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April 15, 2003
REMARKS
BY AMBASSADOR GUEST TO THE
INTERNATIONAL ANTICORRUPTION DONORS' CONFERENCE
"INVESTING IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION"
APRIL 15, 2003
PALACE OF PARLIAMENT, BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Minister
Stanoiu, I very much join my colleagues in applauding this initiative
to match resources to the fight
against corruption. I strongly urge that you focus not on studies
but on concrete projects and actions that will result in the most
immediate and practical impact on the lives of the Romanian people.
As
this is a donors' conference, I had planned to talk this morning
about how the U.S. Embassy is trying to help Romania in this area.
But after tossing and turning, I've put those plans aside. And
rather than address the donors in this audience, I have some things
I need to say to every Romanian who is here, and to every Romanian
who really cares about this country.
Some
of you may recall my speech in Iasi, in January 2002, where I
addressed Romania's corruption problems. Afterwards, a Romanian
told me rather sharply that my remarks had hurt the reputation
of his country. I understand that reaction. Americans are also
a proud people, and we don't always accept criticism that we should,
even when it comes from friends. But as a friend, I owe it to
you to speak strongly and directly to this problem today. And
rather than being upset at my openness, I hope that we can channel
our energies to address the underlying problem.
At
times I have urged, publicly and privately, that stronger steps
be taken against corruption. Almost invariably, someone says to
me, "Mr. Ambassador, you don't understand." Well, my
friends, I do understand. I understand too well.
I
understand why businessmen with inside connections - on either
side of the political aisle, by the way - don't want new, tighter
laws to be passed or implemented.
I
understand why some privatizations take so long - if they ever
occur. I know what "liquidators" are; I know how they're
connected; and I know what happens - to their bank accounts and,
unfortunately, to communities - when they buy a firm. I also know
what too often happens - or more pointedly, what fails to happen
- when insiders beat out those who should have won the deal. You
know this too. And it's a shame for this country.
I
understand the forces that keep properties from being restituted
to their rightful owners. I understand why some prosecutions are
so slow to move forward. I certainly have my suspicions as to
why some court judgments are never reached.
I
understand why HIV/AIDS drugs may cost hospitals here at least
50% more than they do in the States. I think we all know how the
mark-ups occur before the drugs find their way to the hospital;
if you look hard enough, you can even find out who benefits. I
understand how tens - probably even hundreds - of thousands of
dollars are spent to order the wrong HIV/AIDS drugs - drugs mismatched
to the conditions they should target. Is it incompetence? Is it
cozy relationships? I can't think of other possibilities. But
what if the consequence is that there's not enough money to meet
this country's health needs - or in some cases to keep people
alive? What then do you do?
And
by the way, I don't place the blame for this at Minister Bartos'
door - I've found her to be a woman of great honor, who really
is trying to reform the health care system. I know precisely what
she's up against.
My
friends, I understand all of this. I know what goes on and why.
But understanding doesn't make it right.
Now,
I want to be clear with you that I am not laying these problems
at the government's door. Indeed, I believe this government has
done more to tighten laws and strengthen institutions than any
previous government. Madame Minister, you have played a critical
role in the changes that have occurred, and even if more is to
be done, I commend you wholeheartedly for those steps.
The
truth is that corruption is not an issue of the center-left, nor
is it an issue of the center-right. It's an issue of greed. It's
an issue of individuals who care more about themselves, their
positions, and their friends than they do about fairness and justice
or, in fact, about this country. For them, politics don't really
matter: they'll use whatever political party suits them, or they'll
line up at the door of whomever's in power, or at the door of
whomever outside of power can advance their interests.
My
friends, do not treat corruption as a political game of rumors
and allegations. Do not treat it as a battering ram to tear down.
And do not say to me, as at least one representative of civil
society shamefully said, that the new anti-corruption law is a
step backward. It is not a perfect law, but it's a good starting
point. Perfect it - improve it - but use it to move forward.
The
government and the opposition -- and yes, the media -- owe it
to the people of Romania to join hands to fight this problem together.
If you don't, corruption will win, and this country risks becoming
morally bankrupt. For far too long, insiders in this country have
used their positions and connections and influence to keep Romania
from reaching its potential, and to keep Romania's people from
reaching their dreams. That has got to stop.
Now,
I apologize if I seem emotional, but this is something in which
I passionately believe. If the young people of this country can't
count on finding jobs based on merit, it's time for them to pursue
their careers elsewhere. If well-placed insiders take money that
otherwise could be used to pave roads and install water lines,
while senior citizens who've lived through the worst of communism
and a difficult transition can't afford heat, then those senior
citizens are living in a country that is foreign to them. And
if the judiciary cannot deliver equal, fair and impartial justice
- whether for the shepherd or the bricklayer or the politician
-- that, in fact, is a crime.
Some
of you may say that I'm not being diplomatic. Well, my 21 years
of experience have taught me that a diplomat who doesn't speak
clearly isn't doing his job. I have always said to Romania's people
that I will be honest with them. I've kept that promise, and I'm
keeping it today.
Some of you may say that America should tend to its own problems.
Well, I agree. I've often said publicly that we have our own problems
with corruption, including, of course, Enron. We have our backrooms,
we have our crooked politicians, we have our so-called "accounting
errors." But each time corruption turns up in the States,
there are plenty of efforts, largely successful, to fine-tune
the system. And U.S. prosecutors who tackle corruption cases successfully
can make their career. The same needs to happen here.
Perhaps
you see mine as a tough message for this country. Well, I say
all of this out of deep love for Romania and for Romanians. In
my 18 months here, I've met so many wonderful Romanian citizens.
People who are honest, and skilled, and hard-working. People who
give you their hearts. People who deserve more for themselves,
and for their children, than they are getting.
Madame
Minister, I say all of this with a sense of urgency, because time
is slipping away. Again, I do not want to take away from what
has been accomplished. There has been clear progress since Iasi,
progress of which the government and the people of Romania can
be proud. But I can't help but wonder what opportunities have
been missed. All of the donors here want this country to succeed
-- in fact, I think some of us believe in this country's future
more than many Romanians do. And that is a problem.
We
are committed to partnering with you - to investing in this fight,
as the conference agenda says. Indeed, we're already spending
quite a bit of money to help. Most of us are prepared to spend
more. But in return we would ask all Romanians in any position
of responsibility, whether in the government or in civil society:
Invest of yourselves. Take the decisions that we cannot take.
Build bridges across political lines to push for positive change.
Spend less time studying the problem than taking action on it.
Prosecute and punish to the full letter of the law, regardless
of chips that may fall. Commit yourselves to make a difference.
Do
not do this for NATO, or for the EU. Do not do this to satisfy
some World Bank loan criteria. Do this for yourselves, and for
your children. Do this for your country. Make this conference
a starting point for renewal. Make this a conference of urgent
action.
In
my heart of hearts, I suspect that all of the donors here today
really have fallen in love with this country, as I have. But we
cannot love it more than Romanians do. We will help you in any
way we can. But we cannot set the course and the speed in your
stead.
I
have faith in Romania, and in Romanians. You can do it, and you
must.
Thank you.
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