Chairman Svein Aaser and CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas explained in afternoon trade minister Monica Mæland of corruption forged mind against Vimpelcom in Uzbekistan.
Telenor owns a 43 percent stake in Vimpelcom, and has four representatives on the board. Vimpelcom investigated now by the Dutch authorities, who suspect that the $ 92.5 million – 600 million kroner – who have gone to the company Takilant in reality is pure bribery to gain access to the Uzbek mobile market.
Takilant became in time the payments took place, controlled by the daughter of Uzbekistan’s president, Gulnara Karimov.
– We have had a good and thorough meeting with the minister, we leave everything she asked for on the table, said Chairman of Telenor Svein hills, to the press afterwards.
It is clear that it is challenging to be in the mobile market in the former Soviet republic.
– A robbery
– It would been nice to sell out record in Vimpelcom, but it would have been a robbery against our shareholders, says Aaser.
When asked whether the daughter of Uzbekistan’s president may have received NOK 600 million from Vimpelcom, said Baksaas:
– No one knows if it is true, but the allegations have pointed in that direction. But all VimpelCom dispositions in Uzbekistan is carried out in accordance with corruption legislation in the United States, Baksaas said.
Baksaas, who sits in Vimpelcom board, was aware that he himself as a director has considered or approved payments to Takilant.
– No, I have not treated such payments, said Baksaas.
Chairman Svein Aaser said he still has confidence in Jon Fredrik Baksaas as CEO of Telenor.
The same is said Industry Minister Monica Mæland.
– I have confidence that Telenor’s ownership has complied with the applicable rules and policies in relation to corruption legislation, said Mæland.
Questioning and fittings
NRK writes today that CEO Baksaas has been questioned by police in both Norway and the Netherlands in the case.
– This I know only today, says trade minister Monica Mæland.
Norwegian authorities also seized of the matter in Telenor’s offices at Fornebu, reports Aftenposten.
Although Baksaas do not claim even to have approved payments to Takilant, he says Vimpelcom for what he knows to have acted in accordance with US anti-corruption legislation in the matter. There he explained also the Minister of Industry:
– These payments have been approved stamp of the renowned American law firms, said Monica Mæland about Takilant-payments.
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