PROBLEMS AHEAD FOR FOKKER BUYOUT GROUP?

Russian Ministry of Economics sources have reportedly told Itar-Tass that problems could lie ahead for the two Russian aerospace companies — the Tupolev aircraft research and manufacturing company and the Yakovlev experimental design bureau — trying to buy a controlling interest in Dutch Fokker NV. The sources suggested that the Russian consortium’s hopes of getting a guaranteed loan from the Russian government could be frustrated by the Duma’s likely skepticism toward funding investment in a European — rather than a Russian — aircraft manufacturer. They also warned that the German company DASA, which controlled Fokker until recently and which continues to hold licenses for production of aircraft equipment, could obstruct the deal. (Itar-Tass, May 7)

Korotchenya Praises Belarus, Criticizes Ukraine and West.