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| | AK rival ups bid for National Steel |
 | | The battle for Mishawaka, Ind.-based National, one of the nation's largest producers of flat-rolled steel, comes to head Wednesday when National, which sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection a year ago, conducts an auction of its assets. |
 | | AK Steel, which would double its size if it acquired National, has offered to pay $1.13 billion including $925 million in cash and the $200 million assumption of liabilities. |
 | | U.S. Steel also has a tentative agreement with the United Steelworkers of America which represents about 6,500 of National's 8,200 employees, something AK Steel, designated lead bidder by National, has been unable to get. |
| www.enquirer.com /midday/04/04122003_News_7mday_aksteel.html (407 words) |
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