-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, DOiNoz4ovWVHylK210d+ommkNUWF+Mse7i93a5B8awgJd5CgEtPScVgIcil7CZLJ Hl9XkKCn1wnRxFBJJjr/tA== 0000896017-02-000001.txt : 20020422 0000896017-02-000001.hdr.sgml : 20020422 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000896017-02-000001 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: PREC14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20020422 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FRANCE GROWTH FUND INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000860743 IRS NUMBER: 133560020 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: PREC14A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-05994 FILM NUMBER: 02616419 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 499 WASHINGTON BLVD 14TH FLOOR STREET 2: C/O MITCHELL HUTCHINS ASSET MANAGEMENT CITY: JERSEY CITY STATE: NJ ZIP: 07310 BUSINESS PHONE: 2013184144 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 499 WASHINGTON BLVD 14TH FLOOR STREET 2: 37TH FL CITY: JERSEY CITY STATE: NJ ZIP: 07310 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: OPPORTUNITY PARTNERS L P CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000896017 IRS NUMBER: 113132092 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OH FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: PREC14A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 60 HERITAGE DRIVE CITY: PLESANTVILLE STATE: NY ZIP: 10570 BUSINESS PHONE: 9147475262 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 60 HERITAGE DRIVE CITY: PLEASANTVILLE STATE: NY ZIP: 10570 PREC14A 1 frfprelimproxy.txt SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Filed by Registrant [ ] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [X] Check the appropriate box: [X] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [ ] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or Sec. 240.14a-12 THE FRANCE GROWTH FUND, INC. - - ------------------------------------------------------------- - - (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) - - - - OPPORTUNITY-PARTNERS L.P. - - ------------------------------------------------------------- - - (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) - - Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): - - - - [X] No fee required. - - - - [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a- 6(i)(4)and 0-11. - - - - (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: _____________________________________________ - - (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: _____________________________________________ - - - - (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): - - ______________________________________________ - - - - (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: ______________________________________________ - - - - (5) Total fee paid: - - _____________________________________________ - - - - [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. - - - - [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. - - - - (1) Amount previously paid: - - _____________________________________________ - - - - (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: - - _____________________________________________ - - - - (3) Filing Party: - - ______________________________________________ - - - - (4) Date Filed: _______ _______________________________________ 60 Heritage Drive, Pleasantville, NY 10570 (914) 747-5262 // Fax (914) 747-5258 May --, 2002 Dear Fellow France Growth Fund Shareholder: Since the formation of the European Monetary Union, the rationale for the existence of a European single-country closed- end fund has been rapidly disappearing. The board of directors of the France Growth Fund has recognized this and is proposing major changes in its investment objective including broadening its focus from France to Europe and employing a multi-manager approach. However, they have not addressed the need for an exit at net asset value ("NAV") for those shareholders who would like one. I believe that it is especially important to offer such an exit before the Fund undergoes a radical transformation. That is why I intend to nominate three persons including myself for election as directors at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If we are elected as directors, our primary objective will be to persuade the other directors to afford all shareholders an opportunity to exit at NAV as soon as possible. If you have already returned the WHITE proxy card sent to you by the Board and you want to elect three directors who are committed to affording all shareholders an opportunity to realize NAV for their shares, you must return a GREEN proxy card. Remember, only the last valid proxy card you submit is counted and it supersedes any previous ones. Therefore, once you submit a GREEN proxy card, please do not sign and submit a later dated WHITE proxy card, as that will invalidate your vote. If you have any questions, please call me at (914) 747-5262 or e-mail me at OPLP@worldnet.att.net. Yours truly, Phillip Goldstein PROXY STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO THE SOLICITATION BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FRANCE GROWTH FUND INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS (To be held on May 30, 2002) My name is Phillip Goldstein. I have been a shareholder of The France Growth Fund Inc. (the "Fund") since -------- 199-. I am sending this proxy statement and the enclosed GREEN proxy card to holders of record on March 28, 2002 (the "Record Date") of the Fund. I am soliciting a proxy to vote your shares at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund (the "Meeting") and at any and all adjournments or postponements of the Meeting. Please refer to the Fund's proxy soliciting material for additional information concerning the Meeting and a full description of the matters to be considered by the shareholders at the Meeting. This proxy statement and the enclosed GREEN proxy card are first being sent to shareholders of the Fund on or about May --, 2002. INTRODUCTION There are six matters (or proposals) that the Fund has scheduled to be voted upon at the Meeting: 1. Changing the Fund's investment program by amending the Fund's fundamental investment objective, policies and restrictions. 2. Amending the Fund's Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the Fund to The European Multi-Strategy Investment Company. 3. Approving a new investment advisory agreement between the Fund and Credit Agricole Asset Management U.S. Advisory Services, the Fund's investment adviser (the "Adviser"), with an increase in the advisory fee payable to the Adviser. 4. Allowing the Adviser, subject to Board approval, to select, supervise and replace, if necessary, investment managers to directly manage a portion of the Fund's portfolio and to materially modify existing subadvisory agreements without obtaining stockholder approval of the new or amended subadvisory agreement. 5. Electing four directors in Class II to serve for a term expiring on the date of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2005. 6. A stockholder proposal recommending that the Board of Directors expedite the process to ensure Fund shares can trade at net asset value. 1. 2. 3. 4. With respect to these matters, I am soliciting a proxy to vote your shares FOR of the election of Gerald Hellerman, Adam Shapiro, Serge Demoliere and me as directors of the Fund. With respect to the other proposals, I am making no recommendation as to how your shares should be voted. How Proxies Will Be Voted All of the proposals scheduled by the Fund to be voted on at the Meeting are included on the enclosed GREEN proxy card. If you wish to vote FOR the election of my nominees to the Board, you may do so by completing and returning a GREEN proxy card. If you return a GREEN proxy card to me or to my agent, your shares will be voted on each matter as you indicate. Note that you may choose to give the proxies discretion to vote on certain matters with the object of securing an opportunity for all shareholders to realize NAV. If you do not indicate how your shares are to be voted on a matter, they will be voted FOR the election of the above persons to the Board and at the discretion of the proxies with respect to the other proposals. If you return a GREEN proxy card, you will be granting the persons named as proxies discretionary authority to vote on any other matters of which they are not now aware that may come before the Meeting. These may include, among other things, matters relating to the conduct of the Meeting. Voting Requirements If a quorum is not present at the Meeting, or if a quorum is present but sufficient votes to approve any of the proposals are not received, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies, consideration of matters of which I am not aware at this time, or negotiations with the incumbent directors. If an adjournment of the Meeting is proposed, the persons named as proxies on the GREEN proxy card will vote for or against such adjournment in their discretion. Please refer to the Fund's proxy statement for the voting requirements for each proposal. Revocation of Proxies You may revoke any proxy you give to management or to me prior to its exercise by (i) delivering a written revocation of your proxy to the Fund; (ii) executing and delivering a later dated proxy to me or to the Fund or to our respective agents; or (iii) voting in person at the Meeting. (Attendance at the Meeting will not in and of itself revoke a proxy.) There is no limit on the number of times you may revoke your proxy prior to the Meeting. Only the latest dated, properly signed proxy card will be counted. Information Concerning the Soliciting Shareholder The shareholder making this solicitation is Phillip Goldstein, 60 Heritage Drive, Pleasantville, NY 10570. I am an investment manager who presently manages investment portfolios having assets in excess of $65 million. Since December 1, 1992, I have been the president and 50% shareholder of a company that serves as the general partner of a private investment partnership. That partnership is a shareholder in the Fund. Since 1996, I have taken an active role in urging the management of certain registered closed-end investment companies to take various actions that I believe would benefit those companies and their shareholders. As of March 28, 2002, I owned jointly with my wife one share of Common Stock of the Fund. I am also deemed to be the beneficial owner of ------ shares of Common Stock held in brokerage accounts by my clients and me. Combined, these personal and client positions total ------ shares, representing approximately ---% of the Fund's outstanding Common Stock. Exhibit 1 to this proxy statement contains a summary of my purchases and sales of Common Stock within the past two years. REASON FOR THE SOLICITATION I believe that stockholders owning a significant percentage of the Fund's outstanding shares would like to be able to realize net asset value for their shares. I am conducting this contest in order to give all shareholders an opportunity to elect directors who will commit to that objective. CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS In deciding whether to give me your proxy, you should consider the following: If elected, my nominees will constitute a minority of the board and will not be able to deliver an exit at NAV without the support of other directors, which is not assured. Also, implementation of certain Board actions may require shareholder approval, and no assurance can be given that such approval will be obtained. In addition, various costs, which would be borne indirectly by shareholders, may be associated with certain actions, including but not limited to those associated with holding a special meeting of shareholders. I believe that such costs are far outweighed by the benefits to most shareholders of these actions. In addition, certain actions may have adverse tax consequences for some shareholders that cannot be quantified at this time. I believe that all shareholders of the Fund will benefit if any actions taken to reduce or eliminate the discount from NAV are successful. However, my clients who hold shares of the Fund pay me fees. These fees are based upon a share of the profits the client earns and will be greater if the value of the Fund's shares increases. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS At the Meeting, I will nominate the following persons except Mr. Demoliere (who is being nominated by the board of directors) for election as directors for a term expiring in 2003. Each nominee has consented to serve if elected and, except for Mr. Demoliere, to being named in this proxy statement. I have never met Mr. Demoliere but, since he is a representative of the Fund's largest shareholder, I believe he will respond favorably to a shareholder mandate. Name, Business Address, Age / Principal Business Occupation(s) Phillip Goldstein (Age 57) 60 Heritage Drive Pleasantville, NY 10570 Mr. Goldstein has managed investments for a limited number of clients and has served as the portfolio manager and president of the general partner of Opportunity Partners, a private investment partnership since 1992. He was a director of Clemente Strategic Value Fund from 1998 to 2000, the Dresdner RCM Strategic Global Income Fund from 2000 to 2002 and he has been a director of The Mexico Equity and Income Fund since 2000, the Italy Fund since 2000 and Brantley Capital since 2001. Adam Shapiro (Age 38) 326 West Lancaster Avenue, Suite 110 Ardmore, PA 19003 Mr. Shapiro is the founder and has served as the principal of Advantage Capital management, an investment management firm specializing in closed-end funds. Since 1995, he has managed investments for a limited number of clients. He has been the general partner of Advantage Partners, L.P. since 1995 and the investment advisor of Advantage International, Ltd. since 2000. Gerald Hellerman (Age 64) 10965 Eight Bells Lane Columbia, MD 21044 Managing Director of Hellerman Associates, a financial and corporate consulting firm; Trustee of Third Avenue Value Trust since 1993; Trustee of the Third Avenue Variable Series Trust since 1999; director of Clemente Strategic Value Fund from 1998 to 2000; director of The Mexico Equity and Income Fund since 2000 Serge Demoliere (43) Bankgesellschaft Berlin BG-EH Berlin, Germany 10178 Member, Board of Management since 2001; General Manager prior to 2001; Bankgesellschaft Berlin AG; Director of The France Growth Fund since 2001 As of March 30, 2002, Mr. Goldstein and Mr. Shapiro beneficially own ------- and ------ shares of the Fund respectively. Mr. Hellerman does not own any shares. Other than fees that may be payable by the Fund to its directors, none of my nominees has any arrangement or understanding with any person with respect to any future employment by the Fund or by any affiliate of the Fund. The persons named as proxies on the enclosed GREEN proxy card intend, in the absence of contrary instructions, to vote all proxies they are entitled to vote FOR the election of the above persons, each of whom have consented to stand for election and to serve if elected. If any nominee is unable to serve, an event not now anticipated, the proxies will be voted for such other person (who shall be disinterested), if any, as is designated by the persons named as proxies. THE OTHER PROPOSALS There are four other proposals that are being proposed by the Fund's management and one shareholder proposal. All of these matters are fully described in the Fund's proxy materials. I am not making any recommendations with respect to any of these proposals and in the absence of contrary instructions, the persons named as proxies on the GREEN proxy card will vote your shares at their discretion with the object of securing an opportunity for all shareholders to realize NAV. THE SOLICITATION I am making this solicitation personally. Banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries will be requested to forward this proxy statement and the enclosed GREEN proxy card to the beneficial owners of shares of Common Stock for whom they hold shares of record. I will reimburse these organizations for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Initially, I will personally bear all of the expenses related to this proxy solicitation. Because I believe that the shareholders will benefit from this solicitation, I intend to seek reimbursement of these expenses from the Fund. Shareholders will not be asked to vote on the reimbursement of my solicitation expenses which I estimate to be about $25,000. As of May --, 2002, I have incurred approximately $------- in expenses. If I am not reimbursed by the Fund, I may seek partial reimbursement from Mr. Shapiro or from one or more of my clients or from the general partner of the investment partnership that I manage. I am not and, within the past year, have not been a party to any contract, arrangement or understanding with any person with respect to any securities of the Fund. In addition, there is no arrangement or understanding involving either myself or any affiliate that relates to future employment by the Fund or any future transaction with the Fund. ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS I know of no business that will be presented for consideration at the Meeting other than that set forth in this proxy statement and in the Fund's proxy statement. If any other matters are properly presented for consideration at the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named as proxies in the enclosed GREEN proxy card to vote in accordance with their own best judgment on such matters. DATED: May --, 2002 EXHIBIT 1: SECURITIES OF THE FUND PURCHASED OR SOLD WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS BY THE SOLICITING SHAREHOLDER Except as disclosed in this proxy statement, I have not had any interest, direct or indirect in the Fund. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to purchases and sales of shares of Common Stock of the Fund within the past two years by me and by accounts holding shares as to which I am deemed to be the beneficial owner (the "Accounts"). Some of the shares are held in margin accounts, together with other securities. Therefore, a portion of the purchase price and market value of the shares may from time to time be represented by margin borrowings, depending upon the net debit balances, if any, of the margin accounts, which fluctuate daily. PROXY CARD PROXY SOLICITED IN OPPOSITION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FRANCE GROWTH FUND INC. BY PHILLIP GOLDSTEIN, A SHAREHOLDER ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 30,2002 The undersigned hereby appoints Adam Shapiro, Steven Samuels, Rajeev Das and Phillip Goldstein, and each of them, as the undersigned's proxies, with full power of substitution, to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The France Growth Fund Inc. (the "Fund") to be held on May 30, 2002 and any adjournment or postponement thereof, and to vote on all matters that may come before the Meeting and any such adjournment or postponement the number of shares that the undersigned would be entitled to vote, with all the power the undersigned would possess if present in person, as specified below. The proxies may vote in their discretion with respect to such other matter or matters as may come before the Meeting and with respect to all matters incident to the conduct of the Meeting. (INSTRUCTIONS:Mark votes by placing an "x" in the appropriate []) 1. Change the Fund's investment program by amending the Fund's fundamental investment objective, policies and restrictions. FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]GIVE DISCRETION [ ] 2. Amend the Fund's Articles of Incorporation to change the name of the Fund to The European Multi-Strategy Investment Company. FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]GIVE DISCRETION [ ] 3. Approve a new investment advisory agreement between the Fund and Credit Agricole Asset Management U.S. Advisory Services, the Fund's investment adviser (the "Adviser"), with an increase in the advisory fee payable to the Adviser. FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]GIVE DISCRETION [ ] 4. Allow the Adviser, subject to Board approval, to select, supervise and replace, if necessary, investment managers to directly manage a portion of the Fund's portfolio and to materially modify existing subadvisory agreements without obtaining stockholder approval of the new or amended subadvisory agreement. FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]GIVE DISCRETION [ ] 5. ELECTION OF FOUR CLASS II DIRECTORS. FOR all of the nominees listed below [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY [ ] (except as indicated to the contrary below) to vote for all of the nominees listed below PHILLIP GOLDSTEIN, ADAM SHAPIRO, GERALD HELLERMAN, SERGE DEMOLIERE To withhold authority to vote for one or more nominees, enter the name(s) of the nominee(s) below. ____________________________________________________________ 6. A stockholder proposal recommending that the Board of Directors expedite the process to ensure Fund shares can trade at net asset value. FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]GIVE DISCRETION [ ] Important - - Please sign and date below. Your shares will be voted as directed. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted for the election of the nominees named above in Proposal 5 and will be voted at the discretion of the proxies on all other proposals with the objective of securing an opportunity for all shareholders to realize NAV. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the proxy statement dated May --, 2002 of Phillip Goldstein and revokes any proxy previously executed. (Important - - Please be sure to enter date.) Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by the President or other duly authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. Please return promptly in the enclosed envelope. SIGNATURE(S)________________________ Dated: _______________ -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----