UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC
10-Q, 1997-05-01
ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL APPARATUS
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________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________


                                    FORM 10-Q
                                 ---------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

(Mark One)
[ X ]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES  
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997

                                       OR

[   ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES  
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the transition period from ...............
         to ...............

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

                        Commission file number: (1-13888)

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

                             UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                                             06-1385548
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                            Identification Number)

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

      39 Old Ridgebury Road                                     06817-0001      
       Danbury, Connecticut                                     (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 207-7700
                                 ---------------

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

As of March 31,  1997,  46,856,521  shares of common  stock,  par value $.01 per
share, were outstanding.

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



PART I.      FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

  Item 1.   Financial Statements:
  -------------------------------

    Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 1997
      and December 31, 1996..........................................   Page 3
                                                                       
    Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months         
      ended March 31, 1997 and 1996..................................   Page 4
                                                                       
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months         
      ended March 31, 1997 and 1996..................................   Page 5
                                                                       
    Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the   
      Three Months ended March 31, 1997..............................   Page 6
                                                                       
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................   Page 7
                                                                      

  Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
            and Results of Operations................................   Page 11
            -------------------------


PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION:

  Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.........................   Page 16
  ------------------------------------------


SIGNATURE............................................................   Page 17


INDEX TO EXHIBITS....................................................   Page E-1



<PAGE>


                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
- ----------------------------

                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES



                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                  (Dollars in millions, except per share data)

                                                         March 31,  December 31,
                         ASSETS                            1997         1996
                                                           ----         ----
                                                        (Unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents...........................  $    77      $    95
  Notes and accounts receivable.......................      203          185
  Inventories:
    Raw materials and supplies........................       39           39
    Work in process...................................      120          100
    Finished goods....................................       41           37
                                                        -------       ------
                                                            200          176
  Prepaid expenses....................................       25           27
                                                        -------       ------
           Total current assets.......................      505          483
                                                        -------       ------
Property, plant and equipment.........................    1,190        1,087
Less: accumulated depreciation........................      694          653
                                                        -------       ------
           Net fixed assets...........................      496          434
                                                        -------       ------
Company carried at equity.............................       20           18
Other assets..........................................       45           53
                                                        -------       ------

           Total assets...............................  $ 1,066      $   988
                                                        =======       ======

       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable....................................  $    63      $    67
  Short-term debt.....................................       64           53
  Payments due within one year on long-term debt......        6            1
  Accrued income and other taxes......................       29           37
  Other accrued liabilities...........................       80           91
                                                        -------       ------
           Total current liabilities..................      242          249
                                                        -------       ------
Long-term debt........................................      599          581
Other long-term obligations..........................       143          138
Deferred income taxes.................................       33           16
Minority stockholders' equity in consolidated entities       14            6
                                                        -------       ------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT):
  Preferred stock, par value $.01, 10,000,000 shares 
    authorized, none issued...........................       -            -
  Common stock, par value $.01, 100,000,000 shares 
    authorized, 46,856,521 shares issued at March 31, 
    1997, 46,614,724 shares issued at 
    December 31, 1996 ................................       -            -
  Additional paid-in capital..........................      502          498
  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment..     (120)        (116)
  Retained earnings (deficit).........................     (347)        (384)
                                                        -------       ------
           Total stockholders' equity (deficit).......       35           (2)
                                                        -------       ------
           Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
            (deficit).. ..............................  $ 1,066      $   988
                                                        =======       ======

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                        3
<PAGE>


                                 PART I (CONT.)


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                  (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
                                   (Unaudited)
                                                                  Three Months
                                                                 Ended March 31,
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                  1997      1996
                                                                  ----      ----
Net sales ...................................................  $   238   $   243
Cost of sales ...............................................      150       150
                                                                ------    ------

Gross profit ................................................       88        93
Research and development ....................................        2         2
Selling, administrative and other expenses ..................       23        22
Other (income) expense (net) ................................        1         1
                                                                ------    ------

       Operating profit .....................................       62        68
Interest expense ............................................       15        16
                                                                ------    ------

       Income before provision for income taxes .............       47        52
Provision for income taxes ..................................       12        19
                                                                ------    ------

       Income of consolidated entities ......................       35        33
Less: minority stockholders' share of income ................       -         -
Plus: UCAR share of net income from company
  carried at equity .........................................        2         2
                                                                ------    ------

       Income before cumulative effect of
          change in accounting principle ....................       37        35
Cumulative effect on prior years of change in accounting
  for inventories ...........................................       -          7
                                                                ------    ------

       Net income ...........................................  $    37   $    42
                                                                ======    ======

PRIMARY NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
  Income before cumulative effect of change in
    accounting principle ....................................  $  0.76   $  0.73
  Cumulative effect on prior years of change in
    accounting for inventories ..............................       -       0.15
                                                               -------   -------

       Primary net income per share ........................   $  0.76   $  0.88
                                                                ======    ======

       Weighted average common shares outstanding
        (in thousands) .....................................    48,788    48,191
                                                                ======    ======

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                        4

 

<PAGE>


                                 PART I (CONT.)


                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                      Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
                              (Dollars in millions)
                                   (Unaudited)
                                                                Three Months
                                                               Ended March 31,
                                                               ---------------
                                                                1997      1996
                                                                ----      ----
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 Net income .................................................  $  37     $  42
 Cumulative effect on prior years of change in
    accounting for inventories ..............................     -         (7)
 Non-cash charges to net income:
    Depreciation ............................................     11        10
    Deferred income taxes ...................................      5        11
    Other non-cash charges ..................................      1         3
 Working capital * ..........................................    (49)      (45)
 Long-term assets and liabilities ...........................      3        (6)
                                                                ----      ----
      NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES ...      8         8
                                                                ----      ----
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Capital expenditures .......................................    (11)      (11)
 Purchase of subsidiaries ...................................    (55)       (2)
 Redemption/sale of assets ..................................      4         1
                                                                ----      ----
      NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES .................    (62)      (12)
                                                                ----      ----
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Short-term debt ............................................     11        (2)
 Long-term debt borrowings ..................................     49         -
 Long-term debt reductions ..................................    (26)        -
 Sale of common stock .......................................      3         -
 Financing costs ............................................     (2)        -
 Tax benefit arising from exercise of employee stock options       1         1
                                                                ----      ----
      NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES ...     36        (1)
                                                                ----      ----

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents ...................    (18)       (5)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ............     95        53
                                                                ----      ----
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD ..................  $  77     $  48
                                                                ====      ====

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 Net cash paid during the periods for:
   Interest expense .........................................  $  21     $  21
   Income taxes .............................................     12         4

*Net change in working capital by component (excluding
  cash and cash equivalents, deferred income taxes
  and short-term debt):
  (Increase) decrease in current assets:
     Notes and accounts receivable:
         Sale of receivables ................................  $   5     $   5
         Other changes ......................................     -        (21)
     Inventories ............................................     (5)      (15)
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets ..............     (4)        6
  Decrease in payables and accruals .........................    (45)      (20)
                                                                ----      ----
         WORKING CAPITAL ....................................  $ (49)    $ (45)
                                                                ====      ====
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                        5
         
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

                                                           PART I (CONT.)

                                              UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)


                                                        (Dollars in millions)
                                                             (Unaudited)

<CAPTION>

                                                                           Cumulative
                                                                             Foreign
                                                            Additional      Currency      Retained          Total
                                                  Common      Paid-in      Translation    Earnings      Stockholders'
                                                   Stock      Capital      Adjustment     (Deficit)   Equity (Deficit)
                                                   -----      -------      ----------     ---------   ----------------
<S>                                             <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>             <C>    

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1996...............     $    -        $   498      $   (116)     $   (384)       $    (2)

Exercise of employee stock options.........          -              3            -             -               3
Tax benefit arising from exercise
   of employee stock options...............          -              1            -             -               1
Translation adjustments....................          -             -             (4)           -              (4)
Net income.................................          -             -             -             37             37
                                                 ------        ------        ------        ------         ------

BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1997..................     $    -        $   502      $   (120)     $   (347)       $    35
                                                 ======        ======        ======        ======         ======

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>

                                                         6

<PAGE>

                                 PART I (CONT.)

                    UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                                   (Unaudited)


(1)    INTERIM FINANCIAL PRESENTATION

       The interim Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited;  however, in
       the opinion of  management,  they have been prepared in  accordance  with
       Rule 10-01 of  Regulation  S-X  adopted by the  Securities  and  Exchange
       Commission  ("Commission")  and reflect all adjustments (all of which are
       of a normal,  recurring  nature) which are necessary for a fair statement
       of the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and changes
       in stockholders'  equity (deficit) for the periods presented.  Results of
       operations for the three months ended March 31, 1997 are not  necessarily
       indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year ending
       December 31, 1997.

       As used in these  Notes,  references  to "UCAR"  mean UCAR  International
       Inc.,  to  "Global"  mean  UCAR  Global   Enterprises   Inc.,  a  direct,
       wholly-owned  subsidiary of UCAR,  and to the "Company" mean UCAR and its
       subsidiaries   (including  Global),   collectively.   Separate  financial
       statements of Global are not presented because they would not be material
       to holders of senior subordinated notes. The Company's investment in EMSA
       (Pty.) Ltd. ("EMSA"), a 50%-owned company, is carried on the equity basis
       and its  proportional  share of the net income of EMSA is reported  under
       the caption "UCAR share of net income from company carried at equity". At
       March  31,  1997,   retained  earnings  (deficit)  included  $41  million
       representing UCAR's share of the undistributed earnings (prior to foreign
       currency translation adjustment) of EMSA.

(2)    UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES INC.

       UCAR has no material  assets,  liabilities or operations other than those
       that result from its ownership of 100% of the outstanding common stock of
       Global.

       The following is a summary of the consolidated  assets and liabilities of
       Global and its subsidiaries and their consolidated results of operations:

                                                  March 31,       December 31,
                                                     1997             1996
                                                     ----             ----
                                                     (Dollars in millions)
       Assets: 
        Current assets..........................  $   505          $   483
        Non-current assets......................      561              505
                                                   ------           ------

           Total assets.........................  $ 1,066          $   988
                                                   ======           ======
       Liabilities:
       Current liabilities......................  $   242          $   249
       Non-current liabilities..................      775              735
                                                   ------           ------

           Total liabilities....................  $ 1,017          $   984
                                                   ======           ======

       Minority stockholders' equity in 
         consolidated entities..................  $    14          $     6
                                                   ======           ======


                                       7
<PAGE>


                                 PART I (CONT.)

                   UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Cont.)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                               Three Months
                                                              Ended March 31,
                                                              ---------------
                                                             1997        1996
                                                             ----        ----
                                                          (Dollars in millions)

           Net sales.....................................  $  238      $  243
           Gross profit..................................      88          93
           Income before cumulative effect of 
              change in accounting principles...........       37          35
           Net income ..................................       37          42

(3)    CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING FOR INVENTORIES

       Effective  January 1, 1996, the Company changed its method of determining
       LIFO inventories.  The new methodology provides  specifically  identified
       parameters  for defining new items within the LIFO pool which the Company
       believes improves the accuracy of costing those items.

       The Company  recorded income of $7 million (after related income taxes of
       $4  million)  as the  cumulative  effect on prior years of this change in
       accounting  for  inventories.  The Company  believes this change will not
       materially impact the Company's ongoing results of operations.

(4)    ACQUISITION OF SUBSIDIARIES

       On January 2, 1997, the Company acquired 70% of the outstanding shares of
       Carbone Savoie S.A.S. ("Carbone Savoie"), a wholly-owned  subsidiary of a
       competitor,  for a purchase  price of $33 million.  Carbone Savoie is the
       leading  worldwide  manufacturer of carbon cathodes which are consumed in
       the production of aluminum.

       On  February  1, 1997,  the  Company,  through a  newly-formed  70%-owned
       subsidiary,  UCAR  Elektroden  GmbH ("UCAR  Elektroden"),  purchased  the
       graphite  electrode  business of  Elektrokohle  Lichtenberg AG ("EKL") in
       Berlin,  Germany. The 30% minority interest in UCAR Elektroden is held by
       a private  German  company.  The  aggregate  purchase  price paid by UCAR
       Elektroden  for the EKL assets was $15 million,  consisting of $3 million
       for equipment and $12 million for working capital.

       The  acquisitions  were  accounted  for as  purchases.  Accordingly,  the
       purchase  price  has  been  allocated  to the  assets  purchased  and the
       liabilities   assumed   based  upon  the  fair  values  at  the  date  of
       acquisition.


                                       8
<PAGE>



                                 PART I (CONT.)
                   
                   UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Cont.)
                                   (Unaudited)


(5)    AMENDMENTS TO CREDIT FACILITIES

       On March 19, 1997, the Company's  senior  secured bank credit  facilities
       (the "Senior Bank  Facilities") were amended to reduce the interest rates
       on amounts outstanding under the Senior Bank Facilities,  to increase the
       amount available under its revolving credit facility to $250 million from
       $100  million and to change the  covenants to allow more  flexibility  in
       uses of free cash flow for acquisitions,  capital  expenditures and stock
       repurchases.  The rates  applicable  to the Senior Bank  Facilities  were
       reduced from an adjusted  LIBOR plus a margin  ranging from 1.00% - 2.00%
       to an adjusted LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 0.75% - 1.50% .

(6)    STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

       On February 10, 1997,  UCAR's Board of Directors  authorized a program to
       repurchase up to $100 million of common stock at  prevailing  prices from
       time to  time  in the  open  market  or  otherwise  depending  on  market
       conditions and other factors,  without any established minimum or maximum
       time period or number of shares.

(7)    OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE - NET

       The following is an analysis of other (income) expense (net):

                                                               Three Months
                                                              Ended March 31,
                                                              ---------------
                                                             1997        1996
                                                             ----        ----
                                                          (Dollars in millions)


              Foreign currency adjustments....             $    2      $    1
              Interest income.................                 (2)         (2)
              Other...........................                  1           2
                                                            -----       -----
                                                           $    1      $    1
                                                            =====       =====
                                                              
(8)    INCOME TAXES

       In the three months  ended March 31, 1997 and 1996,  the Company paid $12
       million and $4 million,  respectively,  to various taxing authorities and
       recognized $12 million and $19 million,  respectively, in tax expense. In
       the three months ended March 31, 1997,  income tax expense was lower than
       the amount computed by applying the United States Federal income tax rate
       primarily  due to tax  credits in the United  States  from  research  and
       development  expenses  and tax  benefits  recognized  in Italy  and Spain
       associated  with  capital  expenditures  and  fixed  asset  revaluations,
       respectively.


                                       9
<PAGE>


                                PART I (CONT.)

                   UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Cont.)
                                   (Unaudited)

(9)    EARNINGS PER SHARE

       Primary net income per share is  computed  by dividing  net income by the
       weighted average number of common shares  outstanding  during the period.
       The weighted average number of common shares outstanding  includes common
       stock  equivalents  calculated  in accordance  with the  "treasury  stock
       method,"  wherein the net proceeds from the exercise  thereof are assumed
       to be used to  repurchase  outstanding  shares  of  common  stock  at the
       average market price for the period.  Fully diluted earnings per share is
       not  significantly  different  than  primary  net  income  per share and,
       therefore, has not been presented.

(10)   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

       On April 8, 1997,  6,411,227  shares of common stock of UCAR were sold by
       Blackstone  Capital  Partners  II  Merchant  Banking  Fund  L.P.  and its
       affiliates  (collectively,  "Blackstone")  in a secondary public offering
       (the "1997 Secondary Offering"). Concurrently therewith, UCAR repurchased
       1,300,000  of  shares  of  common  stock  of UCAR  from  Blackstone  (the
       "Blackstone Share Repurchase") for $48 million, which constituted part of
       its  previously  announced  stock  repurchase  program.  After  the  1997
       Secondary Offering and the Blackstone Share Repurchase,  Blackstone owned
       approximately 3% of the outstanding  shares of common stock. UCAR did not
       sell any shares in, or receive  any  proceeds  from,  the 1997  Secondary
       Offering.

       On April 22,  1997,  the  Company  purchased  the  shares of EMSA held by
       Samancor  Limited,  the Company's joint venture partner in this 50%-owned
       affiliate.  The  purchase  price  was  approximately  $75  million,  plus
       expenses. The acquisition will be accounted for as a purchase.



                                       10
<PAGE>



                                 PART I (CONT.)

                             UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains  forward-looking  statements  within
the  meaning of Section  27A of the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended,  and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Actual results,
events and  circumstances  could differ  materially from those set forth in such
statements due to various  factors.  Such factors include the  possibility  that
announced  additions to electric arc furnace steel  production  capacity may not
occur,  increased  electric arc furnace steel production may not occur or result
in  increased  demand  or  higher  prices  for  graphite  electrodes,   acquired
manufacturing  capacity  may  not  be  fully  utilized,  technological  advances
expected  by the  Company (as  defined  herein)  may not be  achieved,  changing
economic and competitive conditions,  other technological developments and other
risks  and  uncertainties,  including  those set  forth in the  Company's  other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

As used herein,  references to "UCAR" mean UCAR International  Inc., to "Global"
mean UCAR Global  Enterprises Inc., a direct,  wholly-owned  subsidiary of UCAR,
and  to the  "Company"  mean  UCAR  and  its  subsidiaries  (including  Global),
collectively.

All  references to "Home Markets" mean North America,  Western  Europe,  Brazil,
Mexico and South Africa and to "Free World" mean worldwide, excluding China, the
former  Soviet  Union,  India and  Eastern  Europe  (other  than the former East
Germany).

GENERAL

In 1995, the Company consummated (i) a leveraged recapitalization as a result of
which  Blackstone  Capital  Partners  II  Merchant  Banking  Fund  L.P.  and its
affiliates  (collectively,  "Blackstone") became the owners of approximately 69%
of the then outstanding shares of common stock (the "Recapitalization"), (ii) an
initial  public  offering  of common  stock (the  "Initial  Offering"),  (iii) a
redemption of $175 million  principal amount of senior  subordinated  notes (the
"Subordinated  Notes")  at a  redemption  price  equal to 110% of the  aggregate
principal  amount thereof,  plus accrued  interest of  approximately  $4 million
thereon (the  "Redemption"),  (iv) a  refinancing  of its then  existing  credit
facilities (the  "Recapitalization  Bank Facilities") with new credit facilities
(the "Senior Bank  Facilities")  at more favorable  interest rates and with more
favorable  covenants and (v) the acquisition of substantially  all of the shares
of its  Brazilian  subsidiary  owned by public  shareholders  in  Brazil  for an
aggregate  purchase  price  was  $52  million,  plus  expenses  of  $3  million.
Subsequent to 1995, the Company acquired  additional  shares from such Brazilian
shareholders for $3 million. The acquisitions were accounted for as purchases.

In March 1996,  Blackstone and certain other stockholders sold certain shares of
common stock in a secondary  public  offering (the "1996  Secondary  Offering").
After the 1996 Secondary  Offering,  Blackstone owned  approximately  20% of the
then  outstanding  shares of common  stock.  UCAR did not sell any shares in, or
received any proceeds from, the 1996 Secondary Offering.  Approximately  193,000
of the shares sold  consisted  of shares  issued  upon the  exercise of employee
stock options  concurrently with the 1996 Secondary Offering,  and UCAR received
proceeds of  approximately  $1.5 million from the exercise of such  options.


                                       11
<PAGE>


In  November  1996,  the Company  acquired  90% of the equity of UCAR Grafit OAO
("UCAR Grafit").  The aggregate  investment was $50 million. In the three months
ended March 31, 1997,  the Company  acquired 70% of the equity of Carbone Savoie
S.A.S.  ("Carbone  Savoie") for a purchase  price of $33 million and,  through a
newly-formed  70%-owned  subsidiary,  UCAR Elektroden GmbH ("UCAR  Elektroden"),
acquired the graphite electrode business of Elektrokohle  Lichtenberg AG ("EKL")
in Berlin, Germany, for an aggregate purchase price of $15 million. In addition,
the Company increased its investment in UCAR Grafit by $6 million. Subsequent to
March 31, 1997, the Company acquired the outstanding shares of EMSA (Pty.) Ltd.,
its 50%-owned affiliate ("EMSA"), held by the Company's joint venture partner in
South  Africa.  These  acquisitions,  which were  financed  from  existing  cash
balances, cash flow from operations,  short-term borrowings and borrowings under
its revolving credit facility, were accounted for as purchases.

On  February  10,  1997,  UCAR's  Board of  Directors  authorized  a program  to
repurchase up to $100 million of common stock at prevailing  prices from time to
time in the open market or otherwise  depending on market  conditions  and other
factors,  without any  established  minimum or maximum  time period or number of
shares.  On April 8, 1997,  Blackstone  sold certain shares of common stock in a
secondary public offering (the "1997 Secondary Offering"). Concurrently with the
1997 Secondary  Offering,  the Company  repurchased  1,300,000  shares of common
stock from Blackstone for $48 million,  which repurchase constituted part of the
previously   announced  stock   repurchase   program  (the   "Blackstone   Share
Repurchase").  After  the  1997  Secondary  Offering  and the  Blackstone  Share
Repurchase,  Blackstone  owned  approximately  3% of the  outstanding  shares of
common stock, which shares were retained for distribution to or for sale for the
account of Blackstone partners. UCAR did not sell any shares in, or received any
proceeds from, the 1997 Secondary Offering. UCAR financed and intends to finance
such  repurchases  from  existing  cash  balances,  cash flow  from  operations,
short-term borrowings and borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three  Months  ended March 31, 1997 as Compared to Three  Months ended March 31,
1996

Net sales of $238 million in the first  quarter of 1997 ("1997  First  Quarter")
represent a 2% decrease  from net sales of $243 million in the first  quarter of
1996 ("1996 First Quarter").  The decrease in net sales was largely attributable
to an 11%  decrease in the volume of graphite  electrodes  sold due to continued
softness  in  electric  arc  furnace  steel   production   in  Western   Europe,
specifically  Italy,  Spain and France.  The rest of the world generally  showed
continued  strength  in demand for  graphite  electrodes.  Net sales of graphite
electrodes  decreased  12% to $162 million in the 1997 First Quarter as compared
to $184 million in the 1996 First Quarter. The average selling price of graphite
electrodes (in dollars and net of changes in currency exchanges rates) increased
1.2% in the 1997 First Quarter as compared to the 1996 First Quarter.  Net sales
of aluminum industry products increased approximately $15 million as a result of
the acquisition of Carbone Savoie.  Net sales of all other product groups in the
1997 First Quarter were comparable to those in the 1996 First Quarter.


                                       12
<PAGE>


Gross profit for the 1997 First Quarter declined 5% to $88 million,  or 37.0% of
net sales,  from $93 million,  or 38.3% of net sales, in the 1996 First Quarter.
The  decline in gross  profit  was  largely  the  result of the lower  volume of
graphite  electrodes  sold as well as the  dilutive  effect  of  newly  acquired
businesses,  which  presently have lower gross margins than the Company's  other
businesses.  Excluding the impact of the acquired  businesses,  the gross margin
for the 1997 First Quarter would have been approximately 38.6% of net sales.

Selling, administrative and other expenses was stable at $23 million in the 1997
First Quarter as compared to $22 million in the 1996 First Quarter.

Other (income)  expense (net) was stable at $1 million of expense in each of the
1997 First Quarter and the 1996 First Quarter.

Operating  profit in the 1997 First Quarter was $62 million (26.1% of net sales)
as compared to $68 million (28.0% of net sales) in the 1996 First  Quarter.  The
decrease  was mainly due to the lower  volume of  graphite  electrodes  sold and
increased costs associated with the recent acquisitions.

Interest  expense  decreased  to $15 million in the 1997 First  Quarter from $16
million in the 1996 First Quarter. The average outstanding total debt balance in
the 1997 First  Quarter was $653 million as compared to $669 million in the 1996
First Quarter,  and the average  annual  interest rate in the 1997 First Quarter
was 9.01% as compared to 9.63% in the 1996 First Quarter.

The  provision  for income  taxes was $12  million in the 1997 First  Quarter as
compared to $19 million in the 1996 First  Quarter.  In the 1997 First  Quarter,
income tax  expense was lower than the amount  computed  by applying  the United
States Federal income tax rate primarily due to tax credits in the United States
from research and development  expenses and tax benefits recognized in Italy and
Spain  associated  with  capital  expenditures  and  fixed  asset  revaluations,
respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's  sources of funds have consisted  principally of invested capital,
operating cash flow and debt financing from affiliates,  banks and institutional
investors.  The Company's uses of those funds (other than for  operations)  have
consisted principally of debt reduction, capital expenditures,  distributions to
or  repurchases   of  equity  from   stockholders   (in   connection   with  the
Recapitalization   and  the  Blackstone   Stock   Repurchase),   acquisition  of
controlling interests in new companies or businesses and acquisition of minority
stockholders' shares of consolidated subsidiaries.  Acquisitions and repurchases
under  UCAR's stock  purchase  program have been and are expected to be financed
from existing cash balances,  cash flow from operations,  short-term  borrowings
and borrowings under its revolving credit facility.


                                       13
<PAGE>


Debt Financing and Amendments to Credit Facilities

At March 31, 1997, the Company had total debt of $669 million and  stockholders'
equity  of $35  million  as  compared  to  total  debt  of  $635  million  and a
stockholders'  deficit of $2 million at December  31,  1996.  At March 31, 1997,
cash and cash  equivalents  were $77  million  as  compared  to $95  million  at
December 31, 1996. On March 19, 1997, the Senior Bank Facilities were amended to
reduce  the  interest  rates  on  amounts  outstanding  under  the  Senior  Bank
Facilities, to increase the amount available under the revolving credit facility
to $250  million  from $100  million and to change the  covenants  to allow more
flexibility in uses of free cash flow for acquisitions, capital expenditures and
stock repurchases.

Inventory Levels and Working Capital

Inventory  levels at any specified date are affected by increases in inventories
of raw materials to meet  anticipated  increases in sales of finished  products,
customer buy-ins and other factors  affecting net sales from quarter to quarter.
Inventory  levels  increased to $200 million at March 31, 1997 from $176 million
at December 31, 1996.  This increase  consisted  mainly of inventory of recently
acquired businesses.

The Company's  working capital  increased to $263 million at March 31, 1997 from
$234 million at December 31, 1996,  primarily as a result of the addition of $19
million of working capital of recently acquired  businesses,  an increase of $16
million in short-term  borrowings  and current  portion of long-term  debt and a
decrease of $31 million in accrued  income taxes and other accrued  liabilities,
mainly due to payments of income  taxes and  incentive  programs.  Cash and cash
equivalents at March 31, 1997 included $44 million in cash held by the Company's
Brazilian subsidiary.

Capital Expenditures

Capital  expenditures  aggregated  $11 million in each of the 1997 First Quarter
and the 1996 First Quarter.  The Company expects capital expenditures in 1997 to
total  approximately  $75 million to $80 million  (including  approximately  $11
million for the  Company's  previously  announced  focused  factory  project and
technology  improvement  projects  and  $15  million  for  capital  improvements
relating to facilities  held by recently  acquired  businesses).  Except for the
focused factory project,  most of the Company's capital  expenditures have been,
and are  expected to be, made to maintain  existing  facilities  and  equipment,
achieve cost savings and improve operating efficiencies.

Restrictions on Dividends and Distributions

Under the Senior Bank  Facilities as amended on March 19, 1997,  Global and UCAR
are generally  permitted to pay dividends to their  respective  stockholders and
repurchase  common stock only in an aggregate  cumulative  amount  subsequent to
March 19, 1997 equal to a  percentage,  ranging from 50% to 65% based on certain
financial tests, of cumulative  adjusted  consolidated net income  subsequent to
December 31, 1996  (provided  that (i) in any event,  dividends and  repurchases
aggregating up to $15 million are permitted in any twelve-month  period and (ii)
dividends and repurchases that were permitted during the period from October 19,
1995 through December 31, 1996 but not paid or made (not


                                       14
<PAGE>


exceeding  $45,000,000) may be paid or made during 1997 in addition to dividends
and repurchases  otherwise permitted in 1997). In addition, if certain financial
tests are not met,  total  dividends and  repurchases in any year may not exceed
$65,000,000.  In addition,  Global is permitted to pay  dividends to UCAR (i) in
respect of UCAR's  administrative  fees and  expenses  and (ii) for the specific
purpose of the purchase or  redemption  by UCAR of capital stock held by present
or former  officers  of the  Company up to $5 million per year or $25 million in
the aggregate.  In general,  amounts which are permitted to be paid as dividends
in a year but are not so paid may be paid in subsequent  years. The Subordinated
Note Indenture also limits the payment of dividends by Global to UCAR.

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

Effective  January 1, 1996, the Company  changed its method of determining  LIFO
inventories. The new methodology provides specifically identified parameters for
defining new items within the LIFO pool which the Company believes  improves the
accuracy  of costing  those  items.  The Company  recorded  income of $7 million
(after  related  income taxes of $4 million) as the  cumulative  effect on prior
years of this change in accounting for  inventories.  The Company  believes this
change will not materially impact the Company's ongoing results of operations.

In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS")  128,  "Earnings  per Share" which is
effective for financial  statements  for both interim and annual  periods ending
after  December 15, 1997.  SFAS 128 requires  presentation  of basic and diluted
per-share amounts for income from continuing  operations and for net income. The
Company does not expect the adoption of this  pronouncement to materially impact
earnings per share.


                                       15
<PAGE>


                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


                             UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.



ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)    EXHIBITS

The  exhibits  listed in the  following  table  have been  filed as part of this
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Exhibit
Number                     Description of Exhibit
- ------                     ----------------------

 2.33    Stock Repurchase  Agreement among UCAR International  Inc.,  Blackstone
         Capital  Partners II Merchant  Banking Fund L.P.,  Blackstone  Offshore
         Capital Partners II L.P.,  Blackstone Family Investment  Partnership II
         L.P. and Chase Equity Associates, L.P.

 10.1    Credit Agreement dated as of October 19, 1995 among UCAR  International
         Inc.,  UCAR Global  Enterprises  Inc.,  the other Credit  Parties named
         therein,  the Lenders named  therein,  the Fronting Banks named therein
         and The Chase  Manhattan Bank, as  Administrative  Agent and Collateral
         Agent, as amended and restated as of March 19, 1997

 10.6    Effectiveness   Agreement  dated  as  of  March  19,  1997  among  UCAR
         International  Inc., UCAR Global  Enterprises  Inc., the Lenders listed
         therein,  the  Fronting  Banks listed  therein and The Chase  Manhattan
         Bank, as  Administrative  Agent and  Collateral  Agent  (except,  as to
         Exhibit A thereto,  see Exhibit 10.1 to this  Quarterly  Report on Form
         10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997)

 10.9    Reaffirmation   Agreement  dated  as  of  March  19,  1997  among  UCAR
         International  Inc.,  UCAR  Global  Enterprises  Inc.,  the  Subsidiary
         Guarantors listed therein, the Foreign Subsidiaries referred to therein
         and The Chase  Manhattan Bank, as  Administrative  Agent and Collateral
         Agent

 11      Statement re: computation of per share earnings

 27      Financial Data Schedule


(b)    REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 No Report on Form 8-K was filed  during the  quarter  for which this  Quarterly
 Report on Form 10-Q is filed.


                                       16
<PAGE>


                             UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.


                                    SIGNATURE
                             


Pursuant  to the  requirement  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  Report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                        UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.


Date:  April 30, 1997                   By:   /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                              ----------------------
                                              William P. Wiemels
                                              Vice President, Chief
                                              Financial Officer and Treasurer
                                              (Principal Financial Officer)


                                       17
<PAGE>



                             UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS



Exhibit No.       Description

 2.33     Stock Repurchase  Agreement among UCAR International Inc.,  Blackstone
          Capital  Partners II Merchant Banking Fund L.P.,  Blackstone  Offshore
          Capital Partners II L.P., Blackstone Family Investment  Partnership II
          L.P. and Chase Equity Associates, L.P.

 10.1     Credit Agreement dated as of October 19, 1995 among UCAR International
          Inc.,  UCAR Global  Enterprises  Inc.,  the other Credit Parties named
          therein,  the Lenders named therein,  the Fronting Banks named therein
          and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as  Administrative  Agent and Collateral
          Agent, as amended and restated as of March 19, 1997

 10.6     Effectiveness  Agreement  dated  as  of  March  19,  1997  among  UCAR
          International  Inc., UCAR Global  Enterprises Inc., the Lenders listed
          therein,  the Fronting  Banks listed  therein and The Chase  Manhattan
          Bank, as  Administrative  Agent and Collateral  Agent  (except,  as to
          Exhibit A thereto,  see Exhibit 10.1 to this Quarterly  Report on Form
          10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997)

 10.9     Reaffirmation  Agreement  dated  as  of  March  19,  1997  among  UCAR
          International  Inc.,  UCAR Global  Enterprises  Inc.,  the  Subsidiary
          Guarantors  listed  therein,  the  Foreign  Subsidiaries  referred  to
          therein and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  as  Administrative  Agent and
          Collateral Agent

 11       Statement re: computation of per share earnings

 27       Financial Data Schedule


                                                                             E-1



                                                                    EXHIBIT 2.33

                                                                  CONFORMED COPY
                                                                 --------------

                           STOCK REPURCHASE AGREEMENT
                           --------------------------

         STOCK  REPURCHASE  AGREEMENT dated as of April 2, 1997 among BLACKSTONE
CAPITAL PARTNERS II MERCHANT BANKING FUND L.P., a limited partnership  organized
under the laws of the State of Delaware  ("BCP"),  BLACKSTONE  OFFSHORE  CAPITAL
PARTNERS II L.P., a limited  partnership  organized under the laws of the Cayman
Islands ("BOCP"),  BLACKSTONE  FAMILY INVESTMENT  PARTNERSHIP II L.P., a limited
partnership  organized  under the laws of the State of Delaware  ("BFIP"),  UCAR
INTERNATIONAL  INC.,  a  corporation  organized  under  the laws of the State of
Delaware (the  "Company")  and, as to Sections  6(a) and 7-13 of this  Agreement
only, CHASE EQUITY ASSOCIATES,  L.P., a limited partnership  organized under the
laws of the State of California ("Chase Equity Associates").  BCP, BOCP and BFIP
are  each  sometimes  referred  to  herein  as  a  "Blackstone  Party"  and  are
collectively referred to herein as the "Blackstone Parties."

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

         WHEREAS,  it is expected  that  certain  shares of common  stock of the
Company,  par value $.01 per share  (the  "Common  Stock"),  will be sold by the
Blackstone  Parties  in a  public  offering  (the  "Offering")  pursuant  to  an
Underwriting  Agreement  (the  "Underwriting  Agreement")  dated the date hereof
among  the  Company,   the  Blackstone  Parties,   Credit  Suisse  First  Boston
Corporation  and the other U.S.  Underwriters  named therein and a  Subscription
Agreement  (the  "Subscription  Agreement")  dated  the date  hereof  among  the
Company, the Blackstone Parties, Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited and
the other Managers named therein,  which shares are being registered for sale to
the public under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), pursuant to
a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (file no. 333-23073); and

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has authorized a program
to  repurchase  up to $100  million  of  Common  Stock  (the  "Stock  Repurchase
Program"); and

         WHEREAS,  each Blackstone Party desires to sell to the Company, and the
Company  desires to repurchase  from each  Blackstone  Party,  certain shares of
Common Stock currently owned by such Blackstone Party as set forth on Schedule I
(referred to below) ("Repurchase  Shares") on the terms and conditions set forth
herein; and

         WHEREAS,  the Company  intends to effect such  repurchase of Repurchase
Shares from each Blackstone Party upon  consummation of the Offering pursuant to
the Stock Repurchase Program.
                                      

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

                                      
        NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the  representations,  warranties,
covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties,  intending to be legally
bound, agree as follows:

         1. SALE AND  REPURCHASE.  Upon the terms and subject to the  conditions
set forth  herein,  at the  Closing  (as  defined  in  Section 2  hereof),  each
Blackstone Party shall sell, assign and deliver to the Company,  and the Company
shall repurchase from each Blackstone  Party,  all right,  title and interest in
and to the  number of  Repurchase  Shares  set forth  opposite  the name of such
Blackstone  Party on Schedule I. In consideration  for the sale,  assignment and
delivery of such  Repurchase  Shares,  at the Closing,  the Company shall pay to
each Blackstone Party $36.575 per Share.

         2. CLOSING.  The closing of the sale and  repurchase of the  Repurchase
Shares hereunder (the "Closing") will occur at the offices of Cravath,  Swaine &
Moore in New York City on the First Closing Date (as defined in the Underwriting
Agreement and the Subscription Agreement) upon the closing (the "First Closing")
of the sale of U.S. Firm  Securities (as defined in the  Underwriting  Agreement
and the Subscription Agreement) on such First Closing Date.
At the Closing:

            (a) the  Company  will  deliver  by  wire  transfer  in  immediately
available funds to a bank account  designated by each Blackstone Party by notice
to the  Company  not later  than two  business  days  prior to the  Closing  the
aggregate  repurchase  price payable to such Blackstone Party in accordance with
the price per share set forth in  Paragraph 1 hereof for each  Repurchase  Share
repurchased by the Company from each  Blackstone  Party as set forth on Schedule
I;

            (b) each Blackstone Party will deliver to the transfer agent for the
Common  Stock  (as  agent  for  the  Company)  a  certificate  or   certificates
representing  the  Repurchase  Shares  to be  sold  by  such  Blackstone  Party,
registered in the name of such Blackstone  Party duly endorsed for transfer,  as
set forth on  Schedule I  attached  to, and in  accordance  with,  the Letter of
Instruction from the Company to the transfer agent attached as Exhibit A hereto;
and

            (c) each Blackstone Party will furnish to the Company a certificate,
dated the date of the Closing,  signed by such Blackstone Party or an authorized
signatory thereof, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit B hereto.

         3.  REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES OF THE  BLACKSTONE  PARTIES.  Each
Blackstone  Party  represents  and warrants to the Company as of the date hereof
and the Closing as follows:

            (a) Such Blackstone  Party has valid and  unencumbered  title to the
Repurchase  Shares to be delivered by or on behalf of such  Blackstone  Party at
the Closing,  and full right,  power and authority to enter into this  Agreement
and to sell, assign,  transfer and deliver the Repurchase Shares to be delivered
by or on behalf of such  Blackstone  Party at the Closing;  and upon delivery of
and payment for the  Repurchase  Shares to be  delivered by or on behalf of such
Blackstone  Party at the Closing,  assuming the Company acquires such Repurchase
Shares in good faith and without  notice of any adverse claim within the meaning
of the Uniform

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
                                        

Commercial  Code  currently in effect in the State of New York, the Company will
acquire valid and unencumbered title to the Repurchase Shares to be delivered by
or on behalf of such Blackstone Party at the Closing.

            (b) Such  Blackstone  Party  has been  duly  organized  as a limited
partnership and is in good standing under the laws of the  jurisdiction in which
it was organized.  Such jurisdictions are the State of Delaware,  in the case of
the BCP and BFIP, and the Cayman Islands, in the case of BOCP.

            (c) This Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and
delivered by such Blackstone  Party and,  assuming due execution and delivery by
the other  parties,  constitutes a valid and legally  binding  agreement of such
Blackstone Party,  enforceable  against such Blackstone Party in accordance with
its  terms,  subject  to  applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,   reorganization,
moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws affecting creditors' rights and
remedies  generally and to general  principles of equity  (regardless of whether
enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

            (d) No  consent,  approval,  authorization,  or order  of, or filing
with, any governmental agency or body or any court or arbitrator or by any court
or  arbitrator  is  required to be  obtained  by such  Blackstone  Party for the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement in connection
with the  sale by such  Blackstone  Party of the  Repurchase  Shares  set  forth
opposite  such  Blackstone  Party's  name on  Schedule I, except such as have no
material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement.

            (e) The  sale of the  Repurchase  Shares  set  forth  opposite  such
Blackstone  Party's name on Schedule A, the execution,  delivery and performance
of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions  contemplated herein and
the fulfillment of the terms hereof, will not result in a breach or violation of
any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under,  any material
agreement or  instrument to which such  Blackstone  Party is a party or by which
such  Blackstone  Party  is  bound or to  which  any of the  properties  of such
Blackstone Party is subject, or the agreement of limited partnership or articles
of partnership of such Blackstone Party,  except in each case where such breach,
violation or default has no material  adverse effect on the  consummation of the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement, and such Blackstone Party has full
partnership  power and authority to sell the Repurchase  Shares to be sold by it
as contemplated by this Agreement.

            (f) The  sale of the  Repurchase  Shares  set  forth  opposite  such
Blackstone  Party's name on Schedule I, the execution,  delivery and performance
of this Agreement,  the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated and
the fulfillment of the terms hereof, will not result in a breach or violation of
any of the terms and provisions of any statute or any rule,  regulation or order
applicable to such Blackstone Party of any governmental agency or body or court,
domestic or foreign,  having  jurisdiction  over such Blackstone Party or any of
its properties.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 

         4.   REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES  OF  THE  COMPANY.   The  Company
represents and warrants to the Blackstone  Parties as of the date hereof and the
Closing that:

            (a) The Company has been duly  incorporated  and is validly existing
as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

            (b) This Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and
delivered by the Company and,  assuming due  execution and delivery by the other
parties,  constitutes  a valid and legally  binding  obligation  of the Company,
enforceable  against  the  Company  in  accordance  with its  terms,  subject to
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,   reorganization,   moratorium,  fraudulent
transfer and similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally and
to general principles of equity (regardless of whether  enforcement is sought in
a proceeding at law or in equity).

            (c) The repurchase of the Repurchase Shares, the execution, delivery
and  performance  of  this  Agreement,  the  consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated herein and the fulfillment of the terms hereof will not result in a
breach or  violation  of any of the terms and  provisions  of, or  constitute  a
default under, any material  agreement or instrument to which UCAR is a party or
by which  UCAR is bound or to which any of the  properties  of UCAR is  subject,
except  where  such  breach,  violation  or  default  (individually  or  in  the
aggregate)  would  not  have  a  Material  Adverse  Effect  (as  defined  in the
Underwriting  Agreement).  The Company has full corporate power and authority to
repurchase the Repurchase Shares as contemplated by this Agreement.

            (d) No  consent,  approval,  authorization,  or order  of, or filing
with, any governmental agency or body or any court or arbitrator or by any court
or arbitrator is required to be obtained by the Company for the  consummation of
the  transactions   contemplated  by  this  Agreement  in  connection  with  the
repurchase  by the  Company of the  Repurchase  Shares,  except  such as have no
material adverse effect on the consummation of the transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement.

            (e) The  repurchase  of the  Repurchase  Shares by the Company,  the
execution,  delivery and performance of this Agreement,  the consummation of the
transactions  herein  contemplated  and the fulfillment of the terms hereof will
not result in a breach or  violation of any of the terms and  provisions  of any
statute  or any rule,  regulation  or order  applicable  to the  Company  or any
governmental agency or body or court,  domestic or foreign,  having jurisdiction
over the Company or any of its properties.

         5.  CONDITIONS TO THE  OBLIGATIONS  OF THE  BLACKSTONE  PARTIES AND THE
COMPANY;  TERMINATION. The obligations of each of the Blackstone Parties and the
Company to consummate the Closing are subject to the following  conditions:  (a)
no Repurchase  Shares shall be sold and repurchased  hereunder unless all of the
Repurchase  Shares are  concurrently  sold and repurchased and (b) no Repurchase
Shares shall be sold and  repurchased  hereunder  unless the First Closing shall
occur concurrently or shall have occurred on or prior to April 30, 1997. If


                                      -4-
<PAGE>
                            

the First Closing  shall not have  occurred on or prior to April 30, 1997,  this
Agreement shall terminate and have no further force or effect without  liability
hereunder on the part of any party (even if the First Closing does not occur due
to an action or omission of a party hereto under the  Underwriting  Agreement or
the Subscription Agreement).

         6. TERMINATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.
           
            (a) Upon the  earlier of (x) 90 days  after the date of the  Closing
and (y) the time when each of the Blackstone  Parties shall have ceased to be an
"affiliate"  of the Company  within the  meaning of Rule 144 under the Act,  the
provisions  of Sections  2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1 and 4.2 of the Amended and
Restated  Stockholders  Agreement dated as of February 29, 1996 among BCP, BOCP,
BFIP,  Chase  Equity  Associates  and the  Company,  and any  irrevocable  proxy
executed by Chase Equity Associates in favor of BCP, shall terminate and have no
further force or effect.

            (b) Upon the  earlier of (x) 90 days  after the date of the  Closing
and (y) the time when each of the Blackstone  Parties shall have ceased to be an
"affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Act:

                (i)    the provisions of Sections 3.7 ("Drag-Along Rights"), 3.9
                       ("Tagalong Rights") and 3.10 ("Voting Agreement") of each
                       of the Management  Common Stock  Subscription  Agreements
                       (For Option Repurchase Shares) among the Company, each of
                       the  executives  of the Company whose names are set forth
                       on Schedule A hereto and (as to Sections  3.7,  3.8,  3.9
                       and 3.10 of such agreements only) BCP (collectively,  the
                       "Option  Repurchase Shares  Agreements")  shall terminate
                       and have no further force or effect;

                (ii)   the provisions of Sections 3.7 ("Drag-Along Rights"), 3.9
                       ("Tagalong Rights") and 3.10 ("Voting Agreement") of each
                       of the Management  Common Stock  Subscription  Agreements
                       (For  Repurchased  and Matched Shares) among the Company,
                       each of the members of  management  of the Company  whose
                       names  are set  forth on  Schedule  B  hereto  and (as to
                       Sections 3.7, 3.8, 3.9 and 3.10 of such agreements  only)
                       BCP  (collectively,  the  "Repurchased and Matched Shares
                       Agreements") shall terminate and have no further force or
                       effect; and

                (iii)  any irrevocable  proxy executed  pursuant to Section 3.10
                       of any of the Option Shares Agreements or the Repurchased
                       and Matched  Shares  Agreements by any of the  executives
                       whose  names  are set  forth on  Schedules  A or B hereto
                       shall terminate and have no further force or effect.

                                       

                                      -5-
<PAGE>


         7. GOVERNING LAW;  SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.  This Agreement shall be
governed by, and  construed  in  accordance  with,  the laws of the State of New
York,  without  regard to principles of conflicts of laws.  The parties agree to
submit to the  jurisdiction  of federal  and state  courts  located in the City,
County  and State of New York in any  action  or  proceeding  arising  out of or
relating to this Agreement.

         8. CAPTIONS; HEADINGS. The captions and headings in this Agreement have
been inserted for  convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect
the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

         9. NOTICES. All notices, requests or other communications to any of the
parties hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be personally delivered or
sent by facsimile transmission:

            if to any of the Blackstone Parties, to:

                           c/o Blackstone Management Associates II L.L.C.
                           345 Park Avenue
                           31st Floor
                           New York, New York 10154
                           Facsimile: 212-754-8704
                           Attention: Mr. Glenn H. Hutchins

            if to the Company, to:

                           UCAR International Inc.
                           39 Old Ridgebury Road
                           Danbury, Connecticut 06817
                           Facsimile: 203-207-7785
                           Attention: General Counsel

            if to Chase  Equity  Associates,  to the address or  facsimile     
            number as shown on the stock register of the Company.

         10.  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  Each term and condition of this Agreement
shall  inure to the  benefit  of and be  binding  upon  the  parties  and  their
respective successors and assigns; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that no party may assign,
delegate  or  otherwise  transfer  any of its rights or  obligations  under this
Agreement without the written consent of the other parties.

         11.  ENTIRE  AGREEMENT;  THIRD  PARTY  BENEFICIARIES.   This  Agreement
constitutes  the entire  agreement among the parties with respect to the subject
matter   hereof.   This   Agreement   supersedes   all  prior   agreements   and
understandings,  both oral and  written,  among the parties  with respect to the
subject matter hereof. No provision of this Agreement is intended to confer upon
any person other than the parties any rights or remedies.



                                      -6-
<PAGE>


         12.  AMENDMENTS  AND WAIVERS.  Any  provision of this  Agreement may be
amended  or waived if,  but only if such  amendment  or waiver is set forth in a
written  instrument  and is signed,  in the case of an amendment,  by all of the
parties  or, in the case of a waiver,  by the party  against  whom the waiver is
sought to be effective.

         13. COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
of which  shall  be an  original  instrument  and all of  which  together  shall
constitute  the  same  instrument,  with the same  effect  as if the  signatures
thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.


                                   BLACKSTONE CAPITAL PARTNERS II
                                   MERCHANT BANKING FUND L.P.

                                   By:  Blackstone Management
                                        Associates II L.L.C., General Partner


                                   By:  /s/ Howard A. Lipson
                                        --------------------------------
                                        Name:   Howard A. Lipson
                                        Title:  Member



                                   BLACKSTONE OFFSHORE CAPITAL
                                   PARTNERS II L.P.

                                   By:  Blackstone Management
                                        Associates II L.L.C., General Partner


                                   By:  /s/ Howard A. Lipson
                                        -------------------------------
                                        Name:  Howard A. Lipson
                                        Title: Member



                                   BLACKSTONE FAMILY INVESTMENT
                                   PARTNERSHIP II L.P.

                                   By:  Blackstone Management
                                        Associates II L.L.C., General Partner


                                   By:  /s/ Howard A. Lipson
                                        -------------------------------
                                        Name:  Howard A. Lipson
                                        Title: Member



                                      -8-
<PAGE>
    
                                   UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.




                                   By: /s/ Peter B. Mancino
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Name:   Peter B. Mancino
                                       Title:  Vice President


 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>


                                   CHASE EQUITY ASSOCIATES, L.P.
                                   (as to Sections 6(a) and 7-13 of this 
                                    Agreement only)


                                   By: Chase Capital Partners

                                   By: /s/ Brian J. Richmand
                                       -------------------------------
                                       Name:   Brian J. Richmand
                                       Title:  General Partner




                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE A

                          TO STOCK REPURCHASE AGREEMENT

Arnold, John C.
Attwell, John W.
Badoux, Alain
Bailine, Frederick G.
Barnard, P.J.
Beightol, Frederick A.
Beling, Luis Roberto
Bowman, Brian
Brewer, Kim C.
Burroughs, Walter J.
Calarco, Paul
Casiello, Gerald L.
Cate, William D.
Cereceda, A.L.
Chang, Chiag-Feng
Dell, Rodney J.
Diaz Campos, Alvaro
Dowdle, Douglas C.
Dzernejro, Albert J.
Echevarria, H.
Flowers, Roger H.
Freitas, Luis Augusto
Frisario, Nicola
Hart, Robert J.
Haworth, Joseph D.
Hewson, Robert E.
Iglesias Arria, Miguel D.
Kent, Edgar F.
Kippax, P.
Kozak, Philip E.
Krass, Robert P.
Lewis, Irwin C.
Magnani, Piero
Mancino, Peter B.
Martinez, Jose Luiz L.
McKnight, James R.
McGlanery, Joe T.
Meroni, Giuseppe
Mitchem, R.L.
Narwold, Karen G.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>


Norton, Michael T.
Overcash, Herman A.
Peirotes, Guy
Pelletier, R.
Perez, Nemesio
Phipps, C.W.
Pretorius, H.L.
Ramos, Sergio de A.
Reep, David B.
Scienski, Patricia E.
Shen, Wei-Ming
Snyder, Dudley D.
Stamm, Robert C.
Tjaarda, James T.
Twigg, Geoffrey
Vautier, Georges
Wenske, James R.
Westfall, James E.
Wetula, John J.
Wiemels, William P.
Wilkinson, Terry W.
Wimer, James H.
Wise, Francis E.
Wolf, Fred C.


                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE B

                          TO STOCK REPURCHASE AGREEMENT

Arnold, John C.
Bailine, Frederick G.
Beling, Luis R.
Carter, Donald A.
Casiello, Gerald L.
Cassilly, Thomas C.
Cate, William D.
Dowdle, Douglas C.
Echevarria-Estella, Honoratio
Flowers, Roger M.
Hamm, George A.
Hart, Robert J.
Krass, Robert P.
Mancino, Peter B.
Pelletier, Raymond
Ross, Robert M.
Twigg, Geoffrey
Wiemels, William P.
Wolf, Fred C.


                                      -13-
<PAGE>
  
                                                        EXHIBIT A




                                                          April  , 1997

The Bank of New York,
   as Transfer Agent
101 Barclay Street, 12W
New York, New York  10286
Attn:  Diana Ajjan

                  Re:      UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                   Reference  is  made  to  the  offering  (the  "Offering")  of
5,800,000 shares (the "Offering  Shares") of common stock of UCAR  International
Inc.  (the  "Company"),  par value $.01 per share  (the  "Common  Stock"),  made
pursuant to the  Underwriting  Agreement  dated April , 1997 (the  "Underwriting
Agreement") among the Company,  Blackstone  Capital Partners II Merchant Banking
Fund L.P.,  ("BCP"),  Blackstone  Offshore  Capital  Partners II L.P.  ("BOCP"),
Blackstone Family Investment  Partnership II L.P. ("BFIP" and, together with BCP
and BOCP, the "Selling Stockholders") and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
("CSFB") and the other Underwriters named therein and the Subscription Agreement
dated  April ,  1997  (the  "Subscription  Agreement"  and,  together  with  the
Underwriting  Agreement,  each, an "Agreement")  among the Company,  the Selling
Stockholders  and Credit  Suisse  First  Boston  (Europe)  Limited and the other
Managers  named  therein.   In  connection   with  the  Offering,   the  Selling
Stockholders  granted the  Underwriters and the Managers an option to purchase a
maximum  of  611,227  additional  shares of Common  Stock  (the  "Over-Allotment
Shares") solely to cover  over-allotments  of shares.  Reference is also made to
the repurchase by the Company of 1,300,000 shares (the  "Repurchase  Shares") of
Common  Stock from the Selling  Stockholders  pursuant  to the Stock  Repurchase
Agreement  dated as of  April , 1997  (the  "Repurchase  Agreement")  among  the
Company, the Selling Stockholders and Chase Equity Associates, L.P.

                   In  connection  with the sale of the Offering  Shares and the
repurchase of Repurchase Shares, each Selling Stockholder has submitted to you a
certificate representing a number of shares greater than the aggregate number of
Offering  Shares  and  Repurchase  Shares  to  be  sold  by  each  such  Selling
Stockholder  (such  difference,  the  "Excess  Shares").  The number of Offering
Shares,  Repurchase  Shares  and Excess  Shares  with  respect  to each  Selling
Stockholder are set forth in the table attached as Schedule A hereto.

<PAGE>

                   Of the  aggregate  9,137,385  shares of Common Stock you have
received from the Selling  Stockholders,  you are hereby instructed with respect
to such shares as follows.

                   1.  OFFERING  SHARES.  You are  hereby  authorized  to  cause
certificate(s)  evidencing  5,800,000  shares of Common Stock,  representing the
aggregate   Offering  Shares  of  the  Selling   Stockholders,   to  be  issued,
countersigned  and registered in accordance  with the  instructions  of CSFB, on
behalf of itself and the other Underwriters and Managers.  These  certificate(s)
should be issued without any restrictive legend.

                   2. REPURCHASE  SHARES.  You are hereby authorized to register
in the name of the Company  1,300,000  shares of Common Stock,  representing the
aggregate Repurchase Shares of the Selling  Stockholders,  and treat such shares
as treasury shares.

                   3.  OVER-ALLOTMENT SHARES AND EXCESS  SHARES.  You are hereby
authorized to cause three certificates evidencing 1,498,728, 373,253 and 145,404
shares of Common Stock, respectively,  representing the aggregate Over-Allotment
Shares  and  Excess  Shares  of  each of  BCP,  BOCP  and  BFIP,  to be  issued,
countersigned  and registered in the names of BCP, BOCP and BFIP,  respectively.
These certificates should be issued with the following restrictive legend:



                   THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE
                   BEEN  REGISTERED  WITH THE  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                   COMMISSION IN ACCORDANCE  WITH THE  SECURITIES  ACT
                   (THE "ACT") OF 1933 AND MAY BE TRANSFERRED PURSUANT
                   THERETO WHILE SUCH  REGISTRATION  IS EFFECTIVE.  IF
                   SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT EFFECTIVE,  THE SECURITIES
                   REPRESENTED   BY  THIS   CERTIFICATE   MAY  NOT  BE
                   TRANSFERRED UNLESS THEY ARE SUBSEQUENTLY REGISTERED
                   PURSUANT TO THE ACT OR AN  EXEMPTION  THEREFROM  IS
                   AVAILABLE.


                  Should any questions arise,  please contact me immediately for
instructions.

                                             Very truly yours,



                                             Peter B. Mancino
                                             General Counsel




                                 -2-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>

                                                                                                                          SCHEDULE I
                                                                                                            TO LETTER OF INSTRUCTION
                                                       UCAR SECONDARY OFFERING
<CAPTION>
<S>                 <C>           <C>               <C>          <C>                 <C>               <C>            <C>

====================================================================================================================================
                                                                                                          Over-
Blackstone          Certificate       Shares          Offering      Repurchase        Interest          Allotment       Excess
 Entity               Number      Currently Owned     Shares(1)       Shares           Shares            Shares         Shares(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BCP                  TUC 109        6,721,584        4,266,558        956,298        1,056,655          442,073       1,498,728
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOCP                 TUC 110        1,763,684        1,119,507        250,924          257,257          115,577         373,253
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BFIP                 TUC 111          652,117          413,935         92,778          102,515           42,889         145,404
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                               9,137,385        5,800,000      1,300,000        1,416,427          600,958       2,017,385
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legend on Shares     1933 Act           N/A             No         N/A (shares        1933 Act          1933 Act        1933 Act
                      legend                        restrictive      will be           legend          legend (if        legend
                                                      legends    noncertificated                       option not
                                                                    treasury                           exercised)
                                                                     shares)
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

- ------------------
(1) Assuming over-allotment option is not exercised concurrently 
    with the First Closing.

(2) Consists of Retained Interest Shares and Over-Allotment Shares.



                                                                -3-

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B
                                   CERTIFICATE
                                   -----------


                   Reference  is made to the  Stock  Repurchase  Agreement  (the
"Stock Repurchase  Agreement"),  dated April ___, 1997, among UCAR International
Inc.  (the  "Company"),  the  Blackstone  Parties named therein and Chase Equity
Associates,  L.P. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Stock Repurchase Agreement.

                   The undersigned, Stephen A. Schwarzman, hereby certifies that
he is a  founding  member of  Blackstone  Management  Associates  II  L.L.C.,  a
Delaware limited liability  company ("BMA"),  which is a general partner of each
of Blackstone Capital Partners II Merchant Banking Fund L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership  ("BCP"),  Blackstone  Offshore  Capital  Partners II L.P., a Cayman
Islands  limited   partnership   ("BOCP")  and  Blackstone   Family   Investment
Partnership II L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("BFIP"). BCP, BOCP and BFIP
are collectively referred to herein as the "Partnerships."

                  (a) The  undersigned is authorized to execute and deliver this
Certificate  on  behalf  of each  of the  Partnerships  by the  terms  of  their
respective  limited  partnership  agreements and the limited  liability  company
operating documents of BMA.

                  (b) As of the date hereof, the  representations and warranties
of each of the Partnerships in the Stock Repurchase  Agreement dated as of April
___, 1997 among the Partnerships,  the Company and Chase Equity Associates, L.P.
(the "Stock Repurchase Agreement") that are qualified as to materiality are true
and  correct,  and those not so  qualified  are true and correct in all material
respects.

                  (c)  The  execution  and  delivery  of  the  Stock  Repurchase
Agreement and the performance by the  Partnerships  of all of their  obligations
thereunder have been authorized by all necessary  partnership action on the part
of each of the Partnerships and have been approved by BMA and the actions of BMA
have been authorized in accordance with the operating documents of BMA.

                  This  Certificate  may only be relied  upon by the Company and
counsel to the Company.

                  IN  WITNESS   WHEREOF,   the  undersigned  has  executed  this
Certificate on this ___ day of April, 1997.




                                       ----------------------------------
                                       Stephen A. Schwarzman



                                                                     

                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                  TO THE EFFECTIVENESS AGREEMENT

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


                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          Dated as of October 19, 1995,

                  As Amended and Restated as of March 19, 1997


                                      Among



                            UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.,

                          UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES INC.,

                     THE CREDIT PARTIES REFERRED TO HEREIN,

                            THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN,


                        THE FRONTING BANKS NAMED HEREIN,


                                       and


                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                             as Administrative Agent
                              and Collateral Agent


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

                             CHASE SECURITIES INC.,
                                   as Arranger


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        [CS&M Ref. No. 6700-278]


<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            Page

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   Definitions
                                   -----------

SECTION 1.01.   Defined Terms...............................................   1
SECTION 1.02.   Terms Generally.............................................  26
                                                                            


                                   ARTICLE II

                                   The Credits
                                   -----------

SECTION 2.01.   Commitments.................................................  26
SECTION 2.02.   Loans.......................................................  29
SECTION 2.03.   Borrowing Procedure.........................................  30
SECTION 2.04.   Evidence of Debt; Repayment of Loans........................  31
SECTION 2.05.   Fees........................................................  32
SECTION 2.06.   Interest on Loans...........................................  33
SECTION 2.07.   Default Interest............................................  33
SECTION 2.08.   Alternate Rate of Interest..................................  33
SECTION 2.09.   Termination and Reduction of Commitments... ................  34
SECTION 2.10.   Conversion and Continuation of Term Borrowings and
                Tranche A Reimbursement Borrowings........... ..............  35
SECTION 2.11.   Repayment of Term Borrowings and Reduction of the
                Tranche A Exposure; Reallocation of the Tranche A
                Exposure.............................. .....................  36
SECTION 2.12.   Prepayment..................................................  38
SECTION 2.13.   Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances...............  41
SECTION 2.14.   Change in Legality..........................................  42
SECTION 2.15.   Indemnity...................................................  43
SECTION 2.16.   Pro Rata Treatment..........................................  43
SECTION 2.17.   Sharing of Setoffs........... ..............................  44
SECTION 2.18.   Payments....................................................  44
SECTION 2.19.   Taxes.......................................................  45
SECTION 2.20.   Letters of Credit...........................................  48
                                                                            

<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE III

                         Representations and Warranties
                         ------------------------------

SECTION 3.01.   Organization; Powers........................................  55
SECTION 3.02.   Authorization...............................................  55
SECTION 3.03.   Enforceability..............................................  56
SECTION 3.04.   Governmental Approvals......................................  56
SECTION 3.05.   Financial Statements........................................  56
SECTION 3.06.   No Material Adverse Change..................................  56
SECTION 3.07.   Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases................  57
SECTION 3.08.   Subsidiaries................................................  57
SECTION 3.09.   Litigation; Compliance with Laws............................  57
SECTION 3.10.   Agreements..................................................  58
SECTION 3.11.   Federal Reserve Regulations.................................  58
SECTION 3.12.   Investment Company Act; Public Utility Holding
                Company Act.................................................  58
SECTION 3.13.   Use of Proceeds.............................................  58
SECTION 3.14.   Tax Returns.................................................  58
SECTION 3.15.   No Material Misstatements...................................  59
SECTION 3.16.   Employee Benefit Plans......................................  59
SECTION 3.17.   Environmental Matters.......................................  60
SECTION 3.18.   Capitalization of UCAR and Borrower.........................  61
SECTION 3.19.   Security Documents..........................................  61
SECTION 3.20.   Labor Matters...............................................  61
SECTION 3.21.   No Foreign Assets Control Regulation Violation..............  61
SECTION 3.22.   Insurance...................................................  62


                                   ARTICLE IV

                              Conditions of Lending
                              ---------------------

SECTION 4.01.   All Credit Events...........................................  62


                                    ARTICLE V

                              Affirmative Covenants
                              ---------------------

SECTION 5.01.   Existence; Businesses and Properties........................  63
SECTION 5.02.   Insurance...................................................  63
SECTION 5.03.   Taxes.......................................................  64
SECTION 5.04.   Financial Statements, Reports, etc..........................  64


                                      -2-
<PAGE>


SECTION 5.05.   Litigation and Other Notices................................  66
SECTION 5.06.   Employee Benefits...........................................  66
SECTION 5.07.   Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and
                Inspections.................................................  67
SECTION 5.08.   Use of Proceeds.............................................  67
SECTION 5.09.   Compliance with Environmental Laws..........................  67
SECTION 5.10.   Preparation of Environmental Reports........................  67
SECTION 5.11.   Further Assurances..........................................  67
SECTION 5.12.   Significant Subsidiaries....................................  68
SECTION 5.13.   Fiscal Year; Accounting.....................................  68
SECTION 5.14.   Dividends...................................................  68
SECTION 5.15.   Interest/Exchange Rate Protection Agreements................  68
SECTION 5.16.   Corporate Separateness......................................  68


                                   ARTICLE VI

                               Negative Covenants
                               ------------------

SECTION 6.01.   Indebtedness................................................  69
SECTION 6.02.   Liens.......................................................  72
SECTION 6.03.   Sale and Lease-Back Transactions............................  75
SECTION 6.04.   Investments, Loans and Advances.............................  75
SECTION 6.05.   Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and
                Acquisitions................................................  77
SECTION 6.06.   Dividends and Distributions.................................  78
SECTION 6.07.   Transactions with Affiliates................................  79
SECTION 6.08.   Business of UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries.........  80
SECTION 6.09.   Subordinated Indebtedness and Other Material
                Agreements..................................................  80
SECTION 6.10.   South Africa................................................  81
SECTION 6.11.   Capital Expenditures........................................  82
SECTION 6.12.   Interest Coverage Ratio.....................................  82
SECTION 6.13.   Leverage Ratio..............................................  82
SECTION 6.14.   Capital Stock of the Subsidiaries...........................  83


                                   ARTICLE VII

                                Events of Default
                                -----------------

Events of Default...........................................................  83


                                      -3-
<PAGE>


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent
                -------------------------------------------------

The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent...........................  86


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  Miscellaneous
                                  -------------

SECTION 9.01.   Notices.....................................................  88
SECTION 9.02.   Survival of Agreement.......................................  89
SECTION 9.03.   Binding Effect..............................................  89
SECTION 9.04.   Successors and Assigns......................................  89
SECTION 9.05.   Expenses; Indemnity.........................................  93
SECTION 9.06.   Right of Setoff.............................................  95
SECTION 9.07.   Applicable Law..............................................  95
SECTION 9.08.   Waivers; Amendment..........................................  95
SECTION 9.09.   Interest Rate Limitation....................................  96
SECTION 9.10.   Entire Agreement............................................  96
SECTION 9.11.   Waiver of Jury Trial........................................  97
SECTION 9.12.   Severability................................................  97
SECTION 9.13.   Counterparts................................................  97
SECTION 9.14.   Headings....................................................  97
SECTION 9.15.   Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.................  97
SECTION 9.16.   Conversion of Currencies....................................  98
SECTION 9.17.   Confidentiality ............................................  98
SECTION 9.18.   Release of Liens and Guarantees.............................  99


                             Exhibits and Schedules

Exhibit A          Form of Administrative Questionnaire
Exhibit B          Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit C          Form of Borrowing Request
Exhibit D          Form of Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement
Exhibit E          Form of Local Facility Credit Agreement
Exhibit F          Form of Parent Guarantee Agreement
Exhibit G          Form of Pledge Agreement
Exhibit H          Form of Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement
Exhibit I          Form of Tranche A Letter of Credit



                                      -4-
<PAGE>

Schedule A            Adjustments
Schedule 2.01         Commitments
Schedule 2.20         Letters of Credit
Schedule 3.08         Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.09         Litigation
Schedule 3.14         Taxes
Schedule 3.17         Environmental Matters
Schedule 3.18         Capitalization
Schedule 3.20         Labor Matters
Schedule 6.01         Indebtedness
Schedule 6.02         Liens
Schedule 6.04         Investments
Schedule 6.07         Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 6.09         Limitations on Dividends


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

                                    CREDIT  AGREEMENT  dated as of  October  19,
                           1995,  as amended and  restated as of March 19, 1997,
                           among UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC., a Delaware corporation
                           ("UCAR"),  UCAR GLOBAL  ENTERPRISES  INC., a Delaware
                           corporation  (the   "Borrower"),   the  other  Credit
                           Parties    referred   to   herein,    the   financial
                           institutions listed on Schedule 2.01 (the "Lenders"),
                           the  fronting  banks  listed  on  Schedule  2.20 (the
                           "Fronting  Banks"),  and THE CHASE  MANHATTAN BANK, a
                           New  York  banking  corporation,  as  agent  (in such
                           capacity,   the   "Administrative   Agent")   and  as
                           collateral  agent (in such capacity,  the "Collateral
                           Agent") for the Lenders.


                  The Borrower has requested the Lenders to extend credit in the
form of (a)  Tranche A Term Loans on the  Effectiveness  Date,  in an  aggregate
principal  amount not in excess of $45,300,000,  (b) Tranche A Letters of Credit
supporting  Local  Facilities  to be issued  on the  Effectiveness  Date,  in an
aggregate stated amount not in excess of $224,700,000,  (c) Tranche A Letters of
Credit issued pursuant to Section  2.11(b) and Tranche A Reimbursement  Loans at
any time and from time to time  prior to the  Tranche  A  Maturity  Date,  in an
aggregate  stated amount and principal  amount at any time outstanding that will
not result in the Tranche A Exposure exceeding the Total Tranche A Reimbursement
Commitment at such time, (d) Tranche B Term Loans on the Effectiveness  Date, in
an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $120,000,000, (e) Revolving Loans
and  Swingline  Loans at any time and from time to time  prior to the  Revolving
Credit Maturity Date, in an aggregate  principal  amount at any time outstanding
not in excess of the  difference  between  $250,000,000  and the  Revolving  L/C
Exposure at such time and (f)  Revolving  Letters of Credit at any time and from
time to time prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, in an aggregate stated
amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $200,000,000.

                  The proceeds of the Term Loans and the Local  Facilities  will
be used to provide funding for the refinancing of all the outstanding Term Loans
and Local Facilities on the Effectiveness  Date and the payment of related fees,
expenses and other  transaction costs  (collectively,  the  "Refinancing").  The
Tranche A Letters of Credit will be used to support Indebtedness under the Local
Facilities.  The  proceeds  of  Tranche A  Reimbursement  Loans  will be used to
reimburse Tranche A L/C Disbursements or to repay or prepay  Indebtedness  under
the Local  Facilities.  The  Revolving  Letters  of Credit and the  proceeds  of
Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans will be used for general corporate purposes.

                  The Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the  Borrower
and the Fronting Banks are willing to issue letters of credit for the account of
the Borrower and the other Credit Parties, in each case on the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth herein.
Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:


                                      
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS
                                   -----------

                  SECTION 1.01.  DEFINED TERMS. As used in this  Agreement,  the
following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

                  "ABR Borrowing" shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Loans.

                  "ABR  Loan"  shall  mean  any ABR Term  Loan,  ABR  Tranche  A
Reimbursement Loan, ABR Revolving Loan or Swingline Loan.

                  "ABR  Revolving  Loan" shall mean any  Revolving  Loan bearing
interest  at a rate  determined  by  reference  to the  Alternate  Base  Rate in
accordance with the provisions of Article II.

                  "ABR Term Loan" shall mean any Term Loan bearing interest at a
rate  determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate in accordance  with the
provisions of Article II.

                  "ABR Term or  Reimbursement  Borrowing" shall mean a Borrowing
comprised  of  ABR  Term  Loans  or a  Borrowing  comprised  of  ABR  Tranche  A
Reimbursement Loans.

                  "ABR  Tranche A  Reimbursement  Loan" shall mean any Tranche A
Reimbursement  Loan bearing  interest at a rate  determined  by reference to the
Alternate Base Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

                  "Adjusted Consolidated Net Income" shall mean, with respect to
UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis for any period,
the  consolidated net income of UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such
period plus, to the extent deducted in computing such  consolidated  net income,
any special charges and any extraordinary or non-recurring  losses and minus, to
the extent added in computing such  consolidated  net income,  extraordinary  or
non-recurring gains.

                  "Adjusted   LIBO  Rate"  shall  mean,   with  respect  to  any
Eurodollar  Borrowing  for any  Interest  Period,  an  interest  rate per  annum
(rounded upwards, if necessary,  to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the product of
(a) the LIBO Rate in effect for such Interest Period and (b) Statutory Reserves.

                  "Administrative  Agent Fees" shall have the meaning given such
term in Section 2.05(c).

                  "Administrative  Questionnaire"  shall mean an  Administrative
Questionnaire in the form of Exhibit A.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>


                  "Affiliate"  shall mean, when used with respect to a specified
person,  another  person  that  directly,  or  indirectly  through  one or  more
intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the
person specified.

                  "Agent  Letters"  shall  mean  the  letter   agreements  dated
February 13,  1997,  among the  Borrower,  Chase  Securities  Inc. and The Chase
Manhattan Bank.

                  "Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure" shall mean the aggregate
amount of the Lenders' Revolving Credit Exposures.

                  "Alternate  Base  Rate"  shall  mean,  for any day, a rate per
annum  (rounded  upwards,  if  necessary,  to the next  1/16 of 1%) equal to the
greater  of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (b) the  Federal  Funds
Effective  Rate in  effect  on such day plus 1/2 of 1%.  If for any  reason  the
Administrative  Agent  shall  have  determined  (which  determination  shall  be
conclusive  absent  manifest  error) that it is unable to ascertain  the Federal
Funds Effective  Rate,  including the failure of the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York to publish  rates or the  inability of the  Administrative  Agent to obtain
quotations in accordance  with the terms thereof,  the Alternate Base Rate shall
be determined  without regard to clause (b) of the preceding  sentence until the
circumstances  giving rise to such inability no longer exist.  Any change in the
Alternate  Base  Rate due to a change  in the Prime  Rate or the  Federal  Funds
Effective  Rate shall be effective on the  effective  date of such change in the
Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

                  "Applicable  Percentage"  of any Tranche A Lender or Revolving
Credit  Lender at any time  shall  mean the  percentage  of the Total  Tranche A
Reimbursement   Commitment  or  the  Total  Revolving  Credit   Commitment,   as
applicable,  represented by such Lender's Tranche A Reimbursement  Commitment or
Revolving  Credit  Commitment,  as  applicable.  In  the  event  the  Tranche  A
Reimbursement Commitments or the Revolving Credit Commitments shall have expired
or been terminated,  the Applicable Percentages shall be determined on the basis
of the Tranche A Reimbursement  Commitments or the Revolving Credit Commitments,
as  applicable,  most recently in effect,  but giving effect to any  assignments
pursuant to Section 9.04.

                  "Assignment  and  Acceptance"  shall  mean an  assignment  and
acceptance  entered  into by a  Lender  and an  assignee,  and  accepted  by the
Administrative  Agent and the  Borrower,  in the form of Exhibit B or such other
form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.

                  "Board"  shall  mean the  Board of  Governors  of the  Federal
Reserve System of the United States.

                  "Borrowing" shall mean a group of Loans of a single Type under
a single Tranche or consisting  solely of Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans and
made on a single date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single
Interest Period is in effect.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                 "Borrowing  Request"  shall mean a request by the  Borrower in
accordance  with the  terms of  Section  2.03 and  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit C.

                  "Brazil" shall mean UCAR Carbon S.A., a Brazil corporation and
the direct or indirect  owner of 100% of the  business of the  Borrower  and the
Subsidiaries in Brazil.

                  "Business  Day"  shall  mean any day  other  than a  Saturday,
Sunday or day on which banks in New York City are  authorized or required by law
to close;  PROVIDED,  however,  that when used in  connection  with a Eurodollar
Loan,  the term "Business Day" shall also exclude any day on which banks are not
open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

                  "Capital  Expenditures"  shall mean, for any person in respect
of any period, the sum of (a) the aggregate of all expenditures incurred by such
person  during such  period  that,  in  accordance  with GAAP,  are or should be
included  in  "additions  to  property,  plant or  equipment"  or similar  items
reflected  in the  statement  of cash flows of such person and (b) to the extent
not  covered by clause (a) above,  the  aggregate  of all  expenditures  by such
person to acquire by purchase or  otherwise  the business or fixed assets of, or
stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any other person (other than
the  Borrower  or any person  that is a Wholly  Owned  Subsidiary  prior to such
acquisition);  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Capital Expenditures for the Borrower and
the Subsidiaries  shall not include (a) expenditures  using funds drawn from the
Rationalization   Project  Cash  Collateral  Account  made  in  respect  of  the
Rationalization  Project  or  made  following  completion  (as  evidenced  by  a
certificate   executed  by  a  Responsible  Officer  of  the  Borrower)  of  the
Rationalization  Project,  (b)  expenditures  made to make  any  Permitted  SA/B
Acquisition,   any  acquisition   constituting  a  Specified  Permitted  Foreign
Transaction or Permitted Other Acquisition,  (c) expenditures to the extent they
are made with the  proceeds of the  issuance of Capital  Stock of UCAR after the
Original Closing Date (to the extent not previously used to prepay  Indebtedness
(other than Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans),  make any investment or capital
expenditure or otherwise for any purpose resulting in a deduction to Excess Cash
Flow in any fiscal year) or with funds that if not so spent would constitute Net
Proceeds under clause (a) of the definition of "Net Proceeds",  (d) expenditures
of proceeds of insurance settlements,  condemnation awards and other settlements
in respect of lost, destroyed,  damaged or condemned assets,  equipment or other
property  to the extent  such  expenditures  are made to replace or repair  such
lost,  destroyed,  damaged or condemned  assets,  equipment or other property or
otherwise to acquire assets or properties useful in the business of the Borrower
and  the  Subsidiaries  within  12  months  of  receipt  of such  proceeds,  (e)
expenditures  that are accounted for as capital  expenditures of such person and
that actually are paid for by a third party  (excluding  UCAR or any  subsidiary
thereof) and for which neither UCAR nor any  subsidiary  thereof has provided or
is required to provide or incur,  directly or indirectly,  any  consideration or
obligation to such third party or any other person  (whether  before,  during or
after such period) or (f) the book value of any asset owned by such person prior
to or during  such  period to the extent  that such book value is  included as a
capital  expenditure  during such  period as a result of such person  reusing or
beginning to reuse such asset during such


                                      -4-
<PAGE>


period without a  corresponding  expenditure  actually  having been made in such
period, PROVIDED that any expenditure necessary in order to permit such asset to
be reused shall be included as a Capital Expenditure during the period that such
expenditure  actually  is made and such book value  shall have been  included in
Capital Expenditures when such asset was originally acquired.

                  "Capital  Lease  Obligations"  of any  person  shall  mean the
obligations  of such person to pay rent or other  amounts under any lease of (or
other arrangement  conveying the right to use) real or personal  property,  or a
combination  thereof,  which  obligations  are  required  to be  classified  and
accounted  for as capital  leases on a balance  sheet of such person  under GAAP
and, for purposes  hereof,  the amount of such  obligations at any time shall be
the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Capital  Stock" of any person  shall mean any and all shares,
interests,  rights  to  purchase,  warrants,  options,  participation  or  other
equivalents  of or  interests  in (however  designated)  equity of such  person,
including any preferred stock, any limited or general  partnership  interest and
any limited  liability  company  membership  interest,  but  excluding  any debt
securities convertible into such equity.

                  "Cash Interest  Expense" shall mean, with respect to UCAR, the
Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis for any period,  Interest
Expense for such period less the sum of (a) pay-in-kind Interest Expense, (b) to
the extent included in Interest Expense,  the amortization of fees paid by UCAR,
the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  on or prior to the  Original  Closing  Date in
connection with the transactions  consummated on such date or on or prior to the
Effectiveness  Date in connection with the Transactions and (c) the amortization
of  debt  discounts,  if  any,  or fees in  respect  of  Interest/Exchange  Rate
Protection Agreements.

                  "CERCLA"  shall  have  the  meaning  given  such  term  in the
definition of "Environmental Law".

                  A "Change in Control"  shall be deemed to have occurred if (a)
UCAR should fail to own directly,  beneficially and of record, free and clear of
any and all Liens (other than Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to
the Pledge Agreement),  100% of the issued and outstanding  capital stock of the
Borrower;  (b) any  person or group  (within  the  meaning  of Rule 13d-5 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on the date hereof), other than the
Fund, Fund Affiliates and members of management of UCAR or the Borrower  holding
voting  stock of UCAR or  options  to  acquire  such  stock on  March  19,  1997
(collectively,  the  "Designated  Persons")  or any  combination  of  Designated
Persons,  shall own beneficially,  directly or indirectly,  shares  representing
more than 25% of the aggregate  ordinary voting power  represented by the issued
and outstanding  capital stock of UCAR at a time when Designated  Persons or any
combination of Designated  Persons shall fail to own  beneficially,  directly or
indirectly,  shares  representing at least a majority of the aggregate  ordinary
voting power  represented by the issued and  outstanding  capital stock of UCAR;
(c) a majority of the seats  (excluding  vacant seats) on the board of directors
of UCAR shall


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

at any time after March 19, 1997 have been  occupied by persons who were neither
(i)  nominated  by any one or more  Designated  Persons or by a majority  of the
board of directors of UCAR, nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated; or (d)
a change in control  with  respect to UCAR or the  Borrower  (or similar  event,
however denominated) shall occur under and as defined in the Senior Subordinated
Indenture  or the  Refinancing  Note  Indenture  (in  each  case  so long as any
Indebtedness  for  borrowed  money is  outstanding  thereunder)  or in any other
indenture or agreement in respect of  Indebtedness  in an aggregate  outstanding
principal  amount in excess of  $7,500,000  to which UCAR,  the  Borrower or any
Subsidiary  is party.  For purposes of clause (b) of this  definition,  the term
"Designated  Person"  shall be deemed to include any other  holder or holders of
shares  of UCAR  having  ordinary  voting  power if UCAR or the Fund or any Fund
Affiliate shall have the power to vote (or cause to be voted at its discretion),
pursuant to contract,  irrevocable  proxy or otherwise,  the shares held by such
holder.

                  "Code"  shall  mean the  Internal  Revenue  Code of  1986,  as
amended from time to time.

                  "Collateral" shall mean all the "Collateral" as defined in any
Security Document.

                  "Commitments"  shall mean,  with  respect to any Lender,  such
Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment,  Tranche A Reimbursement Commitment,  Term
Commitments  and  Swingline  Loan  Commitment  and, with respect to any Fronting
Bank, its Tranche A L/C Commitment and its Revolving L/C Commitment.

                  "Commitment  Fee"  shall have the  meaning  given such term in
Section 2.05(a).

                  "Control" shall mean the  possession,  directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
person,  whether  through the  ownership  of voting  securities,  by contract or
otherwise,  and "Controlling" and "Controlled"  shall have meanings  correlative
thereto.

                  "Credit  Event"  shall  have the  meaning  given  such term in
Article IV.

                  "Credit  Parties" shall mean the Borrower and each  Subsidiary
that is or becomes a party to this  Agreement  and is  designated  as an account
party under any Letter of Credit.

                  "Current  Assets"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to  UCAR,  the
Borrower  and  the  Subsidiaries  on  a  consolidated   basis  at  any  date  of
determination,  all assets (other than cash and Permitted  Investments  or other
cash  equivalents)  which would,  in  accordance  with GAAP,  be classified on a
consolidated balance sheet of UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as current
assets at such date of determination.


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

                  "Current  Liabilities"  shall mean,  with respect to UCAR, the
Borrower  and  the  Subsidiaries  on  a  consolidated   basis  at  any  date  of
determination,  all  liabilities  which  would,  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  be
classified  on a  consolidated  balance  sheet of  UCAR,  the  Borrower  and the
Subsidiaries as current  liabilities at such date of  determination,  other than
(a) the current  portion of long term debt,  (b)  accruals  of Interest  Expense
(excluding  Interest  Expense which is due and unpaid),  (c) Revolving  Loans or
Swingline Loans  classified as current and (d) accruals of any costs or expenses
related to severance or termination of employees prior to the date hereof.

                  "Debt Service" shall mean,  with respect to UCAR, the Borrower
and the  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis for any period,  Interest Expense
for such period plus  scheduled  principal  amortization  of Total Debt for such
period (whether or not such payments are made).

                  "Default" shall mean any event or condition which upon notice,
lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

                  "Dollar  Equivalent" shall mean, with respect to any amount in
a currency  other than Dollars on any date,  the  equivalent  in Dollars of such
amount,  determined by the  Administrative  Agent as provided in the  applicable
Local Facility Credit Agreement.

                  "Dollars" or "$" shall mean lawful money of the United  States
of America.

                  "EBITDA"  shall mean,  with respect to UCAR,  the Borrower and
the  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis for any period,  the consolidated net
income of UCAR, the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  for such period plus, to the
extent deducted in computing such consolidated net income,  without duplication,
the sum of (a) income tax  expense  and  withholding  tax  expense  incurred  in
connection with cross border transactions involving  non-domestic  subsidiaries,
(b) interest expense, (c) depreciation and amortization expense, (d) any special
charges (including,  without limitation,  any non-cash fees or expenses incurred
in connection with the Recapitalization, the redemption of subordinated notes in
September 1995, the refinancing effected on October 19, 1995 or the Refinancing)
and any  extraordinary  or non-recurring  losses,  (e) monitoring and management
fees paid to the Fund  and/or any of its  Affiliates,  (f) other  noncash  items
reducing  consolidated  net  income and (g)  noncash  exchange,  translation  or
performance  losses  relating to any foreign  currency  hedging  transactions or
currency fluctuations, minus, to the extent added in computing such consolidated
net income,  without  duplication,  (i) interest income,  (ii)  extraordinary or
non-recurring  gains,  (iii) other noncash  items  increasing  consolidated  net
income and (iv) noncash  exchange,  translation or performance gains relating to
any foreign currency hedging transactions or currency fluctuations.

                  "Effectiveness   Agreement"   shall  mean  the   Effectiveness
Agreement dated as of March 19, 1997, among UCAR, the Borrower, the Lenders, the
Departing Lenders (as defined therein),  the Fronting Banks, the  Administrative
Agent and the Collateral Agent.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

                  "Effectiveness Date" shall have the meaning given such term in
the Effectiveness Agreement.

                  "Enterprise  Value"  shall  mean,  with  respect to UCAR,  the
Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  as of the  Original  Closing  Date,  the sum of
$1,350,000,000 and Total Debt after giving effect to the refinancing effected on
the Original Closing Date.

                  "environment"  shall  mean  ambient  air,  surface  water  and
groundwater  (including potable water,  navigable water and wetlands),  the land
surface or  subsurface  strata,  the  workplace or as  otherwise  defined in any
Environmental Law.

                  "Environmental  Claim"  shall  mean  any  written  accusation,
allegation,  notice of violation, claim, demand, order, directive, cost recovery
action or other cause of action by, or on behalf of, any Governmental  Authority
or any person for damages,  injunctive  or  equitable  relief,  personal  injury
(including  sickness,  disease or death),  Remedial  Action  costs,  tangible or
intangible property damage, natural resource damages,  nuisance,  pollution, any
adverse  effect on the  environment  caused by any  Hazardous  Material,  or for
fines, penalties or restrictions,  resulting from or based upon: (a) the threat,
the  existence,  or the  continuation  of the existence of a Release  (including
sudden or non-sudden,  accidental or non-accidental  Releases);  (b) exposure to
any  Hazardous  Material;  (c)  the  presence,  use,  handling,  transportation,
storage,  treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Material;  or (d) the violation
or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit.

                  "Environmental  Law" shall mean any and all applicable present
and future  treaties,  laws,  rules,  regulations,  codes,  ordinances,  orders,
decrees,   judgments,   injunctions,   notices  or  binding  agreements  issued,
promulgated or entered into by any Governmental  Authority,  relating in any way
to the  environment,  preservation  or  reclamation  of natural  resources,  the
treatment,  storage,  disposal,  Release or threatened  Release of any Hazardous
Material  or to human  health  or  safety,  including  the  Hazardous  Materials
Transportation  Act,  49  U.S.C.   Sections  1801  et  seq.,  the  Comprehensive
Environmental  Response,  Compensation  and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by
the Superfund  Amendments and  Reauthorization  Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C.  Sections
9601 et seq.  ("CERCLA"),  the Solid  Waste  Disposal  Act,  as  amended  by the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 and the Hazardous and Solid Waste
Amendments  of 1984,  42  U.S.C.  Sections  6901,  et seq.,  the  Federal  Water
Pollution  Control  Act,  as amended by the Clean  Water Act of 1977,  33 U.S.C.
Sections 1251 et seq., the Clean Air Act of 1970, as amended 42 U.S.C.  Sections
7401 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, 15 U.S.C.  Sections 2601
et seq.,  the  Emergency  Planning and Community  Right-to-Know  Act of 1986, 42
U.S.C. Sections 11001 et seq., the National Environmental Policy Act of 1975, 42
U.S.C.  Sections 4321 et seq.,  the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended,
42 U.S.C.  Sections  300(f) et seq.,  and any similar or  implementing  state or
foreign law, and all amendments or regulations promulgated thereunder.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                  "Environmental  Permit"  shall  mean  any  permit,   approval,
authorization,  certificate, license, variance, filing or permission required by
or from any Governmental Authority pursuant to any Environmental Law.

                  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as the same may be amended from time to time.

                  "ERISA Affiliate" shall mean any trade or business (whether or
not  incorporated)  that,  together  with the  Borrower,  is treated as a single
employer under Section 414 of the Code.

                  "Eurodollar  Borrowing"  shall mean a Borrowing  comprised  of
Eurodollar Loans.

                  "Eurodollar   Loan"  shall  mean  any  Eurodollar  Term  Loan,
Eurodollar Tranche A Reimbursement Loan or Eurodollar Revolving Loan.

                  "Eurodollar  Revolving  Loan"  shall mean any  Revolving  Loan
bearing  interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate in
accordance with the provisions of Article II.

                  "Eurodollar  Term  Loan"  shall  mean  any Term  Loan  bearing
interest  at a rate  determined  by  reference  to the  Adjusted  LIBO  Rate  in
accordance with the provisions of Article II.

                  "Eurodollar  Term or  Reimbursement  Borrowing"  shall  mean a
Borrowing  comprised  of  Eurodollar  Term  Loans or a  Borrowing  comprised  of
Eurodollar Tranche A Reimbursement Loans.

                  "Eurodollar  Tranche  A  Reimbursement  Loan"  shall  mean any
Tranche A Reimbursement  Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference
to the Adjusted LIBO Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

                  "Event of Default"  shall have the meaning  given such term in
Article VII.

                  "Excess  Cash Flow"  shall  mean,  with  respect to UCAR,  the
Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis for any fiscal  year,
EBITDA of UCAR, the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  on a consolidated  basis for
such fiscal year, minus, without  duplication,  (a) Debt Service for such fiscal
year, (b) permitted Capital Expenditures by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on
a  consolidated  basis during such fiscal year which are paid in cash, (c) taxes
paid in cash by UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis
during such fiscal  year,  including  income tax  expense  and  withholding  tax
expense  incurred  in  connection  with  cross  border  transactions   involving
non-domestic Subsidiaries (other than in connection with any transaction that is
part of the Recapitalization), (d) an amount equal to


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

any increase in Working Capital of UCAR, the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  for
such fiscal year, (e) monitoring and management fees paid to the Fund and/or any
of its  Affiliates  during such fiscal year,  (f) Permitted  SA/B  Acquisitions,
Permitted Other Acquisitions and acquisitions  constituting  Specified Permitted
Foreign  Transactions  during such  fiscal year to the extent paid in cash,  (g)
cash  expenditures  made  in  respect  of   Interest/Exchange   Rate  Protection
Agreements  during  such  fiscal  year,  to  the  extent  not  reflected  in the
computation  of  EBITDA  or  Interest  Expense,   (h)  permitted   dividends  or
repurchases  of its Capital  Stock paid in cash by UCAR or the  Borrower  during
such fiscal year and permitted  dividends  paid by any  Subsidiary to any person
other than the  Borrower  or any of its other  Subsidiaries  during  such fiscal
year, in each case in accordance with Section 6.06, (i) prior to becoming Wholly
Owned  Subsidiaries,  any amounts  described in this  definition for such fiscal
year  attributable  to South  Africa  (other than an amount  equal to  dividends
actually  paid by South  Africa to the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  net of any
amounts  transferred  to South Africa by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary and not
otherwise  subsequently  transferred  to the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary),  (j)
amounts  paid in cash  during  such  fiscal  year on  account of items that were
accounted for as noncash  reductions  of  consolidated  net income of UCAR,  the
Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  in the current or a prior  period,  (k) special
charges or any  extraordinary  or  non-recurring  loss paid in cash  during such
fiscal year,  (l) to the extent not deducted in the  computation of Net Proceeds
in  respect  of any asset  disposition  or  condemnation  giving  rise  thereto,
mandatory prepayments of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness created hereunder
or under any other  Loan  Document),  (m) cash  Restricted  Debt  Payments  made
pursuant to the first  proviso  contained in Section  6.09(b)(i)  and (n) to the
extent  included in  determining  EBITDA,  all items which did not result from a
cash payment to UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis
during such fiscal year plus,  without  duplication,  (i) an amount equal to any
decrease in Working  Capital for such fiscal year,  (ii) all  proceeds  received
during  such  fiscal  year  of  Capital  Lease   Obligations,   purchase   money
Indebtedness,  Sale and Lease-Back  Transactions pursuant to Section 6.03(a) and
any  other  Indebtedness  to the  extent  used to  finance  any  Permitted  SA/B
Acquisition,  Permitted Other Acquisition,  acquisition constituting a Specified
Permitted Foreign  Transaction or Capital  Expenditure  (other than Indebtedness
under this Agreement to the extent there is no corresponding deduction to Excess
Cash Flow  above in  respect  of the use of such  Borrowings)  and all  proceeds
received during such fiscal year of Sale and Lease- Back  Transactions  pursuant
to Section  6.03(b),  (iii) all amounts  referred to in (b) and (f) above to the
extent  funded with the proceeds of the issuance of Capital  Stock of UCAR after
the  Original  Closing  Date  (to the  extent  not  previously  used  to  prepay
Indebtedness   (other  than  Revolving  Loans  or  Swingline  Loans),  make  any
investment or capital  expenditure  or otherwise for any purpose  resulting in a
deduction  to Excess Cash Flow in any fiscal year) or any amount that would have
constituted Net Proceeds under clause (a) of the definition of "Net Proceeds" if
not so spent, in each case to the extent there is a  corresponding  deduction to
Excess   Cash  Flow   above,   (iv)  cash   payments   received  in  respect  of
Interest/Exchange  Rate  Protection  Agreements  during  such fiscal year to the
extent not (A) included in the  computation  of EBITDA or (B) reducing  Interest
Expense,  (v) any  extraordinary or  non-recurring  gain realized in cash during
such fiscal year (except to the extent such gain is subject to Section 2.12(d)),
(vi) to the extent deducted in the computation of EBITDA,


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

interest income and (vii) to the extent  subtracted in determining  EBITDA,  all
items which did not result from a cash  payment by UCAR,  the  Borrower  and the
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis during such fiscal year.

                  "Federal  Funds  Effective  Rate" shall mean, for any day, the
weighted  average of the rates on  overnight  Federal  funds  transactions  with
members of the Federal  Reserve  System  arranged by Federal funds  brokers,  as
published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New
York,  or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day,
the average of the quotations for the day of such  transactions  received by the
Administrative  Agent from three Federal  funds  brokers of recognized  standing
selected by it.

                  "Fees" shall mean the Commitment  Fees, the L/C  Participation
Fees, the Fronting Bank Fees and the Administrative Agent Fees.

                  "Financial  Officer" of any  corporation  shall mean the chief
financial officer, principal accounting officer, Treasurer,  Assistant Treasurer
or Controller of such corporation.

                  "Foreign  Currency  Component" shall mean, with respect to (a)
any  portion  of the  stated  amount of a  Tranche A Letter of Credit  issued in
respect of borrowings  under a Local  Facility  denominated  in a currency other
than Dollars,  the difference  between (i) the amount of such portion and (ii) a
fraction, the numerator of which is such portion and the denominator of which is
1.05,  and (b) the  principal  amount of any  Local  Facility  denominated  in a
currency  other than Dollars,  an amount in Dollars equal to 5.00% of the Dollar
Equivalent of such amount as of the date of issuance of the applicable Tranche A
Letter of Credit.

                  "Fronting Bank Fees" shall have the meaning given to such term
in Section 2.05(b).

                  "Fund"  shall mean  Blackstone  Capital  Partners  II Merchant
Banking Fund L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

                  "Fund  Affiliates"  shall mean each Affiliate of the Fund that
is not an  operating  company or  Controlled  by an  operating  company and each
general  partner of the Fund or any Fund  Affiliate who is a partner or employee
of The Blackstone Group L.P.

                  "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting  principles in
effect  from time to time in the United  States or,  when  reference  is made to
another   jurisdiction,   generally  accepted  accounting   principles  in  such
jurisdiction applied on a consistent basis.

                  "Governmental  Authority" shall mean any Federal, state, local
or  foreign  court  or  governmental  agency,   authority,   instrumentality  or
regulatory body or, in the case of


                                      -11-
<PAGE>

references  to  "Governmental  Authority"  in Article II and Section  9.17,  the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

                  "Guarantee" of or by any person shall mean (a) any obligation,
contingent  or  otherwise,  of such person  guaranteeing  or having the economic
effect of  guaranteeing  any  Indebtedness  of any other  person  (the  "primary
obligor") in any manner,  whether  directly or  indirectly,  and  including  any
obligation  of such  person,  direct or  indirect,  (i) to  purchase  or pay (or
advance  or supply  funds for the  purchase  or  payment  of) such  Indebtedness
(whether  arising by virtue of  partnership  arrangements,  by agreement to keep
well, to purchase  assets,  goods,  securities or services,  to  take-or-pay  or
otherwise)  or to purchase  (or to advance or supply  funds for the purchase of)
any  security  for the payment of such  Indebtedness,  (ii) to purchase or lease
property,  securities  or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such
Indebtedness  of the payment of such  Indebtedness,  (iii) to  maintain  working
capital,  equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity
of the  primary  obligor  so as to  enable  the  primary  obligor  to  pay  such
Indebtedness  or (iv)  entered  into for the  purpose of  assuring  in any other
manner the holders of such  Indebtedness  of the  payment  thereof or to protect
such holders  against loss in respect  thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any
Lien on any assets of such person securing any Indebtedness of any other person,
whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such person;  PROVIDED,  however,
that the term  "Guarantee"  shall not include  endorsements  for  collection  or
deposit,  in either case in the ordinary  course of business,  or customary  and
reasonable indemnity  obligations in effect on the Effectiveness Date or entered
into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under
this Agreement.

                  "Guarantee   Agreements"   shall  mean  the  Parent  Guarantee
Agreement and the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement.

                  "Guarantors"  shall mean UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiary
Guarantors.

                  "Hazardous  Material"  shall  mean any  material  meeting  the
definition of a "hazardous  substance" in CERCLA 42 U.S.C. Sections 9601(14) and
all explosive or radioactive  substances or wastes,  toxic substances or wastes,
pollutants,  solid,  liquid or gaseous wastes,  including  petroleum,  petroleum
distillates or fractions or residues, asbestos or asbestos containing materials,
polychlorinated  biphenyls ("PCBs") or materials or equipment containing PCBs in
excess  of 50 ppm,  radon  gas,  infectious  or  medical  wastes  and all  other
substances or wastes of any nature regulated  pursuant to any Environmental Law,
or that reasonably could form the basis of an Environmental Claim.

                  "Indebtedness" of any person shall mean, without  duplication,
(a) all  obligations  of such  person  for  borrowed  money or with  respect  to
deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all  obligations of such person  evidenced
by bonds, debentures,  notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such
person  upon which  interest  charges  are  customarily  paid  (other than trade
payables  incurred in the ordinary  course of business),  (d) all obligations of
such person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating


                                      -12-
<PAGE>

to property or assets  purchased by such  person,  (e) all  obligations  of such
person issued or assumed as the deferred  purchase price of property or services
(other  than  current  trade  liabilities  incurred  in the  ordinary  course of
business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of
such Indebtedness has an existing right,  contingent or otherwise, to be secured
by) any Lien on property  owned or acquired by such  person,  whether or not the
obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such person
of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such person, (i)
all  payments  that  such  person  would  have to make in the  event of an early
termination,  on the date  Indebtedness of such person is being  determined,  in
respect of outstanding  interest rate protection  agreements,  foreign  currency
exchange agreements or other interest or exchange rate hedging  arrangements and
(j) all  obligations of such person as an account party in respect of letters of
credit and bankers'  acceptances.  The  Indebtedness of any person shall include
the  Indebtedness of any partnership in which such person is a general  partner,
other  than to the extent  that the  instrument  or  agreement  evidencing  such
Indebtedness  expressly  limits the liability of such person in respect thereof;
PROVIDED  that,  if the sole  asset of such  person is its  general  partnership
interest in such partnership,  the amount of such  Indebtedness  shall be deemed
equal to the value of such  general  partnership  interest and the amount of any
Indebtedness in respect of any Guarantee of such partnership  Indebtedness shall
be limited to the same extent as such Guarantee may be limited.

                  "Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement" shall mean
the Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement, substantially in the form
of Exhibit D, among the Borrower,  the Subsidiary  Guarantors and the Collateral
Agent.

                  "Information  Memorandum"  shall have the  meaning  given such
term in Section 3.15.

                  "Installment  Date" shall have the meaning  given such term in
Section 2.11.

                  "Interest  Component"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to (a) any
portion of the stated  amount of a Tranche A Letter of Credit  issued in respect
of borrowings  under a Local  Facility  denominated  in Dollars,  the difference
between (i) the amount of such  portion and (ii) a fraction,  the  numerator  of
which is such portion and the  denominator of which is  1.010333333333,  and (b)
the principal  amount of any Local Facility or any Tranche A Reimbursement  Loan
or Tranche A Term Loan,  an amount  equal to  1.03333333333%  of such  principal
amount.

                  "Interest  Coverage  Ratio" shall have the meaning  given such
term in Section 6.12.

                  "Interest  Expense"  shall  mean,  with  respect to UCAR,  the
Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, the sum of
(a) gross interest  expense of UCAR, the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries for such
period  on  a  consolidated  basis,  including  (i)  the  amortization  of  debt
discounts, (ii) the amortization of all fees (including fees with


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

respect to interest rate protection  agreements)  payable in connection with the
incurrence of Indebtedness to the extent included in interest  expense and (iii)
the  portion  of  any  payments  or  accruals  with  respect  to  Capital  Lease
Obligations  allocable to interest expense and (b) capitalized interest of UCAR,
the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis. For purposes of the
foregoing, gross interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any
net payments made or received by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries  with respect
to interest rate protection agreements.

                  "Interest  Payment  Date" shall mean,  (a) with respect to any
Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing
of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar  Borrowing with an
Interest  Period of more than three months'  duration,  each day that would have
been an Interest  Payment Date had successive  Interest Periods of three months'
duration been  applicable to such Borrowing,  and, in addition,  the date of any
refinancing  or  conversion  of  such  Borrowing  with  or to a  Borrowing  of a
different  Type  and (b)  with  respect  to any ABR  Loan,  the last day of each
calendar quarter.

                  "Interest  Period" shall mean as to any Eurodollar  Borrowing,
the period  commencing  on the date of such  Borrowing or on the last day of the
immediately preceding Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing,  as the case
may be,  and ending on the  numerically  corresponding  day (or,  if there is no
numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1,
2, 3 or 6  months  thereafter,  as the  Borrower  may  elect,  and the  date any
Eurodollar Borrowing is converted to an ABR Borrowing in accordance with Section
2.10 or repaid or prepaid in  accordance  with Section  2.11 or 2.12;  PROVIDED,
however,  that if any  Interest  Period would end on a day other than a Business
Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding  Business Day
unless such next succeeding  Business Day would fall in the next calendar month,
in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day.
Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest  Period to
but excluding the last day of such Interest Period.

                  "Interest/Exchange  Rate Protection  Agreement" shall mean any
interest  rate or currency  hedging  agreement  or  arrangement  approved by the
Administrative  Agent (such approval not to be  unreasonably  withheld)  entered
into  by  the  Borrower  or  a  Subsidiary  and  designed  to  protect   against
fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates.

                  "Investors"  shall mean the Fund and certain  other  investors
designated  by the Fund (and  consisting  principally  of Fund  Affiliates)  and
certain members of management of UCAR or the Borrower.

                  "L/C Disbursements" shall mean Tranche A L/C Disbursements and
Revolving L/C Disbursements.


                                      -14-
<PAGE>


                  "L/C Participation Fee" shall have the meaning given such term
in Section 2.05(b).

                  "Letter of Credit  Commitment" shall mean, with respect to any
Fronting Bank,  such Fronting  Bank's Tranche A L/C Commitment and Revolving L/C
Commitment.

                  "Letter of Credit  Exposure"  shall mean,  with respect to any
Lender at any time,  such  Lender's  Tranche A L/C  Exposure and  Revolving  L/C
Exposure at such time.

                  "Letters of Credit" shall mean Tranche A Letters of Credit and
Revolving Letters of Credit.

                  "Leverage  Ratio"  shall have the  meaning  given such term in
Section 6.13.

                  "LIBO  Rate"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to  any  Eurodollar
Borrowing,  the rate (rounded upwards, if necessary,  to the next 1/16 of 1%) at
which  dollar  deposits   approximately   equal  in  principal   amount  to  the
Administrative  Agent's portion of such Eurodollar  Borrowing and for a maturity
comparable to such Interest Period are offered to the principal London office of
the Administrative Agent in immediately  available funds in the London interbank
market at approximately  11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period.

                  "Lien"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to  any  asset,  (a)  any
mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, encumbrance,  charge or security interest
in or on such  asset,  (b) the  interest  of a  vendor  or a  lessor  under  any
conditional sale agreement,  capital lease or title retention agreement relating
to such asset and (c) in the case of securities,  any purchase  option,  call or
similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

                  "Loan Documents" shall mean this Agreement,  the Effectiveness
Agreement,  each  document  required  to be  delivered  under  Section  7 of the
Effectiveness  Agreement,  the Local  Facility  Loan  Documents,  the Letters of
Credit,  the Guarantee  Agreements,  the Security  Documents and the  Indemnity,
Subrogation and Contribution Agreement.

                  "Loan Parties" shall mean the Borrower, the Credit Parties and
the Guarantors.

                  "Loans" shall mean the Revolving Loans, the Term Loans and the
Swingline Loans.

                  "Local  Facility"  shall  mean each loan  facility  permitting
borrowings  by a Credit Party  located  outside the United  States (a) which are
made pursuant to a Local Facility Credit  Agreement and supported by a Tranche A
Letter of Credit or (b) which are supported by the Guarantee of any Guarantor or
a pledge of or a security  interest in any  Collateral  or in any assets of such
Subsidiary and the existence and terms of which (including the


                                      -15-
<PAGE>

existence and terms of any such  Guarantee,  pledge or security  interest)  have
been approved in writing by the Administrative Agent.

                  "Local  Facility  Credit  Agreement"  shall  mean each  credit
agreement   between  a  foreign   Credit  Party  and  one  or  more  lenders  in
substantially the form of Exhibit E, with such changes therefrom as shall in the
judgment of the Administrative  Agent be necessary or advisable under applicable
law.

                  "Local Facility  Lenders" shall mean each lender under a Local
Facility.

                  "Local Facility Loan  Documents"  shall mean each agreement or
instrument evidencing or securing any obligation of a borrower under,  guarantor
of, or grantor of  collateral to secure,  any Local  Facility that does not also
evidence, guarantee or secure any Obligation.

                  "Margin  Stock"  shall  have the  meaning  given  such term in
Regulation U.

                  "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean (a) a materially  adverse
effect on the assets,  business,  properties,  financial condition or results of
operations of UCAR, the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, (b) a
material  impairment of the ability of UCAR,  the Borrower or any  Subsidiary to
perform any of its material  obligations under any Loan Document (other than the
Local  Facility  Loan  Documents)  to  which  it is or  will  be a  party  or to
consummate the  Recapitalization  or the Refinancing or (c) an impairment of the
validity or enforceability of, or a material  impairment of the material rights,
remedies  or  benefits  available  to  the  Lenders,  the  Fronting  Banks,  the
Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document (other than
Local Facility Loan Documents).

                  "Multiemployer  Plan"  shall  mean  a  multiemployer  plan  as
defined  in  Section  4001(a)(3)  of ERISA to which  the  Borrower  or any ERISA
Affiliate  (other  than one  considered  an ERISA  Affiliate  only  pursuant  to
subsection  (m) or (o) of Code Section 414) is making or accruing an  obligation
to make  contributions,  or has within any of the preceding five plan years made
or accrued an obligation to make contributions.

                  "Net  Proceeds"  shall  mean  (a)  100% of the  cash  proceeds
actually  received by UCAR, the Borrower or any  Subsidiary  (including any cash
payments received by way of deferred payment of principal  pursuant to a note or
installment  receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise and
including  casualty insurance  settlements and condemnation  awards, but only as
and when received),  net of (i) attorneys' fees,  accountants' fees,  investment
banking fees,  survey costs,  title insurance  premiums,  and related search and
recording charges,  transfer taxes, deed or mortgage  recording taxes,  required
debt  payments  (other than  pursuant  hereto),  other  customary  expenses  and
brokerage, consultant and other customary fees actually


                                      -16-
<PAGE>

incurred  in  connection  therewith  and (ii)  taxes paid or payable as a result
thereof  (including  withholding  taxes incurred in connection with cross-border
transactions, if applicable, and including taxes estimated by the Borrower to be
payable as a result thereof or as a result of such transactions), from any loss,
damage,  destruction  or  condemnation  of,  or  any  sale,  transfer  or  other
disposition  (including  any sale and  leaseback  of assets and any  mortgage or
lease of real  property)  to any  person of any  asset or  assets  of UCAR,  the
Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than those pursuant to Sections 6.03, 6.05(a),
6.05(b),  6.05(e),  6.05(f)(i)  and  6.05(h) or any other  financing  subject to
clause (ii) of the  definition  of "Excess  Cash  Flow"),  PROVIDED  that if the
Borrower  shall  deliver  a  certificate   of  a  Responsible   Officer  to  the
Administrative  Agent promptly  following  receipt of any such proceeds  setting
forth the  Borrower's  intention to use any portion of such proceeds to purchase
assets useful in the business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries (including by
way of a purchase of Capital Stock of any person  holding such assets) within 12
months of such receipt,  such portion of such proceeds  shall not constitute Net
Proceeds  except to the extent not so used  within  such  12-month  period,  and
PROVIDED further that (x) no proceeds realized in a single transaction or series
of related transactions shall constitute Net Proceeds unless such proceeds shall
exceed  $75,000 and (y) no such proceeds  shall  constitute  Net Proceeds in any
fiscal year until the aggregate  amount of all such proceeds in such fiscal year
shall exceed $1,000,000 or the aggregate of all such proceeds received after the
Effectiveness Date shall exceed  $3,000,000,  (b) 100% of the cash proceeds from
the incurrence,  issuance or sale by UCAR, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any
Indebtedness  (other than Indebtedness  permitted pursuant to Section 6.01), net
of  all  taxes  (including   withholding   taxes  incurred  in  connection  with
cross-border  transactions,  if applicable, and including taxes estimated by the
Borrower to be payable as a result thereof or as a result of such  transactions)
and fees  (including  investment  banking  fees),  commissions,  costs and other
expenses  incurred in  connection  with such issuance or sale and (c) 50% of the
cash  proceeds  from the issuance or the sale by UCAR of any equity  security of
UCAR  (other  than  sales of Capital  Stock of UCAR to  directors,  officers  or
employees of UCAR, the Borrower or any  Subsidiary in connection  with permitted
employee  compensation  and incentive  arrangements),  net of all taxes and fees
(including  investment  banking  fees),  commissions,  costs and other  expenses
incurred in connection  with such issuance or sale.  For purposes of calculating
"Net Proceeds",  fees,  commissions and other costs and expenses payable to UCAR
or the Borrower or any Affiliate of either of them shall be disregarded,  except
for financial  advisory fees  customary in type and amount paid to Affiliates of
The Blackstone Group L.P.

                  "Notes" shall mean any promissory  note of the Borrower or any
Credit Party issued pursuant to this Agreement.

                  "Obligations"   shall   mean  all   obligations   defined   as
"Obligations" in the Guarantee Agreements and the Security Documents.


                                      -17-
<PAGE>

                  "Original Closing Date" shall mean October 19, 1995.

                  "Parent  Guarantee  Agreement" shall mean the Parent Guarantee
Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit F, made by UCAR and the Borrower
in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

                  "PBGC"  shall mean the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation
referred to and defined in ERISA.

                  "Permitted Business Acquisition" shall mean any acquisition of
all or substantially  all the assets of, or shares or other equity interests in,
a  person  or  division  or line of  business  of a  person  (or any  subsequent
investment made in a previously acquired Permitted Business Acquisition) and any
investment in Brazil if immediately after giving effect thereto:  (a) no Default
or Event of Default  shall  have  occurred  and be  continuing  or would  result
therefrom,  (b)  all  transactions  related  thereto  shall  be  consummated  in
accordance  with  applicable  laws, (c) at least 90% of the Capital Stock of any
acquired or newly formed corporation, partnership, association or other business
entity are owned directly by the Borrower or a domestic Wholly Owned  Subsidiary
(unless there is a material tax or legal or other economic  disadvantage  in not
having a foreign  Subsidiary hold such Capital Stock, in which case such Capital
Stock may be held directly by a foreign  Subsidiary) and all actions required to
be taken, if any, with respect to such acquired or newly formed subsidiary under
Section 5.11 shall have been taken and (d)(i) UCAR shall be in compliance,  on a
pro forma basis after giving effect to such  acquisition or formation,  with the
covenants  contained in Sections 6.12 and 6.13  recomputed as at the last day of
the most  recently  ended  fiscal  quarter  of UCAR as if such  acquisition  had
occurred on the first day of each relevant  period for testing such  compliance,
and the Borrower shall have delivered to the  Administrative  Agent an officers'
certificate to such effect, together with all relevant financial information for
such  subsidiary  or assets,  and (ii) any acquired or newly  formed  subsidiary
shall not be liable for any Indebtedness  (except for Indebtedness  permitted by
Section 6.01).

                  "Permitted   Foreign   Transfer"   shall  mean  any  Specified
Permitted  Foreign  Transaction  or  the  transfer  by  means  of  Indebtedness,
investment  or  otherwise  (PROVIDED  that each  transfer  of cash (other than a
transfer  pursuant to clause (c) below)  shall be made by means of  intercompany
Indebtedness  (which  shall be pledged to the extent  required  under the Pledge
Agreement if no material tax disadvantage  shall result  therefrom) unless there
is a material tax or other economic or legal  disadvantage  in  structuring  the
transfer as Indebtedness  instead of as an equity  investment) from the Borrower
or any Subsidiary to any foreign Subsidiary at least 90% of the Capital Stock of
which is owned by the  Borrower or a Wholly Owned  Subsidiary  or, so long as no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is  continuing,  to any  subsidiary
included  in  South  Africa  which is not a  Subsidiary,  of (a)  inventory  and
equipment in the ordinary course of business consistent with past


                                      -18-
<PAGE>

practice;  (b) cash to fund (i) working capital needs and capital  expenditures,
in each case in the ordinary  course of business  consistent with past practice,
and (ii) debt service on Indebtedness permitted under this Agreement paid in the
ordinary course of business,  and, in the case of any  transaction  under clause
(i) or clause  (ii),  solely to the  extent  internally  generated  funds of the
applicable  transferee are insufficient for such purposes and the Borrower shall
have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate to such effect; and (c)
any cash  borrowed  in one  jurisdiction  and  transferred  to  another to repay
Indebtedness  under any Local Facility or this Agreement as a direct consequence
of any reallocation made pursuant to Section 2.11(b).

                  "Permitted  Investments" shall mean: (a) direct obligations of
the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations  guaranteed by
the United States of America or any agency thereof;  (b) time deposit  accounts,
certificates  of deposit and money market  deposits  maturing within 180 days of
the date of  acquisition  thereof  issued  by a bank or trust  company  which is
organized  under the laws of the United States of America,  any state thereof or
any foreign  country  recognized by the United States of America having capital,
surplus and undivided  profits  aggregating  in excess of  $250,000,000  (or the
foreign currency  equivalent  thereof) and whose long-term debt, or whose parent
holding company's  long-term debt, is rated A (or such similar equivalent rating
or higher by at least one nationally recognized  statistical rating organization
(as defined in Rule 436 under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended));  (c)
repurchase  obligations  with a term of not  more  than 30 days  for  underlying
securities  of the types  described in clause (a) above entered into with a bank
meeting the qualifications  described in clause (b) above; (d) commercial paper,
maturing  not more  than 180 days  after  the date of  acquisition,  issued by a
corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) organized and in existence
under the laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized
by the  United  States  of  America  with a rating  at the time as of which  any
investment  therein is made of P-1 (or higher)  according  to Moody's  Investors
Service,  Inc., or A-1 (or higher) according to Standard & Poor's Ratings Group;
(e)  securities  with  maturities  of six  months  or  less  from  the  date  of
acquisition  issued or fully guaranteed by any state,  commonwealth or territory
of the United  States of  America,  or by any  political  subdivision  or taxing
authority thereof,  and rated at least A by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or A
by Moody's Investors Service,  Inc.; (f) in the case of any Subsidiary organized
in a  jurisdiction  outside the United  States:  (i) direct  obligations  of the
sovereign  nation (or any agency  thereof) in which such Subsidiary is organized
and  is  conducting   business  or  in  obligations  fully  and  unconditionally
guaranteed by such sovereign nation (or any agency thereof), (ii) investments of
the type and  maturity  described  in clauses  (a)  through (e) above of foreign
obligors,  which  investments or obligors (or the parents of such obligors) have
ratings described in such clauses or equivalent  ratings from comparable foreign
rating  agencies or (iii)  investments  of the type and  maturity  described  in
clauses  (a)  through  (e) above of  foreign  obligors  (or the  parents of such
obligors), which investments or obligors (or


                                      -19-
<PAGE>

the parents of such  obligors)  are not rated as provided in such  clauses or in
clause (ii) above but which are,  in the  reasonable  judgment of the  Borrower,
comparable  in  investment  quality to such  investments  and  obligors  (or the
parents of such obligors);  PROVIDED that the aggregate face amount  outstanding
at any time of such  investments  of all foreign  Subsidiaries  made pursuant to
clause  (iii) does not exceed  $50,000,000;  (g) mutual  funds whose  investment
guidelines  restrict such funds'  investments to those satisfying the provisions
of clauses (a) through (e) above; and (h) time deposit accounts, certificates of
deposit and money market  deposits in an aggregate  face amount not in excess of
1/2  of  1%  of  total  assets  of  the  Borrower  and  the  Subsidiaries,  on a
consolidated  basis,  as of the end of the  Borrower's  most recently  completed
fiscal year.

                  "Permitted Other  Acquisitions" shall mean acquisitions of any
assets of, or any shares or other equity  interests  in, a person or division or
line of business of any person if immediately  after giving effect thereto:  (a)
no Default or Event of Default  shall have occurred and be  continuing,  (b) all
transactions  related thereto shall be consummated in accordance with applicable
laws, (c) the Borrower shall on or prior to the making of such  acquisition have
delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer's certificate  designating such
acquisition as a Permitted Other Acquisition for purposes of this Agreement, and
(d) either the acquisition shall constitute a Permitted Business  Acquisition or
the acquired asset shall constitute or be held in an Unrestricted Subsidiary or,
solely if at the time of acquisition  thereof the Borrower shall not be entitled
to make any additional  Capital  Expenditure  pursuant to Section 6.11, shall be
real property, improvements thereto or equipment.

                  "Permitted  SA/B  Acquisition"  shall mean the acquisition (or
redemption  or  repurchase)  of all or  substantially  all the Capital Stock not
already owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in each  subsidiary  included in
South Africa or the  acquisition  of additional (or repurchase or redemption of)
Capital Stock of any  subsidiary  included in Brazil if in the case of each such
acquisition  immediately  after giving effect thereto (i) no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  (ii) all  transactions  related
thereto shall be consummated in accordance  with  applicable  laws and (iii) all
actions,  if any,  required to be taken with  respect to such  acquired  Capital
Stock under Section 5.11 shall have been taken.

                  "person" shall mean any natural person, corporation,  business
trust, joint venture,  association,  company,  partnership or government, or any
agency or political subdivision thereof.

                  "Plan"  shall  mean any  employee  pension  benefit  plan,  as
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer  Plan),  subject to
the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code and in respect of
which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were  terminated,
would under  Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an  "employer" as defined in
Section 3(5) of ERISA.


                                      -20-
<PAGE>

                  "Pledge  Agreement"  shall  mean,  collectively,   the  Pledge
Agreement,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit G, among UCAR,  the  Borrower,
certain  Subsidiaries  and the  Collateral  Agent for the benefit of the Secured
Parties and each other document  delivered on or after the Original Closing Date
pursuant to which UCAR, the Borrower or any domestic  Subsidiary pledged Capital
Stock of any subsidiary to secure the Obligations.

                  "Prime  Rate"  shall  mean  the  rate of  interest  per  annum
publicly  announced from time to time by the  Administrative  Agent as its prime
rate in effect at its  principal  office in New York  City;  each  change in the
Prime Rate shall be effective  on the date such change is publicly  announced as
being effective.

                  "Rationalization  Project"  shall  mean  the  closing  of  the
graphite electrode manufacturing facility located in Columbia,  Tennessee, at an
aggregate cash cost of approximately $6,000,000, the shifting of production from
such  facility to other  graphite  electrode  manufacturing  facilities  and the
expansion of such facilities at an aggregate cost of approximately $25,000,000.

                  "Rationalization  Project Cash Collateral  Account" shall have
the  meaning  given such term in the  Rationalization  Project  Cash  Collateral
Agreement.

                  "Rationalization Project Cash Collateral Agreement" shall mean
the  Rationalization  Project Cash Collateral  Agreement dated as of October 19,
1995,  by the Borrower in favor of the  Collateral  Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties.

                  "Recapitalization"  shall mean the recapitalization of UCAR on
January  26,  1995,  and the  related  transactions,  as  defined  in the Credit
Agreement of UCAR and the Borrower dated as of January 26, 1995.

                  "Refinancing"  shall have the  meaning  given such term in the
preamble to this Agreement.

                  "Refinancing Note Indenture" shall mean one or more indentures
pursuant to which the Refinancing Notes are issued.

                  "Refinancing   Notes"   shall  mean  one  or  more  series  of
subordinated  debentures  or notes issued by the  Borrower,  the net proceeds of
which are used by the Borrower to redeem Senior Subordinated Notes.

                  "Register"  shall have the meaning  given such term in Section
9.04(d).

                  "Regulation  G" shall mean  Regulation  G of the Board as from
time to time in effect and all official rulings and  interpretations  thereunder
or thereof.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

                  "Regulation  U" shall mean  Regulation  U of the Board as from
time to time in effect and all official rulings and  interpretations  thereunder
or thereof.

                  "Regulation  X" shall mean  Regulation  X of the Board as from
time to time in effect and all official rulings and  interpretations  thereunder
or thereof.

                  "Related   Business"  shall  mean  any  business  or  business
activity  conducted  by UCAR or its  subsidiaries  on the  date  hereof  and any
business or business  activities  incidental or related thereto or incidental or
related  to the  procurement,  manufacture  or  sale  of  products  or  services
manufactured or provided by UCAR or any of its subsidiaries on the date hereof.

                  "Release" shall have the meaning given such term in CERCLA, 42
U.S.C. Sections 9601(22).

                  "Remedial  Action"  shall mean (a)  "remedial  action" as such
term is  defined  in  CERCLA,  42 U.S.C.  Sections  9601(24),  and (b) all other
actions,  including  studies and  investigations,  required by any  Governmental
Authority or voluntarily undertaken to: (i) clean up, remove, treat, abate or in
any other way  respond to any  Hazardous  Material in the  environment;  or (ii)
prevent the Release or threat of Release,  or minimize the further  Release,  of
any Hazardous Material.

                  "Reportable  Event" shall mean any reportable event as defined
in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations  issued thereunder with respect to a
Plan (other than a Plan  maintained by an ERISA  Affiliate that is considered an
ERISA Affiliate only pursuant to subsection (m) or (o) of Code Section 414).

                  "Required  Lenders"  shall mean, at any time,  Lenders  having
Loans  (other  than  Swingline  Loans),  Letter of Credit  Exposures,  Swingline
Exposures  and unused  Commitments  (excluding  commitments  to issue Letters of
Credit  or make  Swingline  Loans)  representing  at least 51% of the sum of all
Loans (other than  Swingline  Loans)  outstanding,  Letter of Credit  Exposures,
Swingline  Exposures  and unused  Commitments  (excluding  commitments  to issue
Letters of Credit or make Swingline Loans) at such time.

                  "Responsible  Officer"  of  any  corporation  shall  mean  any
executive officer or Financial Officer of such corporation and any other officer
or  similar  official  thereof   responsible  for  the   administration  of  the
obligations of such corporation in respect of this Agreement.

                  "Restricted  Debt Payments"  shall have the meaning given such
term in Section 6.09(b)(i).


                                      -22-
<PAGE>

                  "Restricted Equity Payments" shall have the meaning given such
term in Section 6.06.

                  "Restricted  Junior Payment Amount" shall mean, at any date of
determination,  an amount equal to the sum,  for all the fiscal  quarters in the
period  commencing on January 1, 1997,  and ending at the end of the most recent
fiscal  quarter  ending  prior to such  date of  determination  as to which  the
relevant  financial  information  is  available,  of (a) the  Restricted  Junior
Payment Percentage  (determined as set forth on Schedule A hereto), as in effect
from time to time, of (b) Adjusted  Consolidated  Net Income accrued during each
such  quarter.  In the event of any  change  in the  Restricted  Junior  Payment
Percentage,  the revised  percentage  shall apply to Adjusted  Consolidated  Net
Income  accruing  on or after the first day of the fiscal  quarter in respect of
which such  change has  occurred  and prior to the first day of the next  fiscal
quarter  in  respect  of  which a  change  in  such  Restricted  Junior  Payment
Percentage occurs.

                  "Restricted   Junior   Payments"  shall  mean  the  collective
reference to Restricted  Equity  Payments  made pursuant to Section  6.06(c) and
Restricted  Debt  Payments  made  pursuant to the proviso  contained  in Section
6.09(b)(i).  The amount of Restricted  Equity  Payments made pursuant to Section
6.06(c) shall be determined  without  double  counting in the case of Restricted
Equity  Payments made to UCAR, the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the extent used
by such person to make a Restricted Equity Payment.

                  "Revolving Credit Borrowing" shall mean a Borrowing  comprised
of Revolving Loans.

                  "Revolving Credit Commitment" shall mean, with respect to each
Lender,  the commitment of such Lender to make Revolving  Loans hereunder as set
forth in Section  2.01(b) or in the Assignment and Acceptance  pursuant to which
such Lender assumed its Revolving Credit Commitment,  as applicable, as the same
may be reduced  from time to time  pursuant  to  Section  2.09 and  pursuant  to
assignments by such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.

                  "Revolving  Credit  Exposure"  shall mean, with respect to any
Lender  at any  time,  the  aggregate  principal  amount  at  such  time  of all
outstanding  Revolving  Credit Loans of such Lender plus the amount at such time
of such  Lender's  Revolving  L/C Exposure  plus the amount at such time of such
Lender's Swingline Exposure.

                  "Revolving Credit Lender" shall mean a Lender with a Revolving
Credit Commitment.

                  "Revolving Credit Maturity Date" shall mean December 31, 2001.


                                      -23-
<PAGE>


                  "Revolving  L/C  Commitment"  shall mean,  with respect to any
Fronting  Bank,  the commitment of such Fronting Bank to issue Letters of Credit
pursuant to Section 2.20(b).

                  "Revolving   L/C   Disbursement"   shall  mean  a  payment  or
disbursement made by a Fronting Bank pursuant to a Revolving Letter of Credit.

                  "Revolving L/C Exposure" shall mean at any time the sum of (a)
the aggregate  undrawn amount of all outstanding  Revolving Letters of Credit at
such  time  plus  (b)  the  aggregate  principal  amount  of all  Revolving  L/C
Disbursements  that have not yet been reimbursed at such time. The Revolving L/C
Exposure of any Revolving  Credit  Lender at any time shall mean its  Applicable
Percentage of the aggregate Revolving L/C Exposure at such time.

                  "Revolving  Letter of Credit"  shall mean any letter of credit
issued pursuant to Section 2.20(b).

                  "Revolving  Loans" shall mean the revolving  loans made by the
Lenders to the Borrower  pursuant to Section 2.01(b).  Each Revolving Loan shall
be a Eurodollar Revolving Loan or an ABR Revolving Loan.

                  "Sale and Lease-Back Transaction" shall have the meaning given
such term in Section 6.03.

                  "Secured  Parties"  shall have the meaning  given such term in
the Pledge Agreement.

                  "Security  Documents" shall mean the Pledge Agreement and each
of the security  agreements  and other  instruments  and documents  executed and
delivered pursuant thereto or pursuant to Section 5.11.

                  "Senior   Subordinated   Guarantee"   shall  mean  the  senior
subordinated  Guarantee by UCAR in effect on the Original  Closing Date, and any
subsequent senior  subordinated  Guarantee by UCAR on terms no less favorable to
the Lenders,  of the Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Senior  Subordinated
Notes or the Refinancing Notes.

                  "Senior  Subordinated  Indenture"  shall  mean  the  indenture
pursuant to which the Senior Subordinated Notes were issued, dated as of January
15, 1995,  between the Borrower and United  States Trust Company of New York, as
Trustee, as amended from time to time in accordance with Section 6.09.


                                      -24-
<PAGE>

                  "Senior  Subordinated  Notes"  shall  mean up to  $200,000,000
aggregate  principal amount of Senior  Subordinated Notes of the Borrower issued
pursuant to the Senior Subordinated Indenture.

                  "Significant Subsidiary" shall mean the Borrower and any other
subsidiary of UCAR that at the date of any  determination  (a) accounts for 2.5%
or more of the  consolidated  assets of UCAR, (b) has accounted for 2.5% or more
of  EBITDA  for each of the two  consecutive  periods  of four  fiscal  quarters
immediately  preceding the date of  determination  or (c) has been designated by
the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent as a Significant  Subsidiary
and such designation has not subsequently been withdrawn.

                  "South  Africa"  shall mean each of EMSA (Pty.)  Ltd., a South
Africa corporation, and Carbographite Limited, a South Africa corporation, which
together directly or indirectly own 100% of the business of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries in South Africa.

                  "Specified  Permitted  Foreign  Transaction"  shall  mean,  if
immediately  after giving effect  thereto,  no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing or would result  therefrom:  (a) any acquisition
of Capital Stock of a person that (i) does not  constitute a Permitted  Business
Acquisition  solely  because  after giving  effect  thereto less than 90% of the
Capital  Stock of such  person  is owned as  required  under  clause  (b) of the
definition of "Permitted  Business  Acquisition" but (ii) after giving effect to
which at least 70% of the Capital Stock of such person is owned  directly by the
Borrower or a domestic Wholly Owned  Subsidiary  (unless there is a material tax
or legal or other economic  disadvantage in not having a foreign Subsidiary hold
such Capital  Stock,  in which case such Capital Stock may be held directly by a
foreign  Subsidiary),  (b) any  acquisition  (or  redemption or  repurchase)  of
additional Capital Stock of, UCAR Elektroden GmbH,  Carbone Savoie,  UCAR Grafit
OAO  or  any  other  Subsidiary   acquired  in  a  Specified  Permitted  Foreign
Transaction by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  unless such  transaction  shall
constitute  a  Permitted  Business  Acquisition,  and (c) any  advance,  loan or
capital  contribution by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to UCAR Elektroden GmbH,
Carbone Savoie,  UCAR Grafit OAO or any other Subsidiary acquired in a Specified
Permitted Foreign Transaction at any time prior to such person becoming a Wholly
Owned Subsidiary.  For purposes of determining  compliance with Section 6.04(l),
the aggregate  outstanding amount of Specified Permitted Foreign Transactions at
any  time  shall  mean  the sum at such  time of (i) the  aggregate  outstanding
principal  amount of advances and loans made under clause (c) of the immediately
preceding  sentence and (ii) the  aggregate  amount (net of return of capital of
(but not return on) any such  investment)  of capital  contributions  made under
clause (c) of the  immediately  preceding  sentence  and  consideration  paid in
respect of  acquisitions  (or  redemptions or repurchases) of Capital Stock made
under clause (a) or clause (b) of the immediately  preceding sentence;  PROVIDED
that the aggregate amount of Specified


                                      -25-
<PAGE>

Permitted  Foreign  Transactions  in respect of any person (A) made under clause
(a) or (b) shall be deemed to be zero after any  acquisition  in respect of such
person that  constitutes a Permitted  Business  Acquisition (it being understood
that the  aggregate  amount of all prior  such  transactions  in respect of such
person shall thereafter be treated as Permitted Other  Acquisitions for purposes
of Section 6.04(l)) and (B) made under clause (c) shall be zero at any time that
such person is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

                  "Statutory  Reserves"  shall mean a fraction  (expressed  as a
decimal),  the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which
is the  number  one minus  the  aggregate  of the  maximum  reserve  percentages
(including any marginal,  special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed
as a decimal established by the Board and any other banking authority,  domestic
or  foreign,  to which the  Administrative  Agent is  subject  with  respect  to
Eurocurrency  Liabilities  (as  defined in  Regulation  D of the Board) or other
categories  of  liabilities  or deposits by  reference to which the LIBO Rate is
determined.  Such reserve  percentages  shall include those imposed  pursuant to
such Regulation D. Eurodollar  Loans shall be deemed to constitute  Eurocurrency
Liabilities and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or
credit for proration,  exemptions or offsets which may be available from time to
time to any Lender under such Regulation D. Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted
automatically  on and as of the  effective  date of any  change  in any  reserve
percentage.

                  "subsidiary"  shall mean,  with respect to any person  (herein
referred to as the "parent"), any corporation, partnership, association or other
business  entity  (a)  of  which   securities  or  other   ownership   interests
representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting
power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any
determination is being made, directly or indirectly,  owned, controlled or held,
or (b) which is, at the time any determination is made, otherwise Controlled, by
the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or
more subsidiaries of the parent.

                  "Subsidiary"  shall mean each subsidiary of the Borrower other
than  the  Unrestricted  Subsidiaries,   except  that  solely  for  purposes  of
determining  compliance  with Section  2.12(e) and Sections  6.12 and 6.13,  the
debt,  interest  expense  and net income of each  subsidiary  included  in South
Africa  shall  until  the  fiscal  period  in which  such  subsidiary  becomes a
Subsidiary be included in the  consolidated  financial  statements of UCAR,  the
Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  on a pro rata  basis  based  on the  Borrower's
aggregate direct or indirect  percentage  ownership of the Capital Stock of such
subsidiary.

                  "Subsidiary  Guarantee  Agreement"  shall mean the  Subsidiary
Guarantee  Agreement,  substantially  in the  form  of  Exhibit  H,  made by the
Subsidiary  Guarantors in favor of the  Collateral  Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties.


                                      -26-
<PAGE>

                  "Subsidiary Guarantor" shall mean each domestic Subsidiary.

                  "Swingline  Exposure"  shall  mean at any time  the  aggregate
principal amount of all outstanding  Swingline Loans at such time. The Swingline
Exposure of any Revolving  Credit  Lender at any time shall mean its  Applicable
Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

                  "Swingline Lender" shall mean The Chase Manhattan Bank in its
capacity as Swingline Lender hereunder.

                  "Swingline Loan  Commitment"  shall mean the commitment of the
Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans as set forth in Section 2.01(c).

                  "Swingline  Loans" shall mean the swingline  loans made by the
Swingline Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(c).

                  "Tax Sharing Agreement" means (a) that certain agreement to be
dated  January 26, 1995,  between the  Borrower and UCAR,  and (b) any other tax
allocation  agreement  between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  with the
Borrower or UCAR with respect to consolidated or combined tax returns  including
the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  but only to the extent  that  amounts
payable from time to time by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary  under any such
agreement do not exceed the corresponding tax payments that the Borrower or such
Subsidiary would have been required to make to any relevant taxing authority had
the  Borrower or such  Subsidiary  not joined in such  consolidated  or combined
return,  but  instead  had filed  returns  including  only the  Borrower  or its
Subsidiaries (PROVIDED that any such agreement may provide that, if the Borrower
or any  such  Subsidiary  ceases  to be a  member  of the  affiliated  group  of
corporations  of which  UCAR is the  common  parent  for  purposes  of  filing a
consolidated  federal  income tax return  (such  cessation,  a  "Deconsolidation
Event"),  then the Borrower or such  Subsidiary will indemnify UCAR with respect
to any  Federal,  state or  local  income,  franchise  or  other  tax  liability
(including any related interest,  additions or penalties) imposed on UCAR as the
result of an audit or other  adjustment with respect to any period prior to such
Deconsolidation  Event that is attributable to the Borrower,  such Subsidiary or
any predecessor  business thereof (computed as if the Borrower,  such Subsidiary
or such predecessor business, as the case may be, were a stand-alone entity that
filed  separate  tax  returns as an  independent  corporation),  but only to the
extent that any such tax liability  exceeds any liability for taxes  recorded on
the books of the Borrower or such Subsidiary with respect to any such period).

                  "Term  Borrowing"  shall mean a  Borrowing  comprised  of Term
Loans.

                  "Term Commitments" shall mean the Tranche A Term Loan
Commitments and the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments.


                                      -27-
<PAGE>

                  "Term  Loans" shall mean the term loans made by the Lenders to
the Borrower  pursuant to Section 2.01(a).  Each Term Loan shall be a Eurodollar
Term Loan or an ABR Term Loan.

                  "Total Debt" shall mean,  with  respect to UCAR,  the Borrower
and the  Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis at any time,  all Capital Lease
Obligations,  Indebtedness for borrowed money and Indebtedness in respect of the
deferred  purchase  price of property or services of UCAR,  the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries at such time.

                  "Total Revolving Credit  Commitment"  shall mean, at any time,
the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit  Commitments,  as in effect at such
time.

                  "Total Tranche A Reimbursement  Commitment" shall mean, at any
time, the aggregate  amount of the Tranche A  Reimbursement  Commitments,  as in
effect at such time.

                  "Tranche  A  Exposure"  shall  mean at any time the  aggregate
principal  amount at such time of all  Tranche A  Reimbursement  Loans  plus the
amount at such time of the Tranche A L/C  Exposure  plus an amount  equal to the
aggregate  amounts of the Interest  Components and Foreign  Currency  Components
held in reserve  pursuant to Section  2.11(b)(ii) and not  subsequently  applied
pursuant to Section 2.11(b)(iv).  The Tranche A Exposure of any Tranche A Lender
at any time shall mean its  Applicable  Percentage  of the Tranche A Exposure at
such time.

                  "Tranche A L/C  Commitment"  shall mean,  with respect to each
Fronting  Bank,  the commitment of such Fronting Bank to issue Letters of Credit
pursuant to Section 2.20(a).

                  "Tranche  A  L/C   Disbursement"   shall  mean  a  payment  or
disbursement made by a Fronting Bank pursuant to a Tranche A Letter of Credit.

                  "Tranche A L/C Exposure" shall mean at any time the sum of (a)
the aggregate  undrawn amount of all outstanding  Tranche A Letters of Credit at
such  time  plus  (b)  the  aggregate  principal  amount  of all  Tranche  A L/C
Disbursements  that have not yet been  reimbursed  (by the  making of  Tranche A
Reimbursement  Loans or otherwise)  at such time.  The Tranche A L/C Exposure of
any  Tranche A Lender at any time shall mean its  Applicable  Percentage  of the
aggregate Tranche A L/C Exposure at such time.

                  "Tranche  A  Lender"  shall  mean a Lender  with a  Tranche  A
Reimbursement Commitment or a Tranche A Term Loan Commitment.


                                      -28-
<PAGE>

                  "Tranche A Letter of  Credit"  shall mean any letter of credit
issued pursuant to Section 2.20(a).

                  "Tranche A Loans"  shall mean Tranche A Term Loans and Tranche
A Reimbursement Loans.

                  "Tranche A Maturity Date" shall mean December 31, 2001.

                  "Tranche A  Reimbursement  Borrowing"  shall mean a  Borrowing
comprised of Tranche A Reimbursement Loans.

                  "Tranche A Reimbursement  Commitment" shall mean, with respect
to each Lender,  the  commitment of such Lender to make Tranche A  Reimbursement
Loans hereunder as set forth in Section 2.01(a)(i)(B),  or in the Assignment and
Acceptance  pursuant  to which such Lender  assumed its Tranche A  Reimbursement
Commitment, as applicable, as the same may be reduced from time to time pursuant
to Section 2.09 and pursuant to assignments  by such Lender  pursuant to Section
9.04 or increased pursuant to Section 2.11(b).

                  "Tranche A  Reimbursement  Loans" shall mean the loans made by
the Lenders to the Borrower  pursuant to Section  2.01(a)(i)(B).  Each Tranche A
Reimbursement  Loan shall be a Eurodollar Tranche A Reimbursement Loan or an ABR
Tranche A Reimbursement Loan.

                  "Tranche A Term Borrowing" shall mean a Borrowing comprised of
Tranche A Term Loans.

                  "Tranche A Term Loan  Commitment"  shall mean with  respect to
each  Lender,  the  commitment  of such  Lender  to make  Tranche  A Term  Loans
hereunder as set forth in Section 2.01(a)(i)(A).

                  "Tranche A Term  Loans"  shall mean the term loans made by the
Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(i)(A).

                  "Tranche B Maturity Date" shall mean December 31, 2002.

                  "Tranche B Term Borrowing" shall mean a Borrowing comprised of
Tranche B Term Loans.

                  "Tranche B Term Loan  Commitment"  shall mean with  respect to
each  Lender,  the  commitment  of such  Lender  to make  Tranche  B Term  Loans
hereunder as set forth in Section 2.01(a)(ii).


                                      -29-
<PAGE>


                  "Tranche B Term  Loans"  shall mean the term loans made by the
Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(ii).

                  "Transactions"  shall  have the  meaning  given  such  term in
Section 3.02.

                  "Type",  when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing,  shall
refer to the Rate by  reference  to which  interest on such Loan or on the Loans
comprising such Borrowing is determined.  For purposes  hereof,  the term "Rate"
shall include the Adjusted LIBO Rate and the Alternate Base Rate.

                  "Unrestricted  Subsidiary"  shall  mean  (a)  each  subsidiary
included in South Africa until such time as the Borrower shall own,  directly or
indirectly,  at least 90% of the Capital  Stock of such  subsidiary  and (b) any
subsidiary  of UCAR (other than the  Borrower)  or any other  direct or indirect
investment  by UCAR or any such  subsidiary  in the  Capital  Stock of any other
person  (other than the  Borrower)  so long as (i) none of the Capital  Stock or
other  ownership  interests of such  subsidiary  or other person is owned by the
Borrower  or any  of  the  Subsidiaries,  (ii)  UCAR  shall  have  notified  the
Administrative  Agent of its  acquisition or creation of such subsidiary or such
other  investment  and its ownership  interest  therein  concurrently  with such
acquisition, creation or investment and the intended purposes of such subsidiary
or investment,  (iii) any such  subsidiary  (unless it is a foreign  subsidiary)
shall have entered into the Tax Sharing  Agreement  existing at the time of such
acquisition  or creation  (or another tax  sharing  agreement  containing  terms
which, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative  Agent, are customary in
similar  circumstances  to provide an appropriate  allocation of tax liabilities
and  benefits),  (iv)  except in the case of UCAR as  permitted  in the  proviso
below, none of UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall have any contingent
liability  in  respect  of such  subsidiary  or  investment  and  (v)  any  such
subsidiary or investment shall be capitalized solely from the following sources:
(A)  any  investment  by any  person  other  than  UCAR,  the  Borrower  and the
Subsidiaries;  (B)  Indebtedness  issued  by  such  subsidiary  or  any  of  its
subsidiaries  that is  nonrecourse  to UCAR,  the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries
(except in the case of UCAR as  otherwise  permitted by the proviso  below),  or
proceeds thereof; (C) Capital Stock of such subsidiary or any other Unrestricted
Subsidiary, or proceeds thereof; (D) proceeds of Capital Stock of UCAR issued by
UCAR after the Original  Closing Date  remaining  after making the prepayment of
Obligations required under Section 2.12(d) (to the extent not previously used to
prepay  Indebtedness  (other than Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans),  make any
investment or capital  expenditure  or otherwise for any purpose  resulting in a
deduction to Excess Cash Flow in any fiscal year); and (E) investments permitted
to be made in Unrestricted  Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 6.04; PROVIDED that
UCAR may incur a contingent liability or Indebtedness in a specified and limited
amount in respect of such a subsidiary  or investment if it would at the time of
such incurrence be permitted to make an additional investment in such subsidiary
or investment in the amount of such  incurrence and the amount so incurred shall
thereafter constitute an


                                      -30-
<PAGE>

investment  in such  subsidiary  or  investment  in such amount for  purposes of
calculating  compliance  with  Section  6.04;  and  (c)  any  subsidiary  of  an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.

                  "Wholly Owned  Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of the Borrower,
(a) at least 99% of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying
shares) is owned by the  Borrower  or another  Wholly  Owned  Subsidiary  or (b)
solely in the case of any  Subsidiary  included in Brazil or UCAR Grafit OAO, at
least  97% of the  Capital  Stock of which  (other  than  directors'  qualifying
shares) is owned by the Borrower or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

                  "Withdrawal Liability" shall mean liability to a Multiemployer
Plan as a result of a complete  or partial  withdrawal  from such  Multiemployer
Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

                  "Working  Capital"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to UCAR,  the
Borrower  and  the  Subsidiaries  on  a  consolidated   basis  at  any  date  of
determination,  Current  Assets  at such  date of  determination  minus  Current
Liabilities at such date of determination.

                  SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally. The definitions in Section 1.01
shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms  defined.
Whenever the context may require,  any pronoun shall  include the  corresponding
masculine,  feminine  and neuter  forms.  The words  "include",  "includes"  and
"including"  shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without  limitation".
All references  herein to Articles,  Sections,  Exhibits and Schedules  shall be
deemed  references  to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and  Schedules to,
this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise  require.  Except as otherwise
expressly  provided  herein,  (a) any  reference  in this  Agreement to any Loan
Document  shall  mean  such  document  as  amended,  restated,  supplemented  or
otherwise  modified  from  time to time and (b) all  terms of an  accounting  or
financial  nature shall be construed in accordance  with GAAP, as in effect from
time to time;  PROVIDED,  however,  that for purposes of determining  compliance
with the covenants  contained in Section  2.12(e) and Article VI all  accounting
terms herein shall be interpreted  and all accounting  determinations  hereunder
(in each case, unless otherwise provided for or defined herein) shall be made in
accordance with GAAP as in effect on the date of this Agreement and applied on a
basis consistent with the application used in the financial  statements referred
to in Section 3.05,  except that all the Subsidiaries  shall be consolidated for
such purposes as  contemplated by the definition of  "Subsidiary";  and PROVIDED
further that if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower
wishes to amend any  covenant  in Section  2.12(e) or Article VI or any  related
definition  to eliminate  the effect of any change in GAAP  occurring  after the
date  of  this   Agreement  on  the  operation  of  such  covenant  (or  if  the
Administrative  Agent  notifies the Borrower  that the Required  Lenders wish to
amend Section 2.12(e)


                                      -31-
<PAGE>

or Article VI or any related definition for such purpose), then (i) the Borrower
and the  Administrative  Agent  shall  negotiate  in good faith to agree upon an
appropriate  amendment to such covenant and (ii) the Borrower's  compliance with
such covenant  shall be  determined  on the basis of GAAP in effect  immediately
before the  relevant  change in GAAP  became  effective  until such  covenant is
amended in a manner  satisfactory to the Borrower and the Required Lenders.  For
the purposes of determining  compliance  under Sections 6.01,  6.02, 6.04, 6.05,
6.10 and 6.11 with respect to any amount in a currency other than Dollars,  such
amount shall be deemed to equal the Dollar  equivalent  thereof at the time such
amount was incurred or expended, as the case may be.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   THE CREDITS
                                   -----------

          SECTION 2.01. COMMITMENTS. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions and
relying upon the  representations  and  warranties  of UCAR and the Borrower set
forth herein and in the Effectiveness  Agreement,  each Lender agrees, severally
and not jointly:

                  (i) (A) to make a Tranche A Term Loan to the  Borrower  on the
         Effectiveness  Date in a principal  amount  equal to the Tranche A Term
         Loan Commitment set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.01;

                  (B) to make  Tranche A  Reimbursement  Loans to the  Borrower,
         solely as contemplated by Section 2.11(b)(ii) or Section 2.20(a)(v), at
         any time and from time to time on or after the date  hereof,  and until
         the earlier of the Tranche A Maturity Date and the  termination  of the
         Tranche A  Reimbursement  Commitment of such Lender in accordance  with
         the  terms  hereof,  in an  aggregate  principal  amount  at  any  time
         outstanding that will not result in such Lender's Applicable Percentage
         of the  Tranche  A  Exposure  at such  time  exceeding  the  Tranche  A
         Reimbursement  Commitment set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.01,
         as the same may be reduced  from time to time  pursuant to Section 2.09
         or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.11(b); and

                  (ii) to make a  Tranche  B Term  Loan to the  Borrower  on the
         Effectiveness  Date in a principal  amount  equal to the Tranche B Term
         Loan Commitment set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.01.

                  (b) Subject to the terms and  conditions  and relying upon the
representations  and warranties of UCAR and the Borrower herein set forth,  each
Lender  agrees,  severally  and not  jointly,  to make  Revolving  Loans  to the
Borrower,


                                      -32-
<PAGE>

at any time and from time to time on or after the  Original  Closing  Date,  and
until the earlier of the Revolving  Credit  Maturity Date and the termination of
the Revolving  Credit  Commitment  of such Lender in  accordance  with the terms
hereof,  in an aggregate  principal amount at any time outstanding that will not
result in such Lender's  Revolving  Credit  Exposure at such time  exceeding the
Revolving Credit Commitment set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.01, as the
same may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.09.

                  (c) (i) The  Swingline  Lender hereby  agrees,  subject to the
terms and conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties of UCAR
and the  Borrower  herein set forth,  and subject to the  limitations  set forth
below with  respect to the maximum  amount of  Swingline  Loans  permitted to be
outstanding  from  time to  time,  to make a  portion  of the  Revolving  Credit
Commitments  available to the Borrower  from time to time during the period from
the Original  Closing Date through and excluding the earlier of Revolving Credit
Maturity Date and the  termination  of the Revolving  Credit  Commitments  in an
aggregate  principal  amount not to exceed the  Swingline  Loan  Commitment,  by
making   Swingline   Loans  to  the  Borrower.   Swingline  Loans  may  be  made
notwithstanding  the fact that such Swingline  Loans,  when  aggregated with the
Swingline  Lender's  outstanding  Revolving  Loans,  Revolving  L/C Exposure and
outstanding  Swingline Loans, may exceed the Swingline Lender's Revolving Credit
Commitment. The original amount of the Swingline Loan Commitment is $10,000,000.
The Swingline  Loan  Commitment  shall expire on the date the  Revolving  Credit
Commitments  are terminated  and all Swingline  Loans and all other amounts owed
hereunder  with respect to  Swingline  Loans shall be paid in full no later than
that date. The Borrower shall give the Swingline Lender  telephonic,  written or
telecopy notice (in the case of telephonic notice, such notice shall be promptly
confirmed in writing or by telecopy) not later than 12:00 (noon),  New York City
time,  on the day of a proposed  borrowing.  Such notice shall be delivered on a
Business Day, shall be  irrevocable  and shall refer to this Agreement and shall
specify the  requested  date (which shall be a Business  Day) and amount of such
Swingline Loan. The Swingline Lender shall give the Administrative  Agent, which
shall in turn give to each  Lender,  prompt  written or  telecopy  advice of any
notice received from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph.

                  (ii) In no event shall (A) the aggregate  principal  amount of
Swingline  Loans  outstanding  at any time exceed the aggregate  Swingline  Loan
Commitment in effect at such time, (B) the Aggregate  Revolving  Credit Exposure
at any time exceed the Total Revolving Credit Commitment at such time or (C) the
aggregate  Swingline Loan Commitment exceed at any time the aggregate  Revolving
Credit  Commitments in effect at such time.  Swingline Loans may only be made as
ABR Loans.

                  (iii) With respect to any Swingline  Loans which have not been
voluntarily  prepaid by the Borrower,  the  Swingline  Lender (by request to the
Administrative  Agent) or Administrative Agent at any time may, and shall at any
time


                                      -33-
<PAGE>

Swingline  Loans  in  an  amount  not  less  than  $5,000,000  shall  have  been
outstanding  for more than 10 days, on one Business  Day's notice,  require each
Revolving Credit Lender,  including the Swingline Lender, and each Lender hereby
agrees,  subject to the provisions of this Section 2.01(c),  to make a Revolving
Loan (which shall be funded as an ABR loan) in an amount equal to such  Lender's
Applicable  Percentage of the amount of the Swingline Loans ("Refunded Swingline
Loans")  outstanding  on the date  notice is given  which the  Swingline  Lender
requests the Lenders to prepay;  PROVIDED that so long as no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Lenders shall not be required
to make such  Revolving  Loans if the  aggregate  principal  amount of Swingline
Loans  outstanding  as of the most  recent  Tuesday (or the first  Business  Day
occurring  after any such Tuesday if such Tuesday is not a Business Day) is less
than $1,000,000.

                  (iv) In the case of Revolving Loans made by Lenders other than
the Swingline Lender under the immediately  preceding paragraph (iii), each such
Lender  shall  make  the  amount  of  its  Revolving   Loan   available  to  the
Administrative  Agent,  in same day funds,  at the office of the  Administrative
Agent located at 270 Park Avenue,  New York, New York, not later than 1:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the Business Day next  succeeding the date such notice is
given.  The proceeds of such Revolving  Loans shall be immediately  delivered to
the Swingline Lender (and not to the Borrower) and applied to repay the Refunded
Swingline  Loans.  On the day such  Revolving  Loans  are  made,  the  Swingline
Lender's  Applicable  Percentage of the Refunded Swingline Loans shall be deemed
to be paid with the proceeds of a Revolving  Loan made by the  Swingline  Lender
and such portion of the Swingline  Loans deemed to be so paid shall no longer be
outstanding as Swingline  Loans and shall be  outstanding as Revolving  Loans of
Lenders.  The Borrower  authorizes  the  Administrative  Agent and the Swingline
Lender to charge the Borrower's account with the Administrative Agent (up to the
amount  available in such account) in order to pay  immediately to the Swingline
Lender  the  amount  of such  Refunded  Swingline  Loans to the  extent  amounts
received  from  Lenders,  including  amounts  deemed  to be  received  from  the
Swingline  Lender,  are not sufficient to repay in full such Refunded  Swingline
Loans.  If any  portion  of any such  amount  paid (or deemed to be paid) to the
Swingline  Lender  should be recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower  from the
Swingline  Lender in  bankruptcy,  by assignment for the benefit of creditors or
otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared among all
Lenders  in the manner  contemplated  by Section  2.17.  Subject to the  proviso
contained in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph and to the compliance
by the Swingline  Lender with the provisions of subparagraph  (vii) below,  each
Lender's  obligation to make the Revolving  Loans  referred to in this paragraph
shall  be  absolute  and   unconditional  and  shall  not  be  affected  by  any
circumstance,  including (A) any setoff,  counterclaim,  recoupment,  defense or
other  right  which such  Lender may have  against  the  Swingline  Lender,  the
Borrower or any other Person for any reason  whatsoever;  (B) the  occurrence or
continuance  of an Event of Default or a Default;  (C) any adverse change in the
condition (financial or otherwise) of UCAR or any of

                                      -34-
<PAGE>

its  subsidiaries;  (D) any breach of this Agreement by UCAR, the Borrower,  the
other  Credit  Parties  or any  other  Lender;  or (E) any  other  circumstance,
happening or event  whatsoever,  whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.
Nothing in this Section  2.01(c)  shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its
obligation to fulfill its Commitments  hereunder or to prejudice any rights that
the  Borrower  may have  against  any Lender as a result of any  default by such
Lender hereunder.

                  (v) A copy of each notice given by the Swingline Lender or the
Administrative  Agent  pursuant  to  this  Section  2.01(c)  shall  be  promptly
delivered by the Swingline Lender to the Administrative  Agent and the Borrower.
Upon the  making  of a  Revolving  Loan by a  Lender  pursuant  to this  Section
2.01(c),  the amount so funded  shall no longer be owed in respect of  Swingline
Loans.

                  (vi) If as a result of any  bankruptcy or similar  proceeding,
Revolving  Loans are not made  pursuant to this Section  2.01(c)  sufficient  to
repay any amounts owed to the  Swingline  Lender as a result of a nonpayment  of
outstanding Swingline Loans, each Lender agrees to purchase, and shall be deemed
to have purchased,  a participation  in such  outstanding  Swingline Loans in an
amount equal to its  Applicable  Percentage of the unpaid  amount  together with
accrued  interest  thereon.  Upon one Business  Day's notice from the  Swingline
Lender, each Lender shall deliver to the Swingline Lender an amount equal to its
respective participation in same day funds at the office of the Swingline Lender
in New York,  New York.  In order to  evidence  such  participation  each Lender
agrees to enter into a  participation  agreement at the request of the Swingline
Lender in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to all parties.  In the
event any Lender fails to make  available to the Swingline  Lender the amount of
such Lender's  participation as provided in this Section 2.01(c),  the Swingline
Lender  shall be  entitled  to recover  such  amount on demand  from such Lender
together  with interest at the  customary  rate set by the Swingline  Lender for
correction  of  errors  among  banks in New York City for one  Business  Day and
thereafter at the Alternate Base Rate.

                  (vii)  Notwithstanding  anything  herein to the contrary,  the
Swingline  Lender shall not make any  Swingline  Loans at any time the Swingline
Lender is aware that the  conditions  to the making of such  Swingline  Loan set
forth in Section 4.01 have not been satisfied  unless such conditions shall have
been waived in accordance with this Agreement.

                  (d)  Within the  limits  set forth in  paragraphs  (b) and (c)
above, the Borrower may borrow,  pay or prepay and reborrow  Revolving Loans and
Swingline Loans on or after the Original Closing Date and prior to the Revolving
Credit Maturity Date, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth
herein.  Amounts  paid  or  prepaid  in  respect  of Term  Loans  or  Tranche  A
Reimbursement  Loans may not be reborrowed,  except as  contemplated  by Section
2.11(b) with respect to Tranche A Reimbursement Loans.


                                      -35-
<PAGE>

                  SECTION 2.02.  LOANS. (a) Each Loan shall be made as part of a
Borrowing  consisting of Loans made by the Lenders  ratably in  accordance  with
their applicable Commitments;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure of any Lender
to make any Loan shall not relieve any other  Lender of its  obligation  to lend
hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for
the  failure of any other  Lender to make any Loan  required  to be made by such
other  Lender).  The Loans  comprising  any  Borrowing  shall be in an aggregate
principal  amount which is (i) an integral  multiple of  $1,000,000  (or, in the
case of Swingline Loans, $500,000) and not less than $5,000,000 (or, in the case
of Swingline Loans, $500,000),  (ii) equal to the remaining available balance of
the applicable  Commitments or (iii) in the case of any Tranche A  Reimbursement
Borrowing  made  pursuant  to  Section  2.11(b)(ii),  an  amount  not less  than
$2,000,000;  PROVIDED that Revolving Loans used to pay Refunded  Swingline Loans
may be in the amount of such Refunded Swingline Loans.

                  (b) Subject to Sections 2.08 and 2.14, each Borrowing shall be
comprised  entirely  of ABR Loans or  (except  in the case of  Swingline  Loans)
Eurodollar  Loans as the Borrower  may request  pursuant to Section  2.03.  Each
Lender may at its option make any  Eurodollar  Loan by causing  any  domestic or
foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan;  PROVIDED that any
exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay
such Loan in accordance  with the terms of this  Agreement and such Lender shall
not be entitled to any amounts  payable  under  Section  2.13 or Section 2.19 in
respect of increased  costs arising as a result of such exercise.  Borrowings of
more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that
the  Borrower  shall not be entitled to request any  Borrowing  which,  if made,
would result in more than twenty Eurodollar Borrowings  outstanding hereunder at
any time. For purposes of the foregoing,  Borrowings  having different  Interest
Periods,  regardless  of  whether  they  commence  on the  same  date,  shall be
considered separate Borrowings.

                  (c) Subject to  paragraph  (f) below,  each Lender  shall make
each  Loan to be made by it  hereunder  on the  proposed  date  thereof  by wire
transfer to such account as the  Administrative  Agent may  designate in federal
funds not later than 11:00  a.m.,  New York City  time,  and the  Administrative
Agent  shall by 12:00  (noon),  New York City time,  (a) in the case of any Loan
made to reimburse any L/C  Disbursement or to refund any Swingline  Loan,  apply
the amounts so received to effect such  reimbursement  or refund as contemplated
by Section 2.20 or Section 2.01(c) and (b) in the case of each Loan the proceeds
of which are to be received by the  Borrower,  credit the amounts so received to
an account  designated  by the  Borrower in the  applicable  Borrowing  Request;
PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that if a Borrowing shall not occur on such date because any
condition precedent herein specified shall not have been met, the Administrative
Agent shall return the amounts so received to the respective Lenders.


                                      -36-
<PAGE>

                  (d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice
from a Lender prior to the date of any Borrowing  that such Lender will not make
available to the  Administrative  Agent such Lender's portion of such Borrowing,
the  Administrative  Agent may assume  that such  Lender  has made such  portion
available  to the  Administrative  Agent  on  the  date  of  such  Borrowing  in
accordance  with paragraph (c) above and may, in reliance upon such  assumption,
make  available  to the  Borrower on such date a  corresponding  amount.  If the
Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available then, to the extent that
such Lender  shall not have made such portion  available  to the  Administrative
Agent,   such  Lender  and  the  Borrower   severally  agree  to  repay  to  the
Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with
interest  thereon,  for each day from the date such amount is made  available to
the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the  Administrative  Agent,
at (i) in the case of the Borrower,  the interest rate applicable at the time to
the Loans  comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, a rate
determined  by the  Administrative  Agent to represent  its cost of overnight or
short-term  funds  (which  determination  shall be  conclusive  absent  manifest
error).   If  such  Lender  shall  repay  to  the   Administrative   Agent  such
corresponding amount, such amount shall constitute such Lender's Loan as part of
such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement.

                  (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
Borrower shall not be entitled to request any Tranche A Reimbursement  Borrowing
or Revolving  Credit  Borrowing if the Interest  Period  requested  with respect
thereto  would end after the  Tranche A Maturity  Date or the  Revolving  Credit
Maturity Date, as applicable.

                  (f) The Borrower may  refinance all or any part of a Revolving
Credit Borrowing with another Revolving Credit  Borrowing.  Any Revolving Credit
Borrowing or part thereof so refinanced  shall be deemed to be repaid or prepaid
in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement with the proceeds
of the new Revolving Credit Borrowing and the proceeds of such new Borrowing, to
the extent  they do not  exceed  the  principal  amount of the  Borrowing  being
refinanced,  shall not be paid by the Lenders to the Administrative  Agent or by
the Administrative Agent to the Borrower pursuant to paragraph (c) above.

                  SECTION  2.03.  BORROWING  PROCEDURE.  In order to  request  a
Borrowing,  the Borrower  shall hand  deliver or telecopy to the  Administrative
Agent a duly completed Borrowing Request  substantially in the form of Exhibit C
(a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 12:00 (noon), New York
City time, three Business Days before a proposed Borrowing,  and (b) in the case
of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, one Business
Day before a proposed Borrowing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Borrowing Requests with
respect  to  Borrowings  to be  made  on  the  Effectiveness  Date  may,  at the
discretion  of the  Administrative  Agent,  be  delivered  later  than the times
specified above and Borrowing


                                      -37-
<PAGE>

Requests  with  respect  to  Tranche A  Reimbursement  Borrowings  being made to
reimburse any Tranche A L/C Disbursement may be delivered by no later than 12:00
(noon),  New York  City  time,  on the date of such  Borrowing.  Each  Borrowing
Request  shall be  irrevocable,  shall be signed by or on behalf of the Borrower
and shall specify the  following  information:  (i) whether the  Borrowing  then
being requested is to be a Term Borrowing,  a Tranche A Reimbursement  Borrowing
or a  Revolving  Credit  Borrowing  (and  in the  case of a Term  Borrowing  the
Commitments  pursuant to which the Loans  comprising  such  Borrowing  are to be
made),  and whether such  Borrowing  is to be a  Eurodollar  Borrowing or an ABR
Borrowing;  (ii) the date of such  Borrowing  (which  shall be a Business  Day),
(iii) in the case of a Borrowing the proceeds of which are to be received by the
Borrower,  the  number and  location  of the  account  to which  funds are to be
disbursed  (which shall be an account that  complies  with the  requirements  of
Section 2.02(c));  (iv) the amount of such Borrowing;  and (v) if such Borrowing
is to be a  Eurodollar  Borrowing,  the Interest  Period with  respect  thereto;
PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that,  notwithstanding  any contrary  specification  in any
Borrowing Request,  each requested  Borrowing shall comply with the requirements
set  forth in  Section  2.02.  If no  election  as to the Type of  Borrowing  is
specified  in any such  notice,  then the  requested  Borrowing  shall be an ABR
Borrowing.  If no Interest  Period with respect to any  Eurodollar  Borrowing is
specified in any such notice, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected
an  Interest  Period of one month's  duration.  The  Administrative  Agent shall
promptly  (and in any  event  on the same  day  that  the  Administrative  Agent
receives such notice, if received by 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on such day)
advise the applicable  Lenders of any notice given pursuant to this Section 2.03
and of each Lender's portion of the requested Borrowing.

                  If the Borrower shall not have  delivered a Borrowing  Request
in  accordance  with this Section  2.03 prior to the end of the Interest  Period
then in effect for any Revolving Credit Borrowing requesting that such Borrowing
be  refinanced,  then the Borrower  shall  (unless the Borrower has notified the
Administrative Agent, not less than three Business Days prior to the end of such
Interest Period, that such Borrowing is to be repaid at the end of such Interest
Period) be deemed to have  delivered a Borrowing  Request  requesting  that such
Borrowing be refinanced with a new Borrowing of equivalent  amount, and such new
Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing.

                  SECTION 2.04.  EVIDENCE OF DEBT;  REPAYMENT OF LOANS.  (a) The
outstanding principal balance of each Loan shall be payable (i) in the case of a
Revolving Loan or a Swingline  Loan, on the Revolving  Credit  Maturity Date and
(ii) in the case of a Term Loan or Tranche A Reimbursement  Loan, as provided in
Section 2.11. Each Loan shall bear interest from the date of the first Borrowing
hereunder on the outstanding  principal  balance thereof as set forth in Section
2.06.


                                      -38-
<PAGE>

                  (b) Each Lender shall  maintain in  accordance  with its usual
practice  an account or  accounts  evidencing  the  indebtedness  to such Lender
resulting  from each Loan made by such Lender from time to time,  including  the
amounts of principal  and interest  payable and paid to such Lender from time to
time under this Agreement.

                  (c) The Administrative  Agent shall maintain accounts in which
it will record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type of each Loan
made  and the  Interest  Period  applicable  thereto,  (ii)  the  amount  of any
principal  or interest  due and  payable or to become due and  payable  from the
Borrower to each Lender  hereunder  and (iii) the amount of any sum  received by
the  Administrative  Agent  hereunder  from the Borrower and each Lender's share
thereof.

                  (d) The entries  made in the accounts  maintained  pursuant to
paragraph (b) and (c) of this Section 2.04 shall be prima facie  evidence of the
existence and amounts of the obligations  therein recorded;  PROVIDED,  however,
that the  failure of any Lender or the  Administrative  Agent to  maintain  such
accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the  obligations of
the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with their terms.

                  (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,  in
the event any Lender  shall  request  and  receive a Note as provided in Section
9.04(h) or otherwise the interests  represented  by that Note shall at all times
(including  after any  assignment of all or part of such  interests  pursuant to
Section  9.04) be  represented  by one or more Notes  payable to the payee named
therein or its registered assigns.

                  SECTION  2.05.  FEES.  (a) The Borrower  agrees to pay to each
Lender,  through  the  Administrative  Agent,  on the last day of  March,  June,
September and December in each year, and on the date on which the Commitments of
all the Lenders  shall be  terminated as provided  herein,  a commitment  fee (a
"Commitment  Fee") on the average daily unused amount of the Commitments of such
Lender during the preceding quarter (or other period commencing with the date of
this  Agreement or ending with the date on which the last of the  Commitments of
such Lender shall be terminated) at the rate per annum effective for each day in
such period as set forth on Schedule A. All Commitment Fees shall be computed on
the basis of the actual  number of days elapsed in a year of 365 or 366 days, as
applicable.  For the purpose of  calculating  any Lender's  Commitment  Fee, the
outstanding Swingline Loans during the period for which such Lender's Commitment
Fee is calculated  shall be deemed to be zero.  The  Commitment  Fee due to each
Lender shall commence to accrue on the date of this Agreement and shall cease to
accrue on the date on which the last of the  Commitments of such Lender shall be
terminated as provided  herein.  For purposes of calculating the Commitment Fee,
the Tranche A Reimbursement Commitments shall be deemed to be used to the extent
there are outstanding Tranche A Reimbursement Loans, Tranche A L/C Disbursements
or Tranche A Letters of Credit and shall otherwise be deemed to be unused.


                                      -39-
<PAGE>

                  (b) The Borrower or the relevant Credit Party, as the case may
be, from time to time agrees to pay (i) to each  Tranche A Lender and  Revolving
Credit Lender, through the Administrative Agent, on the last day of March, June,
September  and  December  of each  year and on the date on which  the  Tranche A
Reimbursement Commitments or the Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, of
all the  Lenders  shall  be  terminated  as  provided  herein,  a fee  (an  "L/C
Participation Fee") on such Lender's Applicable  Percentage of the average daily
aggregate  Tranche A L/C  Exposure or  Revolving  L/C  Exposure,  as  applicable
(excluding in each case the portion thereof  attributable  to  unreimbursed  L/C
Disbursements),  during the preceding quarter (or shorter period commencing with
the date  hereof or ending  with the  Tranche A Maturity  Date or the  Revolving
Credit  Maturity  Date,  as  applicable,  or the date on  which  the  Tranche  A
Reimbursement  Commitments or the Revolving Credit  Commitments,  as applicable,
shall be terminated) at the rate per annum effective for each day in such period
as set forth on Schedule A and (ii) to each Fronting Bank,  the fees  separately
agreed upon by the Borrower and such Fronting Bank plus, in connection  with the
issuance,  amendment  or  transfer  of any  such  Letter  of  Credit  or any L/C
Disbursement  thereunder,  each applicable Fronting Bank's customary documentary
and  processing  charges  (collectively,  the  "Fronting  Bank  Fees").  All L/C
Participation  Fees and Fronting Bank Fees that are payable on a per annum basis
shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of
360 days.

                  (c) The Borrower  agrees to pay to the  Administrative  Agent,
for its own  account,  the fees set  forth in the  Agent  Letters  at the  times
specified therein (the "Administrative Agent Fees").

                  (d) All Fees  shall be paid on the dates due,  in  immediately
available  funds,  to  the  Administrative  Agent  for  distribution,  if and as
appropriate, among the Lenders, except that the Fronting Bank Fees shall be paid
directly to the applicable  Fronting Banks. Once paid, none of the Fees shall be
refundable under any circumstances.

                  SECTION 2.06. INTEREST ON LOANS. (a) Subject to the provisions
of Section 2.07,  the Loans  comprising  each ABR Borrowing  shall bear interest
(computed  on the basis of the actual  number of days elapsed over a year of 365
or 366 days, as the case may be, when  determined by reference to the Prime Rate
and over a year of 360 days at all other times) at a rate per annum equal to the
Alternate Base Rate plus, in the case of Tranche B Term Loans, 0.50%.

                  (b)  Subject  to the  provisions  of Section  2.07,  the Loans
comprising each Eurodollar  Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis
of the  actual  number  of days  elapsed  over a year of 360 days) at a rate per
annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such
Borrowing plus, in the


                                      -40-
<PAGE>

case of (i) Tranche A Loans or Revolving  Loans,  the LIBOR Margin effective for
such date as set forth on Schedule A or (ii) Tranche B Term Loans, 1.50%.

                  (c)  Interest  on each Loan shall be  payable on the  Interest
Payment  Dates  applicable  to such Loan  except as  otherwise  provided in this
Agreement.  The  applicable  Alternate  Base Rate or Adjusted LIBO Rate for each
Interest Period or day within an Interest  Period,  as the case may be, shall be
determined  by  the  Administrative  Agent,  and  such  determination  shall  be
conclusive  absent  manifest  error.  The  Administrative  Agent  shall give the
Borrower prompt notice of each such determination.

                  SECTION 2.07. DEFAULT INTEREST.  If the Borrower shall default
in the payment of the  principal  of or interest on any Loan or any other amount
becoming due  hereunder,  by  acceleration  or otherwise,  the Borrower shall on
demand from time to time pay interest,  to the extent  permitted by law, on such
defaulted amount for the period beginning on the date of such default up to (but
not including) the date of actual payment (after as well as before  judgment) at
a rate per annum  (computed  on the basis of the actual  number of days  elapsed
over a year of 360 days) equal to (a) in the case of (i) overdue Loans,  overdue
interest  thereon,  overdue  Commitment  Fees or other overdue  amounts owing in
respect  of Loans or other  obligations  (or the  related  Commitments)  under a
particular  Tranche or in respect of the Revolving  Credit  Commitments  or (ii)
other overdue amounts owing to a Lender participating in no more than one of the
Tranches or the Revolving Credit  Commitments,  the rate that would otherwise be
applicable  to ABR Loans  under  such  Tranche  or to ABR  Revolving  Loans,  as
applicable,  pursuant  to  Section  2.06 plus 2% or (b) in the case of any other
overdue amount, the Alternate Base Rate plus 2%.

                  SECTION 2.08. ALTERNATE RATE OF INTEREST. In the event, and on
each occasion,  that on the day two Business Days prior to the  commencement  of
any Interest Period for a Eurodollar  Borrowing the  Administrative  Agent shall
have  determined  that  dollar  deposits in the  principal  amounts of the Loans
comprising  such Borrowing are not generally  available in the London  interbank
market,  or that the rates at which such dollar  deposits are being offered will
not  adequately  and  fairly  reflect  the  cost  to any  Lender  of  making  or
maintaining its Eurodollar Loan during such Interest Period,  or that reasonable
means do not exist for ascertaining  the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the  Administrative
Agent shall, as soon as practicable thereafter,  give written or telecopy notice
of such determination to the Borrower and the Lenders.  In the event of any such
determination,  until the  Administrative  Agent shall have advised the Borrower
and the  Lenders  that the  circumstances  giving  rise to such notice no longer
exist,  any  request by the  Borrower  for a  Eurodollar  Borrowing  pursuant to
Section 2.03 or 2.10 shall be deemed to be a request for an ABR Borrowing.  Each
determination by the  Administrative  Agent hereunder shall be conclusive absent
manifest error.

                                      -41-
<PAGE>

                  SECTION 2.09.  TERMINATION AND REDUCTION OF  COMMITMENTS.  (a)
The Term Commitments shall be automatically  and permanently  terminated at 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the Effectiveness Date. The Tranche A Reimbursement
Commitments shall be automatically and permanently  terminated at 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the Business Day next  preceding the Tranche A Maturity Date.
The  Revolving  Credit   Commitments  shall  be  automatically  and  permanently
terminated at 5:00 p.m.,  New York City time, on the Revolving  Credit  Maturity
Date.

                  (b) Upon at  least  three  Business  Days'  prior  irrevocable
written or telecopy notice to the Administrative  Agent, the Borrower may at any
time in whole  permanently  terminate,  or from time to time in part permanently
reduce,  any of the Tranche A Reimbursement  Commitments or the Revolving Credit
Commitments;   PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  (i)  each  partial  reduction  of  any
Commitments  shall be in an  integral  multiple of  $1,000,000  and in a minimum
principal  amount  of  $5,000,000  (or,  if less,  the  remaining  amount of the
applicable Commitments), (ii) the Total Tranche A Reimbursement Commitment shall
not be reduced to an amount that is less than the Tranche A Exposure at the time
and (iii) the Total  Revolving  Credit  Commitment  shall not be  reduced  to an
amount that is less than the Revolving Credit Exposure at the time.

                  (c)  The  Tranche  A   Reimbursement   Commitments   shall  be
automatically and permanently  reduced at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on each
Installment  Date by the portion of the amount set forth in Section  2.11(a) for
such  Installment Date under the caption "Tranche A Term Loan Amount and Tranche
A  Exposure"  allocated  to reduce the  Tranche A Exposure  pursuant  to Section
2.11(c).

                  (d)  The  Tranche  A   Reimbursement   Commitments   shall  be
automatically  and permanently  reduced by an amount equal to any amount applied
to reduce the  Tranche A  Exposure  pursuant  to  paragraph  (a),  (d) or (e) of
Section 2.12.

                  (e) The Revolving  Credit  Commitments  shall be automatically
and permanently reduced by an amount equal to any amount applied under paragraph
(d) or (e) of Section 2.12 to prepay Revolving Credit  Borrowings (or that would
have been required to be so applied if Revolving Credit Borrowings equal to such
amount had been outstanding).

                  (f) Each reduction in the Commitments  hereunder shall be made
ratably  among the  Lenders  in  accordance  with  their  respective  applicable
Commitments.  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account
of the Lenders,  on the date of each  termination  or reduction,  the Commitment
Fees and, to the extent applicable,  L/C Participation Fees on the amount of the
Commitments  so terminated or reduced  accrued to but excluding the date of such
termination or reduction.


                                      -42-
<PAGE>


                  SECTION 2.10.  CONVERSION AND  CONTINUATION OF TERM BORROWINGS
AND TRANCHE A REIMBURSEMENT BORROWINGS. The Borrower shall have the right at any
time upon prior  irrevocable  notice to the  Administrative  Agent (a) not later
than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, one Business Day prior to conversion,  to
convert  any  Eurodollar  Term or  Reimbursement  Borrowing  into an ABR Term or
Reimbursement  Borrowing,  (b) not later  than 10:00  a.m.,  New York City time,
three Business Days prior to conversion or continuation, to convert any ABR Term
or Reimbursement  Borrowing into a Eurodollar Term or Reimbursement Borrowing or
to continue any Eurodollar Term or Reimbursement  Borrowing as a Eurodollar Term
or Reimbursement  Borrowing for an additional Interest Period, and (c) not later
than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days prior to conversion, to
convert the Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Term or Reimbursement
Borrowing to another  permissible  Interest Period,  subject in each case to the
following:

                  (i) each  conversion  or  continuation  shall be made pro rata
         among the relevant Lenders in accordance with the respective  principal
         amounts  of the  Loans  comprising  the  converted  or  continued  Term
         Borrowing or Tranche A Reimbursement Borrowing, as applicable;

                  (ii) if less than all the outstanding  principal amount of any
         Term Borrowing or Tranche A Reimbursement  Borrowing shall be converted
         or  continued,   then  each  resulting  Term  Borrowing  or  Tranche  A
         Reimbursement  Borrowing, as applicable,  shall satisfy the limitations
         specified in Sections  2.02(a) and (b) regarding  the principal  amount
         and maximum number of Borrowings of the relevant Type;

                  (iii) each  conversion  shall be  effected  by each  Lender by
         recording for the account of such Lender the new Term Loan or Tranche A
         Reimbursement  Loan, as applicable,  of such Lender resulting from such
         conversion and reducing the Term Loan or Tranche A Reimbursement  Loan,
         as applicable,  (or portion  thereof) of such Lender being converted by
         an  equivalent  principal  amount;  accrued  interest on a Term Loan or
         Tranche A Reimbursement Loan, as applicable, (or portion thereof) being
         converted shall be paid by the Borrower at the time of conversion;

                  (iv) if any  Eurodollar  Term or  Reimbursement  Borrowing  is
         converted  at a  time  other  than  the  end  of  the  Interest  Period
         applicable  thereto,  the Borrower shall pay, upon demand,  any amounts
         due to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.15;

                  (v) any portion of a Term Borrowing or Tranche A Reimbursement
         Borrowing,  as  applicable,  maturing  or required to be repaid in less
         than one month may not be  converted  into or continued as a Eurodollar
         Term or Reimbursement Borrowing;


                                      -43-
<PAGE>

                  (vi)  any  portion  of  a  Eurodollar  Term  or  Reimbursement
         Borrowing  which cannot be converted  into or continued as a Eurodollar
         Term or Reimbursement  Borrowing by reason of the immediately preceding
         clause  shall be  automatically  converted  at the end of the  Interest
         Period in effect for such Borrowing  into an ABR Term or  Reimbursement
         Borrowing, as applicable; and

                  (vii) no Interest  Period may be selected  for any  Eurodollar
         Term  or   Reimbursement   Borrowing  that  would  end  later  than  an
         Installment  Date  occurring on or after the first day of such Interest
         Period  if,  after  giving  effect  to such  selection,  the  aggregate
         outstanding   amount  of  (A)  the  Eurodollar  Term  or  Reimbursement
         Borrowings made pursuant to the same  Commitments with Interest Periods
         ending  on or  prior to such  Installment  Date and (B) the ABR Term or
         Reimbursement  Borrowings made pursuant to the same  Commitments  would
         not be at least equal to the principal  amount of Term  Borrowings  and
         (based on the Borrower's  expected  allocation on such Installment Date
         under Section 2.11(c)) Tranche A Reimbursement Borrowings made pursuant
         to the same Commitments to be paid on such Installment Date.

                  Each notice pursuant to this Section 2.10 shall be irrevocable
and shall refer to this Agreement and specify (i) the identity and amount of the
Term Borrowing or Tranche A Reimbursement  Borrowing that the Borrower  requests
be  converted  or  continued,  (ii)  whether  such Term  Borrowing  or Tranche A
Reimbursement  Borrowing  is to be  converted  to or  continued  as a Eurodollar
Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing,  (iii) if such notice requests a conversion,  the
date of such  conversion  (which shall be a Business  Day) and (iv) if such Term
Borrowing  or  Tranche  A  Reimbursement  Borrowing  is  to be  converted  to or
continued as a Eurodollar  Borrowing,  the Interest Period with respect thereto.
If no  Interest  Period is  specified  in any such  notice  with  respect to any
conversion to or continuation as a Eurodollar  Borrowing,  the Borrower shall be
deemed  to have  selected  an  Interest  Period  of one  month's  duration.  The
Administrative Agent shall advise the other Lenders of any notice given pursuant
to this Section 2.10 and of each Lender's  portion of any converted or continued
Term Borrowing or Tranche A Reimbursement  Borrowing.  If the Borrower shall not
have given  notice in  accordance  with this  Section  2.10 to continue any Term
Borrowing or Tranche A Reimbursement Borrowing into a subsequent Interest Period
(and shall not otherwise have given notice in accordance  with this Section 2.10
to convert such Term Borrowing or Tranche A Reimbursement Borrowing),  such Term
Borrowing or Tranche A Reimbursement Borrowing shall, at the end of the Interest
Period  applicable  thereto  (unless  repaid  pursuant  to  the  terms  hereof),
automatically be converted into an ABR Borrowing.

                  SECTION 2.11.  REPAYMENT OF TERM  BORROWINGS  AND REDUCTION OF
THE TRANCHE A EXPOSURE; REALLOCATION OF THE TRANCHE A EXPOSURE. (a) The Term


                                      -44-
<PAGE>

Borrowings  shall be payable as to principal and the Tranche A Exposure shall be
reduced in the aggregate annual amounts set forth below in consecutive quarterly
installments  on each March 31, June 30,  September  30 and December 31 (each an
"Installment  Date"),  commencing March 31, 1998, with 40% of each annual amount
being  paid or  reduced  on each  June 30 and each  December  31 and 10% of each
annual amount being paid or reduced on each March 31 and September 30:

                                    Tranche A
                                    Term Loan
                                    Amount and                  Tranche B
Annual Period Ending/               Tranche A                   Term Loan
Installment Date                     Exposure                    Amount

December 31, 1998                   50,000,000                  1,000,000
December 31, 1999                   60,000,000                  1,000,000
December 31, 2000                   75,000,000                  1,000,000
December 31, 2002                   85,000,000                  1,000,000  
                                                               116,000,000  

                  (b) The  Borrower  shall  have the  right at any time and from
time to time,  but not more  frequently  than four times in any fiscal year (and
more  frequently  with the consent of the  Administrative  Agent,  which consent
shall  not be  unreasonably  withheld),  upon at least 3  Business  Days'  prior
written or telecopy notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by written or
telecopy notice) to the Administrative Agent to:

                  (i)  reduce  the  stated  amount of any one or more  Tranche A
         Letters  of Credit  and apply all or any  portion of the amount of such
         reduction  to increase or issue any other one or more Tranche A Letters
         of Credit on a dollar for dollar basis,

                  (ii)  reduce  the  stated  amount  of any  Tranche A Letter of
         Credit and request a Tranche A Reimbursement Borrowing in an amount not
         in excess of the  difference  between the amount of such  reduction and
         the Interest Component or Foreign Currency Component, as applicable, in
         respect   thereof  (which  Interest   Component  or  Foreign   Currency
         Component, as applicable, shall be held in reserve and be available for
         any reallocation pursuant to clause (iv) below),

                  (iii)  prepay any portion of any Tranche A Term  Borrowing  or
         Tranche A Reimbursement  Borrowing and apply all or any portion of such
         prepayment to increase or issue any Tranche A Letter of Credit or


                                      -45-
<PAGE>

                  (iv) in connection with any  transaction  referred to in (iii)
         above,  apply a portion of any Interest  Component or Foreign  Currency
         Component held in reserve pursuant to clause (ii) above to increase any
         Tranche A Letter of Credit increased as part of such transaction;

PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that (A) after giving effect to any such reallocation,  (x)
each Tranche A Letter of Credit shall have an unused stated amount not less than
the  sum  of  the  principal  amount  (or  the  Dollar  Equivalent  thereof,  as
applicable)  of the portion of the Local  Facility  supported  by such Tranche A
Letter of Credit and the Interest  Component or Foreign Currency  Component,  as
applicable,  in respect  of such  principal  amount  (or the  Dollar  Equivalent
thereof,  as  applicable)  and (y) the  Tranche A Exposure  shall not exceed the
Total Tranche A Reimbursement Commitment; (B) the Administrative Agent shall not
have advised the Borrower  that, in its reasonable  judgment,  the amount of any
affected  Local  Facility  after giving  effect to any such  reallocation  would
exceed the debt capacity of the applicable  Credit Party; and (C) the portion of
the  Tranche A L/C  Exposure  allocated  to any  Local  Facility  or  Facilities
extended to the Borrower's Mexican  subsidiaries shall not exceed $50,000,000 in
the  aggregate  outstanding  at any time.  In the event of any  prepayment  of a
Tranche A Term  Borrowing  under  clause (iii) above,  the  aggregate  Tranche A
Reimbursement Commitments shall be increased on a dollar for dollar basis by the
aggregate  amount of such prepayment and the Tranche A Reimbursement  Commitment
of each  Tranche  A  Lender  shall be  increased  by its  Applicable  Percentage
thereof.  No issuance or increase of a Tranche A Letter of Credit or making of a
Tranche A Reimbursement  Loan pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall  constitute a
"Credit Event" for any purpose hereunder.

                  (c) Except as set forth in paragraph (b) above or in paragraph
(d) below,  each prepayment of principal of the Term Borrowings and reduction of
the  Tranche A Exposure  pursuant  to  Section  2.12 shall be applied to (i) the
Tranche A Term Borrowings and the Tranche A Exposure and (ii) the Tranche B Term
Borrowings  ratably in accordance with the respective  amounts thereof and shall
reduce  scheduled  payments and reductions  required  under  paragraph (a) above
after  the  date of such  prepayment  or  reduction  in the  scheduled  order of
maturity. Amounts to be applied to the Tranche A Term Borrowings and the Tranche
A Exposure  under this Section  2.11 shall be allocated as among  Tranche A Term
Loans, Tranche A Reimbursement Loans, Tranche A L/C Disbursements and individual
Tranche A Letters  of Credit as  specified  to the  Administrative  Agent by the
Borrower not less than three Business Days prior to the  applicable  Installment
Date or other date of prepayment or reduction by written or telecopy  notice (or
telephone  notice  promptly  confirmed  by written or telecopy  notice).  To the
extent not previously paid or reduced, (i) all Tranche A Term Borrowings and all
Tranche A  Reimbursement  Borrowings  shall be due and payable and the Tranche A
Exposure  shall be reduced to zero on the  Tranche A Maturity  Date and (ii) all
Tranche B Term  Borrowings  shall be due and  payable on the  Tranche B Maturity
Date. Each payment of Borrowings


                                      -46-
<PAGE>

pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be  accompanied  by accrued  interest on the
principal amount paid to but excluding the date of payment.

                  (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (c) above, the
first  $15,000,000  in  aggregate  optional or mandatory  prepayments  after the
Effectiveness  Date that would  otherwise be made pursuant to Section 2.12(a) or
(e) to Lenders holding Tranche B Term Loans shall be applied,  until the Tranche
A Term  Borrowings  shall  have  been paid in full and the  Tranche  A  Exposure
reduced to zero, to prepay Tranche A Term Borrowings and to reduce the Tranche A
Exposure and shall reduce  scheduled  payments and reductions in respect of such
Borrowings  and the Tranche A Exposure  under Section  2.11(a) after the date of
any such  prepayment or reduction in the scheduled  order of maturity;  PROVIDED
that reductions to the Tranche A Exposure in respect of prepayments made under a
Local Facility pursuant to the first proviso of Section 2.12(d) shall reduce the
amount  subject to this paragraph (d) on a dollar for dollar basis by the amount
of each such reduction  that would  otherwise have been applied to prepayment of
Tranche B Term Loans.

                  (e) Each  reference in this  Section 2.11 to the  reduction of
the Tranche A Exposure  shall refer (and be limited) to any  combination  of (i)
the prepayment of Tranche A Reimbursement Loans, (ii) the repayment of Tranche A
L/C  Disbursements  and (iii) the  prepayment  of  Indebtedness  under any Local
Facility and the causing of the related Tranche A Letter of Credit to be reduced
by the amount that will result in the stated amount thereof equalling the sum of
the principal amount of the Local Facility and the Interest Component or Foreign
Currency Component, as applicable, in respect thereof.

                  SECTION  2.12.  PREPAYMENT.  (a) The  Borrower  shall have the
right at any time and from time to time to prepay  any  Borrowing  and to reduce
the Tranche A Exposure,  in whole or in part, upon at least three Business Days'
prior written or telecopy  notice (or  telephone  notice  promptly  confirmed by
written or telecopy notice) to the  Administrative  Agent, and, in the case of a
reduction in the Tranche A Exposure, the applicable Fronting Banks, before 11:00
a.m., New York City time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) each partial prepayment or
reduction  (other  than of a Swingline  Loan) shall be in an amount  which is an
integral  multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than  $5,000,000 (or, if less, the
aggregate outstanding amount under the applicable Tranche or Local Facility) and
(ii) each  prepayment of Term  Borrowings or reduction of the Tranche A Exposure
shall be applied as set forth in paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of Section 2.11.

                  (b) In the event of any  termination  of the Revolving  Credit
Commitments,  the Borrower shall on the date of such termination repay or prepay
all its outstanding Swingline Loans and Revolving Credit Borrowings,  reduce the
Revolving L/C Exposure to zero and cause all  Revolving  Letters of Credit to be
canceled  and  returned  to the  Fronting  Banks.  In the  event of any  partial
reduction of


                                      -47-
<PAGE>

the Revolving Credit Commitments,  then (i) at or prior to the effective date of
such  reduction,  the  Administrative  Agent  shall  notify  the  Borrower,  the
Swingline  Lender and the Revolving  Credit  Lenders of the Aggregate  Revolving
Credit Exposure and (ii) if the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure would exceed
the Total  Revolving  Credit  Commitment  after giving effect to such reduction,
then  the  Borrower  shall,  on the  date of such  reduction,  repay  or  prepay
Swingline  Loans and Revolving  Credit  Borrowings,  or reduce the Revolving L/C
Exposure,   in  an  aggregate  amount   sufficient  to  eliminate  such  excess.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  on the date of any  termination or reduction of
the Revolving  Credit  Commitments  pursuant to Section 2.09, the Borrower shall
pay or prepay so much of, first, the Swingline Loans and, second,  the Revolving
Credit  Borrowings as shall be necessary in order that the  Aggregate  Revolving
Credit  Exposure will not exceed the Total  Revolving  Credit  Commitment  after
giving effect to such termination or reduction.

                  (c)  In  the  event  of  any  termination  of  the  Tranche  A
Reimbursement  Commitments,  the Borrower shall on the date of such  termination
repay or prepay all its outstanding Tranche A Reimbursement  Borrowings,  reduce
the  remaining  Tranche A  Exposure  to zero and cause all  Tranche A Letters of
Credit to be canceled and returned to the  Fronting  Banks.  In the event of any
partial  reduction of the Tranche A  Reimbursement  Commitments,  then (i) at or
prior to the effective date of such reduction,  the  Administrative  Agent shall
notify the Borrower and the Tranche A Lenders of the Tranche A Exposure and (ii)
if the  Tranche  A  Exposure  would  exceed  the Total  Tranche A  Reimbursement
Commitment  after giving effect to such  reduction,  then the Borrower shall, on
the date of such reduction,  repay or prepay Tranche A Reimbursement  Borrowings
or otherwise reduce the Tranche A Exposure in an aggregate amount  sufficient to
eliminate such excess.

                  (d) The Borrower  shall apply all Net Proceeds  promptly  upon
receipt  thereof  by  UCAR,  the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  to  prepay  Term
Borrowings and to reduce the Tranche A Exposure (and,  after the Term Loans have
been paid in full and the Tranche A Exposure has been reduced to zero, to prepay
Revolving Credit  Borrowings),  PROVIDED that, to the extent that doing so would
not reduce  the  amount  required  to be  applied  under the  proviso of Section
2.11(d) to zero, the  requirements of this Section  2.12(d) may instead,  at the
option of the  Borrower,  be satisfied  in respect of Net  Proceeds  realized in
connection  with the  disposition  of any property of any  Subsidiary  that is a
borrower under a Local Facility Credit Agreement (or any of its subsidiaries) by
prepaying  Indebtedness under such Local Facility and reducing the stated amount
of the  applicable  Tranche A Letter of Credit by the amount that will result in
the stated amount thereof equalling the sum of the principal amount of the Local
Facility  and  the  Interest  Component  or  Foreign  Currency   Component,   as
applicable, in respect thereof; PROVIDED, FURTHER that the aggregate prepayments
on and after  the  Effectiveness  Date that  would  have  been made  under  this
paragraph (d) to Lenders  holding  Tranche B Term Loans but for the  immediately
preceding proviso shall not exceed $7,500,000.


                                      -48-
<PAGE>

                  (e) Not later than 90 days after the end of each  fiscal  year
of the Borrower,  commencing  with the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997, the
Borrower shall  calculate  Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year and shall apply
(i) the  applicable  percentage  (determined as set forth in Schedule A) of such
Excess Cash Flow less (ii) any  voluntary  prepayments  of Term Loans during the
period  beginning  on April 1 of such  fiscal year and ending on March 31 of the
immediately  succeeding  fiscal year (if such  difference is positive) to prepay
Term Borrowings and to reduce the Tranche A Exposure (and,  after the Term Loans
have been paid in full and the Tranche A Exposure has been  reduced to zero,  to
prepay Revolving Credit  Borrowings);  PROVIDED that, with respect to the period
ended on December 31, 1996, Excess Cash Flow shall,  notwithstanding anything to
the contrary  herein,  be determined with respect to the period beginning on the
Original  Closing Date and ending on December 31, 1996.  Not later than the date
on which the Borrower is required to deliver  financial  statements with respect
to the end of each fiscal year under Section 5.04(a),  the Borrower will deliver
to the  Administrative  Agent a certificate signed by a Financial Officer of the
Borrower  setting forth the amount,  if any, of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal
year and the calculation thereof in reasonable detail.

                  (f)  [Intentionally omitted]

                  (g) Each  reference in this  Section 2.12 to the  reduction of
the Tranche A Exposure  shall refer (and be limited) to any  combination  of (i)
the prepayment of Tranche A Reimbursement Loans, (ii) the repayment of Tranche A
L/C  Disbursements  and (iii) the  prepayment  of  Indebtedness  under any Local
Facility and the causing of the related Tranche A Letter of Credit to be reduced
by the amount that will result in the stated amount thereof equalling the sum of
the  principal  amount of the Local  Facility and the Interest  Component or the
Foreign Currency Component,  as applicable,  in respect thereof.  Each notice of
prepayment  or  reduction  pursuant  to this  Section  2.12  shall  specify  the
prepayment date and the principal  amount of each Borrowing (or portion thereof)
to be prepaid and the portion of the Tranche A Exposure to be reduced,  shall be
irrevocable and shall commit the Borrower to prepay such Borrowing and to reduce
the Tranche A Exposure by the amount stated therein on the date stated  therein.
All  prepayments  and  reductions  under this  Section  2.12 shall be subject to
Section 2.15 but otherwise  without premium or penalty.  All  prepayments  under
this  Section 2.12 shall be  accompanied  by accrued  interest on the  principal
amount being prepaid to but excluding the date of payment.

                  (h) In the event the amount of any  prepayment  required to be
made  above  shall  exceed  the  aggregate  principal  amount  of the ABR  Loans
outstanding  under the  Tranches  required to be prepaid (the amount of any such
excess being called the "Excess Amount"),  the Borrower shall have the right, in
lieu of making such prepayment in full, to prepay all the outstanding applicable
ABR  Loans  and to  deposit  an  amount  equal  to the  Excess  Amount  with the
Collateral Agent in a cash


                                      -49-
<PAGE>

collateral account maintained (pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory
to the  Administrative  Agent) by and in the sole  dominion  and  control of the
Collateral Agent. Any amounts so deposited shall be held by the Collateral Agent
as  collateral  for  the  Obligations  and  applied  to  the  prepayment  of the
applicable  Eurodollar  Loans  at  the  end  of  the  current  Interest  Periods
applicable thereto. On any Business Day on which (i) collected amounts remain on
deposit in or to the credit of such cash collateral  account after giving effect
to the payments  made on such day pursuant to this Section  2.12(h) and (ii) the
Borrower  shall have delivered to the  Collateral  Agent a written  request or a
telephonic  request  (which shall be promptly  confirmed  in writing)  that such
remaining collected amounts be invested in the Permitted  Investments  specified
in such request, the Collateral Agent shall use its reasonable efforts to invest
such  remaining  collected  amounts  in such  Permitted  Investments;  PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  that the  Collateral  Agent shall have  continuous  dominion  and full
control over any such  investments  (and over any interest that accrues thereon)
to the same extent that it has dominion  and control  over such cash  collateral
account and no Permitted  Investment  shall mature after the end of the Interest
Period for which it is to be applied.  The Borrower  shall not have the right to
withdraw  any amount  from such cash  collateral  account  until the  applicable
Eurodollar  Loans and accrued  interest thereon are paid in full or if a Default
or Event of Default then exists or would result.

                  (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
the borrower  under the Local Facility  Credit  Agreement in Canada shall not be
required to prepay  more than 25% of the  principal  amount of the  Indebtedness
thereunder prior to the fifth anniversary of the Original Closing Date, although
such borrower may, at its election, prepay any amounts thereunder.

                  SECTION 2.13. RESERVE  REQUIREMENTS;  CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES.
(a)  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  herein,  if after  the date of this
Agreement any change in applicable law or regulation or in the interpretation or
administration   thereof  by  any  Governmental   Authority   charged  with  the
interpretation  or  administration  thereof  (whether or not having the force of
law)  shall  change  the basis of  taxation  of  payments  to any  Lender or any
Fronting  Bank in  respect  of any  Letter of Credit or of the  principal  of or
interest on any Eurodollar Loan made by such Lender or any Fees or other amounts
payable  hereunder  (other than  changes in respect of (i) taxes  imposed on the
overall net income of such Lender or such Fronting Bank by the  jurisdiction  in
which  such  Lender or such  Fronting  Bank has its  principal  office or by any
political  subdivision or taxing authority  therein and (ii) any Taxes described
in Section  2.19),  or shall  impose,  modify or deem  applicable  any  reserve,
special  deposit or similar  requirement  against assets or deposits with or for
the  account of or credit  extended by or, in the case of the Letters of Credit,
participated  in by such Lender  (except any such reserve  requirement  which is
reflected in the Adjusted  LIBO Rate) or such  Fronting  Bank or shall impose on
such Lender or such Fronting Bank or the interbank  eurodollar  market any other
condition  affecting this Agreement,  any Letter of Credit (or any participation
with respect


                                      -50-
<PAGE>

thereto),  the Letter of Credit Exposure, the Letter of Credit Commitment or any
Eurodollar  Loans of such Lender or such Fronting Bank, and the result of any of
the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such Fronting Bank
of making or  maintaining  its Letter of Credit  Exposure,  its Letter of Credit
Commitment or any  Eurodollar  Loan (or, in the case of such  Fronting  Bank, of
making  any  payment  under any Letter of Credit) or to reduce the amount of any
sum  received or  receivable  by such  Lender or such  Fronting  Bank  hereunder
(whether of principal, interest or otherwise) by an amount deemed by such Lender
or such Fronting  Bank to be material,  then from time to time the Borrower will
pay to such Lender or such Fronting Bank upon demand such  additional  amount or
amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Fronting Bank for such additional
costs incurred or reduction suffered.

                  (b) If any Lender or Fronting Bank shall have  determined that
the adoption  after the date hereof of any law,  rule,  regulation  or guideline
regarding  capital  adequacy,  or any change after the date hereof in any of the
foregoing or in the  interpretation or administration of any of the foregoing by
any Governmental  Authority,  central bank or comparable agency charged with the
interpretation  or administration  thereof,  or compliance by any Lender (or any
lending  office of such  Lender) or  Fronting  Bank or any  Lender's or Fronting
Bank's holding company with any request or directive  regarding capital adequacy
(whether or not having the force of law) made or issued after the date hereof by
any such  authority,  central bank or comparable  agency,  has or would have the
effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's or such  Fronting  Bank's
capital or on the  capital of such  Lender's  or such  Fronting  Bank's  holding
company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or its obligations  pursuant
hereto to a level  below that which such  Lender or such  Fronting  Bank or such
Lender's or such  Fronting  Bank's  holding  company would have achieved but for
such adoption,  change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender's or
such Fronting Bank's policies and the policies of such Lender's or such Fronting
Bank's holding company with respect to capital  adequacy) by an amount deemed by
such Lender or such  Fronting  Bank to be  material,  then from time to time the
Borrower  shall  pay to such  Lender or such  Fronting  Bank  upon  demand  such
additional  amount or amounts as will  compensate  such Lender or such  Fronting
Bank or such  Lender's  or such  Fronting  Bank's  holding  company for any such
reduction suffered.

                  (c) A  certificate  of each  Lender or Fronting  Bank  setting
forth such amount or amounts as shall be necessary to compensate  such Lender or
such Fronting  Bank or its holding  company as specified in paragraph (a) or (b)
above,  as the case may be,  shall be  delivered  to the  Borrower  through  the
Administrative Agent and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower
shall  pay each  Lender or  Fronting  Bank the  amount  shown as due on any such
certificate delivered by it within 10 days after its receipt of the same.


                                      -51-
<PAGE>

                  (d) In the event any Lender or Fronting Bank delivers a notice
pursuant to paragraph  (e) below,  the Borrower may require,  at the  Borrower's
expense  and  subject to Section  2.15,  such  Lender or such  Fronting  Bank to
assign,  at par plus accrued interest and fees,  without recourse (in accordance
with  Section  9.04)  all  its  interests,   rights  and  obligations  hereunder
(including, in the case of a Lender, all of its Commitments and the Loans at the
time owing to it and  participations  in  Letters  of Credit  held by it and its
obligations to acquire such participations) to a financial institution specified
by the Borrower;  PROVIDED that (i) such  assignment  shall not conflict with or
violate any law, rule or regulation or order of any court or other  Governmental
Authority,  (ii) the Borrower  shall have  received  the written  consent of the
Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) and each
applicable Fronting Bank to such assignment,  (iii) the Borrower shall have paid
to the assigning  Lender or Fronting Bank all monies accrued and owing hereunder
to it  (including  pursuant  to this  Section  2.13)  and  (iv) in the case of a
required assignment by a Fronting Bank, all outstanding Letters of Credit issued
by such Fronting Bank shall be canceled and returned to such Fronting Bank.

                  (e) Promptly after any Lender or Fronting Bank has determined,
in its sole  judgment,  that it will make a request for  increased  compensation
pursuant to this Section 2.13, such Lender or such Fronting Bank will notify the
Borrower  thereof.  Failure  on the part of any  Lender or  Fronting  Bank so to
notify  the  Borrower  or to  demand  compensation  for any  increased  costs or
reduction in amounts  received or  receivable  or reduction in return on capital
with  respect to any period shall not  constitute  a waiver of such  Lender's or
such Fronting Bank's right to demand compensation with respect to such period or
any other period;  PROVIDED that the Borrower  shall not be under any obligation
to compensate any Lender or Fronting Bank under paragraph (b) above with respect
to increased  costs or  reductions  with respect to any period prior to the date
that is six months  prior to such request if such Lender or such  Fronting  Bank
knew or could  reasonably  have been  expected to be aware of the  circumstances
giving  rise to such  increased  costs or  reductions  and of the fact that such
circumstances  would in fact  result in a claim for  increased  compensation  by
reason  of such  increased  costs  or  reductions;  PROVIDED  FURTHER  that  the
foregoing  limitation  shall  not  apply to any  increased  costs or  reductions
arising  out of  the  retroactive  application  of any  law,  regulation,  rule,
guideline or directive as aforesaid within such six month period. The protection
of this  Section  2.13  shall be  available  to each  Lender and  Fronting  Bank
regardless of any possible contention as to the invalidity or inapplicability of
the law, rule,  regulation,  guideline or other change or condition  which shall
have occurred or been imposed.

                  SECTION  2.14.  CHANGE IN LEGALITY.  (a)  Notwithstanding  any
other  provision  herein,  if the  adoption  of or  any  change  in  any  law or
regulation  or in  the  interpretation  thereof  by any  Governmental  Authority
charged with the administration or interpretation thereof shall make it unlawful
for any Lender to make or maintain any Eurodollar  Loan or to give effect to its
obligations as contemplated hereby with


                                      -52-
<PAGE>

respect to any Eurodollar  Loan,  then, by written notice to the Borrower and to
the Administrative Agent, such Lender may:

                  (i) declare that Eurodollar  Loans will not thereafter be made
         by such Lender  hereunder,  whereupon any request by the Borrower for a
         Eurodollar Borrowing shall, as to such Lender only, be deemed a request
         for  an  ABR  Loan  unless  such  declaration   shall  be  subsequently
         withdrawn; and

                  (ii) require that all outstanding  Eurodollar Loans made by it
         be converted  to ABR Loans,  in which event all such  Eurodollar  Loans
         shall be automatically  converted to ABR Loans as of the effective date
         of such notice as provided in paragraph (b) below.

In the event any Lender shall  exercise its rights under  subparagraphs  (i) and
(ii) above, all payments and prepayments of principal which would otherwise have
been  applied  to repay the  Eurodollar  Loans that would have been made by such
Lender or the converted Eurodollar Loans of such Lender shall instead be applied
to repay the ABR Loans  made by such  Lender in lieu of, or  resulting  from the
conversion of, such Eurodollar Loans.

                  (b) For  purposes  of  this  Section  2.14,  a  notice  to the
Borrower by any Lender shall be effective as to each Eurodollar Loan, if lawful,
on the last day of the Interest Period  currently  applicable to such Eurodollar
Loan;  in all other cases such notice  shall be effective on the date of receipt
by the Borrower.

                  SECTION 2.15.  INDEMNITY.  The Borrower  shall  indemnify each
Lender  against any loss or expense  (other  than  taxes)  which such Lender may
sustain or incur as a consequence  of (a) any failure by the Borrower to fulfill
on the date of any  Borrowing or proposed  Borrowing  hereunder  the  applicable
conditions set forth in Article IV, (b) any failure by the Borrower to borrow or
to refinance, convert or continue any Loan hereunder after irrevocable notice of
such Borrowing, refinancing,  conversion or continuation has been given pursuant
to  Section  2.03 or  2.10,  (c) any  payment,  prepayment  or  conversion  of a
Eurodollar  Loan required by any other  provision of this Agreement or otherwise
made or deemed  made on a date  other than the last day of the  Interest  Period
applicable  thereto,  (d) any default in payment or  prepayment of the principal
amount of any Loan or any part thereof or interest accrued thereon,  as and when
due and  payable  (at the due  date  thereof,  whether  by  scheduled  maturity,
acceleration,  irrevocable  notice  of  prepayment  or  otherwise)  or  (e)  the
occurrence of any Event of Default,  including,  in each such case,  any loss or
reasonable  expense  sustained  or  incurred or to be  sustained  or incurred in
liquidating  or  employing  deposits  from third  parties  acquired to effect or
maintain  such  Loan or any part  thereof  as a  Eurodollar  Loan.  Such loss or
reasonable  expense shall exclude loss of margin  hereunder but shall include an
amount equal to the excess, if any, as reasonably  determined by such Lender, of
(i) its cost of obtaining the funds for the


                                      -53-
<PAGE>

Loan being paid,  prepaid,  converted  or not  borrowed,  converted or continued
(assumed to be the Adjusted  LIBO Rate  applicable  thereto) for the period from
the date of such payment,  prepayment,  conversion or failure to borrow, convert
or  continue  to the last day of the  Interest  Period for such Loan (or, in the
case of a failure to borrow,  convert or continue,  the Interest Period for such
Loan  which  would have  commenced  on the date of such  failure)  over (ii) the
amount of interest  (as  reasonably  determined  by such  Lender)  that would be
realized by such Lender in reemploying the funds so paid, prepaid,  converted or
not borrowed,  converted or continued for such period or Interest Period, as the
case may be. A  certificate  of any Lender  setting  forth any amount or amounts
which such Lender is entitled to receive  pursuant to this Section 2.15 (and the
reasons therefor) shall be delivered to the Borrower through the  Administrative
Agent and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

                  SECTION 2.16.  PRO RATA  TREATMENT.  Except as required  under
Section  2.14 and  subject to Section  2.11,  each  Borrowing,  each  payment or
prepayment of principal of any Borrowing, each payment of interest on the Loans,
each reimbursement of L/C Disbursements,  each payment of the Commitment Fees or
L/C Participation  Fees, each reduction of the Tranche A Letters of Credit, each
reduction of the Term  Commitments,  the Tranche A Reimbursement  Commitments or
the Revolving  Credit  Commitments  and each  refinancing of any Borrowing with,
conversion of any Borrowing to or  continuation  of any Borrowing as a Borrowing
of any Type shall be allocated  (except in the case of Swingline Loans) pro rata
among the Lenders in accordance  with their  respective  applicable  Commitments
(or, if such Commitments  shall have expired or been  terminated,  in accordance
with the respective  principal amounts of their applicable  outstanding Loans or
participations in L/C Disbursements,  as applicable). Each Lender agrees that in
computing  such  Lender's  portion of any  Borrowing  or L/C  Disbursement,  the
Administrative  Agent may, in its discretion,  round each Lender's percentage of
such Borrowing or L/C Disbursement, computed in accordance with Section 2.01, to
the next higher or lower whole dollar amount.

                  SECTION 2.17.  SHARING OF SETOFFS.  Each Lender agrees that if
it  shall,  through  the  exercise  of a  right  of  banker's  lien,  setoff  or
counterclaim  against the  Borrower or another  Credit  Party,  or pursuant to a
secured  claim under  Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other
security or interest  arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim,  received
by such Lender under any applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency or other similar law
or otherwise,  or by any other means,  obtain payment (voluntary or involuntary)
in  respect  of any Loan or L/C  Disbursement  as a result of which  the  unpaid
principal  portion  of its  Loans  or L/C  Disbursements  made  pursuant  to any
Commitment  (or,  after  acceleration  of the Loans  pursuant  to  Article  VII,
applicable to any Loan or L/C Disbursement)  shall be proportionately  less than
the  unpaid  principal  portion of the Loans or L/C  Disbursements  of any other
Lender made pursuant to such Commitments (or, after


                                      -54-
<PAGE>

acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Article VII, applicable to any Loan or L/C
Disbursement),  it shall be deemed  simultaneously  to have  purchased from such
other  Lender at face value,  and shall  promptly  pay to such other  Lender the
purchase price for, an interest in the Loans or L/C  Disbursements of such other
Lender,  so that the  aggregate  unpaid  principal  amount  of the  Loans or L/C
Disbursements  and  interests  in Loans or L/C  Disbursements  held by each such
Lender shall be in the same proportion to the aggregate  unpaid principal amount
of all Loans or L/C Disbursements then outstanding under such Commitments as the
principal amount of its Loans or L/C Disbursements  under such Commitments prior
to such exercise of banker's lien,  setoff or counterclaim or other event was to
the principal amount of all such Loans or L/C Disbursements outstanding prior to
such exercise of banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER,  that, if any such purchase or purchases or  adjustments  shall be made
pursuant  to this  Section  2.17  and the  payment  giving  rise  thereto  shall
thereafter be  recovered,  such  purchase or purchases or  adjustments  shall be
rescinded to the extent of such  recovery  and the  purchase  price or prices or
adjustment restored without interest.  Each of the Borrower and the other Credit
Parties  expressly  consents to the foregoing  arrangements  and agrees that any
Lender holding an interest in a Loan or L/C Disbursement  deemed to have been so
purchased  may  exercise  any  and  all  rights  of  banker's  lien,  setoff  or
counterclaim  with  respect to any and all moneys  owing by the Borrower or such
Credit  Party to such  Lender by reason  thereof as fully as if such  Lender had
made a Loan  directly to, or L/C  Disbursement  directly for the benefit of, the
Borrower or such Credit Party in the amount of such interest.

                  SECTION 2.18. PAYMENTS. (a) The Borrower and each other Credit
Party  shall  make each  payment  without  set-off  or  counterclaim  (including
principal  of or interest on any  Borrowing or L/C  Disbursement  or any Fees or
other  amounts)  required  to be made by it  hereunder  and under any other Loan
Document not later than 12:00 noon,  New York City time, on the date when due in
Dollars to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 270 Park Avenue, New York,
New York, Attention of Agent Bank Services,  in immediately available funds, for
credit  to The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  ABA  Number  02100120,  Account  Number
323-2-92771.  The  Administrative  Agent shall  distribute  such payments to the
Lenders and the Fronting Banks promptly upon receipt in like funds as received.

                  (b) Whenever any payment  (including  principal of or interest
on any Borrowing or L/C Disbursement or any Fees or other amounts)  hereunder or
under any other Loan Document shall become due, or otherwise  would occur,  on a
day that is not a Business Day, such payment may be made on the next  succeeding
Business  Day  (except  in the case of  payment  of  principal  of a  Eurodollar
Borrowing if the effect of such  extension  would be to extend such payment into
the next  succeeding  month,  in which  event such  payment  shall be due on the
immediately  preceding  Business  Day), and such extension of time shall in such
case be included in the computation of interest or Fees, if applicable.


                                      -55-
<PAGE>

                  SECTION  2.19 TAXES.  (a) Any and all payments by the Borrower
or any other Credit Party to the Administrative Agent, the Fronting Banks or the
Lenders hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall be made, in accordance
with  Section  2.18,  free and clear of and  without  deduction  for any and all
present or future taxes, levies, imposts,  deductions,  charges or withholdings,
and all  liabilities  with respect  thereto,  excluding  (i) in the case of each
Lender, each Fronting Bank and the Administrative Agent, taxes that would not be
imposed but for a  connection  between such Lender,  such  Fronting  Bank or the
Administrative  Agent (as the case may be) and the  jurisdiction  imposing  such
tax, other than a connection  arising solely by virtue of the activities of such
Lender,  such  Fronting  Bank or the  Administrative  Agent (as the case may be)
pursuant to or in respect of this  Agreement  or under any other Loan  Document,
including  entering  into,  lending  money  or  extending  credit  pursuant  to,
receiving  payments  under,  or  enforcing,  this  Agreement  or any other  Loan
Document,  and  (ii) in the  case of each  Lender,  each  Fronting  Bank and the
Administrative  Agent, any United States  withholding taxes payable with respect
to any  payments  made  hereunder or under the other Loan  Documents  under laws
(including any statute,  treaty, ruling,  determination or regulation) in effect
on the Initial Date (as  hereinafter  defined)  applicable to such Lender,  such
Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, but not excluding
any United States  withholding taxes payable solely as a result of any change in
such laws occurring after the Initial Date (all such non-excluded taxes, levies,
imposts,  deductions,  charges,  withholdings and liabilities  being hereinafter
referred to as "Taxes").  For purposes of this Section  2.19,  the term "Initial
Date" shall mean (i) in the case of the Administrative  Agent, any Fronting Bank
or any Lender,  the date on which such person  became a party to this  Agreement
and (ii) in the case of any assignment,  including any assignment by a Lender or
a Fronting Bank to a new lending  office,  the date of such  assignment.  If any
Taxes  shall be  required  by law to be  deducted  from or in respect of any sum
payable  hereunder or under any other Loan Document to any Lender,  any Fronting
Bank or the  Administrative  Agent,  (i) the sum payable by the  Borrower or any
other Credit  Party,  as the case may be, shall be increased as may be necessary
so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section 2.19) such Lender, such Fronting Bank
or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the
sum it would have received had no such  deductions  been made, (ii) the Borrower
or such Credit Party,  as the case may be, shall make such  deductions and (iii)
the Borrower or such Credit Party, as the case may be, shall pay the full amount
deducted to the relevant  taxation  authority or other  authority in  accordance
with  applicable  law.  The Borrower  and the other  Credit  Parties  shall not,
however,  be required to pay any amounts pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding
sentence to any Lender,  any Fronting Bank or the  Administrative  Agent (in the
case of payments to be made by the Borrower) not organized under the laws of the
United  States of America or a state  thereof (or, in the case of payments to be
made by  another  Credit  Party,  not  organized  under the laws of such  Credit
Party's jurisdiction) if such Lender, such

                                      -56-
<PAGE>

Fronting Bank or the Administrative  Agent fails to comply with the requirements
of paragraph  (f) or (g), as the case may be, and  paragraph (h) of this Section
2.19.

                  (b) In  addition,  the  Borrower  agrees to pay any present or
future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges
or similar levies which arise from the execution,  delivery or registration  of,
or  otherwise  with  respect  to,  this  Agreement  or any other  Loan  Document
(hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").

                  (c) The Borrower  will  indemnify  each Lender,  each Fronting
Bank and the  Administrative  Agent for the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes
(including  any Taxes or Other  Taxes  imposed  by any  jurisdiction  on amounts
payable under this Section 2.19) paid by such Lender,  such Fronting Bank or the
Administrative  Agent,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  any  liability  (including
penalties,  interest  and  expenses  including  reasonable  attorney's  fees and
expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto whether or not such Taxes or
Other Taxes were correctly or legally  asserted.  A certificate as to the amount
of such payment or liability  prepared by a Lender (or  Transferee),  a Fronting
Bank or the  Administrative  Agent,  absent  manifest  error,  shall  be  final,
conclusive  and  binding  for  all  purposes;  PROVIDED,  that  if the  Borrower
reasonably believes that such Taxes were not correctly or legally asserted, such
Lender,  Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be shall use
reasonable  efforts to  cooperate  with the  Borrower to obtain a refund of such
Taxes or Other Taxes.  Such  indemnification  shall be made within 10 days after
the date any Lender, any Fronting Bank or the Administrative  Agent, as the case
may be, makes  written  demand  therefor.  If a Lender,  a Fronting  Bank or the
Administrative  Agent shall become aware that it is entitled to receive a refund
in respect of Taxes or Other Taxes, it shall promptly notify the Borrower of the
availability of such refund and shall, within 30 days after receipt of a request
by the Borrower,  pursue or timely claim such refund at the Borrower's  expense.
If any Lender, any Fronting Bank or the  Administrative  Agent receives a refund
in respect of any Taxes or Other Taxes for which such Lender, such Fronting Bank
or the Administrative Agent has received payment from the Borrower hereunder, it
shall  promptly  repay such refund (plus any interest  received) to the Borrower
(but only to the extent of indemnity  payments made, or additional amounts paid,
by the Borrower under this Section 2.19 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes
giving rise to such refund);  PROVIDED  that the  Borrower,  upon the request of
such Lender,  such Fronting Bank or the Administrative  Agent,  agrees to return
such refund (plus any penalties,  interest or other charges required to be paid)
to such Lender, such Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent in the event such
Lender, such Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent is required to repay such
refund to the relevant taxing authority.

                  (d) Within 30 days  after the date of any  payment of Taxes or
Other Taxes  withheld by the Borrower or another  Credit Party,  as the case may
be,  in  respect  of any  payment  to  any  Lender,  any  Fronting  Bank  or the
Administrative


                                      -57-
<PAGE>

Agent,  the Borrower or such Credit  Party,  as the case may be, will furnish to
the  Administrative  Agent,  at its  address  referred to in Section  9.01,  the
original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof.

                  (e) Without  prejudice to the survival of any other  agreement
contained herein, the agreements and obligations  contained in this Section 2.19
shall  survive the payment in full of  principal  and  interest  hereunder,  the
expiration of the Letters of Credit and the termination of the Commitments.

                  (f) In the case of any Borrowing by, or L/C  Disbursement  for
the benefit of, the Borrower,  this paragraph (f) shall apply. Each Lender, each
Fronting Bank and the Administrative  Agent that is not organized under the laws
of the United States of America or a state thereof  agrees that at least 10 days
prior to the first  Interest  Payment Date following the Initial Date in respect
of such  Fronting  Bank or such Lender,  it will deliver to the Borrower and the
Administrative  Agent (if  appropriate)  two duly completed copies of either (i)
United States Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224 or successor applicable
form, as the case may be,  certifying in each case that such Fronting Bank, such
Lender or the  Administrative  Agent, as the case may be, is entitled to receive
payments under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents payable to it without
deduction or  withholding  of any United States  federal income taxes and backup
withholding  taxes or is entitled  to receive  such  payments at a reduced  rate
pursuant  to a treaty  provision  or (ii) in the case of a Lender  that is not a
"bank" within the meaning of Section  881(c)(3) of the Code,  (A) deliver to the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent (I) a statement under penalties of perjury
that such Lender (w) is not a "bank" under Section  881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, is
not  subject  to  regulatory  or  other  legal  requirements  as a  bank  in any
jurisdiction,  and has not  been  treated  as a bank  for  purposes  of any tax,
securities law or other filing or submission made to any Governmental Authority,
any application made to a rating agency or qualification  for any exemption from
tax,  securities  law or  other  legal  requirements,  (x)  is not a  10-percent
shareholder within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, (y) is not a
controlled foreign  corporation  receiving interest from a related person within
the  meaning  of  Section  881(c)(3)(c)  of the Code  and (z) is not a  "conduit
entity" within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.881-3 and (II)
an  Internal  Revenue  Service  Form W-8;  (B) deliver to the  Borrower  and the
Administrative  Agent  a  further  copy  of  said  Form  W-8,  or any  successor
applicable form or other manner of  certification on or before the date that any
such Form W-8 expires or becomes  obsolete or after the  occurrence of any event
requiring a change in the most recent form previously  delivered by such Lender;
and (C) obtain such  extensions  of time for filing and  complete  such forms or
certifications   as  may  be  reasonably   requested  by  the  Borrower  or  the
Administrative  Agent; unless in any such case an event (including any change in
treaty,  law or  regulation)  has  occurred  prior to the date on which any such
delivery would  otherwise be required which renders any such forms  inapplicable
or which would prevent such Lender from duly  completing and delivering any such
form with respect to it and such Lender so


                                      -58-
<PAGE>

advises the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. Such Lender shall certify (i)
in the case of a Form 1001 or 4224,  that it is  entitled  to  receive  payments
under this  Agreement  without  deduction or  withholding  of any United  States
Federal  income taxes or is entitled to receive such  payments at a reduced rate
pursuant to a treaty  provision  and (ii) in the case of a Form W-8 or W-9, that
it is entitled to an exemption from United States backup  withholding  tax. Each
Person that shall become a participant  pursuant to Section 9.04 shall, upon the
effectiveness of the related transfer,  be required to provide all the forms and
statements  required pursuant to this paragraph (f) to the Lender from which the
related  participation  shall have been  purchased.  Unless the Borrower and the
Administrative  Agent have  received  forms,  certificates  and other  documents
required by this Section  2.19(f)  indicating  that payments  hereunder or under
this  Agreement,  any other Loan Document or the Letters of Credit to or for any
Fronting Bank or Lender not incorporated  under the laws of the United States or
a state thereof are not subject to United States  withholding tax or are subject
to such tax at a rate reduced by an applicable  tax treaty,  the Borrower or the
Administrative  Agent  shall  withhold  such  taxes  from such  payments  at the
applicable statutory rate.

                  (g) In the event any Credit  Party other than the  Borrower is
required to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.19, this paragraph
(g) shall apply. Each Lender,  each Fronting Bank and the  Administrative  Agent
that is not  incorporated  within or under the laws of the  jurisdiction of such
Credit Party and that is claiming such  additional  amounts agrees that within a
reasonable period of time following the request of such Credit Party it will, to
the extent it is legally  entitled  to a reduction  in the rate of or  exemption
from withholding taxes in the jurisdiction of such Credit Party, deliver to such
Credit Party and the  Administrative  Agent any form or document  required under
the laws, regulations,  official interpretations or treaties enacted by, made or
entered into with such jurisdiction properly completed and duly executed by such
Fronting  Bank,  such  Lender  or  Administrative  Agent  establishing  that any
payments  hereunder are exempt from withholding tax or subject to a reduced rate
of withholding  tax in such  jurisdiction  as the case may be; PROVIDED that, in
the sole determination of such Lender,  such Fronting Bank or the Administrative
Agent,  such form or document  shall not be  otherwise  disadvantageous  to such
Lender, such Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent.

                  (h) Any Fronting Bank and any Lender  claiming any  additional
amounts  payable  pursuant to this  Section  2.19 shall use  reasonable  efforts
(consistent  with legal and regulatory  restrictions) to file any certificate or
document  requested in writing by the  Borrower or any affected  Credit Party to
change the jurisdiction of its applicable  lending office, if the making of such
a filing or change  would  avoid the need for or reduce  the  amount of any such
additional  amounts  which would be payable or may  thereafter  accrue and would
not,  in the  sole  determination  of such  Fronting  Bank or  such  Lender,  be
otherwise disadvantageous to such Fronting Bank or such Lender.


                                      -59-
<PAGE>

                  (i) Nothing  contained in this Section 2.19 shall  require any
Lender or Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent to make available any of its
tax  returns  (or any  other  information  that it deems to be  confidential  or
proprietary).

                  SECTION  2.20.  LETTERS  OF CREDIT.  (a)  Tranche A Letters of
Credit.  (i) General.  Subject to the terms and  conditions and relying upon the
representations  and warranties of UCAR and the Borrower set forth herein and in
the  Effectiveness  Agreement,  each  Fronting  Bank  having  a  Tranche  A  L/C
Commitment shall issue on the Effectiveness Date the Tranche A Letters of Credit
set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.20,  appropriately  completed, in each
case for the account of the applicable  Credit Party specified on Schedule 2.20.
The Borrower may thereafter  request the issuance of Tranche A Letters of Credit
from  any  Fronting  Bank  having  a  Tranche  A L/C  Commitment,  appropriately
completed, for the account of the Borrower or another specified Credit Party, at
any time and from time to time  while the  Tranche A  Reimbursement  Commitments
remain in effect,  but only to give effect to any  reallocation of the Tranche A
Exposure  permitted  under Section 2.11(b) or any reduction of the stated amount
of any Tranche A Letter of Credit  pursuant to this  Agreement or in  connection
with any  permitted  amendment,  renewal or extension  of an existing  Tranche A
Letter  of  Credit,  including  in  connection  with the  conversion  of  Dollar
borrowings  under any Local  Facility to  borrowings in another  currency.  This
Section 2.20(a) shall not be construed to impose an obligation upon any Fronting
Bank to issue any Tranche A Letter of Credit that is inconsistent with the terms
and  conditions  of this  Agreement or that would result in such  Fronting  Bank
having  Tranche  A  Letters  of  Credit  in an  aggregate  amount  at  any  time
outstanding  in excess of such Fronting  Bank's Tranche A L/C  Commitment.  Each
Tranche A Letter of Credit shall be in substantially  the form of Exhibit I with
such changes therefrom as shall in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative
Agent and the applicable Fronting Bank be necessary or advisable.

                  (ii)  Notice  of  Issuance,   Amendment,  Renewal,  Extension;
Certain  Conditions.  In order to request the  issuance of a Tranche A Letter of
Credit after the  Effectiveness  Date (or to request that a Fronting Bank amend,
renew or extend an existing Tranche A Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand
deliver or telecopy to the applicable Fronting Bank and the Administrative Agent
(reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance,  amendment, renewal or
extension) a notice  requesting the issuance of such Tranche A Letter of Credit,
or  identifying  any  Tranche  A Letter  of Credit  to be  amended,  renewed  or
extended, and specifying the date of issuance,  amendment, renewal or extension,
the date on which  such  Tranche A Letter of  Credit is to expire  (which  shall
comply  with  paragraph  (iii)  below),  the amount of such  Tranche A Letter of
Credit,  the name and address of the account  party (which shall be the Borrower
or another  Credit Party and shall,  in the case of any Letter of Credit  issued
for the benefit of a Subsidiary,  unless  resulting in increased  costs, be such
Subsidiary) and the beneficiary  thereof and such other  information as shall be
necessary to prepare such Tranche A Letter of Credit or grant such issuance,


                                      -60-
<PAGE>

amendment,  renewal or extension.  Following receipt of such notice and prior to
the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Tranche A Letter of Credit,
the Administrative  Agent shall notify the Borrower and the applicable  Fronting
Bank of the amount of the  Tranche A  Exposure  after  giving  effect to (A) the
issuance,  amendment,  renewal or  extension of such Tranche A Letter of Credit,
(B) the issuance or  expiration  of any other Tranche A Letter of Credit that is
to be issued or will expire prior to the requested date of issuance,  amendment,
renewal or extension of such Tranche A Letter of Credit and (C) the borrowing or
repayment  of any  Tranche  A  Reimbursement  Loans  that  (based  upon  notices
delivered to the  Administrative  Agent by the  Borrower)  are to be borrowed or
repaid on or prior to the requested date of issuance of such Tranche A Letter of
Credit.  Each  Tranche A Letter of Credit shall be issued,  amended,  renewed or
extended  only if, and upon  issuance,  amendment,  renewal or extension of each
Tranche A Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant
that, after giving effect to such issuance,  amendment, renewal or extension the
Tranche A Exposure  shall not have been  increased  (except as  contemplated  by
Section 2.11(b)(iii)) and each applicable condition set forth in Section 2.11(b)
shall have been satisfied.

                  (iii)  Expiration  Date. Each Tranche A Letter of Credit shall
expire  at the  close of  business  on a date no later  than  the  Business  Day
immediately preceding the Tranche A Maturity Date. No Tranche A Letter of Credit
shall be issued (nor shall any Tranche A Letter of Credit be amended, renewed or
extended) if (except as contemplated by Section 2.11(b)(iii)) it would result in
the Tranche A Exposure exceeding the Total Tranche A Reimbursement Commitment in
effect at such time.

                  (iv) Participations.  By the issuance of a Tranche A Letter of
Credit and without any further  action on the part of the Fronting  Bank issuing
such  Letter of Credit or the  Lenders,  such  Fronting  Bank will grant to each
Tranche A Lender,  and each such Lender will acquire from such Fronting  Bank, a
participation  in such  Letter  of  Credit  equal  to such  Lender's  Applicable
Percentage  of the aggregate  amount  available to be drawn under such Letter of
Credit,  effective upon the issuance of such Letter of Credit.  In consideration
and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Tranche A Lender hereby absolutely and
unconditionally  agrees to pay to the  Administrative  Agent, for the account of
such Fronting Bank,  such Lender's  Applicable  Percentage of each Tranche A L/C
Disbursement  made by such  Fronting  Bank under  such  Letter of Credit and not
reimbursed  by the  Borrower or the relevant  Credit  Party (or, if  applicable,
another party pursuant to its  obligations  under any other Loan Document) on or
before the next Business Day as provided in paragraph (v) below.  Each Tranche A
Lender  acknowledges  and agrees that its  obligation to acquire  participations
pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Tranche A Letters of Credit is absolute
and  unconditional  and shall not be  affected by any  circumstance  whatsoever,
including the  occurrence  and  continuance of a Default or an Event of Default,
and  that  each  such  payment  shall be made  without  any  offset,  abatement,
withholding or reduction whatsoever.


                                      -61-
<PAGE>


                  (v) Reimbursement. If a Fronting Bank shall make any Tranche A
L/C Disbursement in respect of a Tranche A Letter of Credit, the Borrower or the
Credit  Party  that is  account  party  under  such  Letter of Credit  shall pay
(including  by  the  borrowing  of  Tranche  A   Reimbursement   Loans)  to  the
Administrative  Agent, on or before the Business Day  immediately  following the
date of such Tranche A L/C  Disbursement,  an amount equal to such Tranche A L/C
Disbursement.  If the Borrower or such Credit Party shall fail to pay any amount
required to be paid under this  paragraph on or before such  Business Day (or to
cause payment thereof when due pursuant to a Tranche A Reimbursement Borrowing),
then (A) such unpaid amount shall bear interest, for each day from and including
such  Business  Day to but  excluding  the date of payment,  at a rate per annum
equal to the interest  rate  applicable  to overdue ABR Loans that are Tranche A
Reimbursement  Loans  pursuant to Section 2.07  (PROVIDED  that the 2.00% margin
applicable to overdue Loans shall not be applicable until the first Business Day
after the Borrower receives notice from the  Administrative  Agent that such L/C
Disbursement  has been or will be  made),  (B) the  Administrative  Agent  shall
notify such Fronting Bank and the Tranche A Lenders thereof,  (C) each Tranche A
Lender  shall  comply with its  obligation  under  paragraph  (iv) above by wire
transfer  of  immediately  available  funds,  in the same  manner as provided in
Section  2.02(c) with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section  2.02(d)
shall  apply,  mutatis  mutandis,  to the payment  obligations  of the Tranche A
Lenders) and (D) the  Administrative  Agent shall  promptly pay to such Fronting
Bank  amounts so received by it from the Tranche A Lenders.  The  Administrative
Agent shall  promptly pay to each  applicable  Fronting Bank on a pro rata basis
with respect to outstanding  Tranche A L/C Disbursements any amounts received by
it from the Borrower or any other Credit Party pursuant to this paragraph  prior
to the time that any Tranche A Lender  makes any payment  pursuant to  paragraph
(iv) above;  any such amounts  received by the  Administrative  Agent thereafter
shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative  Agent to the Tranche A Lenders
that shall have made such payments and to such Fronting Bank, as their interests
may appear.

                  (b) Revolving Letters of Credit. (i) General. The Borrower may
request  the  issuance  of a Revolving  Letter of Credit,  in a form  reasonably
acceptable  to  the  Administrative   Agent  and  the  relevant  Fronting  Bank,
appropriately  completed,  for the account of the Borrower or, at the Borrower's
option,  another specified Credit Party, at any time and from time to time while
the Revolving Credit  Commitments  remain in effect.  This Section 2.20(b) shall
not be construed  to impose an  obligation  upon any Fronting  Bank to issue any
Revolving Letter of Credit that is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of
this  Agreement  or that  would  result in (A) its having  Revolving  Letters of
Credit in an aggregate  stated amount at any time  outstanding in excess of such
Fronting Bank's Revolving L/C Commitment set forth opposite its name on Schedule
2.20 or (B) there existing  Revolving  Letters of Credit in an aggregate  stated
amount at any time in excess of $200,000,000.


                                      -62-
<PAGE>

                  (ii)  Notice  of  Issuance,   Amendment,  Renewal,  Extension;
Certain  Conditions.  In order to request the issuance of a Revolving  Letter of
Credit (or to request  that a Fronting  Bank amend,  renew or extend an existing
Revolving Letter of Credit),  the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy to the
applicable Fronting Bank and the Administrative  Agent (reasonably in advance of
the  requested  date of  issuance,  amendment,  renewal or  extension)  a notice
requesting the issuance of such Revolving  Letter of Credit,  or identifying any
Revolving  Letter of Credit to be amended,  renewed or extended,  and specifying
the date of issuance,  amendment,  renewal or extension,  the date on which such
Revolving Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (iii)
below),  the amount of such  Revolving  Letter of Credit to be issued,  amended,
renewed or extended,  the name and address of the account  party (which shall be
the  Borrower or another  Credit  Party,  as selected by the  Borrower)  and the
beneficiary  thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare
such Revolving  Letter of Credit or grant such issuance,  amendment,  renewal or
extension.  Following  receipt  of  such  notice  and  prior  to  the  issuance,
amendment,   renewal  or  extension  of  any  Revolving  Letter  of  Credit  the
Administrative  Agent shall notify the Borrower and the applicable Fronting Bank
of the amount of the Aggregate  Revolving Credit Exposure after giving effect to
(A) the issuance,  amendment,  renewal or extension of such Revolving  Letter of
Credit,  (B) the issuance or expiration of any other Revolving  Letter of Credit
that is to be issued or will expire prior to the  requested  date of issuance of
such  Revolving  Letter of Credit  and (C) the  borrowing  or  repayment  of any
Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans that (based upon notices delivered to
the Administrative  Agent by the Borrower) are to be borrowed or repaid prior to
the  requested  date of  issuance  of such  Revolving  Letters of  Credit.  Each
Revolving Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended subject
to the terms and conditions and relying on the representations and warranties of
UCAR and the  Borrower  set  forth  herein,  and in any case  only if,  and upon
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Revolving Letter of Credit the
Borrower  shall be deemed to represent and warrant that,  after giving effect to
such issuance,  amendment,  renewal or extension the Aggregate  Revolving Credit
Exposure  shall not exceed the Total  Revolving  Credit  Commitment in effect at
such time.

                  (iii)  Expiration  Date. Each Revolving Letter of Credit shall
expire at the close of  business  on the  earlier of the date one year after the
date of the  issuance  of such  Revolving  Letter of Credit and the date that is
three Business Days prior to the Revolving  Credit  Maturity  Date,  unless such
Revolving  Letter of Credit  expires by its terms on an earlier  date;  PROVIDED
that a  Revolving  Letter of Credit  shall not be issued  (nor shall a Revolving
Letter of Credit be  amended,  renewed or  extended)  that  would  result in the
Aggregate  Revolving  Credit  Exposure  exceeding  the  Total  Revolving  Credit
Commitment in effect at such time.  Compliance with the foregoing  proviso shall
be determined based upon the assumption that (A) each Revolving Letter of Credit
remains  outstanding  and  undrawn  in  accordance  with  its  terms  until  its
expiration  date (taking into account any rights of renewal or extension that do
not


                                      -63-
<PAGE>

require  written  notice  by or  consent  of any  Fronting  Bank,  in  its  sole
discretion,  in order to effect such renewal or extension) and (B) the Revolving
Credit Commitments will not be reduced pursuant to Section 2.09.

                  (iv) Participations.  By the issuance of a Revolving Letter of
Credit and without any further  action on the part of the Fronting  Bank issuing
such Letter of Credit or the Revolving  Credit Lenders,  such Fronting Bank will
grant to each Revolving  Credit  Lender,  and each such Lender will acquire from
such Fronting Bank, a participation  in such Revolving Letter of Credit equal to
such Revolving  Credit Lender's  Applicable  Percentage of the aggregate  amount
available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit,  effective  upon the issuance
of such Revolving Letter of Credit.  In consideration  and in furtherance of the
foregoing,  each Revolving Credit Lender hereby  absolutely and  unconditionally
agrees to pay to the  Administrative  Agent,  for the  account of such  Fronting
Bank, such Revolving Credit Lender's Applicable Percentage of each Revolving L/C
Disbursement  made by such  Fronting  Bank under  such  Letter of Credit and not
reimbursed by the Borrower  (or, if  applicable,  another party  pursuant to its
obligations under any other Loan Document) on or before the next Business Day as
PROVIDED in paragraph (v) below.  Each Revolving Credit Lender  acknowledges and
agrees that its obligation to acquire participations  pursuant to this paragraph
in respect of  Revolving  Letters of Credit is absolute  and  unconditional  and
shall not be affected by any circumstance  whatsoever,  including the occurrence
and continuance of a Default or an Event of Default,  and that each such payment
shall  be  made  without  any  offset,   abatement,   withholding  or  reduction
whatsoever.

                  (v) Reimbursement. If a Fronting Bank shall make any Revolving
L/C Disbursement in respect of a Revolving Letter of Credit, the Borrower or the
Credit Party that is account  party under such Letter of Credit shall pay to the
Administrative  Agent, on or before the Business Day  immediately  following the
date of such Revolving L/C  Disbursement,  an amount equal to such Revolving L/C
Disbursement.  If the Borrower or such Credit Party shall fail to pay any amount
required to be paid under this  paragraph on or before such  Business Day (or to
cause payment thereof when due pursuant to a Revolving Credit  Borrowing),  then
(A) such unpaid amount shall bear interest, for each day from and including such
Business Day to but excluding the date of payment,  at a rate per annum equal to
the interest  rate  applicable  to overdue ABR Loans that are  Revolving  Credit
Loans  pursuant to Section 2.07  (PROVIDED  that the 2.00% margin  applicable to
overdue  Loans shall not be  applicable  until the first  Business Day after the
Borrower   receives  notice  from  the   Administrative   Agent  that  such  L/C
Disbursement  has been or will be  made),  (B) the  Administrative  Agent  shall
notify such Fronting Bank and the Revolving  Credit  Lenders  thereof,  (C) each
Revolving  Credit Lender shall comply with its obligation  under  paragraph (iv)
above by wire transfer of  immediately  available  funds,  in the same manner as
provided in Section 2.02(c) with respect to Loans made by such Revolving  Credit
Lender (and Section 2.02(d) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the


                                      -64-
<PAGE>

payment  obligations of the Revolving Credit Lenders) and (D) the Administrative
Agent shall  promptly pay to such  Fronting  Bank amounts so received by it from
the Revolving  Credit Lenders.  The  Administrative  Agent shall promptly pay to
each  applicable  Fronting Bank on a pro rata basis with respect to  outstanding
Revolving L/C  Disbursements any amounts received by it from the Borrower or any
other  Credit  Party  pursuant  to this  paragraph  prior to the  time  that any
Revolving  Credit Lender makes any payment pursuant to paragraph (iv) above; any
such amounts received by the  Administrative  Agent thereafter shall be promptly
remitted by the Administrative  Agent to the Revolving Credit Lenders that shall
have made such  payments  and to such  Fronting  Bank,  as their  interests  may
appear.

                  (c) Obligations Absolute.  The Borrower's and the other Credit
Parties'  obligations to reimburse L/C  Disbursements  as provided in paragraphs
(a) and (b) above shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be
performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, under any and
all circumstances whatsoever, and irrespective of:

                  (i) any lack of  validity or  enforceability  of any Letter of
         Credit or any Loan Document, or any term or provision therein;

                  (ii) any  amendment  or waiver of or any consent to  departure
         from all or any of the  provisions  of any Letter of Credit or any Loan
         Document;

                  (iii) the  existence  of any claim,  setoff,  defense or other
         right  that the  Borrower,  any other  Credit  Party,  any other  party
         guaranteeing,  or otherwise  obligated  with,  the Borrower,  any other
         Credit Party,  any Subsidiary or other  Affiliate  thereof or any other
         person may at any time have against the beneficiary under any Letter of
         Credit,  any  Fronting  Bank,  the  Administrative  Agent or any Lender
         (other than the defense of payment in accordance with the terms of this
         Agreement  or a  defense  based  on  the  gross  negligence  or  wilful
         misconduct  of the  applicable  Fronting  Bank)  or any  other  person,
         whether in connection with this  Agreement,  any other Loan Document or
         any other related or unrelated agreement or transaction;

                  (iv) any draft or other document  presented  under a Letter of
         Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any
         respect or any  statement  therein  being untrue or  inaccurate  in any
         respect;  PROVIDED that payment by the  applicable  Fronting Bank shall
         not have  constituted  gross  negligence  or wilful  misconduct of such
         Fronting Bank;

                  (v)  payment  by any  Fronting  Bank  under a Letter of Credit
         against  presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply
         with the terms of such Letter of Credit;  PROVIDED  that payment by the
         applicable Fronting


                                      -65-
<PAGE>


         Bank shall not have constituted  gross negligence or wilful  misconduct
         of such Fronting Bank;

                  (vi) nonpayment by any other Fronting Bank for any reason; and

                  (vii) any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind of
         any Fronting Bank, the Lenders,  the Administrative  Agent or any other
         person or any other event or  circumstance  whatsoever,  whether or not
         similar to any of the foregoing,  that might, but for the provisions of
         this Section 2.20(c),  constitute a legal or equitable discharge of the
         Borrower's or any other Credit Party's obligations hereunder;  PROVIDED
         that such act or omission shall not have  constituted  gross negligence
         or wilful misconduct of such Fronting Bank.

                  (d)  Disbursement   Procedures.   Each  Fronting  Bank  shall,
promptly  following its receipt  thereof,  examine all  documents  purporting to
represent  a demand for payment  under a Letter of Credit.  Such  Fronting  Bank
shall as  promptly  as  possible  give  telephonic  notification,  confirmed  by
telecopy,  to the  Administrative  Agent and the  Borrower  of such  demand  for
payment and whether such Fronting Bank has made or will make an L/C Disbursement
thereunder;  PROVIDED  that any  failure to give or delay in giving  such notice
shall not relieve the Borrower or any other Credit  Party of its  obligation  to
reimburse  such  Fronting  Bank and the  Lenders  with  respect  to any such L/C
Disbursement. The Administrative Agent shall promptly give each Tranche A Lender
or Revolving Credit Lender, as applicable, notice thereof.

                  (e) Interim Interest.  If any Fronting Bank shall make any L/C
Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit,  then, unless the Borrower or the
Credit Party that is account  party under such Letter of Credit shall  reimburse
such L/C Disbursement in full on such date, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear
interest for the account of such Fronting  Bank, for each day from and including
the date of such L/C  Disbursement,  to but excluding the earlier of the date of
payment  or the date on which  interest  shall  commence  to accrue  thereon  as
provided  in  subparagraph  (a)(v) or (b)(v)  above,  at the rate per annum that
would apply to such amount if such amount were an ABR Loan.

                  (f)  Liability of the  Fronting  Banks.  Without  limiting the
generality of paragraph (c) above,  it is expressly  understood  and agreed that
the absolute and  unconditional  obligation of the Borrower and the other Credit
Parties  hereunder to  reimburse  L/C  Disbursements  will not be excused by the
gross negligence or wilful  misconduct of any Fronting Bank, except as otherwise
expressly  provided in said  paragraph (c).  However,  nothing in this Agreement
shall be construed to excuse any Fronting Bank from liability to the Borrower or
any other  Credit  Party to the  extent of any  direct  damages  (as  opposed to
consequential  damages,  claims in  respect  of which are  hereby  waived by the
Borrower and the other Credit Parties to the extent


                                      -66-
<PAGE>

permitted by applicable  law) suffered by the Borrower or any other Credit Party
that are caused by such Fronting Bank's gross negligence or wilful misconduct in
determining  whether  drafts  and other  documents  presented  under a Letter of
Credit comply with the terms thereof.  It is understood  that each Fronting Bank
may  accept  documents  that  appear  on  their  face  to be in  order,  without
responsibility for further  investigation in making any payment under any Letter
of Credit and, except as otherwise expressly provided in said paragraph (c), (i)
such Fronting Bank's exclusive  reliance on the documents  presented to it under
such  Letter of Credit as to any and all matters  set forth  therein,  including
reliance  on the  amount of any draft  presented  under  such  Letter of Credit,
whether or not the amount due to the beneficiary thereunder equals the amount of
such draft and whether or not any document  presented pursuant to such Letter of
Credit proves to be  insufficient  in any respect,  if such document on its face
appears  to be in order,  and  whether or not any other  statement  or any other
document  presented  pursuant  to such  Letter of Credit  proves to be forged or
invalid  or any  statement  therein  proves  to be  inaccurate  or untrue in any
respect  whatsoever and (ii) any noncompliance in any immaterial  respect of the
documents presented under such Letter of Credit with the terms thereof shall, in
each case, be deemed not to constitute  wilful misconduct or gross negligence of
such Fronting Bank.

                  (g)  Resignation  or Removal of a Fronting  Bank. Any Fronting
Bank may  resign at any time by giving  180 days'  prior  written  notice to the
Administrative  Agent,  the Lenders and the Borrower,  and may be removed at any
time by the Borrower by notice to such Fronting Bank, the  Administrative  Agent
and the Lenders,  subject in each case to the  appointment  by the Borrower of a
replacement Fronting Bank reasonably  satisfactory to the Administrative  Agent,
PROVIDED,  that (i) The Chase  Manhattan  Bank shall not resign as Fronting Bank
hereunder  for any  reason  other  than  compliance  with  applicable  legal and
regulatory requirements and (ii) no Fronting Bank may resign as to any Letter of
Credit previously issued by it. Subject to the next succeeding sentences of this
paragraph  (g),  upon the  acceptance  of any  appointment  as the Fronting Bank
hereunder by a successor  Fronting  Bank,  such  successor  shall succeed to and
become vested with all the  interests,  rights and  obligations  of the retiring
Fronting  Bank and the  retiring  Fronting  Bank  shall be  discharged  from its
obligations to issue additional Letters of Credit hereunder to the extent of the
commitment of the successor  Fronting Bank to provide Letters of Credit.  At the
time such removal or resignation  shall become  effective,  the Borrower or each
Credit Party that is account  party under any Letter of Credit of such  Fronting
Bank shall pay all  accrued and unpaid fees of such  Fronting  Bank  pursuant to
Section  2.05(b)(ii).  The  acceptance  of  any  appointment  as  Fronting  Bank
hereunder  by a  successor  Fronting  Bank shall be  evidenced  by an  agreement
entered into by such successor,  in a form  satisfactory to the Borrower and the
Administrative  Agent, and, from and after the effective date of such agreement,
(i) such  successor  Fronting Bank shall have all the rights and  obligations of
its predecessor  Fronting Bank under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
and (ii) references herein and in the other


                                      -67-
<PAGE>

Loan  Documents  to the term  "Fronting  Bank"  shall be deemed to refer to such
successor or to such  predecessor  Fronting  Bank, or to such  successor and all
predecessor and current Fronting Banks, as the context shall require.  After the
resignation or removal of a Fronting Bank hereunder, such retiring Fronting Bank
shall  remain a party  hereto  and shall  continue  to have all the  rights  and
obligations of a Fronting Bank under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
with  respect  to Letters of Credit  issued by it prior to such  resignation  or
removal, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

                  (h) Cash  Collateralization.  If any  Event of  Default  shall
occur and be continuing, the Borrower and the other Credit Parties shall, on the
Business Day the Borrower receives notice from the  Administrative  Agent or the
Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Tranche
A Lenders or Revolving Credit Lenders, as applicable,  holding participations in
outstanding  Letters of Credit  representing a majority of the aggregate undrawn
amount of all  outstanding  Tranche A Letters of Credit or Revolving  Letters of
Credit, as applicable) thereof and of the amount to be deposited,  deposit in an
account with the Collateral  Agent,  for the benefit of the Tranche A Lenders or
Revolving  Credit Lenders,  as applicable,  an aggregate amount in cash equal to
the Tranche A L/C Exposure or Revolving L/C Exposure, as applicable,  as of such
date; PROVIDED,  that no Credit Party that is a foreign Subsidiary shall deposit
any amount in excess of the portion of the Tranche A L/C  Exposure or  Revolving
L/C Exposure in respect of which foreign Credit Parties are the account  parties
and such deposited  amount shall serve to secure only the obligations of foreign
Credit  Parties in respect of such portion.  If requested by the  Borrower,  the
Administrative  Agent will create separate  collateral  accounts for each Credit
Party or take  any  other  action,  at the sole  cost of the  Borrower,  that is
reasonably  requested  to  avoid  taxes.  Such  deposit  shall  be  held  by the
Collateral   Agent  as  collateral  for  the  payment  and  performance  of  the
Obligations.  The Collateral  Agent shall have  exclusive  dominion and control,
including the exclusive right of withdrawal,  over such account.  Other than any
interest  earned on the  investment of such  deposits in Permitted  Investments,
which  investments  shall  be made at the  option  and  sole  discretion  of the
Collateral  Agent  (PROVIDED  that the  Collateral  Agent  shall use  reasonable
efforts  to make such  investments),  such  deposits  shall  not bear  interest.
Interest  or profits,  if any,  on such  investments  shall  accumulate  in such
account.  Moneys in such  account  shall (a)  automatically  be  applied  by the
Administrative  Agent to reimburse  the  Fronting  Banks on a pro rata basis for
Tranche A L/C Disbursements or Revolving L/C Disbursements, as applicable, which
have not been reimbursed,  (b) be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement
obligations  of the Borrower and the other Credit  Parties for the Tranche A L/C
Exposure or Revolving L/C Exposure,  as  applicable,  and (c) if the maturity of
the Loans has been  accelerated (but subject to the consent of Tranche A Lenders
or  Revolving  Credit  Lenders,   as  applicable,   holding   participations  in
outstanding  Letters of Credit  representing  greater than 50% of the  aggregate
undrawn  amount of all  outstanding  Tranche A  Letters  of Credit or  Revolving
Letters of Credit,


                                      -68-
<PAGE>

as applicable),  be applied to satisfy the Obligations.  If the Borrower and the
other  Credit  Parties  are  required  to provide  an amount of cash  collateral
hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default,  such amount (to
the extent not applied as  aforesaid)  shall be returned to the Borrower and the
other Credit Parties within three Business Days after all Events of Default have
been cured or waived.

                  (i) Additional Fronting Banks. From time to time, the Borrower
may by notice to the Administrative  Agent designate  additional  Fronting Banks
reasonably  satisfactory to the Administrative  Agent. Such additional  Fronting
Banks  shall  execute a  counterpart  of this  Agreement  upon  approval  of the
Administrative  Agent  (which  shall  not be  unreasonably  withheld)  and shall
thereafter  be Fronting  Banks  hereunder  for all  purposes  and shall have the
Tranche A L/C Commitment or Revolving L/C Commitment noted under their signature
and, if applicable,  the Tranche A L/C Commitment or Revolving L/C Commitment of
any other  Fronting Bank shall be reduced by the amount or amounts  specified to
the  Administrative   Agent  and  each  affected  Fronting  Bank  and  delivered
concurrently with any notice of designation of an additional Fronting Bank.


                                   ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                         ------------------------------

                  Each of UCAR and the Borrower  represents and warrants to each
of the Lenders that:

                  SECTION 3.01. ORGANIZATION; POWERS. Each of UCAR, the Borrower
and  each of the  Subsidiaries  (a) is a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly
existing and in good  standing  (or, if  applicable  in a foreign  jurisdiction,
enjoys the equivalent  status under the laws of any jurisdiction of organization
outside  the  United  States)  under  the  laws  of  the   jurisdiction  of  its
organization,  (b) has all requisite power and authority to own its property and
assets and to carry on its  business  as now  conducted  and as  proposed  to be
conducted,  (c) is  qualified  to do business in every  jurisdiction  where such
qualification  is  required,  except  where the failure so to qualify  could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material  Adverse Effect,  and (d) has the
corporate  power and authority to execute,  deliver and perform its  obligations
under  each of the  Loan  Documents  and  each  other  agreement  or  instrument
contemplated  thereby to which it is or will be a party and,  in the case of the
Borrower, to borrow and otherwise obtain credit hereunder.

                  SECTION  3.02.  AUTHORIZATION.  The  execution,  delivery  and
performance  by UCAR,  the  Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  of each of the Loan
Documents  and  the  borrowings   hereunder,   the  Refinancing  and  the  other
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (collectively,  the "Transactions")
(a) have been duly

                                      -69-
<PAGE>

authorized by all corporate and  stockholder  action  required to be obtained by
UCAR,  the  Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  and (b) will not (i) violate (A) any
provision of any law,  statute,  rule or  regulation  or of the  certificate  or
articles of  incorporation or other  constitutive  documents or by-laws of UCAR,
the Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  (B) any  applicable  order of any court or any
rule, regulation or order of any Governmental  Authority or (C) any provision of
any  indenture,  certificate of designation  for preferred  stock,  agreement or
other  instrument to which UCAR, the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party or by
which  any of them  or any of  their  property  is or may be  bound,  (ii) be in
conflict  with,  result in a breach of or  constitute  (alone or with  notice or
lapse of time or  both) a  default  under  any such  indenture,  certificate  of
designation for preferred stock,  agreement or other instrument,  where any such
conflict, violation, breach or default referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this
Section 3.02,  individually or in the aggregate could  reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of
any Lien upon or with  respect to any  property or assets now owned or hereafter
acquired by UCAR, the Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  other than the Liens created
by the Loan Documents.

                  SECTION  3.03.  ENFORCEABILITY.  This  Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by UCAR,  the Borrower and each other Loan Party which is
party hereto and  constitutes,  and each other Loan  Document  when executed and
delivered by UCAR, the Borrower and each other Loan Party which is party thereto
will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of UCAR, the Borrower and
such Loan Party  enforceable  against UCAR,  the Borrower and such Loan Party in
accordance  with  its  terms,   except  as  enforceability  may  be  limited  by
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  moratorium,   reorganization  or  other  similar  laws
affecting  creditors'  rights  generally  and  except as  enforceability  may be
limited  by  general   principles   of  equity   (regardless   of  whether  such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

                  SECTION 3.04.  GOVERNMENTAL  APPROVALS.  No action, consent or
approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental
Authority is or will be required in connection with the Transactions, except for
(a) the filing of Uniform  Commercial  Code financing  statements and equivalent
filings in foreign jurisdictions under the Local Facility Credit Agreements, (b)
such as have been made or obtained and are in full force and effect and (c) such
actions,  consents and  approvals  the failure to obtain or make which could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION  3.05.  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS.   UCAR  has  heretofore
furnished  to the  Lenders  its  consolidated  balance  sheets and  consolidated
statements of operations,  cash flows and stockholders' equity as of and for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996,  audited by and  accompanied by the opinion
of KPMG  Peat  Marwick  LLP,  independent  public  accountants.  Such  financial
statements present


                                      -70-
<PAGE>

fairly  the  financial  condition  and  results  of  operations  of UCAR and its
consolidated  Subsidiaries  as of such  dates  and for such  periods.  Except as
disclosed  in the  Information  Memorandum,  none of UCAR,  the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries  has or  shall  have  as of the  Effectiveness  Date  any  material
Guarantee,  contingent  liability or liability for taxes, or any long-term lease
or unusual  forward or long-term  commitment,  including  any  interest  rate or
foreign  currency hedging  transaction,  which is not reflected in the foregoing
statements or the notes  thereto.  Such  financial  statements  were prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis.

                  SECTION 3.06. NO MATERIAL  ADVERSE  CHANGE.  There has been no
material adverse change in the assets, business, properties, financial condition
or results of operations of UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries,  taken as a
whole, since December 31, 1996.

                  SECTION 3.07.  TITLE TO PROPERTIES;  POSSESSION  UNDER LEASES.
(a) Each of UCAR,  the Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  has good and  marketable
title  to,  or valid  leasehold  interests  in, or  easements  or other  limited
property interests in, all its material properties and assets,  except for minor
defects in title that do not interfere  with its ability to conduct its business
as  currently  conducted  or to  utilize  such  properties  and assets for their
intended purposes. All such material properties and assets are free and clear of
Liens, other than Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02.

                  (b)  Each of  UCAR,  the  Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  has
complied with all obligations  under all material leases to which it is a party,
except where the failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and
all such leases are in full force and effect,  except leases in respect of which
the failure to be in full force and effect could not  reasonably  be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.  Each of UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries
enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all such material leases, other
than leases which,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  are not material to the
Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  and in respect of which the
failure to enjoy  peaceful and  undisturbed  possession  could not reasonably be
expected to,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  result in a Material  Adverse
Effect.

                  (c) Each of UCAR,  the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  owns or
possesses,  or could obtain  ownership or possession of, on terms not materially
adverse to it, all patents, trademarks,  service marks, trade names, copyrights,
licenses and rights with respect  thereto  necessary for the present  conduct of
its business,  without any known  conflict  with the rights of others,  and free
from any burdensome  restrictions,  except where such conflicts and restrictions
could not,  individually  or in the aggregate,  reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.


                                      -71-
<PAGE>


                  SECTION 3.08. SUBSIDIARIES. (a) Schedule 3.08 sets forth as of
the  Effectiveness  Date the  name and  jurisdiction  of  incorporation  of each
Subsidiary  and, as to each such  Subsidiary,  the  percentage  of each class of
Capital Stock owned by the Borrower or by any Subsidiary.

                  (b) As of the  Effectiveness  Date,  there are no  outstanding
subscriptions,   options,   warrants,  calls,  rights  or  other  agreements  or
commitments  (other than stock  options  granted to  employees,  consultants  or
directors  and  directors'  qualifying  shares)  of any nature  relating  to any
Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, except under the Loan Documents
or as set forth on Schedule 3.08.

                  SECTION 3.09. LITIGATION;  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. (a) Except as
set  forth in  Schedule  3.09,  there  are not any  material  actions,  suits or
proceedings at law or in equity or by or before any  Governmental  Authority now
pending or, to the  knowledge of the Borrower,  threatened  against or affecting
UCAR, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any business,  property or rights of any
such person (i) which  involve  any Loan  Document  or, as of the  Effectiveness
Date, the Transactions or (ii) as to which there is a reasonable  possibility of
an adverse determination and which, if adversely determined, could, individually
or in the  aggregate,  reasonably  be expected  to result in a Material  Adverse
Effect.

                  (b) None of UCAR,  the Borrower,  the  Subsidiaries  and their
respective  material  properties  or  assets  is in  violation  of (nor will the
continued  operation  of their  material  properties  and  assets  as  currently
conducted  violate) any law, rule or  regulation  (including  any  Environmental
Law), or is in default with respect to any judgment,  writ, injunction or decree
of any Governmental Authority,  where such violation or default could reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 3.10.  AGREEMENTS.  (a) None of UCAR, the Borrower and
the  Subsidiaries  is a party to any  agreement or  instrument or subject to any
corporate  restriction  that has  resulted  or could  reasonably  be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (b) None of UCAR,  the  Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  is in
default in any manner under any provision of any indenture or other agreement or
instrument  evidencing   Indebtedness,   or  any  other  material  agreement  or
instrument  to which it is a party  or by which it or any of its  properties  or
assets are or may be bound,  in either case where such default could  reasonably
be expected to result in a Material  Adverse  Effect.  Immediately  after giving
effect to the  Refinancing,  no Default or Event of Default  shall have occurred
and be continuing.

                  SECTION 3.11. FEDERAL RESERVE  REGULATIONS.  (a) None of UCAR,
the  Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  is engaged  principally,  or as one of its
important


                                      -72-
<PAGE>

activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying Margin Stock.

                  (b) No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used,  whether
directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, (i)
to purchase or carry Margin Stock or to extend  credit to others for the purpose
of  purchasing  or carrying  Margin Stock or to refund  indebtedness  originally
incurred for such purpose, or (ii) for any purpose which entails a violation of,
or which is  inconsistent  with, the provisions of the Regulations of the Board,
including Regulation G, U or X.

                  SECTION 3.12.  INVESTMENT  COMPANY ACT; PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING
COMPANY  ACT.  None  of  UCAR,  the  Borrower  and  the  Subsidiaries  is (a) an
"investment  company"  as  defined  in, or  subject  to  regulation  under,  the
Investment  Company  Act of 1940 or (b) a "holding  company"  as defined  in, or
subject to regulation under, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

                  SECTION  3.13.  USE OF  PROCEEDS.  The  Borrower  will use the
proceeds of the Loans and will  request  the  issuance of Letters of Credit only
for the purposes specified in the preamble to this Agreement.

                  SECTION  3.14.  TAX RETURNS.  For the period prior to February
25, 1991, all Federal and certain other  material  income tax returns which were
required  to be  filed  with  respect  to UCAR  and its  subsidiaries  or  their
respective   predecessors  were  filed  by  Union  Carbide  Corporation  or  its
subsidiaries  (other  than  UCAR  and  its  subsidiaries,  or  their  respective
predecessors) on a consolidated,  combined or unitary basis. Except as stated in
the preceding  sentence,  each of UCAR,  the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  has
timely filed or caused to be timely filed all  Federal,  and all material  state
and local,  tax returns required to have been filed by it and has paid or caused
to be  paid  all  taxes  shown  thereon  to be due  and  payable  by it and  all
assessments  in excess of  $2,000,000  in the  aggregate  received by it, except
taxes or  assessments  that are being  contested  in good  faith by  appropriate
proceedings  in accordance  with Section 5.03 and for which the Borrower has set
aside on its books adequate reserves and taxes, assessments,  charges, levies or
claims in respect of property  taxes for property  that UCAR,  the Borrower or a
Subsidiary  has  determined  to abandon  where the sole  recourse  for such tax,
assessment,  charge,  levy or  claim  is to such  property.  Each of  UCAR,  the
Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  has paid in full or made adequate  provision (in
accordance  with  GAAP) for the  payment  of all taxes due with  respect  to all
periods ending on or before the Effectiveness  Date, which taxes, if not paid or
adequately provided for, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14, as of the Effectiveness Date, with
respect to each of UCAR,  the  Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries,  (a) no material
claims are being asserted in writing with respect to any taxes, (b) no presently
effective  waivers or extensions of statutes of limitation with respect to taxes
have been given or requested, (c) no tax returns are being examined by, and no


                                      -73-
<PAGE>

written  notification  of  intention  to examine  has been  received  from,  the
Internal  Revenue  Service  or,  with  respect  to any  material  potential  tax
liability,  any other taxing authority and (d) no currently  pending issues have
been raised in writing by the Internal  Revenue  Service or, with respect to any
material  potential  tax  liability,  any other taxing  authority.  For purposes
hereof,  "taxes"  shall mean any  present or future  tax,  levy,  impost,  duty,
charge,  assessment  or fee of any nature  (including  interest,  penalties  and
additions thereto) that is imposed by any Governmental Authority.

                  SECTION  3.15.  NO  MATERIAL  MISSTATEMENTS.  (a) The  written
information,  reports, financial statements, exhibits and schedules furnished by
or on  behalf  of  UCAR,  the  Borrower  or  any  of  the  Subsidiaries  to  the
Administrative  Agent or any Lender in connection  with the  negotiation  of any
Loan Document or included therein or delivered  pursuant thereto  (including the
Confidential   Information  Memorandum  (the  "Information   Memorandum")  dated
February 1997 relating to UCAR), when taken as a whole, did not contain,  and as
they may be  amended,  supplemented  or  modified  from  time to time,  will not
contain, as of the Effectiveness Date any material  misstatement of fact and did
not omit,  and as they may be amended,  supplemented  or  modified  from time to
time,  will not omit,  to state as of the  Effectiveness  Date any material fact
necessary  to make the  statements  therein,  in the light of the  circumstances
under which they were, are or will be made,  not materially  misleading in their
presentation of the Refinancing or of UCAR, the Borrower,  and the  Subsidiaries
taken as a whole.

                  (b) All financial  projections  concerning  UCAR, the Borrower
and the Subsidiaries that are or have been made available to the  Administrative
Agent or any Lender by UCAR,  the Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  including  those
contained in the Information Memorandum,  unless otherwise disclosed,  have been
or will be prepared in good faith  based upon  assumptions  believed by UCAR and
the Borrower to be reasonable.

                  SECTION  3.16.  EMPLOYEE  BENEFIT  PLANS.  Each of  UCAR,  the
Borrower  and  the  ERISA  Affiliates  is  in  compliance  with  the  applicable
provisions  of ERISA and the  provisions  of the Code  relating to ERISA and the
regulations and published interpretations  thereunder and any similar applicable
non-U.S.  law  except  for such  noncompliance  which  could not  reasonably  be
expected  to  result in a  Material  Adverse  Effect.  No  Reportable  Event has
occurred as to which UCAR,  the Borrower or any ERISA  Affiliate was required to
file a report  with the PBGC,  other  than  reports  for which the 30 day notice
requirement  is waived,  reports that have been filed and reports the failure of
which to file could not  reasonably be expected to result in a Material  Adverse
Effect.  As of  the  Effectiveness  Date,  the  present  value  of  all  benefit
liabilities under each Plan of UCAR, the Borrower and the ERISA Affiliates (on a
termination  basis and based on the actual  assumptions  used by such Plan under
Section  412 of  the  Code)  did  not,  as of the  last  annual  valuation  date
applicable  thereto  for which a  valuation  is  available,  exceed by more than
$7,500,000 the value


                                      -74-
<PAGE>

of the assets of such Plan, and the present value of all benefit  liabilities of
all underfunded  Plans (based on the actual  assumptions used by such Plan under
Section  412 of the  Code)  did  not,  as of the  last  annual  valuation  dates
applicable  thereto  for which  valuations  are  available,  exceed by more than
$15,000,000 the value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans. None of UCAR,
the  Borrower  and the ERISA  Affiliates  has  incurred or could  reasonably  be
expected to incur any Withdrawal  Liability that could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material  Adverse  Effect.  None of UCAR, the Borrower and the ERISA
Affiliates has received any written  notification that any Multiemployer Plan is
in  reorganization  or has been  terminated  within  the  meaning of Title IV of
ERISA, and no Multiemployer Plan is reasonably  expected to be in reorganization
or to be terminated,  where such  reorganization  or termination has resulted or
could reasonably be expected to result,  through  increases in the contributions
required to be made to such Plan or otherwise, in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 3.17.  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.  Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.17:

                  (a) There  has not been a Release  or  threatened  Release  of
Hazardous  Materials at, on, under or around the properties  currently  owned or
currently or formerly  operated by UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries  (the
"Properties") in amounts or concentrations which (i) constitute or constituted a
violation of Environmental  Laws,  except as could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material  Adverse Effect;  (ii) would reasonably be expected to give rise
to an  Environmental  Claim  which,  in any such  case or in the  aggregate,  is
reasonably  likely  to result  in a  Material  Adverse  Effect;  or (iii)  could
reasonably  be  expected to impair  materially  the fair  saleable  value of any
material Property;

                  (b) The  Properties  and all  operations of UCAR, the Borrower
and the  Subsidiaries  are in compliance,  and in all prior periods have been in
compliance, with all Environmental Laws, and all necessary Environmental Permits
have  been  obtained  and  are  in  effect,  except  to  the  extent  that  such
non-compliance or failure to obtain any necessary permits, in the aggregate, are
not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (c)  None of  UCAR,  the  Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  has
received any written  notice of an  Environmental  Claim in connection  with the
Properties or the operations of the Borrower or the  Subsidiaries or with regard
to any person whose liabilities for environmental  matters UCAR, the Borrower or
the Subsidiaries has retained or assumed, in whole or in part, contractually, by
operation of law or otherwise,  which,  in either such case or in the aggregate,
is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect;



                                      -75-
<PAGE>

                  (d) Hazardous  Materials  have not been  transported  from the
Properties,  nor have Hazardous  Materials been  generated,  treated,  stored or
disposed of at, on, under or around any of the Properties in a manner that could
reasonably  be expected to give rise to liability  of UCAR,  the Borrower or any
Subsidiary under any  Environmental  Law, nor have any of UCAR, the Borrower and
the Subsidiaries retained or assumed any liability,  contractually, by operation
of law or  otherwise,  with  respect to the  generation,  treatment,  storage or
disposal of Hazardous  Materials,  which,  in each case,  individually or in the
aggregate, is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (e) No Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for (i) any
liability  under any  Environmental  Law or (ii)  damages  arising from or costs
incurred by such  Governmental  Authority in response to a Release or threatened
Release of Hazardous  Materials  into the  environment  has been  recorded  with
respect to the Properties except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02; and

                  (f)  During  the  period  from the  date of the  environmental
assessment  report  prepared  by  ENVIRON  Corporation  in  connection  with the
Recapitalization  to the  Effectiveness  Date,  no event  has  occurred  or been
discovered,  no liability has been incurred and no Environmental  Claim has been
asserted  that,  had it been in  existence  at the time such  report was issued,
would have materially  adversely altered the conclusions  contained therein with
respect to the properties, activities and operations covered thereby.

                  SECTION 3.18.  CAPITALIZATION  OF UCAR AND THE  BORROWER.  The
authorized  Capital  Stock,  the  par  value  thereof  and  the  amount  of such
authorized  Capital  Stock  issued  and  outstanding  for  each of UCAR  and the
Borrower is set forth on Schedule 3.18 as of the Effectiveness  Date (except for
changes in  outstanding  common stock of UCAR due to exercises of employee stock
options in the ordinary course after February 28, 1997). All outstanding  shares
of Capital  Stock of the  Borrower are fully paid and  nonassessable,  are owned
beneficially  and of  record  by UCAR and are free and  clear of all  Liens  and
encumbrances whatsoever other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents.

                  SECTION  3.19.  SECURITY  DOCUMENTS.  The Pledge  Agreement is
effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of
the Secured Parties,  a legal,  valid and enforceable  security  interest in the
Collateral (as defined in the Pledge  Agreement) and, when the Pledged Stock (as
defined in the Pledge  Agreement) is delivered to the  Collateral  Agent (or, as
applicable in the case of Capital Stock of foreign  Subsidiaries,  the requisite
filings or registrations are made), the Pledge Agreement will constitute a fully
perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and
interest of the pledgors  thereunder in such Pledged  Stock,  in each case prior
and superior in right to any other person,  subject to the agreements  listed in
Schedule 3.08.


                                      -76-
<PAGE>

                  SECTION 3.20.  LABOR MATTERS.  Except as set forth in Schedule
3.20,  there are no strikes pending or threatened  against UCAR, the Borrower or
any Subsidiary  which,  individually  or in the aggregate,  could  reasonably be
expected to result in a Material  Adverse Effect.  The hours worked and payments
made to employees of UCAR,  the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  have not been in
violation in any material  respect of the Fair Labor  Standards Act or any other
applicable law dealing with such matters.  All material  payments due from UCAR,
the Borrower or any  Subsidiary or for which any claim may be made against UCAR,
the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  on account of wages and  employee  health and
welfare  insurance and other benefits,  have been paid or accrued as a liability
on the books of UCAR, the Borrower or such  Subsidiary to the extent required by
GAAP. None of the consummation of the Recapitalization,  the consummation of the
refinancing effected on October 1995 and the consummation of the Refinancing has
given or will give rise to a right of termination or right of  renegotiation  on
the part of any union under any collective  bargaining  agreement to which UCAR,
the Borrower or any Subsidiary (or any predecessor) is a party or by which UCAR,
the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  (or any  predecessor)  is bound,  other  than
collective  bargaining agreements which,  individually or in the aggregate,  are
not material to UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                  SECTION 3.21. NO FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATION  VIOLATION.
None of the Transactions will result in a violation of any of the foreign assets
control  regulations  of the  United  States  Treasury  Department,  31  C.F.R.,
Subtitle  B,  Chapter  V, as  amended  (including  the  Foreign  Assets  Control
Regulations,  the  Transaction  Control  Regulations,  the Cuban Assets  Control
Regulations,  the Foreign Funds Control Regulations,  the Iranian Assets Control
Regulations,  the  Nicaraguan  Trade  Control  Regulations,  the  South  African
Transactions Regulations, the Libyan Sanctions Regulations, the Soviet Gold Coin
Regulations, the Panamanian Transactions Regulations, the Kuwaiti Assets Control
Regulations and the Iraqi Sanctions Regulations contained in said Chapter V), or
any  ruling  issued  thereunder  or any  enabling  legislation  or  Presidential
Executive Order granting authority therefor,  nor will the proceeds of the Loans
be used by the Borrower in a manner that would violate any thereof.

                  SECTION 3.22.  INSURANCE.  Each of UCAR,  the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries  carries and  maintains  with respect to its  insurable  properties
insurance   (including,   to  the  extent   consistent   with  past   practices,
self-insurance)  with financially sound and reputable  insurers of the types, to
such extent and against such risks as is customary with companies in the same or
similar businesses.


                                      -77-
<PAGE>
                                  ARTICLE IV

                              CONDITIONS OF LENDING
                              ---------------------

                  The  obligations  of the  Lenders  to  make  Loans  and of the
Fronting Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder (each, a "Credit Event") are
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

                  SECTION 4.01. ALL CREDIT EVENTS. On the date of each Borrowing
and on the date of each  issuance or renewal of a Letter of Credit (other than a
Borrowing in which  Revolving  Loans are refinanced  with new Revolving Loans as
contemplated by Section 2.02(f) without any increase in the aggregate  principal
amount of Revolving Loans outstanding, a Tranche A Letter of Credit or Tranche A
Reimbursement  Loan  issued,  increased or made  pursuant to Section  2.11(b) or
Section  2.20(a)(v) and any extension or renewal of any Letter of Credit without
any increase in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit):

                  (a) The  Administrative  Agent shall have received a notice of
         such  Borrowing  as required by Section 2.03 (or such notice shall have
         been deemed  given in  accordance  with the last  paragraph  of Section
         2.03)  or,  in the case of the  issuance  of a Letter  of  Credit,  the
         Fronting Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice
         requesting the issuance of such Letter of Credit as required by Section
         2.20(a) or 2.20(b), as applicable.

                  (b) The  representations  and  warranties set forth in Article
         III hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as
         of the date of such  Borrowing  with the same  effect as though made on
         and as of such date,  except to the  extent  such  representations  and
         warranties expressly relate to an earlier date.

                  (c) At the time of and  immediately  after such  Borrowing  or
         issuance  of such  Letter  of  Credit,  as the case may be, no Event of
         Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

                  (d) At the time of and  immediately  after such  Borrowing  or
         issuance of such Letter of Credit, if as a result thereof the Aggregate
         Revolving Credit Exposure would exceed $100,000,000, the Administrative
         Agent shall have received a certificate  of a Financial  Officer of the
         Borrower  (i)  certifying  that each  condition  required  to be met in
         connection with the incurrence of additional Indebtedness under Section
         4.03(b) of the Senior  Subordinated  Indenture (or, if applicable,  the
         analogous  provision  of each  Refinancing  Note  Indenture)  has  been
         satisfied, (ii) certifying that the Loans to be made or the obligations
         of the  Borrower  in  respect  of the  Letter of Credit to be issued or
         renewed  will  constitute  "Senior  Indebtedness"  for  purposes of the
         Senior

                                      -78-
<PAGE>

         Subordinated  Indenture and each applicable  Refinancing Note Indenture
         and (iii) setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations necessary
         to certify as to such compliance.

Each Borrowing and each issuance of a Letter of Credit  (except those  specified
in the  parenthetical  contained in the  introductory  paragraph of this Section
4.01)  shall be  deemed to  constitute  a  representation  and  warranty  by the
Borrower on the date of such  Borrowing or  issuance,  as the case may be, as to
the matters  specified in  paragraphs  (b) and (c) of this Section  4.01.  In no
event shall the existence of a Tranche A L/C  Disbursement or a default or event
of default  under any Local  Facility Loan Document in itself cause a failure to
meet the lending conditions set forth above.


                                    ARTICLE V

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
                              ---------------------

                  Each of UCAR and the Borrower  covenants  and agrees with each
Lender  that so long as this  Agreement  shall  remain in  effect  and until the
Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan,
all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document shall
have been paid in full and all  Letters of Credit  have been  cancelled  or have
expired and all amounts drawn  thereunder have been  reimbursed in full,  unless
the Required  Lenders shall otherwise  consent in writing,  each of UCAR and the
Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries to:

                  SECTION 5.01. EXISTENCE;  BUSINESSES AND PROPERTIES. (a) Do or
cause to be done all things necessary to preserve,  renew and keep in full force
and effect its legal existence,  except as otherwise  expressly  permitted under
Section 6.05, and except for the  liquidation or dissolution of  Subsidiaries if
the assets of such corporations to the extent they exceed estimated  liabilities
are acquired by the Borrower or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary in such liquidation or
dissolution;  PROVIDED  that  Subsidiaries  which  are  Guarantors  may  not  be
liquidated into Subsidiaries  that are not Guarantors and domestic  Subsidiaries
may not be liquidated into foreign Subsidiaries.

                  (b) Do or cause to be done all  things  necessary  to  obtain,
preserve,  renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the rights, licenses,
permits, franchises,  authorizations,  patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade
names material to the conduct of its business;  comply in all material  respects
with all applicable laws, rules,  regulations  (including any Environmental Law)
and orders of any  Governmental  Authority,  whether now in effect or  hereafter
enacted;  and at all times  maintain and  preserve all property  material to the
conduct of such business and keep such property


                                      -79-
<PAGE>

in good repair, working order and condition and from time to time make, or cause
to be made, all needful and proper repairs,  renewals,  additions,  improvements
and  replacements  thereto  necessary in order that the  business  carried on in
connection  therewith,  if any, may be properly  conducted at all times (in each
case except as expressly permitted by this Agreement).

                  SECTION 5.02.  INSURANCE.  (a) Keep its  insurable  properties
insured at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers in such amounts
as shall be customary for similar  businesses and maintain such other  insurance
(including,  to the extent consistent with past practices,  self-insurance),  of
such  types,  to such  extent and  against  such  risks,  as is  customary  with
companies in the same or similar businesses.

                  (b) In connection with the covenants set forth in this Section
5.02, it is understood and agreed that:

                  (i)  none  of  the  Administrative  Agent,  the  Lenders,  the
         Fronting Banks and their respective agents or employees shall be liable
         for any loss or damage insured by the insurance policies required to be
         maintained  under this Section 5.02, it being  understood  that (A) the
         Borrower  and the  other  Loan  Parties  shall  look  solely  to  their
         insurance  companies  or any other  parties  other  than the  aforesaid
         parties for the recovery of such loss or damage and (B) such  insurance
         companies   shall   have  no  rights   of   subrogation   against   the
         Administrative  Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders,  the Fronting
         Banks or their agents or employees. If, however, the insurance policies
         do not provide  waiver of subrogation  rights against such parties,  as
         required above, then each of UCAR and the Borrower hereby agree, to the
         extent  permitted  by law, to waive,  and to cause each  Subsidiary  to
         waive, its right of recovery, if any, against the Administrative Agent,
         the Collateral Agent, the Lenders,  the Fronting Banks and their agents
         and employees; and

                  (ii) the  designation of any form, type or amount of insurance
         coverage  by the  Administrative  Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent or the
         Required  Lenders under this Section 5.02 shall in no event be deemed a
         representation,  warranty or advice by the  Administrative  Agent,  the
         Collateral Agent or the Lenders that such insurance is adequate for the
         purposes of the business of UCAR, the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries or
         the protection of their properties.

                  SECTION 5.03.  TAXES. Pay and discharge  promptly when due all
taxes,  assessments and  governmental  charges or levies imposed upon it or upon
its  income or profits  or in  respect  of its  property,  before the same shall
become  delinquent  or in  default,  as well as all  lawful  claims  for  labor,
materials and supplies or otherwise which, if unpaid,  might give rise to a Lien
upon such properties or any part thereof;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that such payment
and discharge  shall not be required  with respect to any such tax,  assessment,
charge, levy or claim so long as


                                      -80-
<PAGE>

(a) the  validity  or  amount  thereof  shall  be  contested  in good  faith  by
appropriate  proceedings and UCAR, the Borrower or the affected  Subsidiary,  as
applicable,  shall have set aside on its books  adequate  reserves  with respect
thereto,  (b) such  tax,  assessment,  charge,  levy or claim is in  respect  of
property taxes for property that UCAR,  the Borrower or one of the  Subsidiaries
has  determined  to  abandon  and the sole  recourse  for such tax,  assessment,
charge,  levy or claim is to such  property  or (c) the  amount  of such  taxes,
assessments,  charges, levies and claims and interest and penalties thereon does
not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate.

                  SECTION 5.04. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS,  REPORTS, ETC. In the case
of the Borrower, furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

                  (a)  within  90 days  after  the end of each  fiscal  year,  a
         consolidated  balance sheet and related statements of operations,  cash
         flows and stockholders' equity showing the financial condition of UCAR,
         the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  as of the close of such fiscal year
         and the consolidated  results of their operations during such year, all
         audited by KPMG Peat Marwick or other independent public accountants of
         recognized   national   standing    reasonably    acceptable   to   the
         Administrative  Agent and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants
         (which shall not be  qualified  in any material  respect) to the effect
         that  such  consolidated   financial   statements  fairly  present  the
         financial condition and results of operations of UCAR, the Borrower and
         the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;

                  (b)  within 45 days  after the end of each of the first  three
         fiscal  quarters of each fiscal year, a consolidated  balance sheet and
         related statements of operations,  cash flows and stockholders'  equity
         showing  the  financial   condition  of  UCAR,  the  Borrower  and  the
         Subsidiaries   as  of  the  close  of  such  fiscal   quarter  and  the
         consolidated results of their operations during such fiscal quarter and
         the  then-elapsed  portion of the fiscal year,  all certified by one of
         its Financial  Officers on behalf of the Borrower as fairly  presenting
         the financial condition and results of operations of UCAR, the Borrower
         and the  Subsidiaries  on a consolidated  basis in accordance with GAAP
         (except for the absence of footnotes), subject to normal year-end audit
         adjustments;

                  (c)  concurrently  with any delivery of  financial  statements
         under  (a) or (b)  above,  a  certificate  of the  accounting  firm  or
         Financial  Officer on behalf of the Borrower  opining on or  certifying
         such  statements  (which  certificate,  when furnished by an accounting
         firm, may be limited to accounting matters and disclaim  responsibility
         for legal  interpretations)  (i) certifying that no Event of Default or
         Default  has  occurred  or, if such an Event of Default or Default  has
         occurred,  specifying  the nature and extent thereof and any corrective
         action  taken or  proposed  to be taken with  respect  thereto and (ii)
         setting forth  computations  in reasonable  detail  satisfactory to the
         Administrative Agent


                                      -81-
<PAGE>

         demonstrating compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 6.10,
         6.11, 6.12 and 6.13 (it being understood that the information  required
         by this clause (ii) may be  provided  in a  certificate  of a Financial
         Officer  on  behalf of the  Borrower  instead  of from such  accounting
         firm);

                  (d) promptly after the same become publicly available,  copies
         of all periodic and other publicly available reports,  proxy statements
         and,  to the  extent  requested  by  the  Administrative  Agent,  other
         materials  filed by  UCAR,  the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  with the
         Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  or any  governmental  authority
         succeeding to any of or all the functions of said  Commission,  or with
         any national  securities  exchange,  or distributed to its shareholders
         generally, as the case may be;

                  (e) if, as a result of any change in accounting principles and
         policies  from  those as in effect on the date of this  Agreement,  the
         consolidated  financial  statements  of  UCAR,  the  Borrower  and  the
         Subsidiaries  delivered  pursuant  to  paragraph  (a) or (b) above will
         differ  in  any  material  respect  from  the  consolidated   financial
         statements that would have been delivered  pursuant to such clauses had
         no such change in accounting  principles and policies been made,  then,
         together with the first  delivery of financial  statements  pursuant to
         paragraph (a) and (b) above following such change, a schedule  prepared
         by a  Financial  Officer  on behalf of the  Borrower  reconciling  such
         changes to what the financial  statements  would have been without such
         changes;

                  (f) within 90 days after the  beginning of each fiscal year, a
         copy of an  operating  and capital  expenditure  budget for such fiscal
         year;

                  (g)  promptly  following  the creation or  acquisition  of any
         Subsidiary, a certificate from a Responsible Officer,  identifying such
         new  Subsidiary  and the  ownership  interest of the  Borrower  and the
         Subsidiaries therein;

                  (h)   simultaneously   with  the  delivery  of  any  financial
         statements  pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) above, a balance sheet and
         related statements of operations,  cash flows and stockholder's  equity
         for each unconsolidated Subsidiary for the applicable period;

                  (i)  promptly,  a copy of all reports  submitted in connection
         with  any  material  interim  or  special  audit  made  by  independent
         accountants of the books of UCAR, the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and

                  (j)  promptly,  from  time to  time,  such  other  information
         regarding the operations,  business affairs and financial  condition of
         UCAR, the Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  or compliance with the terms of
         any Loan Document, or such consolidating financial statements,  or such
         financial statements showing the


                                      -82-
<PAGE>

         results of operations of any Unrestricted  Subsidiary,  as in each case
         the   Administrative   Agent  or  any   Lender,   acting   through  the
         Administrative Agent, may reasonably request.

                  SECTION 5.05.  LITIGATION  AND OTHER  NOTICES.  Furnish to the
Administrative  Agent and each Lender written  notice of the following  promptly
after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains actual knowledge thereof:

                  (a) any Event of Default or Default, specifying the nature and
         extent thereof and the corrective  action (if any) proposed to be taken
         with respect thereto;

                  (b) the filing or  commencement  of, or any written  threat or
         notice of intention of any person to file or commence, any action, suit
         or  proceeding,  whether  at  law  or in  equity  or by or  before  any
         Governmental  Authority,  against UCAR,  the Borrower or any Subsidiary
         thereof in respect of which  there is a  reasonable  possibility  of an
         adverse  determination  and  which,  if  adversely  determined,   could
         reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

                  (c) any other  development  specific to UCAR,  the Borrower or
         any  Subsidiary  that is not a matter of general  public  knowledge and
         that has resulted in, or could  reasonably  be expected to result in, a
         Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 5.06.  EMPLOYEE  BENEFITS.  (a) Comply in all material
respects with the applicable  provisions of ERISA and the provisions of the Code
relating to ERISA and any applicable similar non-U.S. law and (b) furnish to the
Administrative  Agent (i) as soon as possible after,  and in any event within 30
days after any Responsible  Officer of UCAR, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
knows or has reason to know that, any Reportable Event has occurred, a statement
of a Financial Officer setting forth details as to such Reportable Event and the
action  proposed to be taken with respect  thereto,  together with a copy of the
notice,  if any, of such Reportable Event given to the PBGC, (ii) promptly after
any Responsible Officer learns of receipt thereof, a copy of any notice that the
Borrower  or any ERISA  Affiliate  may  receive  from the PBGC  relating  to the
intention  of the  PBGC to  terminate  any  Plan  or  Plans  (other  than a Plan
maintained by an ERISA  Affiliate  that is considered  an ERISA  Affiliate  only
pursuant to  subsection  (m) or (o) of Code Section 414) or to appoint a trustee
to administer any such Plan,  (iii) within 30 days after the due date for filing
with the PBGC pursuant to Section 412(n) of the Code a notice of failure to make
a required installment or other payment with respect to a Plan, a statement of a
Financial  Officer  setting  forth  details  as to such  failure  and the action
proposed  to be taken with  respect  thereto,  together  with a copy of any such
notice given to the PBGC and (iv) promptly after any Responsible Officer learns


                                      -83-
<PAGE>

thereof  and in any event  within 30 days after  receipt  thereof  by UCAR,  the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan, a copy
of each notice received by UCAR, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate  concerning
(A)  the  imposition  of  Withdrawal  Liability  or (B) a  determination  that a
Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, terminated or in reorganization, in
each case within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA;  PROVIDED that in the case of
each of clauses (i) through (iv) above, notice to the Administrative Agent shall
only be required if such event or  condition,  together with all other events or
conditions  referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above,  could  reasonably be
expected to result in liability of UCAR,  the Borrower or any  Subsidiary  in an
aggregate amount exceeding $7,500,000.

                  SECTION 5.07.  MAINTAINING  RECORDS;  ACCESS TO PROPERTIES AND
INSPECTIONS.  Maintain all financial  records in accordance with GAAP and permit
any persons  designated by the  Administrative  Agent or any Lender to visit and
inspect the financial  records and the  properties of UCAR,  the Borrower or any
Subsidiary  at reasonable  times,  upon  reasonable  prior notice to UCAR or the
Borrower,  and as often as  reasonably  requested  and to make extracts from and
copies of such  financial  records,  and permit any  persons  designated  by the
Administrative  Agent or any Lender upon reasonable  prior notice to UCAR or the
Borrower to discuss the affairs,  finances and  condition of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary  with the  officers  thereof  and  independent  accountants  therefor
(subject to reasonable  requirements of confidentiality,  including requirements
imposed by law or by contract).

                  SECTION 5.08.  USE OF PROCEEDS.  Use the proceeds of the Loans
and request the issuance of Letters of Credit only for the purposes set forth in
the preamble to this Agreement.

                  SECTION 5.09.  COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. Comply, and
cause all lessees and other persons occupying its Properties to comply, with all
Environmental  Laws and Environmental  Permits  applicable to its operations and
Properties;  obtain  and  renew  all  Environmental  Permits  necessary  for its
operations and  Properties;  and conduct any Remedial  Action in accordance with
Environmental  Laws,  except, in each case with respect to this Section 5.09, to
the extent the failure to do so,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION  5.10.  PREPARATION  OF  ENVIRONMENTAL  REPORTS.  If a
default caused by reason of a breach of Section 3.17 or 5.09 shall have occurred
and  be  continuing,  at  the  request  of  the  Required  Lenders  through  the
Administrative  Agent,  provide to Lenders within 90 days after such request, at
the expense of the Borrower,  an  environmental  site assessment  report for the
Properties  which are the subject of such default  prepared by an  environmental
consulting firm reasonably  acceptable to the Administrative  Agent,  indicating
the presence or absence of Hazardous Materials


                                      -84-
<PAGE>


and the estimated  cost of any Remedial  Action  required  under any  applicable
Environmental Law in connection with such Properties.

                  SECTION 5.11. FURTHER ASSURANCES.  Execute any and all further
documents,  financing  statements,  agreements  and  instruments,  and  take all
further action  (including  filing Uniform  Commercial  Code and other financing
statements)  that may be required under  applicable law, or which the Collateral
Agent  may  reasonably   request,   in  order  to  effectuate  the  transactions
contemplated  by  the  Loan  Documents  (other  than  the  Local  Facility  Loan
Documents) and in order to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and
first  priority  (subject to Liens  permitted  by Section  6.02) of the security
interests  created  or  intended  to be created by the  Security  Documents.  In
addition,  from time to time, UCAR, the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  will, at
their cost and  expense,  on or  promptly  (but in any event  within 10 Business
Days) following the date of acquisition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any
new subsidiary  (subject to the receipt of required  consents from  Governmental
Authorities  and,  in the  case of  Unrestricted  Subsidiaries  or  acquisitions
constituting  Specified Permitted Foreign Transactions,  consents of other third
parties), promptly secure the Obligations by causing the following to occur: (i)
promptly upon creating or acquiring any additional subsidiary, the Capital Stock
of  such  subsidiary  will  (unless  such  subsidiary  is  a  subsidiary  of  an
Unrestricted  Subsidiary  or a subsidiary  of a foreign  Subsidiary)  be pledged
pursuant to the Pledge Agreement;  PROVIDED that no more than 65% of the Capital
Stock of any foreign subsidiary shall be required to be pledged pursuant to this
Section  5.11,  and (ii) such  subsidiary  will  (unless such  subsidiary  is an
Unrestricted  Subsidiary or a foreign  subsidiary)  become a party to the Pledge
Agreement  (if  such  subsidiary  owns  Capital  Stock of any  subsidiary),  the
Subsidiary  Guarantee Agreement and the Indemnity,  Subrogation and Contribution
Agreement as contemplated under each such agreement. All such security interests
and Liens will be created under the Security Documents and other instruments and
documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent,
and  UCAR,  the  Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  shall  deliver  or cause to be
delivered  to the  Administrative  Agent  all  such  instruments  and  documents
(including  legal  opinions and lien  searches) as the  Required  Lenders  shall
reasonably  request to evidence  compliance with this Section 5.11. UCAR and the
Borrower  agree to  provide,  and to cause  each  Subsidiary  to  provide,  such
evidence as the Collateral Agent shall  reasonably  request as to the perfection
and priority status of each such security interest and Lien.

                  SECTION  5.12.  SIGNIFICANT  SUBSIDIARIES.  Cause  Significant
Subsidiaries  at all times to (a)  account  for 85% or more of the  consolidated
assets of the Borrower and (b) have accounted for 85% or more of EBITDA for each
of the two consecutive periods of four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the
date of determination, after giving effect to the designation of any Significant
Subsidiary on such date.


                                      -85-
<PAGE>

                  SECTION 5.13. FISCAL YEAR; ACCOUNTING.  In the case of each of
UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, cause its respective fiscal year to end
on December 31.

                  SECTION 5.14. DIVIDENDS.  In the case of the Borrower,  permit
its  Subsidiaries  to pay dividends  and cause such  dividends to be paid to the
extent  required  to pay  the  monetary  Obligations,  subject  to  restrictions
permitted  by  Section  6.09(d)  and  to  prohibitions   imposed  by  applicable
requirements of law.

                  SECTION 5.15.  INTEREST/EXCHANGE  RATE PROTECTION  AGREEMENTS.
Maintain in effect one or more Interest/Exchange Rate Protection Agreements with
any of the Lenders or other financial  institutions  reasonably  satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent, the effect of which shall be to limit at all times the
interest  payable in connection  with 40% of the aggregate  principal  amount of
Term Borrowings,  Tranche A Reimbursement  Borrowings and Indebtedness under the
Local  Facilities  projected to be  outstanding  at such time, in each case to a
maximum rate and on terms and  conditions  comparable  to those set forth in the
Interest/Exchange Rate Protection Agreements in effect on the Effectiveness Date
or  otherwise  reasonably   acceptable,   taking  into  account  current  market
conditions,  to the Administrative  Agent, and deliver evidence of the execution
and delivery thereof to the Administrative Agent.

                  SECTION 5.16.  CORPORATE  SEPARATENESS.  Cause the management,
business and affairs of each of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries to be conducted in
such a manner so that each Unrestricted  Subsidiary will be perceived as a legal
entity separate and distinct from UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS
                               ------------------

                  Each of UCAR and the Borrower  covenants  and agrees with each
Lender  that,  so long as this  Agreement  shall  remain in effect and until the
Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan,
all Fees and all other expenses or amounts  payable under any Loan Document have
been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have been  cancelled or have expired
and all  amounts  drawn  thereunder  have been  reimbursed  in full,  unless the
Required Lenders


                                      -86-
<PAGE>

shall  otherwise  consent in writing,  neither UCAR nor the Borrower  will,  and
neither will cause or permit any of the Subsidiaries to:

                  SECTION 6.01. INDEBTEDNESS. Incur, create, assume or permit to
exist any Indebtedness, except:

                  (a) Indebtedness  existing on the date hereof and set forth in
         Schedule 6.01, but not any extensions, renewals or replacements of such
         Indebtedness except (i) renewals and extensions  expressly provided for
         in the agreements  evidencing any such  Indebtedness as the same are in
         effect  on the  date  of  this  Agreement  and  (ii)  refinancings  and
         extensions of any such  Indebtedness  if the interest rate with respect
         thereto and other terms  thereof are no less  favorable  to the obligor
         thereon or to the Lenders than the  Indebtedness  being  refinanced  or
         extended  and the average  life to maturity  thereof is greater than or
         equal  to  that  of the  Indebtedness  being  refinanced  or  extended;
         PROVIDED that such  Indebtedness  permitted  under clause (i) or clause
         (ii) above shall not be (A)  Indebtedness of an obligor that was not an
         obligor with respect to the  Indebtedness  being  extended,  renewed or
         refinanced,  (B) in a principal  amount which exceeds the  Indebtedness
         being  renewed,  extended or  refinanced  or (C)  incurred,  created or
         assumed  if any  Default  or  Event  of  Default  has  occurred  and is
         continuing or would result therefrom;

                  (b)  Indebtedness  created  hereunder and under the other Loan
         Documents;  PROVIDED that no principal amount of Indebtedness under any
         Local  Facility  described  in clause (b) of the  definition  of "Local
         Facility"  may be  incurred  unless  the  Tranche A  Exposure  shall be
         simultaneously and permanently  reduced by an aggregate amount not less
         than such principal amount;

                  (c)  (i)  in  the  case  of  UCAR,  any  Senior   Subordinated
         Guarantee,  (ii) in the case of the Borrower, Senior Subordinated Notes
         in an aggregate principal amount (the "Subordinated  Principal") not to
         exceed  the sum of (A)  $200,000,000  and (B) the  aggregate  principal
         amount of Senior Subordinated Notes issued after the Effectiveness Date
         in payment of interest  thereon pursuant to the terms thereof (less the
         principal amount of any Senior  Subordinated Notes that is repaid after
         the  Effectiveness  Date)  and  (iii)  in the  case  of  the  Borrower,
         Refinancing  Notes in an aggregate  principal  amount not to exceed the
         sum at the time  immediately  prior to issuance and  refinancing of (A)
         the  Subordinated  Principal,  (B) any premium  payable and  reasonable
         expenses  incurred in connection  with such  refinancing and (C) if the
         Refinancing Notes are issued at a time when there is accrued but unpaid
         interest on the Subordinated Principal,  the amount of such accrued but
         unpaid interest;


                                      -87-
<PAGE>

                  (d) in the case of the  Guarantors,  the Guarantees  under the
         Guarantee Agreements;

                  (e) Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries pursuant
         to Interest/Exchange  Rate Protection  Agreements entered into in order
         to fix the effective  rate of interest,  or to hedge  against  currency
         fluctuations,  on the Loans and other Indebtedness  (PROVIDED that such
         transactions  shall be entered into for  business  purposes and not for
         the purpose of speculation);

                  (f) Indebtedness owed to (including  obligations in respect of
         letters of credit for the  benefit  of) any person  providing  worker's
         compensation,   health,   disability  or  other  employee  benefits  or
         property,  casualty  or  liability  insurance  to the  Borrower  or any
         Subsidiary, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to
         such person;

                  (g) in the case of the Credit Parties, Indebtedness in respect
         of Letters of Credit issued hereunder and Indebtedness  under the Local
         Facility Loan Documents,  subject to the proviso set forth in paragraph
         (b) above;

                  (h) (i)  Indebtedness  of the  Borrower  or any  Wholly  Owned
         Subsidiary  that is a Guarantor to any  Subsidiary  or to the Borrower;
         (ii)  Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Wholly Owned  Subsidiary that
         is  not a  Guarantor  to  any  Subsidiary;  (iii)  Indebtedness  of any
         Subsidiary to the Borrower or another Subsidiary incurred pursuant to a
         Permitted  Foreign  Transfer;  and  (iv)  so  long  as at the  time  of
         incurrence  no Default or Event of Default  shall have  occurred and be
         continuing,  Indebtedness  of UCAR  to the  Borrower  incurred  for the
         purpose of making  permitted  investments in Unrestricted  Subsidiaries
         (and in an amount  limited to the amount of  investments so permitted),
         in each case subject to  compliance  with the  provisions of the Pledge
         Agreement to the extent applicable to such Indebtedness;

                  (i)  Indebtedness  of  the  Borrower  or  a  Subsidiary  which
         represents  the  assumption  by the  Borrower  or  such  Subsidiary  of
         Indebtedness of a Subsidiary in connection with the permitted merger of
         such Subsidiary with or into the assuming person or the purchase of all
         or substantially all the assets of such Subsidiary;

                  (j)  Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect
         of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and similar
         obligations and trade-related  letters of credit, in each case provided
         in the ordinary course of business,  including those incurred to secure
         health, safety and environmental  obligations in the ordinary course of
         business,  and any  extension,  renewal or  refinancing  thereof to the
         extent not provided to secure the repayment of other  Indebtedness  and
         to the extent that the amount of


                                      -88-
<PAGE>

         refinancing Indebtedness is not greater than the amount of Indebtedness
         being refinanced;

                  (k) Indebtedness  arising from the honoring by a bank or other
         financial  institution of a check,  draft or similar  instrument  drawn
         against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; PROVIDED
         that such Indebtedness is extinguished  within two Business Days of its
         incurrence;

                  (l)  Indebtedness  of a  Subsidiary  acquired  after  the date
         hereof,  Indebtedness of a corporation  merged or consolidated  with or
         into  the  Borrower  or  a   Subsidiary   after  the  date  hereof  and
         Indebtedness  permitted under Section 6.10(b) at the time of incurrence
         of such Indebtedness of any subsidiary  included in South Africa at the
         time such subsidiary  becomes a Subsidiary,  which Indebtedness in each
         case exists at the time of such acquisition,  merger,  consolidation or
         conversion  into a Subsidiary  and is not created in  contemplation  of
         such  event and where  such  acquisition,  merger or  consolidation  is
         permitted by this  Agreement,  PROVIDED  that the  aggregate  principal
         amount of  Indebtedness  under  this  paragraph  (l)  shall not  exceed
         $25,000,000  for the  Borrower  and all  Subsidiaries  other than those
         included in South Africa;

                  (m)  Indebtedness  of South  Africa or any direct or  indirect
         parent  company  of South  Africa  incurred  on an  unsecured  basis in
         connection with the acquisition of all or substantially  all the equity
         interests not already  owned by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary in each
         subsidiary  included in South Africa in an aggregate  principal  amount
         not in excess of $80,000,000 outstanding at any time;

                  (n)  Capital  Lease  Obligations,   mortgage   financings  and
         purchase money Indebtedness  incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
         prior to or within 270 days after a Capital Expenditure permitted under
         Section  6.11  in  order  to  finance  such  Capital  Expenditure,  and
         extensions, renewals and refinancings thereof if the interest rate with
         respect  thereto and other terms  thereof are no less  favorable to the
         Borrower or such Subsidiary than the Indebtedness  being refinanced and
         the average  life to maturity  thereof is greater than or equal to that
         of the Indebtedness  being  refinanced;  provided that such refinancing
         Indebtedness  shall not be (i)  Indebtedness of an obligor that was not
         an obligor with respect to the Indebtedness being extended,  renewed or
         refinanced,  (ii) in a principal  amount which exceeds the Indebtedness
         being  renewed,  extended or refinanced or (iii)  incurred,  created or
         assumed  if any  Default  or  Event  of  Default  has  occurred  and is
         continuing or would result therefrom;


                                      -89-
<PAGE>

                  (o) Capital Lease Obligations  incurred by the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary  in respect of any Sale and  Leaseback  Transaction  that is
         permitted under Section 6.03;

                  (p)  Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary  supported
         by a Revolving Letter of Credit, in a principal amount not in excess of
         the  stated  amount  of  such  Revolving  Letter  of  Credit  and in an
         aggregate  principal  amount  for all  such  Indebtedness  at any  time
         outstanding not in excess of $200,000,000;  PROVIDED that the aggregate
         outstanding  principal  amount of Indebtedness of foreign  Subsidiaries
         issued under this paragraph (p) or that is issued under Section 6.01(q)
         and guaranteed by the Borrower or any domestic  Subsidiary shall not at
         any time exceed $200,000,000;

                  (q) other Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in
         an aggregate  principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of
         the amount determined as set forth on Schedule A in effect at such time
         (it being agreed that any such  Indebtedness  permitted  when  incurred
         shall not cease to be permitted  as a result of a subsequent  change in
         the Leverage Ratio) incurred on an unsecured basis; PROVIDED that up to
         $20,000,000  of such  amount may be incurred  on a secured  basis;  and
         PROVIDED  FURTHER that the aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of
         Indebtedness of foreign  Subsidiaries  under Section 6.01(p) or that is
         issued under this  paragraph (q) and  guaranteed by the Borrower or any
         domestic Subsidiary shall not at any time exceed $200,000,000;

                  (r) Indebtedness of UCAR consisting of contingent  liabilities
         or Indebtedness of the type referred to in the proviso contained in the
         definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary"; and

                  (s) all premium (if any),  interest  (including  post-petition
         interest),  fees,  expenses,  indemnities,  charges and  additional  or
         contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a) through (r)
         above.

Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary in this  Agreement  or any other Loan
Document,  no Refinancing  Notes shall be issued (and no  Indebtedness  shall be
incurred under the Refinancing Note Indenture) unless: (a) concurrently with the
issuance of any  Refinancing  Notes,  Senior  Subordinated  Notes in a principal
amount equal to the principal amount of such Refinancing  Notes (less any amount
issued  pursuant to clause  (iii)(B) or (iii)(C) of  paragraph  (c) above) shall
have been redeemed (or called for  redemption,  so long as the redemption  price
has been  indefeasibly  deposited  with the  trustee in  respect of such  Senior
Subordinated  Notes (the "Trustee")) and cancelled upon delivery to the Trustee,
at a price not in excess of 100% of the principal  amount thereof (plus interest
accrued to the date of  redemption  and not paid in cash and plus any premium in
respect of such redemption), (b) the



                                      -90-
<PAGE>

terms of the Refinancing  Notes and the Refinancing  Note Indenture  (other than
the interest rate, the interest payment dates and any redemption premiums, which
shall be determined at the time of issuance of the  Refinancing  Notes) shall be
reasonably  satisfactory to the Required Lenders (PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that such
terms of the  Refinancing  Notes and the  Refinancing  Note  Indenture  shall be
deemed to be satisfactory to the Required  Lenders if the Refinancing  Notes are
issued with  substantially the same terms as the Senior  Subordinated Notes that
are being refinanced (other than any changes thereto that are not adverse in any
respect  to the  interests  of the  Lenders)),  (c)  the  interest  rate  of the
Refinancing Notes shall be a fixed,  non-increasing  interest rate per annum not
in excess of the rate  payable  in respect  of the  Senior  Subordinated  Notes,
payable  on a  principal  amount of the  Refinancing  Notes not in excess of the
gross proceeds of the sale thereof and interest on the  Refinancing  Notes shall
be payable  semiannually and (d) the Refinancing  Notes shall mature not earlier
than the maturity date of the Senior Subordinated Notes.

                  SECTION 6.02. LIENS. Create,  incur, assume or permit to exist
any Lien on any property or assets  (including  stock or other securities of any
person,  including any Subsidiary)  now owned or hereafter  acquired by it or on
any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof,  or sell or transfer
any account receivable or any right in respect thereof, except:

                  (a)  Liens on  property  or  assets  of the  Borrower  and its
         Subsidiaries  existing  on the date  hereof  and set forth in  Schedule
         6.02;  PROVIDED  that such Liens shall  secure  only those  obligations
         which they  secure on the date  hereof (and  extensions,  renewals  and
         refinancings  of such  obligations  permitted  by Section  6.01(a)) and
         shall not  subsequently  apply to any other property or assets of UCAR,
         the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

                  (b) any Lien created under the Loan Documents;

                  (c) any Lien existing on any property or asset of the Borrower
         or any Subsidiary  prior to the acquisition  thereof by the Borrower or
         any  Subsidiary;  PROVIDED  that  (i)  such  Lien  is  not  created  in
         contemplation  of or in connection with such  acquisition and (ii) such
         Lien does not apply to any other  property or asset of the  Borrower or
         any Subsidiary;

                  (d) any Lien on any property or asset of a Subsidiary securing
         Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(l); PROVIDED that such Lien does
         not apply to any other  property or assets of UCAR, the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary not securing such Indebtedness at the date of acquisition of
         such  property or asset or, in the case of any  subsidiary  included in
         South Africa,  on the date such subsidiary  becomes a Subsidiary (other
         than after acquired property subjected to a Lien securing  Indebtedness
         incurred prior to such date


                                      -91-
<PAGE>

         and permitted  hereunder  which contains a requirement for the pledging
         of after acquired property);

                  (e) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges
         or levies not yet delinquent,  or which are for less than $1,000,000 in
         the aggregate,  or which are being contested in compliance with Section
         5.03 or for property  taxes on property that UCAR,  the Borrower or one
         of the  Subsidiaries has determined to abandon if the sole recourse for
         such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim is to such property;

                  (f)  carriers',  warehousemen's,   mechanic's,  materialmen's,
         repairmen's  or other like  Liens  arising  in the  ordinary  course of
         business and securing  obligations that are not due and payable or that
         are being  contested in good faith by  appropriate  proceedings  and in
         respect of which,  if  applicable,  UCAR,  the Borrower or the relevant
         Subsidiary  shall have set aside on its books  reserves  in  accordance
         with GAAP;

                  (g)  pledges  and  deposits  made in the  ordinary  course  of
         business in compliance with the Federal Employers  Liability Act or any
         other workmen's  compensation,  unemployment insurance and other social
         security  laws  or  regulations  and  deposits  securing  liability  to
         insurance  carriers under insurance or  self-insurance  arrangements in
         respect of such obligations;

                  (h)  deposits  to  secure  the  performance  of  bids,   trade
         contracts  (other than for  Indebtedness),  leases  (other than Capital
         Lease  Obligations),  statutory  obligations,  surety and appeal bonds,
         performance  bonds and other  obligations of a like nature  incurred in
         the ordinary  course of business,  including  those  incurred to secure
         health, safety and environmental  obligations in the ordinary course of
         business;

                  (i) zoning restrictions,  easements,  trackage rights,  leases
         (other than Capital Lease Obligations),  licenses, special assessments,
         rights-of-way,  restrictions  on use of real property and other similar
         encumbrances  incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the
         aggregate,  are not substantial in amount and do not materially detract
         from the value of the property  subject  thereto or interfere  with the
         ordinary  conduct of the  business of UCAR,  the Borrower or any of the
         Subsidiaries;

                  (j)  purchase  money  security  interests  in  real  property,
         improvements  thereto or equipment  hereafter acquired (or, in the case
         of  improvements,  constructed)  by  the  Borrower  or  any  Subsidiary
         (including the interests of vendors and lessors under  conditional sale
         and  title  retention  agreements);  PROVIDED  that (i)  such  security
         interests  secure  Indebtedness  or Sale and Lease-  Back  Transactions
         permitted by Section 6.01, (ii) such security interests are


                                      -92-
<PAGE>

         incurred,  and the Indebtedness secured thereby is created,  within 270
         days after such acquisition (or  construction),  (iii) the Indebtedness
         secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of such real property,
         improvements  or  equipment  at  the  time  of  such   acquisition  (or
         construction),  (iv) such  expenditures are permitted by this Agreement
         and (v) such security  interests do not apply to any other  property or
         assets of the Borrower or any  Subsidiary  (other than to accessions to
         such  real  property,  improvements  or  equipment  and  provided  that
         individual  financings of equipment  provided by a single lender may be
         cross-collateralized  to other financings of equipment  provided solely
         by such lender);

                  (k) Liens  securing  reimbursement  obligations  in respect of
         trade-related  letters  of  credit  permitted  under  Section  6.01 and
         covering the goods (or the documents of title in respect of such goods)
         financed by such letters of credit;

                  (l)  Liens  arising  out of  capitalized  or  operating  lease
         transactions  permitted  under  Section 6.03, so long as such Liens (i)
         attach only to the property sold in such transaction and any accessions
         thereto  and (ii) do not  interfere  with  the  business  of UCAR,  the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary in any material respect;

                  (m) Liens  consisting  of interests of lessors  under  capital
         leases permitted by Section 6.01;

                  (n) Liens  securing  judgments  for the payment of money in an
         aggregate  amount  not in excess of  $7,500,000  (except  to the extent
         covered  by  insurance  as to which the  insurer  has  acknowledged  in
         writing its obligation to cover),  unless such  judgments  shall remain
         undischarged for a period of more than 30 consecutive days during which
         execution shall not be effectively stayed;

                  (o) any Lien  arising by  operation of law pursuant to Section
         107(1) of CERCLA or  pursuant  to  analogous  state  law,  for costs or
         damages  which  are not yet due (by  virtue  of a  written  demand  for
         payment by a  Governmental  Authority) or which are being  contested in
         compliance  with the  standard  set  forth in  Section  5.03(a),  or on
         property that the Borrower or a Subsidiary has determined to abandon if
         the sole  recourse  for  such  costs or  damages  is to such  property,
         PROVIDED that the liability of the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  with
         respect to the matter  giving  rise to all such Liens shall not, in the
         reasonable  estimate  of  the  Borrower  (in  light  of  all  attendant
         circumstances,  including  the  likelihood  of  contribution  by  third
         parties), exceed $7,500,000;

                  (p) any leases or subleases to other  persons of properties or
         assets owned or leased by the Borrower or a Subsidiary;



                                      -93-
<PAGE>


                  (q) Liens which are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating
         to the  establishment  of depository  relations with banks not given in
         connection  with the issuance of  Indebtedness  or (ii)  pertaining  to
         pooled  deposit  and/or  sweep  accounts  of the  Borrower  and/or  any
         Subsidiary to permit  satisfaction of overdraft or similar  obligations
         incurred in the  ordinary  course of business of the  Borrower  and its
         Subsidiaries;

                  (r) other  Liens  with  respect  to  property  or  assets  not
         constituting  collateral  for the  Obligations  with an aggregate  fair
         market value of not more than $20,000,000 at any time;

                  (s) any Lien  arising as a result of a  transaction  permitted
         under Section 6.05(h) or (i) or under Section 6.14;

                  (t)  the  sale  of  accounts  receivable  in  connection  with
         collection in the ordinary course of business; and

                  (u)  the  replacement,   extension  or  renewal  of  any  Lien
         permitted  by  clause  (c),  (d)  or  (j)  above;  PROVIDED  that  such
         replacement,  extension  or renewal  Lien shall not cover any  property
         other  than the  property  that was  subject to such Lien prior to such
         replacement,  extension  or  renewal;  and  PROVIDED  FURTHER  that the
         Indebtedness  and  other  obligations   secured  by  such  replacement,
         extension or renewal Lien are permitted by this Agreement.

                  SECTION 6.03. SALE AND LEASE-BACK TRANSACTIONS. Enter into any
arrangement,  directly or  indirectly,  with any person whereby it shall sell or
transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether
now owned or hereafter  acquired,  and thereafter rent or lease such property or
other  property  which it intends to use for  substantially  the same purpose or
purposes  as the  property  being sold or  transferred  (a "Sale and  Lease-Back
Transaction"),  other than any Sale and Lease-Back  Transaction which involves a
sale by the Borrower or a Subsidiary solely for cash  consideration on terms not
less favorable than would prevail in an arm's- length  transaction and which (a)
results in a Capital  Lease  Obligation  or an operating  lease,  in either case
entered  into to  finance  a  Capital  Expenditure  permitted  by  Section  6.11
consisting of the initial  acquisition by the Borrower or such Subsidiary of the
property sold or transferred in such Sale and Lease-Back  Transaction,  PROVIDED
that such Sale and  Lease-Back  Transaction  occurs  within  270 days after such
acquisition or (b) results in a Capital Lease  Obligation or an operating  lease
entered into for any other purpose;  PROVIDED that the proceeds of any such Sale
and  Lease-Back  Transaction  in  reliance  upon this clause (b) shall be deemed
subject to Section 2.12(e).

                  SECTION 6.04. INVESTMENTS,  LOANS AND ADVANCES. Purchase, hold
or acquire any capital stock,  evidences of indebtedness or other securities of,
make or


                                      -94-
<PAGE>

permit  to exist  any  loans or  advances  to,  or make or  permit  to exist any
investment or any other interest in, any other person, except:

                  (a) investments (i) existing on the date hereof in the capital
         stock of the Subsidiaries and South Africa; (ii) by UCAR in the capital
         stock of the Borrower;  (iii) by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary in any
         Wholly Owned  Subsidiary that is a Guarantor (so long as such Guarantor
         shall remain a Wholly  Owned  Subsidiary  after  giving  effect to such
         investment);  (iv) by any Wholly Owned  Subsidiary  in any Wholly Owned
         Subsidiary  that is a Guarantor;  (v) by any  Subsidiary  that is not a
         Guarantor in any Wholly Owned  Subsidiary  that is not a Guarantor  (so
         long as such Subsidiary  shall remain a Wholly Owned  Subsidiary  after
         giving effect to such  investment);  or (vi) that constitute  Permitted
         Foreign Transfers  (subject in the case of Specified  Permitted Foreign
         Transactions to the limitations set forth in paragraph (l) below);

                  (b) Permitted Investments and investments that were Permitted
         Investments when made;

                  (c) investments  arising out of the receipt by the Borrower or
         any  Subsidiary  of  noncash  consideration  for  the  sale  of  assets
         permitted under Section 6.05 provided that such  consideration  (if the
         stated amount or value thereof is in excess of  $1,000,000)  is pledged
         upon receipt  pursuant to the Pledge  Agreement to the extent  required
         thereby;

                  (d)   intercompany   loans   permitted   to  be   incurred  as
         Indebtedness under Section 6.01;

                  (e) (i) loans and advances to employees of UCAR,  the Borrower
         or the  Subsidiaries  not to exceed  $6,000,000 in the aggregate at any
         time  outstanding and (ii) advances of payroll payments and expenses to
         employees in the ordinary course of business;

                  (f) (i) accounts  receivable  arising and trade credit granted
         in the  ordinary  course of  business  and any  securities  received in
         satisfaction or partial  satisfaction thereof from financially troubled
         account debtors to the extent reasonably  necessary in order to prevent
         or limit loss and (ii)  prepayments and other credits to suppliers made
         in the ordinary  course of business  consistent with the past practices
         of UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries;

                  (g)  Interest/Exchange  Rate Protection  Agreements  permitted
         pursuant to Section 6.01(e);


                                      -95-
<PAGE>


                  (h) investments,  other than investments  listed in paragraphs
         (a) through (g) of this Section, existing on the Effectiveness Date and
         set forth on Schedule 6.04;

                  (i) investments  resulting from pledges and deposits  referred
         to in Section 6.02(g) or (h);

                  (j) investments constituting Permitted SA/B Acquisitions;

                  (k) investments  constituting  Permitted Business Acquisitions
         made either as Capital  Expenditures  pursuant to Section  6.11 or made
         with funds that if not so spent would  constitute  Net  Proceeds  under
         clause (a) of the definition of "Net Proceeds";

                  (l) investments  constituting  Permitted Other Acquisitions or
         Specified Permitted Foreign Transactions;  PROVIDED that (i) the sum of
         the aggregate amount of Specified Permitted Foreign Transaction and the
         aggregate  amount of the  consideration  (whether cash or property,  as
         valued  at the time  each such  investment  is made) for all  Permitted
         Other  Acquisitions  acquired  after the  Effectiveness  Date shall not
         exceed  (net of any return  representing  return of capital of (but not
         return  on) any such  investment)  at any time the  amount set forth on
         Schedule  A for the  Level  that is in  effect  at such  time (it being
         agreed that any such investment  permitted when made shall not cease to
         be permitted as a result of the applicable Level subsequently changing)
         and  (ii)  the  aggregate   amount  of  Specified   Permitted   Foreign
         Transactions  immediately  after  giving  effect  to the  making of any
         Specified  Permitted Foreign  Transaction shall not exceed 10% of total
         assets of UCAR and its subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis
         in accordance with GAAP; and

                  (m)  investments  in  Permitted   Business   Acquisitions  and
         Unrestricted  Subsidiaries  to the  extent  made with  proceeds  of the
         issuance of Capital Stock of UCAR (to the extent not previously used to
         prepay  Indebtedness  (other than Revolving Loans or Swingline  Loans),
         make any investment or capital expenditure or otherwise for any purpose
         resulting in a deduction to Excess Cash Flow in any fiscal year) issued
         after the Original Closing Date (after  application of the Net Proceeds
         of such  issuance to prepay  Obligations  in  accordance  with  Section
         2.12(d));

PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that the aggregate amount of the consideration (whether cash
or  property,  as  valued  at the time  each  such  investment  is made) for all
investments  made in  Unrestricted  Subsidiaries  (other than  investments  made
therein  pursuant to paragraph (m) above) after the date hereof shall not exceed
(net of  return  of  capital  of  (but  not  return  on)  any  such  investment)
$100,000,000 at any time, PROVIDED FURTHER,


                                      -96-
<PAGE>

HOWEVER,  that no more  than  $50,000,000  of such  amount  at any  time  may be
invested  in  Unrestricted   Subsidiaries  not  engaged   primarily  in  Related
Businesses.

                  SECTION  6.05.  MERGERS,  CONSOLIDATIONS,  SALES OF ASSETS AND
ACQUISITIONS.  Merge into or  consolidate  with any other person,  or permit any
other person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell,  transfer,  lease or
otherwise  dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or
any substantial  part of its assets  (whether now owned or hereafter  acquired),
other  than  assets of UCAR  constituting  an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary,  or any
Capital Stock of any Subsidiary, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one
transaction  or a series of  transactions)  all or any  substantial  part of the
assets of any other person, except that this Section shall not prohibit:

                  (a) the purchase and sale of inventory in the ordinary  course
         of business by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the acquisition of any
         asset of any person in the ordinary course of business;

                  (b) if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect
         thereto  no Event of Default or  Default  shall  have  occurred  and be
         continuing  (i) the merger of any  Subsidiary  into the  Borrower  in a
         transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving corporation and (ii)
         the merger or  consolidation  of any Subsidiary  into or with any other
         Wholly Owned  Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity
         is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary  (which shall be a domestic  Subsidiary if
         the  non-surviving  person shall be a domestic  Subsidiary) and, in the
         case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), no person other than the Borrower
         or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary receives any consideration;

                  (c) Sale and  Lease-Back  Transactions  permitted  by  Section
         6.03;

                  (d) investments permitted by Section 6.04;

                  (e) subject to Section  6.07,  sales,  leases or transfers (i)
         from the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  to the Borrower or to a domestic
         Wholly  Owned  Subsidiary,  (ii)  from any  foreign  Subsidiary  to any
         foreign   Wholly  Owned   Subsidiary   or  to  the  Borrower  or  (iii)
         constituting Permitted Foreign Transfers;

                  (f)  (i)  the  lease  of  all or any  part  of the  Borrower's
         facility located in Robinson, Illinois, and (ii) sales, leases or other
         dispositions  of  equipment  or real  property  of the  Borrower or the
         Subsidiaries determined,  in the case of this clause (ii), by the Board
         of  Directors  or senior  management  of the  Borrower  to be no longer
         useful or necessary in the operation of the business of the Borrower or
         the  Subsidiaries;  PROVIDED that, in the case of this clause (ii), the
         Net  Proceeds  thereof  shall be applied  in  accordance  with  Section
         2.12(d);


                                      -97-
<PAGE>


                  (g) sales,  leases or other  dispositions  of inventory of the
         Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  determined by the Board of Directors or
         senior  management  of the Borrower to be no longer useful or necessary
         in the operation of the business of the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries;
         PROVIDED  that the Net Proceeds  thereof shall be applied in accordance
         with Section 2.12(d);

                  (h) sales or other  dispositions  of  accounts  receivable  of
         foreign Subsidiaries in connection with factoring  arrangements so long
         as the aggregate  face amount at any time  outstanding  of  receivables
         subject to such arrangements does not exceed $50,000,000; and

                  (i)  sales  or  other  dispositions  by  the  Borrower  or any
         Subsidiary  of assets  (other  than  receivables,  except to the extent
         disposed  of  incidentally  in  connection  with an  asset  disposition
         otherwise  permitted hereby),  including Capital Stock of Subsidiaries,
         for  consideration  in an aggregate  amount  (taken  together  with any
         consideration received in respect of transactions permitted pursuant to
         paragraph (f) above) not exceeding 25% of the Enterprise Value of UCAR,
         the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  as of the  Original  Closing  Date;
         PROVIDED that (i) each such  disposition  shall be for a  consideration
         determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or senior management
         of the  Borrower to be at least equal to the fair market value (if any)
         of  the  asset  sold,   (ii)  the  aggregate   amount  of  all  noncash
         consideration  included in the proceeds of any such disposition may not
         exceed  15% of the  fair  market  value  of  such  proceeds;  PROVIDED,
         HOWEVER,  that obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) or (e)
         of the  definition of "Permitted  Investments"  (without  regard to the
         maturity or the credit  rating  thereof)  shall not be deemed  non-cash
         proceeds  if such  obligations  are  promptly  sold  for  cash  and the
         proceeds of such sale are included in the  calculation  of Net Proceeds
         from  such  sale,   (iii)  the  aggregate  Net  Proceeds  of  all  such
         dispositions  under this  paragraph  (i) shall be applied in accordance
         with Section  2.12(d),  except as  contemplated by the last sentence of
         this  paragraph  and (iv) no  Default  or Event of  Default  shall have
         occurred  and  be  continuing   immediately  prior  to  or  after  such
         disposition;  and  PROVIDED  FURTHER  that no  sale  may be made of the
         Capital Stock of (x) any Credit Party,  UCAR Carbon Company Inc.,  UCAR
         Holdings  Inc.,  UCAR Holdings II Inc. or UCAR Holdings III Inc. or (y)
         except in connection with the sale of all its outstanding Capital Stock
         that is held by the Borrower in any  Subsidiary,  the Capital  Stock of
         any other Subsidiary. Upon receipt by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
         the Net Proceeds of any transaction contemplated by this paragraph (i),
         the Borrower  shall  promptly  deliver a  certificate  of a Responsible
         Officer to the Administrative Agent setting forth the amount of the Net
         Proceeds  received  in respect  thereof and whether it shall apply such
         Net Proceeds to prepay  Obligations in accordance  with Section 2.12(d)
         or will use such Net Proceeds to purchase assets useful in the


                                      -98-
<PAGE>
         business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries within 12 months of such
         receipt.

                  SECTION  6.06.  DIVIDENDS AND  DISTRIBUTIONS.  Declare or pay,
directly  or  indirectly,  any  dividend  or make  any  other  distribution  (by
reduction of capital or otherwise),  whether in cash, property,  securities or a
combination thereof, with respect to any shares of its Capital Stock (other than
dividends and  distributions  on the common stock of UCAR payable  solely by the
issuance of additional shares of common stock of UCAR) or directly or indirectly
redeem,  purchase,  retire  or  otherwise  acquire  for  value  (or  permit  any
Subsidiary  to purchase or acquire) any shares of any class of its Capital Stock
or set aside any  amount for any such  purpose  (collectively,  the  "Restricted
Equity Payments"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that:

                  (a)  any   Subsidiary   may  declare  and  pay  dividends  to,
         repurchase  its Capital Stock from or make other  distributions  to the
         Borrower  or to  any  Wholly  Owned  Subsidiary  (or,  in the  case  of
         non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, to the Borrower or any Subsidiary and to
         each other  owner of  Capital  Stock of such  Subsidiary  on a pro rata
         basis (or more favorable  basis from the perspective of the Borrower or
         such Subsidiary) based on their relative ownership interests);

                  (b) the Borrower  may declare and pay  dividends or make other
         distributions to UCAR in respect of overhead,  tax liabilities,  legal,
         accounting  and other  professional  fees and expenses and any fees and
         expenses  associated  with  registration   statements  filed  with  the
         Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  and  subsequent  ongoing  public
         reporting requirements, in each case to the extent actually incurred by
         UCAR in  connection  with the business of its  ownership of the Capital
         Stock of the Borrower and the Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

                  (c) (i) so long as no Default  or Event of Default  shall have
         occurred  and be  continuing  or  would  result  therefrom,  UCAR,  the
         Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  may make Restricted  Equity Payments so
         long as, after giving effect thereto, at least one of the following two
         conditions  shall be satisfied:  (x) the aggregate amount of Restricted
         Junior Payments made after the Effectiveness  Date shall not exceed the
         Restricted  Junior  Payment  Amount  or (y)  the  aggregate  amount  of
         Restricted  Junior Payments made during the twelve-month  period ending
         on the  date  of  such  Restricted  Equity  Payment  shall  not  exceed
         $15,000,000;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if at any time the Leverage Ratio
         reflected in the  certificate  most  recently  delivered  under Section
         5.04(c) is greater than 2.0, the aggregate amount of Restricted  Junior
         Payments made in the fiscal year in which such certificate is delivered
         shall not exceed  $65,000,000  (it being  understood  that it shall not
         constitute a violation of this provision if Restricted  Junior Payments
         in excess of


                                      -99-
<PAGE>


         $65,000,000  are made in any fiscal year at any time that such Leverage
         Ratio is less than or equal to 2.0 and the Leverage Ratio  reflected in
         a certificate  subsequently delivered under Section 5.04(c) during such
         fiscal year is greater than 2.0),  except that the aggregate  amount of
         Restricted  Junior  Payments  permitted  to have been made  during  the
         period extending from October 19, 1995,  through December 31, 1996, but
         not  actually  made during such period  (which  amount shall not exceed
         $45,000,000)  may be made  during  fiscal  year 1997 in addition to the
         aggregate  amount of Restricted  Junior  Payments  otherwise  allowable
         hereunder, and (ii) dividends may be paid within 60 days after the date
         of declaration  thereof if, had such dividend been paid on such date of
         declaration,  such dividend  would have complied with clause (i) above;
         and

                  (d) the Borrower  may  purchase or redeem,  or declare and pay
         dividends or make other distributions to UCAR the proceeds of which are
         to be used to purchase or redeem,  shares of Capital  Stock (or options
         or warrants in respect of such shares) of UCAR (including related stock
         appreciation  rights or similar  securities)  held by present or former
         officers or employees of UCAR, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or by any
         Plan upon such person's death, disability, retirement or termination of
         employment  or under the terms of any such Plan or any other  agreement
         under  which  such  shares  of stock or  related  rights  were  issued;
         PROVIDED that the aggregate amount of such purchases or redemptions (or
         dividends or  distributions to UCAR) under this paragraph (d) shall not
         exceed  $5,000,000 per calendar year which, if not used in any year may
         be carried forward to any subsequent calendar year; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,
         that  the  aggregate  amount  of  such  purchases  or  redemptions  (or
         dividends or  distributions  to UCAR) that may be made pursuant to this
         paragraph (d) shall not exceed $25,000,000.

                  SECTION  6.07.  TRANSACTIONS  WITH  AFFILIATES.  (a)  Sell  or
transfer  any  property or assets to, or  purchase  or acquire  any  property or
assets  from,  or otherwise  engage in any other  transaction  with,  any of its
Affiliates or any known direct or indirect holder of 10% or more of any class of
capital stock of UCAR, unless such transaction is (i) otherwise  permitted under
this  Agreement  and (ii) upon terms no less  favorable  to the Borrower or such
Subsidiary,  as  the  case  may  be,  than  it  would  obtain  in  a  comparable
arm's-length transaction with a person which was not an Affiliate, PROVIDED that
the foregoing  restriction shall not apply to (A) the payment to the Fund or any
of its Affiliates of the monitoring and management fees referred to in paragraph
(c) below or fees payable on the Effectiveness  Date or (B) the  indemnification
of directors  of UCAR,  the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  in  accordance  with
customary practice.

                  (b) The foregoing  paragraph  (a) shall not  prohibit,  to the
extent otherwise permitted under this Agreement, (i) any issuance of securities,
or other


                                     -100-
<PAGE>

payments,  awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the
funding of,  employment  arrangements,  stock options and stock  ownership plans
approved by the Board of Directors of UCAR,  (ii) loans or advances to employees
of UCAR,  the Borrower or any  Subsidiary  in accordance  with Section  6.04(e),
(iii)  transactions  among UCAR, the Borrower and Wholly Owned  Subsidiaries and
transactions  among  Wholly  Owned  Subsidiaries  otherwise  permitted  by  this
Agreement,  (iv) the payment of fees and indemnities to directors,  officers and
employees  of the  Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  in the  ordinary  course  of
business,  (v) transactions pursuant to permitted agreements in existence on the
Effectiveness Date and set forth on Schedule 6.07, (vi) payments pursuant to the
Tax Sharing  Agreement,  (vii) any  employment  agreements  entered  into by the
Borrower or any of the  Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business,  (viii)
dividends and repurchases permitted under Section 6.06, and (ix) any purchase by
UCAR of Capital Stock of the Borrower or any  contribution by UCAR to the equity
capital of the Borrower.

                  (c)  Make  any  payment  of or on  account  of  monitoring  or
management  fees payable to the Fund or its  Affiliates if a Default or Event of
Default  shall  have  occurred  and be  continuing  or would  result  therefrom,
PROVIDED that the aggregate  amount of monitoring  and  management  fees paid or
payable  to the Fund and its  Affiliates  in any  fiscal  year  shall not exceed
$1,102,500 for 1997 and for any  subsequent  year an amount equal to 105% of the
maximum  allowable  aggregate  monitoring and management fee for the immediately
preceding year; PROVIDED that in the event that the maximum amount allowable for
such  monitoring  and  management  fee is not paid in any such  year  (the  "Fee
Shortfall") the maximum amount  allowable for such monitoring and management fee
shall be an amount equal to 105% of the maximum allowable  aggregate  monitoring
and management fee for the immediately preceding year plus the Fee Shortfall.

                  SECTION  6.08.   BUSINESS  OF  UCAR,   THE  BORROWER  AND  THE
SUBSIDIARIES.  (a) In the case of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries  (taken as a
whole), cease to engage primarily in the business of manufacturing  graphite and
carbon  electrodes  and  (b) in the  case of  UCAR,  engage  at any  time in any
business  or  business  activity  other  than  (i)  the  ownership  of  all  the
outstanding  capital  stock of the Borrower  together with  activities  directly
related thereto,  (ii) the ownership of Unrestricted  Subsidiaries together with
activities directly related thereto,  (iii) performance of its obligations under
the Loan  Documents,  under  intercompany  Indebtedness  and under  Indebtedness
incurred in accordance with Section 6.01(r) and (iv) actions  required by law to
maintain its status as a corporation and as a public company.

                  SECTION 6.09.  SUBORDINATED  INDEBTEDNESS  AND OTHER  MATERIAL
AGREEMENTS.  (a) Amend or  modify,  or grant any waiver or  release  under,  any
instruments,  agreements  or  documents  evidencing  or  related  to the  Senior
Subordinated  Notes  or the  Refinancing  Notes  in any  manner  adverse  to the
Lenders.



                                     -101-
<PAGE>

                  (b) (i) Directly or indirectly, make any payment,  retirement,
repurchase or redemption on account of the principal of the Senior  Subordinated
Notes or the Refinancing  Notes or directly or indirectly  prepay or defease any
such  Indebtedness  prior  to the  stated  maturity  date of  such  Indebtedness
(collectively,  "Restricted Debt Payments"), except with the proceeds of Capital
Stock of UCAR issued by UCAR after the Original Closing Date (after  application
of the Net Proceeds of such issuance to prepay  Obligations  in accordance  with
Section 2.12(d)),  PROVIDED,  that, in addition to the foregoing,  so long as no
Default  or Event of Default  shall have  occurred  and be  continuing  or would
result  therefrom,  the Borrower may make  Restricted  Debt Payments so long as,
after giving effect thereto,  at least one of the following two conditions shall
be satisfied:  (A) the aggregate amount of Restricted Junior Payments made after
the Effectiveness  Date shall not exceed the Restricted Junior Payment Amount or
(B)  the  aggregate  amount  of  Restricted  Junior  Payments  made  during  the
twelve-month period ending on the date of such Restricted Debt Payment shall not
exceed $15,000,000;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that if at any time the Leverage Ratio
reflected in the  certificate  most recently  delivered under Section 5.04(c) is
greater than 2.0, the aggregate amount of Restricted Junior Payments made in the
fiscal year in which such certificate is delivered shall not exceed  $65,000,000
(it being  understood that it shall not constitute a violation of this provision
if Restricted  Junior  Payments in excess of $65,000,000  are made in any fiscal
year at any time that such  Leverage  Ratio is less than or equal to 2.0 and the
Leverage Ratio reflected in a certificate  subsequently  delivered under Section
5.04(c) during such fiscal year is greater than 2.0),  except that the aggregate
amount of  Restricted  Junior  Payments  permitted  to have been made during the
period  extending  from October 19,  1995,  through  December 31, 1996,  but not
actually made during such period (which amount shall not exceed $45,000,000) may
be made  during  fiscal  year  1997  in  addition  to the  aggregate  amount  of
Restricted Junior Payments otherwise allowable hereunder,  (ii) make any payment
or  prepayment  of any such  Indebtedness  that would  violate the terms of this
Agreement or of such Indebtedness, any agreement or document evidencing, related
to  or  securing  the  payment  or  performance  of  such  Indebtedness  or  any
subordination  agreement or provision  applicable to such  Indebtedness or (iii)
pay in  cash  any  amount  in  respect  of  such  Indebtedness  that  may at the
Borrower's  option  be paid in kind  thereunder;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  the
proceeds  of the  Refinancing  Notes may be  applied  to repay or prepay  Senior
Subordinated Notes.

                  (c) Amend or modify in any manner  adverse to the Lenders,  or
grant any waiver or release  under or  terminate  in any manner (if such  action
shall be adverse to the Lenders),  the certificate of incorporation or bylaws in
any material respect of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

                  (d)  Permit any  Subsidiary  to enter  into any  agreement  or
instrument  which by its terms  restricts the payment of dividends or the making
of cash advances by such  Subsidiary to the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a
direct or indirect


                                     -102-
<PAGE>

parent of such Subsidiary other than those in effect on the  Effectiveness  Date
and set forth on Schedule 6.09 (or  replacements  of such agreements on terms no
less  favorable to the Lenders),  those entered into by South Africa at the time
it is an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary  in  accordance  with  Section 6.10 and those
arising under any Loan Document  (other than any Loan Document in respect of any
Local Facility described in clause (b) of the definition of "Local Facility").

                  SECTION 6.10.  SOUTH AFRICA.  At any time that any  subsidiary
included in South Africa shall be an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary,  (a) permit such
subsidiary or any of its  subsidiaries to enter into any agreement or instrument
which by its terms  restricts  the  payment of  dividends  or the making of cash
advances by such subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary  unless such
agreement or instrument shall at all times permit the affected subsidiary to pay
dividends  or make cash  advances to the  Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries  in an
amount at least equal to the product of (A) 50%, (B) EBIT of such  subsidiary on
a consolidated  basis and (C) the Tax Multiplier  applicable to such subsidiary;
or (b) permit such  subsidiary  to incur  Indebtedness,  unless at the time such
Indebtedness is incurred, the ratio for such subsidiary on a consolidated basis,
computed  on a pro  forma  basis as of the last day of the most  recently  ended
fiscal quarter of such subsidiary,  as certified in an officer's  certificate to
such effect delivered to the  Administrative  Agent,  together with all relevant
information, of (i) all Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness permitted pursuant
to Section  6.01(m)) of such subsidiary for borrowed money to (ii) EBIT for such
subsidiary  plus,  to the  extent  deducted  in  calculating  net income of such
subsidiary, depreciation and amortization expense and plus or minus, the amounts
referred to in clauses (d) and (ii) of the  definition of "EBITDA" (with respect
to South  Africa),  for the four quarter  period ending as of such day, shall be
less than 3.000.  For purposes of this Section 6.10,  (x) "EBIT" shall mean, for
any  person,  the net income of such  person  plus,  to the extent  deducted  in
calculating  net  income,  interest  and  income  tax  expense  and (y) the "Tax
Multiplier" for any person at any time shall mean one minus the effective income
tax rate applicable to such person at such time.

                  SECTION 6.11.  CAPITAL  EXPENDITURES.  Permit UCAR to make any
Capital Expenditure or permit the aggregate amount of Capital  Expenditures made
by the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries in any fiscal year to exceed  $90,000,000;
PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that (a) the Borrower may in any fiscal year,  upon written
notice to the Administrative  Agent, increase the amount of Capital Expenditures
permitted  to  be  made  pursuant  to  this  Section  6.11  by an  amount  up to
$10,000,000 by reducing the amount of Capital Expenditures  permitted to be made
pursuant to this Section 6.11 in the next  succeeding  fiscal year by the amount
of such  increase;  PROVIDED that not more than  $20,000,000 in the aggregate of
increases  may be made  pursuant  to this  clause  (a) in any  three-fiscal-year
period, and (b) to the extent Capital  Expenditures made in any fiscal year were
less than  $90,000,000  less any reduction made for such year pursuant to clause
(a), such unused amount may be carried forward to



                                     -103-
<PAGE>

succeeding  fiscal years;  PROVIDED  FURTHER,  HOWEVER,  that aggregate  Capital
Expenditures in any fiscal year shall not exceed $110,000,000.

                  SECTION 6.12.  INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO.  Permit the ratio (the
"Interest Coverage Ratio") as of the last day of any fiscal quarter,  which last
day occurs in any period set forth below for the four quarter period ended as of
such day of (a) EBITDA minus Capital  Expenditures of UCAR, the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries  to (b) Cash  Interest  Expense to be less than the ratio set forth
below for such period:

From and Including:            To and Including:                   Ratio:

January 1, 1997                June 30, 1997                       2.100
July 1, 1997                   December 31, 1997                   2.200
January 1, 1998                June 30, 1998                       2.300
July 1, 1998                   December 31, 1998                   2.400
January 1, 1999                June 30, 1999                       2.500
July 1, 1999                   December 31, 1999                   2.600
January 1, 2000                June 30, 2000                       2.700
July 1, 2000                   December 31, 2000                   2.800
January 1, 2001                June 30, 2001                       2.900
July 1, 2001                   December 31, 2002                   3.000


                  SECTION 6.13.  LEVERAGE RATIO. Permit the ratio (the "Leverage
Ratio") of (a) Total Debt as of the last day of any fiscal  quarter,  which last
day  occurs in any period  set forth  below to (b)  EBITDA for the four  quarter
period  ended as of such day to be in excess  of the  ratio set forth  below for
such period:

From and Including:            To and Including:                   Ratio:

January 1, 1997                June 30, 1997                       4.250
July 1, 1997                   December 31, 1997                   4.000
January 1, 1998                June 30, 1998                       3.850
July 1, 1998                   December 31, 1998                   3.750
January 1, 1999                June 30, 1999                       3.500
July 1, 1999                   December 31, 1999                   3.250
January 1, 2000                June 30, 2000                       3.000
July 1, 2000                   December 31, 2000                   2.750
January 1, 2001                June 30, 2001                       2.500
July 1, 2001                   December 31, 2002                   2.250



                                     -104-
<PAGE>

                  SECTION  6.14.  CAPITAL  STOCK  OF  THE  SUBSIDIARIES.   Sell,
transfer,  lease or otherwise  dispose of, or make subject to any  subscription,
option, warrant, call, right or other agreement or commitment of any nature, the
Capital Stock of any  Subsidiary,  other than (a) pursuant to the Loan Documents
or pursuant to a transaction  permitted  pursuant to Section 6.05 and subject to
Section  2.12(d),  (b) in connection with  transactions of the type described in
Section 6.07(b)(i) and (c) directors' qualifying shares.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT
                                -----------------

                  In  case  of the  happening  of any  of the  following  events
("Events of Default"):

                  (a) any  representation  or  warranty  made or deemed  made by
         UCAR, the Borrower or any Loan Party in any Loan Document (other than a
         Local  Facility  Loan  Document),  or  any  representation,   warranty,
         statement  or  information   contained  in  any  report,   certificate,
         financial statement or other instrument furnished in connection with or
         pursuant  to any  Loan  Document  (other  than a  Local  Facility  Loan
         Document), shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material
         respect when so made, deemed made or furnished by UCAR, the Borrower or
         any other Loan Party;

                  (b) default  shall be made in the payment of any  principal of
         any Loan, any principal of any Indebtedness under any Local Facility or
         the reimbursement  with respect to any L/C Disbursement when and as the
         same shall become due and  payable,  whether at the due date thereof or
         at a date fixed for prepayment  thereof or by  acceleration  thereof or
         otherwise;

                  (c) default  shall be made in the  payment of any  interest on
         any Loan or on any L/C Disbursement or in the payment of any Fee or any
         other amount (other than an amount  referred to in (b) above) due under
         any Loan Document (other than a Local Facility Loan Document), when and
         as the same  shall  become  due and  payable,  and such  default  shall
         continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;

                  (d) default shall be made in the due observance or performance
         by UCAR, the Borrower or any  Subsidiary of any covenant,  condition or
         agreement  contained in Section 5.01(a) (with respect to the Borrower),
         5.05(a), 5.08 or 5.12 or in Article VI;


                                     -105-
<PAGE>

                  (e) default shall be made in the due observance or performance
         by UCAR,  the  Borrower,  any  Credit  Party or any  Subsidiary  of any
         covenant,  condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other
         than a Local  Facility Loan  Document)  (other than those  specified in
         (b), (c) or (d) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a
         period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent or
         the Required Lenders to the Borrower;

                  (f) UCAR,  the Borrower or any  Significant  Subsidiary  shall
         fail to observe or perform any term,  covenant,  condition or agreement
         contained in any  agreement or  instrument  evidencing or governing any
         Indebtedness  (other  than any  Indebtedness  under any Loan  Document)
         having  an  aggregate   principal  or  notional  amount  in  excess  of
         $7,500,000, if the effect of any such failure is to cause, or to permit
         the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or a trustee on its or their
         behalf  (with or without  the  giving of  notice,  the lapse of time or
         both) to cause,  such  Indebtedness  to become  due prior to its stated
         maturity,  or UCAR, the Borrower or any  Significant  Subsidiary  shall
         fail to pay any  principal in respect of any such  Indebtedness  at the
         stated maturity thereof;

                  (g)  an  involuntary  proceeding  shall  be  commenced  or  an
         involuntary   petition   shall  be  filed  in  a  court  of   competent
         jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of UCAR, the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary, or of a substantial part of the property or assets of UCAR,
         the Borrower or a Subsidiary, under Title 11 of the United States Code,
         as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal, state or
         foreign bankruptcy,  insolvency,  receivership or similar law, (ii) the
         appointment   of  a   receiver,   trustee,   custodian,   sequestrator,
         conservator  or  similar   official  for  UCAR,  the  Borrower  or  any
         Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property or assets of UCAR,
         the Borrower or a Subsidiary or (iii) the  winding-up or liquidation of
         UCAR, the Borrower or any  Subsidiary;  and such proceeding or petition
         shall continue  undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving
         or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

                  (h) UCAR, the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily
         commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title
         11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter  amended,
         or  any  other  Federal,  state  or  foreign  bankruptcy,   insolvency,
         receivership  or similar law,  (ii) consent to the  institution  of, or
         fail to contest in a timely and appropriate  manner,  any proceeding or
         the filing of any petition  described in (g) above,  (iii) apply for or
         consent  to  the  appointment  of  a  receiver,   trustee,   custodian,
         sequestrator, conservator or similar official for UCAR, the Borrower or
         any  Subsidiary or for a substantial  part of the property or assets of
         the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary,  (iv) file an answer  admitting  the
         material allegations of a


                                     -106-
<PAGE>

         petition  filed against it in any such  proceeding,  (v) make a general
         assignment for the benefit of creditors,  (vi) become unable,  admit in
         writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become
         due or (vii) take any action for the  purpose of  effecting  any of the
         foregoing;

                  (i) one or more  judgments  for the  payment  of  money  in an
         aggregate amount in excess of $7,500,000  (except to the extent covered
         by  insurance as to which the insurer has  acknowledged  in writing its
         obligation to cover) shall be rendered against UCAR, the Borrower,  any
         Significant  Subsidiary or any  combination  thereof and the same shall
         remain  undischarged  for a period of 30 consecutive  days during which
         execution  shall not be  effectively  stayed,  or any  action  shall be
         legally taken by a judgment  creditor to levy upon assets or properties
         of UCAR, the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary to enforce any such
         judgment;

                  (j) (i) a Reportable Event or Reportable  Events, or a failure
         to make a required  installment or other payment (within the meaning of
         Section 412(n)(1) of the Code), shall have occurred with respect to any
         Plan,  (ii) a trustee  shall be appointed by a United  States  district
         court  to  administer  any  Plan,   (iii)  the  PBGC  shall   institute
         proceedings  (including  giving notice of intent  thereof) to terminate
         any Plan,  (iv) the  Borrower  or any ERISA  Affiliate  shall have been
         notified by the sponsor of a  Multiemployer  Plan that it has  incurred
         Withdrawal  Liability  to such  Multiemployer  Plan and the Borrower or
         such ERISA  Affiliate does not have  reasonable  grounds for contesting
         such  Withdrawal   Liability  or  is  not  contesting  such  Withdrawal
         Liability in a timely and appropriate  manner,  (v) the Borrower or any
         ERISA   Affiliate  shall  have  been  notified  by  the  sponsor  of  a
         Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or
         is being terminated,  within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, (vi) the
         Borrower  or any  ERISA  Affiliate  shall  engage  in  any  "prohibited
         transaction" (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
         Code)  involving  any Plan,  (vii) any other similar event or condition
         shall  occur or  exist  with  respect  to a Plan;  and in each  case in
         clauses (i) through (vii) above, such event or condition, together with
         all other  such  events or  conditions,  if any,  could  reasonably  be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (k) (i) any Loan  Document  (other than a Local  Facility Loan
         Document) shall for any reason be asserted by UCAR, the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any party
         thereto,  (ii) any  security  interest  purported  to be created by any
         Security  Document and to extend to assets which are not  immaterial to
         UCAR, the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis shall
         cease to be, or shall be  asserted  by the  Borrower  or any other Loan
         Party  not to  be,  a  valid,  perfected,  first  priority  (except  as
         otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or such


                                     -107-
<PAGE>

         Security  Document)  security  interest  in the  securities,  assets or
         properties covered thereby,  except to the extent that any such loss of
         perfection or priority results from the failure of the Collateral Agent
         to maintain possession of certificates  representing securities pledged
         under the Pledge  Agreement or to file UCC  continuation  statements or
         (iii) the  Obligations  of UCAR and the Borrower  and the  guarantee by
         UCAR thereof pursuant to the Parent Guarantee  Agreement shall cease to
         constitute senior  indebtedness  under the subordination  provisions of
         any  document  or  instrument  evidencing  any  permitted  subordinated
         Indebtedness or such  subordination  provisions shall be invalidated or
         otherwise  cease to be legal,  valid  and  binding  obligations  of the
         parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with their terms;

                  (l) the  Administrative  Agent or the Required  Lenders  shall
         have given  notice to the  Borrower  of any event of default  under any
         Local Facility Credit Agreement; or

                  (m) there shall have occurred a Change in Control;

then,  and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower
described in paragraph (g) or (h) above),  and at any time thereafter during the
continuance  of such  event,  the  Administrative  Agent,  at the request of the
Required  Lenders,  shall,  by  notice to the  Borrower,  take any or all of the
following actions,  at the same or different times: (i) terminate  forthwith the
Commitments,  (ii) declare the Loans then  outstanding  to be forthwith  due and
payable in whole or in part and (iii) demand cash collateral pursuant to Section
2.20(h), whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable,
together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other
liabilities of the Borrower accrued  hereunder and under any other Loan Document
(other than any Local Facility Loan  Document),  shall become  forthwith due and
payable,  without presentment,  demand, protest or any other notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby  expressly  waived by the Borrower,  anything  contained
herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding; and in any
event with respect to the Borrower  described in paragraph (g) or (h) above, the
Commitments  shall  automatically  terminate,  the  principal  of the Loans then
outstanding,  together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees
and all other  liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other
Loan Document (other than any Local Facility Loan Document), shall automatically
become due and payable and the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have made
a demand for cash collateral to the full extent permitted under Section 2.20(h),
without  presentment,  demand,  protest or any other notice of any kind,  all of
which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower,  anything contained herein or
in any  other  Loan  Document  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  As  soon  as
practicable following any acceleration  hereunder the Administrative Agent shall
advise the Local Facility Lenders thereof.


                                     -108-
<PAGE>


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT
                -------------------------------------------------

                  In order to expedite  the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement, The Chase Manhattan Bank is hereby appointed to act as Administrative
Agent and Collateral  Agent on behalf of the Lenders and the Fronting Banks (for
purposes of this Article VIII, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent
are  referred to  collectively  as the  "Agents").  Each of the Lenders and each
assignee of any such Lender  hereby  irrevocably  authorizes  the Agents to take
such actions on behalf of such Lender or assignee or such  Fronting  Bank and to
exercise  such powers as are  specifically  delegated to the Agents by the terms
and  provisions  hereof  and of the other  Loan  Documents,  together  with such
actions and powers as are  reasonably  incidental  thereto.  The  Administrative
Agent is hereby  expressly  authorized  by the Lenders and the  Fronting  Banks,
without hereby limiting any implied  authority,  (a) to receive on behalf of the
Lenders and the Fronting  Banks all payments of principal of and interest on the
Loans, all payments in respect of L/C Disbursements and all other amounts due to
the Lenders and the Fronting Banks hereunder, and promptly to distribute to each
Lender or Fronting  Bank its proper share of each  payment so  received;  (b) to
give  notice on behalf of each of the  Lenders to the  Borrower  of any Event of
Default specified in this Agreement of which the Administrative Agent has actual
knowledge  acquired  in  connection  with  its  agency  hereunder;  and  (c)  to
distribute to each Lender copies of all notices,  financial statements and other
materials  delivered by the Borrower  pursuant to this  Agreement as received by
the Administrative Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the
Agents  are  hereby  expressly  authorized  to  execute  any and  all  documents
(including  releases)  with  respect  to the  Collateral  and the  rights of the
Secured Parties with respect thereto,  as contemplated by and in accordance with
the provisions of this Agreement and the Security  Documents.  In the event that
any party other than the Lenders and the Agents shall  participate in all or any
portion of the  Collateral  pursuant to the Security  Documents,  all rights and
remedies in respect of such  Collateral  shall be controlled  by the  Collateral
Agent.

                  Neither  the  Agents  nor any of their  respective  directors,
officers,  employees  or agents  shall be liable as such for any action taken or
omitted  by any of them  except  for its or his own gross  negligence  or wilful
misconduct,  or be  responsible  for any statement,  warranty or  representation
herein or the contents of any document delivered in connection  herewith,  or be
required to  ascertain  or to make any inquiry  concerning  the  performance  or
observance  by the  Borrower  or  any  other  Loan  Party  of any of the  terms,
conditions,  covenants or agreements contained in any Loan Document.  The Agents
shall not be  responsible  to the  Lenders for the due  execution,  genuineness,
validity,  enforceability  or  effectiveness of this Agreement or any other Loan
Documents or other  instruments or agreements.  The Agents shall in all cases be
fully protected in acting, or refraining from acting, in accordance with written


                                     -109-
<PAGE>

instructions   signed  by  the  Required   Lenders  and,   except  as  otherwise
specifically  provided  herein,  such  instructions  and any action or  inaction
pursuant  thereto shall be binding on all the Lenders.  Each Agent shall, in the
absence of knowledge to the contrary,  be entitled to rely on any  instrument or
document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and correct and to have been
signed or sent by the proper  person or  persons.  Neither the Agents nor any of
their  respective  directors,  officers,  employees  or  agents  shall  have any
responsibility to the Borrower or any other Loan Party on account of the failure
of or delay in  performance  or breach by any Lender or any Fronting Bank of any
of its obligations hereunder or to any Lender or any Fronting Bank on account of
the failure of or delay in performance or breach by any other Lender or Fronting
Bank  or the  Borrower  or any  other  Loan  Party  of any of  their  respective
obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document or in connection herewith
or therewith.  Each of the Agents may execute any and all duties hereunder by or
through  agents or  employees  and shall be  entitled to rely upon the advice of
legal counsel  selected by it with respect to all matters arising  hereunder and
shall not be liable  for any  action  taken or  suffered  in good faith by it in
accordance with the advice of such counsel.

                  The Lenders  hereby  acknowledge  that neither  Agent shall be
under  any duty to take any  discretionary  action  permitted  to be taken by it
pursuant to the  provisions  of this  Agreement  unless it shall be requested in
writing to do so by the Required  Lenders.  The Lenders further  acknowledge and
agree  that so long as an Agent  shall make any  determination  to be made by it
hereunder or under any other Loan Document in good faith,  such Agent shall have
no liability in respect of such determination to any person.

                  Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent
as provided below,  either Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders
and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the
right to  appoint  a  successor  with the  consent  of the  Borrower  (not to be
unreasonably  withheld).  If no  successor  shall have been so  appointed by the
Required  Lenders and  approved by the  Borrower  and shall have  accepted  such
appointment  within  30 days  after  the  retiring  Agent  gives  notice  of its
resignation,  then the  retiring  Agent may, on behalf of the  Lenders  with the
consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably  withheld),  appoint a successor
Agent  which  shall be a bank with an office  in New  York,  New York,  having a
combined  capital and surplus of at least  $500,000,000  or an  Affiliate of any
such bank.  Upon the  acceptance  of any  appointment  as Agent  hereunder  by a
successor  bank,  such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the
rights,  powers,  privileges  and duties of the retiring  Agent and the retiring
Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations  hereunder.  After the
Agent's resignation  hereunder,  the provisions of this Article and Section 9.05
shall  continue  in effect for its  benefit in respect of any  actions  taken or
omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as Agent.


                                     -110-
<PAGE>

 
                  With respect to the Loans made by it hereunder,  each Agent in
its  individual  capacity and not as Agent shall have the same rights and powers
as any other  Lender and may  exercise  the same as though it were not an Agent,
and the Agents and their  Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and
generally  engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
other Affiliate thereof as if it were not an Agent.

                  Each Lender agrees (a) to reimburse the Agents,  on demand, in
the amount of its pro rata share (based on its Commitments hereunder (or if such
Commitments  shall  have  expired or been  terminated,  in  accordance  with the
respective   principal   amounts  of  its   applicable   outstanding   Loans  or
participations in L/C Disbursements,  as applicable)) of any reasonable expenses
incurred  for the benefit of the Lenders by the Agents,  including  counsel fees
and compensation of agents and employees paid for services rendered on behalf of
the  Lenders,  which shall not have been  reimbursed  by the Borrower and (b) to
indemnify  and hold  harmless  each  Agent and any of its  directors,  officers,
employees or agents,  on demand,  in the amount of such pro rata share, from and
against any and all liabilities, taxes, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions,  judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses or  disbursements  of any kind or
nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against it in
its  capacity  as Agent or any of them in any way  relating to or arising out of
this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document or any action taken or omitted by it
or any of them under this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document,  to the extent
the same shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrower; PROVIDED that no Lender
shall be liable to an Agent for any  portion of such  liabilities,  obligations,
losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses or
disbursements  resulting from the gross negligence or wilful  misconduct of such
Agent or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents.

                  Each  Lender  acknowledges  that  it  has,  independently  and
without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and based on such documents
and information as it has deemed  appropriate,  made its own credit analysis and
decision to enter into this  Agreement.  Each Lender also  acknowledges  that it
will, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and
based on such  documents  and  information  as it shall  from  time to time deem
appropriate,  continue to make its own  decisions in taking or not taking action
under or based upon this  Agreement  or any other  Loan  Document,  any  related
agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

                  No Co-Agent  shall have any  liability  hereunder by virtue of
its execution of this Agreement as a Co-Agent.

                  As soon as  practicable  after it becomes aware of an Event of
Default that has  occurred and is  continuing,  the  Administrative  Agent shall
notify each Lender thereof.


                                     -111-
<PAGE>

                  In  its  capacity  as  Administrative  Agent  hereunder,   the
Administrative Agent will serve as Representative of the Bank Indebtedness under
the Senior Subordinated Indenture and the Senior Subordinated Exchange Indenture
and  agrees  to  notify  each  Lender  of  any  notice  received  by it as  such
Representative.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS
                                  -------------

                  SECTION  9.01.  NOTICES.   Notices  and  other  communications
provided  for  herein  shall be in  writing  and shall be  delivered  by hand or
overnight  courier  service,  mailed by certified or registered  mail or sent by
telecopy, as follows:

                  (a) if to the Borrower, to it at UCAR Global Enterprises Inc.,
         39 Old  Ridgebury  Road,  Danbury,  CT  06817-0001,  Attention of Chief
         Financial Officer (Telecopy No. (203) 207-7780),  and if to UCAR, to it
         in care of the Borrower;

                  (b) if to the  Administrative  Agent,  to The Loan and  Agency
         Services Group,  8th floor,  One Chase Manhattan  Plaza,  New York, New
         York 10081 Attention: Sandra Miklave (Telecopy No. (212) 552-5658);

                  (c) if to a Fronting  Bank or to any Credit  Party  other than
         the  Borrower,  to it at its address (or telecopy  number) set forth in
         Schedule 2.20; and

                  (d) if to a Lender,  to it at its address (or telecopy number)
         set  forth  in  the  Administrative   Questionnaire  delivered  to  the
         Administrative Agent by such Lender in connection with the execution of
         this Agreement or in the  Assignment  and Acceptance  pursuant to which
         such Lender shall have become a party hereto.

All notices and other  communications  given to any party  hereto in  accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement  shall be deemed to have been given on the
date of receipt if  delivered by hand or  overnight  courier  service or sent by
telecopy  or on the date five  Business  Days after  dispatch  by  certified  or
registered  mail if mailed,  in each case  delivered,  sent or mailed  (properly
addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 9.01 or in accordance  with
the latest  unrevoked  direction  from such party given in accordance  with this
Section 9.01.

                  SECTION   9.02.   Survival  of   Agreement.   All   covenants,
agreements,  representations  and  warranties  made by the  Borrower,  the other
Credit Parties and the Guarantors herein, in the other Loan Documents and in the
certificates or other


                                     -112-
<PAGE>

instruments  prepared  or  delivered  in  connection  with or  pursuant  to this
Agreement or any other Loan  Document  shall be  considered  to have been relied
upon by the Lenders and the Fronting  Banks and shall  survive the making by the
Lenders of the Loans,  the  execution  and  delivery  to the Lenders of the Loan
Documents  and  the  issuance  of  the  Letters  of  Credit,  regardless  of any
investigation made by the Lenders or on their behalf, and shall continue in full
force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan
or L/C  Disbursement or any Fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement
or any other Loan Document is outstanding  and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is
outstanding and so long as the  Commitments  have not been  terminated.  Without
prejudice  to  the   survival  of  any  other   agreements   contained   herein,
indemnification  and  reimbursement   obligations  contained  herein  (including
pursuant to Sections  2.13,  2.15,  2.19 and 9.05) shall  survive the payment in
full of the principal and interest  hereunder,  the expiration of the Letters of
Credit and the termination of the Commitments or this Agreement.

                  SECTION 9.03.  BINDING  EFFECT.  This  Agreement  shall become
effective  when it shall  have been  executed  by UCAR,  the  Borrower,  and the
Administrative  Agent and when the  Administrative  Agent  shall  have  received
copies hereof which,  when taken  together,  bear the  signatures of each of the
other  parties  hereto,  and  thereafter  shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of UCAR, the Borrower, the other Credit Parties, each Fronting Bank, the
Administrative  Agent and each Lender and their respective  permitted successors
and assigns.

                  SECTION  9.04.  SUCCESSORS  AND ASSIGNS.  (a) Whenever in this
Agreement  any of the parties  hereto is referred  to, such  reference  shall be
deemed to include the permitted  successors  and assigns of such party;  and all
covenants,  promises and agreements by or on behalf of UCAR,  the Borrower,  the
other Credit  Parties,  the  Administrative  Agent,  the  Fronting  Banks or the
Lenders that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit
of their respective successors and assigns.

                  (b) Each Lender may assign to one or more  assignees  all or a
portion  of its  interests,  rights  and  obligations  as a  Lender  under  this
Agreement  (including  all or a portion  of its  Commitments,  the Loans and L/C
Disbursements  at the time owing to it and  participations  in Letters of Credit
held by it, it being understood that Lenders shall not be required to assign pro
rata amounts of their Loans, L/C  Disbursements,  Revolving Credit  Commitments,
Term Commitments and Tranche A Reimbursement Commitments,  except that Tranche A
Exposures, Tranche A Reimbursement Commitments and Tranche A Term Loans may only
be assigned in pro rata amounts); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) except in the case
of an assignment to another  Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender,  (A) in each
case, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent must each give its prior written
consent  to  such  assignment  (which  consent  shall  not  in  either  case  be
unreasonably  withheld  or  delayed)  and (B) in the case of  participations  in
Letters of Credit, Tranche A Reimbursement Commitments or



                                     -113-
<PAGE>

Revolving Credit Commitments,  each applicable Fronting Bank must give its prior
written  consent  to such  assignment  (which  consent  shall not in any case be
unreasonably  withheld or delayed),  (ii) except in the case of an assignment to
another  Lender or an  Affiliate of such  Lender,  the amount of the Loans,  L/C
Disbursements,  Commitments  or  participations  in  Letters  of  Credit  of the
assigning  Lender  subject  to such  assignment  (determined  as of the date the
Assignment  and Acceptance  with respect to such  assignment is delivered to the
Administrative  Agent)  shall be an  amount  not  less  than  $5,000,000  and an
integral  multiple of $1,000,000 or shall be the entire remaining amount of such
Loans, L/C  Disbursements,  Commitments or  participations  in Letters of Credit
held by such assigning Lender,  (iii) unless the assignor ceases to be a Lender,
the  aggregate  amount of the Loans and L/C  Disbursements  owing to and  unused
Commitments of such Lender after giving effect to such  assignment  shall be not
less than $5,000,000, (iv) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and
deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance,  together with
a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 and (v) the assignee, if it shall not
be a  Lender,  shall  deliver  to the  Administrative  Agent  an  Administrative
Questionnaire.  Upon acceptance and recording  pursuant to paragraph (e) of this
Section 9.04, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and
Acceptance,  which effective date shall be at least five Business Days after the
execution thereof unless agreed otherwise by the  Administrative  Agent, (i) the
assignee  thereunder  shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest
assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a
Lender under this Agreement and (ii) the assigning Lender  thereunder  shall, to
the extent of the  interest  assigned  by such  Assignment  and  Acceptance,  be
released  from its  obligations  under this  Agreement  (and,  in the case of an
Assignment and Acceptance  covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning
Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to
be a party hereto but shall  continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections
2.13,  2.15,  2.19 and 9.05,  as well as to any Fees accrued for its account and
not yet paid).

                  (c) By executing and delivering an Assignment and  Acceptance,
the assigning Lender  thereunder and the assignee  thereunder shall be deemed to
confirm to and agree with each other and the other  parties  hereto as  follows:
(i) such assigning  Lender warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of
the interest being assigned thereby free and clear of any adverse claim and that
its Term  Commitments,  Tranche A Reimbursement  Commitment and Revolving Credit
Commitment,  and the outstanding balances of its Loans and L/C Disbursements and
its  participations  in Letters of Credit, in each case without giving effect to
assignments  thereof which have not become  effective,  are as set forth in such
Assignment and  Acceptance;  (ii) except as set forth in clause (i) above,  such
assigning   Lender   makes  no   representation   or  warranty  and  assumes  no
responsibility  with respect to any  statements,  warranties or  representations
made in or in  connection  with  this  Agreement,  or the  execution,  legality,
validity, enforceability,  genuineness,  sufficiency or value of this Agreement,
any other Loan Document or any other


                                     -114-
<PAGE>


instrument or document  furnished  pursuant hereto or thereto,  or the financial
condition  of the  Borrower,  any other  Credit  Party or any  Guarantor  or the
performance  or  observance  by the  Borrower,  any  other  Credit  Party or any
Guarantor  of any of its  obligations  under  this  Agreement,  any  other  Loan
Document  or any other  instrument  or  document  furnished  pursuant  hereto or
thereto;  (iii)  such  assignee  represents  and  warrants  that  it is  legally
authorized  to enter into such  Assignment  and  Acceptance;  (iv) such assignee
confirms  that it has  received  copies of this  Agreement  and the  other  Loan
Documents,  together  with  copies  of  the  most  recent  financial  statements
delivered pursuant to this Agreement and such other documents and information as
it has deemed  appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter
into such Assignment and Acceptance;  (v) such assignee will  independently  and
without  reliance  upon  the  Administrative  Agent,  any  Fronting  Bank,  such
assigning Lender or any other Lender and based on such documents and information
as it shall  deem  appropriate  at the  time,  continue  to make its own  credit
decisions  in  taking or not  taking  action  under  this  Agreement;  (vi) such
assignee  appoints and  authorizes the  Administrative  Agent and the Collateral
Agent to take such  action as agent on its behalf and to  exercise  such  powers
under  this  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents  as are  delegated  to the
Administrative  Agent by the terms hereof or thereof,  together with such powers
as are reasonably  incidental  thereto;  and (vii) such assignee  agrees that it
will perform in  accordance  with their terms all the  obligations  which by the
terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

                  (d) The  Administrative  Agent,  acting for this purpose as an
agent of the Borrower,  shall maintain at its address  referred to in subsection
9.01 a copy of each  Assignment  and  Acceptance  delivered to it and a register
(the  "Register")  for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders
and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the Loans and L/C  Disbursements
owing to,  each Lender from time to time.  The  Administrative  Agent shall also
record the Letter of Credit Exposure of each Lender in the Register. The entries
in the Register shall be conclusive,  in the absence of manifest error,  and the
Borrower, the other Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent, the Fronting Banks
and the Lenders  shall treat each person  whose name is recorded in the Register
as the  owner of  Commitments  and the Loans  and  Letter  of  Credit  Exposures
recorded  therein for all  purposes of this  Agreement.  The  Register  shall be
available for inspection by the Borrower, the other Credit Parties, the Fronting
Banks, any Lender and their representatives (including counsel and accountants),
at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

                  (e)  Upon  its  receipt  of a duly  completed  Assignment  and
Acceptance  executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee,  an  Administrative
Questionnaire  completed in respect of the assignee  (unless the assignee  shall
already be a Lender  hereunder),  the processing and recordation fee referred to
in paragraph  (b) above and, if required,  the written  consent of the Borrower,
the applicable  Fronting Banks and the Administrative  Agent to such assignment,
the Administrative Agent shall (i) accept


                                     -115-
<PAGE>


such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) record the information contained therein in
the   Register   and  (iii)  give  prompt   notice   thereof  to  the   Lenders.
Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained herein, no assignment under
Section 9.04(b) of any rights or obligations shall be effective unless and until
the  Administrative  Agent shall have recorded such  assignment in the Register.
The  Administrative  Agent shall record the name of the transferor,  the name of
the transferee,  and the amount of the transfer in the Register after receipt of
all documents required pursuant to this Section 9.04 and such other documents as
the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

                  (f) Each Lender may without the consent of the  Borrower,  any
Credit Party, any Fronting Bank or the Administrative  Agent sell participations
to one or more  banks or other  entities  in all or a portion  of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments,
the Loans owing to it, its Letter of Credit Exposure and the  participations  in
Letters  of  Credit  held by it);  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that (i)  such  Lender's
obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged,  (ii) such Lender shall
remain solely  responsible  to the other parties  hereto for the  performance of
such  obligations,  (iii) the  participating  banks or other  entities  shall be
entitled to the benefit of the cost protection  provisions  contained in Section
2.13,  2.15, 2.19 and 9.06 to the same extent as if they were Lenders;  PROVIDED
that no such  participating  bank or entity  shall be  entitled  to receive  any
greater amount  pursuant to such Sections than a Lender would have been entitled
to receive in respect of the amount of the participation  sold by such Lender to
such participating  bank or entity had no sale occurred,  and (iv) the Borrower,
the Credit Parties,  the Administrative  Agent, the Fronting Banks and the other
Lenders  shall  continue  to deal  solely  and  directly  with  such  Lender  in
connection with such Lender's rights and obligations  under this Agreement,  and
such  Lender  shall  retain  the sole right to enforce  the  obligations  of the
Borrower  or any other Loan  Party,  as the case may be,  relating to its Loans,
Letter of Credit Exposure and  participations  in Letters of Credit and Fees and
to  approve  any  amendment,  modification  or waiver of any  provision  of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than  amendments,  modifications  or
waivers  decreasing  any Fee payable  hereunder or the amount of principal of or
the  rate at which  interest  is  payable  on the  Loans  or L/C  Disbursements,
extending any final maturity date or increasing any Commitment,  in each case in
respect of an Obligation in which the relevant  participating  bank or entity is
participating,  or releasing all or  substantially  all of the Collateral or any
Guarantor (other than a Subsidiary  which is not a Significant  Subsidiary) from
its Guarantee  Agreement  unless all or  substantially  all the Capital Stock of
such  Guarantor  is sold in a  transaction  permitted  by this  Agreement  or as
provided  in Section  9.18).  Each  Lender  will  disclose  the  identity of its
participants  to the  Borrower  and  Administrative  Agent if  requested  by the
Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

                  (g) Any Lender or  participant  may,  in  connection  with any
assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation  pursuant to
this Section 9.04,


                                     -116-
<PAGE>

disclose to the assignee or participant or proposed  assignee or participant any
information  relating to the  Borrower,  any other Credit Party or any Guarantor
furnished  to such Lender by or on behalf of the  Borrower,  any Credit Party or
any Guarantor;  PROVIDED that, prior to any such disclosure,  each such assignee
or  participant or proposed  assignee or participant  shall execute an agreement
whereby such assignee or participant shall agree to be bound by Section 9.17.

                  (h) Any  Lender may at any time  assign all or any  portion of
its rights under this Agreement to a Federal Reserve Bank; PROVIDED that no such
assignment  shall  release a Lender from any of its  obligations  hereunder.  In
order to facilitate  such an assignment to a Federal  Reserve Bank, the Borrower
shall, at the request of the assigning  Lender,  duly execute and deliver to the
assigning  Lender a promissory  note or notes  evidencing  the Loans made to the
Borrower by the assigning Lender hereunder.

                  (i) In the  event  that  Standard  & Poor's  Ratings  Group or
Moody's Investors Service,  Inc. shall, after the date that any Lender becomes a
Lender,  downgrade the long-term certificate deposit ratings or long-term senior
unsecured debt ratings of such Lender (or the parent company  thereof),  and the
resulting ratings shall be BBB+ or Baa1 or lower, then each applicable  Fronting
Bank shall have the right,  but not the  obligation,  at its own  expense,  upon
notice to such Lender and the  Administrative  Agent,  to replace (or to request
the Borrower,  at the sole expense of such Fronting  Bank, to use its reasonable
efforts  to  replace)  such  Lender  with  respect  to such  Lender's  Tranche A
Reimbursement Commitment or Revolving Credit Commitment, as applicable,  with an
assignee  (in  accordance  with and  subject to the  restrictions  contained  in
paragraph  (b) above),  and such  Lender  hereby  agrees to transfer  and assign
without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the  restrictions  contained
in paragraph (b) above) all its interests,  rights and obligations in respect of
its Tranche A  Reimbursement  Commitment  or  Revolving  Credit  Commitment,  as
applicable,  to such assignee;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that (i) no such assignment
shall  conflict with any law, rule and  regulation or order of any  Governmental
Authority  and (ii)  such  assignee  shall  pay to such  Lender  in  immediately
available  funds on the date of such  assignment  the  principal of and interest
accrued to the date of payment on the Loans and L/C Disbursements of such Lender
hereunder and all other amounts accrued for such Lender's  account or owed to it
hereunder.

                  (j) None of UCAR,  the Borrower  and the other Credit  Parties
shall assign or delegate any of its rights or duties hereunder and any attempted
assignment shall be null and void.

                  (k) Except as provided in Section  2.13(d),  no Fronting  Bank
shall  assign or  delegate  any of its  interests,  rights or  obligations  as a
Fronting  Bank under this  Agreement  without the prior  written  consent of the
Borrower,  each  applicable  Credit  Party,  the  Administrative  Agent  and the
Required Lenders.


                                     -117-
<PAGE>

                  SECTION 9.05. EXPENSES;  INDEMNITY. (a) The Borrower agrees to
pay all reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent
and the Collateral  Agent in connection  with the  preparation of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents,  or by the Administrative  Agent or the Collateral
Agent  in  connection   with  the   syndication   of  the   Commitments  or  the
administration of this Agreement (including expenses incurred in connection with
ongoing Collateral  examination to the extent incurred with the reasonable prior
approval of the Borrower) or in connection with any amendments, modifications or
waivers of the  provisions  hereof or thereof  (whether or not the  transactions
hereby  contemplated  shall be  consummated)  or incurred by the  Administrative
Agent,  the Collateral Agent or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or
protection of their rights in connection  with this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents or in  connection  with the Loans made or the Letters of Credit issued
hereunder,  including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cravath,
Swaine & Moore,  counsel for the Administrative  Agent and the Collateral Agent,
and, in connection with any such enforcement or protection, the reasonable fees,
charges  and  disbursements  of any  other  counsel  (including  the  reasonable
allocated costs of internal  counsel if a Lender elects to use internal  counsel
in lieu of outside counsel) for the  Administrative  Agent, any Fronting Bank or
any Lender (but no more than one such counsel for any Lender).

                  (b) The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent,
the  Collateral  Agent,  each  Fronting  Bank,  each  Lender  and  each of their
respective directors, trustees, officers, employees and agents (each such person
being called an  "Indemnitee")  against,  and to hold each  Indemnitee  harmless
from, any and all losses,  claims,  damages,  liabilities and related  expenses,
including  reasonable counsel fees,  charges and  disbursements,  incurred by or
asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as
a result of (i) the  execution  or delivery of this  Agreement or any other Loan
Document or any  agreement or  instrument  contemplated  hereby or thereby,  the
performance  by the parties hereto and thereto of their  respective  obligations
thereunder or the consummation of the  Transactions  and the other  transactions
contemplated  hereby and  thereby,  (ii) the use of the proceeds of the Loans or
the use of any Letter of Credit or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or
proceeding relating to any of the foregoing,  whether or not any Indemnitee is a
party thereto;  PROVIDED that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be
available  to the extent  that such  losses,  claims,  damages,  liabilities  or
related  expenses are determined by a court of competent  jurisdiction  by final
and nonappealable  judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful
misconduct  of  such   Indemnitee   (treating,   for  this  purpose  only,   the
Administrative  Agent,  any  Fronting  Bank or any  Lender  and  its  directors,
trustees, officers and employees as a single Indemnitee). Subject to and without
limiting the  generality  of the  foregoing  sentence,  the  Borrower  agrees to
indemnify each Indemnitee  against,  and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any
Environmental Claim, and any and all losses,  claims,  damages,  liabilities and
related expenses, including reasonable counsel or consultant fees, charges and


                                     -118-
<PAGE>

disbursements,  incurred by or asserted  against any Indemnitee (and arising out
of, or in any way connected with or as a result of, any of the events  described
in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding  sentence)  arising out of, in any
way connected with, or as a result of (A) any Environmental Claim related in any
way  to  UCAR,  the  Borrower  or  any  Subsidiary,  (B)  any  violation  of any
Environmental Law, (C) any act, omission,  event or circumstance  (including the
actual,  proposed  or  threatened,   Release,  removal,  presence,  disposition,
discharge  or   transportation,   storage,   holding,   existence,   generation,
processing, abatement, handling or presence on, into, from or under any present,
past or future property of UCAR, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Hazardous
Material);  PROVIDED that such  indemnity  shall not, as to any  Indemnitee,  be
available  to the  extent  that such  Environmental  Claim  is, or such  losses,
claims,  damages,  liabilities or related expenses are, determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from
the gross  negligence  or wilful  misconduct  of such  Indemnitee  or any of its
directors,  trustees, officers or employees. The provisions of this Section 9.05
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration
of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby,   the  repayment  of  any  of  the   Obligations,   the   invalidity  or
unenforceability  of any term or provision  of this  Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent,
any Fronting  Bank or any Lender.  All amounts due under this Section 9.05 shall
be payable on written demand therefor.

                  (c) Unless an Event of  Default  shall  have  occurred  and be
continuing,  the Borrower  shall be entitled to assume the defense of any action
for which  indemnification is sought hereunder with counsel of its choice at its
expense (in which case the Borrower shall not thereafter be responsible  for the
fees and expenses of any separate  counsel  retained by an Indemnitee  except as
set forth  below);  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that such counsel  shall be  reasonably
satisfactory to each such Indemnitee. Notwithstanding the Borrower's election to
assume  the  defense of such  action,  each  Indemnitee  shall have the right to
employ  separate  counsel and to participate in the defense of such action,  and
the Borrower shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate
counsel,  if (i) the use of counsel  chosen by the  Borrower to  represent  such
Indemnitee  would  present such  counsel  with a conflict of interest;  (ii) the
actual or potential  defendants  in, or targets of, any such action include both
the Borrower  and such  Indemnitee  and such  Indemnitee  shall have  reasonably
concluded  that there may be legal  defenses  available to it that are different
from or  additional  to those  available  to the  Borrower  (in  which  case the
Borrower shall not have the right to assume the defense or such action on behalf
of such  Indemnitee);  (iii)  the  Borrower  shall  not  have  employed  counsel
reasonably  satisfactory  to such Indemnitee to represent it within a reasonable
time after notice of the institution of such action;  or (iv) the Borrower shall
authorize such Indemnitee to employ separate counsel at the Borrower's  expense.
The Borrower  will not be liable under this  Agreement for any amount paid by an
Indemnitee  to settle any claims or actions if the  settlement  is entered  into
without the Borrower's consent, which consent may not be


                                     -119-
<PAGE>

withheld or delayed  unless such  settlement  is  unreasonable  in light of such
claims or actions against, and defenses available to, such Indemnitee.

                  (d)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in this Section
9.05, this Section 9.05 shall not apply to taxes,  it being  understood that the
Borrower's  only  obligations  with respect to taxes shall arise under  Sections
2.13 and 2.19.

                  SECTION  9.06.  RIGHT OF SETOFF.  If an Event of Default shall
have  occurred and be  continuing,  each Lender and each Fronting Bank is hereby
authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, to set off and apply any and all  deposits  (general  or  special,  time or
demand,  provisional  or final) at any time held and other  indebtedness  at any
time  owing by such  Lender or such  Fronting  Bank to or for the  credit or the
account of the  Borrower or any other  Credit  Party  against any of and all the
obligations of the Borrower or any Credit Party now or hereafter  existing under
this  Agreement or any other Loan Document held by such Lender or Fronting Bank,
irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such Fronting Bank shall have made
any demand under this  Agreement or such other Loan  Document and although  such
obligations may be unmatured.  The rights of each Lender and Fronting Bank under
this Section 9.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies  (including other
rights of setoff) which such Lender or such Fronting Bank may have.

                  SECTION 9.07.  APPLICABLE  LAW.  THIS  AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN LETTERS OF CREDIT AND AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN OTHER
LOAN  DOCUMENTS)  SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  EACH LETTER OF CREDIT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL
BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH, THE LAWS OR RULES DESIGNATED IN SUCH LETTER OF
CREDIT,  OR IF NO SUCH LAWS OR RULES ARE  DESIGNATED,  THE  UNIFORM  CUSTOMS AND
PRACTICE FOR  DOCUMENTARY  CREDITS  (1993  REVISION),  INTERNATIONAL  CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE,  PUBLICATION  NO. 500 (THE "UNIFORM  CUSTOMS")  AND, AS TO MATTERS NOT
GOVERNED BY THE UNIFORM CUSTOMS, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                  SECTION 9.08. WAIVERS;  AMENDMENT.  (a) No failure or delay of
the  Administrative  Agent,  any Fronting Bank or any Lender in  exercising  any
right or power  hereunder or under any Loan  Document  shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or
any  abandonment  or  discontinuance  of steps to enforce such a right or power,
preclude  any other or further  exercise  thereof or the  exercise  of any other
right or power.  The  rights  and  remedies  of the  Administrative  Agent,  the
Fronting Banks and the Lenders  hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are
cumulative  and are not  exclusive  of any rights or  remedies  which they would
otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of


                                     -120-
<PAGE>

this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document or consent to any departure by UCAR,
the  Borrower,  any other Credit Party or any Guarantor  therefrom  shall in any
event be effective  unless the same shall be  permitted by paragraph  (b) below,
and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance
and for the purpose for which given.  No notice or demand on UCAR, the Borrower,
any other Credit Party or any  Guarantor in any case shall  entitle the Borrower
to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

                  (b) Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any
provision hereof or thereof may be waived,  amended or modified  except,  in the
case of this  Agreement,  pursuant  to an  agreement  or  agreements  in writing
entered into by UCAR,  the Borrower,  the other Credit  Parties and the Required
Lenders or, in the case of any other Loan Document,  pursuant to an agreement or
agreements  in writing  entered  into by each party  thereto and the  Collateral
Agent and consented to by the Required Lenders; PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that no such
agreement  shall (i)  decrease  the  principal  amount  of, or extend  the final
maturity  of,  or  decrease  the  rate  of  interest  on,  any  Loan  or any L/C
Disbursement, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly affected
thereby,  (ii) extend any Installment Date (other than any final  maturity),  or
extend any date on which payment of interest on any Loan or any L/C Disbursement
is due,  without the prior  written  consent of (A) in the case of Term Loans or
the Tranche A Exposure,  the Required  Lenders and Lenders holding Term Loans or
having Tranche A Exposures  representing at least 80% of the aggregate principal
amount of each Tranche affected by such action or (B) in the case of Loans under
the Revolving Credit Commitments and Revolving L/C  Disbursements,  Lenders with
Revolving  Credit  Commitments  representing  at  least  80%  of  the  aggregate
Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect,  (iii) advance any Installment Date
without  the prior  written  consent  of  Lenders  holding  Term Loans or having
Tranche A Exposures  representing  (A) at least 80% of the  aggregate  principal
amount of the then  outstanding  Tranche A Term Loans and the Tranche A Exposure
and (B) at least 80% of the aggregate  principal  amount of the then outstanding
Tranche B Term Loans,  (iv)  increase or extend the  Commitment of any Lender or
decrease  the  Commitment  Fees or L/C  Participation  Fees or other fees of any
Lender without the prior written consent of such Lender,  (v) effect any waiver,
amendment  or  modification  that by its terms  adversely  affects the rights in
respect of  payments  or  collateral  of Lenders  participating  in any  Tranche
differently from those of Lenders  participating  in the other Tranche,  without
the  consent of a majority  in  interest  of the  Lenders  participating  in the
adversely affected Tranche, or change the relative rights in respect of payments
or collateral of the Lenders  participating  in different  Tranches  without the
consent of a majority  in  interest of Lenders  participating  in each  affected
Tranche,  or (vi) amend or modify the  provisions  of Section  2.09(f),  Section
2.11(c) or Section 2.16,  the  provisions  of this Section or the  definition of
"Required  Lenders",  or release  all or  substantially  all the  Collateral  or
release any  Guarantor  (other than any  Subsidiary  which is not a  Significant
Subsidiary) from its Guarantee  Agreement  unless all or  substantially  all the
Capital Stock of such Guarantor is sold in


                                     -121-
<PAGE>

a  transaction  permitted  by this  Agreement  or as provided  in Section  9.18,
without the prior written  consent of each Lender  adversely  affected  thereby;
PROVIDED FURTHER that no such agreement shall amend,  modify or otherwise affect
the rights or duties of the Administrative  Agent or any Fronting Bank hereunder
without the prior written consent of the  Administrative  Agent or such Fronting
Bank acting as such at the effective date of such agreement, as the case may be.
Each Lender shall be bound by any waiver,  amendment or modification  authorized
by this Section 9.08 and any consent by any Lender pursuant to this Section 9.08
shall bind any assignee of such Lender.

                  SECTION  9.09.   INTEREST  RATE  LIMITATION.   Notwithstanding
anything  herein to the contrary,  if at any time the applicable  interest rate,
together  with all  fees  and  charges  which  are  treated  as  interest  under
applicable law  (collectively  the "Charges"),  as provided for herein or in any
other document  executed in connection  herewith,  or otherwise  contracted for,
charged,  received,  taken or  reserved by any Lender or  Fronting  Bank,  shall
exceed the maximum lawful rate (the "Maximum Rate") which may be contracted for,
charged,  taken,  received  or  reserved  by  such  Lender  in  accordance  with
applicable  law,  the rate of  interest  payable  hereunder,  together  with all
Charges  payable to such Lender or such Fronting  Bank,  shall be limited to the
Maximum  Rate;  PROVIDED that such excess amount shall be paid to such Lender or
such Fronting  Bank on subsequent  payment dates to the extent not exceeding the
legal limitation.

                  SECTION 9.10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, the other Loan
Documents  and  the  agreements   regarding  certain  Fees  referred  to  herein
constitute  the entire  contract  between  the  parties  relative to the subject
matter hereof. Any previous agreement among or representations  from the parties
with respect to the subject  matter hereof is  superseded by this  Agreement and
the other  Loan  Documents.  Nothing  in this  Agreement  or in the  other  Loan
Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than
the parties hereto and thereto any rights, remedies,  obligations or liabilities
under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

                  SECTION 9.11.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE
TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION  DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY  ARISING
OUT OF,  UNDER OR IN  CONNECTION  WITH THIS  AGREEMENT  OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS.  EACH PARTY HERETO (A)  CERTIFIES  THAT NO  REPRESENTATIVE,  AGENT OR
ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED,  EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE,  THAT SUCH
OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING
WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO


                                     -122-
<PAGE>

HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS,  AS
APPLICABLE,  BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS,  THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND  CERTIFICATIONS  IN
THIS SECTION 9.11.

                  SECTION  9.12.  SEVERABILITY.  In the event any one or more of
the provisions  contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should
be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality
and  enforceability  of the remaining  provisions  contained  herein and therein
shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor
in  good-faith  negotiations  to replace the invalid,  illegal or  unenforceable
provisions with valid  provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as
possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

                  SECTION 9.13. COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts,  each of which shall constitute an original but all of
which when taken  together shall  constitute but one contract,  and shall become
effective as provided in Section 9.03.

                  SECTION 9.14.  HEADINGS.  Article and Section headings and the
Table of Contents used herein are for  convenience  of reference  only,  are not
part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken
into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

                  SECTION 9.15. JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS. (a)
Each of UCAR, the Borrower and the other Credit Parties hereby  irrevocably  and
unconditionally  submits,  for  itself  and its  property,  to the  nonexclusive
jurisdiction  of any New York State court or Federal  court of the United States
of America  sitting in New York City, and any appellate  court from any thereof,
in any action or proceeding  arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
other Loan  Documents,  or for  recognition or enforcement of any judgment,  and
each of the parties hereto hereby  irrevocably and  unconditionally  agrees that
all  claims  in  respect  of any such  action  or  proceeding  may be heard  and
determined  in such New York State or, to the extent  permitted  by law, in such
Federal  court.  Each of the parties  hereto agrees that a final judgment in any
such  action or  proceeding  shall be  conclusive  and may be  enforced in other
jurisdictions  by suit on the judgment or in any other  manner  provided by law.
Nothing in this  Agreement  shall  affect any right that any Lender or  Fronting
Bank may  otherwise  have to bring any  action or  proceeding  relating  to this
Agreement or the other Loan  Documents  against UCAR,  the  Borrower,  any other
Credit  Party  or  any  Guarantor  or  their  properties  in the  courts  of any
jurisdiction.

                  (b) Each of UCAR,  the Borrower  and the other Credit  Parties
hereby  irrevocably  and  unconditionally  waives,  to the fullest extent it may
legally and  effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have
to the laying of


                                     -123-
<PAGE>


venue of any suit,  action or  proceeding  arising  out of or  relating  to this
Agreement or the other Loan  Documents  in any New York State or Federal  court.
Each of the parties  hereto hereby  irrevocably  waives,  to the fullest  extent
permitted by law, the defense of an  inconvenient  forum to the  maintenance  of
such action or proceeding in any such court.

                  (c)  Each  party to this  Agreement  irrevocably  consents  to
service of process in the manner  provided for notices in Section 9.01.  Nothing
in this  Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law.

                  SECTION  9.16.  CONVERSION  OF  CURRENCIES.  (a)  If,  for the
purpose of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due
hereunder or under any other Loan Document in Dollars into another currency, the
parties  hereto  agree,  to  the  fullest  extent  that  they  may  legally  and
effectively  do so,  that the rate of  exchange  used  shall be that at which in
accordance  with  normal  banking  procedures  the  Administrative  Agent  could
purchase Dollars with such other currency in New York, New York, on the Business
Day immediately preceding the day on which final judgment is given.

                  (b) The obligations of UCAR, the Borrower and the other Credit
Parties in respect of any sum due to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any
Fronting Bank  hereunder or under any other Loan Document in Dollars  shall,  to
the extent  permitted  by  applicable  law,  notwithstanding  any  judgment in a
currency  other than  Dollars,  be  discharged  only to the  extent  that on the
Business Day following  receipt of any sum adjudged to be so due in the judgment
currency,  the  Administrative  Agent,  such Lender or such Fronting Bank may in
accordance  with  normal  banking  procedures  purchase  Dollars  in the  amount
originally due to the  Administrative  Agent,  such Lender or such Fronting Bank
with the judgment  currency.  If the amount of Dollars so purchased is less than
the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Fronting
Bank, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such
judgment,  to indemnify the  Administrative  Agent, such Lender or such Fronting
Bank against the resulting loss.

                  SECTION  9.17.  CONFIDENTIALITY.  Each  of  the  Lenders,  the
Fronting  Banks and the  Administrative  Agent agrees that it shall  maintain in
confidence  any  information  relating to UCAR,  the Borrower and the other Loan
Parties  furnished to it by or on behalf of UCAR, the Borrower or the other Loan
Parties (other than information  that (a) has become generally  available to the
public  other  than as a result  of a  disclosure  by such  party,  (b) has been
independently developed by such Lender, such Fronting Bank or the Administrative
Agent without  violating  this Section 9.17 or (c) was available to such Lender,
such Fronting  Bank or the  Administrative  Agent from a third party having,  to
such person's knowledge, no obligations of confidentiality to UCAR, the Borrower
or any other Loan Party) and shall not reveal



                                     -124-
<PAGE>


the same other than (i) to its  directors,  trustees,  officers,  employees  and
advisors  with a need to know (so  long as each  such  person  shall  have  been
instructed to keep the same  confidential  in accordance with this Section 9.17)
and (ii) as contemplated by Section 9.04(g), except: (A) to the extent necessary
to comply with law or any legal process or the  requirements of any Governmental
Authority or of any  securities  exchange on which  securities of the disclosing
party or any Affiliate of the disclosing party are listed or traded, (B) as part
of normal reporting or review procedures to Governmental Authorities, (C) to its
parent companies, Affiliates or auditors (so long as each such person shall have
been  instructed to keep the same  confidential  in accordance with this Section
9.17) and (D) in order to enforce its rights under any Loan  Document in a legal
proceeding.

                  SECTION 9.18.  RELEASE OF LIENS AND  GUARANTEES.  In the event
that UCAR,  the Borrower or any  Subsidiary  conveys,  sells,  leases,  assigns,
transfers  or  otherwise  disposes  of all or any  portion of any of the Capital
Stock,  assets or property of UCAR, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in a
transaction  not  prohibited by Section 6.05, the  Administrative  Agent and the
Collateral   Agent  shall  promptly  (and  the  Lenders  hereby   authorize  the
Administrative  Agent and the Collateral  Agent to) take such action and execute
any such  documents  as may be  reasonably  requested by the Borrower and at the
Borrower's  expense to release any Liens created by any Loan Document in respect
of such Capital Stock, assets or property,  and, in the case of a disposition of
all or  substantially  all  the  Capital  Stock  or  assets  of  any  Subsidiary
Guarantor,   terminate  such  Subsidiary   Guarantor's   obligations  under  the
Subsidiary  Guarantee Agreement.  In addition,  the Administrative Agent and the
Collateral  Agent agree to take such actions as are reasonably  requested by the
Borrower  and at the  Borrower's  expense to  terminate  the Liens and  security
interests  created by the Loan  Documents when all the  Obligations  are paid in
full  and  all  Letters  of  Credit  and   Commitments   are   terminated.   Any
representation,  warranty or covenant contained in any Loan Document relating to
any such Capital Stock, assets, property or Subsidiary shall no longer be deemed
to be made once such  Capital  Stock,  assets or  property  is  conveyed,  sold,
leased, assigned, transferred or disposed of.


                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective  authorized officers as of the
day and year first above written.



                                     -125-
<PAGE>


                                        UCAR  INTERNATIONAL  INC. 

                                        by 
                                        /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:   William P. Wiemels
                                        Title:  Vice President, Chief 
                                                Financial Officer and Treasurer


                                        UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES INC.

                                        by 
                                        /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:   William P. Wiemels
                                        Title:  Vice President, Chief 
                                                Financial Officer and Treasurer


                                        UCAR HOLDINGS S.A.

                                        by 
                                        /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:   William P. Wiemels
                                        Title:  Attorney-in-Fact


                                        UCAR S.p.A.,

                                        by 
                                        /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:   William P. Wiemels
                                        Title:  Attorney-in-Fact


                                        UCAR ELECTRODOS, S.L.,
                              
                                        by 
                                        /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:   William P. Wiemels
                                        Title:  Attorney-in-Fact


                                     -126-
<PAGE>

                                        UCAR INC.,

                                        by 
                                        /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:   William P. Wiemels
                                        Title:  Attorney-in-Fact


                                        UCAR MEXICANA S.A. de C.V.,

                                        by 
                                        /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:   William P. Wiemels
                                        Title:  Attorney-in-Fact


                                        THE CHASE MANHATTAN  BANK,  
                                        individually and as Fronting Bank,  
                                        Administrative Agent and Collateral
                                        Agent,

                                        by 
                                        /s/ James H. Ramage 
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Name:  James H. Ramage 
                                        Title: Vice President



                                       (OTHER BANKS)


                                     -127-
<PAGE>

                                        ABN AMRO BANK,  N.V.,  NEW YORK  
                                        BRANCH, individually and as Co-Agent,

                                        by
                                          /s/ David Mandell
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  David Mandell
                                          Title: Group Vice President

                                        by 
                                          /s/ David  Stack 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  David  Stack
                                          Title: Vice President


                                        AMSOUTH BANK OF ALABAMA,

                                        by 
                                          /s/ John  Hooker 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  John  Hooker
                                          Title: Commercial Banking Officer


                                        BANCA COMMERCIALE ITALIANA,
                                        NEW YORK BRANCH,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Charles Dougherty
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Charles Dougherty
                                          Title: Vice President

                                        by
                                          /s/ T. Gallonetto
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  T. Gallonetto
                                          Title: Assistant Vice President


                                        BANK OF AMERICA ILLINOIS,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Nancy McGraw
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Nancy McGraw
                                          Title: Managing Director


                                        BANK OF NEW YORK, individually and as
                                        Co-Agent,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Nancy McEwen
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Nancy McEwen
                                          Title: Vice President


                                     -128-
<PAGE>

                                        THE  BANK OF NOVA  SCOTIA,  individually
                                        and as Co-Agent,

                                        by
                                          /s/ J. R. Trimble
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  J. R. Trimble
                                          Title:   Senior Relationship Manager


                                        THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI TRUST
                                        COMPANY, individually and as Co-Agent,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Nicholas J. Campbell, Jr.
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Nicholas J. Campbell, Jr.
                                          Title: Vice President


                                        BANQUE FRANCAISE DU COMMERCE 
                                        EXTERIEUR,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Frederick K. Kammler
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Frederick K. Kammler
                                          Title: Vice President


                                        BANQUE NATIONALE DE PARIS,

                                        by     
                                          /s/ Richard L. Sted
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name: Richard L. Sted 
                                          Title: Senior Vice President

                                        by
                                          /s/ Sophie Revillard Kaufman
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Sophie Revillard Kaufman
                                          Title: Vice President


                                        BANQUE PARIBAS, individually and as
                                        Co-Agent,

                                        by
                                          /s/ John J. McCormick, III
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  John J. McCormick, III
                                          Title: Vice President

                                        by
                                          /s/ Mary T. Finnegan
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Mary T. Finnegan
                                          Title: Group Vice President


                                     -129-
<PAGE>

                                        BHF-BANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT,

                                        by  
                                          /s/  Linda  Pace 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Linda  Pace
                                          Title: Assistant Vice President

                                        by
                                          /s/ Paul Travers
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Paul Travers
                                          Title: Vice President


                                        CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF
                                        COMMERCE, individually and as Co-Agent,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Timothy E. Doyle
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Timothy E. Doyle
                                          Title: Managing Director


                                        CORESTATES BANK, N.A.

                                        by
                                          /s/ Brian M. Haley
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:   Brian M. Haley   
                                          Title:  Vice President

                                        CREDIT AGRICOLE,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Craig Welch
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Craig Welch
                                          Title: First Vice President


                                        CREDIT   LYONNAIS   NEW   YORK   BRANCH,
                                        individually and as Co-Agent,

                                        by 
                                          /s/ Mary E. Collier
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Mary E. Collier 
                                          Title: Vice President



                                     -130-
<PAGE>


                                        THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LTD.,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Ronald Wolinsky
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Ronald Wolinsky
                                          Title: Vice President & Group Leader


                                        FIRST  AMERICAN  NATIONAL  BANK,  
                                        by 
                                          /s/  Kathryn A. Brothers  
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Kathryn A. Brothers 
                                          Title: Vice President


                                        THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Harvey H. Thayer, Jr.
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Harvey H. Thayer, Jr.
                                          Title: Director


                                        FIRST  UNION   NATIONAL  BANK  OF  NORTH
                                        CAROLINA, individually and as Co-Agent,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Henry R. Biedrzycki
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Henry R. Biedrzycki
                                          Title: Vice President

                                        by
                                          /s/ Henry R. Biedrzycki
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Henry R. Biedrzycki
                                          Title: Vice President


                                        FLEET NATIONAL BANK, individually and as
                                        Co-Agent,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Robert C. Rubino
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Robert C. Rubino
                                          Title: Vice President



                                     -131-
<PAGE>


                                        GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL 
                                        CORPORATION,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Michael McGonigle
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Michael McGonigle
                                          Title: Duly Authorized Signatory


                                        THE INDUSTRIAL  BANK OF JAPAN,  LIMITED,
                                        individually and as Co-Agent,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Takuya Honjo
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Takuya Honjo
                                          Title: Senior Vice President


                                        KREDIETBANK  N.V.,  NEW YORK BRANCH,  
                                        by
                                          /s/ Robert Snauffer   
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Robert Snauffer 
                                          Title: Vice President

                                        by
                                          /s/ Garling Lee
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Garling Lee
                                          Title: Assistant Treasurer


                                        INSTITUTO  BANCARIO  SAN PAOLO DI TORINO
                                        SPA,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Robert S. Wurster
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Robert S. Wurster
                                          Title: First Vice President

                                        by
                                          /s/ William J. De Angelo
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  William J. De Angelo
                                          Title: First Vice President


                                        THE  LONG-TERM  CREDIT  BANK  OF  JAPAN,
                                        LIMITED,  NEW YORK BRANCH,  individually
                                        and as Co-Agent,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Shuichi Tajima
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Shuichi Tajima
                                          Title: Deputy General Manager


                                     -132-
<PAGE>

                                        MELLON BANK, N.A.,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Richard K. James
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Richard K. James
                                          Title: Vice President


                                        MERRILL LYNCH SENIOR FLOATING RATE FUND,
                                        INC.

                                        By
                                          /s/ John W. Fraser
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  John W. Fraser
                                          Title: Authorized Signatory


                                        SENIOR HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO, INC.

                                        By
                                          /s/ John W. Fraser
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  John W. Fraser
                                          Title: Authorized Signatory


                                        OCTAGON CREDIT INVESTORS LOAN 
                                        PORTFOLIO (a unit of The Chase Manhattan
                                        Bank),

                                        by
                                          /s/ Joyce C. DeLucca
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Joyce C. DeLucca
                                          Title: Managing Director


                                        PNC BANK, National Association,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Lawrence W. Jacobs
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Lawrence W. Jacobs
                                          Title: Vice President


                                        ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Russell M. Gibson
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Russell M. Gibson
                                          Title: Vice President and 
                                                 Deputy Manager


                                     -133-
<PAGE>

                                        THE SAKURA BANK, LTD.,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Yoshikazu Nagura
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Yoshikazu Nagura
                                          Title: Vice President


                                        THE SANWA BANK, LIMITED - 
                                        NEW YORK BRANCH,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Dominic J. Sorresso
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Dominic J. Sorresso
                                          Title: Vice President


                                        SOCIETE GENERALE,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Robert Petersen
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Robert Petersen
                                          Title: Vice President

                                        by
                                          
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                        THE SUMITOMO BANK, LTD.,

                                        by
                                          /s/ John C. Kissinger
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  John C. Kissinger
                                          Title: Joint General Manager


                                        THE TOKAI BANK, LIMITED - NEW YORK
                                        BRANCH,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Kaoru Oda
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Kaoru Oda
                                          Title: Assistant General Manager


                                     -134-
<PAGE>


                                        THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY,

                                        by
                                          /s/ John W. Petchler
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  John W. Petchler
                                          Title: Second Vice President


                                        THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY,

                                        by
                                          /s/ John W. Petchler
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  John W. Petchler
                                          Title: Second Vice President


                                        THE TRAVELERS LIFE AND ANNUITY 
                                        COMPANY,

                                        by
                                          /s/ John W. Petchler
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  John W. Petchler
                                          Title: Second Vice President


                                        VAN KAMPEN  AMERICAN  CAPITAL PRIME 
                                        RATE INCOME TRUST,

                                        by
                                          /s/ Kathleen A. Zarn
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Kathleen A. Zarn
                                          Title: Vice President


                                     -135-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      SCHEDULE A

                                                            ADJUSTMENTS

                                  LIBOR
                                  Margin
                                   and                     Excess                        
                                   L/C       Permitted      Cash       Restricted
                                 Partici-   Indebtedness    Flow         Junior       Permitted
         Leverage    Commitment   pation       Under        Sweep        Payment        Other
Level     Ratio         Fee        Fee        X6.01(q)    Percentage   Percentage    Acquisitions      
- -----     -----         ---        ---        --------    ----------   ----------    ------------      
<S>    <C>            <C>         <C>       <C>              <C>           <C>      <C>

  I    greater than   
       2.5            0.3000%     1.0000%   $125,000,000     50%           50%      $125,000,000  

 II    less than or
       equal to 2.5
       but greater
       than 2.0       0.2500%     0.750%    $125,000,000     50%           50%      $150,000,000

III    less than or
       equal to 2.0
       but greater
       than 1.75      0.1875%     0.625%    $150,000,000     50%           50%      $150,000,000

 IV    less than or
       equal to 1.75
       but greater
       than 1.5       0.1500%     0.500%    $175,000,000     25%           60%      $175,000,000

  V    less than or
       equal to 1.5   0.1250%     0.350%    $175,000,000     25%           65%      $175,000,000  
</TABLE>

The "LIBOR Margin", the L/C Participation Fee, the aggregate principal amount of
Indebtedness  permitted  under Section  6.01(q),  the  applicable  percentage of
Excess Cash Flow referred to in Section 2.12(e),  the Restricted  Junior Payment
Percentage and the aggregate amount of Permitted Other Acquisitions for any date
shall be determined by reference to the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the
fiscal  quarter  most  recently  ended as of such date and for the  period  (the
aggregate  amount  of  Permitted  Other  Acquisitions  for  any  date  shall  be
determined  by reference to the Leverage  Ratio as of the last day of the fiscal
quarter most  recently  ended as of such date and for the period (the  "Measured
Period")  referred to in Section  6.13 for which such last day is the  measuring
date (and  computed  as  provided  in  Section  6.13 with  respect  to each such
Measured Period), and any change shall become effective upon the delivery to the
Administrative  Agent of a certificate of a Responsible  Officer of the Borrower
(which  certificate may be delivered prior to delivery of the relevant financial
statements) with respect to the financial statements to be delivered pursuant to
Section 5.04 for the most  recently  ended fiscal  quarter (a) setting  forth in
reasonable detail the calculation of the Leverage Ratio for such Measured Period
and at the end of such  fiscal  quarter  and (b)  stating  that the  signer  has
reviewed the terms of this  Agreement and other Loan  Documents and has made, or
caused to be made under his or her supervision, a review in reasonable detail of
the transactions and condition of UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries during
the  accounting  period,  and that the  signer  does not have  knowledge  of the
existence as at the date of such  officers'  certificate of any Event of Default
or Default and shall apply

                                       136
<PAGE>

(i) in the case of the LIBOR Margin,  to Eurodollar Loans made on and after such
delivery date (including pursuant to any conversion or continuation  pursuant to
Section 2.10) and (ii) in the case of the L/C  Participation  Fee, the aggregate
principal amount of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(q), the applicable
percentage of Excess Cash Flow referred to in Section  2.12(e),  the  Restricted
Junior Payment  Percentage and Permitted Other  Acquisitions,  on and after such
delivery date. It is understood that the foregoing  certificate of a Responsible
Officer shall be permitted to be delivered prior to, but in no event later than,
the time of the actual  delivery  of the  financial  statements  required  to be
delivered pursuant to Section 5.04.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  at any time
prior to the time the  first  certificate  is  required  to be  delivered  under
Section  5.04(c) and at any time during which the Borrower has failed to deliver
the certificate  required under Section 5.04(c) with respect to a fiscal quarter
following  the date the delivery  thereof is due,  the  Leverage  Ratio shall be
deemed,  solely for the  purposes of this  Schedule  A, to be greater  than 2.5,
until such time as Borrower shall deliver such Compliance Certificate.
                                       

                                      137
<PAGE>


                                                                   SCHEDULE 2.01


                                BANK COMMITMENTS
================================================================================
Institution            Tranche A       Tranche A    Tranche B Term   Revolving
                         Term         Reimbursement   Commitments     Credit
                       Commitments    Commitments                   Commitments
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CHASE MANHATTAN
BANK                   2,090,769.26  10,370,769.26  59,400,000.00  11,538,461.48
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABN AMRO BANK N.V.,
NEW YORK BRANCH        1,480,961.54   7,345,961.54              0   8,173,076.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMSOUTH BANK OF
ALABAMA                1,219,615.38   6,049,615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANCA COMMERCIALE
ITALIANA, NEW YORK
BRANCH                 1,219,615.38   6,049.615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANK OF AMERICA
ILLINOIS               1,219,615.38   6,049.615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANK OF NEW YORK       1,480,961.54   7,345,961.54              0   8,173,076.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BANK OF NOVA
SCOTIA                 1,480,961.54   7,345,961.54              0   8,173,076.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BANK OF TOKYO-
MITSUBISHI, LTD., 
NEW YORK BRANCH        1,480,961.54   7,345,961.54              0   8,173,076.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANQUE FRANCAISE DU
COMMERCE EXTERIEUR     1,219,615.38   6,049.615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANQUE NATIONALE DE
PARIS                  1,219,615.38   6,049.615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANQUE PARIBAS         1,480,961.54   7,345,961.54              0   8,173,076.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BHF-BANK
AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT     1,480,961.54   7,345,961.54              0   8,173,076.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     -138-
<PAGE>
                                

================================================================================
Institution            Tranche A       Tranche A    Tranche B Term   Revolving
                         Term         Reimbursement   Commitments     Credit
                       Commitments    Commitments                   Commitments
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CANADIAN IMPERIAL
BANK OF COMMERCE       1,480,961.54   7,345,961.54              0   8,173,076.92
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CORESTATES BANK, 
N.A.                   1,219,615.38   6,049,615.38              0   6,730,769.24

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CREDIT AGRICOLE        1,045,384.62   5,185,384.62              0   5,769,230.76
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW
YORK BRANCH            1,480,961.54   7,345,961.54              0   8,173,076.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO
BANK, LTD.,            1,219,615.38   6,049,615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST AMERICAN
NATIONAL BANK          1,045,384.62   5,185,384.62              0   5,769,230.76
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FIRST NATIONAL
BANK OF BOSTON         1,219,615.38   6,049,615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
`FIRST UNION NATIONAL
BANK OF NORTH
CAROLINA               1,480,961.54   7,345,961.54              0   8,173,076.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLEET NATIONAL BANK    1,480,961.54   7,345,961.54              0   8,173,076.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL ELECTRIC
CAPITAL CORPORATION    1,219,615.38   6,049,615,38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE INDUSTRIAL BANK
OF JAPAN, LIMITED      1,480,961.54   7,345,961.54              0   8,173,076.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KREDIETBANK N.V., NEW
YORK BRANCH            1,045,384.62   5,185,384.62              0   5,769,230.76
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSTITUTO BANCARIO
SAN PAOLO DI TORINO
SPA                      871,153.85   4,321,153.85              0   4,807,692.30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                     -139-
<PAGE>


================================================================================
Institution            Tranche A       Tranche A    Tranche B Term   Revolving
                         Term         Reimbursement   Commitments     Credit
                       Commitments    Commitments                   Commitments
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE LONG-TERM CREDIT
BANK OF JAPAN,
LIMITED, NEW YORK
BRANCH                 1,480,961.54   7,345,961.54              0   8,173.076.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MELLON BANK, N.A.      1,219,615.38   6,049,615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH SENIOR
FLOATING RATE FUND,
INC.                              0              0  10,171,428.58              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SENIOR HIGH INCOME
PORTFOLIO                         0              0   3,428,571.42              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCTAGON CREDIT
INVESTOR LOAN
PORTFOLIO                         0              0  12,000,000.00              0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PNC BANK           1,219,615.38   6,049,615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ROYAL BANK OF                                                                   
SCOTLAND               1,219,615.38   6,049,615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE SAKURA BANK, LTD.  1,219,615.38   6,049,615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SANWA BANK
LIMITED NEW YORK
BRANCH                 1,219,615.38   6,049,615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOCIETE GENERALE       1,219,615.38   6,049,615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE SUMITOMO BANK,
LTD.                   1,219,615.38   6,049,615.38              0   6,730,769.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE TOKAI BANK,
LIMITED - NEW YORK
BRANCH                 1,045,384.62   5,185,384.62              0   5,769,230.76
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     -140-
<PAGE>


================================================================================
Institution            Tranche A       Tranche A    Tranche B Term   Revolving
                         Term         Reimbursement   Commitments     Credit
                       Commitments    Commitments                   Commitments
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE TRAVELERS
INDEMNITY COMPANY        174,230.77     864,230.77   2,000,000.00     961,538.46
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE TRAVELERS
INSURANCE COMPANY        627,230.77   3,111,230.77   8,000,000.00   3,461.538.46
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE TRAVELERS LIFE
AND ANNUITY COMPANY       69,692.31     345,692.31              0     384,615.38
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN
CAPITAL PRIME RATE
INCOME TRUST                      0              0  25,000,000.00              0
================================================================================


                                     -141-
<PAGE>

                                                                   SCHEDULE 2.20
                                LETTERS OF CREDIT




                            Tranche A L/C Commitments
                            -------------------------

                                                                   Percentage
Fronting Banks                        Commitments                 of Facility
- --------------                        -----------                 -----------

The Chase Manhattan Bank             $224,700,000                    100.00%




                           Tranche A Letters of Credit
                           ---------------------------

                                                                   Percentage
Credit Party                         Stated Amount                 of Facility
- ------------                         -------------                 -----------

UCAR Holdings S.A.                 $134,953,333.25                60.05933834
UCAR S.p.A.                          32,239,999.99                14.34801977
UCAR Electrodos S.L.                 33,376,933.34                14.85399793
UCAR Inc.                            20,563,333.34                 9.15146121

Foreign Currency Reserve
   Component                          3,566,400.08                 1.58718295



                            Revolving L/C Commitments
                            -------------------------

                                                                    Percentage
Fronting Banks                        Commitments                  of Facility
- --------------                        -----------                  -----------

The Chase Manhattan Bank              $200,000,000                   100.00%


                                     -142-
<PAGE>


                        SCHEDULE 3.08 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT
                        ---------------------------------

                                  SUBSIDIARIES
                                  ------------


COMPANY (Each company owned 100% by parent unless                
otherwise indicated.)                                               JURISDICTION
                                                                    ------------

UCAR International Inc.                                                 Delaware
  UCAR Global Enterprises Inc.                                          Delaware
    UCAR Carbon Company Inc.                                            Delaware
         UCAR Carbon Technology Corporation                             Delaware
         UCAR Carbon Foreign Sales Corporation                    Virgin Islands
         UCAR Composites Inc.                                         California
         Union Carbide Grafito, Inc.                                    New York
         UCAR International Trading Inc.                                Delaware
         UCAR Limited                                                         UK
         UCAR Carbon (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.                               Malaysia
         EMSA (Pty) Ltd. (50% OWNED)                                  So. Africa
         Carbographite Limited (50% OWNED)                            So. Africa
         Unicarbon Comercial Ltda.                                        Brazil
         UCAR Holdings Inc.                                             Delaware
             UCAR S.p.A(1)                                                 Italy
               UCAR Energia S.r.l.                                         Italy
               UCAR Specialties S.r.l.                                     Italy
             UCAR Mexicana S.A. de C.V.(2)                                Mexico
               UCAR Carbon Mexicana S.A. de C.V.(1)                       Mexico
                    Servicios Administratoes Carmex S.A. de C.V.          Mexico
                    Servicios DYC S.A. de C.V.                            Mexico
    UCAR Holdings II Inc.                                               Delaware
         UCAR Holding GmbH                                               Austria
              UCAR Grafit OAO (89.67% OWNED)                              Russia
         UCAR Holdings S.A.(3)                                            France
              Carbone Savoie (70% OWNED)                                  France
              UCAR SNC(4)                                                 France
         UCAR Inc.                                                        Canada
         UCAR Electrodos S.L.(2)                                           Spain
         UCAR Elektroden GmbH (70% OWNED)                                Germany
         UCAR Holdings III Inc.                                         Delaware
    UCAR Carbon S.A. (94.04% OWNED)(5)                                    Brazil
         UCAR Produtos de Carbono S.A.                                    Brazil
         Itapira Brasil Investimentos E Participacoes Ltda.               Brazil


                                     -143-
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1).1% owned by  UCAR Carbon Company Inc.

(2) 1 share owned by UCAR Carbon Company Inc.

(3) 1 share owned each by UCAR International Inc., UCAR Global Enterprises Inc.,
    UCAR Carbon Company Inc. & 3 nominees.

(4) 1 share owned  by UCAR Holdings III Inc.

(5) 2.33% owned by Unicarbon Comercial Ltda.




                    AGREEMENTS RELATING TO ANY CAPITAL STOCK
                    ----------------------------------------


1.)      With respect to Carbone Savoie,  the  Shareholders'  Agreement  between
         Pechiney S.A., UCAR  International  Inc. and UCAR Holdings S.A.,  dated
         December 23, 1996,  includes a right of first refusal in the event that
         either shareholder  desires to transfer part or all of its shares to an
         independent  third party.  In  addition,  the  Shareholders'  Agreement
         provides for tag along rights in the event that a shareholder wishes to
         transfer  all of its  shares  to a  non-affiliate  or  UCAR  wishes  to
         transfer  part of its shares  and such  transfer  would  result in UCAR
         owning less than 50.01% of the shares,  the other  shareholder  has the
         right to require the selling shareholder to include the transfer of all
         of its shares in the proposed transaction at the same price per share.

2.)      The  Articles of  Association  of UCAR  Elektroden  GmbH  (Article  12)
         provide for a right of first refusal as between the  shareholders  UCAR
         Holdings  II Inc.  and  Feist-Incon  GmbH & Co. KG in the event  either
         shareholder  wishes  to  transfer  its  shares  to a  third  party  not
         affiliated with it.


                                     -144-
<PAGE>

                                                                SCHEDULE 3.09 TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                   Litigation
                                   ----------


                                      NONE


                                     -145-
<PAGE>

                                                                SCHEDULE 3.14 TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                      Taxes
                                      -----


1.       UCAR International Inc.

         UCAR is currently under Federal Income Tax Audit for the years 1993 and
         1994. No adjustment has been proposed by the IRS as of 03/05/96.

         UCAR Carbon has reserved  $15.3  million on general  taxes and interest
         relating  to  potential   exposures  with  respect  to  various  filing
         positions taken in the years 1993 to 1996.


2.       UCAR S.p.A.

         UCAR S.p.A. has appeals still  outstanding for the years 1972 and 1975.
         In addition to this, the results of a tax inspection covering the years
         1986 and 1987,  completed on April 20,  1989,  are still  pending.  The
         initial  taxable income  adjustment was reduced in the year 1992 to ITL
         133 million by the Tax Commission.

         In addition,  UCAR S.p.A.  has appeals still  outstanding for the years
         1982 and 1989, that are expected to close without any payment.

         The amount of ITL 2,400  million was accrued to cover the tax liability
         which could  eventually  derive from the final  settlement of all these
         pending  litigations,  plus ITL  1,607  million  accrued  to cover  the
         generic risk of the settlement of future litigations.


                                     -146-
<PAGE>

                                                                SCHEDULE 3.17 TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                              Environmental Matters
                              ---------------------


                                      NONE


                                     -147-
<PAGE>

                                                                SCHEDULE 3.18 TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                 Capitalization
                                 --------------

1.     UCAR International Inc.

       (i)     Authorized Capital Stock:  100,000,000 shares of Common Stock

       (ii)    Par Value:  $.01 per share

       (iii)   Authorized Capital Stock Issued and Outstanding as of 
               February 28, 1997: 46,797,777


2.     UCAR Global Enterprises Inc.

       (i)     Authorized Capital Stock:  1,500 shares of Common Stock

       (ii)    Par Value:  $.01 per share

       (iii)   Authorized Capital Stock Issued and Outstanding as of
               February 28, 1997:  100


                                     -148-
<PAGE>


                                                                SCHEDULE 3.20 TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                  Labor Matters
                                  -------------


                                      NONE



                                     -149-
<PAGE>

SCHEDULE 6.01 - INDEBTEDNESS   MARCH 1997 CREDIT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                  LENDER                             TYPE                    US$ OR EQUIV.
<S>                             <C>                              <C>                         <C>               <C>  

UCAR CARBON S.A                 CCF                               EXCHANGE CONTRACT          $  2,032,340.00   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 BANCO REAL                        EXCHANGE CONTRACT          $  5,605,520.56   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 TOKIO                             IMPORT FINANCE             $     67,652.39   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 ITAU                              IMPORT FINANCE             $  3,612,960.86   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 BFB                               IMPORT FINANCE             $  3,301,421.23   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 BANK OF BOSTON                    IMPORT FINANCE             $  1,823,948.96   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 BANK OF BOSTON                    EXCHANGE CONTRACT          $  3,281,790.72   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 ITAU                              EXCHANGE CONTRACT          $    501,836.87   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 UNIBANCO                          EXCHANGE CONTRACT          $  3,436,046.39   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 BFB                               EXCHANGE CONTRACT          $  1,105,156.25   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 BANK OF BOSTON                    EXCH CONTRACT II           $  9,748,060.61   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 BANCO REAL                        EXCH CONTRACT II           $  3,182,681.60   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 ITAU                              EXCH CONTRACT II           $  3,985,722.45   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR CARBON S.A                 UNIBANCO                          EXCH CONTRACT II           $  3,653,247.59   @MAR 7, 1997

UCAR SPA                        INSTITUTO MOBILIERE ITALIANO      IND DEV FINANCE            $  2,450,000.00   @MAR 7, 1997

CARBON SAVOIE                   CR COMMERCIALE DE FRANCE          OVERDRAFT LINE             $  2,563,000.00   @MAR 7, 1997

AOOT GRAFIT                     CHASE UK                          FAC CREDIT AGREEMENT       $ 18,500,000.00   @MAR 7, 1997

UCAR ELEKTRODEN                 BHF                               FAC CREDIT AGREEMENT       $ 12,280,701.75   @MAR 12, 1997

UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES         INSTITUTO SAN PAOLO DI TOR        MONEY MARKET LOAN          $  5,000,000.00   @MAR 12,1997

UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES         UCAR INC.                         INTERCO LOAN               $    600,000.00   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES         UCAR MEXICANA                     INTERCO LOAN               $ 28,500,000.00   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES         UCAR HOLDINGS SA                  INTERCO LOAN               $ 10,000,000.00   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES         UCAR ITALIA                       INTERCO LOAN               $  8,015,000.00   @MAR 7, 1997
UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES         UCAR LTD                          INTERCO LOAN               $ 23,657,000.00   @MAR 7, 1997

UCAR INTERNATIONAL              UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES           INTERCO LOAN               $135,373,885.64   @FEB 28, 1997
UCAR CARBON COMPANY             UCAR INTERNATIONAL                INTERCO LOAN               $278,446,674.00   @FEB 28, 1997
UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES         UCAR CARBON                       INTERCO LOAN               $ 90,666,185.00   @FEB 28, 1997

</TABLE>

                                     -150-
<PAGE>

   
                                  SCHEDULE 6.02

                                  EXISTING LIENS
                                  --------------

BRAZIL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 17, 1995   Labor Litigation         Diesel Truck, Ford      RS$  60,000
                                             Blue, 1995              US$  56,969

March 15, 1996      Labor Litigation         Diesel Truck, Ford      RS$  40,000
                                             White, 1995             US$  37,979

October 16, 1996    Tax Litigation           Hyster, Forklift        RS$  45,000
                    State of Bahia           Truck                   US$  42,727

October 16, 1996    Tax Litigation           Hyster, Forklift        RS$  95,000
                    State of Bahia           Truck                   US$  90,201

CANADA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 15, 1996        Canadian Imperial Bank   Accounts, Other
0947 1825 4178      of Commerce
File #821913219

May 2, 1996         Municipal Savings &      Equipment
1610 8053 5127      Loan Corporation
File #821614131

October 17, 1995    Chemical Bank of         Inventory,
1910 1529 1305      Canada                   Equipment,
File #817447752                              Accounts, Other,
                                             Motor Vehicle

January 26, 1995    Chemical Bank of         Inventory,
2158 1529 1430      Canada                   Equipment,
File #811926999                              Accounts, Other,
                                             Motor Vehicle

January 20, 1995    Chemical Bank of         Inventory,
2200 1529 7050      Canada                   Equipment,
File #811825965                              Accounts, Other,
                                             Motor Vehicle


                                     -151-
<PAGE>


SCHEDULE 6.04 - INVESTMENTS
MARCH 1997 CREDIT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT

INVESTMENT          U.S. $ EQUIVALENT
- ----------          -----------------

UCAR GRAFIT OAO     $    28,491,595

CARBON SAVOIE       $    34,076,923

UCAR ELEKTRODEN     $     2,029,412


                                     -152-

<PAGE>

                                                                   SCHEDULE 6.07
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                              Permitted Agreements
                              --------------------


                                      None


                                     -153-
<PAGE>


SCHEDULE 6.09 - LIMIT ON DIVIDENDS
MARCH 1997 CREDIT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT


SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES INDENTURE



                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                                                                  CONFORMED COPY



                                        EFFECTIVENESS   AGREEMENT  dated  as  of
                                        March  19,  1997  (this   "Effectiveness
                                        Agreement"),  among  UCAR  INTERNATIONAL
                                        INC., a Delaware  corporation  ("UCAR"),
                                        UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES INC., a Delaware
                                        corporation   (the   "Borrower"),    the
                                        lenders  listed on  Schedule I hereto as
                                        Departing    Lenders   (the   "Departing
                                        Lenders"),   Continuing   Lenders   (the
                                        "Continuing   Lenders")  and  Additional
                                        Lenders (the "Additional  Lenders",  and
                                        collectively  with the Departing Lenders
                                        and   the   Continuing   Lenders,    the
                                        "Lenders"), the fronting banks listed on
                                        Schedule   I   hereto   (the   "Fronting
                                        Banks"),  and THE CHASE  MANHATTAN BANK,
                                        as  Administrative  Agent and Collateral
                                        Agent,  in each case  under  the  Credit
                                        Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") dated
                                        as  of  October  19,  1995,   among  the
                                        Borrower,   the   lenders   referred  to
                                        therein,   the   Fronting   Banks,   the
                                        Administrative Agent, and the Collateral
                                        Agent, as in effect on the date hereof.


          WHEREAS,  UCAR and the Borrower have requested,  and the Lenders,  the
Fronting Banks, the  Administrative  Agent and the Collateral Agent have agreed,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions  set forth herein,  that the Credit
Agreement be amended and restated as provided herein effective upon satisfaction
of the conditions set forth in Section 7 below;

          NOW, THEREFORE,  UCAR, the Borrower,  each of the Lenders, each of the
Fronting Banks, the  Administrative  Agent and the Collateral Agent hereby agree
as follows:

          SECTION 1.  DEFINED  TERMS.  Capitalized  terms  used but not  defined
herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the form of amended and
restated  Credit  Agreement  attached as Exhibit A hereto (the "Restated  Credit
Agreement").

          SECTION 2.  EFFECTIVENESS  DATE. (a) The transactions  provided for in
Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 hereof shall

be consummated at a closing (the "Closing") to be held on the Effectiveness Date
(as hereinafter  defined) at the offices of Cravath,  Swaine & Moore, or at such
other time and place as the parties shall agree.

          (b) The "Effectiveness  Date" shall be specified by the Borrower,  and
shall be a date not later than March 31,  1997,  as of which all the  conditions
set forth or  referred  to in Section 7 hereof  shall have been  satisfied.  The
Borrower shall give not less than one Business Day's written notice  proposing a
date as the Effectiveness  Date to the  Administrative  Agent,  which shall send
copies  of such  notice  to the  Lenders.  This  Effectiveness  Agreement  shall
terminate  at 5:00  p.m.,  New  York  City  time,  on  March  31,  1997,  if the
Effectiveness Date shall not have occurred at or prior to such time.

          SECTION 3.  AMENDMENT AND  RESTATEMENT  OF THE CREDIT  AGREEMENT.  The
Credit  Agreement  (including  all  Exhibits  and  Schedules  thereto) is hereby
amended and  restated,  effective as of the  Effectiveness  Date (subject to the
satisfaction  of the  conditions  set forth in Section 7 below),  to read in its
entirety  as set  forth  in  Exhibit  A  hereto,  and  each of the form of Local
Facility Credit Agreement  attached as Exhibit E to the Credit Agreement and the
form of Tranche A Letter of Credit attached as Exhibit I to the Credit Agreement
is hereby amended and restated,  effective as of the Effectiveness Date (subject
to the

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

conditions  set forth in Section 7 below),  to read in its entirety as set forth
in Exhibit B hereto and in Exhibit C hereto, respectively. Each Exhibit referred
to in the  Restated  Credit  Agreement,  other than the forms of Local  Facility
Credit  Agreement  and the form of  Tranche A Letter  of  Credit,  shall  remain
unchanged.  As  used in the  Credit  Agreement,  the  terms  "Agreement",  "this
Agreement",  "herein",  "hereinafter",  "hereto",  "hereof" and words of similar
import shall, unless the context otherwise  requires,  mean the Credit Agreement
as amended and restated pursuant to this Effectiveness Agreement. As used in the
Loan Documents,  the term "Credit Agreement" shall, unless the context otherwise
requires,  mean the Credit  Agreement as amended and  restated  pursuant to this
Effectiveness Agreement.

          SECTION 4. DELIVERY OF NOTES. On or prior to the  Effectiveness  Date,
each  Lender  holding a Note shall  deliver  to the  Administrative  Agent,  for
delivery to and cancelation by the Borrower,  all Notes then held by such Lender
(collectively, the "Notes"). Each Lender holding a Note that fails so to deliver
any of its Notes hereby agrees to indemnify  the Borrower for any loss,  cost or
expense  resulting  from such failure.  Upon the  effectiveness  of the Restated
Credit Agreement,  the Administrative  Agent shall release and deliver the Notes
to the Borrower for cancelation.

          SECTION 5. FEES AND EXPENSES.  On the Effectiveness Date, on or before
the  effectiveness of the Restated Credit  Agreement,  the Borrower shall pay to
the  Administrative  Agent (a) for its own account,  all fees and other  amounts
owed to it as of the Effectiveness  Date, (b) for the account of each Lender (i)
the participation fee due such Lender on the Effectiveness Date, (ii) all unpaid
fees accrued to but  excluding  the  Effectiveness  Date for the account of such
Lender under  Section 2.05 of the Credit  Agreement,  (iii) all unpaid  interest
accrued to but excluding the Effectiveness  Date in respect of the Loans of such
Lender  outstanding  under the Credit  Agreement and (iv) any amount due to such
Lender  under  Section  2.15 of the  Credit  Agreement  in  connection  with the
refinancing  of  its  outstanding   Loans  as  a  result  of  the   transactions
contemplated  by Section 6(b) below,  (c) for the account of each Fronting Bank,
all unpaid fees accrued to but excluding the Effectiveness  Date for the account
of such Fronting Bank under Section 2.05 of the Credit Agreement and (d) for the
account  of each  applicable  payee,  all  expenses  due and  payable  under the
Restated Credit Agreement on or before the Effectiveness Date in connection with
the Loan  Documents  to be  delivered on the  Effectiveness  Date or  otherwise,
including,  without  limitation,  the reasonable  fees and expenses  accrued and
invoiced through the Effectiveness Date of Cravath, Swaine & Moore.

          SECTION 6. TERM  BORROWINGS;  TRANCHE A LETTERS OF CREDIT.  (a) On the
Effectiveness  Date, upon the effectiveness of the Restated Credit Agreement and
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and therein, the Additional
Lenders and Continuing  Lenders  having  Commitments  under the Restated  Credit
Agreement shall make, and the Borrower shall borrow, (i) Tranche A Term Loans in
the  amount of the  Tranche A Term Loan  Commitments  of such  Lenders  and (ii)
Tranche B Term Loans in the  amount of the  Tranche B Term Loan  Commitments  of
such Lenders.  All such Loans on the  Effectiveness  Date shall initially be ABR
Loans.

          (b) On the Effectiveness  Date, upon the effectiveness of the Restated
Credit Agreement and subject to the conditions set forth herein and therein, the
Borrower  shall use the  proceeds of the Loans made  pursuant to  paragraph  (a)
above  to  repay  all the  Term  Loans  outstanding  on the  Effectiveness  Date
immediately  prior to the  effectiveness  of the Restated Credit  Agreement (the
"Outstanding  Loans").  Concurrently  with such  repayment  of Term  Loans,  the
Departing Lenders shall cease to be parties to the Credit Agreement and shall be
released  from all  further  obligations  thereunder  and shall  have no further
rights to or  interest in any of the  Collateral;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that the
Departing  Lenders  shall  continue to be entitled to the  benefits of all yield
protection,  expense  reimbursement  and indemnity  provisions  contained in the
Credit  Agreement  as in  effect  immediately  prior to the  Closing  and  shall
continue  to be bound by Section  9.17 of the Credit  Agreement  as in effect at
such time.

          (c) On the Effectiveness  Date, upon the effectiveness of the Restated
Credit Agreement (i) each Additional  Lender and each Continuing  Lender that is
making  Loans  pursuant to paragraph  (a) above shall pay to the  Administrative
Agent by wire transfer of immediately available funds not later than 11:00 a.m.,
New York City time,  an amount  equal to the  amount of the Loans  being made by
such Lender  pursuant to paragraph (a) and (ii) the  Administrative  Agent shall
pay to each Departing Lender and to


                                      -2-
<PAGE>


each  Continuing  Lender the amount of such Lender's  Outstanding  Loans by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated by such Lender
to the  Administrative  Agent not later than 5:00 p.m.,  New York City time. The
Borrower  agrees that if any Lender  shall  default in the payment of any amount
due from it under this Section 6, the Borrower  shall promptly pay the defaulted
amount to the  Administrative  Agent by wire transfer of  immediately  available
funds, together with interest on such amount at the Alternate Base Rate from the
Effectiveness  Date  to the  date of  payment.  Upon  any  such  payment  by the
Borrower, the Borrower shall have the right, at the defaulting Lender's expense,
upon notice to the defaulting Lender and to the Administrative Agent, to require
such  defaulting  Lender to transfer and assign without  recourse (in accordance
with and subject to the  restrictions  contained in Section 9.04 of the Restated
Credit  Agreement) all its interests,  rights and obligations under the Restated
Credit  Agreement  to another  financial  institution  which  shall  assume such
interests,  rights and  obligations;  PROVIDED that (A) no such assignment shall
conflict with any law, rule or regulation or order of any Governmental Authority
and  (B)  the  assignee  shall  pay to the  defaulting  Lender,  in  immediately
available funds on the date of such assignment, the outstanding principal of and
interest accrued to the date of payment on the Loans made or deemed made by such
defaulting  Lender under the Restated  Credit  Agreement,  if any, and all other
amounts  accrued for such  defaulting  Lender's  account or owed to it under the
Restated Credit Agreement.

          (d)  In  the  event  the  Borrower   shall   specify  a  date  as  the
Effectiveness  Date and the Effectiveness Date shall not occur on such date, the
Borrower shall  indemnify  each Lender for any loss or expense  incurred by such
Lender as a result of the  transactions to have been  consummated by such Lender
on such proposed  Effectiveness  Date,  in each case  determined as set forth in
Section  2.15 of the  Restated  Credit  Agreement  in respect of any  failure to
borrow or prepay any Loan.

          (e) On the Effectiveness  Date, upon the effectiveness of the Restated
Credit  Agreement  and subject to the  conditions  set forth herein and therein,
each  Fronting  Bank  having a Tranche A L/C  Commitment  shall  issue (or shall
permit to remain outstanding) the Tranche A Letters of Credit set forth opposite
its  name on  Schedule  2.20 to the  Restated  Credit  Agreement,  appropriately
completed, in each case for the account of the applicable Credit Party specified
on such Schedule 2.20.

          SECTION 7. CONDITIONS.  The consummation of the transactions set forth
in Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this  Effectiveness  Agreement  shall be subject to
the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

          (a) The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself,
     the Lenders and the  Fronting  Banks,  a favorable  written  opinion of (i)
     Kelley Drye & Warren LLP,  counsel for UCAR, and In-House  Counsel of UCAR,
     collectively,  substantially  to the effect set forth in Exhibit  D-1,  and
     (ii) each local counsel listed on Schedule II hereto,  substantially to the
     effect set forth in Exhibit  D-2, in each case (A) dated the  Effectiveness
     Date, (B) addressed to the Fronting Banks,  the  Administrative  Agent, the
     Collateral  Agent and the  Lenders,  and (C)  covering  such other  matters
     relating to the Loan Documents and the  Transactions as the  Administrative
     Agent shall  reasonably  request,  and each of UCAR and the Borrower hereby
     instructs its counsel to deliver such opinions.

          (b) All legal matters  incident to this Agreement,  the borrowings and
     extensions  of credit  hereunder  and the  other  Loan  Documents  shall be
     reasonably  satisfactory to the Lenders, to the Fronting Banks, to Cravath,
     Swaine & Moore,  counsel for the Administrative  Agent, and, in the case of
     each  Local  Facility,  to  counsel  for the  Administrative  Agent  in the
     jurisdiction of such Local Facility.

          (c) The  Administrative  Agent shall have  received (i) in the case of
     each domestic Loan Party, each of the items referred to in clauses (A), (B)
     and (C) below and, in the case of each other Loan Party,  as  requested  by
     the Administrative Agent, the equivalent documentation


                                      -3-
<PAGE>


in its jurisdiction of  organization:  (A) a copy of the certificate or articles
of  incorporation,  including  all  amendments  thereto,  of  each  Loan  Party,
certified  as of a recent  date by the  Secretary  of State of the  state of its
organization, and a certificate as to the good standing of each Loan Party as of
a recent date from such  Secretary of State;  (B) a certificate of the Secretary
or  Assistant  Secretary  of each Loan Party  dated the  Effectiveness  Date and
certifying (w) that attached  thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws
of such Loan Party as in effect on the Effectiveness Date and at all times since
a date immediately prior to the date of the resolutions  described in clause (x)
below, (x) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly
adopted by the Board of Directors of such Loan Party  authorizing the execution,
delivery and  performance  of the Loan Documents to which such person is a party
and, in the case of the Borrower and the other Credit  Parties,  the  borrowings
and issuances of Letters of Credit under the Restated  Credit  Agreement and the
borrowings under the Local Facility Credit Agreements, and that such resolutions
have not been  modified,  rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect,
(y) that the  certificate or articles of  incorporation  of such Loan Party have
not been  amended  since  the date of the last  amendment  thereto  shown on the
certificate of good standing  furnished pursuant to clause (A) above, and (z) as
to the  incumbency  and specimen  signature of each officer  executing  any Loan
Document or any other  document  delivered in  connection  herewith on behalf of
such Loan Party;  and (C) a certificate of another  officer as to the incumbency
and specimen  signature of the  Secretary or Assistant  Secretary  executing the
certificate pursuant to (B) above; and (ii) such other documents as the Lenders,
the Fronting  Banks,  Cravath,  Swaine & Moore,  counsel for the  Administrative
Agent,  or, in the case of any Local  Facility,  counsel for the  Administrative
Agent in the jurisdiction of such Local Facility, may reasonably request.

          (d) The Administrative  Agent shall have received a certificate of the
     Borrower, dated the Effectiveness Date and signed by a Financial Officer of
     and on behalf of the Borrower,  confirming  compliance  with the conditions
     precedent  set  forth  in  paragraphs  (b) and (c) of  Section  4.01 of the
     Restated Credit Agreement as of the Effectiveness Date.

          (e) The Administrative  Agent shall have received from the Borrower or
     the other Credit Parties, as applicable, all Fees and other amounts due and
     payable on or prior to the  Effectiveness  Date,  including,  to the extent
     invoiced,  reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket  expenses required
     to be  reimbursed  or paid by the  Borrower  or the  other  Credit  Parties
     hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

          (f) The Reaffirmation  Agreement in the form of Exhibit E hereto shall
     have been duly  executed by each of UCAR,  the Borrower and the  Subsidiary
     Guarantors,  shall have been delivered to the Collateral Agent and shall be
     in full force and  effect,  and each of the  Guarantee  Agreements  and the
     Indemnity,  Subrogation  and  Contribution  Agreement  shall remain in full
     force and effect.

          (g) The Pledge  Agreement  shall remain in full force and effect,  all
     the outstanding Capital Stock of the Borrower and each domestic Subsidiary,
     and 65% of the outstanding Capital Stock of each foreign Subsidiary (or, if
     less,  all such  Capital  Stock)  owned  directly  by the  Borrower  or any
     domestic Subsidiary, shall have been duly and validly pledged thereunder to
     the  Collateral  Agent for the ratable  benefit of the Secured  Parties and
     certificates   representing  such  shares,   accompanied  in  the  case  of
     certificated shares by instruments of transfer and stock powers endorsed in
     blank, shall be in the actual possession of the Collateral Agent.

          (h) Each  outstanding  Local Facility Credit Agreement shall have been
     amended  and  restated  in  substantially  the form of  Exhibit B with such
     changes therefrom as shall in the


                                      -4-
<PAGE>


     judgment  of the  Administrative  Agent be  necessary  or  advisable  under
     applicable  law, the Credit Parties under the Local  Facilities  shall have
     made or continued  borrowings  in the amounts and  currencies  specified in
     Schedule  III  hereto and the  Administrative  Agent  shall  have  received
     evidence satisfactory to it of all the foregoing.

          (i) After giving effect to the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and
     under the Restated  Credit  Agreement to occur on the  Effectiveness  Date,
     UCAR,  the  Borrower  and  the  Subsidiaries   shall  have  outstanding  no
     Indebtedness  other  than  Loans  hereunder,  Indebtedness  under the Local
     Facilities,  the  Senior  Subordinated  Notes  and  Indebtedness  otherwise
     permitted under Section 6.01 of the Restated Credit Agreement.

          (j)  The  Lenders  shall  have  received  a  reasonably   satisfactory
     consolidated balance sheet of UCAR as of December 31, 1996, together with a
     certificate of the Borrower,  dated the Effectiveness  Date and signed by a
     Financial Officer of the Borrower, to the effect that such statement fairly
     presents the financial  position of UCAR, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries
     on a consolidated  basis in accordance  with GAAP, and the Lenders shall be
     reasonably   satisfied  that  such  balance  sheet  and  the   transactions
     contemplated hereby and thereby and the financing arrangements contemplated
     hereby are not materially  inconsistent with the information or projections
     and the financial  model delivered to the Lenders prior to the date hereof.
     The  Credit   Parties  shall  also  have  provided  such  other   financial
     information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably have requested.

          (k) All requisite material  Governmental  Authorities and all material
     third  parties  shall  have  approved  or  consented  to  the  transactions
     contemplated hereby to the extent required.

          SECTION 8. EFFECTIVENESS;  COUNTERPARTS.  This Effectiveness Agreement
shall become effective when copies hereof which,  when taken together,  bear the
signatures  of each of the  parties  hereto  shall  have  been  received  by the
Administrative  Agent.  Each of the parties hereto agrees that,  notwithstanding
any provision of the Credit  Agreement to the contrary,  the  provisions of this
Effectiveness  Agreement and the Restated  Credit  Agreement  shall as among the
parties hereto be effective without regard to whether any Departing Lender shall
have executed this Effectiveness Agreement. This Effectiveness Agreement may not
be amended nor may any provision  hereof be waived except  pursuant to a writing
signed by the Borrower,  the  Administrative  Agent,  the Collateral  Agent, the
Fronting Banks and the Lenders. This Effectiveness  Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts,  each of which shall constitute an original but all of
which when taken together shall constitute but one contract.

          SECTION 9. NOTICES. All notices hereunder shall be given in accordance
with the provisions of Section 9.01 of the Restated Credit Agreement.

          SECTION  10.   APPLICABLE  LAW;   WAIVER  OF  JURY  TRIAL.   (A)  THIS
EFFECTIVENESS  AGREEMENT  SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

          (B) EACH PARTY  HERETO  HEREBY  AGREES AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 9.11 OF
THE RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT AS IF SUCH SECTION WERE SET FORTH IN FULL HEREIN.

          SECTION 11. SECURITY INTERESTS.  The Collateral Agent shall reasonably
promptly  after the  Effectiveness  Date take such  actions as are  necessary to
release  such Liens as  presently  exist  under any  Security  Document or Local
Facility Loan Document but will not be required to be in effect thereunder after
the Effectiveness Date. Each Lender hereby authorizes and directs the Collateral
Agent to take such actions and to


                                      -5-
<PAGE>


execute any such documents as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower or any
other Credit Party,  and at the expense of the Borrower or such Credit Party, in
connection with the termination of such Liens.

          SECTION 12.  EXPENSES;  INDEMNITY.  The Borrower  hereby agrees as set
forth in Section  9.05 of the  Restated  Agreement  as if such  Section were set
forth in full herein.


                                   UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.,

                                   by
                                     /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                     Title: Vice President, Chief Financial
                                            Officer & Treasurer


                                   UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES INC.,

                                   by
                                     /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                     Title: Vice President, Chief Financial
                                     Officer & Treasurer


                                   UCAR HOLDINGS S.A.,

                                   by
                                     /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                     Title: Attorney-in-Fact


                                   UCAR S.p.A.,

                                   by
                                     /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                     Title: Attorney-in-Fact


                                   UCAR ELECTRODOS, S.L.,

                                   by
                                     /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                     Title: Attorney-in-Fact


                                   UCAR INC.,

                                   by



                                      -6-
<PAGE>


                                     /s/ Luke Higgins
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Luke Higgins
                                     Title: Financial Director


                                   UCAR MEXICANA S.A. de C.V.,

                                   by
                                     /s/ William P. Wiemels
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                     Title: Attorney-in-Fact


                                   THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, individually
                                   and as Fronting Bank, Administrative Agent 
                                   and Collateral Agent,

                                   by
                                     /s/ James H. Ramage
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  James H. Ramage
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   ABN AMRO BANK, N.V., NEW YORK
                                   BRANCH, individually and as Co-Agent,

                                   by
                                     /s/ David Mandell
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  David Mandell
                                     Title: Group Vice President

                                   by
                                     /s/ David Stack
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  David Stack
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   AMSOUTH BANK OF ALABAMA,

                                   by
                                     /s/ John Hooker
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  John Hooker
                                     Title: Commercial Banking Officer


                                   BANCA COMMERCIALE ITALIANA,
                                   NEW YORK BRANCH,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Charles Dougherty
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Charles Dougherty
                                     Title: Vice President



                                      -7-
<PAGE>



                                   by
                                     /s/ T. Gallonetto
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  T. Gallonetto
                                     Title: Assistant Vice President


                                   BANK OF AMERICA ILLINOIS,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Nancy McGraw
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Nancy McGraw
                                     Title: Managing Director


                                   BANK OF NEW YORK, individually and as
                                   Co-Agent,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Nancy McEwen
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Nancy McEwen
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, individually and
                                   as Co-Agent,

                                   by
                                     /s/ J. R. Trimble
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  J. R. Trimble
                                     Title: Senior Relationship Manager


                                   THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI TRUST
                                   COMPANY, individually and as Co-Agent,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Nicholas J. Campbell, Jr.
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Nicholas J. Campbell, Jr.
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   BANQUE FRANCAISE DU COMMERCE
                                   EXTERIEUR,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Frederick K. Kammler
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Frederick K. Kammler
                                     Title: Vice President



                                      -8-
<PAGE>


                                   BANQUE NATIONALE DE PARIS,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Richard L. Sted
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Richard L. Sted
                                     Title: Senior Vice President

                                   by
                                     /s/ Sophie Revillard Kaufman
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Sophie Revillard Kaufman
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   BANQUE PARIBAS, individually and as
                                   Co-Agent,

                                   by
                                     /s/ John J. McCormick, III
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  John J. McCormick, III
                                     Title: Vice President

                                   by
                                     /s/ Mary T. Finnegan
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Mary T. Finnegan
                                     Title: Group Vice President


                                   BHF-BANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Linda Pace
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Linda Pace
                                     Title: Assistant Vice President

                                   by
                                     /s/ Paul Travers
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Paul Travers
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF
                                   COMMERCE, individually and as Co-Agent,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Timothy E. Doyle
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Timothy E. Doyle
                                     Title: Managing Director




                                      -9-
<PAGE>


                                   CORESTATES BANK, N.A.

                                   by
                                     /s/ Brian M. Haley
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Brian M. Haley
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   CREDIT AGRICOLE,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Craig Welch
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Craig Welch
                                     Title: First Vice President


                                   CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,
                                   individually and as Co-Agent,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Mary E. Collier
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Mary E. Collier
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LTD.,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Ronald Wolinsky
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Ronald Wolinsky
                                     Title: Vice President & Group Leader


                                   FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Kathryn A. Brothers
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Kathryn A. Brothers
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Harvey H. Thayer, Jr.
                                     ------------------------------------    
                                     Name:  Harvey H. Thayer, Jr.
                                     Title: Director



                                      -10-
<PAGE>


                                   FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF NORTH
                                   CAROLINA, individually and as Co-Agent,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Henry R. Biedrzycki
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Henry R. Biedrzycki
                                     Title: Vice President

                                   by
                                     /s/ Henry R. Biedrzycki
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Henry R. Biedrzycki
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   FLEET NATIONAL BANK, individually and as
                                   Co-Agent,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Robert C. Rubino
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Robert C. Rubino
                                     Title:   Vice President


                                   GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
                                   CORPORATION,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Michael McGonigle
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Michael McGonigle
                                     Title: Duly Authorized Signatory


                                   THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN,
                                   LIMITED, individually and as Co-Agent,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Takuya Honjo
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Takuya Honjo
                                     Title: Senior Vice President


                                   KREDIETBANK N.V., NEW YORK BRANCH,

                                   by   
                                     /s/ Robert Snauffer
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Robert Snauffer
                                     Title: Vice President

                                   by
                                     /s/ Garling Lee
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Garling Lee
                                     Title: Assistant Treasurer



                                      -11-
<PAGE>


                                   INSTITUTO BANCARIO SAN PAOLO DI
                                   TORINO SPA,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Robert S. Wurster
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Robert S. Wurster
                                     Title: First Vice President

                                   by
                                     /s/ William J. De Angelo
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  William J. De Angelo
                                     Title: First Vice President


                                   THE LONG-TERM CREDIT BANK OF JAPAN,
                                   LIMITED, NEW YORK BRANCH, individually
                                   and as Co-Agent,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Shuichi Tajima
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Shuichi Tajima
                                     Title: Deputy General Manager


                                   MELLON BANK, N.A.,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Richard K. James
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Richard K. James
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   MERRILL LYNCH SENIOR FLOATING RATE
                                   FUND, INC.

                                   By
                                     /s/ John W. Fraser
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  John W. Fraser
                                     Title: Authorized Signatory


                                   SENIOR HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO, INC.

                                   By
                                     /s/ John W. Fraser
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  John W. Fraser
                                     Title: Authorized Signatory



                                      -12-
<PAGE>

                                   OCTAGON CREDIT INVESTORS LOAN
                                   PORTFOLIO (a unit of The Chase Manhattan
                                   Bank),

                                   by
                                     /s/ Joyce C. DeLucca
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Joyce C. DeLucca
                                     Title: Managing Director


                                   PNC BANK, National Association,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Lawrence W. Jacobs
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Lawrence W. Jacobs
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Russell M. Gibson
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Russell M. Gibson
                                     Title: Vice President and Deputy Manager


                                   THE SAKURA BANK, LTD.,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Yoshikazu Nagura
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Yoshikazu Nagura
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   THE SANWA BANK, LIMITED -
                                   NEW YORK BRANCH,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Dominic J. Sorresso
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Dominic J. Sorresso
                                     Title: Vice President


                                   SOCIETE GENERALE,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Robert Petersen
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Robert Petersen
                                     Title: Vice President

                                   by



                                      -13-
<PAGE>

                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title:


                                   THE SUMITOMO BANK, LTD.,

                                   by
                                     /s/ John C. Kissinger
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  John C. Kissinger
                                     Title: Joint General Manager


                                   THE TOKAI BANK, LIMITED - NEW YORK
                                   BRANCH,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Kaoru Oda
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Kaoru Oda
                                     Title: Assistant General Manager


                                   THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY,

                                   by
                                     /s/ John W. Petchler
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  John W. Petchler
                                     Title: Second Vice President


                                   THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY,

                                   by
                                     /s/ John W. Petchler
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  John W. Petchler
                                     Title: Second Vice President


                                   THE TRAVELERS LIFE AND ANNUITY
                                   COMPANY,

                                   by
                                     /s/ John W. Petchler
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  John W. Petchler
                                     Title: Second Vice President



                                      -14-
<PAGE>


                                   VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PRIME
                                   RATE INCOME TRUST,

                                   by
                                     /s/ Kathleen A. Zarn
                                     ------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Kathleen A. Zarn



                                      -15-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                            SCHEDULE I

                                                 PARTICIPATING AND DEPARTING BANKS



<S>                                     <C>                                            <C>

CONTINUING LENDERS
- ------------------

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK                AMSOUTH BANK OF ALABAMA                        BANCA COMMERCIALE ITALIANA, NEW
                                                                                       YORK BRANCH

BANK OF AMERICA ILLINOIS                BANK OF NEW YORK                               THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI,           BANQUE FRANCAISE DU COMMERCE                   BANQUE PARIBAS
LTD., NEW YORK BRANCH                   EXTERIEUR

BHF-BANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT             CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE             CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH

THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LTD.,         THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF NORTH
                                                                                       CAROLINA

FLEET NATIONAL BANK                     GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION           KREDIETBANK N.V., NEW YORK BRANCH

THE LONG-TERM CREDIT BANK OF            MERRILL LYNCH SENIOR FLOATING RATE             MERRILL LYNCH SENIOR HIGH INCOME
JAPAN, LIMITED, NEW YORK                FUND, INC.                                     PORTFOLIO
BRANCH

OCTAGON CREDIT INVESTOR LOAN            THE SAKURA BANK, LTD.                          THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY
PORTFOLIO

THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE                 THE TRAVELERS LIFE AND ANNUITY                 VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PRIME
COMPANY                                 COMPANY                                        RATE INCOME TRUST



NEW LENDERS
- -----------

ABN AMRO BANK N.V., NEW YORK            BANQUE NATIONALE DE PARIS                      CORESTATES BANK, N.A.
BRANCH



                                                               -16-
<PAGE>



CREDIT AGRICOLE                         FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK                   INSTITUTO BANCARIO SAN PAOLO DI
                                                                                       TORINO SPA

MELLON BANK, N.A.                       THE PNC BANK                                   ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND

THE SANWA BANK LIMITED NEW              SOCIETE GENERALE                               THE SUMITOMO BANK, LTD.
YORK BRANCH

THE TOKAI BANK, LIMITED - NEW
YORK BRANCH



DEPARTING LENDERS
- -----------------

Each Lender party to the Credit Agreeement and not a Continuing Lender.
</TABLE>




                                                               -17-
<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE II

                             Local Counsel Schedule
                             ----------------------

Canada:
Michael Harquail
Blake Cassels & Graydon
Commerce Court West
Toronto, Ontario
M5L1A9
Fax # 416-863-2653
Tel # 416-863-2929

Italy:
Alessandro Giuliani
Gianni, Origoni & Partners
885 Third Avenue
New York, NY
Fax # 212-826-2519
Tel # 212-826-2515

France:
Philippe Xavier-Bender
Gide Loyrette Nouel
Swiss Bank Tower
10 East 50th Street
New York, NY 10022
Fax # 212-644-1205
Tel #212-644-1201

Spain:
Fernando Perez de la Sota
Uria & Menendez
712 Fifth Avenue, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Fax # 212-801-3465
Tel # 212-801-3460



                                      -18-
<PAGE>
                               


                                  Schedule III
                         To The Effectiveness Agreement




            COMPANY                                           BORROWINGS       
                                       
===========================================================================
1.    UCAR HOLDINGS S.A.                                    $130,600,000.00
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.    UCAR INC.                                              $19,900,000.00
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.    UCAR S.P.A.                                            $31,200,000.00
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.    UCAR ELECTRODOS S.L.                                   $32,300,000.00
===========================================================================
                                  


                                      -19-
<PAGE>



                                                                       EXHIBIT B
                                                  TO THE EFFECTIVENESS AGREEMENT



                                    LOCAL FACILITY CREDIT  AGREEMENT dated as of
                           [DATE], among [BORROWER],  a [DESCRIBE BORROWER] (the
                           "Borrower"),  the  financial  institutions  listed on
                           Schedule   2.01  (the   "Lenders"),   and  THE  CHASE
                           MANHATTAN  BANK,  as  agent  (in such  capacity,  the
                           "Administrative Agent") for the Lenders.


          The Borrower has requested the Lenders to extend credit in the form of
Loans (such term and each other  capitalized  term used but not  defined  herein
having the meaning assigned to it in Article I) in an aggregate principal amount
at any time  outstanding  not in excess of $[AMOUNT] (or the  equivalent of such
amount in Local Currency).  The Loans will continue or replace existing loans of
the Lenders to the Borrower.

          The Lenders  are willing to extend such credit to the  Borrower on the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.  Accordingly,  the parties
hereto agree as follows:


ARTICLE I.  DEFINITIONS

          SECTION  1.01.  Defined  Terms.  All  capitalized  terms  used but not
defined  herein  shall have the  meanings  given  such terms in the U.S.  Credit
Agreement.  As used in this  Agreement,  the  following  terms  shall  have  the
meanings specified below:

          "ABR Borrowing" shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Loans.

          "ABR Loan" shall mean any Loan bearing  interest at a rate  determined
by reference to the  Alternate  Base Rate in accordance  with the  provisions of
Article II.

          "Adjusted  LIBO  Rate"  shall  have the  meaning  given  such  term in
Schedule 2.06.1

          "Adjusted  Outstanding Principal Amount" shall mean the sum of (a) the
aggregate  outstanding principal amount of all Loans denominated in Dollars plus
the Interest Component in respect of such Loans and (b) the Dollar Equivalent of
the aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of all Loans  denominated in Local
Currency plus the Foreign Currency Component in respect of such Loans.

          "Aggregate  Available  Amount"  shall  mean at any time the  aggregate
undrawn Stated Amounts under the Letters of Credit in effect at such time.

          "Alternate  Base  Rate"  shall  have the  meaning  given  such term in
Schedule  2.06.1/
               -



 -------- 

     1  Schedule  2.06  will  specify  applicable  pricing  conventions  in  the
jurisdiction of each Local Facility Credit Agreement.


                                      -20-
<PAGE>


          "Applicable  Percentage"  shall  mean,  in the case of any  Lender,  a
fraction,  expressed  as a  decimal,  of  which  the  numerator  is equal to the
principal  amount (or, in the case of Loans  denominated in Local Currency,  the
Dollar  Equivalent of the  principal  amount) of the  outstanding  Loans of such
Lender and the denominator is equal to the principal  amount (or, in the case of
Loans  denominated  in Local  Currency,  the Dollar  Equivalent of the principal
amount) of all the outstanding Loans.

          "Assignment and Acceptance"  shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 9.04(b).

          "Borrowing"  shall mean a group of Loans of a single  Type made by the
Lenders on a single date and as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

          "Business  Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,  Sunday or a
day on which banks in [insert  principal  financial  center in  jurisdiction  of
Local Currency] are authorized or required by law to close;  provided,  however,
that when used in connection  with a Eurodollar  Loan,  the term  "Business Day"
shall also  exclude any day on which  banks are not open for  dealings in dollar
deposits in the London interbank market.

          "Calculation  Date" shall mean the last  Business Day of each calendar
month,  provided that at the request of the Administrative Agent or the Borrower
the Calculation Date may occur more frequently.

          "Closing Date" shall mean the date of the first Borrowing hereunder.

          "Default" shall mean any event or condition  which upon notice,  lapse
of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

          "Dollar  Equivalent"  shall mean, on any date of  determination,  with
respect  to any  amount in Local  Currency,  the  equivalent  in Dollars of such
amount,  determined by the Administrative  Agent using the Exchange Rate then in
effect as determined pursuant to Section 1.03.

          "Dollars" or "$" shall mean United States dollars.

          "Eurocurrency   Borrowing"   shall  mean  a  Borrowing   comprised  of
Eurocurrency Loans.

          "Eurocurrency  Loan"  shall mean any Loan  bearing  interest at a rate
determined  by  reference  to the  Adjusted  LIBO  Rate in  accordance  with the
provisions of Article II.

          "Event of Default"  shall have the meaning  given such term in Article
VII.

          "Exchange  Rate" shall  mean,  with  respect to Local  Currency on any
date,  the rate at which Dollars may be exchanged  into Local  Currency,  as set
forth on such date on the  applicable  Reuters  currency page. In the event that
such rate does not appear on the applicable  Reuters currency page, the Exchange
Rate with respect to Local  Currency  shall be  determined  by reference to such
other publicly available service for displaying  exchange rates as may be agreed
upon by the  Administrative  Agent and the  Borrower  or, in the absence of such
agreement,  such Exchange Rate shall instead be the Administrative  Agent's spot
rate of  exchange  in the  London  interbank  market or other  market  where the
Administrative  Agent's foreign currency exchange operations in respect of Local
Currency are then being  conducted,  at or about 10:00 a.m., local time, on such
date for the purchase of Local  Currency  with Dollars for delivery two Business
Days later; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if at the time of any such



                                      -21-
<PAGE>

determination,  for  any  reason,  no  such  spot  rate  is  being  quoted,  the
Administrative  Agent  may use any  reasonable  method it deems  appropriate  to
determine such rate, and such determination  shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.

          "Existing  Agreement"  shall mean  [identify  existing  local facility
credit agreement].

          "Exposure"  shall  mean  at any  time  the  sum of (a)  the  aggregate
outstanding  amount of the principal of, and all interest accrued but unpaid on,
the Loans  denominated  in Dollars,  (b) the Dollar  Equivalent of the aggregate
outstanding  amount of the principal of, and all interest accrued but unpaid on,
the  Loans  denominated  in Local  Currency  and (c) all other  obligations  and
liabilities of the Borrower to the Administrative  Agent or the Lenders then due
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including any and all fees and,
to the extent invoiced, indemnities, costs, expenses or other amounts.

          "Foreign Currency Component" shall mean, with respect to the principal
amount of any Loan or Loans denominated in Local Currency,  an amount in Dollars
equal to 5.00% of the Dollar Equivalent of such amount.

          "Fronting  Bank"  shall  mean The  Chase  Manhattan  Bank or any other
person acting as Fronting Bank in respect of a Letter of Credit.

          "Global"  shall  mean  UCAR  Global   Enterprises   Inc.,  a  Delaware
corporation.

          "Interest  Component" shall mean, with respect to the principal amount
of any Loan or Loans  denominated in Dollars,  an amount equal to 1.03333333333%
of such principal amount.

          "Interest   Payment  Date"  shall  mean,   (a)  with  respect  to  any
Eurocurrency  Loan,  the  last  day of the  Interest  Period  applicable  to the
Borrowing  of which  such  Loan is a part  and,  in the  case of a  Eurocurrency
Borrowing with an Interest  Period of more than one month's  duration,  each day
that would have been an Interest Payment Date had successive Interest Periods of
one month's  duration been applicable to such Borrowing,  and, in addition,  the
date of any  refinancing  or conversion of such Borrowing with or to a Borrowing
of a different  Type and (b) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day
of each month.

          "Interest  Period" shall mean as to any  Eurocurrency  Borrowing,  the
period  commencing  on the  date of such  Borrowing  or on the  last  day of the
immediately preceding Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing,  as the case
may be,  and ending on the  numerically  corresponding  day (or,  if there is no
numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1,
2, 3 or 6 months  thereafter,  as the  Borrower  may  elect  and the  date  such
Borrowing is converted to a Borrowing  of a different  Type in  accordance  with
Section  2.10 or repaid or  prepaid in  accordance  with  Section  2.11 or 2.12;
provided,  however,  that if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a
Business  Day,  such  Interest  Period shall be extended to the next  succeeding
Business  Day unless such next  succeeding  Business  Day would fall in the next
calendar  month,  in which  case  such  Interest  Period  shall  end on the next
preceding  Business Day.  Interest shall accrue from and including the first day
of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest Period.

          "L/C Disbursement"  shall mean a payment or disbursement by a Fronting
Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.



                                      -22-
<PAGE>

          "Letter of Credit"  shall mean each letter of credit in  substantially
the form of  Exhibit A hereto  issued by a Fronting  Bank under the U.S.  Credit
Agreement for the benefit of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders.

          "Loan Documents" shall mean this Agreement,  the Letter of Credit, the
Notes and the Security Documents.

          "Loan Parties"  shall mean the Borrower,  Global and each Affiliate of
any of them that is party to any Loan Document.

          "Loans"  shall  mean the loans  made by the  Lenders  to the  Borrower
pursuant to Section 2.01. Each Loan shall be a Eurocurrency Loan or an ABR Loan.

          "Local  Currency" or "[insert symbol for local  currency]"  shall mean
[identify local currency].

          "Local Currency  Equivalent" shall mean, on any date of determination,
with respect to any amount in Dollars,  the equivalent in Local Currency of such
amount,  determined by the Administrative  Agent using the Exchange Rate then in
effect as determined pursuant to Section 1.03.

          "Maturity  Date"  shall mean the date that is the sixth  Business  Day
prior to December 31, 2001.

          "Note" shall mean any promissory  note of the Borrower issued pursuant
to this Agreement.

          "Parent  Guarantee  Agreement"  shall mean the Guarantee  Agreement of
Global,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit B, made by Global in favor of the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.

          "Required  Lenders" shall mean, at any time, Lenders having Loans (or,
prior to the initial Borrowing hereunder,  committed to make Loans) representing
at  least  51% of the  sum of all  Loans  outstanding  at  such  time  (or to be
outstanding).

          "Reset Date" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 1.03.

          "Responsible  Officer"  of any  corporation  shall mean any  executive
officer  or  Financial  Officer  of such  corporation  and any other  officer or
similar official thereof  responsible for the  administration of the obligations
of such corporation in respect of this Agreement.

          "Security  Documents"  shall mean the Parent  Guarantee  Agreement and
each  document set forth on Schedule 1.01 and each of the  guarantees,  security
agreements, mortgages and other instruments and documents executed and delivered
pursuant to any of the foregoing or pursuant to Section 5.11 of the U.S.  Credit
Agreement.

          "Standard Time" shall mean [SPECIFY APPLICABLE TIME ZONE].

          "Stated  Amount"  shall mean,  with respect to any Letter of Credit at
any time,  the Stated  Amount under (and as defined in) such Letter of Credit at
such time, as adjusted in accordance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

          "Subsidiary" shall mean any subsidiary of the Borrower.



                                      -23-
<PAGE>

          "Testing Date" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 1.03.

          "Transactions"  shall mean the execution,  delivery and performance by
the  Borrower  and  the  Subsidiaries  of  each of the  Loan  Documents  and the
borrowings  hereunder and the other transactions  contemplated hereby and by the
other Loan Documents.

          "Type", when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing,  shall refer to
the  currency in which such Loan or  Borrowing  is  denominated  and the Rate by
reference  to  which  interest  on such  Loan or on the  Loans  comprising  such
Borrowing is determined.  For purposes hereof, "Rate" shall include the Adjusted
LIBO Rate and the Alternate Base Rate.

          "U.S.  Credit  Agreement"  shall mean the Credit Agreement dated as of
the date hereof among UCAR International Inc., UCAR Global Enterprises Inc., the
lenders named therein,  the fronting banks named therein and The Chase Manhattan
Bank, as administrative agent and collateral agent thereunder, which is attached
hereto as Exhibit D.

          SECTION 1.02. Terms  Generally.  The definitions in Section 1.01 shall
apply  equally  to both the  singular  and  plural  forms of the terms  defined.
Whenever the context may require,  any pronoun shall  include the  corresponding
masculine,  feminine  and neuter  forms.  The words  "include",  "includes"  and
"including"  shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without  limitation".
All references  herein to Articles,  Sections,  Exhibits and Schedules  shall be
deemed  references  to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and  Schedules to,
this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise  require.  Except as otherwise
expressly  provided herein, any reference in this Agreement to any Loan Document
shall  mean such  document  as  amended,  restated,  supplemented  or  otherwise
modified from time to time.

          SECTION 1.03. Currency Equivalents;  Currency Fluctuations.  Not later
than 1:00 p.m.,  Standard Time, on each  Calculation  Date,  the  Administrative
Agent shall (a) determine the Exchange Rate as of such  Calculation Date and (b)
give notice  thereof to the  Borrower  and the  Lenders.  The  Exchange  Rate so
determined  shall  become  effective  on  the  first  Business  Day  immediately
following  the relevant  Calculation  Date (each a "Reset  Date"),  shall remain
effective  until the next  succeeding  Reset Date and shall during the period of
its effectiveness be employed in making any computation of currency  equivalents
required to be made under this Agreement  (other than any  computation  required
under Article VII or Section 9.16). Not later than 10:00 a.m., Standard Time, on
the Closing  Date and on the date of each  prepayment  under  Section 2.12 (each
such date, a "Testing Date"), the  Administrative  Agent shall (i) determine the
Dollar  Equivalent,  based on the  Exchange  Rate in effect as  provided  in the
preceding  sentence,  of each Loan then outstanding that is denominated in Local
Currency  (after giving effect to any Loan made or repaid on such date) and (ii)
notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the results of such determination.

ARTICLE II.  THE CREDITS

          SECTION 2.01. Commitments. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions and
relying upon the  representations  and warranties  herein set forth, each Lender
agrees,  severally and not jointly, on the Closing Date, to make to the Borrower
the Loans set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.01



                                      -24-
<PAGE>



(or, in the case of any Loan  indicated on such Schedule 2.01 to be  outstanding
under the Existing Agreement, to continue such Loan as a Loan hereunder)2.

          (b)  Subject  to  the  terms  and  conditions  and  relying  upon  the
representations  and warranties herein set forth, each Lender agrees,  severally
and not  jointly,  at any time  prior to the  Maturity  Date (i)  subject to the
simultaneous  prepayment of any Borrowing or portion of a Borrowing  denominated
in Dollars in  accordance  with  Section  2.11,  to make a Loan to the  Borrower
denominated in Local Currency in a principal  amount not to exceed such Lender's
Applicable  Percentage of the Local Currency  Equivalent of the principal amount
so prepaid and (ii) subject to the  simultaneous  prepayment of any Borrowing or
portion of a Borrowing  denominated in Local Currency in accordance with Section
2.11,  to make a Loan to the  Borrower  denominated  in Dollars  in a  principal
amount  not  to  exceed  such  Lender's  Applicable  Percentage  of  the  Dollar
Equivalent  of the  principal  amount so prepaid;  provided,  that after  giving
effect to any Loan so made and to any such simultaneous prepayment,  neither the
Adjusted  Outstanding  Principal  Amount  nor  the  Exposure  shall  exceed  the
Aggregate Available Amount.

          (c) The  failure  of any  Lender to make any Loan  shall not in itself
relieve  any  other  Lender  of its  obligation  to  lend  hereunder  (it  being
understood,  however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any
other Lender to make any Loan required to be made by such other Lender).

          SECTION  2.02.  Loans.  (a)  Subject to Sections  2.08 and 2.14,  each
Borrowing shall be comprised  entirely of Eurocurrency Loans (or, in the case of
any Loan denominated in Dollars, ABR Loans) as the Borrower may request pursuant
to Section  2.03 or 2.09.  Each Lender may at its option  make any  Eurocurrency
Loan by causing any  domestic or foreign  branch or  Affiliate of such Lender to
make such Loan;  provided  that any exercise of such option shall not affect the
obligation  of the Borrower to repay such Loan in  accordance  with the terms of
this  Agreement  and such Lender  shall not be  entitled to any amounts  payable
under  Section 2.12 or Section 2.18 in respect of increased  costs  arising as a
result of such exercise.  Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at
the same time;  provided,  however,  that the Borrower  shall not be entitled to
request any Borrowing which, if made, would result in more than six Eurocurrency
Borrowings  outstanding  hereunder at any time.  For purposes of the  foregoing,
Borrowings  having  different  Interest  Periods,  regardless  of  whether  they
commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Borrowings.

          (b) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on any
date by wire transfer to such account as the Administrative  Agent may designate
in  same  day  funds  not  later  than  11:00  a.m.,   Standard  Time,  and  the
Administrative Agent shall by 12:00 (noon), Standard Time, credit the amounts so
received to an account  designated by the Borrower or, if a Borrowing  shall not
occur on such date because any condition  precedent  herein  specified shall not
have been met, the Administrative  Agent shall return the amounts so received to
the respective Lenders.

          (c) Unless the Administrative  Agent shall have received notice from a
Lender  prior  to the  date of any  Borrowing  that  such  Lender  will not make
available to the  Administrative  Agent such Lender's portion of such Borrowing,
the  Administrative  Agent may assume  that such  Lender  has made such  portion
available to the Administrative  Agent on such date in accordance with paragraph
(b) above and the  Administrative  Agent may, in reliance upon such  assumption,
make  available  to the  Borrower on such date a  corresponding  amount.  If the
Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available then, to the extent that
such Lender  shall not have made such portion  available  to the  Administrative
Agent,   such  Lender  and  the  Borrower   severally  agree  to  repay  to  the
Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with
interest  thereon,  for each day from the date such 


- --------
  
     2 The amounts of the Loans made or  continued  on the Closing  Date will be
such  that  the  Adjusted  Outstanding  Principal  Amount  will not  exceed  the
Aggregate Available Amount.



                                      -25-
<PAGE>



amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to
the Administrative  Agent at (i) in the case of the Borrower,  the interest rate
applicable at the time to the Loans  comprising  such  Borrowing and (ii) in the
case of such Lender, a rate determined by the Administrative  Agent to represent
its cost of overnight or  short-term  funds in the  applicable  currency  (which
determination  shall be conclusive  absent manifest error). If such Lender shall
repay to the Administrative  Agent such corresponding  amount, such amount shall
constitute  such  Lender's  Loan as part of such  Borrowing for purposes of this
Agreement.

          SECTION 2.03. Borrowing Procedure.  In order to request a Borrowing on
any date,  the  Borrower  shall hand  deliver or telecopy to the  Administrative
Agent a written  notice (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency  Borrowing,  not later
than 11:00 a.m., Standard Time, three Business Days before such date, and (b) in
the case of an ABR  Borrowing,  not later than 12:00 noon,  Standard  Time,  one
Business  Day  before  such  date;  provided,  however,  that in the case of any
Borrowing  to be made or  continued  on the Closing Date such notice may, at the
discretion  of the  Administrative  Agent,  be  delivered  later  than the times
specified above. Each such notice shall be irrevocable, shall be signed by or on
behalf of the  Borrower and shall  specify the  following  information:  (i) the
currency in which such Borrowing is to be denominated, which shall be Dollars or
Local Currency, (ii) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars,  whether
such Borrowing is to be a Eurocurrency Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing;  (iii) the
date of such  Borrowing  (which  shall be a Business  Day),  (iv) the number and
location of the account to which funds are to be  disbursed  (which  shall be an
account that complies with the requirements of Section 2.02(c));  (v) the amount
of such Borrowing; and (vi) if such Borrowing is to be a Eurocurrency Borrowing,
the   Interest   Period  with  respect   thereto;   provided,   however,   that,
notwithstanding  any contrary  specification in any such notice,  each requested
Borrowing  shall comply with the  requirements  set forth in Section 2.02. If no
election as to the Type of a Borrowing  denominated  in Dollars is  specified in
any such notice, then the requested  Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing.  If no
Interest Period with respect to any  Eurocurrency  Borrowing is specified in any
such  notice,  then the  Borrower  shall be deemed to have  selected an Interest
Period of one month's duration.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly (and in
any event on the same day that the Administrative Agent receives such notice, if
received  by 1:00 p.m.,  Standard  Time,  on such day) advise the Lenders of any
notice given  pursuant to this  Section  2.03 (and the contents  thereof) and of
each Lender's portion of the requested Borrowing.

          SECTION  2.04.   Evidence  of  Debt;   Repayment  of  Loans.  (a)  The
outstanding  principal  balance of each Loan shall be  payable  as  provided  in
Section  2.10.  Each Loan  shall  bear  interest  from the  Closing  Date on the
outstanding principal balance thereof as set forth in Section 2.06.

          (b) Each Lender shall  maintain in accordance  with its usual practice
an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness to such Lender resulting from
each Loan  made by such  Lender  from time to time,  including  the  amounts  of
principal and interest payable and paid such Lender from time to time under this
Agreement.

          (c) The Administrative  Agent shall maintain accounts in which it will
record  (i) the amount of each Loan made  hereunder,  the Type of each Loan made
and the Interest Period applicable thereto,  (ii) the amount of any principal or
interest  due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each
Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the  Administrative
Agent hereunder from the Borrower and each Lender's share thereof.

          (d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraphs
(b) and (c) of this Section 2.04 shall,  to the extent  permitted by  applicable
law, be prima facie  evidence of the  existence  and amounts of the  obligations
therein  recorded;  provided,  however,  that the  failure  of any Lender or the
Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in
any  manner  affect  the  obligations  of the  Borrower  to repay  the  Loans in
accordance with their terms.



                                      -26-
<PAGE>


          SECTION  2.05.  Notes.  Notwithstanding  any other  provision  of this
Agreement,  in the event that any Lender shall so request,  the  Borrower  shall
execute  and  deliver  to such  Lender a Note  payable  to such  Lender  and its
registered  assigns  representing  its interests under this  Agreement,  and the
interests  represented  by that Note  shall at all times  thereafter  (including
after any assignment of all or part of such interests  pursuant to Section 9.04)
be  represented  by one or more Notes  payable to the payee named therein or its
registered assigns.

          SECTION  2.06.  Interest on Loans.  (a) Subject to the  provisions  of
Section  2.07,  the Loans  comprising  each ABR  Borrowing  shall bear  interest
(computed  on the basis of the actual  number of days elapsed over a year of 365
or 366 days, as the case may be, when  determined by reference to the Prime Rate
and over a year of 360 days at all other times) at a rate per annum equal to the
Alternate Base Rate.

          (b) Subject to the  provisions of Section 2.07,  the Loans  comprising
each  Eurocurrency  Borrowing shall bear interest  (computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) at a rate per annum equal
to the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest  Period in effect for such  Borrowing
plus 0.25%.

          (c)  Interest  on each Loan shall be payable on the  Interest  Payment
Dates  applicable  to such Loan and on the  Maturity  Date,  except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement.  The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBO
Rate for each Interest Period or day within an Interest Period,  as the case may
be, shall be  determined by the  Administrative  Agent,  and such  determination
shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

          SECTION 2.07.  Default Interest.  If the Borrower shall default in the
payment of the principal of or interest on any Loan or any other amount becoming
due hereunder,  by acceleration or otherwise,  the Borrower shall on demand from
time to time pay  interest,  to the extent  permitted by law, on such  defaulted
amount  for the  period  beginning  on the date of such  default  up to (but not
including) the date of actual  payment  (after as well as before  judgment) at a
rate per annum  (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over
a year of 360 days) equal to (a) in the case of the  principal of or interest on
any Loan,  the rate that would  otherwise be  applicable to such Loan plus 2.00%
per annum, and (b) in the case of any other amount, the Alternate Base Rate plus
2.00% per annum.

          SECTION 2.08.  Alternate Rate of Interest.  In the event,  and on each
occasion,  that on the day two Business  Days prior to the  commencement  of any
Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing the Administrative Agent shall have
determined that deposits in the applicable  currency in the principal amounts of
the Loans  comprising  such Borrowing are not generally  available in the London
interbank  market,  or that the rates at which such  deposits are being  offered
will not  adequately  and  fairly  reflect  the cost to any  Lender of making or
maintaining  its  Eurocurrency   Loan  during  such  Interest  Period,  or  that
reasonable  means do not exist for  ascertaining  the  Adjusted  LIBO Rate,  the
Administrative Agent shall, as soon as practicable  thereafter,  give written or
telecopy notice of such  determination  to the Borrower and the Lenders.  In the
event of any such  determination,  until the  Administrative  Agent  shall  have
advised the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances  giving rise to such
notice no longer exist, any request by the Borrower for a Eurocurrency Borrowing
pursuant to Section 2.03 or 2.09 shall,  in the case of a Borrowing  denominated
in Dollars,  be deemed to be a request for an ABR  Borrowing  and shall,  in the
case of a Borrowing denominated in Local Currency, be disregarded.  In the event
that an outstanding  Borrowing denominated in Local Currency cannot be continued
into a new Interest Period by reason of the immediately preceding sentence, such
Borrowing  shall,  at the end of the  Interest  Period  in effect  therefor,  be
replaced with a Borrowing  denominated in Dollars as provided in Section 2.01(b)
or prepaid.  Each determination by the  Administrative  Agent hereunder shall be
conclusive absent manifest error.



                                      -27-
<PAGE>



          SECTION 2.09. Conversion and Continuation of Borrowings.  The Borrower
shall  have  the  right  at  any  time  upon  prior  irrevocable  notice  to the
Administrative  Agent  (a) not later  than  12:00  (noon),  Standard  Time,  one
Business  Day  prior  to  conversion,  to  convert  any  Eurocurrency  Borrowing
denominated  in Dollars  into an ABR  Borrowing,  (b) not later than 10:00 a.m.,
Standard  Time,  three  Business Days prior to conversion  or  continuation,  to
convert any ABR Borrowing into a Eurocurrency  Borrowing  denominated in Dollars
or  to  continue  any  Eurocurrency   Borrowing  as  a  Eurocurrency   Borrowing
denominated in the same currency for an additional  Interest Period, and (c) not
later than 10:00 a.m.,  Standard Time,  three Business Days prior to conversion,
to convert the  Interest  Period with respect to any  Eurocurrency  Borrowing to
another permissible Interest Period, subject in each case to the following:

          (i) each conversion or  continuation  shall be made pro rata among the
     Lenders in accordance  with the respective  principal  amounts of the Loans
     comprising the converted or continued Borrowing;

          (ii)  if  less  than  all  the  outstanding  principal  amount  of any
     Borrowing  shall be converted or continued,  then each resulting  Borrowing
     shall  satisfy  the  limitations  specified  in  Sections  2.02(a)  and (b)
     regarding  the  principal  amount and maximum  number of  Borrowings of the
     relevant Type;

          (iii) each  conversion  shall be effected by each Lender by  recording
     for the account of such Lender the new Loan of such Lender  resulting  from
     such  conversion and reducing the Loan (or portion  thereof) of such Lender
     being converted by an equivalent  principal  amount;  accrued interest on a
     Loan (or portion  thereof) being converted shall be paid by the Borrower at
     the time of conversion;

          (iv) if any  Eurocurrency  Borrowing is converted at a time other than
     the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto,  the Borrower shall pay,
     upon demand, any amounts due to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.15;

          (v) any  portion of a  Borrowing  maturing or required to be repaid in
     less  than  one  month  may  not  be  converted  into  or  continued  as  a
     Eurocurrency Borrowing;

          (vi) any portion of a Eurocurrency Borrowing which cannot be converted
     into or continued as a Eurocurrency  Borrowing by reason of the immediately
     preceding  clause  shall  be  automatically  converted  at  the  end of the
     Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing into an ABR Borrowing; and

          (vii)  no  Interest  Period  may  be  selected  for  any  Eurocurrency
     Borrowing that would end later than the Maturity Date.

          Each notice  pursuant to this  Section 2.09 shall be  irrevocable  and
shall refer to this  Agreement  and specify (i) the  identity  and amount of the
Borrowing  that the Borrower  requests be converted or  continued,  (ii) whether
such Borrowing is to be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing or
an ABR Borrowing,  (iii) if such notice requests a conversion,  the date of such
conversion  (which shall be a Business Day) and (iv) if such  Borrowing is to be
converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing,  the Interest Period with
respect  thereto.  If no Interest  Period is  specified  in any such notice with
respect to any conversion to or  continuation as a Eurocurrency  Borrowing,  the
Borrower  shall be deemed to have  selected  an  Interest  Period of one month's
duration.  The Administrative Agent shall advise the other Lenders of any notice
given  pursuant  to this  Section  2.09  and of  each  Lender's  portion  of any
converted or continued Borrowing. If the Borrower shall not have given notice in
accordance  with this Section 2.09 to continue any  Borrowing  into a subsequent
Interest  Period (and shall not otherwise  have given notice in accordance  with
this Section 2.09 to convert such  Borrowing),  the Borrower  shall be deemed to
have given notice (i) in the case of a



                                      -28-
<PAGE>


Borrowing  denominated  in Dollars,  to convert such  Borrowing into or continue
such  Borrowing  as an ABR  Borrowing  and  (ii)  in  the  case  of a  Borrowing
denominated  in Local  Currency,  to continue  such  Borrowing for an additional
Interest Period of one month's duration.

          SECTION 2.10. Repayment of Borrowings. The Borrowings shall be payable
as to principal on the Maturity Date.

          SECTION 2.11. Prepayment. (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any
time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing, in whole or in part, upon at
least three Business Days' prior written or telecopy notice (or telephone notice
promptly  confirmed by written or telecopy notice) to the  Administrative  Agent
before  11:00  a.m.,  Standard  Time;  provided,   however,  that  each  partial
prepayment  shall  be in an  amount  which  is (i) in the  case  of a  Borrowing
denominated in Dollars,  an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and (ii) in the case
of a  Borrowing  denominated  in Local  Currency,  at least the  Local  Currency
Equivalent of $1,000,000.

          (b) In the event the Borrower  shall  reduce the Stated  Amount of any
Letter of Credit  in  accordance  with the terms  thereof,  the  Borrower  shall
simultaneously  prepay Loans in such amounts as shall be necessary in order that
neither the Adjusted Outstanding  Principal Amount nor the Exposure shall exceed
the Aggregate Available Amount.

          (c) If on any Reset Date or on any Testing Date (after  giving  effect
to any  Loans to be made or repaid  on such  date),  the  Exposure  exceeds  the
Aggregate Available Amount, then the Administrative  Agent shall promptly notify
the Borrower of such excess.  Not later than four Business Days after  receiving
such notice the Borrower shall prepay Loans and otherwise reduce the Exposure in
such  amounts  as  shall  be  necessary  in  order  that  neither  the  Adjusted
Outstanding  Principal  Amount  nor the  Exposure  shall  exceed  the  Aggregate
Available Amount.

          (d) Each notice of prepayment  shall specify the  prepayment  date and
the principal amount of each Borrowing (or portion thereof) to be prepaid, shall
be  irrevocable  and shall commit the  Borrower to prepay such  Borrowing by the
amount stated therein on the date stated  therein.  All  prepayments  under this
Section 2.11 shall be subject to Section 2.14 but otherwise  without  premium or
penalty. All prepayments under this Section 2.11 shall be accompanied by accrued
interest on the principal amount being prepaid to the date of payment.

          SECTION  2.12.  Reserve  Requirements;  Change in  Circumstances.  (a)
Notwithstanding  any other provision herein, if after the date of this Agreement
any  change  in  applicable  law  or  regulation  or in  the  interpretation  or
administration   thereof  by  any  Governmental   Authority   charged  with  the
interpretation  or  administration  thereof  (whether or not having the force of
law) shall  change the basis of taxation of payments to any Lender in respect of
the principal of or interest on any Eurocurrency Loan made by such Lender or any
other  amounts  payable  hereunder  (other than  changes in respect of (i) taxes
imposed on the overall net income of such  Lender by the  jurisdiction  in which
such Lender has its principal  office or by any political  subdivision or taxing
authority  therein  and (ii) any Taxes  described  in  Section  2.18),  or shall
impose,  modify or deem  applicable  any  reserve,  special  deposit  or similar
requirement  against  assets or  deposits  with or for the  account of or credit
extended by such Lender (except any such reserve  requirement which is reflected
in the  Adjusted  LIBO  Rate) or shall  impose on such  Lender or the  interbank
Eurocurrency  market  any  other  condition  affecting  this  Agreement  or  any
Eurocurrency  Loans of such Lender, and the result of any of the foregoing shall
be to  increase  the cost to such Lender of making any  Eurocurrency  Loan or to
reduce the amount of any sum  received or  receivable  by such Lender  hereunder
(whether of principal, interest or otherwise) by an amount deemed by such Lender
to be material, then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender upon
demand such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such
additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.



                                      -29-
<PAGE>



          (b) If any Lender shall have  determined  that the adoption  after the
date  hereof  of any  law,  rule,  regulation  or  guideline  regarding  capital
adequacy,  or any change after the date hereof in any of the foregoing or in the
interpretation  or  administration  of any of the foregoing by any  Governmental
Authority,  central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration  thereof,  or compliance by any Lender (or any lending  office of
such  Lender) or any  Lender's  holding  company  with any request or  directive
regarding  capital  adequacy  (whether  or not  having the force of law) made or
issued after the date hereof by any such  authority,  central bank or comparable
agency,  has or would  have the  effect of  reducing  the rate of return on such
Lender's capital or on the capital of such Lender's holding company,  if any, as
a consequence of this Agreement or its  obligations  pursuant  hereto to a level
below  that  which  such  Lender or such  Lender's  holding  company  would have
achieved but for such adoption,  change or compliance (taking into consideration
such Lender's  policies and the policies of such Lender's  holding  company with
respect to capital  adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material,
then from time to time the  Borrower  shall pay to such  Lender upon demand such
additional  amount or amounts as will  compensate  such Lender or such  Lender's
holding company for any such reduction suffered.

          (c) A certificate  of each Lender setting forth such amount or amounts
as shall be  necessary  to  compensate  such  Lender or its  holding  company as
specified in paragraph (a) or (b) above,  as the case may be, shall be delivered
to the Borrower through the Administrative  Agent and shall be conclusive absent
manifest  error.  The Borrower  shall pay each Lender the amount shown as due on
any such  certificate  delivered  by it within 10 days after its  receipt of the
same.

          (d) In the event any Lender  delivers a notice  pursuant to  paragraph
(e) below,  the Borrower may require,  at the Borrower's  expense and subject to
Section  2.14,  such Lender to assign,  at par plus  accrued  interest and fees,
without recourse (in accordance with Section 9.04) all its interests, rights and
obligations  hereunder  (including  all the Loans at the time  owing to it) to a
financial  institution  specified  by  the  Borrower;  provided  that  (i)  such
assignment  shall not conflict  with or violate any law,  rule or  regulation or
order of any court or other Governmental Authority, (ii) the Borrower shall have
received the written consent of the Administrative Agent to such assignment, and
(iii) the Borrower  shall have paid to the assigning  Lender all monies  accrued
and owing hereunder to it (including pursuant to this Section 2.12) .

          (e) Promptly  after any Lender has  determined,  in its sole judgment,
that it will make a request for increased  compensation pursuant to this Section
2.12, such Lender will notify the Borrower  thereof.  Failure on the part of any
Lender so to notify the  Borrower or to demand  compensation  for any  increased
costs or reduction in amounts  received or  receivable or reduction in return on
capital  with  respect  to any  period  shall  not  constitute  a waiver of such
Lender's right to demand  compensation  with respect to such period or any other
period;  provided  that the  Borrower  shall  not be  under  any  obligation  to
compensate any Lender under  paragraph (b) above with respect to increased costs
or  reductions  with  respect to any period prior to the date that is six months
prior to such request if such Lender knew or could reasonably have been expected
to be  aware  of the  circumstances  giving  rise to  such  increased  costs  or
reductions  and of the fact that such  circumstances  would in fact  result in a
claim  for  increased   compensation  by  reason  of  such  increased  costs  or
reductions;  provided  further that the foregoing  limitation shall not apply to
any increased costs or reductions arising out of the retroactive  application of
any law,  regulation,  rule, guideline or directive as aforesaid within such six
month  period.  The  protection  of this Section 2.12 shall be available to each
Lender   regardless  of  any  possible   contention  as  to  the  invalidity  or
inapplicability  of the law,  rule,  regulation,  guideline  or other  change or
condition which shall have occurred or been imposed.

          SECTION  2.13.  Change  in  Legality.  (a)  Notwithstanding  any other
provision  herein,  if the adoption of or any change in any law or regulation or
in the  interpretation  thereof by any Governmental  Authority  charged with the
administration or  interpretation  thereof shall make it unlawful for any Lender
to make or maintain any  Eurocurrency  Loan or to give effect to its obligations
as



                                      -30-
<PAGE>


  
contemplated  hereby with respect to any  Eurocurrency  Loan,  then,  by written
notice to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent, such Lender may:

          (i) declare that  Eurocurrency  Loans will not  thereafter  be made by
     such Lender hereunder,  whereupon any request for a Eurocurrency  Borrowing
     denominated in Dollars,  shall, as to such Lender only, be deemed a request
     for an ABR Loan unless such declaration shall be subsequently withdrawn and
     any request for a  Eurocurrency  Borrowing  denominated  in Local  Currency
     shall be disregarded; and

          (ii) require  that all  outstanding  Eurocurrency  Loans made by it be
     converted  into or replaced as  contemplated  by Section  2.01(b)  with ABR
     Loans or prepaid,  in which event all such  Eurocurrency  Loans shall be so
     converted to or replaced with ABR Loans on or prior to the  effective  date
     of such notice as provided in  paragraph  (b) below or, if not so converted
     or replaced, prepaid.

In the event any Lender shall  exercise its rights under (i) or (ii) above,  all
payments and prepayments of principal which would otherwise have been applied to
repay the  Eurocurrency  Loans that  would have been made by such  Lender or the
converted  Eurocurrency  Loans of such Lender shall  instead be applied to repay
any ABR Loans made by such Lender in lieu of, or resulting  from the  conversion
of, such Eurocurrency Loans.

          (b) For purposes of this Section 2.13, a notice to the Borrower by any
Lender shall be effective as to each  Eurocurrency  Loan, if lawful, on the last
day of the Interest Period currently  applicable to such  Eurocurrency  Loan; in
all other cases such  notice  shall be  effective  on the date of receipt by the
Borrower.

          SECTION 2.14.  Indemnity.  The Borrower  shall  indemnify  each Lender
against any loss or expense  (other than taxes) which such Lender may sustain or
incur as a consequence of (a) any failure by the Borrower to fulfill on the date
of any Borrowing or proposed Borrowing  hereunder the applicable  conditions set
forth in Article  IV,  (b) any  failure by the  Borrower  to borrow,  convert or
continue  any  Loan  hereunder  after  irrevocable  notice  of  such  Borrowing,
conversion or continuation  has been given pursuant to Section 2.03 or 2.09, (c)
any payment,  prepayment or conversion  of a  Eurocurrency  Loan required by any
other  provision of this  Agreement  or otherwise  made or deemed made on a date
other  than the last day of the  Interest  Period  applicable  thereto,  (d) any
default in payment or prepayment of the principal amount of any Loan or any part
thereof or  interest  accrued  thereon,  as and when due and payable (at the due
date thereof, whether by scheduled maturity, acceleration, irrevocable notice of
prepayment  or  otherwise)  or (e)  the  occurrence  of any  Event  of  Default,
including,  in each such  case,  any loss or  reasonable  expense  sustained  or
incurred or to be sustained  or incurred in  liquidating  or employing  deposits
from third parties  acquired to effect or maintain such Loan or any part thereof
as a Eurocurrency  Loan.  Such loss or reasonable  expense shall exclude loss of
margin  hereunder  but shall  include an amount equal to the excess,  if any, as
reasonably determined by such Lender, of (i) its cost of obtaining the funds for
the Loan being paid, prepaid, converted or not borrowed,  converted or continued
(assumed to be the Adjusted  LIBO Rate  applicable  thereto) for the period from
the date of such payment,  prepayment,  conversion or failure to borrow, convert
or  continue  to the last day of the  Interest  Period for such Loan (or, in the
case of a failure to borrow,  convert or continue,  the Interest Period for such
Loan  which  would have  commenced  on the date of such  failure)  over (ii) the
amount of interest  (as  reasonably  determined  by such  Lender)  that would be
realized by such Lender in reemploying the funds so paid, prepaid,  converted or
not borrowed,  converted or continued for such period or Interest Period, as the
case may be. A  certificate  of any Lender  setting  forth any amount or amounts
which such Lender is entitled to receive  pursuant to this Section 2.14 (and the
reasons therefor) shall be delivered to the Borrower through the  Administrative
Agent and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.



                                      -31-
<PAGE>



          SECTION 2.15.  Pro Rata  Treatment.  Except as required  under Section
2.13, each Borrowing,  each payment or prepayment of principal of any Borrowing,
each payment of interest on the Loans,  and each  conversion of any Borrowing to
or  continuation  of any Borrowing as a Borrowing of any Type shall be allocated
pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with the respective  principal  amounts
of their  outstanding  Loans (or, prior to the making of the initial Loans,  the
amounts of the Loans to be made by them,  as set forth in Schedule  2.01).  Each
Lender  agrees that in computing  such  Lender's  portion of any Borrowing to be
made hereunder,  the  Administrative  Agent may, in its  discretion,  round each
Lender's percentage of such Borrowing, computed in accordance with Section 2.01,
to the next higher or lower whole unit of Dollars or Local Currency, as the case
may be.

          SECTION 2.16. Sharing of Setoffs. Each Lender agrees that if it shall,
through the exercise of a right of banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim against
the  Borrower,  or pursuant to a secured  claim under Section 506 of Title 11 of
the United States Code, or other  security or interest  arising from, or in lieu
of, such secured claim, received by such Lender under any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency  or other  similar law or  otherwise,  or by any other means,  obtain
payment  (voluntary or  involuntary) in respect of any Loan or Loans as a result
of which the unpaid principal portion of its Loans shall be proportionately less
than the unpaid principal  portion of the Loans of any other Lender, it shall be
deemed  simultaneously  to have  purchased from such other Lender at face value,
and  shall  promptly  pay to  such  other  Lender  the  purchase  price  for,  a
participation  in the Loans of such other Lender,  so that the aggregate  unpaid
principal  amount of the Loans and  participations  in Loans held by each Lender
shall be in the same proportion to the aggregate  unpaid principal amount of all
Loans  then  outstanding  as the  principal  amount of its  Loans  prior to such
exercise  of banker's  lien,  setoff or  counterclaim  or other event was to the
principal  amount of all Loans  outstanding  prior to such  exercise of banker's
lien,  setoff or counterclaim or other event;  provided,  however,  that, if any
such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be made pursuant to this Section
2.16 and the payment  giving rise thereto shall  thereafter  be recovered,  such
purchase or  purchases or  adjustments  shall be rescinded to the extent of such
recovery  and the  purchase  price or  prices  or  adjustment  restored  without
interest.  The Borrower  expressly  consents to the foregoing  arrangements  and
agrees that any Lender holding a participation  in a Loan deemed to have been so
purchased  may  exercise  any  and  all  rights  of  banker's  lien,  setoff  or
counterclaim  with  respect to any and all moneys  owing by the Borrower to such
Lender by reason  thereof as fully as if such Lender had made a Loan directly to
the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

          SECTION  2.17.  Payments.  (a) The  Borrower  shall make each  payment
without  set-off or  counterclaim  (including  principal  of or  interest on any
Borrowing or any other  amounts)  hereunder,  under any Note and under any other
Loan Document not later than 12:00  (noon),  local time at the place of payment,
on the date when due in immediately  available funds. Each such payment shall be
made to the  Administrative  Agent at its offices at [ADDRESS OF LOCAL OFFICE OF
THE CHASE MANHATTAN  BANK].  Each such payment shall be made in Dollars or Local
Currency as applicable.

          (b)  Whenever any payment  (including  principal of or interest on any
Borrowing or any other amount)  hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall
become due, or otherwise  would occur, on a day that is not a Business Day, such
payment may be made on the next  succeeding  Business Day (except in the case of
payment of principal of a Eurocurrency Borrowing if the effect of such extension
would be to extend such payment into the next  succeeding  month, in which event
such payment shall be due on the immediately  preceding  Business Day), and such
extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest,
if applicable.

          SECTION  2.18 Taxes.  (a) Any and all  payments by the Borrower to the
Administrative  Agent or the Lenders hereunder or under the other Loan Documents
shall be made,  in accordance  with Section 2.18,  free and clear of and without
deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts,  deductions,
charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding (i)
in the case of each Lender and the Administrative Agent, taxes that would not be
imposed



                                      -32-
<PAGE>



but for a  connection  between such Lender or the  Administrative  Agent (as the
case may be) and the  jurisdiction  imposing  such tax,  other than a connection
arising solely by virtue of the activities of such Lender or the  Administrative
Agent (as the case may be) pursuant to or in respect of this  Agreement or under
any other Loan Document,  including  entering  into,  lending money or extending
credit pursuant to,  receiving  payments under, or enforcing,  this Agreement or
any  other  Loan  Document,  and  (ii)  in the  case  of  each  Lender  and  the
Administrative  Agent, any withholding  taxes payable in the jurisdiction of the
Lender with respect to payments made hereunder or under the other Loan Documents
under  the  laws  (including  any  statute,  treaty,  ruling,  determination  or
regulation) in effect on the Initial Date (as hereinafter defined) applicable to
such Lender or the  Administrative  Agent, as the case may be, but not excluding
any such withholding taxes payable in the jurisdiction of the Lender solely as a
result of any change in such laws  occurring  after the  Initial  Date (all such
non-excluded  taxes,  levies,  imposts,  deductions,  charges,  withholdings and
liabilities  being  hereinafter  referred to as  "Taxes").  For purposes of this
Section  2.18,  the  term  "Initial  Date"  shall  mean  (i) in the  case of the
Administrative Agent or any Lender, the date on which such person became a party
to  this  Agreement  and  (ii)  in the  case  of any  assignment  including  any
assignment by a Lender to a new lending office, the date of such assignment.  If
any Taxes shall be required by law to be deducted  from or in respect of any sum
payable  hereunder  or under  any  other  Loan  Document  to any  Lender  or the
Administrative  Agent, (i) the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as
may be  necessary  so that  after  making  all  required  deductions  (including
deductions  applicable to additional  sums payable under this Section 2.18) such
Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, receives an amount equal
to the sum it would have  received had no such  deductions  been made,  (ii) the
Borrower  shall make such  deductions  and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full
amount  deducted  to the  relevant  taxation  authority  or other  authority  in
accordance with applicable law. The Borrower shall not, however,  be required to
pay any amounts  pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding  sentence to any Lender
or the Administrative Agent (in the case of payments to be made by the Borrower)
if such Lender or the Administrative Agent fails to comply with the requirements
of paragraphs (f) and (g) of this Section 2.18).

          (b) In  addition,  the  Borrower  agrees to pay any  present or future
stamp or  documentary  taxes or any other excise or property  taxes,  charges or
similar levies which arise from the execution,  delivery or registration  of, or
otherwise   with  respect  to,  this   Agreement  or  any  other  Loan  Document
(hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").

          (c) The Borrower  will  indemnify  each Lender and the  Administrative
Agent for the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes (including any Taxes or Other
Taxes imposed by any  jurisdiction  on amounts  payable under this Section 2.18)
paid by such  Lender or the  Administrative  Agent,  as the case may be, and any
liability  (including  penalties,  interest  and expenses  including  reasonable
attorney's fees and expenses)  arising therefrom or with respect thereto whether
or not such  Taxes  or  Other  Taxes  were  correctly  or  legally  asserted.  A
certificate  as to the amount of such payment or liability  prepared by a Lender
or the Administrative  Agent, absent manifest error, shall be final,  conclusive
and binding for all purposes; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Borrower reasonably
believes that such Taxes or Other Taxes were not correctly or legally  asserted,
such  Lender  or the  Administrative  Agent,  as the  case  may  be,  shall  use
reasonable  efforts to  cooperate  with the  Borrower to obtain a refund of such
Taxes or Other Taxes.  Such  indemnification  shall be made within 10 days after
the date any  Lender  or the  Administrative  Agent,  as the case may be,  makes
written demand therefor.  If a Lender or the  Administrative  Agent shall become
aware  that it is  entitled  to  receive a refund in  respect  of Taxes or Other
Taxes, it shall promptly notify the Borrower of the  availability of such refund
and shall, within 30 days after receipt of a request by the Borrower,  pursue or
timely  claim  such  refund  at the  Borrower's  expense.  If any  Lender or the
Administrative  Agent  receives a refund in respect of any Taxes or Other  Taxes
for which such Lender or the Administrative  Agent has received payment from the
Borrower  hereunder,  it shall  promptly  repay such refund  (plus any  interest
received) to the Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or
additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section 2.19 with respect to
the  Taxes  or  Other  Taxes  giving  rise to such  refund);  provided  that the
Borrower, upon the request of such Lender or the Administrative Agent, agrees to
return such refund (plus any penalties, interest or other charges required to be
paid) to such Lender or



                                      -33-
<PAGE>



the Administrative Agent in the event such Lender or the Administrative Agent is
required to repay such refund to the relevant taxing authority.

          (d)  Within 30 days  after the date of any  payment  of Taxes or Other
Taxes  withheld  by the  Borrower in respect of any payment to any Lender or the
Administrative  Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent, at
its address  referred to in Schedule 2.01, the original or a certified copy of a
receipt evidencing payment thereof.

          (e) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement contained
herein,  the  agreements  and  obligations  contained in this Section 2.18 shall
survive  the  payment  in full  of  principal  and  interest  hereunder  and the
termination of the commitments of the Lenders hereunder.

          (f) Each Lender and the  Administrative  Agent that is  claiming  such
additional  amounts agrees that within a reasonable period of time following the
request of the  Borrower  it will,  to the extent it is  legally  entitled  to a
reduction in the rate of or exemption from withholding taxes in the jurisdiction
of the Borrower,  deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative  Agent any form
or document required under the laws,  regulations,  official  interpretations or
treaties  enacted  by,  made or  entered  into with such  jurisdiction  properly
completed  and  duly  executed  by  such  Lender  or  the  Administrative  Agent
establishing  that any payments  hereunder  are exempt from  withholding  tax or
subject to a reduced rate of withholding  tax in such  jurisdiction  as the case
may  be;  provided  that,  in the  sole  determination  of  such  Lender  or the
Administrative   Agent,   such  form  or   document   shall  not  be   otherwise
disadvantageous to such Lender or the Administrative Agent.

          (g) Any Lender  claiming any additional  amounts  payable  pursuant to
this  Section  2.18  shall use  reasonable  efforts  (consistent  with legal and
regulatory  restrictions)  to file any  certificate  or  document  requested  in
writing by the Borrower to change the  jurisdiction  of its  applicable  lending
office if the  making of such a filing  or  change  would  avoid the need for or
reduce the amount of any such  additional  amounts which would be payable or may
thereafter  accrue and would not, in the sole  determination of such Lender,  be
otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.

          (h) Nothing contained in this Section 2.18 shall require any Lender or
the Administrative  Agent to make available any of its tax returns (or any other
information that it reasonably deems to be confidential or proprietary).


ARTICLE III.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

          The  Borrower  hereby  makes  and  confirms  each  representation  and
warranty  made in the U.S.  Credit  Agreement  to the  extent it  relates to the
Borrower or any  Subsidiary  and in addition  represents and warrants to each of
the Lenders that:

          SECTION 3.01. Use of Proceeds.  (a) The Borrower will use the proceeds
of the Loans only for the purposes specified in the preamble to this Agreement.

          (b) No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly
or indirectly,  and whether  immediately,  incidentally  or  ultimately,  (i) to
purchase or carry Margin Stock or to extend  credit to others for the purpose of
purchasing  or  carrying  Margin  Stock  or to  refund  indebtedness  originally
incurred for such purpose, or (ii) for any purpose which entails a violation of,
or which is  inconsistent  with, the provisions of the Regulations of the Board,
including Regulation G, U or X.

          SECTION  3.02.  Exchange  Controls.  There do not exist  any  exchange
controls or other  restrictions  on the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  that could
materially  and  adversely   affect  the  Borrower's   ability  to  perform  its
obligations  hereunder,  under any other Loan Document or under the U.S.  Credit
Agreement.



                                      -34-
<PAGE>



ARTICLE IV.  CONDITIONS OF LENDING

          The  obligations  of the  Lenders to make the Loans  hereunder  on the
Closing Date are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

          (a) The Administrative Agent shall have received a notice of borrowing
     as required by Section 2.03.

          (b) The representations and warranties set forth in Article III hereof
     shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing
     Date with the same effect as though made on and as of such date,  except to
     the extent  such  representations  and  warranties  expressly  relate to an
     earlier date.

          (c) The  Borrower  shall  be in  compliance  with  all the  terms  and
     provisions  set forth herein and in each other Loan Document on its part to
     be  observed or  performed,  and at the time of and  immediately  after the
     borrowing on the Closing  Date,  no Event of Default or Default  shall have
     occurred and be continuing.

          (d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate,  dated
     the  Closing  Date and  signed  by a  Financial  Officer  of the  Borrower,
     confirming compliance with the conditions precedent set forth in paragraphs
     (b) and (c) above.

          (e) The  Administrative  Agent shall have received all amounts due and
     payable  hereunder  or under any  other  Loan  Document  on or prior to the
     Closing Date, including,  to the extent invoiced,  reimbursement or payment
     of all  out-of-pocket  expenses  required to be  reimbursed  or paid by the
     Borrower.

          (f) The Administrative Agent shall have received,  on behalf of itself
     and the  Lenders,  a  favorable  written  opinion of [ ],  counsel  for the
     Borrower,  substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit C (i) dated the
     Closing Date, (ii) addressed to the  Administrative  Agent, the Lenders and
     each Fronting Bank,  and (iii) covering such other matters  relating to the
     Loan  Documents  and the  Transactions  as the  Administrative  Agent shall
     reasonably  request,  and the  Borrower  hereby  instructs  such counsel to
     deliver such opinion.

          (g) All legal  matters  incidental to this  Agreement,  the other Loan
     Documents  and the  Transactions  shall be reasonably  satisfactory  to the
     Lenders and to counsel for the Administrative Agent.

          (h) The Administrative  Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of
     the Secretary or an Assistant  Secretary of the Borrower  dated the Closing
     Date and certifying  (A) that attached  thereto is a true and complete copy
     of  resolutions  duly adopted by the Board of Directors or other  governing
     body of the Borrower authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of
     the Loan Documents and the borrowings hereunder,  and that such resolutions
     have not been  modified,  rescinded  or  amended  and are in full force and
     effect and (B) as to the incumbency and specimen  signature of each officer
     of the Borrower executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered
     in connection  herewith;  (ii) a certificate  of another  officer as to the
     incumbency and specimen  signature of the Secretary or Assistant  Secretary
     executing  the  certificate  pursuant  to (i)  above;  and (iii) such other
     documents  as the  Lenders or counsel  for the  Administrative  Agent,  may
     reasonably request.

          (i) The Parent Guarantee  Agreement and each of the Security Documents
     set forth in Schedule  1.01 as being  delivered  on the Closing  Date shall
     have been  duly  executed  by the  parties  thereto  and  delivered  to the
     Administrative Agent and shall be in full force and effect.



                                      -35-
<PAGE>


          (j) Each Letter of Credit set forth on  Schedule  4.01 shall have been
     duly issued and  delivered  by the  applicable  Fronting  Bank set forth on
     Schedule  4.01 to the  Administrative  Agent  and the  Aggregate  Available
     Amount shall be not less than the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount
     of the  Dollar  Loans  to be  made on the  Closing  Date  and the  Interest
     Component in respect  thereof and (ii) the Dollar  Equivalent  of the Local
     Currency  Loans to be made on the  Closing  Date and the  Foreign  Currency
     Component in respect thereof.

          (k) The Existing Agreement shall have been or shall  simultaneously be
terminated  and all  amounts  outstanding  thereunder  (including  all  interest
accrued on loans  outstanding  thereunder to the Closing Date) paid in full (or,
in the case of the principal of loans outstanding thereunder, continued as Loans
hereunder).


ARTICLE V.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

          The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees with each Lender that so long
as this  Agreement  shall  remain in effect  and  until the  commitments  of the
Lenders hereunder have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each
Loan and all other  expenses or amounts  payable under any Loan Document  (other
than the Parent Guarantee  Agreement)  shall have been paid in full,  unless the
Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will, and will
cause  each of the  Subsidiaries  to,  comply  with each  covenant  set forth in
Article V of the U.S. Credit  Agreement to the extent it relates to the Borrower
or any Subsidiary, and in addition will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries
to:

          SECTION 5.01.  Notices.  Furnish to the Administrative  Agent and each
Lender prompt written notice of any Event of Default or Default,  specifying the
nature and extent  thereof  and the  corrective  action (if any)  proposed to be
taken with respect thereto.

          SECTION 5.02. Use of Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of the Loans only for
the purposes set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

          SECTION  5.03.  Further  Assurances.   Execute  any  and  all  further
documents,  financing  statements,  agreements  and  instruments,  and  take all
further action  (including  filing  financing  statements)  that may be required
under applicable law or any Security Document, or which the Administrative Agent
may reasonably request, in order to effectuate the transactions  contemplated by
the Loan  Documents  and in order to grant,  preserve,  protect  and perfect the
validity and first priority  (subject only to Liens permitted by Section 6.02 of
the U.S. Credit  Agreement) of the security  interests created or intended to be
created by the Security Documents.  In addition, from time to time, the Borrower
and the Subsidiaries will, at their cost and expense, on or promptly (but in any
event within 10 Business Days) following the date of acquisition by the Borrower
or any  Subsidiary  of any new  subsidiary  (subject  to the receipt of required
consents  from  Governmental  Authorities  and required  consents of other third
parties),  promptly secure the  Obligations (as defined in the Parent  Guarantee
Agreement)  by causing the  following to occur:  (i) promptly  upon  creating or
acquiring any additional  subsidiary,  the Capital Stock of such subsidiary will
be pledged  pursuant to a pledge agreement  reasonably  satisfactory in form and
substance to the  Administrative  Agent and (ii) such  subsidiary  will become a
guarantor  of the  Obligations  pursuant  to a  subsidiary  guarantee  agreement
reasonably  satisfactory in form and substance to the  Administrative  Agent. In
connection  with the creation of such security  interests  and Liens,  under the
Security Documents,  the Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall deliver or cause to
be delivered to the  Administrative  Agent all such  instruments  and  documents
(including legal opinions and lien searches) as the  Administrative  Agent shall
reasonably  request to evidence  compliance with this Section 5.03. The Borrower
agrees to provide, and to cause each Subsidiary to provide, such evidence as the
Administrative  Agent shall reasonably request as to the perfection and priority
status of each such security interest and Lien.



                                      -36-
<PAGE>



ARTICLE VI.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS

          The Borrower  hereby  covenants  and agrees with each Lender that,  so
long as this Agreement  shall remain in effect and until the  commitments of the
Lenders hereunder have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each
Loan and all other  expenses or amounts  payable under any Loan Document  (other
than the Parent Guarantee Agreement) have been paid in full, unless the Required
Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing,  the Borrower will not, and will not
cause or permit any of the  Subsidiaries  to, fail to comply with each  covenant
set forth in Article VI of the U.S. Credit Agreement to the extent it relates to
the Borrower or any Subsidiary,  and in addition will not, and will not cause or
permit any of the Subsidiaries to:

          SECTION  6.01.  Aggregate  Available  Amount.   Permit  the  Aggregate
Available Amount at any time to be less than the Exposure at such time.

          SECTION  6.02.  Replacement  Fronting  Bank.  Fail,  within 60 days of
receipt of written notice from the Required  Lenders  requesting the replacement
of any Fronting Bank whose long term credit  deposits rating has been downgraded
by Standard & Poor's  Ratings  Group ("S&P") or Moody's  Investors  Service Inc.
("Moody's")  and who as a  result  has a  rating  of less  than A from S&P and a
rating of less than A2 from  Moody's  to  replace  such  Fronting  Bank and each
Letter of Credit issued  thereby with one or more Fronting  Banks  acceptable to
the Required Lenders and Letters of Credit issued by such  replacement  Fronting
Banks having  Stated  Amounts in the  aggregate  equal to the  aggregate  Stated
Amounts of the Letters of Credit issued by the replaced Fronting Bank.

          SECTION 6.03.  Amendment of Loan Documents.  Amend or modify, or grant
any waiver or release under, any Loan Document without the prior written consent
of the Administrative Agent under the U.S. Credit Agreement.


ARTICLE VII.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT

          In case of the  happening of any of the following  events  ("Events of
Default"):

          (a) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower
     or any Loan Party in any Loan Document,  or any  representation,  warranty,
     statement or information  contained in any report,  certificate,  financial
     statement or other  instrument  furnished in connection with or pursuant to
     any Loan  Document,  shall  prove to have been false or  misleading  in any
     material respect when so made,  deemed made or furnished by the Borrower or
     any Loan Party and the  Aggregate  Available  Amount shall be less than the
     Exposure;

          (b) default  shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan
     when and as the same  shall  become  due and  payable,  whether  (i) on the
     Maturity Date or (ii) at a date fixed for  prepayment  thereof or otherwise
     and,  in the case of a  default  under  clause  (ii),  such  default  shall
     continue for a period of five Business Days;

          (c) default shall have been made in the payment of any interest on any
     Loan or any other  amount  (other than an amount  referred to in (b) above)
     due under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall have become due and
     payable,  and such  default  shall  have  continued  for a  period  of five
     Business  Days and the  Aggregate  Available  Amount shall be less than the
     Exposure;

          (d) (i) default shall be made in the due  observance or performance by
     the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  of any  covenant,  condition or agreement
     contained  in  Section  6.01 or  Section  6.02 or (ii) any Letter of Credit
     shall expire or cease to be a legal,  valid and binding  obligation  of the
     applicable  Fronting  Bank  and,  in the case of clause  (i) or (ii),  such
     default



                                      -37-
<PAGE>



     shall continue for a period of five Business Days,  unless,  in the case of
     clause (ii),  (A) such Letter of Credit is replaced with a Letter of Credit
     satisfactory to the Required Lenders or (B) the Aggregate  Available Amount
     shall be greater  than the  Exposure  notwithstanding  such  expiration  or
     cessation with respect to such Letter of Credit;

          (e) default shall be made in the due  observance or performance by the
     Borrower  or  any  Subsidiary  of  any  covenant,  condition  or  agreement
     contained in any Loan Document  (other than those  specified in (b), (c) or
     (d) above) and such default shall  continue  unremedied  for a period of 45
     Business  Days after notice  thereof from the  Administrative  Agent to the
     Borrower during which the Aggregate Available Amount shall be less than the
     Exposure;

          (f) an  involuntary  proceeding  shall be commenced or an  involuntary
     petition  shall be filed in a court of competent  jurisdiction  seeking (i)
     relief in respect of the Borrower, or of a substantial part of the property
     or assets of the Borrower, under any bankruptcy,  insolvency,  receivership
     or similar law, (ii) the  appointment  of a receiver,  trustee,  custodian,
     sequestrator,  conservator  or similar  official  for the Borrower or for a
     substantial  part of the  property  or assets of the  Borrower or (iii) the
     winding up or liquidation of the Borrower;  and such proceeding or petition
     shall continue  undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree  approving or
     ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

          (g) the Borrower shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file
     any petition seeking relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency,  receivership
     or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a
     timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition
     described in (f) above,  (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a
     receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official
     for the Borrower or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the
     Borrower,  (iv) file an answer  admitting  the  material  allegations  of a
     petition  filed  against  it in any such  proceeding,  (v)  make a  general
     assignment  for the  benefit of  creditors,  (vi) become  unable,  admit in
     writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due
     or (vii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;
     or

          (h) the maturity of loans  outstanding under the U.S. Credit Agreement
     shall be accelerated pursuant to Article VII of such Agreement;

then,  and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower
described in paragraph (f) or (g) above),  and at any time thereafter during the
continuance  of such  event,  the  Administrative  Agent,  at the request of the
Required  Lenders,  shall,  by  notice to the  Borrower,  take any or all of the
following actions,  at the same or different times: (i) terminate  forthwith the
commitments of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder,  (ii) declare the Loans then
outstanding  to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part,  whereupon the
principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable,  together with accrued
interest  thereon  and all other  unpaid  liabilities  of the  Borrower  accrued
hereunder  and under any other Loan  Document,  shall become  forthwith  due and
payable,  without presentment,  demand, protest or any other notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby  expressly  waived by the Borrower,  anything  contained
herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding,  and (iii)
make a drawing under each  outstanding  Letter of Credit in an aggregate  amount
for all such  Letters  of Credit  not in excess of the sum of (A) the  aggregate
amount then due and payable  hereunder in Dollars and (B) an amount  that,  when
converted  by the  Administrative  Agent to Local  Currency in  accordance  with
normal banking procedures,  is sufficient to discharge the aggregate amount then
due and payable  hereunder in Local Currency;  and, in any event with respect to
the Borrower  described in paragraph (f) or (g) above,  the  commitments  of the
Lenders to make Loans hereunder shall automatically  terminate, the principal of
the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all other
unpaid  liabilities of the Borrower  accrued  hereunder and under any other Loan
Document,  shall  automatically  become due and payable,  without present- ment,
demand,  protest  or any  other  notice of any  kind,  all of which  are  hereby
expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan
Document to the contrary notwithstanding,



                                      -38-
<PAGE>



and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, shall make
a drawing  under  each  outstanding  Letter of  Credit in the  aggregate  amount
referred to above.


ARTICLE VIII.  THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

          In order to expedite the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,
each of the Lenders and each  assignee  of any such  Lender  hereby  irrevocably
designates  and  appoints  the  Administrative  Agent as its  agent  under  this
Agreement and each other Loan Document and authorizes the  Administrative  Agent
to take such actions on behalf of such Lender or assignee  and to exercise  such
powers as are specifically  delegated to the  Administrative  Agent by the terms
and  provisions  hereof  and of the other  Loan  Documents,  together  with such
actions and powers as are  reasonably  incidental  thereto.  The  Administrative
Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility except those expressly set forth
in this Agreement and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties,
obligations  or  liabilities  shall be read into any Loan  Document or otherwise
against the Administrative Agent.

          Neither the Administrative  Agent nor any of its directors,  officers,
employees  or agents  shall be liable as such for any action taken or omitted by
any of them except for its or his own gross negligence or wilful misconduct,  or
be  responsible  for any  statement,  warranty or  representation  herein or the
contents of any document  delivered in  connection  herewith,  or be required to
ascertain or to make any inquiry concerning the performance or observance by the
Borrower of any of the terms,  conditions,  covenants or agreements contained in
any Loan  Document.  The  Administrative  Agent shall not be  responsible to the
Lenders  for  the  due  execution,  genuineness,   validity,  enforceability  or
effectiveness of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or other instruments
or agreements. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in
acting,  or  refraining  from acting,  in accordance  with written  instructions
signed by the Required  Lenders and, except as otherwise  specifically  provided
herein,  such  instructions and any action or inaction pursuant thereto shall be
binding on all the Lenders.  The  Administrative  Agent shall, in the absence of
knowledge to the  contrary,  be entitled to rely on any  instrument  or document
believed  by it in good faith to be genuine  and correct and to have been signed
or sent by the proper person or persons.  Neither the  Administrative  Agent nor
any  of  its   directors,   officers,   employees   or  agents  shall  have  any
responsibility  to the  Borrower  on  account  of the  failure  of or  delay  in
performance  or breach by any Lender of any of its  obligations  hereunder or to
any Lender on account of the failure of or delay in performance or breach by any
other Lender or the Borrower of any of their respective obligations hereunder or
under any other Loan  Document  or in  connection  herewith  or  therewith.  The
Administrative  Agent may  execute  any and all duties  hereunder  by or through
agents or  employees  and  shall be  entitled  to rely upon the  advice of legal
counsel  selected by it with respect to all matters arising  hereunder and shall
not be liable for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it in accordance
with the  advice  of such  counsel.  The  Lenders  hereby  acknowledge  that the
Administrative  Agent  shall be under no duty to take any  discretionary  action
permitted to be taken by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement  unless
it shall be requested in writing to do so by the Required Lenders.

          With  respect to the Loans made by it  hereunder,  the  Administrative
Agent in its individual capacity and not as Administrative  Agent shall have the
same rights and powers as any other  Lender and may  exercise the same as though
it were not the  Administrative  Agent,  and the  Administrative  Agent  and its
Affiliates may accept deposits from,  lend money to and generally  engage in any
kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate  thereof
as if it were not the Administrative Agent.

          Each Lender  agrees (a) to  reimburse  the  Administrative  Agent,  on
demand,  in the amount of its pro rata  share  (based on its  outstanding  Loans
hereunder)  of any  expenses  incurred  for the  benefit  of the  Lenders by the
Administrative  Agent,  including  counsel fees and  compensation  of agents and
employees paid for services  rendered on behalf of the Lenders,  which shall not
have been  reimbursed by the Borrower and (b) to indemnify and hold harmless the
Administrative Agent and any of its directors, officers, employees or agents, on
demand, in the amount of such pro rata share, from


                                      -39-
<PAGE>



and  against  any and all  liabilities,  taxes,  obligations,  losses,  damages,
penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any
kind or nature  whatsoever  which may be imposed  on,  incurred  by or  asserted
against it in its capacity as the Administrative Agent or any of them in any way
relating to or arising out of this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document or any
action  taken or omitted by it or any of them under this  Agreement or any other
Loan  Document,  to the extent the same  shall not have been  reimbursed  by the
Borrower;  provided that no Lender shall be liable to the  Administrative  Agent
for any portion of such liabilities,  obligations,  losses, damages,  penalties,
actions,  judgments,  suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the
gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Administrative  Agent or any of its
directors, officers, employees or agents.

          Each  Lender  acknowledges  that it  has,  independently  and  without
reliance  upon the  Administrative  Agent or any other  Lender and based on such
documents  and  information  as it has deemed  appropriate,  made its own credit
analysis  and  decision  to  enter  into  this   Agreement.   Each  Lender  also
acknowledges  that  it  will,   independently  and  without  reliance  upon  the
Administrative  Agent  or any  other  Lender  and  based on such  documents  and
information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its
own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this  Agreement
or any other Loan  Document,  any related  agreement or any  document  furnished
hereunder or thereunder.


ARTICLE IX.  MISCELLANEOUS

          SECTION 9.01. Notices.  Notices and other communications  provided for
herein shall be in writing and shall be  delivered by hand or overnight  courier
service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

          (a) if to the Borrower,  to it at UCAR Global Enterprises Inc., 39 Old
     Ridgebury  Road,  Danbury,  CT  06817-0001,  Attention  of Chief  Financial
     Officer (Telecopy No. (203) 277-7780), and if to UCAR, to it in care of the
     Borrower;

          (b) if to the  Administrative  Agent,  to The Loan and Agency Services
     Group,  8th floor,  One Chase  Manhattan  Plaza,  New York,  New York 10081
     Attention: [ ] (Telecopy No. (212) [ ]); and

          (c) if to a Lender,  to it at its  address  (or  telecopy  number) set
     forth in Schedule  2.01 or in the  Assignment  and  Acceptance  pursuant to
     which such Lender shall have become a party hereto.

All notices and other  communications  given to any party  hereto in  accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement  shall be deemed to have been given on the
date of receipt if  delivered by hand or  overnight  courier  service or sent by
telecopy  or on the date five  Business  Days after  dispatch  by  certified  or
registered  mail if mailed,  in each case  delivered,  sent or mailed  (properly
addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 9.01 or in accordance  with
the latest  unrevoked  direction  from such party given in accordance  with this
Section 9.01.

          SECTION  9.02.  Survival  of  Agreement.  All  covenants,  agreements,
representations   and  warranties  made  by  the  Borrower  herein  and  in  the
certificates  or other  instruments  prepared or delivered in connection with or
pursuant to this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document  shall be  considered to
have been relied upon by the Lenders and shall survive the making by the Lenders
of the Loans,  regardless of any  investigation  made by the Lenders or on their
behalf,  and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of
or any  accrued  interest  on any Loan or any other  amount  payable  under this
Agreement or any other Loan  Document is  outstanding  and unpaid and so long as
the commitments of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder have not been terminated.
Without  prejudice to the  survival of any other  agreements  contained  herein,
indemnification and reimbursement



                                      -40-
<PAGE>


obligations  contained herein  (including  pursuant to Sections 2.12, 2.14, 2.18
and 9.05)  shall  survive  the  payment in full of the  principal  and  interest
hereunder and the termination of such commitments or this Agreement.

          SECTION 9.03.  Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall become  effective
when it shall have been  executed by the Borrower and the  Administrative  Agent
and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which,
when taken  together,  bear the signatures of each of the other parties  hereto,
and  thereafter  shall be binding  upon and inure to the  benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

          SECTION 9.04.  Successors and Assigns.  (a) Whenever in this Agreement
any of the parties  hereto is referred  to,  such  reference  shall be deemed to
include the permitted  successors and assigns of such party;  and all covenants,
promises and  agreements  by or on behalf of the  Borrower,  the  Administrative
Agent or the Lenders that are contained in this  Agreement  shall bind and inure
to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

          (b) Each Lender may assign to one or more  assignees  all or a portion
of its interests,  rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or
a portion of the Loans at the time  owing to it);  provided,  however,  that (i)
except in the case of an  assignment  to another  Lender or an Affiliate of such
Lender,  each of the  Administrative  Agent and the Borrower must give its prior
written  consent to such  assignment  (which  consents shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed), (ii) except in the case of an assignment to another Lender
or an Affiliate of such Lender,  the amount of the Loans of the assigning Lender
subject  to each  such  assignment  (determined  as of the date  notice  of such
assignment  is  delivered  to the  Administrative  Agent) shall not be less than
$5,000,000, and, unless the assignor ceases to be a Lender, the aggregate amount
of the Loans owing to such Lender after giving effect to such  assignment  shall
be not less than $5,000,000 and (iii) the parties to each such assignment  shall
execute and deliver to the Administrative  Agent an Assignment and Acceptance in
form satisfactory to the Administrative  Agent (an "Assignment and Acceptance").
Upon  acceptance  and recording  pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 9.04,
from and after the effective date specified in each  Assignment and  Acceptance,
which  effective  date shall be at least five  Business Days after the execution
thereof,  (A) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent
of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance,  have the rights and
obligations  of a Lender  under  this  Agreement  and (B) the  assigning  Lender
thereunder  shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and
Acceptance,  be released from its obligations  under this Agreement (and, in the
case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an
assigning  Lender's  rights and obligations  under this  Agreement,  such Lender
shall  cease to be a party  hereto  but shall  continue  to be  entitled  to the
benefits of Sections 2.12, 2.14, 2.18 and 9.05).

          (c) By executing  and  delivering an Assignment  and  Acceptance,  the
assigning  Lender  thereunder  and the  assignee  thereunder  shall be deemed to
confirm to and agree with each other and the other  parties  hereto as  follows:
(i) such assigning  Lender warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of
the interest being assigned thereby free and clear of any adverse claim and that
the  outstanding  balances of its Loans,  in each case without  giving effect to
assignments  thereof which have not become  effective,  are as set forth in such
Assignment and Acceptance; (ii) except as set forth in (i) above, such assigning
Lender makes no representation  or warranty and assumes no  responsibility  with
respect  to  any  statements,  warranties  or  representations  made  in  or  in
connection  with  this  Agreement,   or  the  execution,   legality,   validity,
enforceability,  genuineness,  sufficiency or value of this Agreement, any other
Loan Document or any other instrument or document  furnished pursuant hereto, or
the financial  condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the performance or
observance  by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary of any of its  obligations  under
this  Agreement,  any other Loan  Document or any other  instrument  or document
furnished pursuant hereto;  (iii) such assignee  represents and warrants that it
is legally  authorized to enter into such Assignment and  Acceptance;  (iv) such
assignee  confirms that it has received a copy of this  Agreement and such other
documents and  information  as it has deemed  appropriate to make its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and


                                      -41-
<PAGE>



Acceptance;  (v) such assignee will  independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative  Agent,  such  assigning  Lender or any other Lender and based on
such  documents  and  information  as it shall  deem  appropriate  at the  time,
continue to make its own credit  decisions in taking or not taking  action under
this Agreement;  (vi) such assignee  appoints and authorizes the  Administrative
Agent to take such  action as agent on its behalf and to  exercise  such  powers
under this Agreement as are delegated to the  Administrative  Agent by the terms
hereof,  together with such powers as are  reasonably  incidental  thereto;  and
(vii) such assignee  agrees that it will perform in accordance  with their terms
all the  obligations  which by the terms of this  Agreement  are  required to be
performed by it as a Lender.

          (d) The Administrative  Agent,  acting for this purpose as an agent of
the  Borrower,  shall  maintain  at one of its  offices  in [ ] a copy  of  each
Assignment and Acceptance  delivered to it and a register (the  "Register")  for
the  recordation  of the names and  addresses of the Lenders,  and the principal
amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time
to time.  The entries in the  Register  shall be  conclusive,  in the absence of
manifest error, and the Borrower,  the Administrative  Agent and the Lenders may
treat each person whose name is recorded in the  Register  pursuant to the terms
hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding
notice to the contrary.  The Register  shall be available for  inspection by the
Borrower  and any  Lender,  at any  reasonable  time and from  time to time upon
reasonable prior notice.

          (e) Upon its receipt of a duly  completed  Assignment  and  Acceptance
executed by an assigning  Lender and an assignee  and, if required,  the written
consent of the Administrative Agent to such assignment, the Administrative Agent
shall (i) accept such  Assignment and  Acceptance,  (ii) record the  information
contained  therein in the Register and (iii) give prompt  notice  thereof to the
Lenders.   Notwithstanding   anything  to  the  contrary  contained  herein,  no
assignment under Section 9.04(b) of any rights or obligations shall be effective
unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph (e).

          (f) Each  Lender  may  without  the  consent  of the  Borrower  or the
Administrative  Agent sell participations to one or more banks or other entities
in  all  or a  portion  of its  rights  and  obligations  under  this  Agreement
(including all or a portion of the Loans owing to it); provided,  however,  that
(i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged,  (ii)
such Lender shall remain solely  responsible to the other parties hereto for the
performance of such obligations, (iii) the participating banks or other entities
shall be entitled to the benefit of the cost protection  provisions contained in
Sections 2.12,  2.14,  2.18 and 9.06 to the same extent as if they were Lenders;
provided that no such  participating bank or entity shall be entitled to receive
any greater  amount  pursuant  to such  Sections  than a Lender  would have been
entitled to receive in respect of the amount of the  participation  sold by such
Lender to such participating  bank or entity had no sale occurred,  and (iv) the
Borrower,  the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal
solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement, and such Lender shall retain the sole right to
enforce the obligations of the Borrower relating to the Loans and to approve any
amendment,  modification  or waiver of any  provision  of this  Agreement or any
other Loan Document (other than amendments,  modifications or waivers decreasing
the amount of principal of or the rate at which interest is payable on the Loans
or extending the Maturity Date).

          (g) Any Lender or participant  may, in connection  with any assignment
or  participation  or  proposed  assignment  or  participation  pursuant to this
Section 9.04,  disclose to the assignee or participant  or proposed  assignee or
participant any information relating to the Borrower furnished to such Lender by
or on behalf of the Borrower;  provided  that,  prior to any such  disclosure of
information  designated by the Borrower as  confidential,  each such assignee or
participant  or proposed  assignee or  participant  shall  execute an  agreement
whereby such assignee or participant shall agree to be bound by Section 9.18.



                                      -42-
<PAGE>


          (h) The  Borrower  shall not assign or  delegate  any of its rights or
duties hereunder without the prior written consent of the  Administrative  Agent
and each Lender, and any attempted assignment without such consent shall be null
and void.

          SECTION 9.05. Expenses;  Indemnity. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay all
reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses  incurred  by the  Administrative  Agent  in
connection  with the preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
or by the Administrative  Agent in connection with the syndication of the credit
facility  established hereby or the administration of this Agreement  (including
expenses  incurred  in  connection  with due  diligence  and initial and ongoing
collateral examination to the extent incurred with the reasonable prior approval
of the Borrower) or in connection with any amendments,  modifications or waivers
of the  provisions  hereof or thereof  (whether or not the  transactions  hereby
contemplated  shall be consummated) or incurred by the  Administrative  Agent or
any Lender in connection  with the  enforcement or protection of their rights in
connection  with this  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents or in connection
with the Loans made  hereunder,  including  the  reasonable  fees,  charges  and
disbursements of counsel for the  Administrative  Agent, and, in connection with
any  such  enforcement  or  protection,   the  reasonable   fees,   charges  and
disbursements of any other counsel (including the reasonable  allocated costs of
internal  counsel if a Lender elects to use internal  counsel in lieu of outside
counsel) for the  Administrative  Agent or any Lender (but no more than one such
counsel for any Lender).

          (b) The Borrower agrees to indemnify the  Administrative  Agent,  each
Lender and each of their respective  directors,  officers,  employees and agents
(each  such  person  being  called an  "Indemnitee")  against,  and to hold each
Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims,  damages,  liabilities and
related expenses,  including reasonable counsel fees, charges and disbursements,
incurred  by or  asserted  against  any  Indemnitee  arising  out of, in any way
connected  with,  or as a  result  of (i)  the  execution  or  delivery  of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated
hereby or thereby,  the  performance  by the parties hereto and thereto of their
respective  obligations  thereunder or the  consummation of the Transactions and
the other  transactions  contemplated  hereby and  thereby,  (ii) the use of the
proceeds  of  the  Loans  or  (iii)  any  claim,  litigation,  investigation  or
proceeding relating to any of the foregoing,  whether or not any Indemnitee is a
party thereto;  provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be
available  to the extent  that such  losses,  claims,  damages,  liabilities  or
related  expenses are determined by a court of competent  jurisdiction  by final
and nonappealable  judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful
misconduct  of  such   Indemnitee   (treating,   for  this  purpose  only,   the
Administrative Agent or any Lender and its directors,  officers and employees as
a single  Indemnitee).  Subject to and without  limiting the  generality  of the
foregoing  sentence,  the Borrower agrees to indemnify each Indemnitee  against,
and hold each Indemnitee  harmless from, any Environmental Claim relating to the
Borrower or any of its subsidiaries,  and any and all losses,  claims,  damages,
liabilities and related  expenses,  including  reasonable  counsel or consultant
fees, charges and disbursements,  incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee
(and arising out of, or in any way connected  with or as a result of, any of the
events described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding sentence) arising
out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (A) any Environmental Claim
related in any way to the Borrower or any  subsidiary of the  Borrower,  (B) any
violation of any Environmental Law, (C) any act, omission, event or circumstance
(including  the actual,  proposed or  threatened,  release,  removal,  presence,
disposition,   discharge  or  transportation,   storage,   holding,   existence,
generation,  processing, abatement, handling or presence on, into, from or under
any present,  past or future  property of the Borrower or any  subsidiary of the
Borrower of any Hazardous Material);  provided that such indemnity shall not, as
to any Indemnitee,  be available to the extent that such Environmental Claim is,
or  such,  losses,  claims,  damages,   liabilities  or  related  expenses  are,
determined  by a court of  competent  jurisdiction  by final  and  nonappealable
judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such
Indemnitee or any of its  directors,  officers or employees.  The  provisions of
this Section 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless
of the  expiration  of the  term  of this  Agreement,  the  consummation  of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  the  repayment  of any of  the  Loans,  the
invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document,



                                      -43-
<PAGE>



or any  investigation  made by or on behalf of the  Administrative  Agent or any
Lender.  All  amounts  due under this  Section  9.05 shall be payable on written
demand therefor.

          (c) The Borrower shall be entitled to assume the defense of any action
for which  indemnification is sought hereunder with counsel of its choice at its
expense (in which case the Borrower shall not thereafter be responsible  for the
fees and expenses of any separate  counsel  retained by an Indemnitee  except as
set forth  below);  provided,  however,  that such counsel  shall be  reasonably
satisfactory to each such Indemnitee. Notwithstanding the Borrower's election to
assume  the  defense of such  action,  each  Indemnitee  shall have the right to
employ  separate  counsel and to participate in the defense of such action,  and
the Borrower shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate
counsel,  if (i) the use of counsel  chosen by the  Borrower to  represent  such
Indemnitee  would  present such  counsel  with a conflict of interest;  (ii) the
actual or potential  defendants  in, or targets of, any such action include both
the Borrower  and such  Indemnitee  and such  Indemnitee  shall have  reasonably
concluded  that there may be legal  defenses  available to it that are different
from or  additional  to those  available  to the  Borrower  (in  which  case the
Borrower shall not have the right to assume the defense or such action on behalf
of such  Indemnitee);  (iii)  the  Borrower  shall  not  have  employed  counsel
reasonably  satisfactory  to such Indemnitee to represent it within a reasonable
time after notice of the institution of such action;  or (iv) the Borrower shall
authorize such Indemnitee to employ separate counsel at the Borrower's  expense.
The Borrower  will not be liable under this  Agreement for any amount paid by an
Indemnitee  to settle any claims or actions if the  settlement  is entered  into
without the Borrower's  consent,  which consent may not be withheld  unless such
settlement  is  unreasonable  in light of such  claims or actions  against,  and
defenses available to, such Indemnitee.

          (d)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in this  Section  9.05,
this  Section  9.05  shall  not  apply to taxes,  it being  understood  that the
Borrower's  only  obligations  with respect to taxes shall arise under  Sections
2.12 and 2.18.

          SECTION  9.06.  Right of  Setoff.  If an Event of  Default  shall have
occurred and be  continuing,  each Lender is hereby  authorized  at any time and
from time to time, to the fullest extent  permitted by law, to set off and apply
any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand,  provisional or final)
at any time held and other  indebtedness  at any time owing by such Lender to or
for  the  credit  or the  account  of the  Borrower  against  any of and all the
obligations  of the Borrower now or hereafter  existing  under this Agreement or
any other Loan Document held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such
Lender  shall  have made any  demand  under  this  Agreement  or such other Loan
Document and although  such  obligations  may be  unmatured.  The rights of each
Lender  under this  Section  9.06 are in addition to other  rights and  remedies
(including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

          SECTION  9.07.  Applicable  Law.  THIS  AGREEMENT  AND THE OTHER  LOAN
DOCUMENTS  (OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS)  SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF [ ].

          SECTION  9.08.  Waivers;  Amendment.  (a) No  failure  or delay of the
Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any power or right hereunder or
under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof,  nor shall any single
or  partial  exercise  of  any  such  right  or  power,  or any  abandonment  or
discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power,  preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights
and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under the
other Loan  Documents  are  cumulative  and are not  exclusive  of any rights or
remedies  which they would  otherwise  have.  No waiver of any provision of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower
therefrom shall in any event be effective  unless the same shall be permitted by
paragraph (b) below,  and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the purpose for



                                      -44-
<PAGE>


which given.  No notice or demand on the Borrower in any case shall  entitle the
Borrower  to any  other  or  further  notice  or  demand  in  similar  or  other
circumstances.

          (b) Neither this  Agreement  nor any  provision  hereof may be waived,
amended or modified  except  pursuant to an agreement or  agreements  in writing
entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders;  provided,  however, that
no such  agreement  shall (i)  decrease the  principal  amount of, or extend the
maturity of any Loan,  or waive or excuse any such payment or any part  thereof,
or decrease the rate of interest on any Loan,  without the prior written consent
of each Lender directly affected thereby, or (ii) amend or modify the provisions
of Section 2.15,  the  provisions  of this  Sections  9.08 or the  definition of
"Required Lenders",  without the prior written consent of each Lender;  provided
further  that no such  agreement  shall amend,  modify or  otherwise  affect the
rights or duties of the  Administrative  Agent hereunder or under any other Loan
Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

          SECTION  9.09.  Interest  Rate  Limitation.  Notwithstanding  anything
herein to the contrary,  if at any time the applicable  interest rate,  together
with all fees and charges  which are treated as interest  under  applicable  law
(collectively  the  "Charges"),  as provided for herein or in any other document
executed in connection herewith, or otherwise contracted for, charged, received,
taken or  reserved  by any Lender,  shall  exceed the  maximum  lawful rate (the
"Maximum  Rate")  which may be  contracted  for,  charged,  taken,  received  or
reserved by such Lender in accordance  with applicable law, the rate of interest
payable  hereunder,  together with all Charges payable to such Lender,  shall be
limited to the Maximum  Rate;  provided that such excess amount shall be paid to
such Lender on  subsequent  payment  dates to the extent not exceeding the legal
limitation.

          SECTION 9.10.  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement,  the Notes and the
other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract between the parties relative
to the subject matter hereof.  Any previous  agreement among or  representations
from the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this
Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents.  Nothing in this  Agreement  or in the
other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party
other than the parties hereto and thereto any rights,  remedies,  obligations or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

          SECTION 9.11.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES,
TO THE FULLEST  EXTENT  PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE  LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A
TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY  LITIGATION  DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY  ARISING OUT
OF,  UNDER  OR IN  CONNECTION  WITH  THIS  AGREEMENT  OR ANY OF THE  OTHER  LOAN
DOCUMENTS.  EACH PARTY HERETO (A)  CERTIFIES  THAT NO  REPRESENTATIVE,  AGENT OR
ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED,  EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE,  THAT SUCH
OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING
WAIVER  AND (B)  ACKNOWLEDGES  THAT IT AND THE OTHER  PARTIES  HERETO  HAVE BEEN
INDUCED  TO  ENTER  INTO  THIS  AGREEMENT  AND  THE  OTHER  LOAN  DOCUMENTS,  AS
APPLICABLE,  BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS,  THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND  CERTIFICATIONS  IN
THIS SECTION 9.11.

          SECTION  9.12.  Severability.  In the  event  any  one or  more of the
provisions  contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document  should be
held invalid,  illegal or unenforceable in any respect,  the validity,  legality
and  enforceability  of the remaining  provisions  contained  herein and therein
shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor
in  good-faith  negotiations  to replace the invalid,  illegal or  unenforceable
provisions with valid  provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as
possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.




                                      -45-
<PAGE>



          SECTION  9.13.  Counterparts.   This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in
counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different  counterparts),  each
of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall
constitute a single contract,  and shall become effective as provided in Section
9.03.

          SECTION 9.14. Headings.  Article and Section headings and the Table of
Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this
Agreement  and are not to  affect  the  construction  of,  or to be  taken  into
consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

          SECTION  9.15.  Jurisdiction;  Consent to Service of Process.  [SUPPLY
APPLICABLE PROVISIONS].

          SECTION  9.16.  Conversion of  Currencies.  (a) If, for the purpose of
obtaining  judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder
or under any other Loan  Document in one currency  (the  "Obligation  Currency")
into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they
may legally and  effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that
at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the  Administrative  Agent
could purchase the Obligation Currency with such other currency in New York, New
York, on the Business Day immediately  preceding the day on which final judgment
is given.

          (b) The obligations of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in respect of
any sum due to the  Administrative  Agent or any Lender  hereunder  or under any
other Loan Document in any Obligation Currency shall, to the extent permitted by
applicable  law,  notwithstanding  any  judgment  in a  currency  other than the
Obligation  Currency,  be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day
following receipt of any sum adjudged to be so due in the judgment currency, the
Administrative  Agent or such  Lender  may in  accordance  with  normal  banking
procedures  purchase the Obligation Currency in the amount originally due to the
Administrative Agent or such Lender with the judgment currency. If the amount of
the Obligation  Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the
Administrative  Agent  or  such  Lender,  the  Borrower  agrees,  as a  separate
obligation   and   notwithstanding   any  such   judgment,   to  indemnify   the
Administrative Agent or such Lender against the resulting loss.

          SECTION  9.17.  Subrogation.  In the event that any  obligation of any
Loan Party under this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document (a "Claim") is paid
with the proceeds of an L/C Disbursement, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent
and the  Lenders  hereby  agree for the  benefit of the  Fronting  Banks and the
Lenders  under the U.S.  Credit  Agreement  that Lenders  under the U.S.  Credit
Agreement holding  Obligations in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the
Lenders' participations in such L/C Disbursement under the U.S. Credit Agreement
shall be  subrogated to the rights of the  Administrative  Agent and the Lenders
hereunder and under each other Loan Document in respect of such Claim;  provided
that such  right of  subrogation  shall  not be  effective  until,  and shall be
subordinated to, payment in full of all the Claims.

          SECTION   9.18.   Confidentiality.   Each  of  the   Lenders  and  the
Administrative Agent agrees that it shall maintain in confidence any information
relating to UCAR,  the  Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  furnished to it by or on
behalf of UCAR, the Borrower or the  Subsidiaries  (other than  information that
(a) has become  generally  available  to the public  other than as a result of a
disclosure by such party, (b) has been independently developed by such Lender or
the  Administrative  Agent  without  violating  this  Section  9.18  or (c)  was
available to such Lender or the Administrative  Agent from a third party having,
to such person's  knowledge,  no  obligations  of  confidentiality  to UCAR, the
Borrower or any  Subsidiary) and shall not reveal the same other than (i) to its
directors,  officers,  employees  and  advisors  with a need to know and (ii) as
contemplated by Section 9.04(g),  except:  (A) to the extent necessary to comply
with law or any legal process or the requirements of any Governmental  Authority
or of any securities exchange on which securities of the disclosing party or any
Affiliate of the  disclosing  party are listed or traded,  (B) as part of normal
reporting or review procedures to



                                      -46-
<PAGE>



Governmental Authorities or its parent companies, Affiliates or auditors and (C)
in order to enforce its rights under any Loan Document in a legal proceeding.

          SECTION 9.19. Release of Security Documents.  The Administrative Agent
and the Lenders (and the Fronting  Banks and the Lenders  under the U.S.  Credit
Agreement and other  beneficiaries  of the Loan Documents) agree that all liens,
guarantees and other  obligations  of the Borrower and its Affiliates  under the
Security  Documents shall  automatically and immediately be released but only to
the extent and in the event that the Borrower notifies the Administrative  Agent
that the  Borrower has been  advised by  competent  counsel  that such  Security
Document or the Borrower's or an Affiliate's  obligations  thereunder either (a)
violate or contravene any applicable law or regulation or the  interpretation or
administration   thereof  by  any  Governmental   Authority   charged  with  the
administration  or  interpretation  thereof  (whether or not having the force of
law)  or (b)  result  in a  material  claim  for  any  taxes,  levies,  imposts,
deductions, charges or withholding against the Borrower or any of its Affiliates
under any applicable law or regulation or the  interpretation  or administration
thereof  by any  Governmental  Authority  charged  with  the  administration  or
interpretation  thereof (whether or not having the force of law), other than any
stamp or  documentary  taxes or any other excise or property  taxes,  charges or
similar levies which arise from the execution,  delivery or registration  of, or
otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

          SECTION 9.20.  Release of Liens and Guarantees.  In the event that the
Borrower or any  subsidiary of the Borrower  conveys,  sells,  leases,  assigns,
transfers  or  otherwise  disposes of all or any portion of any of the assets or
property of the  Borrower or any Capital  Stock,  assets or property of any such
subsidiary in a transaction  not  prohibited by Section 6.05 of the U.S.  Credit
Agreement,  the  Administrative  Agent shall  promptly  (and the Lenders  hereby
authorize  the  Administrative  Agent to) take such  action and execute any such
documents as may be reasonably  requested by the Borrower and at the  Borrower's
expense to release  any Liens  created by any Loan  Document  in respect of such
assets or  property,  including  the release and  satisfaction  of record of any
mortgage or deed of trust granted in connection herewith[, and, in the case of a
disposition  of all the  Capital  Stock or assets of  [SPECIFY  ANY  GUARANTOR],
terminate  such  Subsidiary's  obligations  under its Guarantee  Agreement].  In
addition, the Administrative Agent agrees to take such actions as are reasonably
requested by the Borrower and at the  Borrower's  expense to terminate the Liens
and security  interests  created by the Loan Documents when all the  Obligations
are paid in full (other than with the proceeds of Tranche A Reimbursement  Loans
or of a drawing  under a Tranche  A Letter  of  Credit or in  connection  with a
reallocation  under  Section  2.10(b)  of the  U.S.  Credit  Agreement)  and all
commitments  of  the  Lenders  to  make  Loans  hereunder  are  terminated.  Any
representation,  warranty or covenant contained in any Loan Document relating to
any such Capital Stock,  assets or property shall no longer be deemed to be made
once such Capital Stock, assets or property is conveyed, sold, leased, assigned,
transferred or disposed of.



                                      -47-
<PAGE>



                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective  authorized officers as of the
day and year first above written.


                         [BORROWER],

                            by
                               -------------------------
                               Name:
                               Title:


                         [             ], individually and as Administrative
                         Agent,

                            by
                               -------------------------
                               Name:
                               Title:


                         (OTHER LENDERS),

                            by
                               -------------------------
                               Name:
                               Title:




                                      -48-
<PAGE>



                               [Form of Tranche A]
                                                                       EXHIBIT C
                                                  TO THE EFFECTIVENESS AGREEMENT
                                LETTER OF CREDIT

BENEFICIARY:  [NAME OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT]


WE HEREBY ESTABLISH OUR IRREVOCABLE STANDBY LETTER OF  CREDIT
NO. [ ] BY ORDER OF [ACCOUNT  PARTY] (THE "ACCOUNT  PARTY") IN YOUR FAVOR FOR AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED  U.S.  DOLLARS [ ] (THE  "STATED  AMOUNT").  THIS LETTER OF
CREDIT  EXPIRES  [INSERT DATE THAT IS NO LATER THAN THE FIRST BUSINESS DAY PRIOR
TO [DECEMBER 31, 2001] AT THE COUNTERS OF THE CHASE  MANHATTAN  BANK,  NEW YORK,
NEW YORK.

THE STATED AMOUNT MAY BE REDUCED FROM TIME TO TIME BY PRESENTATION OF A
DATED STATEMENT PURPORTEDLY SIGNED BY YOU AND THE ACCOUNT PARTY IN THE
FOLLOWING FORM:

"THE STATED AMOUNT UNDER THE CHASE  MANHATTAN  BANK LETTER OF CREDIT NO. [ ] IS,
EFFECTIVE AS OF THE DATE HEREOF,  HEREBY REDUCED BY $______________ SO THAT FROM
AND AFTER THE DATE HEREOF THE STATED AMOUNT SHALL BE EQUAL TO $______________."

AN AMOUNT UP TO THE STATED  AMOUNT  UNDER THIS LETTER OF CREDIT IS  AVAILABLE TO
YOU IN A SINGLE DRAWING AGAINST PRESENTATION OF YOUR DRAFT AT SIGHT DRAWN ON THE
CHASE  MANHATTAN  BANK,  NEW  YORK,  NEW YORK,  AND  ACCOMPANIED  BY YOUR  DATED
STATEMENT PURPORTEDLY SIGNED BY ONE OF YOUR OFFICIALS IN THE FOLLOWING FORM:

"THE AMOUNT OF THIS  DRAWING OF U.S.  DOLLARS  $_______________  UNDER THE CHASE
MANHATTAN  BANK LETTER OF CREDIT NO. [ ] REPRESENTS  OUTSTANDING  OBLIGATIONS OF
[ACCOUNT PARTY] UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT [DESCRIBE CREDIT AGREEMENT] WHICH ARE
DUE AND OWING TO US AT THIS TIME. WE HEREBY REPRESENT AND WARRANT TO YOU THAT AN
EVENT OF DEFAULT HAS OCCURRED AND IS CONTINUING  UNDER THE CREDIT  AGREEMENT AND
THAT THIS  DRAWING  IS BEING  MADE AS  PROVIDED  IN  ARTICLE  VII OF THE  CREDIT
AGREEMENT."

IN THE  EVENT OF A DRAWING  ON US VIA  AUTHENTICATED  TELETRANSMISSION,  A SIGHT
DRAFT ON US IS NOT REQUIRED.


                                      -49-
<PAGE>


PRESENTATION  OF NOTICES AND DRAWINGS UNDER THIS LETTER OF CREDIT MAY BE MADE BY
FACSIMILE  TRANSMISSION OF THE ABOVE REQUIRED  STATEMENT TOGETHER WITH THE SIGHT
DRAFT DRAWN ON US TO OUR  FACSIMILE  NUMBER [ ]  ATTENTION:  [ ],  CONFIRMED  IN
WRITING VIA SAME DAY OVERNIGHT  MAIL OR  AUTHENTICATED  TELETRANSMISSION  TO THE
ABOVE ATTENTION PARTY.

WE HEREBY AGREE WITH YOU THAT IF DOCUMENTS ARE PRESENTED TO THE CHASE  MANHATTAN
BANK UNDER THIS LETTER OF CREDIT AT OR PRIOR TO 11:00 A.M.  NEW YORK TIME,  ON A
BUSINESS DAY, AND PROVIDED THAT SUCH DOCUMENTS  PRESENTED CONFORM WITH THE TERMS
AND  CONDITIONS  OF THIS  LETTER OF CREDIT,  PAYMENT  SHALL BE EFFECTED BY US IN
IMMEDIATELY  AVAILABLE  FUNDS BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON SUCH  BUSINESS DAY. IF
DOCUMENTS ARE PRESENTED TO THE CHASE  MANHATTAN BANK UNDER THIS LETTER OF CREDIT
AFTER  11:00  A.M.  NEW YORK  TIME ON A  BUSINESS  DAY AND  PROVIDED  THAT  SUCH
DOCUMENTS  CONFORM  WITH THE  TERMS AND  CONDITIONS  OF THIS  LETTER OF  CREDIT,
PAYMENT SHALL BE EFFECTED BY US IN IMMEDIATELY  AVAILABLE FUNDS ON THE FOLLOWING
BUSINESS  DAY. AS USED IN THIS LETTER OF CREDIT,  "BUSINESS  DAY" SHALL MEAN ANY
DAY OTHER THAN A SATURDAY,  SUNDAY OR A DAY ON WHICH BANKING INSTITUTIONS IN THE
STATE OF NEW YORK ARE AUTHORIZED OR REQUIRED BY LAW TO CLOSE.

PLEASE DIRECT ALL CORRESPONDENCE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS LETTER OF CREDIT
TO OUR STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT DEPARTMENT LOCATED AT
[                                    ], NEW YORK, NEW YORK [   ] ATTENTION: [ ].
TELEPHONIC INQUIRIES MAY BE ADDRESSED TO US AT [            ].

WE HEREBY ENGAGE WITH THE DRAWERS,  ENDORSERS, AND/OR BONA FIDE HOLDERS THAT ALL
DRAFTS  DRAWN  UNDER AND IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE TERMS OF THIS LETTER OF CREDIT
WILL BE DULY HONORED UPON PRESENTATION TO US.

WE HEREBY ISSUE THIS IRREVOCABLE STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT IN YOUR FAVOR.  IT
IS SUBJECT TO THE UNIFORM CUSTOMS AND PRACTICE FOR DOCUMENTARY CREDITS
(1993 REVISION) INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF



                                      -50-
<PAGE>


COMMERCE PUBLICATION NO. 500 ("UCP") AND ENGAGES US IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
TERMS THEREOF.   THE NUMBER, AND THE DATE OF OUR CREDIT AND THE NAME OF
OUR BANK MUST BE QUOTED ON ALL DRAFTS REQUIRED.


                                   THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,

                                   BY:______________________________________
                                      NAME:
                                      TITLE:


                                      -51-



                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

                                                                  CONFORMED COPY


                                        REAFFIRMATION  AGREEMENT,  dated  as  of
                                        March  19,  1997  (as the  same may from
                                        time to time be amended, supplemented or
                                        otherwise  modified,  this "Agreement"),
                                        among   UCAR   INTERNATIONAL   INC.,   a
                                        Delaware  corporation   ("UCAR"),   UCAR
                                        GLOBAL   ENTERPRISES  INC.,  a  Delaware
                                        corporation   (the   "Borrower"),   each
                                        Subsidiary   Guarantor   listed  on  the
                                        signature  pages below (the  "Subsidiary
                                        Guarantors"),   each  other   Subsidiary
                                        party      hereto     (the      "Foreign
                                        Subsidiaries",   and  collectively  with
                                        UCAR,  the Borrower  and the  Subsidiary
                                        Guarantors,  the "Reaffirming  Parties")
                                        and   THE   CHASE   MANHATTAN   BANK  as
                                        Administrative   Agent  and   Collateral
                                        Agent (in such capacities,  "Chase") for
                                        the  benefit  of  the  Lenders  and  the
                                        Fronting  Banks  (each as defined in the
                                        Amended and  Restated  Credit  Agreement
                                        referred to below),


          WHEREAS UCAR, the Borrower,  each of the Lenders, each of the Fronting
Banks and Chase have entered into the Effectiveness  Agreement,  dated as of the
date hereof (the "Effectiveness Agreement");

          WHEREAS  each of UCAR,  the  Borrower  and  certain of the  Subsidiary
Guarantors and Foreign  Subsidiaries is party to each pledge  agreement to which
it is shown on Schedule A to be a party (collectively,  the "Pledge Agreement"),
UCAR and the Borrower are party to the Parent Guarantee Agreement (such term and
each other  capitalized  term used but not  defined  herein  having the  meaning
assigned in the  Effectiveness  Agreement  or the Amended  and  Restated  Credit
Agreement referred to therein) and to a parent guarantee agreement in respect of
each Local  Facility  Credit  Agreement  (the "Local  Parent  Guarantees"),  the
Subsidiary  Guarantors are party to the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement,  certain
of the Foreign  Subsidiaries are parties to the Guarantees in respect of certain
Obligations  (the  "Foreign  Guarantees")  and the Borrower  and the  Subsidiary
Guarantors are party to the Indemnity,  Subrogation and  Contribution  Agreement
(the  Pledge  Agreement,  the  Parent  Guarantee  Agreement,  the  Local  Parent
Guarantees,  the Subsidiary Guarantee Agreement,  the Foreign Guarantees and the
Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement herein together referred to as
the "Collateral Documents").

          WHEREAS each  Reaffirming  Party expects to realize,  or has realized,
substantial  direct and indirect  benefits as a result of the Borrower  entering
into the


                                      -1-
<PAGE>


Effectiveness  Agreement  and as a result of the  Amended  and  Restated  Credit
Agreement becoming effective; and

          WHEREAS the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement is a condition
precedent to the  effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and
to the  availability of credit under the Amended and Restated  Credit  Agreement
under Section 7(f) of the Effectiveness Agreement;

          NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the foregoing,  to induce Chase,
each Lender and each Fronting Bank to enter into the Effectiveness Agreement and
the  Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement  and for other good and  valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                     REAFFIRMATION/AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
                     ---------------------------------------

          SECTION 1.01.  REAFFIRMATION.  Each of the Reaffirming  Parties hereby
consents to the  Effectiveness  Agreement  and the Amended and  Restated  Credit
Agreement and hereby confirms its respective  guarantees,  pledges and grants of
security  interests,   as  applicable,   and  agrees  that  notwithstanding  the
effectiveness  of the Amended and Restated  Credit  Agreement  such  guarantees,
pledges and grants of security  interests shall continue to be in full force and
effect and shall  accrue to the  benefit of the  Lenders  under the  Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement.

          SECTION   1.02.   AMENDMENT   AND   RESTATEMENT.   On  and  after  the
effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement,  (i) each reference
in each Collateral Document to the "Credit Agreement",  "thereunder",  "thereof"
or  words of like  import  shall  mean and be a  reference  to the  Amended  and
Restated  Credit  Agreement  (as such  agreement  may be  amended,  modified  or
supplemented  and in effect from time to time),  (ii) the definition of any term
defined in any  Collateral  Document by  reference  to the terms  defined in the
Credit Agreement shall be amended to be defined by reference to the defined term
in the  Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement,  as the same may be  amended,
modified or supplemented and in effect from time to time and (iii) Schedule I to
the Pledge Agreement is hereby amended as set forth on the Attachment hereto.



                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                         ------------------------------

          Each  Reaffirming   Party  hereby   represents  and  warrants,   which
representations  and  warranties  shall  survive  execution and delivery of this
Agreement, as follows:

          SECTION 2.01.  ORGANIZATION.  Such Reaffirming Party is duly organized
and validly  existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
formation.

          SECTION 2.02.  AUTHORITY;  ENFORCEABILITY.  Such Reaffirming Party has
the  power  and  authority  to  execute,  deliver  and  carry  out the terms and
provisions of this Agreement and has taken all necessary action to authorize the
execution,  delivery and performance by it of this Agreement.  Such  Reaffirming
Party  has duly  executed  and  delivered  this  Agreement,  and this  Agreement
constitutes its legal, valid and binding  obligation,  enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms.

          SECTION 2.03. LOAN DOCUMENTS.  The  representations  and warranties of
such  Reaffirming  Party contained in each Loan Document are true and correct in
all material respects on and as of the  Effectiveness  Date with the same effect
as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations
and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date.


                                   ARTICLE III

                                  MISCELLANEOUS
                                  -------------

          SECTION 3.01.  INDEMNITY.  Each Reaffirming  Party agrees to indemnify
Chase,  each Fronting Bank, each Lender and each of their respective  directors,
trustees,  officers,  employees  and agents  (each such person  being  called an
"Indemnitee")  against,  and to hold each Indemnitee  harmless from, any and all
liabilities,   obligations,   losses,  damages,   penalties,   claims,  actions,
judgments,  suits,  costs or expenses  or  disbursements  (including  reasonable
attorneys'  fees and expenses) of whatsoever kind or nature which may be imposed
on, asserted  against or incurred by any of the  Indemnitees  arising out of, in
any way connected  with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this
Agreement or any agreement or  instrument  contemplated  hereby or thereby,  the
performance  by the parties hereto and thereto of their  respective  obligations
thereunder  or the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and
thereby, or (ii) any claim, litigation,  investigation or proceeding relating to
any of the foregoing, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided
that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee,  be available to the extent
that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are



                                      -3-
<PAGE>


determined  by a court of  competent  jurisdiction  by final  and  nonappealable
judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such
Indemnitee  (treating,  for this purpose only,  Chase,  any Fronting Bank or any
Lender  and  its  directors,  trustees,  officers  and  employees  as  a  single
Indemnitee).  The obligations of such Reaffirming Party under this Section shall
be  secured  hereby  and shall  remain  operative  and in full  force and effect
regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement,  the consummation of
the transactions  contemplated  hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations,
the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or
any other  Collateral  Document,  or any  investigation  made by or on behalf of
Chase, any Fronting Bank or any Lender.  All amounts due under this Section 3.01
shall be payable on written demand therefor.

          SECTION 3.02. SETOFF,  ETC. In addition to, and without limitation of,
any rights of Chase, the Lenders and the Fronting Banks under applicable law, if
an Event of Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  Chase,  each Lender
and each Fronting  Bank is hereby  authorized at any time and from time to time,
to the  fullest  extent  permitted  by law,  to set off  and  apply  any and all
deposits  (general or special,  time or demand,  provisional or final (including
all account balances,  whether provisional or final and whether or not collected
or available)) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such
Lender  or such  Fronting  Bank  to or for  the  credit  or the  account  of any
Reaffirming  Party  against any of and all the  obligations  of any  Reaffirming
Party now or hereafter  existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document
held by Chase, such Lender or Fronting Bank (except that no asset of any Foreign
Subsidiary may be set off and applied  against any obligation of any Reaffirming
Party that is a U.S. person),  irrespective of whether or not Chase, such Lender
or such  Fronting  Bank shall have made any demand under this  Agreement or such
other Loan Document and although such  obligations may be unmatured.  The rights
of Chase,  each Lender and each  Fronting  Bank under this  Section  3.02 are in
addition to other rights and remedies  (including  other rights of setoff) which
Chase, such Lender or such Fronting Bank may have.

          SECTION 3.03. NOTICES. All notices and other communications  hereunder
shall be made at the  addresses,  in the manner and with the effect  provided in
Article IX of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement; provided that, for this
purpose,  the address of each  Reaffirming  Party shall be the one specified for
the Borrower under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

          SECTION 3.04.  LIMITATION  OF  LIABILITY.  No claim may be made by any
Reaffirming Party or any other person against Chase, any Lender and any Fronting
Bank or the Affiliates,  directors,  trustees, officers, employees, attorneys or
agents  of any of them for any  special,  indirect,  consequential  or  punitive
damages in respect of any claim for breach of  contract  or any other  theory of
liability  arising  out of or related to the  transactions  contemplated  by the
Effectiveness  Agreement,  the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Credit
Agreement  or this  Agreement,  or any  act,  omission  or  event  occurring  in
connection  therewith;  and each Reaffirming  Party hereby waives,  releases and
agrees not to


                                      -4-
<PAGE>


sue upon any claim for any such  damages,  whether or not accrued and whether or
not known or suspected to exist in its favor and each  Reaffirming  Party agrees
to notify Chase,  any Lender and any Fronting Bank, as  applicable,  of any such
claim promptly upon learning of any such claim.

          SECTION 3.05.  LIABILITY OF CHASE,  ANY LENDER AND ANY FRONTING  BANK,
ETC. If any claim is ever made upon Chase,  any Lender and any Fronting Bank for
repayment or recovery of any amount or amounts received in payment or on account
of any of the Obligations and any of the aforesaid  payees repays all or part of
said  amount  by  reason  of (a) any  judgment,  decree or order of any court or
administrative  body having  jurisdiction over such payee or any of its property
or (b) any  settlement or  compromise  of any such claim  effected by such payee
with any such claimant  (including  the Borrower or any other obligor in respect
of any Obligation),  then and in such event each  Reaffirming  Party agrees that
any such judgment, decree, order, settlement or compromise shall be binding upon
it,  notwithstanding  any  revocation  hereof  or the  cancellation  of any Loan
Document or other  instrument  evidencing  any  liability of the Borrower or any
other obligor in respect of any Obligation,  and such Reaffirming Party shall be
and remain liable to the aforesaid  payees hereunder for the amount so repaid or
recovered  to the same  extent  as if such  amount  had  never  originally  been
received by any such payee.

          SECTION 3.06.  CHOICE OF LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.  THIS AGREEMENT
SHALL BE IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
EACH  REAFFIRMING  PARTY HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY AND  UNCONDITIONALLY  SUBMITS,  FOR
ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE  JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE
COURT OR FEDERAL COURT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SITTING IN NEW YORK CITY,
AND ANY APPELLATE  COURT FROM ANY THEREOF,  IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING  ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS  AGREEMENT,  OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY
JUDGMENT,  AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING  MAY BE HEARD
AND  DETERMINED  IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE OR, TO THE EXTENT  PERMITTED  BY LAW, IN
SUCH FEDERAL  COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN
ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING  SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE  AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER
JURISDICTIONS  BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER  MANNER  PROVIDED BY LAW.
NOTHING IN THIS  AGREEMENT  SHALL  AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY LENDER OR  FRONTING
BANK MAY  OTHERWISE  HAVE TO BRING ANY  ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  RELATING  TO THIS
AGREEMENT AGAINST ANY REAFFIRMING PARTY OR THEIR PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY
JURISDICTION.


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

          SECTION  3.07.  EXPENSES.  Each  Reaffirming  Party  agrees to pay all
reasonable costs, fees and expenses  (including  reasonable  attorneys' fees and
time charges of attorneys  for Chase,  any Lender and any Fronting  Bank,  which
attorneys may be employees of Chase,  any Lender and any Fronting Bank) incurred
by Chase,  any Lender and any  Fronting  Bank in  collecting  or  enforcing  any
Reaffirming  Party's  obligations  under this Agreement  (except that no Foreign
Subsidiary  shall be obligated to pay any amount owed by any  Reaffirming  Party
that is a U.S. person).

          SECTION  3.08.  LOAN  DOCUMENT.  This  Agreement  is a  Loan  Document
executed pursuant to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and shall (unless
otherwise expressly indicated herein) be construed,  administered and applied in
accordance with the terms and provisions thereof.

          SECTION  3.09.  SECTION  CAPTIONS.   Section  captions  used  in  this
Agreement  are for  convenience  of  reference  only and  shall not  affect  the
construction of this Agreement.

          SECTION 3.10.  SEVERABILITY.  Wherever possible each provision of this
Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or
invalid under such law, such  provision  shall be  ineffective  to the extent of
such  prohibition  or  invalidity,  without  invalidating  the remainder of such
provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

          SECTION 3.11.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH OF THE REAFFIRMING  PARTIES
AND  CHASE  BY  ITS  ACCEPTANCE   HEREOF  HEREBY   KNOWINGLY,   VOLUNTARILY  AND
INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY
LITIGATION  BASED  HEREON OR ARISING OUT OF,  UNDER OR IN  CONNECTION  WITH THIS
AGREEMENT.  EACH PARTY HERETO (A)  CERTIFIES  THAT NO  REPRESENTATIVE,  AGENT OR
ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED,  EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE,  THAT SUCH
OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING
WAIVER AND (B)  ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IT HAS RECEIVED FULL AND SUFFICIENT
CONSIDERATION  FOR  THIS  PROVISION  AND  THAT  THIS  PROVISION  IS  A  MATERIAL
INDUCEMENT  FOR  CHASE,  ANY  LENDER  AND ANY  FRONTING  BANK TO ENTER  INTO THE
EFFECTIVENESS AGREEMENT AND THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT.

          Section 3.12.  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Agreement  shall inure to
the  benefit  of and be binding  upon the  parties  hereto and their  respective
successors and assigns.

          Section 3.13.  AMENDMENT.  This  Agreement may be waived,  modified or
amended only be a written agreement executed by each of the parties hereto.



                                      -6-
<PAGE>

          Section  3.14  COUNTERPARTS.  This  Agreement  may be  executed in any
number  of  counterparts  and  by  the  different  parties  hereto  on  separate
counterparts,  each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original
but all of which shall together constitute one and the same agreement.  Delivery
of an executed  counterpart  of a signature  page of this Agreement by facsimile
transmission  shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed  counterpart
of this Agreement.

          Section 3.15. NO NOVATION.  Neither this  Agreement nor the execution,
delivery or  effectiveness  of the Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement or the
Effectiveness  Agreement  shall  extinguish the  obligations  for the payment of
money  outstanding under the Credit Agreement or the Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement or  discharge or release the Lien or priority of the Pledge  Agreement
or any other security therefor. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as a
substitution  or  novation  of the  obligations  outstanding  under  the  Credit
Agreement or the Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement or instruments  securing
the same,  which  shall  remain in full force and  effect,  except to any extent
modified  hereby  or by  instruments  executed  concurrently  herewith.  Nothing
implied in this Agreement,  the Effectiveness Agreement or in any other document
contemplated  hereby  or  thereby  shall  be  construed  as a  release  or other
discharge of any  Borrower or any  Guarantor  or any  Subsidiary  Pledgor or any
Pledgor or any party to the Indemnity,  Subrogation and  Contribution  Agreement
under any Collateral  Document from any of its  obligations and liabilities as a
"Borrower",  "Guarantor",  "Subsidiary  Guarantor",  "Pledgor"  or "party to the
Indemnity, Subrogation and Contribution Agreement" under the Credit Agreement or
the  Collateral  Documents.  Each of the  Credit  Agreement  and the  Collateral
Documents  shall  remain in full force and  effect,  until (as  applicable)  and
except to any extent  modified  hereby or by the  Effectiveness  Agreement or in
connection herewith and therewith.


                                      -7-

<PAGE>


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Reaffirming Party and Chase as Administrative
Agent and Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and the Fronting Banks
have caused this  Agreement  to be duly  executed  and  delivered as of the date
first above written.



                                        UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.,

                                        by: /s/ William P. Wiemels 
                                            ----------------------
                                        Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                        Title: Vice President, Chief Financial 
                                               Officer & Treasurer


                                        UCAR GLOBAL ENTERPRISES INC.,

                                        by: /s/ William P. Wiemels 
                                            ----------------------
                                        Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                        Title: Vice President, Chief Financial 
                                               Officer & Treasurer

                                        
                                        UCAR CARBON COMPANY INC.,

                                        by: /s/ William P. Wiemels 
                                            ----------------------
                                        Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                        Title: Vice President, Chief Financial 
                                               Officer & Treasurer

                                                    
                                        UCAR CARBON TECHNOLOGY 
                                        CORPORATION,

                                        by: /s/ William P. Wiemels 
                                            ----------------------
                                        Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                        Title: Vice President, Chief Financial 
                                               Officer & Treasurer


                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 

                                        UCAR COMPOSITES INC.,

                                        by:  /s/ Karen G. Narwold
                                             --------------------
                                        Name:  Karen G. Narwold
                                        Title: Assistant Secretary


                                        UCAR HOLDINGS INC.,
                                       
                                        by: /s/ William P. Wiemels 
                                            ----------------------
                                        Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                        Title: Vice President, Chief Financial 
                                               Officer & Treasurer
                                                  

                                        UNION CARBIDE GRAFITO INC.,

                                        by:  /s/ James H. Wimer
                                             ------------------
                                        Name:  James H. Wimer
                                        Title: V.P. - Finance & Treasurer


                                        UCAR HOLDINGS II INC.,

                                        by: /s/ William P. Wiemels 
                                            ----------------------
                                        Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                        Title: Vice President, Chief Financial 
                                               Officer & Treasurer


                                        UCAR HOLDINGS III INC.,

                                        by: /s/ William P. Wiemels 
                                            ----------------------
                                        Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                        Title: Vice President, Chief Financial 
                                               Officer & Treasurer   
          

                                        UCAR INTERNATIONAL TRADING INC.,

                                        by: /s/ William P. Wiemels 
                                            ----------------------
                                        Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                        Title: Vice President, Chief Financial 
                                               Officer & Treasurer          


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

                                        UCAR MEXICANA S.A. de C.V.,
                                   
                                        by: /s/ William P. Wiemels 
                                            ----------------------
                                        Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                        Title: Vice President, Chief Financial 
                                               Officer & Treasurer
                                                    

                                        UCAR CARBON MEXICANA S.A. de C.V.,

                                        by: /s/ William P. Wiemels 
                                            ----------------------
                                        Name:  William P. Wiemels
                                        Title: Vice President, Chief Financial 


                                        THE CHASE MANHATTAN  BANK,  
                                        individually and as Administrative Agent
                                        and Collateral Agent,

                                        by:  /s/ James H. Ramage
                                             -------------------
                                        Name:  James H. Ramage
                                        Title: Vice President


                                      -10-




                                                                      EXHIBIT 11
<TABLE>


                                                                                                                         
                                                       UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.
                                                  COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                                            (Dollars in millions, except per share data)
<CAPTION>


                                                                                         Three Months Ended March 31,           
                                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     1997                            1996
                                                                          ---------------------------     --------------------------
                                                                                               Fully                          Fully
                                                                              Primary         Diluted         Primary        Diluted
                                                                          ---------------------------     --------------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>    

Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principles .....  $      36.9     $      36.9     $      35.1    $      35.1
Cumulative effect on prior years of change in accounting for inventories          -               -               7.0            7.0
                                                                          ---------------------------     --------------------------
        Net income - common stockholders ...............................  $      36.9     $      36.9     $      42.1    $      42.1
                                                                          ===========================     ==========================
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares
  applicable to each earnings per share calculation:
    Weighted average number of shares outstanding .....................    46,736,178      46,736,178      46,015,215     46,015,215
    Dilutive effect of stock options ..................................     2,051,582       2,054,003       2,175,323      2,236,368
                                                                          ---------------------------     --------------------------
                                                                           48,787,760      48,790,181      48,190,538     48,251,583
                                                                          ===========================     ==========================

Net income per common share  (A):
  Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principles ..   $      0.76     $      0.76     $      0.73    $      0.73
  Cumulative effect on prior years of change in accounting for inventories         -              -              0.15           0.15
                                                                          ---------------------------     --------------------------
        Net income per share ..........................................   $      0.76     $      0.76     $      0.88    $      0.88
                                                                          ===========================     ==========================

(A)   Fully diluted earnings per share is not significantly different than primary net income per share and, therefore, has not
               been presented on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

</TABLE>


<TABLE> <S> <C>
                              
<ARTICLE>                          5
<LEGEND>                            
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC. INCLUDED IN ITS
FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED MARCH 31,  1996,  AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>                           
<CIK>                              0000931148
<NAME>                             UCAR INTERNATIONAL INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                       1,000,000
                                        
<S>                                    <C>               <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                          3-MOS             3-MOS            
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      DEC-31-1997       DEC-31-1996       
<PERIOD-START>                         JAN-01-1997       JAN-01-1996       
<PERIOD-END>                           MAR-31-1997       MAR-31-1996       
<CASH>                                          77                48               
<SECURITIES>                                     0                 0                 
<RECEIVABLES>                                  203               205               
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6                11                
<INVENTORY>                                    200               162               
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               505               432               
<PP&E>                                       1,190              1017              
<DEPRECIATION>                                 694               642               
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,066               884              
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          242               212 
<BONDS>                                        599               634 
                            0                 0 
                                      0                 0 
<COMMON>                                         0                 0 
<OTHER-SE>                                      35              (118)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,066               884 
<SALES>                                        238               243 
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               238               243 
<CGS>                                          150               150 
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  150               150 
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2                 2 
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                (1)                0 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15                16 
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 47                52 
<INCOME-TAX>                                    12                19 
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             37                35 
<DISCONTINUED>                                   0                 0 
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  0                 0 
<CHANGES>                                        0                 7 
<NET-INCOME>                                    37                42 
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  .76               .88 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  .76               .88 
                                                                 

        

</TABLE>


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