It said Aaser when he Wednesday morning testified before the Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs.
Pending police investigation
– The Ministry takes this matter very seriously, said Industry Minister Monica Mæland.
She did not want to draw any conclusions about the implications it may have for Telenor before the police investigation in the case is closed.
Police in several countries, including Prosecutor in Norway, investigating possible corruption in the awarding of mobile licenses in the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan.
– I mean the Ministry has followed up this matter within the laws and regulations that apply . It is also my opinion that Telenor Board takes the fight against corruption seriously, the minister said in committee hearing.
– Basic unrest
Telenor Chairman and CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas explained the suspicions that Telenor is involved in corruption in Uzbekistan via the Russian mobile operator Vimpelcom which Telenor is large minority victory.
– Developments in the case so far are cause for concern, said Baksaas.
Committee Chairman Martin Kolberg asked both directly about it has been corruption of Vimpelcom in Uzbekistan.
Aaser: – The question I have received previously from the press. When I replied that we can not guarantee that it has not occurred, but we have through our investigations failed to prove that it has occurred.
Baksaas: – I can not say that it has been corruption in Uzbekistan and VimpelCom’s entry into countries.
Financial investment
Baksaas stated that Telenor is considering several measures against Vimpelcom as part owner without checking with the company.
Telenor’s ownership in the Russian mobile operator has long been turbulent and changeable, pointed Aaser.
Since Telenor has not received the desired control of ownership, the investment in the Russian mobile company today regarded as an financial rather than strategic investment.
This means that Telenor no longer have any direct influence over the daily operation and investment decisions.
The Norwegian Jo Lunder since 2011 been CEO of Vimpelcom Ltd. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and is listed on NASDAQ technology exchange in New York, United States.
Presidential daughter
It is the Russian mobile operator Vimpelcom, where Telenor is part owner, who is being investigated for possible corruption in the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan.
Vimpelcom transferred 700 mikllioner million to a mailbox company in Gibraltar to secure mobile licenses in Uzbekistan.
Later it is revealed that this company had close ties to Uzbekistan’s president’s daughter Gulnara Karimov.
Snowball began to roll when the Swedish prosecution and the police in 2012 began to investigate whether TeliaSonera had paid bribes to the president’s daughter.
warning lights
Was it no warning lights blinking at Telenor’s representatives on VimpelCom board? asked Liberal Abid Q. Raja.
– Jo. It is wrong that no warning lights flashed. They did it fall 2012. When the Board had received assurances from VimpelCom management that the investments in Usbekistand was in line with US anti-corruption legislation, said Baksaas.
He resigned on January 7 this year as director in Vimpelcom. Telenor has continued Thurs the 2nd boardrooms Vimpelcom.
Vimpelcom is controlled by the Russian billionaire Michal Friedman through the company Altimo owned by Friedman company Alfa Group.
Telenor investigated
The investigation was later expanded to Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United States. Economic Crime in this country investigates corruption forged mind against Telenor.
Control chairman Martin Kolberg (A), which is rapporteur said in his introduction that the reason for the hearing is corruption forged mind.
But the Parliament will also For answers to what the Ministry of Industry knew about Telenor’s involvement in Uzbekistan.
– We hope this hearing will provide the necessary information in the case that will provide background for the conclusion Committee shall adopt its recommendations, said Kolberg.
“The media operates more»
General Guro Slettemark Transparency International Norway said that all warning lights should have daylight when Vimpelcom transferred large amounts to a tax haven.
– It is a paradox that it is the media which operates the matter forward. There are actually those who have gotten off what has happened, said Slettemark.
Her impression of Telenor for the contact Transparency International had, is that the company is completely in the driver’s seat when it comes to dealing korrupssjonssaker.
– They are very good professional at this. But I ask again question whether this is part of the business environment, or about business and ethics are two different things, she said.
Tax havens are an obvious structure to hide corruption, pointed leader of the organization who has to purpose of combating corruption.
She called for greater awareness among the authorities when it pops up issues with the payment of money from state companies to mailbox companies in Gibraltar.
Vimpelcom transferred money to a company in Gibraltar was created as sole proprietorships for the Uzbek president’s daughter.
Confederation reputation
Slettemark also drew comparisons with Yara case underway in Oslo District Court. Here sits former top executives on trial for corruption in Libya and India.
– This begins to take on Norwegian business reputation, she said.
Transparency International produces an annual corruption index. Uzbekistan scored in last 18 points of 100 possible that countries where there is no bribery in the public sector. None of the 177 countries on this index score of 100 points.
More surprises?
– Can we expect new unpleasant surprises if Telenor engagements in Uzbekistan through Vimpelcom? asked Rasmus Hansson from the Green Party.
Aaser: – It should not be ruled out.
Baksaas: – I have Nor insight that such things can come, but I can not exclude it.
Prompted by Dagens Næringsliv
Former Minister Trond Giske (Labour) said Vimpelcom was a company that gave cause for concern.
– Relationship to Vimpelcom was a regular in relation to Telenor in my time as trade minister, said Giske.
He was political director in the Ministry of Industry in the coalition government from 2009 to the change of government after elections in 2013.
Giske told that the Ministry was not known whether the suspicions about Vimpelcom corruption in Uzbekistan when Dagens Næringsliv contacted and asked for a comment.
It was especially revelations and investigations in Sweden in 2012 by TeliaSonera possible corruption in Uzbekistan as did department management extra concerned about Telenor’s role in VimpelCom investments in Uzbekistan.
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