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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) NNNN Source: Voice of America .