General Electric (GE) (GE.N) strengthened its position in the battle for the power arm of French group Alstom (ALSO.PA) on Wednesday with a pledge to create new jobs in France and recognition from Paris that it had made a more acceptable offer. GE Chief Executive Jeff Immelt promised 1,000 new engineering and manufacturing jobs within three years of a deal when he met French President Francois Hollande in the morning, said two sources close to the talks who asked not to be named because the matter has not been announced by the U.S group.