Mbeki under arms-deal whip

2003-11-17 20:20

Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance has criticised President Thabo Mbeki for saying he does not plan to raise the topic of French company Thales's involvement in South Africa's controversial arms deal.

Mbeki, who is in France on a state visit, said before his departure that the Scorpion's probe of this aspect of the deal would not be on the agenda for his talks with French President Jacques Chirac.

In a statement on Monday, DA spokesman Hendrik Schmidt said Mbeki's announcement went against the basic principles of Nepad.

"The fight against corruption forms the cornerstone of Nepad and everything it resembles - it is therefore of paramount importance that President Mbeki raise the arms deal in his discussions in France," he said.

It was especially important in the light of deputy president Jacob Zuma and executives from Thales being the subject of a French magisterial inquiry.

Zuma has been under investigation by the Scorpions for allegedly trying to secure a bribe of R500 000 from French defence company Thomson-CSF, which has since been incorporated into Thales.

- SAPA