DATE=1/20/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=CORRUPTION SURVEY
NUMBER=5-45281
BYLINE=BARRY WOOD
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Transparency International, a non-profit
organization based in Berlin that fights corruption
worldwide, this week released (in Washington) an
international survey of bribery. V-O-A's Barry Wood
reports the organization believes corruption is an
even bigger problem than previously thought.
TEXT: The report has two components. One is a bribe
payers index based on a recent Gallup survey of nearly
800 business professionals in 14 developing countries
in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The results show that among exporting countries,
China, South Korea, Taiwan, Italy and Malaysia are
most likely to pay bribes to win developing country
business. Sweden, Canada and Australia are perceived
to be the least likely to pay bribes. Former
journalist Frank Vogl - the vice chairman of
Transparency International - is dismayed that
corruption is so pervasive.
/// Vogl Act ///
We are surprised, frankly, that the results are as bad
- meaning that the propensity to use bribes in
international business is as great as the data is
suggesting.
/// End Act ///
Transparency International is urging industrial
countries to implement an O-E-C-D (Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development) anti-bribery
convention that would make the bribing of foreign
officials a criminal offense.
The second survey is a corruption perception index
that focuses heavily on developing countries, where
corruption more directly threatens political and
social stability. This survey reveals that one-third
of one-hundred surveyed countries are seen to be
particularly corrupt. At the bottom of the list -
countries perceived to the most corrupt - are (in
order from the bottom) Cameroun, Nigeria, Indonesia,
Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Honduras, Tanzania and
Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). Mr. Vogl says in
making loan decisions, international lenders should be
most concerned with whether the borrower is making
serious efforts to fight corruption.
/// Vogl Act ///
In countries where the government seems serious about
doing something about corruption and is initiating
strong anti-corruption programs, we think the Fund
(IMF) and Bank (World Bank) should be behind them,
even if these countries are still perceived to have
high levels of corruption.
/// End Act ///
Cases in point, says Mr. Vogl, are Nigeria, where a
new government is fighting corruption while Kenya has
not yet begun to seriously address the problem.
Transparency International says bribe paying is most
common in public works and construction projects.
Frank Vogl says low public sector salaries are a major
cause of corruption.
/// Vogl Act ///
I remember a seminar here in Washington on the
judiciary system in Ukraine - where judges were saying
they were being paid ten dollars per month. Maybe
they're being paid 100 dollars per month. But if they
are having to judge a situation where someone is
accused of tax evasion involving millions, they can't
live off their low salaries.
/// End Act ///
Low salaries, says Mr. Vogl, inevitably create a
temptation to accept bribes.
Transparency International conducts its work through
dozens of chapters in individual countries. Its
budget comes from donations, in part from U-S based
corporations. (signed)
NEB/BDW/JP
20-Jan-2000 15:43 PM EDT (20-Jan-2000 2043 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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