Swiss chocolate maker Jacobs Suchard SA offered...

Swiss chocolate maker Jacobs Suchard SA offered $3.9 billion, for Rowntree PLC if the British confectioner agrees to a friendly merger. But Suchard, which just received British government approval to purchase up to 29.9% of Rowntree, said it would launch a hostile bid if its amicable approach failed. The announcement came immediately after the British government also cleared a competing hostile offer from Swiss foods giant Nestle SA.