<B>Abitibi-Consolidated Closing Washington Mill</B>

Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. announced plans to close its West Tacoma, Wash., newsprint mill by the end of this year. The facility, at full capacity, is able to produce 130,000 metric tons of newsprint annually. Abitibi-Consolidated also announced plans to close one of its paper machines at its Wayagamack mill in Three Rivers, Quebec by the beginning of next year. The machine produces 50,000 metric tons of value added paper a year. According to John Weaver, president and CEO, the closure will bring Abitibi closer to its goal of removing 400,000 metric tons of newsprint from the market. The company is continuing an active auction for the Wayagamack mill. In the interim, by closing the number 1 machine, and exiting low-margin markets, Wayagamack will be in a position to streamline costs and focus on producing papers for the North American markets, thereby ensuring a viable low-cost mill in the event sufficient value is not offered.