Page 1 of 17

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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13G

                    UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                           (Amendment No.        ) *
                                          ------

                            BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                           AMERICAN DEPOSITORY RECEIPT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    110448107
               ---------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                December 31, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the  appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule
is filed:

     [X] Rule 13d-1 (b)

     [ ] Rule 13d-1(c)

     [ ] Rule 13d-1(d)

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting  person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any  subsequent  amendment  containing  information  which  would  alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise  subject to the liabilities of that section of the ACT
but  shall be  subject  to all other  provisions  of the Act  (however,  see the
Notes).



                                                                    Page 2 of 17

SEC 1745 (3-98)

CUSIP No. 110448107

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Names of Reporting Persons.          Brandes Investment Partners, L.P.
          I.R.S. Identification Nos. of
          above persons (entities only).       33-0704072
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2.   Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
          (a) [ ]
          (b) [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     3.   SEC Use Only

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     4.   Citizenship or Place of Organization             California

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    5.   Sole Voting Power
Number of           ------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Bene-        6.   Shared Voting Power
ficially owned           22,500,706 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
by Each             ------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting           7.   Sole Dispositive Power
Person With:        ------------------------------------------------------------
                    8.   Shared Dispositive Power
                         36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9.   Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
          36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD

     10.  Check if the Aggregate  Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See
          Instructions)                                                      [ ]

     11.  Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
          6.9%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12.  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
          IA, PN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                    Page 3 of 17

CUSIP No. 110448107

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Names of Reporting Persons.          Brandes Investment Partners, Inc.
          I.R.S. Identification Nos. of
          above persons (entities only).       33-0090873
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2.   Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
          (a) [ ]
          (b) [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     3.   SEC Use Only

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     4.   Citizenship or Place of Organization             California

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    5.   Sole Voting Power
Number of           ------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Bene-        6.   Shared Voting Power
ficially owned           22,500,706 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
by Each             ------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting           7.   Sole Dispositive Power
Person With:        ------------------------------------------------------------
                    8.   Shared Dispositive Power
                         36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9.   Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

          36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD shares are deemed to be beneficially
          owned by Brandes Investment Partners, Inc., as a control person of the
          investment adviser.  Brandes Investment  Partners,  Inc. disclaims any
          direct  ownership of the shares  reported in this Schedule 13G, except
          for an  amount  that is  substantially  less  than one per cent of the
          number of shares reported herein.

     10.  Check if the Aggregate  Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See
          Instructions)                                                      [ ]

     11.  Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
          6.9%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12.  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
          CO, OO (Control Person)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                    Page 4 of 17

CUSIP No. 110448107

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Names of Reporting Persons.          Brandes Holdings, L.P,
          I.R.S. Identification Nos. of
          above persons (entities only).       33-0836630
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2.   Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
          (a) [ ]
          (b) [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     3.   SEC Use Only

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     4.   Citizenship or Place of Organization             California

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    5.   Sole Voting Power
Number of           ------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Bene-        6.   Shared Voting Power
ficially owned           22,500,706 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
by Each             ------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting           7.   Sole Dispositive Power
Person With:        ------------------------------------------------------------
                    8.   Shared Dispositive Power
                         36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9.   Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

          36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD shares are deemed to be beneficially
          owned by Brandes Holdings, L.P., as a control person of the investment
          adviser.  Brandes Holdings, L.P. disclaims any direct ownership of the
          shares reported in this Schedule 13G.

     10.  Check if the Aggregate  Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See
          Instructions)                                                      [ ]

     11.  Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
          6.9%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12.  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
          PN, OO (Control Person)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                    Page 5 of 17

CUSIP No. 110448107

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Names of Reporting Persons.          Charles H. Brandes
          I.R.S. Identification Nos. of
          above persons (entities only).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2.   Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
          (a) [ ]
          (b) [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     3.   SEC Use Only

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     4.   Citizenship or Place of Organization             USA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    5.   Sole Voting Power
Number of           ------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Bene-        6.   Shared Voting Power
ficially owned           22,500,706 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
by Each             ------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting           7.   Sole Dispositive Power
Person With:        ------------------------------------------------------------
                    8.   Shared Dispositive Power
                         36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9.   Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

          36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD shares are deemed to be beneficially
          owned by  Charles  H.  Brandes,  a control  person  of the  investment
          adviser.  Mr.  Brandes  disclaims  any direct  ownership of the shares
          reported  in  this  Schedule  13G,   except  for  an  amount  that  is
          substantially  less than one per cent of the number of shares reported
          herein.

     10.  Check if the Aggregate  Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See
          Instructions)                                                      [ ]

     11.  Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
          6.9%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12.  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
          IN, OO (Control Person)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                    Page 6 of 17

CUSIP No. 110448107

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Names of Reporting Persons.          Glenn R. Carlson
          I.R.S. Identification Nos. of
          above persons (entities only).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2.   Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
          (a) [ ]
          (b) [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     3.   SEC Use Only

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     4.   Citizenship or Place of Organization             USA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    5.   Sole Voting Power
Number of           ------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Bene-        6.   Shared Voting Power
ficially owned           22,500,706 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
by Each             ------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting           7.   Sole Dispositive Power
Person With:        ------------------------------------------------------------
                    8.   Shared Dispositive Power
                         36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9.   Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

          36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD shares are deemed to be beneficially
          owned by Glenn R. Carlson, a control person of the investment adviser.
          Mr. Carlson  disclaims any direct  ownership of the shares reported in
          this Schedule  13G,  except for an amount that is  substantially  less
          than one per cent of the number of shares reported herein.

     10.  Check if the Aggregate  Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See
          Instructions)                                                      [ ]

     11.  Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
          6.9%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12.  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
          IN, OO (Control Person)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                    Page 7 of 17

CUSIP No. 110448107

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     1.   Names of Reporting Persons.          Jeffrey A. Busby
          I.R.S. Identification Nos. of
          above persons (entities only).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2.   Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
          (a) [ ]
          (b) [ ]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     3.   SEC Use Only

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     4.   Citizenship or Place of Organization             USA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    5.   Sole Voting Power
Number of           ------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Bene-        6.   Shared Voting Power
ficially owned           22,500,706 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
by Each             ------------------------------------------------------------
Reporting           7.   Sole Dispositive Power
Person With:        ------------------------------------------------------------
                    8.   Shared Dispositive Power
                         36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9.   Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

          36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD shares are deemed to be beneficially
          owned by Jeffrey A. Busby, a control person of the investment adviser.
          Mr. Busby  disclaims  any direct  ownership of the shares  reported in
          this Schedule  13G,  except for an amount that is  substantially  less
          than one per cent of the number of shares reported herein.

     10.  Check if the Aggregate  Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See
          Instructions)                                                      [ ]

     11.  Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
          6.9%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12.  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
          IN, OO (Control Person)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                    Page 8 of 17

Item 1(a)      Name of Issuer:

               British American Tobacco

Item 1(b)      Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:

               Globe House, 4 Temple Place, London, WC2R 2PG, United Kingdom

Item 2(a)      Name of Person Filing:

               (i)  Brandes Investment Partners, L.P.

               (ii) Brandes Investment Partners, Inc.

               (iii) Brandes Holdings, L.P.

               (iv) Charles H. Brandes

               (v)  Glenn R. Carlson

               (vi) Jeffrey A. Busby

Item 2(b)      Address of Principal Business office or, if None, Residence:

               (i)  11988 El Camino Real, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92130

               (ii) 11988 El Camino Real, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92130

               (iii) 11988 El Camino Real, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92130

               (iv) 11988 El Camino Real, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92130

               (v)  11988 El Camino Real, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92130

               (vi) 11988 El Camino Real, Suite 500, San Diego, CA 92130

Item 2(c)      Citizenship

               (i)  California

               (ii) California

               (iii) California

               (iv) USA

               (v)  USA

               (vi) USA



                                                                    Page 9 of 17

Item 2(d)      Title of Class Securities:

               American Depository Receipt

Item 2(e)      CUSIP Number:

               110448107

Item  3.       If this  statement is filed pursuant to ss.ss.  240.13d-1(b),  or
               240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

               (a)  | | Broker or dealer  registered under section 15 of the Act
                        (15 U.S.C. 78o).

               (b)  | | Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C.
                        78c).

               (c)  | | Insurance  company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the
                        Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).

               (d)  | | Investment  company  registered  under  section 8 of the
                        Investment Company Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-8).

               (e)  | | An investment adviser in accordance  withss.240.13d-1(b)
                        (1)(ii)(E).

               (f)  | | An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance
                        withss.240.13d-1(b)(ii)(F).

               (g)  | | A parent holding company or control person in accordance
                        withss.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).

               (h)  | | A savings  association as defined in Section 3(b) of the
                        Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).

               (i)  | | A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an
                        investment   company   under  section  3(c)(14)  of  the
                        Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3).

               (j)  |X| Group in accordance withss.240.13d-1(b)(ii)(J).

               This statement is filed by Brandes Investment Partners,  L.P., an
               investment adviser  registered under the Investment  Advisers Act
               of 1940, its control persons and its holding company. (See, also,
               Exhibit A.)

Item 4.        Ownership:

               Common Stock:

               (a)  Amount Beneficially Owned: 36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
                                               ---------------------------------

               (b)  Percent of Class: 6.9%
                                     -----

               (c)  Number of shares as to which the joint filers have:

                    (i)  sole power to vote or to direct the vote:     0
                                                                  -----------

                    (ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
                         22,500,706 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
                         ---------------------------------

                    (iii)sole power to dispose or to direct the  disposition of:
                              0
                         -----------

                    (iv) shared power to dispose of or to direct the disposition
                         of: 36,628,162 ADR and 77,333,476 ORD
                             ---------------------------------



                                                                   Page 10 of 17

Item 5.        Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

               If this  statement  is being  filed to report the fact that as of
               the  date  hereof  the  reporting  person  has  ceased  to be the
               beneficial   owner  of  more  than  five  percent  of  the  class
               securities, check the following | |. N/A

Item 6.        Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
               N/A

Item 7.        Identification   and   Classification  of  the  Subsidiary  Which
               Acquired the  Security  Being  Reported on By the Parent  Holding
               Company.
               N/A

Item 8.        Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
               SEE EXHIBIT A

Item 9.        Notice of Dissolution of Group.
               N/A

Item 10.       Certification:

               (a)  The  following   certification  shall  be  included  if  the
                    statement is filed pursuant toss. 240.13d-1(b):

                    By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge
                    and belief,  the securities  referred to above were acquired
                    and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not
                    acquired  and are not  held for the  purpose  of or with the
                    effect of changing or influencing  the control of the issuer
                    of the  securities and were not acquired and are not held in
                    connection  with  or as a  participant  in  any  transaction
                    having that purpose or effect.

                                   SIGNATURE

Date: February 9, 2001
                                   BRANDES INVESTMENT PARTNERS, L.P.


                                   By:/s/ Adelaide Pund
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Adelaide Pund as Attorney-In-Fact for
                                      Charles H. Brandes, President and Chairman
                                      of Brandes Investment Partners, Inc., its
                                      General Partner



                                                                   Page 11 of 17

                                   BRANDES INVESTMENT PARTNERS, INC.


                                   By:/s/ Adelaide Pund
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Adelaide Pund as Attorney-In-Fact for
                                      Charles H. Brandes, President and Chairman

                                   BRANDES HOLDINGS, L.P.


                                   By:/s/ Adelaide Pund
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Adelaide Pund as Attorney-In-Fact for
                                      Charles H. Brandes, President and Chairman
                                      of Brandes Investment Partners, Inc., its
                                      General Partner


                                   By:/s/ Adelaide Pund
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Adelaide Pund as Attorney-In-Fact for
                                      Charles H. Brandes, Control Person


                                   By:/s/ Adelaide Pund
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Adelaide Pund as Attorney-In-Fact for
                                      Glenn R. Carlson, Control Person


                                   By:/s/ Adelaide Pund
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Adelaide Pund as Attorney-In-Fact for
                                      Jeffrey A. Busby, Control Person



                                                                   Page 12 of 17

EXHIBIT A
        -

            IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP
            ---------------------------------------------------------

Pursuant to Rule  13d-1(b)(ii)(J)  and Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the Securities and
Exchange  Act of 1934,  the members of the group  making  this joint  filing are
identified and classified as follows:

             NAME                                 CLASSIFICATION
             ----                                 --------------

Brandes Investment Partners, L.P.     Investment adviser registered under
(the "Investment Adviser")            Investment Advisers Act of 1940

Brandes Investment Partners, Inc.     A control person of the Investment Adviser

Brandes Holdings, L.P.                A control person of the Investment Adviser

Charles H. Brandes                    A control person of the Investment Adviser

Glenn R. Carlson                      A control person of the Investment Adviser

Jeffrey A. Busby                      A control person of the Investment Adviser



                                                                   Page 13 of 17

EXHIBIT B
        -

                  JOINT FILING AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1
                  ---------------------------------------------

This  agreement is made pursuant to Rule  13d-1(b)(ii)(J)  and Rule  13d-1(k)(1)
under the  Securities  and  Exchange  Act of 1934  (the  "Act") by and among the
parties  listed  below,  each  referred to herein as a "Joint  Filer." The Joint
Filers  agree that a statement of  beneficial  ownership as required by Sections
13(g) or 13(d) of the Act and the Rules thereunder may be filed on each of their
behalf on Schedule  13G or Schedule  13D,  as  appropriate,  and that said joint
filing may  thereafter  be amended by further  joint  filings.  The Joint Filers
state that they each  satisfy the  requirements  for making a joint filing under
Rule 13d-1.

Dated:  January 31, 2000
                                   BRANDES INVESTMENT PARTNERS, L.P.


                                   By:/s/ Charles H. Brandes
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Charles H. Brandes, President and
                                      Chairman of Brandes Investment Partners,
                                      Inc., its General Partner


                                   BRANDES INVESTMENT PARTNERS, INC.


                                   By:/s/ Charles H. Brandes
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Charles H. Brandes, President and Chairman


                                   BRANDES HOLDINGS, L.P.


                                   By:/s/ Charles H. Brandes
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Charles H. Brandes, President and Chairman
                                      of Brandes Investment Partners, Inc., its
                                      General Partner


                                   By:/s/ Charles H. Brandes
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Charles H. Brandes, Control Person


                                   By:/s/ Glenn R. Carlson
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Glenn R. Carlson, Control Person


                                   By:/s/ Jeffrey A. Busby
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Jeffrey A. Busby, Control Person



                                                                   Page 14 of 17

EXHIBIT C
        -

                       DISCLAIMER OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Brandes Investment Partners,  Inc., Brandes Holdings,  L.P., Charles H. Brandes,
Glenn R. Carlson and Jeffrey A. Busby,  disclaim  beneficial  interest as to the
shares referenced above,  except for an amount equal to substantially  less than
one percent of the shares  reported on this Schedule 13G. None of these entities
or individuals holds the above-referenced  shares for its/his own account except
on a de minimis basis.



                                                                   Page 15 of 17

EXHIBIT D
        -

                           POWER OF ATTORNEY FORMS FOR
                           SCHEDULES 13G AND FORMS 13F

I, Charles  Brandes,  as director and chairman of Brandes  Investment  Partners,
Inc.,  which is the sole General  Partner of Brandes  Holdings,  L.P.,  and as a
Managing Partner of Brandes Investment Partners,  L.P., hereby appoint Gerald W.
Wheeler and Adelaide Pund as attorneys-in-fact and agents, in all capacities, to
execute,  on my behalf  and on  behalf of  Brandes  Investment  Partners,  Inc.,
Brandes Investment Partners,  L.P., and Brandes Holdings, L.P., to file with the
appropriate issuers, exchanges and regulatory authorities, any and all Schedules
13G and Forms 13F and documents  relating thereto required to be filed under the
Securities  and  Exchange  Act of  1934,  including  exhibits,  attachments  and
amendments  thereto  and  request  for  confidential  treatment  of  information
contained therein. I hereby grant to said attorneys-in-fact full authority to do
every act necessary to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully,  to all
intents and purposes,  as I could if personally  present,  thereby ratifying all
that said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents may  lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

I hereby execute this Power of Attorney as of this 31 day of January, 2000.

                                   /s/ Charles H. Brandes
                                   -----------------------------------------
                                       Charles H. Brandes



                                                                   Page 16 of 17

EXHIBIT D
        -

                           POWER OF ATTORNEY FORMS FOR
                                  SCHEDULES 13G

I, Glenn R.  Carlson,  hereby  appoint  Gerald W. Wheeler and  Adelaide  Pund as
attorneys-in-fact  and agents, in all capacities,  to execute, on my behalf, and
to file with the appropriate issuers, exchanges and regulatory authorities,  any
and all Schedules 13G and documents  relating thereto required to be filed under
the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,  including  exhibits,  attachments  and
amendments  thereto  and  request  for  confidential  treatment  of  information
contained   therein  in  connection  with  my  being  a  "control   person"  (as
contemplated for purposes of Schedule 13G) of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P.,
its subsidiaries and affiliates.  I hereby grant to said  attorneys-in-fact full
authority to do every act necessary to be done in order to  effectuate  the same
as fully, to all intents and purposes, as I could if personally present, thereby
ratifying all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.

I hereby execute this Power of Attorney as of this 31 day of January, 2000.

                                   /s/ Glenn R. Carlson
                                   -----------------------------------------
                                       Glenn R. Carlson



                                                                   Page 17 of 17

EXHIBIT D
        -

                           POWER OF ATTORNEY FORMS FOR
                                  SCHEDULES 13G

I,  Jeffrey A. Busby  hereby  appoint  Gerald W.  Wheeler and  Adelaide  Pund as
attorneys-in-fact  and agents, in all capacities,  to execute, on my behalf, and
to file with the appropriate issuers, exchanges and regulatory authorities,  any
and all Schedules 13G and documents  relating thereto required to be filed under
the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,  including  exhibits,  attachments  and
amendments  thereto  and  request  for  confidential  treatment  of  information
contained   therein  in  connection  with  my  being  a  "control   person"  (as
contemplated for purposes of Schedule 13G) of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P.,
its subsidiaries and affiliates.  I hereby grant to said  attorneys-in-fact full
authority to do every act necessary to be done in order to  effectuate  the same
as fully, to all intents and purposes, as I could if personally present, thereby
ratifying all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.

I hereby execute this Power of Attorney as of this 31 day of January, 2000.

                                   /s/ Jeffrey A. Busby
                                   -----------------------------------------
                                       Jeffrey A. Busby