The peace talks between GEC Plc and Plessey Co that broke off so acrimoniously could be resumed soon, sources from both sides conceded to the Evening Standard yesterday, but the expectation is that GEC will do little more than try to persuade Plessey to recommend a bid, an idea that goes down well with some analysts although it would do nothing to reduce the Ministry of Defence alarm at substantial parts of the amalgamation of Plessey and GEC interests, and would therefore not do much to speed things up; Plessey is not interested in doing more than concocting a deal on GEC Plessey Telecommunications, and is not likely to recommend any GEC offer; the story put fivepence on the GEC share price and fivepence off Plessey, which may well have been the purpose behind the story going out.
