Hughes’ Position on Merger Clarified

I read with interest your article regarding the Hughes-EchoStar merger, and the speculation of a management-led buyout of DirecTV if federal regulators fail to approve the merger.

The focus of the management team of Hughes and its operating businesses is to successfully complete the merger with EchoStar and to operate our company as efficiently and competitively as we can.

DirecTV President Roxanne Austin has denied statements in your article, attributed to “sources,” that she has indicated to her top leadership team that a DirecTV management buyout is a possibility if the merger is not approved.

Finally, I should point out that the future of Hughes and its subsidiaries, including DirecTV, is a matter that always will be determined by the leaders of General Motors and Hughes. Any implication in the press that the leaders of any Hughes operating company are working on plans for an independent future are just plain false.

Jack A. Shaw

President and CEO

Hughes Electronics Corp.

El Segundo