LONDON (Standard&Poor's) Aug. 1, 2003--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today it kept its 'A-' long-term ratings on U.K.-based international tobacco company British American Tobacco PLC (BAT) and related entities on CreditWatch with negative implications, following a guaranteed subsidiary's bond issue. At the same time, Standard&Poor's assigned its 'A-' senior unsecured debt rating to British American Tobacco Holdings (The Netherlands) B.V.'s €300 million ($335 million) senior unsecured notes due 2005, based on preliminary documentation. The 'A-' senior unsecured debt rating on the notes is also on CreditWatch with negative implications. The ratings on BAT and related entities were placed on CreditWatch on July 17, 2003, following the announcement that the group is to acquire Ente Tabacchi
