Thales SA, the French military electronics group, has denied allegations that it paid millions of dollars in bribes and sold chemical weapons to Saddam Hussein.
Michel Josserand, former chief executive of Thales Engineering and Consulting THEC, made the allegations.
He alleged that the paying of bribes by Thales was widespread, this of course violates French law and international conventions.
Quote:
"I estimate that Thales must pay out between 1 percent and 2 percent of its global revenue in illegal commissions,".
He also alleged that Thales had "sidestepped the (U.N.) Oil for Food Program and delivered chemical weapons to Saddam Hussein's government."
Josserand has alleged that Thales took part in the construction of an Iraqi chemical-weapons plant, disguised as a factory that made powdered milk.
Thales are currently being investigated by police.
Thales have denied the allegations.
Quote:
"The Thales Group formally denies accusations of corruption in France and internationally, lodged against it by a former manager at THEC".
Thales spokesman, Christophe Robin, said that the company also "categorically and totally" denied the allegations concerning.
Adding:
"We never broke the embargo. Thales does not produce chemical weapons. Thales completely denies these unfounded and dishonest allegations."
Thales then went on to say that it had "decided to take immediate legal action for defamation against the French daily newspaper Le Monde and Michel Josserand."
Adding:
"The group would like to point out that these allegations have been made by a former manager of this subsidiary, who was dismissed by the group for irregularities committed as part of a contract for the Nice tramway. Furthermore, the group itself lodged a complaint regarding corruption during this project."
Josserand believes that his life is now in danger.
He also noted that "Thales was only following the practices of the major U.S. companies".
Call me cynical, but the more "air time" given to Saddam Hussein in the form of a series of trials; the more likely other embarrassing allegations will come to the surface about Western companies and politicians, and their relationship with Saddam.
The pressure will surely be on the Iraqi government to hold just one short trial, and to pronounce and execute the death sentence.
Or am I being too cynical?
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