Exhibit 99.1

                  ISG RECEIVES EARLY TERMINATION UNDER HSR ACT

     RICHFIELD, Ohio, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- International Steel
Group Inc. (NYSE: ISG) announced today that it has received early termination of
the waiting period under Hart-Scott-Rodino Act for the previously announced
merger of ISG and Ispat International N.V. Ispat International N.V. (NYSE: IST;
Euronext Amsterdam) announced on December 17 that it had completed its
acquisition of LNM Holdings N.V. and changed its name to Mittal Steel Company
N.V. Mittal Steel (NYSE: MT; Euronext Amsterdam) will trade on the New York
Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam under the ticker symbol "MT," from Monday
20th December and Friday 17th December respectively.

     The merger of ISG and Mittal Steel is subject to approval by the
shareholders of ISG and Mittal Steel and satisfaction of other customary closing
conditions. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the first
quarter of 2005.

     About International Steel Group

     International Steel Group Inc. is one of the largest integrated steel
producers in North America and among the top ten globally. It produces a variety
of steel products including hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated sheets, tin mill
products, carbon and alloy plates, wire rod and rail products and semi-finished
shapes to serve the automotive, construction, pipe and tube, appliance,
container and machinery sectors. For additional information on ISG, visit
http://www.intlsteel.com .

     Safe Harbor Statement

     This news release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning the
completion of the merger of ISG with Mittal Steel and the timing thereof. These
statements are based on our respective management's current expectations. There
are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially. For more detailed information on the risks and uncertainties
associated with the transaction and Mittal Steel's and ISG's business
activities, see their respective reports filed with the SEC. The companies
undertake no obligation to publicly update their forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.



     Additional Information and Where to Find It

     Ispat International has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a
registration statement on Form F-4 that includes a proxy statement of ISG and a
prospectus of Ispat International and other relevant documents in connection
with the proposed transaction. When it becomes final, this proxy
statement/prospectus will be mailed to ISG shareholders. In addition, Ispat
International will publish and make available to shareholders of Ispat
International, and file with Euronext Amsterdam N.V., a prospectus. Investors
and security holders are urged to carefully read the prospectus regarding the
acquisition when it becomes available because it will contain important
information and to exclusively base their investment decision on this prospectus
once available. Investors and security holders of Ispat International and ISG
are urged to read the proxy statement and prospectuses and other relevant
materials when they become available because they will contain important
information about Mittal Steel Company and ISG and the proposed transaction.
Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of these materials (when
they are available) and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov . Ispat International and
ISG and their respective executive officers and directors may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from the ISG stockholders with
respect to the proposed transaction. Information regarding the interests of
these officers and directors in the proposed transaction will be included in the
proxy statement and prospectuses.

     All investment is subject to risk. The value of securities offered may go
down as well as up. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns.
Potential investors are advised to seek expert financial advice before making
any investment decision.

     This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of
an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or
sale in any jurisdiction in which such offering would be unlawful.

SOURCE  International Steel Group Inc.
     -0-                             12/20/2004
     /CONTACT:  Investor Relations, Blaise Derrico, Manager, Investor
Relations, +1-330-659-7430, or Media, Charles T. Glazer, Manager,
Communications and Public Relations, +1-330-659-9121, both of International
Steel Group Inc./
     /Web site:  http://www.intlsteel.com /