The French company Thomson-CSF has again been accused by the Austrian press to have paid bribes in connection with a contract for the sale of 22 radars to the Austrian armed forces.

These assertions have been immediately denied by the Austrian Department of Defence and the consultant of Thomson-CSF in Vienna, Mr Peter Muchitsch.

The well-known Austrian news magazine "News" stated in its edition to be coming out on Thursday that Thomson-CSF did pay a commission of 50 millions of shillings (about 5 millions of US$) to Mr. Muchitsch. In addition 80 millions of shillings (8 millions of US$) have been credited to secret accounts in Switzerland.

Similar accusations against Thomson-CSF after getting this contract amounting to 1,3 billions of shillings last autumn have been strongly denied by the French company last November.

Mr. Muchitsch confirmed having received a commission from Thomson-CSF but, according to him, the amount mentioned by "News" is too high. On the other hand he described as "totally absurd" the assertion regarding the transfer of 80 millions of shillings to Swiss accounts.

Mr. Muchitsch is considering legal proceedings against "News" for damaging his reputation. The Austrian Defence Minister did emphasize that he "did not pay any money at all (in shillings) to Mr. Muchitsch. A spokesperson added, "We do not pay commissions".

Still according to "News", Mr Muchitsch also obtained the payment of a commission from the Israeli company Tadiran that amounted to 3,5 millions of shillings (350.000US$) regarding a contract amounting to 50 millions of shillings (5 millions of US$).

This commission, also credited to Swiss accounts would have been used to bribe civil servants of the Austrian Department of Defence. The Director of Public Prosecutions opened an inquiry according to "News".

Mr. Muchitsch admitted that he received a commission of 7% (3,5 millions of shillings) from Tadiran. But, contrary to the assertions from "News", it was not about computer terminals in connection with the radars but for short wave apparatus.

In this respect, the Department of Defence pointed out that it was not aware of enquiries carried out by the DPP regarding civil servants of the Department.

With acknowledgement to AFP.