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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.44


March 19, 2001

Abe Grohman
24 Cortland Road
Monsey, NY 10952

Dear Mr. Grohman:

         The  purpose of this letter is to set forth the  agreement  between you
and Viatel, Inc., its subsidiaries and their respective  predecessors including,
without  limitation,  Destia  Communications,   Inc.  (collectively  hereinafter
referred to as "Viatel")  regarding your  resignation as an officer and employee
of Viatel.  This Agreement  supersedes any prior  agreements  among the parties,
including the  Employment  Agreement  dated as of March 15, 2000 between you and
Viatel (the "Employment Agreement").

         As we have  discussed, in addition to your  resignation  (as described
above) Viatel desires to obtain your (i) release of all claims  against  Viatel,
(ii) a standstill  agreement as provided herein, and (iii) agreement to maintain
the  confidentiality of business  information of Viatel of which you have become
aware during the course of your employment  with Viatel.  You have agreed to the
foregoing  as  consideration  for  Viatel's  commitment  to  provide  to you the
benefits  set forth in  paragraph 2 below.  Based on these  considerations,  the
parties have mutually agreed as follows:

         1.  RESIGNATION. Effective as of April 7, 2001 (the "Effective  Date"),
your resignation as an officer and employee of Viatel is accepted.

         2.  PAYMENTS AND  BENEFITS.  Viatel will provide you with the following
payments and benefits:

         (a) SEVERANCE  PAYMENTS.  On the Effective Date,  Viatel will pay you a
cash lump sum payment of $102,271.56 which will be wired to an account specified
by you in writing.

         (b) SALARY/ACCRUED  AND UNUSED VACATION.  On the Effective Date, Viatel
shall pay you a lump sum cash  payment  equal to the amount,  if any, of accrued
but unpaid  base  salary and  vacation  due to you  pursuant  to the  Employment
Agreement and in accordance with Viatel's normal payroll policies. These amounts
shall be wired to an account specified by you in writing.

         (c) BENEFIT PLAN  PARTICIPATION.  Viatel shall continue to maintain any
health,  disability,  accidental death and disability,  business travel and life


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insurance  coverage and other health and benefit plans and programs to which you
were entitled  immediately prior to the date hereof, and Viatel will continue to
pay the employer  portion of the  applicable  premium  through  October 7, 2001,
provided, however, that any such benefits or payments shall cease if you receive
similar  benefits  from a subsequent  employer.  On or after such date,  you may
elect  COBRA  coverage  for up to an 18-month  period or such  longer  period as
provided in COBRA, at your own expense. Except as otherwise provided herein, you
will not be  entitled to any  compensation  or  benefits  (or any  reimbursement
therefore) or to  participate in any employee  benefit  programs of Viatel on or
after the date hereof.

         (d) 401(K)  RETIREMENT PLANS. You will be entitled to elect at any time
on or after the Effective  Date, a distribution  of any vested accrued  benefits
under  any  401(k),  pension  or other  type of  retirement  plan  sponsored  or
maintained by Viatel in accordance with the terms of such plans.

         (e)  OPTIONS/RESTRICTED  STOCK.  Any options that are not vested on the
Effective Date shall be automatically forfeited and any options vested as of the
Effective Date shall remain  exercisable in accordance  with their terms. On the
Effective Date,  Viatel will vest the 67,750 shares of restricted  stock granted
to you by Viatel and will deliver stock certificates representing such shares to
you without any restricted legend or other impairment of their negotiability.

         (f) EXPENSE  REIMBURSEMENT.  Viatel will  reimburse  you for all unpaid
business  expenses  incurred  or  paid by you  prior  to the  Effective  Date in
connection with the  performance of your duties under the Employment  Agreement,
upon  presentation  of  appropriate  documentation  in accordance  with Viatel's
customary procedures and policies applicable to its executives.

         (g) NO OTHER  COMPENSATION  OR BENEFITS.  Except as otherwise  provided
herein,  you  will not be  entitled  to any  compensation  or  benefits  (or any
reimbursement  therefor) or to  participate in any employee  benefit  program of
Viatel on or after the Effective Date.

         3.  YOUR RELEASE.

         (a)  Except as  otherwise  provided  herein,  in  consideration  of the
payments and benefits  provided to you under this Agreement,  you hereby release
and discharge Viatel, its affiliates and with respect to any actions, omissions,
matter  or  events  relating  to  Viatel  or its  affiliates,  their  respective
partners,  directors,  officers,  employees  and agents  (collectively,  "Viatel
Persons")  from and  against  any and all  claims,  actions,  causes of  action,
damages, liabilities,  promises, debts, compensation, losses, obligations, costs
or expenses of any kind or nature, whether known or unknown, which you ever had,
now have or  hereafter  may have,  against  each or any of the  Viatel  Persons,
including,  but not limited to, those arising from or related to your employment
relationships  with Viatel or the  termination of such  employment,  any alleged
violation  of any  covenant  of good  faith and fair  dealing  relative  to your
employment or any applicable labor or employer-employee  statute,  regulation or
ordinance, whether federal, state or local (including, by way of specificity but
not of limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with
Disabilities  Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, any amendments to such acts and
any and all state and local discrimination laws)(the "Claims").


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         Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the forgoing release shall not apply to
(i) any  payment,  compensations,  benefits  or other  rights  to which  you are
entitled  under this  Agreement;  or (ii) any and all rights to  indemnification
from Viatel (including expenses) provided in paragraph 14 herein.

         (b) It is also agreed that this  Agreement  shall not be  admissible in
any  proceedings  between us except in a proceeding  relating to a breach of the
provisions of this Agreement.

         (c) SPECIFIC  RELEASE OF ADEA CLAIMS.  In consideration of the payments
and  benefits  provided  to you under this  Agreement,  you hereby  release  and
forever discharge the Viatel Persons from any and all claims, actions and causes
of action that you may have as of the date you sign this Agreement arising under
the Federal Age  Discrimination  in Employment Act of 1967, as amended,  and the
applicable rules and regulations  promulgated  thereunder  ("ADEA").  By signing
this Agreement,  you hereby acknowledge and confirm the following:  (i) you were
advised  by Viatel  in  connection  with your  termination  to  consult  with an
attorney  of your  choice  prior to  signing  this  Agreement  and to have  such
attorney  explain  to you  the  terms  of  this  Agreement,  including,  without
limitation,  the terms  relating to your release of claims  arising  under ADEA,
(ii) you have  been  given a period of not fewer  than  twenty-one  (21) days to
consider  the terms of this  Agreement  and to consult with any attorney of your
choosing  with  respect  thereto,  and (iii) you are  providing  the release and
discharge set forth in this Section 3(c) only in exchange for  consideration  in
addition to anything of value to which you are already entitled.

         (d) You agree and  understand  that you shall not construe or treat any
aspect of this Agreement as any admission of liability of any Viatel Persons.

         4.  VIATEL RELEASE.

         (a) The Viatel  Persons  jointly  and  severally,  all and  singularly,
release and  discharge you from any and all claims,  actions,  causes of action,
damages, liabilities, promises, debts, compensations, losses, obligations, costs
or expenses of any kind or nature,  whether  known or unknown,  which any of the
Viatel Persons ever had, now have or hereafter may have against you,  including,
but  not  limited  to,  those  arising  from  or  related  to  your   employment
relationships  with Viatel or the  termination of such  employment,  any alleged
violation of any covenant of good faith or fair  dealing,  all common law claims
now existing or hereafter recognized, claims for negligence, breach of fiduciary
duty,   interference   with  actual  or   prospective   contractual   relations,
misrepresentation,  promissory estoppel,  equitable estoppel, breach of contract
or any other  type of claim.  Viatel  does not waive or  release  any rights set
forth in this Agreement.

         (b) It is agreed  and  understood  that the  Viatel  Persons  shall not
construe or treat any aspect of this  Agreement as any admission of  liabilities
on your part.

         5.  COOPERATION.  From  and  after  the date  hereof,  you will use all
reasonable  efforts  to  cooperate  with  Viatel and its  respective  directors,


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officers,  attorneys and  representatives  in connection with the conduct of any
action,  proceeding,  investigation or litigation involving Viatel,  solely with
respect to events or actions which occurred when you were employed by Viatel. In
such  matters,  you agree to provide,  in response to reasonable  requests:  (i)
truthful  testimony and information;  and (ii) any documents that may be in your
possession, custody, or control (excluding privileged communications between you
and  attorneys  retained by you and excluding  matters and claims  arising under
this Agreement and any  indemnification  contemplated  by section 14), to Viatel
and its respective directors,  officers,  attorneys,  experts, or consultants in
connection  with any action,  suit,  proceeding,  investigation,  or  litigation
involving, or instituted by, or on behalf of, Viatel.

         6. CONFIDENTIALITY.  You acknowledge that you have been provided access
to information  regarding  Viatel  (including,  but not limited to,  operational
systems,  specifications  of  Viatel  products  and  services,  know-how,  trade
secrets,  personnel  information,   research  products,   development  plans  or
projects,  and  company  strategies  and other  proprietary  information)  which
constitutes  valuable,  special and unique property of Viatel (the "Confidential
Information").  You agree  that you will not,  at any time or for any  reason or
purpose  whatsoever,  make use of,  divulge or otherwise  disclose,  directly or
indirectly, any of the Confidential Information to any person or use any of such
information without Viatel's express prior written  authorization,  which may be
withheld at Viatel's election;  provided, however, that the foregoing limitation
shall not apply to: (a) the extent as may be  required  by law;  (b) comply with
any  legal  process  or  subpoena  (following  advance  notice to  Viatel),  (c)
statements  in response to authorized  inquiry from a court or  regulatory  body
(following advance notice to Viatel); and (d) information generally known to the
public or in the industries  related to Viatel's  business (other than through a
breach of this  Agreement).  Nothing  herein  shall  prevent you from using your
general skills, general industry knowledge and experience.

         7.  NON-SOLICITATION.  For a period of twenty-four (24) months from the
Effective Date, you shall not to solicit,  induce, counsel, advise or encourage,
either  directly  or  indirectly,  any  employee of Viatel who is employed in an
executive,  managerial,  professional or non-clerical administrative capacity to
leave the employment of Viatel.

         8.  NON-DISPARAGEMENT.  You and Viatel will not at any time, and Viatel
shall use its best  efforts to ensure  that the Viatel  Persons  will not at any
time,  make any  statement,  whether  written or oral,  or take any other action
which is intended, or could reasonably be expected to, disparage, defame or harm
the reputation (or otherwise cause adverse  publicity) of the other parties.  In
no event shall any public  statements be made about Viatel or Viatel  Persons on
the one hand and you on the other,  without the prior written  consent of Viatel
or you, respectively.  You also agree that you will not assist in any litigation
or investigation against Viatel or any Viatel Person, except as required by law.

         9.  NON-DISCLOSURE.  You and Viatel agree that the terms and conditions
of this Agreement are  confidential  and that each will not, without the express
prior written  consent of Viatel or you, as applicable,  in any manner  publish,
publicize,  disclose or otherwise make known or permit or cause to be known such
terms and  conditions to anyone (other than such party's  prospective or current
lenders,  financial advisors and legal advisors,  who shall agree to be bound by
this paragraph  prior to disclosure of the terms and  conditions  hereof to such
persons),  except as required by law, rule or regulation of any self  regulatory
organization, including The Nasdaq, or in any proceeding to enforce the terms of


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this  Agreement.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the parties hereto will agree
upon a mutually agreeable press release concerning this Agreement.

         10. NO WAIVER.  This Agreement  constitutes  the entire  agreements and
understandings   among  the  parties  and,  effective  on  the  Effective  Date,
supercedes  any and all  prior  agreement  or  understanding,  oral or  written,
between the parties,  including,  but not limited to, your  existing  employment
agreement with Viatel (except as specifically  referred to herein).  None of the
provisions of this Agreement can be waived or modified  except in writing signed
by the parties. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
you and your heirs, legal administrators and assigns and Viatel's successors and
assigns (whether by merger,  consolidation,  purchase,  reorganization,  sale of
stock,  sale of assets,  liquidation  or otherwise).  Furthermore,  there are no
agreements, covenants or understandings other than those contained herein except
as govern the compensation and benefit plans and arrangements set forth herein.

         11.  SEVERABILITY.  If any term or provision of this Agreement shall be
held  invalid or  unenforceable,  the  remaining  terms and  provisions  of this
Agreement shall not be affected thereby and (i) such provision shall be reformed
to the minimum extent  necessary to be valid while  preserving the intent of the
parties as expressed  herein,  or (ii) if such provision  cannot be so reformed,
such provision shall be severed from this Agreement and an equitable  adjustment
shall be made to this  Agreement  (including,  without  limitation,  addition of
necessary  further  provisions  to this  Agreement)  so as to give effect to the
intent as so expressed  and the  benefits so provided.  Neither such holding nor
such   reformation  nor  severance  shall  affect  or  impair  the  legality  or
enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

         12.  REVOCATION.  You  acknowledge  and  agree  that  by  signing  this
Agreement you  understand  that you  voluntarily  waive the right to revoke this
Agreement  during  the seven (7) day  period  following  the  execution  of this
Agreement.

         13.  RECOVERY  OF CERTAIN  COSTS.  If Viatel  fails to pay any  amounts
provided  hereunder  or any  party  otherwise  breaches  any  provision  of this
Agreement,  either in whole or in part,  then the  non-breaching  party shall be
entitled to recover  from the other  party,  in addition to the  recovery of its
damages and/or other relief, any costs,  including  reasonable  attorneys' fees,
incurred or reasonably  expected to be incurred in  instituting,  prosecuting or
defending  any action  arising  by reason of such  failure or the breach of this
Agreement.

         14.  INDEMNIFICATION;  D&O  Insurance.  (a)  Viatel  hereby  agrees  to
indemnify  you  against  any and all  expenses  (including  attorney's  fees and
costs),  liabilities,  costs,  damages,  judgments,  fines and  amounts  paid in
settlement,  actually and reasonably hereinafter incurred by you, to the fullest
extent now or hereafter  permitted by law, in  connection  with any  threatened,
pending or  completed  action,  suit or  proceeding,  whether  civil,  criminal,
administrative or investigative, brought or threatened to be brought against you
by reason of your  performance  as a officer,  employee,  consultant or agent of
Viatel.  The rights of  indemnification  provided for herein shall not be deemed
exclusive  of any  other  rights  to which you may be  entitled  under  Viatel's
By-laws or Certificate of Incorporation,  and shall inure to the benefit of your
heirs,   executors  and  administrators.   Any  expenses  (including  reasonable
attorney's fees and costs) incurred by you in connection with an event for which
indemnification  is  provided  hereunder  shall be paid  promptly  by  Viatel in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt


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of an  undertaking  by you to  repay  such  amount  if it  shall  ultimately  be
determined  that you are not entitled to be  indemnified by Viatel as authorized
by law.

         15. TAX  CONSEQUENCES.  Viatel makes no  representations  or warranties
with respect to the tax  consequences  of any  consideration  provided to you by
Viatel under the terms of this Agreement or otherwise.  You shall be responsible
for all  income  taxes  and  similar  taxes  and  payments  due to  governmental
authorities with respect to all consideration  provided for hereunder which have
not been deducted by Viatel.

         16.  GOVERNING  LAW AND  CHOICE OF FORUM.  PURSUANT  TO TITLE 14 OF THE
GENERAL  OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT
(1) THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
INTERPRETED, CONSTRUED, AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK,  EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT FEDERAL LAW MAY GOVERN AND (2) THE
FORUM FOR ANY  DISPUTE  HEREUNDER  SHALL BE IN ANY  FEDERAL  AND/OR  STATE COURT
LOCATED IN NEW YORK  COUNTY,  AND THERE SHALL BE NO DEFENSE TO THE  SELECTION OF
SUCH FORUM BASED ON JURISDICTION, VENUE OR CONVENIENCE. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO SUCH JURISDICTION OR INCONVENIENT FORUM.

         PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. BY EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT,  YOU
WILL HAVE  WAIVED  ANY  RIGHT YOU MAY HAVE TO BRING A LAWSUIT  OR MAKE ANY LEGAL
CLAIM,  KNOWN OR  UNKNOWN,  AGAINST  VIATEL OR ANY VIATEL  PERSONS  BASED ON ANY
ACTIONS  TAKEN BY VIATEL OR ANY VIATEL  PERSONS  ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO YOUR
EMPLOYMENT WITH VIATEL OR THE TERMINATION OF SUCH EMPLOYMENT,  UP TO THE DATE OF
THE EXECUTION OF THIS  AGREEMENT.  WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU RETAIN LEGAL COUNSEL TO
ADVISE YOU WITH RESPECT TO THE TERMS OF THIS  AGREEMENT AND THE  TERMINATION  OF
YOUR EMPLOYMENT WITH VIATEL.

         17.  BINDING EFFECT.  The parties understand that this Agreement is not
binding  upon the parties  until each  accepts  it,  which  acceptance  is to be
evidenced by their respective execution on the signature page hereof.

         18.  NOTICES.  All  notices,  requests  and  demands  to  or  upon  the
respective  parties  must be in writing and may be served by personal  delivery,
facsimile  transmission or certified mail,  return receipt  requested.  All such
notices,  requests and demands shall be deemed to be made upon receipt to you at
the address set forth above,  and to Viatel at 685 Third Avenue,  New York,  New
York 10017.



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         The signature of the parties below signifies their voluntary acceptance
of the terms hereof. Please execute below and return one copy of this Agreement.

Sincerely,

VIATEL, INC.

By:  /s/ Michael J. Mahoney
    ------------------------
Name:
Title:



Accepted and Agreed:


/s/ Abe Grohaman
-----------------------------------
Abe Grohman