Elf suspect appears in Paris court

PARIS, France -- Former oil giant executive Alfred Sirven has made a brief court appearance in France's biggest corruption trial in years -- now adjourned until March 12.

France's justice minister had earlier urged him to reveal all he knows about high-level bribery and fraud.

Sirven, formerly of the scandal-shrouded state oil company Elf, made a star's entrance at the trial on Wednesday, taking the spotlight from fellow defendants.

Former Foreign Minister Roland Dumas and his ex-mistress Christine Deviers-Joncour were greeted by Sirven who also took a bow before applauding visitors in the court gallery.

CNN Paris Bureau Chief Jim Bitterman said the scene was "incongruous" as each defendant shook hands with one another and made small talk.

Sirven was questioned before the two-week-old trial was suspended, as expected, so that he could prepare his defence.

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Sirven, 74, answered a few questions from judge Sophie Portier about his work after leaving Elf -- now part of the private TotalFinaElf group -- in 1993.

Phantom jobs allegation

The judge decided Sirven, who was on the run for almost four years and arrested last week in the Philippines, should stay behind bars.

Justice Minister Marylise Lebranchu said Sirven had been co-operative but uncommunicative when he was questioned by her late on Tuesday.

"I hope that everything comes out," Lebranchu told Europe 1 radio. "The faster it goes, the more that is said, the more the truth is known, the better it will be for everybody."

Sirven is suspected of doling out millions of dollars to influence politicians, provide phantom jobs for political friends and ensure fat contracts for the state-owned company.

In the current trial, the first of several expected to shed light on Elf's shadowy empire, he is accused of showering Deviers-Joncour with money and gifts to influence Dumas to approve a controversial arms sale to Taiwan.

Investigating magistrates formally advised Sirven, on Tuesday, he was charged with attempted extortion in a multi-million-dollar frigates sale to Taiwan and distributing millions of dollars in illegal slush funds allegedly siphoned from Elf.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Bribe suspect extradition granted
February 5, 2001
Germany holds key Elf suspect
February 3, 2001
French ex-minister threatens court
January 31, 2001
Dumas trial adjourned after arrest
February 5, 2001

Elf Aquitaine
French Justice Ministry
German Government and Politics

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