France’s Problem is Tenders

“According to diplomatic circles, behind the negative statements by France for Turkey’s EU membership, is the award worth 5 billion dollars to be contracted by Turkey. According to the rumors, France started to misuse the Turco-EU relationships as a trump, to receive a share from the awards on three items.

The tenders in question include:

1) Airbus planes: It is a bid to be opened by Turkey which is worth 1.5 billion U.S. dollars. The file is on the table of PM. France demands Airbus company to get the award.

2) Offensive Helicopter: Ankara’s answer is awaited for of the bid worth 3 billion U.S. Dollars. The Ecevit government had cancelled the contract on the Tiger helicopter of the French, for technical inadequacy. The bidding commission placed priority on the King Cobra helicopter of U.S. company Bell to be followed as second choice, by Russian-Israeli helicopter which is called as “Erdogan.” The deal includes 90 helicopters. The Defense Board will review the issue on April 30. France launched a new offer to Turkey, for the deal.

3) Antitank Missiles : An award of 550 million dollars was realized with France. Ankara started considering canceling this contract because of problems in technical and financial issues in the ERYX missiles. France feels disturbed of this tendency.”