LONDON (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) July 16, 1999--Standard&Poor's today placed its long-term ratings on France Telecom S.A. on CreditWatch with negative implications, and affirmed its short-term ratings on France Telecom. Standard&Poor's also placed its ratings on NTL Communications Corp. (NTL), and on NTL group companies Diamond Cable Communications PLC, Comcast UK Cable Partners Ltd., and ComTel UK Finance B.V. and related entities on CreditWatch with developing implications. (See list below for all rating actions.) The CreditWatch placement on France Telecom follows the announcement that it has reached an agreement with U.K. cable operator NTL to make an initial equity investment of $1 billion in NTL. The purchase will include $250 million in common stock and $750
