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Pastimes : The New Qualcomm - write what you like thread. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Maurice Winn who wrote (1656)	4/22/2000 9:50:00 AM
From: Clarksterh	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12235

WM - Somewhat off topic - how did American oil companies do business in North Africa and the Middle East? I suppose they did what everyone else does - pay out 'consultancy fees'; make 'charitable contribution' etc US companies did (and presumably still do) hire local independent 'consultants'. What they do with the money to get government approval or the winning bid isn't the US company's concern <wink, wink>. One final comment - Obviously there are many US companies that do play the game, but by having to go through a third party they are/were disadvantaged. However, in my very limited experience, I would say that in general modern US companies are more honest than most. I've been on the losing side of several suspicious deals. Having said that, I think that US companies are among the heaviest users of governmental influence in international relations - not exactly fair, but perhaps offsetting their weakness in bribery? Clark