EXHIBIT 16.1

                               LETTER OF KPMG LLP

May 15, 2001



Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549



Ladies and Gentlemen:



We were previously principal accountants for UCAR International Inc. and, under
the date of February 15, 2001 we reported on the consolidated financial
statements of UCAR International Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the years
ended December 31, 2000 and 1999. On May 8, 2001, our appointment as principal
accountants was terminated. We have read UCAR International Inc.'s statements
included under Item 4 of its Form 8-K dated May 15, 2001, and we agree with such
statements, except that we are not in a position to agree or disagree with the
following:

     o    UCAR International Inc.'s statements that Deloitte & Touche LLP has
          been appointed as independent public accountants, the appointment was
          recommended by the Audit and Finance Committee and the appointment was
          approved by the Board of Directors after the completion of a proposal
          process; and

     o    UCAR International Inc.'s statement that Deloitte & Touche LLP was not
          consulted regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a
          specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of
          audit opinion that might be rendered on UCAR International Inc.'s
          consolidated financial statements, or (ii) any matter that was the
          subject of a disagreement (as described in Paragraph 304(a)(1)(iv) of
          Regulation S-K). Also, we are not aware of the existence of a
          condition required to be reported under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of
          Regulation S-K, therefore we take no position with respect to the
          statement made by UCAR International Inc. with respect to reportable
          events.


Very truly yours,



/s/ KPMG LLP