Finally something ahead of time from Airbus.

7:41A EST:

AIRBUS WINS SAUDI ORDER FOR TANKER PLANES

PARIS February 12, 2007 (Reuters) - European planemaker Airbus has won a Saudi Arabian order worth between 350 million euros ($455 million) and 400 million euros, the French Ministry of Defence said on Monday.

1:38P EST:

UPDATE 3-FRANCE FLIP-FLOPS OVER SAUDI AIR TANKER DEAL

PARIS February 12, 2007 (Reuters) - French officials scrambled on Monday to avoid a rift with one of the world's biggest arms buyers after prematurely announcing a deal to supply Saudi Arabia with refuelling tanker planes.

... The French defence ministry announced that Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie and Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Abdul-Aziz had signed the strategically important agreement to supply Airbus MRTT tankers in a deal worth 350-400 million euros.

Less then two hours later it released a second statement, changing course: "Discussions between France and Saudi Arabia relating to the contract for MRTT are continuing."

Even good news goes bad for hapless Airbus.

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