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Asie-Pacifique - LeMonde.fr
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Kings weeks before the visit to Paris of Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, April 19, the Elysee has recently taken a decision that could overshadow the meeting described as "important". France does not give, in effect, the green light to a contract of 1.2 billion euros for the electronics equipment and missile than a hundred fighter aircraft JF-17, manufactured by Pakistan with the help of the Chinese.
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After eighteen months of negotiations, the French company OTE, coupled with Thales and MBDA, was retained by Islamabad. It was the first part of a package of 6 billion Euros to the equipment of all JF-17 Pakistan Air Force, nearly 400 hunters.
"I have not been directly informed of the choice of Elysium, which I find extremely surprising in view of industrial issues and strategic for France in this region," said Jean-Marc Pizano, head of ETA.
The interministerial committee to study the export of war materials (CIEEMG) was issued in the summer of 2008, an opinion in favor of opening negotiations. What was needed, according to ETA, the agreement of the French government.
According to an adviser of the President of the Republic, this refusal is, inter alia, related to French-Indian relations. The signing of this contract, in the current context of tension between India and Pakistan, would serve the interests of Paris and New Delhi.
Regarding the Directorate General for Armaments (DGA), were added Thursday 1 April that the resumption of talks with India for the modernization of France, its fleet of Mirage 2000 was also instrumental in the decision of the Elysee.
Intense lobbying India
It's the end of a standoff between the different French government amid differences over the policy of France in South Asia. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its part seemed restive. Subject of intense lobbying by India, he believed that government approval was denied by the lack of guarantees related to the protection of French technology. According to the Quai d'Orsay, the Pakistanis wanted, unlike the terms of the contract, that the assemblies and equipment of JF-17 will do so on their soil.
Ministry of Finance, who said he supports the signing and seeking to increase the level of trade relations with Pakistan, it indicates that the contract was struck particularly budgetary issues.
The finances of Islamabad are currently under the supervision of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has assisted. While negotiations are underway on the extension of this support, Bercy questions the reality of the flexibility of Pakistan to honor a contract of 6 billion euros.
At the Ministry of Defence of Pakistan, Islamabad, was assured, March 24, Le Monde, there was nothing wrong with that contract and that it was hoped that the announcement of the signing would take place at meetings between Gilani and Mr. Sarkozy or Mr. Fillon. "As for money," added one of his spokesmen, this is not the IMF decides what is done. This contract is important for Pakistan, France has its place among us along with the United States and China. "
Finally, another factor that could intervene in this failure, the company OTE has certainly paid his recent presence on the French market. Founded in 1984, South Africa, by Mr. Pizano, a former engineer at Dassault, she previously worked abroad. The market for integrated electronic systems on board aircraft is underdeveloped in France. The French aerospace industry and its spearhead, Dassault, prefer to sell airplanes entirely.
Jacques Follorou