Excerpt:
Tony Blair had concerns over BAE fraud probe
Tony Blair raised concerns about the commercial repercussions of a probe into massive Saudi Arabian arms deal just days before it was dropped, a new document has revealed.
The former Prime Minister had previously said the decision to stop the probe into the BAE deal was taken because of national security and was not linked to commercial interests.
Now, however, a letter released during a legal case has disclosed Mr Blair's "concern" over possible harm to ongoing business negotiations, in particular the major deal for Britain to supply Typhoon aircraft to the Saudis.
The letter from Mr Blair to Lord Goldsmith - sent on December 8, 2006 - was released to the High Court during a case brought by two pressure groups who are challenging the legality of the decision to end investigations into BAE Systems' dealings with Saudi Arabia.
Just six days after the letter was written, Lord Goldsmith announced to the House of Lords that the probe into allegations of kickbacks to Saudi princes was being suspended.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAE_Systems
Excerpts:
1)
In January 2007, details of an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office into BAE's sales tactics in regard to South Africa were reported, highlighting the £2.3 billion deal to supply Hawk trainers and Gripen fighters as suspect.[156] In May 2011, as allegations of bribery behind South Africa's Gripen procurement continued, BAE partner Saab issued strong denials of any illicit payments being made; however in June 2011 Saab announced that BAE had made unaccounted payments of roughly $3.5 million to a consultant, this revelation prompted South African Opposition parties to call for a renewed inquiry.[157][158] The Gripen's procurement by the Czech Republic was also under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office in 2006 over allegations of bribery.[148]
2) Criticism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab
Excerpt:
In 1990 General Motors bought 51 percent of the car division Saab Automobile, and acquired the rest a decade later.
Following the sale of the car division, the main reason behind the merger with Scania in 1968 had disappeared, so in 1995 Saab-Scania de-merged and the company name once again became Saab AB.
In 1995 Saab Military Aircraft and British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) formed the joint venture company Saab-BAe Gripen AB, to manufacture, market and support Gripen internationally. This co-operation was extended in 2001 with the formation of Gripen International for the same purpose.[7]
Since 1998 the British aerospace company BAE Systems has been the largest shareholder in Saab following its acquisition of a 35% stake from Investor AB by its predecessor, British Aerospace. In January 2005 BAE reduced its shareholding to 20%. Investor AB also maintains a 20% share. Investor AB hold 38% of the voting rights and is, with the other Wallenberg institutions, the majority owner.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_Automobile
Excerpt:
Saab announced that it was going to build its US headquarters in Royal Oak, Michigan.[22] A new Saab 9-3 was confirmed for 2012,[23] while production restarted at the Saab plant in Sweden in March 2010.[24] Victor Muller, CEO and founder of Spyker Cars stated in an interview that the take-over was financed solely by Vladimir Antonov with the knowledge of General Motors.[25]
Excerpt:
History
In 2007, Bankas Snoras acquired 29.9% of Dutch luxury automobile manufacturer, Spyker Cars, making Vladimir Antonov the single largest shareholder in the company.[23]
In January 2010, it was reported that General Motors was preparing to sell Saab to Spyker for a nominal fee, and that the Swedish government had agreed to guarantee loans for the purchase from the European Investment Bank (EIB). If the takeover had been successful, the Saab brand and its operations would have been largely unaffected.[24]
In December 2010, it was reported by Swedish financial newspaper, Dagens Industri, that two independent reports, one of which was commissioned by the Swedish government had shown that there was no evidence that Vladimir Antonov is guilty of any of the accusations made against him. Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars, also stated that he believed Vladimir Antonov to be innocent of the accusations.[28] Following this, Antonov acquired the sportcars division of Spyker Cars NV.[21]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAE_Systems
Excerpts:
1)
In January 2007, details of an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office into BAE's sales tactics in regard to South Africa were reported, highlighting the £2.3 billion deal to supply Hawk trainers and Gripen fighters as suspect.[156] In May 2011, as allegations of bribery behind South Africa's Gripen procurement continued, BAE partner Saab issued strong denials of any illicit payments being made; however in June 2011 Saab announced that BAE had made unaccounted payments of roughly $3.5 million to a consultant, this revelation prompted South African Opposition parties to call for a renewed inquiry.[157][158] The Gripen's procurement by the Czech Republic was also under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office in 2006 over allegations of bribery.[148]
2) Criticism
[edit] Espionage
In September 2003 The Sunday Times reported that BAE had hired a private security contractor to collate information about individuals working at the Campaign Against Arms Trade and their activities.[159][160] In February 2007, it again obtained private confidential information from CAAT.[161][edit] Human rights records
Like many arms manufacturers, BAE has received criticism from various human rights and anti-arms trade organisations due to the human rights records of governments to which it has sold equipment.[162] These include Indonesia,[163] Saudi Arabia,[164] and Zimbabwe.[162] BAE's US subsidiary makes several subsystems for F-16s, which have been supplied to the Israel Defense Forces.[165][edit] Nuclear weapons
In 2006, BAE was excluded from the portfolio of the government pension fund of Norway "because they develop and/or produce central components for nuclear weapons".[166] "According to the ethical guidelines for the Government Pension Fund – Global, companies that produce weapons that through normal use may violate fundamental humanitarian principles shall be excluded from the fund."[166] BAE is indirectly engaged in production of nuclear weapons – through its 37.5% share of MBDA it is involved with the production and support of the ASMP missile, an air launched nuclear missile which forms part of the French nuclear deterrent. BAE is also the UK's only nuclear submarine manufacturer and thus produces a key element of the UK's nuclear weapons capability.[edit] Cluster bombs
BAE has in recent times been criticised for its role in the production of cluster bombs, due to the long term death/injury risks they cause to civilians (they behave similarly to land mines). However, after pressure campaigns from various human rights groups, BAE recently stated it no longer produces land mines or cluster bombs.[167]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab
Excerpt:
In 1990 General Motors bought 51 percent of the car division Saab Automobile, and acquired the rest a decade later.
Following the sale of the car division, the main reason behind the merger with Scania in 1968 had disappeared, so in 1995 Saab-Scania de-merged and the company name once again became Saab AB.
In 1995 Saab Military Aircraft and British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) formed the joint venture company Saab-BAe Gripen AB, to manufacture, market and support Gripen internationally. This co-operation was extended in 2001 with the formation of Gripen International for the same purpose.[7]
Since 1998 the British aerospace company BAE Systems has been the largest shareholder in Saab following its acquisition of a 35% stake from Investor AB by its predecessor, British Aerospace. In January 2005 BAE reduced its shareholding to 20%. Investor AB also maintains a 20% share. Investor AB hold 38% of the voting rights and is, with the other Wallenberg institutions, the majority owner.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_Automobile
Excerpt:
Saab announced that it was going to build its US headquarters in Royal Oak, Michigan.[22] A new Saab 9-3 was confirmed for 2012,[23] while production restarted at the Saab plant in Sweden in March 2010.[24] Victor Muller, CEO and founder of Spyker Cars stated in an interview that the take-over was financed solely by Vladimir Antonov with the knowledge of General Motors.[25]
Excerpt:
History
In 2007, Bankas Snoras acquired 29.9% of Dutch luxury automobile manufacturer, Spyker Cars, making Vladimir Antonov the single largest shareholder in the company.[23]
In January 2010, it was reported that General Motors was preparing to sell Saab to Spyker for a nominal fee, and that the Swedish government had agreed to guarantee loans for the purchase from the European Investment Bank (EIB). If the takeover had been successful, the Saab brand and its operations would have been largely unaffected.[24]
[edit] Allegations
Antonov's interests (29.9% of the shares) in Spyker Cars were said to have delayed the purchase of Saab Automobile in late 2009. An investigation by the Swedish monetary agency Riksgälden and the Swedish security police Säpo had allegedly found connections between the Antonov family and organized crime, as well as involvement in money laundering. Säpo reported their findings to the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, and shortly afterwards GM stopped further talks about the deal until the Antonov family had sold their shares in Spyker Cars.[25][edit] Exoneration
In January 2011, it was reported that GM was preparing to reverse its decision not to allow Antonov to hold a financial interest in Spyker and Saab and allow him to invest.[26] Antonov said that he has no "connection to any criminal people" and that he had hired an investigative firm to produce evidence that he has no criminal background.[27]In December 2010, it was reported by Swedish financial newspaper, Dagens Industri, that two independent reports, one of which was commissioned by the Swedish government had shown that there was no evidence that Vladimir Antonov is guilty of any of the accusations made against him. Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars, also stated that he believed Vladimir Antonov to be innocent of the accusations.[28] Following this, Antonov acquired the sportcars division of Spyker Cars NV.[21]
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