Europe - France, Germany hail EADS success in US 03/03/2008 00:00

France and Germany hailed the "historic" and "immense" success of EADS after the European aerospace group won a 35-billion-dollar Pentagon contract.

   PARIS, March 3, 2008  - France and Germany hailed the "historic" and
"immense" success of EADS in the US on Saturday after the European aerospace
group won a 35-billion-dollar Pentagon contract to supply refuelling aircraft.
   A spokesman for French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he had called EADS
boss Louis Gallois "to pay homage to this historic success".
   "He is delighted that after recent difficulties, EADS has come back
brilliantly with record orders, particularly in one of the most difficult and
demanding defence markets in the world," said David Martinon in a statement.
   A statement from German Chancellor Angela Merkel received in Berlin stated:
"It is an immense success for Airbus and for the European aerospace industry."
   EADS, the parent company of plane maker Airbus, saw its profits collapse
last year because of cost overruns with the Airbus A380.

AFP