Vivendi not acting for others in Telecom

(ANSA) - Rome, January 19 - Vivendi CEO Arnaud De Puyfontaine reiterated on Tuesday that the French group is not moving on behalf of any third parties after acquiring a stake of over 20% in Telecom Italia. "Vivendi is a long-term investor in Telecom Italia," De Puyfontaine told an Italian Senate hearing.
    "We want to develop a strategic industrial plan. We are not moving on behalf of third parties. We want to build a success story for Italy, for Telecom Italia, for its capacity to create another strong link between France and Italy". French businessman Xavier Niel, who owns Internet provider Iliad, has taken a 15% stake in Telecom Italia. Vivendi and Niel have repeatedly denied they are acting in concert.