EXHIBIT 10.53 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.53

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      THIS AGREEMENT, is made as of this 1st day of April, 1998, by and between

BOWATER INCORPORATED, a Delaware corporation having a mailing address of 55 East

Camperdown Way, Greenville, South Carolina 29601 (the "Corporation"), and Craig

B. Stevens, 3 Anna's Place, Simpsonville, SC 29681 (the "Executive").

      WHEREAS, the Corporation desires to employ the Executive as Vice President

of Administration and Planning for the Newsprint and Directory Division; and

      WHEREAS, the Executive is desirous of serving the Corporation in such

capacity;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

      1. Employment. During the term of this Agreement the Corporation agrees to

continue to employ the Executive, and the Executive agrees to continue in the

employ of the Corporation, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of

this Agreement.

      2.     Term.

            (a)    Subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this

                  Section 2, the term of this Agreement shall begin on the Date

                  hereof and shall continue thereafter until terminated by

                   either party by written notice given to the other party at

                  least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of any such

                  termination. The effective date of the termination shall be

                  the date stated in such notice, provided that if the

                  Corporation specifies an effective date that is more than

                  thirty (30) days following the date of such notice, the

                  Executive may, upon thirty (30) days" written notice to the

                  Corporation, accelerate the effective date of such

                  termination.

            (b)    Notwithstanding Section 2(a), upon the occurrence of a Change

                  in Control as defined in the Change in Control Agreement of

                  even date herewith between the Corporation and the Executive

                  (the "Change in Control Agreement"), the term of this

                  Agreement shall be deemed to continue until terminated, but in

                   any event, for a period of not less than three (3) years

                  following the date of the Change in Control,

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                  unless such termination shall be at the Executive"s election

                  for other than "Good Reason" as that term is defined in the

                  Change in Control Agreement.

            (c)    Notwithstanding Section 2(a), the term of this Agreement shall

                  end upon:

                   (i)    the death of the Executive;

                  (ii)   the inability of the Executive to perform his duties

                        properly, whether by reason of ill-health, accident or

                        other cause, for a period of one hundred and eighty

                        (180) consecutive days or for periods totaling one

                        hundred and eighty (180) days occurring within any

                        twelve (12) consecutive calendar months; or

                  (iii) the Executive's retirement on his early or normal

                        retirement date.

      3. Position and Duties. Throughout the term hereof, the Executive shall be

employed as Vice President of Administration and Planning for the Newsprint and

Directory Division (Salary Grade 32), with the duties and responsibilities

customarily attendant to that office, provided that the Executive shall

undertake such other and further assignments and responsibilities of at least

comparable status as the Board of Directors may direct. The Executive shall

diligently and faithfully devote his full working time and best efforts to the

performance of the services under this Agreement and to the furtherance of the

best interests of the Corporation.

      4. Place of Employment. The Executive will be employed at the

Corporation's offices in the City of Greenville, South Carolina or at such other

place as the Corporation shall designate from time to time, provided, however,

that if the Executive is transferred to another place of employment,

necessitating a change in his residence, the Executive shall be entitled to

financial assistance in accordance with the terms of the Corporation's

relocation policy then in effect.

      5. Compensation and Benefits.

          (a)     Base Salary. The Corporation shall pay to the Executive a base

                salary of $219,000 payable in substantially equal periodic

                installments on the Corporation's regular payroll dates. The

                Executive's base salary

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                shall be reviewed at least annually and from time to time may be

                increased (or reduced, if such reduction is effected pursuant to

                across-the-board salary reductions similarly affecting all

                management personnel of the Corporation).

          (b)    Bonus Plan. In addition to his base salary, the Executive shall

                be entitled to receive a bonus under the Corporation's bonus

                 plan in effect from time to time determined in the manner, at

                the time, and in the amounts set forth under such plan.

          (c)    Benefit Plans. The Corporation shall make contributions on the

                Executive's behalf to the various benefit plans and pr