Government, Thales Must Pay For Bribes In Taiwanese Frigate Deal

The French government and defense firm Thales said they will pay Taiwan a court-ordered fine after losing an appeal in a case involving bribes to win a deal to sell Lafayette-class frigates, reports the China News Agency.

Last week's ruling brings to an end to a lengthy dispute between France and Taiwan over commissions paid on the US$2.8 billion deal for six frigates, now known as the Kang Ding class.

An international court of arbitration ruled in April 2010 that the French...