EXHIBIT 99.1



FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE
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                   MERCER ANNOUNCES REPLACEMENT OF RIGHTS PLAN

NEW  YORK,  New  York,  December  23,  2003  -  Mercer  International  Inc. (the
"Company")  (Nasdaq:  MERCS,  TSX:MRI.U)  announces  that  it  has  adopted  a
shareholder  protection rights plan to replace its current plan which expires on
December 31, 2003.  The new rights plan is on substantially similar terms as the
Company's prior rights plan and will be effective until the close of business on
December  31,  2005,  unless  otherwise  terminated.

Under  the  rights  plan,  the  Company  will  issue one right for each share of
beneficial  interest  of  the Company outstanding as of the close of business on
December  31,  2003  and  one right for each share of beneficial interest issued
after  December  31,  2003.  Each  right  entitles  a  shareholder to purchase a
fraction  of a Series A Junior Participating Preferred Share of the Company with
economic terms similar to that of the Company's shares of beneficial interest at
an  initial exercise price of $75 subject to certain adjustments as set forth in
the  plan.  The  rights  will  become  exercisable  only  upon the occurrence of
certain  events.  Further  details  of  the  plan are outlined in a letter to be
delivered  to  shareholders  of  the  Company  as  of  December  31,  2003.

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Contact:

         Jimmy S.H. Lee/David M. Gandossi
         (41) 43  344-7070
                or
         Financial  Dynamics
         Investors:  Eric Boyriven/Paul Johnson
        (212) 850-5600

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