|
Berlin Talks Tough On Planned Airbus Cuts
 Germany's economy minister has upped the ante in talks to restructure Airbus, threatening to cancel defense deals with Franco-German parent company EADS if the revamp claims too many German jobs. But commentators say it's an empty threat, and Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman has opted for a markedly softer tone on the issue.German Economy Minister Michael Glos told Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag: "We insist that Germany remain a high-tech location for Airbus, especially where the manufacture of fuselages is concerned. If that isn't the case, Germany would have to reconsider its weapons orders at Airbus parent company EADS. We will not put up with the planned cuts to jobs and high-tech know-how in Germany under any circumstances." Government spokesman Thomas Steg, asked to comment on Merkel's position regarding Airbus, told a regular news conference on Monday: "We're clear what Germany's interests are, but we don't make threats." Posted by: Steve White 2007-02-06 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=179671 |