https://freerepublic.com/tag/generaldegaulle/ en-us Wed, 19 Mar 2003 20:37:18 GMT Focus Forum 15 https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/869123/posts Elf Aquitaine, until its privatisation in 1994, was much more than a oil company - according to prosecutors at the trial of Elf's top managers. They claim the state-owned firm worked as an unofficial arm of France's murkiest diplomacy. The close relationship between Elf and French officials is well-documented, and goes back to the presidency of General Charles de Gaulle. As the company expanded into Africa in the 1960s and 1970s, Elf paid secret "commissions" to African officials with the blessing of French governments. By the 1980s Elf had operations in Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Cameroon, Angola and Nigeria - which,... BBC News Online https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/869123/posts#comment Wed, 19 Mar 2003 20:37:18 GMT