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Berlusconi: “French company’s plan is mere colonialism. Prodi sold Alitalia short”.
People of Freedom’s leader says consortium of Italian entrepreneurs, including his children, could be formed.
 ROME – After the public announcement of “my opposition”, Air France will pull out of the battle for Alitalia, leaving the field open for Air One, “whose leadership I consider indispensable to the deal. The operation will be supported by a consortium of banks, which could include Banca Intesa, whose board could take a decision tomorrow, and other entrepreneurs, perhaps with the participation of my children”. The statement came from People of Freedom’s (PDL) leader, Silvio Berlusconi, in a conversation with journalists during the night at a birthday party for former Northern League minister Roberto Maroni. Mr Berlusconi reiterated his rejection of the plan presented by the Franco-Dutch group.
MURKY DEALINGS – “I referred to the dealings as murky”, said Mr Berlusconi after a dinner hosted by Mr Maroni, “because I don’t understand why they haven’t made the accounts available to other possible purchasers whereas all the papers have been shown to Air France”. On the possibility of an Italian consortium, Mr Berlusconi said: “I’ve made a few phone calls and some people are willing. I’ll be making a few more calls tomorrow and trying to get in touch with [Confindustria leader Emma – Trans.] Marcegaglia”.
MY CHILDREN WOULD NOT SAY NO – Mr Berlusconi added: “I myself would be willing to make sacrifices but they’d accuse me of having a vested interest. I could take part on an equal footing with others, nor do I think that my children would say no”. “Leadership of the operation would stay with Air One”, he went on, “which could exploit synergies with Alitalia. With Air One would be other entrepreneurs and of course the banks, including Banca Intesa, which they tell me will be holding a board meeting that should give the operation the green light”. Mr Berlusconi also mentioned magnate Salvatore Ligresti (“if he confirms the declarations he has made”) and also “the Arab world, which could purchase minority holdings”.
PROFITS IN EIGHTEEN MONTHS – Mr Berlusconi went on: “If the banks come on board, we’ll start at once and Alitalia could be back in the black in a year or a year and a half”. Will the French pull out after Mr Berlusconi’s veto? “Yes, I think they will”, said Mr Berlusconi. “Air France will back off because if they know the future prime minister is not in favour, they’ll step back. Particularly since in France – unlike Italy, where the government counts for nothing – the executive is a serious matter”. Mr Berlusconi said that he had had no contact with Nicolas Sarkozy.
ATTACK ON PRODI – The former prime minister went on to attack the government. “Prodi is an expert at selling off assets, as you well know from the SME affair, and he has imposed unacceptable conditions on Air One while laying down none for Air France”. Mr Berlusconi continued: “He has put Prato, his close collaborator, in charge of the affair and has handled negotiations in a shortsighted fashion”. “If anyone ought to be in favour of the deal with Air France", said Mr Berlusconi, “that person is me because I wouldn’t have this headache when I’m in government. That was one of the reasons I said nothing but a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. Particularly since the conditions laid down by Air France smack of colonialism”.
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