BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT CRIGGER MAKES A STATEMENT ON BAD TIRES, 2000-08-09 (photo)

Executive vice-president Gary Crigger of Bridgestone/Firestone reads a statement on the voluntary tire recall of his company's bad tires in Washington August 9, 2000. Bridgestone Corp. said on Wednesday it would recall millions of tires fitted to sport utility vehicles and light trucks as U.S. regulators probe dozens of fatal crashes that may be linked to the tires. At a news conference, the Japanese company's Firestone division said it would recall all ATX, ATX II of a particular size and the Wilderness brand of the same size made at its Decatur, Illinois plant. BM/JP