Orange S.A. CEO Stephane Richard is expected to visit Israel at the end of the week, a senior government official said Wednesday, after the French business executive sparked a diplomatic furor last week over his remarks about ending a licensing deal with Partner Communications, the cellular service provider. Israel protested to France after Richard said that Orange S.A., in which the French government has a 25% stake, planned to terminate an arrangement with Partner, through which the Israeli company is licensed to use the Orange brand. Richard said he would do so "tomorrow morning" if the contracts allowed. Orange S.A., which used to be called France Telecom, later suggested Richard's comments were not political, saying they reflected a broader desire and strategy of not licensing its brand where it was not directly in control of the business. Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely said in an interview with Israel's Army Radio that Richard "is supposed to arrive at the end of the week, as far as I know". She confirmed Israeli reports that Richard had written a letter of apology. Richard accepted an invitation earlier this week from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Israel, but neither side had said yet when the trip would take place. Netanyahu instructed Israel's ambassador in Paris not to accept Richard's request to meet there, diplomatic sources said. "If he wants to explain, he can come to Israel to do so," a source quoted Netanyahu as saying. On Monday, an Orange spokesman said Richard welcomed Israel's invitation and the opportunity to clear up what he described as a misunderstanding. "He will go to Israel soon and will provide all the necessary clarifications to end this controversy and reaffirm the group's commitment," the spokesman said. source:Haartz
