HP Shareholder Meeting On Compaq Begins

Hewlett-Packard Co. Compaq Computer Corp.

Fiorina, who was greeted by applause as she stood up, got the meeting rolling, saying: "The special meeting is now called to order."

The meeting, which is being held in the Flint Center, a symphony hall in the Silicon Valley town of Cupertino, Calif., is not being Web cast and reporters were specifically told to unplug their recorders.

Fiorina noted that the polls were opened and that shareholders could vote again if they liked, urging them to follow the board's recommendation to affirm the acquisition plans.

HP has met much opposition to the acquisition, including that of dissident board member and shareholder Walter Hewlett, who has criticized the purchase as being unneeded. Hewlett is expected to make some remarks during the meeting.

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