Chrysler must rein in debt before Mitsubishi will talk

The Mitsubishi Motor Corporation said it would consider a proposal from the Chrysler Corporation for a joint venture only after the financially ailing carmaker resolves its huge debt problems. Chrysler has proposed a joint venture with Mitsubishi and with Peugeot of France, on a combined or a separate basis, a Mitsubishi spokesman said. Chrysler holds a 13 percent interest in Mitsubishi.