France Telecom may not participate in the tender for acquiring the controlling interest in Israel's state-owned telecom corporation, Bezeq, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decided Tuesday. Sharon accepted the recommendation of the Israeli Security Agency not to allow France Telecom to participate in the Bezeq privatization tender.
According to Globes, the ISA opposed France Telecom's participation in the tender because it is a partner in a number of Arab telecommunications companies. It had been thought that France Telecom would be allowed to participate in the Bezeq tender, despite the ISA's opjections.
Under the consortium agreements, France Telecom was due to own 3% of Bezeq, if its consortium won the tender.
