As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2001
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
---------------------
Schedule TO-I
Tender Offer Statement under Section 14(d)(1) or 13(e)(4)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
The Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.
(Name of Subject Company (issuer))
The Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.
(Names of Filing Persons (offerer and issuer))
Common Stock, Par Value $0.001 Per Share
(Title of Class of Securities)
51827T100
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
Hal Liebes, Esq.
Senior Vice President
The Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.
One Citicorp Center
153 East 53rd Street
New York, New York 10022
(212) 326-5454
(Name, address, and telephone number of person authorized
to receive notices and communications on behalf of filing persons)
With a copy to:
Daniel Schloendorn, Esq.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019-6099
(212) 728-8000
[X] Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications
made before the commencement of a tender offer.
Check the appropriate boxes below to designate any transactions to which
the statement relates:
[ ] third-party tender offer subject to Rule 14d-1.
[X] issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4.
[ ] going-private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3.
[ ] amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2.
Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the
results of the tender offer: [ ]
================================================================================
-2-
The Emerging Markets Telecommunications Fund, Inc. (NYSE: ETF)
The Latin America Equity Fund, Inc. (NYSE: LAQ)
October 10, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- ---------------------
Contact: Investor Relations
Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC
1-800-293-1232
NYSE-Listed Closed-End Equity Funds Managed by Credit Suisse Asset
Management Announce Tender Offers
New York, October 10, 2001 -- The Boards of Directors of The Emerging
Markets Telecommunications Fund, Inc. (NYSE: ETF) and The Latin America Equity
Fund, Inc. (NYSE: LAQ) announced today the unanimous approval of tender offers
to acquire up to fifteen percent (15%) of the outstanding shares of common stock
of each such fund at a per share cash purchase price equal to ninety-five
percent (95%) of net asset value as of the expiration date of the tender offer
period. In the event that shares tendered exceed 15% of the shares outstanding,
the amount of shares tendered will be pro-rated in accordance with the number of
shares tendered by each shareholder. The tender offers will be accretive to the
net asset value of each fund.
The tender offers are expected to commence on or about October 22, 2001 and
to expire on or about November 19, 2001, unless extended.
The tender offers by ETF and LAQ are being made in furtherance of the
self-tender programs announced June 2000 by the funds, whereby: (i) each fund
will make a tender offer to acquire up to 15% or more of its outstanding shares
during each calendar year of its program; and (ii) the per share purchase price
will be at least 95% of the fund's net asset value per share.
In implementing the program, the Directors considered the extent to which
they should reserve flexibility with respect to the timing and the terms of
specific tenders, subject to adherence to the overall quantity and price terms
described above. As previously announced, the Board of Directors of each fund
intends to continue its self-tender program indefinitely, subject to changes in
economic or market conditions or other factors. For example, a sustained
reduction in the market discounts at which a fund's shares are trading, a risk
of material adverse tax consequences, or a risk of a fund becoming subject to
de-listing may lead a Board to conclude in the future that it is appropriate to
suspend its self-tender program. In addition, the self-tender programs are
likely to reduce the funds' asset levels over time. Absent substantial
appreciation in a fund's portfolio or opportunities to raise additional funds,
this could lead to higher expense ratios, the absence of reasonable
diversification or investment opportunities or other factors that adversely
affect the fund and possibly the continued viability of the fund as a closed-end
fund. The Boards will reevaluate the programs from time to time in light of
their effect on the respective funds.
Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC ("CSAM"), the institutional asset
management and mutual fund arm of Credit Suisse Group, is a diversified asset
manager, handling equity, fixed income, international and derivative based
accounts through its offices in 14 countries.
This announcement is not an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an
offer to sell shares of either fund. The tender offers will be made only by the
Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal. Shareholders should
read these documents carefully when they are available to investors for free
both at the Web site of the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov) and
of each participating fund (www.cefsource.com). Neither the offer to purchase
shares will be made to, nor will tenders pursuant to the Offer to Purchase be
accepted from or on behalf of, holders of shares in any jurisdiction in which
making or accepting the offer to purchase would violate that jurisdiction's
laws.
-2-