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"I cannot predict the outcome of this investigation but it is
not impossible that the fine will be significant," Enders told
Le Monde in an interview.
"We know that all this is weighing on the company but we have no
alternative."
Britain and France have pledged to co-operate in their
investigations, which were launched after Airbus disclosed
anomalies last year in past filings on the use of agents.
It also faces an Austrian probe over a 2003 fighter sale.
Enders told Le Monde he was not aware of any investigation being
carried by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Airbus is also conducting its own internal investigation in the
hope of being offered a deal by UK prosecutors as a reward for
co-operation and sharing results with investigators.
Legal experts say any settlement could cost significantly more
than the roughly 700 million pounds paid by Rolls-Royce under a
similar deal earlier this year.
Speaking separately to Le Monde, Airbus Chairman Denis Ranque
said the board was mindful of the fact that a conviction could
cost Airbus, a major defense and space supplier, access to
public markets.
"The consequences of such a scenario would be very heavy. Full
and utter co-operation is the only path possible," he said.
People familiar with the matter have said the size of sums
involved in the probe, spread over dozens of deals, and mounting
internal tensions have generated alarm at board level.
The board expressed full trust and confidence in Enders on
Thursday, but two people familiar with the matter said it only
did so after commissioning its own study of top management.
Le Monde said the board had appointed its own lawyers and that
Ranque had declined to confirm or deny this.
Two people with knowledge of the move said the board has also
recently hired head hunters. One of the people said, however,
that this was part of a normal talent review.
Enders earlier this year announced his intention to renew his
three-year mandate in 2016.
Airbus declined to comment on board actions.
(Reporting by Tim Hepher, editing by David Evans)
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