EX-99 4 ex2-13da2.txt 2 Exhibit 2 [LETTERHEAD OF LEUCADIA NATIONAL CORPORATION] May 15, 2003 The Board of Directors WilTel Communications Group, Inc. One Technology Center Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103 Gentlemen: As you know, Leucadia National Corporation ("Leucadia") currently beneficially owns approximately 47% of the outstanding shares of common stock of WilTel Communications Group, Inc. ("WilTel"), which is just under the 49% authorized under the Stockholders Agreement between Leucadia and WilTel (the "Stockholders Agreement") and WilTel's Articles of Incorporation. At the time the Stockholders Agreement was negotiated last year, it was agreed that Leucadia could make a "Permitted Investor Tender Offer" (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) and that such a transaction would not be initiated prior to October 15, 2004 unless it was approved by a majority of the "Independent Company Directors" (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) or by the holders of a majority of the WilTel shares not owned by Leucadia. Since that time, it has become clear to Leucadia that it would be in the best interests of both Leucadia and the WilTel stockholders unaffiliated with Leucadia to provide an opportunity for WilTel stockholders to receive Leucadia shares in exchange for their shares of WilTel common stock. Accordingly, Leucadia hereby intends to commence a registered exchange offer in which stockholders of WilTel would receive 0.3565 common shares of Leucadia in exchange for each share of WilTel common stock (representing a 30% premium to WilTel's stock price based on the closing price of the common stock of Leucadia ($38.65 per share) and WilTel ($10.60 per share) on May 14, 2003). The exchange offer would be structured to qualify as a Permitted Investor Tender Offer, and in particular would have a non-waivable condition that the holders of at least a majority of the shares that are not beneficially owned by Leucadia have tendered and not withdrawn their shares (the "Minimum Condition"). Furthermore, if Leucadia were to acquire 90% or more of the outstanding WilTel shares, Leucadia intends to effect a backend merger at the same terms as offered in the exchange offer (such exchange offer and merger, collectively, the "Proposed Transaction"). If all of the publicly held WilTel shares are acquired by Leucadia, the former stockholders of WilTel would own approximately 13.6% of Leucadia. We request that the Board of Directors agree that satisfaction of the Minimum Condition in the Proposed Transaction will enable the transaction to proceed. By tendering, the holders of A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES NOT OWNED BY LEUCADIA will be expressing their assent to Leucadia's acquisition of WilTel shares. Accordingly, Leucadia asks that the WilTel Board of Directors take all actions under the Stockholders Agreement and WilTel's Articles of Incorporation as necessary to allow the Proposed Transaction to be consummated as expeditiously as possible. To require Leucadia to appeal to the stockholders twice (first through seeking stockholder approval and subsequently through making the exchange offer) would appear to serve no meaningful purpose, and in fact would delay the opportunity for WilTel stockholders to decide whether to participate in the Proposed Transaction. We believe that the Proposed Transaction would be beneficial for all WilTel stockholders. Through the Leucadia shares that they will receive in the Proposed Transaction, WilTel stockholders will benefit from increased liquidity and at the same time continue to have an opportunity to share in the future performance of WilTel, as well as an opportunity to share in the performance of Leucadia's other investments (which will afford stockholders the benefit of a more diversified investment). We appreciate your consideration of this proposal and look forward to your response. Very truly yours, Leucadia National Corporation By: /s/ Joseph Steinberg ---------------------------------- Name: Joseph Steinberg Title: President 2