Banner Left

Culture of graft cuts deep

Culture of graft cuts deep

KIEV – Ukraine’s sacked Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, asked to explain why she refused to shake hands with some senior administration officials, put it this way: “I could not put my hand in hands that were busy stealing state property.”

Her opponents hit back with accusations that she too has dubious links with a Ukrainian business group. Nine months after the ‘Orange Revolution’ brought in pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko and his then-ally Tymoshenko on a pledge to root out graft, the culture of corruption in this ex-Soviet state seems as strong as ever.As top officials angrily denounce each other for insider wheeling-and-dealing, the reaction of many Ukrainians is quite simply to believe all the contradictory versions at the same time – without needing proof.Many accept the charges of widespread “cronyism” that the Yushchenko administration levelled at the previous rule of Leonid Kuchma.But they say the current leaders are only slightly better.With the issue back in the spotlight after the sacking of the Tymoshenko government, Yushchenko has ordered a probe.He expects results in 10 days.”People do not see the entire Yushchenko government as corrupt.They think the fight against corruption is not fast and decisive enough,” said Yury Yakimenko, head of political research at an independent think-tank Razumkov centre.”Kuchma’s administration was considered to be totally corrupt.But now only certain figures or particular ministers are viewed with suspicion.”MILLIONS AT STAKE Bribes by ordinary people to get a job or help their children up the ladder of society have long been a part of life in this country of 47 million.Two institutions notorious for officials on the take – the customs service and the highway police – are being restructured on Yushchenko’s orders.But the corruption that triggered the political crisis, according to analysts and insiders, goes much higher than that.Many talk of highly-placed officials using their position to push specific legislation through parliament or influence courts in carving up company assets that will provide them with a direct rake-off.Analysts say millions of dollars are at stake.They cite the case of Pavlo Lazarenko, who became a multimillionaire while he was Ukraine’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997.He is now on trial in the United States for money laundering and extortion.After Yushchenko took power in January, there was some evidence that corruption was declining.A Russian businessman recalled how local officials demanded a bribe for permission to build a house near Kiev but then backed off after he told them Yushchenko was the new leader.Many officials from the Kuchma administration have gone abroad or are in jail after criminal investigations.SHORT HONEYMOON But the honeymoon for the new government was short.A poll by a Ukrainian TV channel showed over 60 per cent of the 2 200 people taking part had paid out bribes since Yushchenko took power.Another survey by weekly Zerkalo Nedeli showed that over 70 per cent of people polled in Kiev did not believe corruption was declining under the new administration.Even the president’s eldest son, Andriy Yushchenko, has been under intense scrutiny after the Internet newspaper Ukrainska Pravda published a story about his glamorous life-style.Andriy replied that his part-time job enabled him to rent an expensive BMW car, a spacious city centre apartment in Kiev, pay for a personal bodyguard and finance visits to chic restaurants.”Many saw how officials financially benefited under Kuchma.The temptation was strong and some wanted to repeat the financial successes of their predecessors,” one analyst said.Oleh Rybachuk, new presidential chief of staff, said those too close to business will be excluded from the new government.”You will not see businessmen there anymore.You will not see such people in the new government.We’ll do what we promised.”- Nampa-ReutersNine months after the ‘Orange Revolution’ brought in pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko and his then-ally Tymoshenko on a pledge to root out graft, the culture of corruption in this ex-Soviet state seems as strong as ever.As top officials angrily denounce each other for insider wheeling-and-dealing, the reaction of many Ukrainians is quite simply to believe all the contradictory versions at the same time – without needing proof.Many accept the charges of widespread “cronyism” that the Yushchenko administration levelled at the previous rule of Leonid Kuchma.But they say the current leaders are only slightly better.With the issue back in the spotlight after the sacking of the Tymoshenko government, Yushchenko has ordered a probe.He expects results in 10 days.”People do not see the entire Yushchenko government as corrupt.They think the fight against corruption is not fast and decisive enough,” said Yury Yakimenko, head of political research at an independent think-tank Razumkov centre.”Kuchma’s administration was considered to be totally corrupt.But now only certain figures or particular ministers are viewed with suspicion.”MILLIONS AT STAKE Bribes by ordinary people to get a job or help their children up the ladder of society have long been a part of life in this country of 47 million.Two institutions notorious for officials on the take – the customs service and the highway police – are being restructured on Yushchenko’s orders.But the corruption that triggered the political crisis, according to analysts and insiders, goes much higher than that.Many talk of highly-placed officials using their position to push specific legislation through parliament or influence courts in carving up company assets that will provide them with a direct rake-off.Analysts say millions of dollars are at stake.They cite the case of Pavlo Lazarenko, who became a multimillionaire while he was Ukraine’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997.He is now on trial in the United States for money laundering and extortion.After Yushchenko took power in January, there was some evidence that corruption was declining.A Russian businessman recalled how local officials demanded a bribe for permission to build a house near Kiev but then backed off after he told them Yushchenko was the new leader.Many officials from the Kuchma administration have gone abroad or are in jail after criminal investigations. SHORT HONEYMOON But the honeymoon for the new government was short.A poll by a Ukrainian TV channel showed over 60 per cent of the 2 200 people taking part had paid out bribes since Yushchenko took power.Another survey by weekly Zerkalo Nedeli showed that over 70 per cent of people polled in Kiev did not believe corruption was declining under the new administration.Even the president’s eldest son, Andriy Yushchenko, has been under intense scrutiny after the Internet newspaper Ukrainska Pravda published a story about his glamorous life-style.Andriy replied that his part-time job enabled him to rent an expensive BMW car, a spacious city centre apartment in Kiev, pay for a personal bodyguard and finance visits to chic restaurants.”Many saw how officials financially benefited under Kuchma.The temptation was strong and some wanted to repeat the financial successes of their predecessors,” one analyst said.Oleh Rybachuk, new presidential chief of staff, said those too close to business will be excluded from the new government.”You will not see businessmen there anymore.You will not see such people in the new government.We’ll do what we promised.”- Nampa-Reuters

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!

Latest News