Ex-head of Elf Aquitaine dies

The Associated Press reports that Philippe Jaffre, executive vice president of engineering company Alstom and former chairman of oil group Elf Aquitaine, has died, his company said Sunday. He was 62. Patrick Kron, Alstom''s chairman and chief executive, said Jaffre played an important role in turning around the company''s fortunes in 2003-2004, when he was chief financial officer. He said Jaffre brought "vision, expertise and availability which contributed decisively to defining and implementing the solutions which allowed the company to be saved." Jaffre led Elf Aquitaine from 1993 until 1999, when he resigned after the company announced a merger with rival Total Fina. The company is now known as Total SA. Kron said Jaffre had been ill for two years before his death Wednesday but did not specify his illness. Jaffre is survived by a wife and three children. Funeral details were not announced.