War-torn nations 'most corrupt'

[ccharles000]

War-torn nations remain the world's most corrupt, Transparency International (TI) has said.

Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia are the lowest-ranked countries in TI's annual global survey. They were all at the bottom of the list last year as well.

"When essential institutions are weak or non-existent, corruption spirals out of control," TI said.

New Zealand was the least corrupt, with last year's winner Denmark as runner-up and Singapore third.

It said this was a result of "political stability, long established conflict of interest regulations and solid, functioning public institutions".

The issue of corruption in Afghanistan is particularly pressing. Widespread fraud marred the country's last elections, while the US is still debating whether to increase troop levels.

The UK ranked 17th, down one place from last year. The US also fell one place to 19th.

The organisation said tackling public sector corruption was even more pressing now, as governments worldwide had spent huge amounts of public money bailing out banks and public institutions.

"At a time when massive stimulus packages, fast-track disbursements of public funds and attempts to secure peace are being implemented around the world, it is essential to identify where corruption blocks good governance and accountability," TI said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8363599.stm

[IntravenousDemilo]

1. War provides excellent cover for corruption.

It's all patter and misdirection that allows governments to get away with murder while people are looking the other way. Have you noticed an appreciable reduction in your civil liberties since 12 September 2001? You're never going to get those back now. They wouldn't have been taken away, except the population was focusing on the Great and Powerful Oz instead of the man behind the curtain.

[Tejas]

2. mrobvious "Astonishing!" /mr obvious