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EXHIBIT 16.1
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, Northwest
Washington, D.C. 20549
September 6, 2000
Commissioners:
We have read the first five paragraphs of Item 4 included in the Form 8-K dated
September 7, 2000 of GTE Southwest Incorporated to be filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained
therein, insofar as they relate to our firm.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
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Arthur Andersen LLP
cc:
Lawrence R. Whitman
Vice President and Controller
Verizon Communications
