Two HP directors say board might resign if Compaq deal rejected

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - Two Hewlett-Packard directors are warning that many board members and some top executives might quit if shareholders reject the purchase of Compaq Computer next week.

Phil Condit, the chief executive of Boeing, is also an HP board member. In a conference call Monday Condit said that if the deal fails, the eight HP board members who support it would have ``personal conflicts'' and ``an important decision to make.''

But fellow board member and retired chairman of Vodafone AirTouch, Sam Ginn, says if the deal dies and directors step down, they wouldn't leave HP in chaos.

He says they'll make sure not to put the boardroom solely in the hands of dissenting director Walter Hewlett.

Chairwoman and chief executive Carly Fiorina also is expected to move on if the deal crashes.

HP shareholders are scheduled to vote March 19th.

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