In the News
Below is a selection of news headlines from around the world from the past month. Please see our disclaimer immediately below the news section.
Asia & Pacific
Copyright PTI, 24 November 2008
The Central Bureau of Investigation in India has told the Delhi High Court that details of investigations into alleged kickbacks in a submarine deal cannot be revealed. The CBI has stated the report contains details of communications with international agencies including Interpol that cannot be made public.
Policy on arms purchases reversed
Copyright The Hindu, 26 November 2008
The Indian government has been accused of reversing its policy of not dealing with defence companies involved in corruption cases.
Europe
Former Croatian DM Probed for Corruption: Report
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 21 November 2008
An inquiry has been opened in Croatia into a former defence minister in relation to allegations of wrongdoing in the 2004 purchase of Italian trucks.
Patria ex-CEO Wiitakorpi Released
Copyright STT Finnish government news, 28 November 2008
The former CEO of Patria has been released from custody. Jorma Wiitakorpi is under suspicion of aggravated corruption and corrupt business practices, as well as industrial espionage.
French writer says he's a "mosquito" in arms trial
Copyright Reuters, 09 December 2008
A French author, one of 42 people on trial over illegal weapons sales to Angola, has claimed his involvement in the affair was marginal. Paul-Loup Sulitzer admitted receiving various payments in return for passing on information whenever writers or journalists were scrutinising Angola. M Sulitzer previously received a six-month suspended sentence in relation to charges related to this role.
'Ukraine laundered billions in arms trade'
Copyright Russia Today, 09 December 2008
The Ukrainian government has been accused of illegally trading in arms.
Court: Swiss can hand over bank files in BAE probe
Copyright The Associated Press, 01 December 2008
The Swiss Federal Criminal Court has ruled that Switzerland can hand over bank documents to British authorities investigating allegations of bribery at BAE Systems in contracts with the Czech Republic.
Military corruption costs Russia almost $80 million in 2008
Copyright The Moscow News, 02 December 2008
Corruption in Russia’s armed forces has been estimated by a prosecutor as having a cost of almost US$80 million in losses to the state budget for the first nine months of 2008.
Americas
Argentine ex-leader Menem on trial for arms sales
Copyright Reuters, 29 November 2008
The ex-President of Argentina, Carlos Menem, participated over video-link in his ongoing trial in relation to weapons smuggling in the 1980s.
Banned Firms Got New U.S. Contracts In Iraq
Copyright USA Today, 18 November 2008
A firm which had been suspended from contracts with the US government on bribery allegations was subsequently awarded a new contract in Iraq. The company in question, Lee Dynamics, operates warehouses for Iraqi security forces.
Middle East
Corruption holds back Afghan army expansion
Copyright Reuters, 11 December 2008
A US Army General in charge of training in Afghanistan has cited endemic corruption as one of the main obstacles to the development of capacity in the Afghan army and police forces, which is preventing them from being able to take over security duties within the country.
Africa
'Bribes', BAe – and the billionaire who loves champagne and women
Copyright The Scotsman, 02 December 2008
Authorities in South African have carried out raids as part of ongoing investigations into allegations of bribery on the part of BAE Systems.
Related articles:
BAE accused of £100m secret payments to seal South Africa arms deal, Copyright The Guardian, 6 December 2008
Doomed Scorpions Strike Hard, Copyright Mail & Guardian, 28 November 2008
Radar deal: Fugitive Vithlani now confirmed as 'Paymaster'
Copyright This Day, 01 January 2009
Wanted businessman Shailesh Vithlani is reported to be the person who negotiated bribe payments with government officials in the Tanzanian purchase of a defence radar system several years ago.
UK returns arms bribe to Uganda
Copyright Daily Monitor, 10 December 2008
The UK Government has returned a bribe to Uganda that had been received by a Ugandan advisor to the President from a UK security firm.
Disclaimer
Transparency International UK takes no position on the views presented by reporters, commentators, organisations and companies in the materials listed in this email or linked to in our website. As with any such resource, our purpose is to provide access to a wide selection of materials representing diverse viewpoints on a matter of obvious public interest. We do not exercise any editorial control over the materials and cannot guarantee their accuracy. The Digest is a free publication of Transparency International UK.
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