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  3. Finance (general)

rétrocommission

09:11 Jun 22, 2010
This question was closed without grading. Reason: Other

French to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Finance (general)
French term or phrase: rétrocommission
As is used in the context of the Karachi affair, when Balladur received "rétrocommissions" on arms deals to finance his campaign. I thought of using kickbacks, but kickbacks are bribes and are completely illegal. "Rétrocommissions" are shady, but may have been legal at the time (in 1994).

The context: QU’EST-CE QU’UN CONTRAT D’ARMEMENT ET UNE RÉTROCOMMISSION ?

Ce sont des intermédiaires, qui, au lieu de distribuer l’argent dans le pays acheteur, reversent les fonds, généralement en espèces, au sein du pays vendeur.
tatyana000
Local time: 01:31


Summary of answers provided
3 +2kickback
Imanol
Summary of reference entries provided
liz askew

Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
kickback


Explanation:
While paying bribes to foreign agents was legal at the time, kickbacks - or retro-commissions, as they are called here - were not (http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-121282.html)

Imanol
Local time: 01:31
Native speaker of: French

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jack Dunwell
10 hrs
  -> Thanks!
agree  EricBT: You may also add "retro-commissions" between brackets at the first appearance of this kickback in your text.
21 hrs
  -> Thank you ! This is a usefull addition, indeed.
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Reference comments


29 mins
Reference

Reference information:
BBC News - Sarkozy queried over Pakistan arms cash
4 Jun 2010 ... When a major arms or oil contract was negotiated with a foreign country ... If the claims of secret funding through "retro-commissions" were ...
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10240508.stm - Cached

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Note added at 29 mins (2010-06-22 09:41:09 GMT)
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'Bribes and bombs' scandal returns to haunt Sarkozy - Europe ...
26 Jun 2009 ... non-payment of arms contract "commissions" to senior Pakistani officials. ... and all other arms payments on which "retro-commissions", ...
www.independent.co.uk › News › World › Europe - Cached - Similar

liz askew
United Kingdom
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 75
Note to reference poster
Asker: Hi Liz, I would like to give you points for your answer. If the BBC and the Independent use "retro-commissions" in quotes, I can to. Especially since the text later explains what they are. Please submit "retro-commissions" as an answer and I'll give you the points.

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