17 November 1999 Fact Sheet: U.S. Corruption Initiative (U.S. Mission to OSCE fact sheet) (570) The U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) released a fact sheet November 17 in Istanbul on the U.S. Corruption Initiative. Following is the text of the fact sheet: (begin fact sheet) U.S. Mission to the OSCE Office of Public Affairs (Istanbul, Turkey) November 17, 1999 FACT SHEET: U.S. CORRUPTION INITIATIVE BACKGROUND A major change in the international community's approach to corruption has taken place. A few years ago, discussion of corruption was in many contexts taboo, Now the World Bank openly calls corruption an impediment to economic growth. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Council of Europe, Organization of American States, and United Nations are engaged in efforts to combat corruption. Participants in the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe are addressing corruption as a fundamental threat. Last week the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development issued a report singling out corruption as one of the most important obstacles to economic progress in countries in transition. Corruption saps economic strength, deters investment, undermines confidence in governments, and feeds political instability and the violence that can flow from it. The time has come for OSCE action. Public support for anti-corruption measures has never been stronger. The OSCE, through its comprehensive scope and membership, is well suited to contribute to efforts to combat corruption. Most existing approaches address punitive criminal and civil measures, whereas the OSCE excels in its ability to marshal high-level political will and its strong process of mutual evaluations. In its July 10 Declaration in St. Petersburg, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly urged all OSCE participating States to intensify efforts to combat corruption and organized crime, and review these issues at a ministerial meeting. At the Review Conference preceding the OSCE Summit in Istanbul, the United States called on participating States to develop a set of norms aimed at fighting corruption and promoting public integrity. KEY DEVELOPMENTS OSCE Summit leaders have fully supported addressing corruption as a major threat. We are very pleased that Summit leaders have taken an important first step in bringing to bear the prestige and weight of the OSCE in the fight against corruption. Reflecting the U.S. corruption initiative at the Summit, the November 18 Charter for European Security recognizes that corruption poses a great threat, pledges that OSCE states will strengthen efforts to combat it, and says they will make better use of existing international instruments and work with NGOs. In addition, the November 19 Summit Declaration tasks the OSCE Permanent Council to examine how best to contribute to efforts to control corruption, and calls for the results of this work to be reported to the 2000 Ministerial Meeting. We believe that over the next year OSCE states should identify a set of norms -- political commitments -- aimed at fighting corruption, for assessment at the 2000 Ministerial. Further, the OSCE should develop a strategy and action plan, and make it a part of all OSCE activities. OSCE work with NGOs is valuable. NGOs help identify problems and areas for action, assist in mobilizing expertise, educate publics, facilitate exchanges of information about best practices, and serve as a bridge between governments and civil society and a key link in public-private anti-corruption partnerships. (end fact sheet) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State)