CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Annual Report of Covista Communications, Inc. on Form
10-K for the period ending January 31, 2004 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, A. John Leach, Jr.,
President and CEO of Covista Communications, Inc. certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, that;

     1)   The report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
          material aspects, the financial condition and result of operations of
          Covista Communications, Inc.


Date:     April 16, 2004           By: /s/ A. John Leach, Jr.
                                       ------------------------------
                                       A. John Leach, Jr.
                                      President and Chief Executive Officer