Mbeki: Arms deal not on agenda

2003-11-16 17:14

Cape Town - President Thabo Mbeki said on Sunday that the probe by the Scorpions into the involvement of French company Thales in the corruption scandal surrounding the arms deal will not be on his agenda when he visits France this week.

Responding to a question at a press conference in Cape Town Mbeki said the national directorate of public prosecutions had approached its counterpart in France for assistance on the matter.

Deputy president Jacob Zuma has been under investigation by the Scorpions for allegedly attempting to secure a bribe of R500 000 a year from French defence company Thomson-CSF - which has since been incorporated into the pan-European defence giant, Thales.

Despite having prima facie evidence against Zuma the unit decided not to prosecute him. The unit has reportedly approached their French counterparts to assist them with the investigation into Thales.

"It is a matter that is dealt with quietly. I am not part of the staff of the national directorate," Mbeki said

He said neither Justice Minister Penuell Maduna nor director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka had raised the matter with him. "And they would not."

Mbeki will arrive in France on Monday for a three-day state visit with farm subsidies, Africa's economic development, and the 2010 World Cup bid likely to figure on the agenda.

Mbeki, making his fourth trip to France this year, will hold talks with French President Jacques Chirac, Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, parliamentary deputies and business leaders during his stay.

- SAPA