SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(Amendment No. 1)
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
PLD Telekom Inc.
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(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock $.01 par value
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(Title of Class and Securities)
69340T 10
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(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
Arthur M. Siskind, Esq.
c/o News America Incorporated
The News Corporation Limited
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
(212) 852-7000
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(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
to Receive Notices and Communications)
Copy to:
Alan G. Straus, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 735-2037
March 22, 1999
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(Date of Event which Requires
Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is
filing this Schedule because of ss. 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d- 1(f) or
240.13d-1(g), check the following: ( )
Note. Schedule filed in paper format shall include a signed original
and five copies of the Schedule, including all exhibits. See ss.
240.13d-7(b) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
(Continued on following pages)
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/1/ The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which
would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of
that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the
Act (however, see the Notes).
CUSIP No. 69340T 10
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(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
The News Corporation Limited
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP:
(a) ( )
(b) (x)
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) SOURCE OF FUNDS
WC
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(5) CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ( )
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(6) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
South Australia, Australia
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NUMBER OF SHARES (7) SOLE VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 18,223,081
OWNED BY ------------------------------------------------
EACH
REPORTING (8) SHARED VOTING POWER
PERSON -0-
WITH ------------------------------------------------
(9) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
18,223,081
------------------------------------------------
(10) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
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(11) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
18,223,081
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(12) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ( )
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(13) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
43.71%
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(14) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
CO
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CUSIP No. 69340T 10
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(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
News America Incorporated
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP:
(a) ( )
(b) (x)
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) SOURCE OF FUNDS
WC
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(5) CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ( )
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(6) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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NUMBER OF SHARES (7) SOLE VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 18,223,081
OWNED BY ------------------------------------------------
EACH (8) SHARED VOTING POWER
REPORTING -0-
PERSON ------------------------------------------------
WITH (9) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
18,223,081
------------------------------------------------
(10) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
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(11) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
18,223,081
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(12) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ( )
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(13) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
43.71%
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(14) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
CO
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CUSIP No. 69340T 10
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(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
News PLD LLC
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP:
(a) ( )
(b) (x)
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) SOURCE OF FUNDS
N/A
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(5) CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ( )
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(6) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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NUMBER OF SHARES (7) SOLE VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 14,631,780
OWNED BY ------------------------------------------------
EACH (8) SHARED VOTING POWER
REPORTING -0-
PERSON ------------------------------------------------
WITH (9) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
14,631,780
------------------------------------------------
(10) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
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(11) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
14,631,780
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(12) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ( )
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(13) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
38.41%
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(14) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
OO
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CUSIP No. 69340T 10
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(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
K. Rupert Murdoch
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP:
(a) ( )
(b) (x)
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) SOURCE OF FUNDS
WC
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(5) CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) ( )
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(6) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States of America
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NUMBER OF SHARES (7) SOLE VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 18,223,081
OWNED BY ------------------------------------------------
EACH (8) SHARED VOTING POWER
REPORTING -0-
PERSON ------------------------------------------------
WITH (9) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
18,223,081
------------------------------------------------
(10) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
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(11) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
18,223,081
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ( )
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(13) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
43.71%
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(14) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
IN
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AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO SCHEDULE 13D
This Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D relates to common stock, $.01
par value per share (the "Common Stock"), of PLD Telekom Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and supplements the information set forth in
the Schedule 13D filed jointly on behalf of The News Corporation Limited, a
South Australia, Australia corporation ("News Corporation"), News America
Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("News America"), News PLD LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company ("News PLD LLC"), and K. Rupert Murdoch
(collectively, the "Reporting Persons") on August 14, 1998.
On November 30, 1998 (but effective September 30, 1998), the Company
and News America entered into a revolving credit agreement (the "Revolving
Credit Agreement") under which News America agreed to advance up to $8.1
million to the Company. On March 22, 1999, News America agreed to increase
the amount it would advance to $9.1 million. Each advance under the
Revolving Credit Agreement bears interest at an annual rate of 20% and is
repayable on June 30, 1999. Advances are evidenced by notes which are
convertible at News America's option into shares of Common Stock of the
Company at conversion rates determined as of the date of issue of the
applicable note (the "PLD Notes"). In addition, in the event that News
America guarantees obligations of the Company, a PLD Note is issued
reflecting the Company's reimbursement obligation should such guarantee be
called. In the event a guarantee is called, the Company will owe interest
on its reimbursement obligation at the annual rate of 20% calculated from
the date News America makes payment under its guarantee, and the PLD Note
issued in respect of such guarantee will become convertible into shares of
Common Stock at a conversion rate determined as of the date of issue. News
America can cease making advances at any time and for any reason.
Currently, however, the full amount available under the Revolving Credit
Agreement has been advanced or applied in respect of News America's
guarantees. Of the $9.1 million notes issued, PLD Notes aggregating $3.1
million have been issued in respect of guarantees. PLD Notes issued in
respect of advances are currently convertible at New America's option into
an aggregate of 3,591,301 shares of Common Stock of the Company.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
The funds used by the Reporting Persons to acquire the PLD Notes were
provided from working capital.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
The Reporting Persons acquired the PLD Notes for investment purposes
and currently intend to continue to hold them for such purposes. Such
Reporting Persons from time to time may review the merits of their
investment in the Company and evaluate their options with respect thereto.
Subject to such review and evaluation, any or all of such Reporting Persons
may determine to acquire additional shares of Common Stock (or securities
convertible into Common Stock) through open market purchases or privately
negotiated transactions, may determine to sell shares of Common Stock (or
securities convertible into Common Stock) and/or may pursue any other
options with respect to their investment in the Company.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, each of
the Reporting Persons reserves the right, depending on all relevant
factors, to change its intention with respect to any and all of the matters
referred to in the preceding paragraph.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
News PLD LLC beneficially owns 14,631,780 shares of Common Stock as
determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, representing approximately 38.41% of the outstanding Common Stock.
Each of News Corporation, News America, and Mr. Murdoch, as persons who may
be deemed to control News PLD LLC, may be deemed to beneficially own the
shares owned by News PLD LLC. In addition, each of News Corporation, News
America and Mr. Murdoch may be deemed to beneficially own 3,591,301 shares
of Common Stock into which the PLD Notes are currently convertible,
representing approximately 8.7% of the Common Stock assuming conversion of
the PLD Notes. Each of the Reporting Persons has sole voting or dispositive
power with respect to the shares of Common Stock which they beneficially
hold. None of the Reporting Persons share voting and dispositive power with
respect to any shares of Common Stock which they beneficially hold.
Except for the transactions described in this Amendment No. 1 to
Schedule 13D, no transactions were effected by the Reporting Persons in the
Common Stock during the 60 days preceding the date hereof.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect
to Securities of the Issuer.
The Introduction to this Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D is
incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
Document Exhibit No.
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Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1998, 1
between PLD Telekom Inc. and News America Incorporated,
including the form of promissory note issuable thereunder
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.36 of PLD Telekom
Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 0-20444)).
Schedule of Promissory Notes issued under the Revolving 2
Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 1998,
between PLD Telekom Inc. and News America Incorporated
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.37 of PLD Telekom
Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 0-20444)).
Agreement of Joint Filing, dated April 12, 1999, by 3
and among The News Corporation Limited, News America
Incorporated, News PLD LLC and K. Rupert Murdoch.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this Schedule is true,
complete and correct.
THE NEWS CORPORATION LIMITED
Dated: April 12, 1999 By:/s/ Arthur M. Siskind
_______________________________
Name: ARTHUR M. SISKIND
Title: DIRECTOR
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this Schedule is true,
complete and correct.
NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED
Dated: April 12, 1999 By:/s/ Arthur M. Siskind
________________________________
Name: ARTHUR M. SISKIND
Title: DIRECTOR
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this Schedule is true,
complete and correct.
NEWS PLD LLC
Dated: April 12, 1999 By:/s/ Lawrence Jacobs
________________________________
Name: LAWRENCE JACOBS
Title: VICE PRESIDENT
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this Schedule is true,
complete and correct.
Dated: April 12, 1999 /s/ K. Rupert Murdoch
___________________________
K. RUPERT MURDOCH
Exhibit 3
AGREEMENT OF JOINT FILING
Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the undersigned hereby consent to the joint filing on their
behalf of a single Schedule 13D and any amendments thereto, with respect to
the ownership by each of the undersigned of shares of Common Stock of PLD
Telekom Inc. The undersigned hereby further agree that this statement may
be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed
shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which counterparts shall
together constitute one and the same instrument.
Dated: April 12, 1999
THE NEWS CORPORATION LIMITED
By:/s/ Arthur M. Siskind
_____________________________
Name: ARTHUR M. SISKIND
Title: DIRECTOR
NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED
By:/s/ Arthur M. Siskind
_____________________________
Name: ARTHUR M. SISKIND
Title: DIRECTOR
NEWS PLD LLC
By:/s/ Lawrence Jacobs
_____________________________
Name: LAWRENCE JACOBS
Title: VICE PRESIDENT
/s/ Rupert Murdoch
________________________________
K. RUPERT MURDOCH
