DATE=10/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CORRUPTION INDEX (L-O)
NUMBER=2-255496
BYLINE=JON TKACH
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A new study shows companies from leading
exporting countries are widely seen as using bribes to
win business in developing nations. A global anti-
corruption group, Transparency International, is
calling for the governments of these richer countries
to take determined action against firms that bribe
foreign officials. V-O-A's Jon Tkach reports the
group ranks China's businesses as the most prolific
bribe payers of 19 leading exporting countries
surveyed, followed by South Korea and Taiwan.
TEXT: The group says its Bribe Payers Perception
Index shows many developed countries that do not
tolerate corruption among their own officials often
turn a blind eye when it comes to businesses paying
bribes abroad.
Transparency International's Frank Vogl says
businesses -- and the officials who take bribes -- are
bankrupting the public in developing countries.
/// VOGL ACT ///
There is outrage everywhere about the looting
and theft by political leaders who think they
can get away with it. The result is that
hospitals are not getting built, schools are not
getting built, and people are getting cheated.
/// END ACT ///
In addition to looking at the bribe payers, the group
also ranks 99-countries in terms of the degree to
which their officials are perceived to take bribes.
In that listing, developed countries cluster toward
the top of the list as least corrupt, while most poor
nations fare much worse. The study shows Cameroon,
Nigeria, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan as the most corrupt
of the countries surveyed.
Transparency International is calling for all
exporting countries to ratify a multi-lateral anti-
corruption convention that went into effect in
February.
The group's rankings are based on surveys of business
people, government officials, and the general public.
/// REST OPTIONAL ///
Mr. Vogl cited Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo
as an example of several new leaders fighting to clean
up historically corrupt governments. He says although
Nigeria fares a bit worse in this year's index than it
did in 1998, he is optimistic about the country's
future. (SIGNED)
NEB/JON/RAE
26-Oct-1999 13:34 PM EDT (26-Oct-1999 1734 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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