International Corruption Stories Focus on China, Kenya, U.N.
Jan 14th, 2008 • Posted in: NewsU.N. currently pursuing 250 cases; Chinese officials to get anti-graft comic book; journalist opines that corruption is at root of Kenyan violence
VARIOUS DATELINES
Corruption charges continued to be highlighted by the world press last week. Among the major stories:
- The United Nation’s internal auditing office said it was probing about 250 corruption cases, including allegations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers and various cases of financial irregularity. The Reuters news agency reports that Inga-Britt Ahlenius, head of the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services, said that 80 of the current cases revolve around charges of sexual exploitation and abuse in countries such as Haiti and Liberia. Also under investigation are about $600 million worth of contracts suspected to be linked with fraud.
- China’s Communist party will release an anti-graft comic book during the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays as a guide to helping local officials steer clear of corruption, according to the Agence France-Presse. As Newsline reported last week, the government has issued “ten taboos” in a written code of ethics for officials in an effort to stanch an explosion of graft. The pocket-sized comic book contains illustrated lessons about the policies and will be handed out first in the central province of Henan.
- Endemic political corruption is at the root of Kenya’s recent outbreak of violence, according to an opinion piece carried by the International Herald Tribune. Simon Roughneed, who worked in Kenya as a journalist and for an African development organization, contends that the current rulers of Kenya, who retained power in a recent disputed election, have created “concentrated power — and access to wealth and patronage — in a cabal of cronies.” Protests in Kenya were motivated, Roughneed concludes, by the prospect of another “opaque” government “coming on the back of an almost-certainly rigged election.” On Monday, McClatchy Newspaper reports that an exit poll “carried out on behalf of a U.S. government-backed foundation” recorded a resounding defeat for Kenya’s current president, Mwai Kibaki, who has claimed victory in the disputed election.
Sources: McClatchy Newspaper, Jan. 14 — Reuters, Jan. 11 — AFP, Jan. 11 — International Herald Tribune, Jan. 11.
For more information, see: Related Newsline Commentary, Jan. 8 — Related Newsline story, Jan. 8 — Related Newsline story, Jan. 8 — Related Newsline story, Jan. 1– Related Newsline story, Dec. 18, 2007.
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