QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 12.1


Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 
   
  Three Months
Ended
March 31,

  As of and for the Year ended December 31,
 
 
   
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
 
 
   
  (US$ in millions except ratios)

 
Earnings:                      
Pre-tax income from continuing operations before minority interests   97   484   264   71   (16 )
plus:   Fixed charges   69   210   267   273   224  
    Amortization of capitalized interest   1   6   5   4   3  
    Distributed income of equity investees            
    Share of pre-tax losses of equity investees            
less:   Capitalized interest   (1 ) (6 ) (15 ) (5 ) (6 )
    Preferred stock dividends   (1 ) (5 ) (10 )    
    Minority interest in pre-tax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges            
       
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings:   165   689   511   342   205  
Fixed Charges:                      
Capitalized interest   1   6   15   5   6  
Expensed interest   60   177   225   254   206  
plus:   Amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized debt expenditures   2   4   1   1   1  
    Estimate of interest within rental expense   5   18   16   13   11  
    Preferred stock dividends   1   5   10      
       
 
 
 
 
 

Fixed charges:

 

69

 

210

 

267

 

273

 

224

 

Ratio of Earnings/Fixed Charges(1)

 

2.40

 

3.28

 

1.91

 

1.26

 

0.92

(2)

(1)
For the purpose of determining the Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges, earnings are defined as income before taxes plus fixed charges and amortization of capitalized interest less capitalized interest and preferred stock dividend requirements. Fixed charges consist of interest expense (capitalized and expensed), amortization of deferred debt issuance costs, portion of rental expense that is representative of the interest factor and preferred stock dividend requirements of majority-owned subsidiaries.

(2)
Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $19 million.



QuickLinks

Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges