Bernard Pache, chief executive of Compagnie des Machines Bull SA, yesterday formally denied a report in La Tribune Defosses that Bull plans to sell Zenith Data Systems, describing it as fantastical. La Tribune said the government would not be against Bull selling Zenith outright, naming Hewlett-Packard Co, Canon Inc and NEC Corp as possible candidates to buy it. The propagation of such rumours, accompanied by particularly negative comments on the future of Groupe Bull, seriously prejudice its activity and its image, Bull said. Bull sources nevertheless told Reuter some kind of partnership was being sought for Zenith.Bull is included on the list of state-controlled companies France wants to privatise.
