MERRILL LYNCH &lt;MER> FIRES VASKEVITCH

  Merrill Lynch and Co Inc fired the
  head of the mergers department in its London office today,
  saying he had been unable to provide a "satisfactory
  explanation" in response to insider trading charges filed
  yesterday by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
      Merrill had suspended the official, Nahum Vaskevitch,
  yesterday saying at the time it was "disappointed and angry" if
  the SEC charges are true.
      Merrill Lynch's statement at midday today said the firm
  will continue to cooperatie fully with authoriteis in the U.S.
  and London investigating Vaskevitch's activities.
  

