NEW YORK -- "We've come to the conclusion, especially after seeing what just happened, that the company should be acquired, or at the very least it should be put up for sale and see what the shareholders want to do with it."

That's what investor Carl Icahn told CNBC today in regard to Mentor Graphics.

Icahn owns 14.7% of Mentor, making him the largest of company's shareholders.

"We have talked to [Mentor] once or twice in a friendly way concerning the company and they moved up this date without really telling anymore ... they knew they were doing it three weeks ago and obviously they're doing it to get a quick meeting going," Icahn reportedly said.

Yesterday, Icahn and another leading shareholder, Casablanca Capital, issued letters or filings criticizing Mentor for changing the date of its annual shareholder meeting, a move the investors claim, was intended to prevent a dissident board of directors from being proposed.

In response to a PCD&F request for comment, Mentor spokesperson Ry Schwark said, “Mentor Graphics’ Board and management team are focused on delivering shareholder value and we have a proven track record of growing our earnings and share price.  Our share price has grown over 70% in the last year, and it grew about 50% in the previous year, for a two year growth of over 150%, significantly outperforming our peer group and the market.

"We doubled our annual earnings last year and our earnings guidance for this year, given in our November 19th earnings release, increases those earnings by another 40%.  We are reporting our fourth quarter and full year 2011 earnings on March 3, 2011.

"With regard to nominees, our nominating and corporate governance committee, comprised of independent directors, will evaluate and consider qualified nominees.”

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