BUSINESS MEMO: AMOCO CUTTING JOBS

CHICAGO -- BP Amoco said it expects to cut 1,500 management and non-management jobs in the Chicago area over the next 18 months.

The move stems from the merger of British Petroleum Co. and Amoco Corp. last year and from the continuing slump in world oil prices.

Most of the cuts will be at the company's downtown Chicago skyscraper, the former Amoco headquarters.

The London-based conglomerate said the majority of those losing jobs will be gone by the end of April, but a few decisions won't be made until early 2000, said a BP Amoco representative.

The company promises that 200 jobs will move to Chicago over the next 18 months, and it pledged to make Chicago the world headquarters for its chemical operations, which would bring more jobs.