The Hindu Business Line : Wolf by the ears

From (James D.) Wolfensohn to (Paul) Wolfowitz — it is one unending saga. One does not know whether to laugh or cry at the World Bank, under the stewardship of these two in succession, taking up cudgels against corruption. Mr Wolfensohn did it on his own steam, whereas Mr Wolfowitz has elevated it to an issue to be placed before the 184-member general body and getting its endorsement. Who will say nay to fighting corruption?

Just as a thief joins the chase of the citizens, shouting "Stop thief!," even those member-nations, topping the corruption perception index compiled annually by Transparency International (TI), have enthusiastically passed the resolution.

The Bank's argumentation is in the viscous style common to documents of world bodies. The word "complex" occurs at least half-a-dozen times, as befits such "complex" subjects. It also wants to square several circles.

To wit: Corruption is "complex"; it is the one single factor that negates all efforts at development and poverty elimination; fight against it must be multi-pronged and holistic; ergo, the World Bank must do something.

At the same time, the World Bank must do nothing that results in the people at large going without the aid they desperately need.

Also, it should not be seen as an interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries.

All this heavy breathing is totally unnecessary. Mr Wolfowitz has proposed posting anti-corruption officers in the Bank offices located in various countries; they can be asked to collaborate with the TI and their concrete findings about the loci and perpetrators of corruption made public.

The Bank should also withhold all assistance to countries high on the TI's list and ban colluding firms.

Mr Wolfowitz has already taken certain steps in this direction, and mentions India, Kenya, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan as the countries targeted by him. (What a company for India to keep!) Powers-that-be in Delhi and the State capitals, take note: You have a wolf by the ears!

B. S. RAGHAVAN

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