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 .