London, 6 March - Reuters today announced its intention to introduce Plan 2000, a new all Employee Share Option Plan to motivate employees worldwide through and into the new millennium.

Reuters faces a number of opportunities and challenges over the next few years. Two of these, European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the issues arising out of the millennium date, are currently in focus. Reuters ability to handle these relies on the skill and dedication of its staff.

Plan 2000 is proposed as a single award of options. Under the proposed plan all eligible staff worldwide will be invited to apply for an option to acquire 2,000 shares at a price equal to the average of the mid-market value of the shares on the three dealing days immediately preceding the invitation date. These invitations will be made within six weeks of the announcement of Reuters interim results in July 1998.

Options will normally only become exercisable on the third anniversary of the date of grant, by option holders who have been employed throughout the three-year period.

It is estimated that about 16,000 employees will be able to participate.

The proposal will be put to shareholders of Reuters Group PLC at an extraordinary general meeting to be held on Tuesday 21 April 1998.

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