In article NStIf.6038$3V4.5004@trnddc06, says...


What part of "for all practical purposes" went right over your head? The
European Union countries lead by France have a long history of subsidies
to Airbus.


The question of launch subsidies from European governments to EADS/Airbus
is indeed a sticky one, to which I agree the governments involved have not
been entirely forthcoming. But to characterize EADS/Airbus as a wholly
owned subsidiary of the French government, even "for all practical
purposes" is an unacceptable simplification.

GF