Pahad admits to arms deal meeting
Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad said his office had reminded him that he had met with an official from French arms company Thomson CSF (now called Thales and its SA subsidiary is Thint), according to a report on the Mail & Guardian Online site.
Arising from reports in weekend newspapers and subsequent media inquiries, in good faith I requested my office to verify whether I had met with a representative of Thomson CSF, said Pahad. My office has informed me that such a meeting which was with Mr Alain Thetard did occur. This was on February 23, 1999, when I was Deputy Minister. I have no recollection of details of the discussion Pahad was Deputy Minister in the Presidency until June 1999, when he became Minister. At the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that both President Thabo Mbeki and Pahad had met officials from Thint. Mbeki has told Parliament that he could not recall any meeting with Thint. Full Mail & Guardian Online report