DATE=9/20/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=US/RUSSIA CORRUPTION (S-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254118
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov says his
government wants what he calls an unbiased
investigation into allegations of government
corruption. He says Moscow shares U-S concerns that
billions of dollars from Russia may have been
laundered through foreign banks. Last week, Secretary
of State Madeleine Albright warned if the allegations
prove to be true, future international aid could be
jeopardized. V-O-A's Nick Simeone reports the issue
was one of several she and her Russian counterpart
discussed Monday night in New York.
TEXT: Russian President Boris Yeltsin has called
corruption allegations politically motivated. But
now, Foreign Minister Ivanov says Moscow wants to find
out the facts as much as the United States does,
through a fair investigation. He spoke through a
translator.
// IVANOV ACT //
We have an interest, which is no less than the
American interest, that the money would be
utilized to satisfy the needs of the Russian
people rather than elsewhere. That is why we
have an interest in the success of such
investigations and our interest is in ensuring
the transparency of our economy.
// END ACT //
Last week, Secretary Albright used unusually strong
language to denounce the Yeltsin government's response
toward allegations of high level corruption, saying
the Kremlin had not made investigating the matter a
priority. Foreign Minister Ivanov says Moscow is
cooperating with authorities from the United States
and other countries looking into the movement of more
than four billion dollars from Russia through the Bank
of New York. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/TVM
20-Sep-1999 21:25 PM EDT (21-Sep-1999 0125 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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