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)

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Source: Voice of America

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