Abu Dhabi offers funds for bailout.

Abu Dhabi Offers Funds for Bailout

LONDON -- The Abu Dhabi shareholders of Bank of Credit and Commerce International are prepared to inject $4 billion to $5 billion into the bank if asked to do so by British authorities, according to a lawyer involved in attempts to reconstitute the bank.

Solicitor Sarosh Zaiwalla quoted the minister as having said that the shareholders would contribute to a rescue "if Prime Minister Major were to make a request."

Clive Russell of the accounting firm of Halpern & Woolf, which is acting with the law firm of Zaiwalla & Co. in an attempted reconstruction of BCCI, said the Abu Dhabi leaders "want a sign of friendship."

Middle East protocol requires an invitation by the U.K. government and the Bank of England before Abu Dhabi commits itself to an aid package, Mr. Zaiwalla said.

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