Open news feed Close news feed
A A

«YOU CANNOT COMBAT CORRUPTION EVEN IF YOU ARE A SAINT»

Politics

The Group of States against corruption (GRECO) has made 24 offers to Armenia and the Republic has to execute them until September 2007. For example, to reduce the number of officials enjoying immunity, the organize trainings for the workers of the judicial system, etc.

The advisor of the RA President Bagrat Yesayan rendered a press conference today to speak about anti-corruption issues. He did not deny that several powers will fail to like the realization of these measures. But he says that the «coalition is decisive in its combat against corruption».

«The country has become a member of GRECO expressing its political will. That is, we feel that we must combat against corruption and must correspond to the European standard», he said. For example, the «Democratic Delegate» fraction already shows signs of complaint as they are against the listing of the property and income of officials. And as long as there is no such law, people can «travel in luxury cars and live in luxury mansions», and no one, according to the advisor, will accuse them. GRECO too demands the adoption of such a law.

GRECO also find it necessary to reduce the role of individuals (the RA President, the Attorney General) in the process of depriving judges and workers of the prosecutor's office of immunity.

Asked the question if the execution of the demands of GRECO is realistic taking into account the fact that in 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections will be held in Armenia, Yesayan answered that the authorizations of the President will not be finished immediately after the elections, and even after them he will take care of the full execution of the requirements.

By the way, he also mentioned that even if Kocharyan becomes a saint, he will not be able to carry out the full listing of the property of Armenian officials. «We cannot expect efficiency as everyone is aware that in this case people will register their property by the name of their close relatives».

According to Yesayan, there are no efficient mechanisms to check the verity of the announcements.