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)
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Source: Voice of America
.