DATE= DECEMBER 28,1997
TYPE= EDITORIAL
NUMBER= 0-07583
TITLE= EDITORIAL: NATIONS SIGN ANTI-BRIBERY AGREEMENT
CONTENT=THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST
DECEMBER 28, 1997.
ANNCR:
THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE
VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF
THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
VOICE:
THIS MONTH, MEMBERS OF THE O-E-C-D, OR ORGANIZATION FOR
ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT, TOOK ANOTHER STEP IN THE
FIGHT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BRIBERY. ON DECEMBER
17TH, THE THIRTY-FOUR GOVERNMENTS SIGNED A CONVENTION WHICH
CRIMINALIZES THE BRIBERY OF FOREIGN PUBLIC OFFICIALS. AS
SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAID, "IT IS A VICTORY FOR
GOOD GOVERNMENT, FAIR COMPETITION AND OPEN TRADE."
THE COST OF BRIBERY IS HIGH. IT UNDERMINES GOVERNANCE, HARMS
ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY, AND STUNTS DEVELOPMENT. IT DISTORTS TRADE.
IT PENALIZES CONSUMERS THROUGH HIGHER PRICES FOR THE PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES CAUGHT UP IN CORRUPT BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS. BRIBERY
ALSO HURTS COMPANIES THAT REFUSE TO ENGAGE IN IT.
TWENTY YEARS AGO, THE U.S. WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY TO PROHIBIT
BRIBES OF FOREIGN PUBLIC OFFICIALS. SIGNATORIES OF THE NEW
CONVENTION HAVE AGREED TO SUBMIT TO THEIR LEGISLATURES BY APRIL
PROPOSALS TO CRIMINALIZE BRIBERY OF FOREIGN PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
THEY HAVE ALSO PLEDGED TO SEEK TO ENACT THE CONVENTION BY THE END
OF 1998.
THE AGREEMENT IS A CRITICAL STEP IN THE EFFORT AGAINST
COMMERCIAL BRIBERY. IN THE WORDS OF SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT,
"ENDING CORRUPTION IS AN INTEREST WE SHARE WITH EVERY NATION THAT
WISHES TO TAKE PART IN THE MORE JUST AND LAWFUL INTERNATIONAL
SYSTEM WE ARE STRIVING TO BUILD."
ANNCR:
THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED
STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE,
PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, DC,
20547, USA. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR
COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
24-Dec-97 10:58 AM EST (1558 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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