At the 8th Annual Anti-Corruption Policy Forum
Boyana Conference Center, Sofia
March 21, 2006
Mister Minister,
Chief Prosecutor,
Your Excellencies, Members of Parliament, Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am very glad to be here today to participate in the opening of the CSD annual anti-corruption policy forum. I applaud the initiative of Dr. Shentov and the Center for the Study of Democracy in creating this report and this conference on a very important topic, at a crucial time.
The fight against corruption in Bulgaria is of importance to the United States Government for three reasons.
First, American businesses in Bulgaria, and those thinking of investing in Bulgaria, want to be certain that they can operate in a business climate free of corruption.
Second, the EU has made the reduction of corruption an important criteria for Bulgaria's entry into the European Union in 2007. The United States strongly supports the Bulgarian EU candidacy, and we want to do everything we can to help Bulgaria enter the EU on time.
Third, the United States and Bulgaria are partners in the international fight against organized crime, drug trafficking, trafficking of people, and other forms of crime without frontiers, which are frequently linked with corrupt government officials. For this fight to succeed, our law enforcement agencies have to have complete confidence in each other.
In my travels around Bulgaria, I have found that Bulgarians consider corruption to be one of the greatest problems their country faces. I have heard stories of corruption affecting the lives of people at all levels, from encounters with corrupt policemen and local public officials asking for bribes to allegations in the press about more serious corruption at high levels. Sometimes the line between
private interests and public interests has been hard to find. Public opinion polls show the great frustration of the Bulgarian about organized crime and corruption. This frustration can easily turn to cynicism, or can be manipulated by populist parties. Corruption destroys the confidence of the people in their government - and ultimately, corruption can destroy the government itself
The United States itself is not immune to political corruption. Within the last few weeks an American Congressman was convicted of accepting bribes in exchange for influence. Over the years, we have tried many different approaches, and found a number of effective ways to fight corruption at all levels. One of the most important means is to deny political protection to corrupt officials. We kriow how difficult this can be, and there is no denying that political forces sometime influence who is investigated and who is charged. Nonetheless, when credible charges of corruption are raised, the first response should be an honest commitment to consider the evidence - not to look for political motivation behind the charges. Government, political parties, the judiciary, and society as a whole must be willing to acknowledge when corruption has occurred - regardless of how or why it was uncovered - and then be willing to act against it. This is not a sign of political weakness; it is a demonstration of strength.
The political and legal system of the United States is very different from Bulgaria, and what works in one country often may not work in another, but there are some parts of the American experience that may be applicable here. We and the European Union have been working very closely with the Bulgaria Government on this issue, because we want Bulgaria to win the war against corruption.
As this report and this conference today shows, the Government of Bulgaria acknowledges the problem, and is making an effort to overcome corruption at all levels. This alliance against corruption must includes members of all political parties. It must involve the government and NGOs, the press and the private sector. At the national level, changes have been proposed to the Constitution, to try to bring about greater transparency and personal responsibility. The Government has adopted a new Transparent Governance Strategy, reformed the Anti-Corruption Commission, and established better coordination between the anti-corruption efforts of the parliament, the judiciary, and the government. The United States applauds these important and serious reforms.
The fight against administrative corruption is also taking place at the local level. I have seen in some communities, such as Veliko Turnovo, the creation of government service centers, which provide better service to citizens and reduce the opportunities for petty corruption.
Administrative reforms are an important tool. But the most important change, ultimately, must come in popular attitudes. The most insidious excuse for corruption is to say: "Everyone does it."
The best defense against corruption is transparency, exposure, and punishment that is swift and sure. The best weapons against corruption are active NGOs, a professional, adversarial media, and a public that demands accountability from government at all levels.
We in the United States strongly support this joint effort of the Bulgarian government, the press, and'NGOs to root out corruption. As an American I am an optimist, and I believe that, with the public behind you, you will be able to win the battle against corruption, restore the confidence of citizens in the government, strengthen the rule of law, and help Bulgaria take its rightful place in the European Union. Yes, turning the tide against corruption will take time and political courage. Or, as President John Kennedy once said in describing the difficulties of achieving ambitious goals: all this may not be accomplished in a hundred days, or in a thousand days, or perhaps even in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
Thank you.
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