EXHIBIT 99.1


                      MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC. INTENDS TO
            RAISE APPROXIMATELY $65 MILLION THROUGH PRIVATE OFFERING


     NEW YORK,  May 8, 2003  -  Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERCS, Nasdaq
Europe:  MERC  GR,  TSX:  MRI.U) today announced its intention to make a private
offering of convertible notes or equity related securities subject to market and
other  conditions. Mercer expects to raise approximately $65 million through the
offering  and  intends to use the net proceeds to repay existing bridge debt and
for  general  corporate  purposes.  The  securities will be offered to qualified
institutional  buyers in reliance on Rule 144A and to certain buyers outside the
United  States  in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended  (the  "Securities  Act").

     The  securities to be offered have not been registered under the Securities
Act  or  any state securities laws, and unless so registered, may not be offered
or  sold  in  the  United  States  except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a
transaction  not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act
and  applicable  state  securities  laws.

     This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation
of  an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation
or sale in any jurisdiction in which such an offering would be unlawful prior to
registration  or  qualification  under  the  securities  laws  of  any  such
jurisdiction.  This  press release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance
with  Rule  135c  under  the  Securities  Act.

ABOUT  MERCER  INTERNATIONAL  INC.

     Mercer  International  Inc.  is  a  European  pulp  and paper manufacturing
company.

--------------------
Contact:

     Mercer  International  Inc.
     Jimmy  S.H.  Lee, (41) 43  344-7070
                     or
     FD  Morgen-Walke
     Eric  Boyriven/Paul  Johnson,
     212/850-5600


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