors are authorized to solicit offers to purchase
     Securities as described in the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, and
     only in a minimum aggregate amount of $1,000 (or the equivalent thereof in
     one or more currencies or currency units other than U.S. dollars).  Each
     Distributor shall communicate to the Issuer, orally or in writing, each
     reasonable offer to purchase Securities received by it as agent.  The
     Issuer shall have the sole right to accept offers to purchase the
     Securities and may reject any such offer, in whole or in part.  Each
     Distributor shall have the right, in its discretion reasonably exercised,
     without notice to the Issuer, to reject any offer to purchase Securities
     received by it, in whole or


                                       -4-
<PAGE>

     in part, and any such rejection shall not be deemed a breach of its
     agreement contained herein.

          No Security which the Issuer has agreed to sell pursuant to this
     Agreement shall be deemed to have been purchased and paid for, or sold by
     the Issuer, until such Security shall have been delivered to the purchaser
     thereof against payment by such purchaser.

          (c)  At the time of delivery of, and payment for, any Securities sold
     by the Issuer as a result of a solicitation made by, or offer to purchase
     received by, a Distributor, acting on an agency basis, the Issuer agrees to
     pay such Distributor a commission in accordance with the schedule set forth
     in Exhibit B hereto.  The Issuer agrees that each Distributor that
     purchases Securities as principal for resale shall receive such
     compensation, in the form of a discount or otherwise, as shall be agreed to
     between such Distributor and the Issuer at the time the Issuer accepts an
     offer to purchase such Securities, which compensation may be less than or
     greater than the commission set forth in Exhibit B, or, if no such
     compensation is agreed upon, a commission in accordance with Exhibit B
     hereto.  Unless otherwise specified in a Terms Agreement, a Distributor
     purchasing Securities may resell such Securities to other dealers on the
     terms set forth in, or determined as described in, the Prospectus
     (including, if applicable, the Pricing Supplement).

          (d)  Administrative procedures respecting the sale of Securities (the
     "Procedures") shall be agreed upon from time to time by the Distributors
     and the Issuer.  The initial Procedures, which are set forth in Exhibit C
     hereto, shall remain in effect until changed by agreement among the Issuer
     and the Distributors.  Each Distributor and the Issuer agree to perform the
     respective duties and obligations specifically provided to be performed by
     each of them herein and in the Procedures.  The Issuer will furnish to the
     Trustee a copy of the Procedures as from time to time in effect.

          (e)  The documents required to be delivered by Section 5 hereof shall
     be delivered at the office of [Sullivan & Cromwell, 1701 Pennsylvania
     Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20006-5805], not later than 10:00 A.M., New
     York City time, on the date of this Agreement or at such later time as may
     be mutually agreed by the Issuer and the Distributors, which in no event
     shall be later than the time at which the Distributors commence
     solicitation of purchases of Securities hereunder, such time and date being
     herein called the "Closing Date".

          4.  CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE ISSUER.  The Issuer agrees with the
Distributors that it will furnish to Sullivan & Cromwell, counsel for the
Distributors, one signed copy of the Registration Statement, including all
exhibits, in the form it became


                                       -5-
<PAGE>

effective and of all amendments thereto and that, in connection with each
offering of Securities:

          (a)  The Issuer will advise each Distributor promptly of any proposal
     to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and
     will afford the Distributors a reasonable opportunity to comment on any
     such proposed amendment or supplement (other than any Pricing Supplement
     that relates to Securities not purchased through or by such Distributor);
     and the Issuer will also advise each Distributor of the filing and
     effectiveness of any such amendment or supplement and of the institution by
     the Commission of any stop order proceedings in respect of the Registration
     Statement or of any part thereof and will use its best efforts to prevent
     the issuance of any such stop order and to obtain as soon as possible its
     lifting, if issued.

          (b)  If, at any time when (i) a prospectus relating to the Securities
     is required to be delivered under the Act and (ii) no suspension of
     solicitation of offers to purchase Securities pursuant to Section 3(b) or
     this Section 4(b) shall be in effect (any such time referred to in
     clause (ii) and any time when either any Distributor shall own any
     Securities with the intention of reselling them or the Issuer has accepted
     an offer to purchase Securities but the related settlement has not occurred
     being referred to herein as a "Marketing Time"), any event occurs as a
     result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would
     include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
     material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
     circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered,
     not misleading, or if it is necessary at any such time to amend the
     Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Issuer promptly will notify each
     Distributor to suspend solicitation of offers to purchase the Securities;
     and if the Issuer shall decide to amend or supplement the Registration
     Statement or the Prospectus, it promptly will advise each Distributor by
     telephone (with confirmation in writing) and, subject to the provisions of
     subsection (a) of this Section, promptly will prepare and file with the
     Commission an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or
     omission or an amendment which will effect such compliance. Notwithstanding
     the foregoing, if, at the time any such event occurs or it becomes
     necessary to amend the Prospectus to comply with the Act, any Distributor
     shall own any of the Securities with the intention of reselling them, or
     the Issuer has accepted an offer to purchase Securities but the related
     settlement has not occurred, the Issuer, subject to the provisions of
     subsection (a) of this Section, promptly will prepare and file with the
     Commission an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or
     omission or an amendment which will effect such compliance.  Neither the
     Distributors' consent to, nor their delivery of, any such amendment or
     supplement shall constitute a waiver of any of the conditions set forth in
     Section 5.

                                       -6-
<PAGE>

          (c)  The Issuer will file timely all documents required to be filed
     with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").  In
     addition, on or prior to the date on which the Issuer makes any
     announcement to the general public concerning earnings or concerning any
     other event which is required to be described, or which the Issuer proposes
     to describe, in a document filed pursuant to the Exchange Act, the Issuer
     will furnish the information contained or to be contained in such
     announcement to each Distributor, confirmed in writing and, subject to the
     provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, will cause the
     Prospectus to be amended or supplemented to reflect the information
     contained in such announcement.  The Issuer also will furnish each
     Distributor with copies of all such press releases or announcements.  The
     Issuer will immediately notify each Distributor of any downgrading in the
     rating of any debt securities of the Issuer or any proposal to downgrade
     the rating of any debt securities of the Issuer by any "nationally
     recognized statistical rating organization" (as defined for purposes of
     Rule 436(g) under the Act), or any public announcement that any such
     organization has under surveillance or review its rating of any debt
     securities of the Issuer (other than an announcement with positive
     implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible
     downgrading of such rating), as soon as the Issuer learns of such
     downgrading, proposal to downgrade or public announcement.

          (d)  As soon as practicable, but not later than 16 months, after the
     date of each acceptance by the Issuer of an offer to purchase Securities
     hereunder, the Issuer will make generally available to its securityholders
     an earnings statement covering a period of at least 12 months beginning
     after the later of (i) the effective date of the registration statement
     relating to the Registered Securities, (ii) the effective date of the most
     recent post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement to become
     effective prior to the date of such acceptance and (iii) the date of the
     Issuer's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission
     prior to the date of such acceptance, which will satisfy the provisions of
     Section 11(a) of the Act.

          (e)  The Issuer will furnish to each Distributor copies of the
     Registration Statement, including all exhibits, any related preliminary
     prospectus, any related preliminary prospectus supplement, the Prospectus
     and all amendments and supplements to such documents (including any Pricing
     Supplement), in each case as soon as available and in such quantities as
     are reasonably requested.

          (f)  The Issuer will arrange for the qualification of the Securities
     for sale and the determination of their eligibility for investment under
     the laws of such jurisdictions as the Distributors designate and will
     continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the
     distribution.


                                       -7-
<PAGE>

          (g)  During the period of five years after the date of the last
     Closing Date with respect to any outstanding Securities, and thereafter
     during the period any Securities are outstanding if so requested by a
     Distributor, the Issuer will furnish to the Distributors, (i) as soon as
     practicable after the end of each fiscal year, a copy of its annual report
     to stockholders for such year, (ii) as soon as available, a copy of each
     report or definitive proxy statement of the Issuer filed with the
     Commission under the Exchange Act or mailed to stockholders, and (iii) from
     time to time, such other information concerning the Issuer as the
     Distributors may reasonably request.

          (h)  The Issuer will pay, or reimburse each Distributor for, all
     expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this
     Agreement, and the Issuer will reimburse each Distributor for any expenses
     (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of a single counsel to the
     Distributors) incurred by such Distributor: (i) in connection with
     qualification of the Securities for sale and determination of their eligi-
     bility for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as such
     Distributor may designate and the printing of memoranda relating thereto;
     (ii) for any fees charged by investment rating agencies for the rating of
     the Securities; (iii) for any filing fee of the National Association of
     Securities Dealers, Inc. relating to the Securities; (iv) in distributing
     the Prospectus and all supplements thereto (including any Pricing
     Supplement), any preliminary prospectuses and any preliminary prospectus
     supplements to such Distributor; (v) with the prior approval of the Issuer,
     in advertising any offering of Securities; (vi) in connection with the
     establishment of the program contemplated by this Agreement; (vii) in
     connection with such Distributor's obligations under this Agreement; or
     (viii) otherwise as approved by the Issuer in connection with the
     activities of such Distributor under this Agreement.

          (i)  Between the date on which any Distributor agrees to purchase
     Securities from the Issuer as principal for resale and the date of delivery
     of such Securities, the Issuer will not offer or sell, or enter into any
     agreement to sell, any of its debt securities (other than such Securities)
     in the United States, other than borrowings under the Issuer's revolving
     credit agreements and lines of credit, the private placement of securities
     and issuances of its commercial paper.

          5.  CONDITIONS OF OBLIGATIONS.  The obligations of each Distributor,
as agent of the Issuer, under this Agreement at any time to solicit offers to
purchase the Securities and to purchase Securities from the Issuer as principal
is subject to the accuracy, on the date hereof, on each Representation Date and
on the date of each such solicitation, of the representations and warranties of
the Issuer herein; to the accuracy, on each such date, of the statements of the
Issuer's officers made pursuant to the provisions hereof; to the performance, on
or prior to each such date, by the Issuer of its obligations hereunder; and to
each of the following additional conditions precedent:


                                       -8-
<PAGE>

          (a)  The Prospectus, as amended or supplemented as of any
     Representation Date or date of such solicitation, as the case may be, shall
     have been filed with the Commission in accordance with the Rules and
     Regulations and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
     Registration Statement or of any part thereof shall have been issued and no
     proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or, to the
     knowledge of the Issuer or any Distributor, shall be contemplated by the
     Commission.

          (b)  Neither the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus, as amended
     or supplemented as of any Representation Date or date of such solicitation,
     as the case may be, shall contain any untrue statement of fact which, in
     the opinion of any Distributor, is material or omits to state a fact which,
     in the opinion of any Distributor, is material and is required to be stated
     therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

          (c)  There shall not have occurred: (i) any change, or any development
     involving a prospective change, in or affecting particularly the business
     or properties of the Issuer or its subsidiaries which, in the judgment of
     such Distributor, materially impairs the investment quality of the
     Securities; (ii) any downgrading in the rating of any debt securities of
     the Issuer by any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization"
     (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Act), or any public
     announcement that any such organization has under surveillance or review
     its rating of any debt securities of the Issuer (other than an announcement
     with positive implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a
     possible downgrading, of such rating); (iii) any suspension or limitation
     of trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, or any
     setting of minimum prices for trading on such exchange, or any suspension
     of trading of any securities of the Issuer on any exchange or in the over-
     the-counter market; (iv) any banking moratorium declared by Federal or New
     York authorities; or (v) any outbreak or escalation of major hostilities in
     which the United States is involved, any declaration of war by Congress or
     any other substantial national or international calamity or emergency if,
     in the judgment of such Distributor, the effect of any such outbreak,
     escalation, declaration, calamity or emergency makes it impractical or
     inadvisable to proceed with solicitations of offers to purchase, or sales
     of, Securities.

          (d)  At the Closing Date and, if specified in a Terms Agreement, if
     any, at the time of delivery of the Securities described in such Terms
     Agreement, the Distributors or the Distributor purchasing such Securities
     (the "Purchasing Distributor"), as the case may be, shall have received an
     opinion, dated the Closing Date, or such date of delivery, as the case may
     be, of Warren Y. Zeger, Vice President and General Counsel for the Issuer,
     to the effect that:

                                       -9-
<PAGE>

               (i)  The Issuer has been duly incorporated and is an existing
          corporation in good standing under the laws of the District of
          Columbia, with corporate power and authority to own its properties and
          conduct its business as described in the Prospectus; and the Issuer is
          duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in good
          standing in all other jurisdictions in which it owns or leases
          substantial properties or in which the conduct of its business
          requires such qualification;

               (ii) The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
          delivered by the Issuer and has been duly qualified under the Trust
          Indenture Act and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation
          of the Issuer enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
          bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
          moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or
          affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles;

               (iii)     Any series of Securities established on or prior to
          date of such opinion has been duly authorized and established in
          conformity with the Indenture, and, when the terms of a particular
          Security and of its issuance and sale have been duly authorized and
          established by all necessary corporate action in conformity with the
          Indenture, and such Security has been duly completed, executed,
          authenticated and issued in accordance with the Indenture and
          delivered against payment as contemplated by this Agreement, such
          Security will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the
          Issuer enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
          bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
          moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or
          affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles, it being
          understood that such counsel may (a) assume that at the time of the
          issuance, sale and delivery of each Security the authorization of such
          series will not have been modified or rescinded and there will not
          have occurred any change in law affecting the validity, legally
          binding character or enforceability of such Security, (b) assume that
          neither the issuance, sale and delivery of any Security, nor any of
          the terms of such Security, nor compliance by the Issuer with such
          terms, will violate any applicable law, any agreement or instrument
          then binding upon the Issuer or any restriction imposed by any court
          or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Issuer, and (c)
          state that as of the date of such opinion a judgment for money in an
          action based on Securities denominated in foreign currencies or
          currency units in a Federal or State court in the United States
          ordinarily would be enforced in the United States only in United
          States dollars, and that the date used to determine the rate of
          conversion of the foreign currency or currency unit in which a
          particular Security is denominated into United States dollars will
          depend upon various factors, including which court renders the
          judgment;

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

               (iv) The Registration Statement has become effective under the
          Act, the Prospectus was filed with the Commission pursuant to the
          subparagraph of Rule 424(b) under the Act specified in such opinion on
          the date specified therein, and, to the best of the knowledge of such
          counsel, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
          Registration Statement or of any part thereof has been issued and no
          proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or
          contemplated under the Act, and the registration statement relating to
          the Registered Securities, as of its effective date, the Registration
          Statement and the Prospectus, as of the Closing Date, and any
          amendment or supplement thereto, as of its date, complied as to form
          in all material respects with the requirements of the Act, the Trust
          Indenture Act and the Rules and Regulations; such counsel has no
          reason to believe that such registration statement as of its effective
          date, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as of the Closing
          Date, or any such amendment or supplement, as of its date, contained
          any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any
          material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
          statements therein not misleading; the descriptions in the
          Registration Statement and the Prospectus of statutes, legal and
          governmental proceedings and contracts and other documents are
          accurate and fairly present the information required to be shown; and
          such counsel do not know of any legal or governmental proceedings
          required to be described in the Prospectus which are not described as
          required or of any contracts or documents of a character required to
          be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be
          filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which are not
          described and filed as required; it being understood that such counsel
          need express no opinion as to the financial statements or other
          financial data contained in the Registration Statement or the
          Prospectus;

               (v)  No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing
          with, any governmental agency or body or any court is required for the
          consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in
          connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities by the Issuer,
          except such as have been obtained and made under the Act and the Trust
          Indenture Act and such as may be required under state securities laws
          (it being understood that such counsel may assume with respect to each
          particular Security that the inclusion of any alternative or
          additional terms in such Security that are not currently specified in
          the draft forms of Securities examined by such counsel would not
          require the Issuer to obtain any regulatory consent, authorization or
          approval or make any regulatory filing in order for the Issuer to
          issue, sell and deliver such Security);

               (vi) The execution, delivery and performance of the Indenture,
          this Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Securities, and
          compliance

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

          with the terms and provisions thereof, will not result in a breach or
          violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a
          default under, any statute, any rule, regulation or order of any
          governmental agency or body or any court having jurisdiction over the
          Issuer or any subsidiary of the Issuer or any of their properties or
          any agreement or instrument to which the Issuer or any such
          subsidiary is a party or by which the Issuer or any such subsidiary is
          bound or to which any of the properties of the Issuer or any such
          subsidiary is subject, or the charter or by-laws of the Issuer or any
          such subsidiary, and the Issuer has full power and authority to
          authorize, issue and sell the Securities as contemplated by this
          Agreement (it being understood that such counsel may assume with
          respect to each particular Security that the inclusion of any
          alternative or additional terms in such Security that are not
          currently specified in the draft forms of Securities examined by such
          counsel will not cause the issuance, sale or delivery of such
          Security, the terms of such Security, or the compliance by the Issuer
          with such terms, to violate any of the court orders or laws specified
          in this paragraph or to result in a default under or a breach of any
          of the agreements specified in this paragraph); and

               (vii)     This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
          delivered by the Issuer.

     PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in the case of each such opinion delivered
     pursuant to a Terms Agreement, (x) the statements contained in such opinion
     relating to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall relate to
     the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as
     amended or supplemented as of the date of the Issuer's acceptance of the
     offer to purchase such Securities and as of the time of delivery of such
     Securities; (y) such opinion shall relate to the Securities being delivered
     on the date of such opinion and not to other Securities as well; and (z) in
     lieu of the opinion described in clause (iii), such opinion shall state
     that the Securities being delivered on the date of such opinion, when
     delivered against payment therefor as contemplated by this Agreement, will
     have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered and will
     constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer enforceable
     in accordance with their terms, subject only to the exceptions set forth in
     clause (iii) as to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
     reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability
     relating to or affecting creditors' rights and general equity principles,
     and will conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus as
     amended or supplemented at such date of delivery.

          In rendering such opinion at the Closing Date, Mr. Zeger may rely, as
     to all matters governed by New York law, upon the opinion of Sullivan &
     Cromwell, counsel for the Distributors.


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

          (e)  At the Closing Date and, if specified in a Terms Agreement, if
     any, at the time of delivery of the Securities described in such Terms
     Agreement, the Distributors or the Purchasing Distributor, as the case may
     be, shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date or such date
     of delivery, as the case may be, of the President or any Vice President and
     a principal financial or accounting officer of the Issuer in which such
     officers, to the best of their knowledge after reasonable investigation,
     shall state that (i) the representations and warranties of the Issuer in
     this Agreement are true and correct, (ii) the Issuer has complied with all
     agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or
     satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date or such date of
     delivery, as the case may be, (iii) no stop order suspending the
     effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any part thereof has been
     issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are
     contemplated by the Commission, and (iv) subsequent to the date of the most
     recent financial statements in the Prospectus, there has been no material
     adverse change in the financial position or results of operations of the
     Issuer and its subsidiaries, except as set forth in or contemplated by the
     Prospectus or as described in such certificate.  In the case of each such
     certificate delivered pursuant to a Terms Agreement, the statements
     contained in such certificate relating to the Registration Statement or the
     Prospectus shall relate to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as
     the case may be, as amended or supplemented as of the date of the Issuer's
     acceptance of the offer to purchase such Securities and as of the time of
     delivery of such Securities.

          (f)  At the Closing Date and, if specified in a Terms Agreement, if
     any, at the time of delivery of the Securities described in such Terms
     Agreement, the Distributors or the Purchasing Distributor, as the case may
     be, shall have received a letter, dated the Closing Date or such date of
     delivery, as the case may be, of Deloitte & Touche, confirming that they
     are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Act and the
     applicable published Rules and Regulations thereunder and stating in effect
     that:

               (i)  in their opinion, the financial statements and schedules
          examined by them and included in the Prospectus comply in form in all
          material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
          Act and the related published Rules and Regulations;

               (ii) they have made a review of any unaudited financial
          statements included in the Prospectus in accordance with standards
          established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
          or limited review report, if attached;


               (iii)     on the basis of the review referred to in (ii) above
          and a reading of the latest available interim financial statements of
          the Issuer, inquiries of officials of the Issuer who have
          responsibility for financial and


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

          accounting matters and other specified procedures, nothing came to
          their attention that caused them to believe that:

                    (A)  the unaudited financial statements, if any, included in
               the Prospectus do not comply in form in all material respects
               with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the
               related published Rules and Regulations or are not in conformity
               with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis
               substantially consistent with that of the audited financial
               statements included in the Prospectus;

                    (B)  the unaudited capsule information, if any, included in
               the Prospectus does not agree with the amounts set forth in the
               unaudited consolidated financial statements from which it was
               derived or was not determined on a basis substantially consistent
               with that of the audited statements of income;

                    (C)  at the date of the latest available balance sheet read
               by such accountants, or at a subsequent specified date not more
               than five days prior to the Closing Date, there was any change in
               the capital stock or any increase in short-term indebtedness or
               long-term debt of the Issuer and consolidated subsidiaries or, at
               the date of the latest available balance sheet read by such
               accountants, there was any decrease in consolidated net current
               assets, as compared with amounts shown on the latest balance
               sheet included in the Prospectus; or

                    (D)  for the period from the closing date of the latest
               income statement included in the Prospectus to the closing date
               of the latest available income statement read by such accountants
               there were any decreases, as compared with the corresponding
               period of the previous year and with the period of corresponding
               length ended the date of the latest income statement included in
               the Prospectus, in consolidated net sales, net operating income,
               or in the ratio of earnings to fixed charges;

except in all cases set forth in clauses (C) and (D) above for changes,
increases or decreases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur
or which are described in such letter; and

               (iv) They have compared specified dollar amounts (or percentages
          derived from such dollar amounts) and other financial information
          contained in the Prospectus (in each case to the extent that such
          dollar amounts, percentages and other financial information are
          derived from the general


                                      -14-
<PAGE>

          accounting records of the Issuer and its subsidiaries subject to the
          internal controls of the Issuer's accounting system or are derived
          directly from such records by analysis or computation) with the
          results obtained from inquiries, a reading of such general accounting
          records and other procedures specified in such letter and have found
          such dollar amounts, percentages and other financial information to be
          in agreement with such results, except as otherwise specified in such
          letter.

     All financial statements and schedules included in material incorporated by
     reference into the Prospectus shall be deemed included in the Prospectus
     for purposes of this subsection, except the Issuer's Current Report on Form
     8-K filed with the Commission June 8, 1994.

          In the case of each such letter delivered pursuant to a Terms
     Agreement, the statements contained in such letter relating to the
     Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall relate to the Registration
     Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as amended or supplemented
     as of the date of the Issuer's acceptance of the offer to purchase such
     Securities and as of the time of delivery of such Securities.

          (g)  At the Closing Date and, if specified in a Terms Agreement, if
     any, at the time of delivery of the Securities described in such Terms
     Agreement, the Distributors or the Purchasing Distributor, as the case may
     be, shall have received from Sullivan & Cromwell, counsel for the
     Distributors, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date or such date
     of delivery, as the case may be, with respect to the incorporation of the
     Issuer, the validity of the Securities, the Registration Statement, the
     Prospectus and other related matters as they may require, and the Issuer
     shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the
     purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

          The Issuer will furnish the Distributors with such conformed copies of
such opinions, certificates, letters and documents as they reasonably request.

          6.  ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER.  The Issuer agrees that:

          (a)  Each acceptance by the Issuer of an offer for the purchase of
     Securities shall be deemed to be an affirmation that its representations
     and warranties contained in this Agreement are true and correct at the time
     of such acceptance and a covenant that such representations and warranties
     will be true and correct at the time of delivery to the purchaser of the
     Securities as though made at and as of each such time, it being understood
     that such representations and warranties shall relate to the Registration
     Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented at each such time.
     Each such acceptance by the Issuer of an offer to purchase of Securities
     shall be deemed to constitute an


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

     additional representation, warranty and agreement by the Issuer that, as of
     the date of delivery of such Securities to the purchaser thereof, after
     giving effect to the issuance of such Securities, of any other Securities
     to be issued on or prior to such delivery date and of any other Registered
     Securities to be issued and sold by the Issuer on or prior to such delivery
     date, the aggregate amount of Registered Securities (including any
     Securities) which have been issued and sold by the Issuer will not exceed
     the amount of Registered Securities registered pursuant to the Registration
     Statement.

          (b)  Each time that the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall
     be amended or supplemented (other than by a Pricing Supplement), the Issuer
     shall, (A) concurrently with such amendment or supplement, if such
     amendment or supplement shall occur at a Marketing Time, or (B) immediately
     at the next Marketing Time if such amendment or supplement shall not occur
     at a Marketing Time, furnish the Distributors with a certificate, dated the
     date of delivery thereof, of the President or any Vice President and a
     principal financial or accounting officer of the Issuer, in form satisfac-
     tory to the Distributors, to the effect that the statements contained in
     the certificate covering the matters set forth in Section 5(e) hereof which
     was last furnished to the Distributors pursuant to this Section 6(b) are
     true and correct at the time of such amendment or supplement, as though
     made at and as of such time or, in lieu of such certificate, a certificate
     of the same tenor as the certificate referred to in Section 5(e); PROVIDED,
     HOWEVER, that any certificate furnished under this Section 6(b) shall
     relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or
     supplemented at the time of delivery of such certificate and, in the case
     of the matters set forth in clause (ii) of Section 5(e), to the time of
     delivery of such certificate.

          (c)  At each Representation Date referred to in Section 6(b), the
     Issuer shall, (A) concurrently if such Representation Date shall occur at a
     Marketing Time, or (B) immediately at the next Marketing Time if such
     Representation Date shall not occur at a Marketing Time, furnish the
     Distributors with a written opinion or opinions, dated the date of such
     Representation Date, of counsel for the Issuer, in form satisfactory to the
     Distributors, to the effect set forth in Section 5(d) hereof; PROVIDED,
     HOWEVER, that to the extent appropriate such opinion or opinions may recon-
     firm matters set forth in a prior opinion delivered at the Closing Date or
     under this Section 6(c); PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that any opinion or
     opinions furnished under this Section 6(c) shall relate to the Registration
     Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented at such
     Representation Date and shall state that the Securities sold in the
     relevant Applicable Period (as defined below) have been duly executed,
     authenticated, issued and delivered and constitute valid and legally
     binding obligations of the Issuer enforceable in accordance with their
     terms, subject only to the exceptions set forth in clause (iii) of Section
     5(d) hereof as to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
     reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability
     relating to or affecting creditors' rights and general


                                      -16-
<PAGE>

     equity principles, and conform to the description thereof contained in the
     Prospectus as amended or supplemented at the relevant date or dates for the
     delivery of such Securities to the purchaser or purchasers thereof.  For
     the purpose of this Section 6(c), "Applicable Period" shall mean with
     respect to any opinion delivered on a Representation Date the period
     commencing on the date as of which the most recent prior opinion delivered
     at the Closing Date or under this Section 6(c) speaks and ending on such
     Representation Date.


          (d)  At each Representation Date referred to in Section 6(b) on which
     the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be amended or
     supplemented to include additional financial information, the Issuer shall
     cause Deloitte & Touche (A) concurrently if such Representation Date shall
     occur at a Marketing Time, or (B) immediately at the next Marketing Time if
     such Representation Date shall not occur at a Marketing Time, to furnish
     the Distributors with a letter, addressed jointly to the Issuer and the
     Distributors and dated the date of such Representation Date, in form and
     substance satisfactory to the Distributors, to the effect set forth in Sec-
     tion 5(f) hereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that to the extent appropriate such
     letter may reconfirm matters set forth in a prior letter delivered at the
     Closing Date or pursuant to this Section 6(d); PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER,
     that any letter furnished under this Section 6(d) shall relate to the
     Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented at
     such Representation Date, with such changes as may be necessary to reflect
     changes in the financial statements and other information derived from the
     accounting records of the Issuer.

          (e)  On each date for the delivery of Securities to the purchaser
     thereof, the Issuer shall, if requested by the Distributor that solicited
     or received the offer to purchase any Securities being delivered on such
     settlement date, furnish such Distributor with a written opinion or
     opinions, dated the date of delivery thereof, of counsel for the Issuer, in
     form satisfactory to such Distributor, to the effect set forth in
     clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 5(d) hereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
     any opinion furnished under this Section 6(e) shall relate to the
     Prospectus as amended or supplemented at such delivery date and shall state
     that the Securities being sold by the Issuer on such delivery date, when
     delivered against payment therefor as contemplated by this Agreement, will
     have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered and will
     constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer enforceable
     in accordance with their terms, subject only to the exceptions set forth in
     clause (iii) of Section 5(d) hereof as to bankruptcy, insolvency,
     fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general
     applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and general equity
     principles, and will conform to the description thereof contained in the
     Prospectus as amended or supplemented at such settlement date.

          (f)  The Issuer agrees that any obligation of a person who has agreed
     to purchase Securities to make payment for and take delivery of such
     Securities

                                      -17-
<PAGE>


     shall be subject to (i) the accuracy, on the related settlement date fixed
     pursuant to the Procedures, of the Issuer's representation and warranty
     deemed to be made to the Distributors pursuant to the last sentence of
     subsection (a) of this Section 6, and (ii) the satisfaction, on such
     settlement date, of each of the conditions set forth in Sections 5(a), (b)
     and (c), it being understood that under no circumstance shall any
     Distributor have any duty or obligation to exercise the judgment permitted
     under Section 5(b) or (c) on behalf of any such person.

          7.  INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.

          (a)  The Issuer will indemnify and hold harmless each Distributor
     against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to
     which such Distributor may become subject, under the Act or otherwise,
     insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
     respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
     alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration
     Statement, the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any
     related preliminary prospectus or preliminary prospectus supplement, or
     arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
     therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
     the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Distributor
     for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Distributor in
     connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
     liability or action as such expenses are incurred; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
     the Issuer will not be liable to such Distributor in any such case to the
     extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is
     based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
     alleged omission made in any of such documents in reliance upon and in
     conformity with written information furnished to the Issuer by such
     Distributor specifically for use therein, unless such loss, claim, damage
     or liability arises out of the offer or sale of Securities occurring after
     such Distributor has notified the Issuer in writing that such information
     should no longer be used therein.

          (b)  Each Distributor will indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer
     against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Issuer may
     become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
     damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are
     based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material
     fact contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any
     amendment or supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus or
     preliminary prospectus supplement, or arise out of or are based upon the
     omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
     to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such
     untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
     omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
     information furnished to the

                                      -18-
<PAGE>


     Issuer by such Distributor specifically for use therein, and will reimburse
     any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Issuer in connection
     with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
     action as such expenses are incurred, unless such loss, claim, damage or
     liability arises out of the offer or sale of Securities occurring after the
     Distributor has notified the Issuer in writing that such information should
     no longer be used therein.

          (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
     Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified
     party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
     indemnifying party under subsection (a) or (b) above, notify the indemni-
     fying party of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
     indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have
     to any indemnified party otherwise than under subsection (a) or (b) above.
     In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it
     notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the
     indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the
     extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party
     similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
     satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the
     consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party),
     and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of
     its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will
     not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 7 for any legal
     or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in
     connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investi-
     gation.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of
     the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
     action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a
     party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified
     party unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such
     indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject
     matter of such action.

          (d)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is
     unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
     subsection (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute
     to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the
     losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a) or (b)
     above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
     benefits received by the Issuer on the one hand and any Distributor on the
     other from the offering pursuant to this Agreement of the Securities which
     are the subject of the action or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause
     (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
     appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause
     (i) above but also the relative fault of the Issuer on the one hand and any
     Distributor on the other in connection with the statements or omissions
     which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities as well as
     any other relevant equitable


                                      -19-
<PAGE>

     considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Issuer on the one
     hand and any Distributor on the other shall be deemed to be in the same
     proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering pursuant to this
     Agreement of the Securities which are the subject of the action (before
     deducting expenses) received by the Issuer bear to the total discounts and
     commissions received by such Distributor from the offering of such
     Securities pursuant to this Agreement.  The relative fault shall be
     determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
     alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
     omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
     Issuer or such Distributor and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
     access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue
     statement or omission.  The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result
     of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first
     sentence of this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or
     other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection
     with investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of
     this subsection (d).  Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection
     (d), no Distributor shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of
     the amount by which the total price at which the Securities which are the
     subject of the action and which were distributed to the public through it
     pursuant to this Agreement or upon resale of Securities purchased by it
     from the Issuer exceeds the amount of any damages which such Distributor
     has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged
     untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No person guilty of
     fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
     Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty
     of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The obligations of each Distributor
     in this subsection (d) to contribute are several, in the same proportion
     which the amount of the Securities which are the subject of the action and
     which were distributed to the public through such Distributor pursuant to
     this Agreement bears to the total amount of such Securities distributed to
     the public through all of the Distributors pursuant to this Agreement, and
     not joint.

          (e)  The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 7 shall be in
     addition to any liability which the Issuer may otherwise have and shall
     extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who
     controls each Distributor within the meaning of the Act; and the
     obligations of each Distributor under this Section 7 shall be in addition
     to any liability which each Distributor may otherwise have and shall
     extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each director of the Issuer,
     to each officer of the Issuer who has signed the Registration Statement and
     to each person, if any, who controls the Issuer within the meaning of the
     Act.

          8.  STATUS OF EACH DISTRIBUTOR.  In soliciting offers to purchase the
Securities from the Issuer pursuant to this Agreement and in assuming its other
obligations hereunder (other than any obligation to purchase Securities pursuant
to Section 3 hereof), each Distributor is acting individually and not jointly
and is acting solely as agent for the


                                      -20-
<PAGE>

Issuer and not as principal.  In connection with the placement of any Securities
by a Distributor, acting as agent, (a) each Distributor will make reasonable
best efforts to assist the Issuer in obtaining performance by each purchaser
whose offer to purchase Securities from the Issuer has been solicited by such
Distributor and accepted by the Issuer, but such Distributor shall have no
liability to the Issuer in the event any such purchase is not consummated for
any reason; and (b) if the Issuer shall default on its obligations to deliver
Securities to a purchaser whose offer it has accepted, the Issuer (i) shall hold
the Distributors harmless against any loss, claim or damage arising from or as a
result of such default by the Issuer, and (ii) in particular, shall pay to each
selling Distributor any commission to which it would be entitled in connection
with such sale.

          9.  SURVIVAL OF CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS.  The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other
statements of the Issuer or its officers and of the Distributors set forth in or
made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless
of any investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on
behalf of any Distributor, the Issuer or any of their respective
representatives, officers or directors or any controlling person and will
survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.  If this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to Section 10 or for any other reason or if for any reason
the sale of Securities described in a confirmation or Terms Agreement referred
to in Section 3 by the Issuer to a Distributor is not consummated, the Issuer
shall remain responsible for the expenses to be paid or reimbursed by it
pursuant to Section 4(h) and the obligations of the Issuer under Sections 4(d)
and 4(g) and the respective obligations of the Issuer and the Distributors
pursuant to Section 7 shall remain in effect.  In addition, if any such
termination of this Agreement shall occur either (i) at a time when any
Distributor shall own any of the Securities with the intention of reselling them
or (ii) after the Issuer has accepted an offer to purchase Securities and prior
to the related settlement, the obligations of the Issuer under the second
sentence of Section 4(b), under Sections 4(a), 4(c), 4(e), 4(f) and 4(i) and, in
the case of a termination occurring as described in (ii) above, under
Sections 3(c), 6(a), 6(e) and 6(f) and under the last sentence of Section 8,
shall also remain in effect.

          10.  TERMINATION.  This Agreement may be terminated for any reason at
any time by the Issuer as to any Distributor or, in the case of any Distributor,
by such Distributor insofar as this Agreement relates to such Distributor, upon
the giving of one day's written notice of such termination to the other parties
hereto; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this Agreement may not be terminated with
respect to a Distributor by the giving of such notice following receipt by the
Issuer of a confirmation or Terms Agreement referred to in Section 3 relating to
the purchase of Securities by such Distributor and prior to delivery of the
Securities described in such confirmation or Terms Agreement, unless the sale
and purchase of Securities contemplated thereby is rejected by the Issuer in
accordance with Section 3.  Any settlement with respect to Securities placed by
a Distributor on an agency basis occurring after termination of this Agreement
shall be made in accordance with the Procedures and each Distributor agrees, if
requested by the

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

Issuer, to take the steps therein provided to be taken by such Distributor in
connection with such settlement.

          11.  NOTICES.  Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices and
other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunica-
tion.  Notices to CS First Boston Corporation shall be directed to it at Park
Avenue Plaza, New York, New York 10055, Attention:  Mr. Joseph Fashano; notices
to Salomon Brothers Inc shall be directed to it at Seven World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048, Attention: Medium-Term Note Department; notices to
Nationsbanc Capital Markets, Inc. shall be directed to it at NationsBank
Corporate Center, NC 1007-06-07, 100 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North
Carolina  28255-0065, Attention: Lynn T. McConnell; and notices to the Issuer
shall be directed to it at COMSAT Corporation, 6560 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda,
Maryland 20817, Attention: Treasurer, with a copy to COMSAT Corporation, 6560
Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20817, Attention: General Counsel;  or in
the case of any party hereto, to such other address or person as such party
shall specify to each other party by a notice given in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 12.  Any such notice shall take effect at the time of
receipt.

          12.  SUCCESSORS.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto, their respective successors, the officers and
directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 7 and, to the extent
provided in Section 6(f), any person who has agreed to purchase Securities from
the Issuer, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

          13.  GOVERNING LAW; COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.  This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, but all such executed counterparts shall together
constitute one and the same Agreement.


                                      -22-
<PAGE>

          If the foregoing correctly sets forth our agreement, please indicate
your acceptance hereof in the space provided for that purpose below.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   COMSAT CORPORATION


                              By:____________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title:

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the
  date first above written:

CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION


By:__________________________
   Name:
   Title:

SALOMON BROTHERS INC


By:__________________________
   Name:
   Title:

NATIONSBANC CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.


By:__________________________
   Name:
   Title:


                                      -23-
<PAGE>

                                                                 EXHIBIT A

                               COMSAT CORPORATION

                                   ("Company")

                          Medium-Term Notes, Series ___

                 Due from Nine Months or More from Date of Issue

                                 TERMS AGREEMENT


                                                  , 19


COMSAT CORPORATION
6560 Rock Spring Drive
Bethesda, Md  20817
Attention:  Mr. Wesley D. Minami

Dear Sirs:

          We offer to purchase, on and subject to the terms and conditions of
the Distribution Agreement filed as an exhibit to the Company's registration
statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-     ) ("Distribution Agreement"), the following
Notes ("Notes") on the following terms:

     Title:

     Currency or Currency Units:

     Stated Maturity:

     Principal Amount:

     Public Offering Price:   [___%, subject to change by the undersigned -- The
                              Agent proposes to reoffer the above Notes from
                              time to time at market prices prevailing at the
                              time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing
                              market prices or at negotiated prices.]

     Original Issue Discount Security: Yes ____ No ____

     Purchase Price (to be paid in [New York Clearing House (next day) --
     immediately available] funds): ___% [, plus accrued interest, if any, from
     the Trade Date to the Settlement Date]

     Underwriting Discount or Commission received from the Company (%):

     Proceeds to Company (If different from Public Offering Price) (%):

     In the case of Fixed Rate Notes, the interest rate and, if different from
     the dates set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, the Interest Payment Date
     or Dates and corresponding Regular Record Date or Dates:


<PAGE>

     In the case of Floating Rate Notes, the Interest rate formula, Initial
     Interest Rate, the Index Maturity, the Spread or Spread Multiplier (if
     any), the maximum or minimum Interest rate limitations (if any), the
     Interest Reset Dates, the Interest Determination Dates, the Calculation
     Agent, the Calculation Dates, the Interest Payment Dates and the Regular
     Record Dates, in each case to the extent applicable:








     Optional Redemption (option of the Company):

          Redemption Date(s):
          Redemption Prices(s)(%):
          Notice Period:

     Optional Redemption (option of the Holder):

          Redemption Date(s):
          Redemption Price(s)(%):
          Notice Period:

     Sinking Fund:

     Trade Date:

     Settlement Date (Issue Date):

                                       -2-



<PAGE>

               *    *    *    *

DETAILS FOR SETTLEMENT

     (Additional Purchase Information -- to be completed by Distributor, if
desired, to the extent available):

               Exact name in which the Note or Notes are to be
               registered ("registered owner"):

               Exact address of registered owner and, if
               different, the address for delivery of notices and
               payment of principal and any premium and interest:

               Taxpayer identification number of registered
               owner:

               Principal amount of each Note in authorized
               denominations to be delivered to registered owner:


                    *    *    *    *    *

          Our agreement to purchase the Notes hereunder is subject to the
conditions set forth in the Distribution Agreement, including the conditions set
forth in paragraphs (d), (e), (f) and (g) of Section 5 thereof [--, and [SPECIFY
ADDITINAL CONDITIONS, IF ANY]--]. If for any reason the purchase by the
undersigned of the Notes is not consummated other than because of a default by
the undersigned or a failure to satisfy a condition set forth in clause (iii),
(iv) or (v) of Section 5(d) of the Distribution Agreement, the Issuer shall
reimburse the undersigned for all out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by
the undersigned in connection with the offering of the Notes and not otherwise
required to be reimbursed pursuant to Section 4 of the Distribution Agreement.

          [INSERT ANY ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS, CONDITIONS, ETC.]

                                       -3-



<PAGE>

          Unless the undersigned has received notification from the Company
within one Business Day (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) that the
Company does not agree to the terms set forth herein, this Terms Agreement shall
constitute an agreement between the Company and the undersigned for the sale and
purchase of the Notes upon the terms set forth herein and in the Distribution
Agreement.

                              Very truly yours,


                              [CS FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION]
                              [SALOMON BROTHERS INC]
                              [NATIONSBANC CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.]
                              [NAME OF OTHER AGENT]
                              [NAME OF ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTOR]


                              [By ________________________]
                                   [INSERT TITLE]

Accepted and agreed to
as of the date set forth above.

COMSAT CORPORATION


By _______________________________
     [INSERT TITLE]

                                       -4-


<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B



          The Issuer agrees to pay each Distributor a commission equal to the
following percentage of the principal amount of Securities sold to purchasers
solicited by such Distributor:

                                                        Commission Rate
                                                        (as a percentage of
             Term                                        principal amount)
             ----                                       -------------------

9 months to less than 12 months                                .125%
12 months to less than 18 months                               .150
18 months to less than 24 months                               .200
24 months to less than 30 months                               .250
30 months to less than 3 years                                 .300
3 years to less than 4 years                                   .350
4 years to less than 5 years                                   .450
5 years to less than 7 years                                   .500
7 years to less than 10 years                                  .550
10 years to less than 20 years                                 .600
20 years to 30 years                                           .750
30 years and greater                                           To be negotiated



<PAGE>


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------






                               COMSAT CORPORATION,
                                                       Issuer



                                       TO



                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                             (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION),
                                                            Trustee




                                ----------------


                             Supplemental Indenture

                            Dated as of June 29, 1994


                                ----------------
                                 Debt Securities







-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>

          THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of June 29, 1994, by and between
COMSAT Corporation (formerly Communications Satellite Corporation), a
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the District of
Columbia, having its principal office at 6560 Rock Spring Drive, Bethesda,
Maryland 20817 (the "Company"), and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National
Association), a national banking association duly organized and existing under
the laws of the United States of America, as Trustee (herein called the
"Trustee").  The principal Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located at
the date of this Supplemental Indenture at 4 Chase MetroTech Center, Brooklyn,
New York 11245.

                                   WITNESSETH:

          WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee have heretofore caused to be
executed and delivered an Indenture dated as of March 15, 1991 (the
"Indenture"), for the purpose of issuing debentures, notes or other evidences of
indebtedness; and the Company has determined to create and issue its debentures,
notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be used in one or more series (the
"Securities"); and

          WHEREAS, Section 11.01(f) of the Indenture provides that the Company,
when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee for the Securities of any
or all series, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more
indentures supplemental thereto, in form satisfactory to such Trustee, to cure
any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision therein which may be
defective or inconsistent with any other provision therein, or to make any other
provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Indenture
which shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders in any material
respect; and

          WHEREAS, the Company has determined that it is desirable to modify
Sections 3.05, 3.07 and 4.07 of the Indenture; and

          WHEREAS, the Trustee has received an opinion of counsel that it is
proper for the Trustee to join in the execution hereof; and

          WHEREAS, the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture
have been duly authorized by a Board Resolution and the Company has requested
the Trustee to join with it in the execution of this Supplemental Indenture; and

          WHEREAS, the Trustee has accepted the trusts created by this
Supplemental Indenture and in evidence thereof has joined in the execution
hereof;

          NOW, THEREFORE, THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH, that, in
consideration of the premises and of acceptance by the Trustee of the trusts
created hereby and by the Indenture, and



<PAGE>

also for and in consideration of the sum of One Dollar to the Company duly paid
by the Trustee at or before the execution and delivery of this Supplemental
Indenture, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, IT IS HEREBY COVENANTED,
DECLARED AND AGREED, by and between the parties hereto, as follows:

          1.   Section 3.05 of the Indenture is hereby amended in the following
respects:

          (a)  The first sentence of the first paragraph of Section 3.05 is
     restated as follows:  "At the option of the Holder, Securities of any
     series may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities
     of the same series and of like tenor of other authorized denominations."

          (b)  The last sentence of the second paragraph of Section 3.05 is
     restated as follows:  "Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of
     any Security of any series at such office or agency, the Company shall
     execute and register, or cause to be registered, and the Trustee shall
     authenticate and deliver, or cause to be authenticated and delivered, in
     the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of
     the same series and of like tenor in authorized denominations for an equal
     aggregate principal amount."

     2.  Section 3.07 of the Indenture is hereby amended in the following
respects:

          (a)  The first sentence of Section 3.07 is restated as follows:
     "Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series and tenor,
     the Company may execute and deliver to the Trustee, and upon Company Order
     the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Securities (printed,
     lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced)."

          (b)  The fourth sentence of Section 3.07 is restated as follows:
     "Without unreasonable delay the Company will execute and deliver to the
     Trustee definitive Securities of such series and such tenor and thereupon
     any or all temporary Securities of such series and such tenor may be
     surrendered in exchange therefor, at the Corporate Trust Office of the
     Trustee, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for
     such temporary Securities an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive
     Securities of such series and such tenor."

     3.  Section 4.07 of the Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:  "Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall
be surrendered at the place of payment (with, if the Company or the Trustee so
requires, due

                                        2



<PAGE>

endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, or cause to be authenticated and delivered, to the
Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of
the same series and of like tenor of any authorized denomination as requested by
such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the
unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security so surrendered."

                [The rest of this page intentionally left blank.]






                                        3



<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed, and the Company and the Trustee have caused their
respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of June
29, 1994.


                                                   COMSAT CORPORATION



                                                   By  /s/ Warren Y. Zeger
                                                      --------------------------
                                                           Warren Y. Zeger
                                                           Vice President and
                                                             General Counsel





[Seal]

ATTEST:

/s/ Nancy E. Weber
----------------------------
    Nancy E. Weber
    Assistant Secretary



                                                   THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                                                    (National Association),
                                                     as Trustee



                                                   By /s/ Timothy E. Burke
                                                      --------------------------
                                                          Timothy E. Burke
                                                          Second Vice President





[Seal]

ATTEST:


/s/ Mary Lewicki
---------------------------
    Mary Lewicki
    Assistant Secretary


                                        4



<PAGE>

COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY
STATE OF MARYLAND      ss.:

     On the 29th day of June, 1994, before me personally came Warren Y. Zeger,
to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is Vice
President and General Counsel of COMSAT CORPORATION, one of the corporations
described in and which executed the above instrument; that he knows the seal of
said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate
seal; that it was so affixed by order of the Board of Directors of said
corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by like order.




                                                      /s/ Dorothy L. Clingman
                                                      --------------------------
                                                             Notary Public
                                                           Dorothy L. Clingman
                                                           NOTARY PUBLIC STATE
                                                               OF MARYLAND
                                                         My Commission Expires
                                                              July 9, 1997


[Seal]

STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF KINGS        ss:

     On the 29th day of June, 1994, before me personally came Timothy E. Burke,
to me known, who being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is a Second
Vice President of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION), one of the
corporations described in and which executed the above instrument; that he knows
the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such
corporate seal; that it was so affixed by order of the Board of Directors of
said corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by like order.





                                                      --------------------------
                                                             Notary Public
                                                           Margaret M. Price
                                                          NOTARY PUBLIC STATE
                                                              OF NEW YORK
                                                             No. 24-4980599
                                                      Qualified in Kings County
                                                          Commission Expires
                                                            April 22, 1995


[Seal]


                                        5


<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 5

                                             June 29, 1994

COMSAT Corporation
6560 Rock Spring Drive
Bethesda, Maryland  20817

     Re:  Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 Relating to $200,000,000
          Aggregate Principal Amount of Debt Securities (The "Registration
          Statement").
          -----------------------------------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          In connection with the proposed issuance and sale by COMSAT
Corporation, a District of Columbia corporation (the "Company"), of up to
$200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of debt securities (the "Debt
Securities") to be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of March 15, 1991,
as supplemented by a supplemental indenture, dated as of June 29, 1994 (the
"Indenture"), between the Issuer and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National
Association), as Trustee, I am of the opinion that:

          1.   The Debt Securities and the Indenture have been duly and validly
               authorized by the Company.

          2.   When the terms of any particular series and tenor of Debt
               Security have been duly authorized and established by necessary
               corporate action of the Company as contemplated by the Indenture,
               and Debt Securities of such series and tenor have been duly
               completed, executed, authenticated and issued in accordance with
               the Indenture and issued and sold as contemplated by the
               Registration Statement, the prospectus contained therein (the
               "Prospectus") and the applicable supplement to the Prospectus,
               the Debt Securities of such series and tenor will be legally
               issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the
               Company.

          I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement and to the use of
my name under the caption "Validity of Debt Securities" in the Prospectus.


                              Very truly yours,

                              /s/Warren Y. Zeger

                              Warren Y. Zeger
                              Vice President and General Counsel

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 12

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    COMSAT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                              COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                                        (Dollar amounts in thousands)



                                                                        THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                             MARCH 31,             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        ------------------      --------------------------
                                                                          1994       1993       1993       1992       1991
                                                                        -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
    <S>                                                               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
    INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE
    INCOME TAXES, EXTRAORDINARY ITEMS AND
    CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGES                           $   31,959 $   32,883 $  137,661 $   83,263 $  118,566

    ADD (SUBTRACT):
       INTEREST ON INDEBTEDNESS (NET OF AMOUNT CAPITALIZED)                6,152      7,000     23,684     26,311     19,931
       OTHER INTEREST EXPENSE (1)                                              -          -          -      1,263      3,195
       PORTION OF RENTS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INTEREST FACTOR              1,141        641      4,007      2,124      1,837
       UNDISTRIBUTED INCOME OF LESS-THAN-FIFTY PERCENT
          OWNED INVESTMENTS                                                 (535)         -     (1,541)       (64)       (35)
       EQUITY LOSSES OF LESS-THAN-FIFTY PERCENT
          OWNED INVESTMENTS                                                   61         60        154        136        182
       MINORITY INTEREST SHARE OF LOSSES OF MAJORITY-OWNED
          SUBSIDIARIES                                                         -          -          -     (1,160)    (3,577)
       AMORTIZATION AND WRITE OFF OF PREVIOUSLY CAPITALIZED
          INTEREST                                                         5,985      5,160     21,132     20,035     20,821
                                                                         -------    -------    -------    -------    -------

    INCOME AS ADJUSTED                                                $   44,763 $   45,744 $  185,097 $  131,908 $  160,920
                                                                         -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                                         -------    -------    -------    -------    -------

    FIXED CHARGES:
       INTEREST ON INDEBTEDNESS                                       $   11,892 $   12,132 $   45,881 $   46,792 $   47,328
       OTHER INTEREST EXPENSE (1)                                              -          -          -      1,263      3,195
       PORTION OF RENTS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INTEREST FACTOR              1,141        641      4,007      2,124      1,837
                                                                         -------    -------    -------    -------    -------

    TOTAL FIXED CHARGES                                               $   13,033 $   12,773 $   49,888 $   50,179 $   52,360
                                                                         -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                                         -------    -------    -------    -------    -------

    RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES                                       3.4        3.6        3.7        2.6        3.1
                                                                         -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                                         -------    -------    -------    -------    -------


    <FN>

    (1) INTEREST EXPENSE OF MAJORITY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY NOT CONSOLIDATED IN 1991 AND THE FIRST HALF OF 1992.

</TABLE>


<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 23(a)





                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
COMSAT Corporation on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 16, 1994, relating
to the consolidated financial statements of COMSAT Corporation, appearing in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended on Form 10-K/A for the year ended
December 31, 1993, and our report dated June 24, 1994 relating to the
supplemental consolidated financial statements of COMSAT Corporation, appearing
in the Form 8-K current report of COMSAT Corporation dated June 29, 1994, which
aforementioned reports include explanatory paragraphs referring to the changes
in the Corporation's method of accounting for postretirement health and life
insurance benefits and in its method of accounting for income taxes, and our
report dated August 20, 1993, relating to the consolidated financial statements
of Radiation Systems, Inc., appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Radiation Systems, Inc., as amended by Amendment No. 3 on Form 10-K/A for the
year ended June 30, 1993 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts"
in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.


Deloitte & Touche



Washington, D.C.
June 29, 1994

<PAGE>
                                                       EXHIBIT 24



                               COMSAT CORPORATION

                               POWERS OF ATTORNEY


     Each of the undersigned hereby appoints Bruce L. Crockett, President and
Chief Executive Officer, C. Thomas Faulders, III, Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer, Warren Y. Zeger, Vice President and General Counsel, and
Robert N. Davis, Jr., Assistant General Counsel, and each of them severally, his
or her true and lawful attorneys to execute (in the name of and on behalf of and
as attorneys for the undersigned) a Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating
to the Corporation's $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of debt securities,
and any and all amendments to such Registration Statement, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

                              (1)  Principal executive officer



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Bruce L. Crockett
                                   -------------------------------
                                   (Bruce L. Crockett, President
                                    and Chief Executive Officer)



                              (2)  Principal financial officer



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ C. Thomas Faulders, III
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (C. Thomas Faulders, III
                                    Vice President and Chief
                                    Financial Officer)



                              (3)  Principal accounting officer



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Allen E. Flower
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Allen E. Flower, Controller)

<PAGE>

                              (4)  Board of Directors



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Lucy Wilson Benson
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Lucy Wilson Benson, Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Rudy Boschwitz
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Rudy Boschwitz, Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Edwin I. Colodny
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Edwin I. Colodny, Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Bruce L. Crockett
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Bruce L. Crockett, Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Frederick B. Dent
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Frederick B. Dent, Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ James B. Edwards
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (James B. Edwards, Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Neal B. Freeman
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Neal B. Freeman, Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Barry M. Goldwater
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Barry M. Goldwater, Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Arthur Hauspurg
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Arthur Hauspurg, Director)


                                      - 2 -
<PAGE>

Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Melvin R. Laird
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Melvin R. Laird, Chairman of
                                    the Board and Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Peter W. Likins
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Peter W. Likins, Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Howard M. Love
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Howard M. Love, Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Robert G. Schwartz
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Robert G. Schwartz, Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ C. J. Silas
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (C. J. Silas, Director)



Date:  May 20, 1994                  /s/ Dolores D. Wharton
                                   --------------------------------
                                   (Dolores D. Wharton, Director)


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>
                         Securities Act of 1933 File No. _________
                         (If application to determine eligibility of trustee
                         for delayed offering  pursuant to  Section 305 (b) (2))
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                               ------------------

                                    FORM T-1

         STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                  OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

    CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                          SECTION 305(b)(2)___________

                               ------------------

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                             (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

                                   13-2633612
                     (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

                   1 CHASE MANHATTAN PLAZA, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
                    (Address of  principal executive offices)

                                      10081
                                   (Zip Code)

                               ------------------

                               COMSAT CORPORATION
              (Exact  name of obligor as specified in its charter)

                              DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation  or organization)

                                   52-0781863
                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                             6560 ROCK SPRING DRIVE
                               BETHESDA, MARYLAND
                    (Address of principal  executive offices)

                                      20817
                                   (Zip Code)

                               ------------------

                                 DEBT SECURITIES
                       (Title of the indenture securities)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

ITEM 1.  GENERAL INFORMATION.

          Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

     (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising  authority to which
          it is subject.

             Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.

             Board of Governors of The Federal Reserve System, Washington, D. C.

     (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise  corporate trust powers.

               Yes.

ITEM 2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.

          If the  obligor  is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
          affiliation.

          The Trustee is not the obligor, nor is the Trustee directly or
          indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with
          the obligor.

          (See Note on Page 2.)

ITEM 16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.

     List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility.
     *1. -- A copy of the articles of association of the trustee as now in
              effect.  (See Exhibit T-1 (Item 12) , Registration No. 33-55626.)
     *2. -- Copies of the respective authorizations of The Chase Manhattan Bank
              (National Association) and The Chase Bank of New York (National
              Association) to commence business and a copy of approval of merger
              of said corporations, all of which documents are still in effect.
              (See Exhibit T-1 (Item 12), Registration No. 2-67437.)
     *3. -- Copies of authorizations of The Chase Manhattan Bank (National
              Association) to exercise corporate trust powers, both of which
              documents are still in effect.  (See Exhibit T-1  (Item 12),
              Registration No. 2-67437).
     *4. -- A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee. (See Exhibit T-1
              (Item 12(a)), Registration No. 33-28806.)
     *5. -- A copy of each indenture referred to in Item 4, if the obligor is
              in default.
              (Not applicable).
     *6. -- The consents of United States institutional trustees required by
              Section 321(b) of the Act.  (See Exhibit T-1, (Item 12),
              Registration No. 22-19019.)
      7. -- A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published
              pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or
              examining authority.


-------------------
     *The Exhibits thus designated are incorporated  herein by reference.
Following the description of such Exhibits is  a reference to the copy of the
Exhibit heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, to  which
there have been no amendments or changes.

                              -------------------
                                       1.
<PAGE>

                                      NOTE

          Inasmuch as this Form T-1 is filed prior to the ascertainment by the
trustee of all facts on which to base a responsive answer to Item 2 the answer
to said Item is based on incomplete information.

          Item 2 may, however, be considered as correct unless amended by an
amendment to this Form  T-1.


                                    SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank (National  Association), a corporation
organized and existing under  the laws of the United States of America, has duly
caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized , all in the City of New York, and the
State of New York, on the 27th day June, 1994.





                                                 THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                                                  (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)





                                                 By  Timothy E. Burke
                                                     --------------------
                                                     Second Vice President


                                -----------------
                                       2.
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT 7

REPORT OF CONDITION

Consolidating domestic and foreign subsidiaries of
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
of New York in the State of New York, at the close of business on March 31,
1994, published in response to call made by Comptroller of the Currency, under
title 12, United States Code, Section 161.
Charter Number 02370_______________________Comptroller of the Currency
Northeastern District

Statement of Resources and Liabilities

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             ASSETS                                                Thousands
     _____________________________________________________________________________________________of Dollars
<S>                                                                                   <C>         <C>
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
     Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin...........................................$4,591,256
     Interest-bearing balances.....................................................................5,173,036
Held-to-maturity securities..........................................................................547,237
Available-for-sale securities......................................................................5,871,767
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell in
domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries
and in IBFs:
     Federal funds sold............................................................................3,277,510
     Securities purchased under agreements to resell..................................................40,431
Loans and lease financing receivables:
     Loans and leases, net of unearned income.........................................$51,008,579
     LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses..........................................1,079,989
     LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve..............................................        0
                                                                                       ----------
Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve..................................49,928,590
Assets held in trading accounts...................................................................15,548,982
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)...........................................1,626,241
Other real estate owned............................................................................1,082,804
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies...................................64,040
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding.........................................799,111
Intangible assets....................................................................................359,509
Other assets.......................................................................................4,865,124
                                                                                                 -----------
TOTAL ASSETS.....................................................................................$93,775,638
                                                                                                 -----------
                                                                                                 -----------
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
     In domestic offices.........................................................................$31,058,916
     Noninterest-bearing..............................................................$11,004,911
     Interest-bearing.................................................................$20,054,005
     In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs................................32,422,645
   Noninterest-bearing.................................................................$2,882,103
          Interest-bearing.............................................................29,560,542
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchases
in domestic_________________offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries
and in IBF's:
Federal funds purchased............................................................................2,257,218
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase........................................................55,951
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.............................................................500,000
Trading liabilities...............................................................................10,215,151
Other borrowed money:
With original maturity of one year or less.........................................................2,318,773
With original maturity of more than one year.........................................................662,234
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases........................................41,168
Bank's liability on acceptances, executed and outstanding............................................809,183
Subordinated notes and debentures..................................................................2,360,000

Other liabilities..................................................................................4,643,166
                                                                                                 -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES................................................................................$87,364,405
                                                                                                 -----------
Limited-life preferred stock and related surplus...........................................................0

                                             EQUITY CAPITAL

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus..............................................................0
Common stock........................................................................................$911,914
Surplus............................................................................................4,390,954
Undivided profits and capital reserves.............................................................1,123,632
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities................................................(26,509)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments...................................................11,242
                                                                                                 -----------
TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL...............................................................................6,411,233
                                                                                                 -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED STOCK, AND
     EQUITY CAPITAL..............................................................................$93,775,638
                                                                                                 -----------
                                                                                                 -----------
</TABLE>

1. Lester J. Stephens, Jr., Senior Vice President and Controller of the above
named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition is true and correct
to the best of my knowledge and belief.
(Signed) Lester J. Stephens, Jr.

We the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this statement of
resources and liabilities.  We declare that it has been examined by us, and to
the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the
instructions and is true and correct.

(Signed) Thomas G. Labrecque
(Signed) Arthur F. Ryan                 Directors
(Signed) Richard J. Boyle


                                        3


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