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Armenian aide lambasts Georgian way of fighting corruption

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  • Armenian aide lambasts Georgian way of fighting corruption

    Aravot, Yerevan, in Armenian
    10 Mar 04 p 3

    Armenian aide lambasts Georgian way of fighting corruption


    The Armenian president's adviser, Bagrat Yesayan, who is engaged in
    drawing up an anti-corruption policy, criticizes methods of fighting
    corruption in Georgia.

    [Aravot correspondent] One may fight corruption in the same way as
    Armenia is doing it now, i.e. to plan and organize hearings; or in
    the same way as Georgia is doing it: to institute proceedings and
    arrest those officials whose abuses and bribery are evident. Why do
    you prefer only the "Armenian" option for fighting corruption, i.e.
    the organization of discussions?

    [Bagrat Yesayan] First, there are not only two types of the fight
    against corruption, there are many options. But there is a principle
    accepted by the Council of Europe that the fight against corruption
    should be comprehensive and include preventive measures,
    investigation and punishment. I think that in Armenia, the fight
    should mainly be comprehensive and should take place in these three
    directions.

    [Correspondent] Does it mean that you think that only the punitive
    direction has been accepted in Georgia? A representative of the
    Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Dashnaktsutyun [ARFD] said that a
    country cannot be built in such a way. Why?

    [Yesayan] Because I think that by taking only punitive measures, we
    shall miss the first two very important options for the fight.
    Corruption is a public disease and if we fight only the consequences
    of the disease without taking preventive measures, we shall not
    achieve any success in that case. And not only Armenia understands
    this, it is a long-standing practice accepted in European countries,
    and the Council of Europe has established this in its 20 principles.

    [Correspondent] Don't you think that punishing people for corruption,
    as is the case in Georgia, will be the best preventive measure for
    officials?

    [Yesayan] I don't think so.

    [Passage omitted: Various punitive measures in different countries,
    including in the Soviet Union]

    And I am sure that if Georgia follows the same direction, taking only
    punitive measures, they will not be able to overcome bribery as the
    system will not change, only people will be replaced.

    [Correspondent] Doesn't your approach contradict the position of
    Dashnaktsutyun, which, as part of the authorities, named a number of
    former officials during a meeting, accused them of abuses and
    demanded that they should answer and be punished?

    [Yesayan] No, there is no contradiction. This is the Dashnaks'
    approach. I am not aware of the names named during the meeting as I
    was not in Armenia at the time. I do not know the context of the
    statement, but I suppose that they spoke about political
    responsibility. Ask the party about this.

    [Passage omitted: Yesayan speaks of his functions as a presidential
    adviser]
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