PARIS: Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is suspected of having received millions of dollars in kickbacks from the 1994 sale of three French submarines to the Pakistani Navy, a French daily reported. In addition, investigators believe that the non-payment of the full amount of the agreed kickbacks may have led to the deaths of 11 French nationals in a 2002 terror attack in the city of Karachi. The report says the French daily acquired documents that allegedly show that Zardari received 4.3 million dollars in kickbacks from the sale of three Agosta 90 submarines for 825 million euros (currently 1.237 billion dollars). Zardari allegedly made big money in sub-marine sale Updated at: 1820 PST, Wednesday, November 11, 2009 http://www.geo.tv/11-11-2009/52763.htm
The documents were sent to the Pakistani National Accountability Bureau (NAB) by British authorities in April 2001 and indicate that Zardari received several large payments into his Swiss bank accounts from a Lebanese businessman, Abdulrahman el-Assir, in 1994 and 1995. According to a former executive of the French naval defence company DCN, French authorities chose el-Assir to act as intermediary in the deal. He allegedly deposited a total of 1.3 million dollars in Zardari’s bank accounts between August 15 and 30, 1994, one month before the submarine contract was signed, and then 1.2 million dollars and 1.8 million dollars one year later. According to DCN employees who testified in the terror attack investigation, the kickbacks to Pakistan in the deal totalled 10 per cent of the purchase amount, with 6 per cent, or 49.5 million dollars, going to the military and 4 per cent, or 33 million euros, being funneled to political circles. Zardari allegedly made big money in sub-marine sale Updated at: 1820 PST, Wednesday, November 11, 2009 http://www.geo.tv/11-11-2009/52763.htm
Azhar Abbas Director, GEO TV [Azhar Abbas was in Dawn News then] - It was that fear in Musharraf in the establishment that if something actually will happen, the media will show it, and it may convert into an actual political movement. Pakistan's Media Struggles to Cope with Emergency Rule Originally Aired: November 21, 2007. Transcript of PBS SHOW http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/asia/july-dec07/pakistan_11-21.html
Imran Aslam President, Geo Television - [W]e actually believed that the election would be fought on a 38-inch screen, and this would become the arena where...most of the people would debate the issues, and make their speeches.... I think this has all been shot down. Pakistan's Media Struggles to Cope with Emergency Rule Originally Aired: November 21, 2007. Transcript of PBS SHOW http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/asia/july-dec07/pakistan_11-21.htmlPUBLISHING AND TELECASTING WITHOUT INVESTIGATION, AND CHECK IS CALLED MEDIA TRIAL
THE NEWS DENIES GEO: In a press release on Wednesday, the spokesman said the purchase of equipment by the armed forces of Pakistan was done through a proper competitive process under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence. Asif Zardari was neither the president nor the prime minister nor the defence minister when the submarines referred to in the news item were purchased. The then admiral responsible for this purchase was investigated by the Accountability Bureau. But no allegation of misdoing could be established by the investigation authorities against Asif Zardari. Report on French subs deal contradicted Thursday, November 12, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=25517
ISLAMABAD: The government has contradicted a report published in a local and a French newspaper that accuses President Asif Ali Zardari and military authorities of having received millions of dollars in kickbacks from the 1994 sale of three French submarines to Pakistan Navy. ‘This is actually new regurgitation of an old story which was already contradicted by French President Mr Sarkozy on July 11 this year as ‘untrue’, ‘malicious’ and ‘mischievous’. It is part of a media trial of PPP leadership which we condemn and dismiss with the contempt it deserves,’ Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar said. Govt rejects Zardari kickback allegations By Syed Irfan Raza Thursday, 12 Nov, 2009 http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/12-govt+rejects+zardari+kickback+allegations--bi-11
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