Lazarenko among 10 most corrupt (04/11/04)

Lazarenko among 10 most corrupt

LONDON - Former President Mohamed Suharto of Indonesia was cited as the most corrupt world leader in recent history, heading a "Top 10" corruption list prepared by Transparency International, based in Great Britain.

According to Transparency International, whose top-10 list covers the past 20 years, Mr. Suharto plundered a family fortune estimated at between $15 billion and $35 billion (U.S.) during his 32-year reign. This list coincides with the release of the organization's annual Global Corruption Report, a round-up of government graft worldwide.

In second place was former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos, deposed in 1986, who plundered between $5 billion and $10 billion. In third was the late dictator of Zaire, Mobutu Sese Seko, who acquired around $5 billion when he ruled the country, today known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, in 1965-1997.

Ukraine's former Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko, who is currently standing trial in the United States on charges of money laundering, came in eighth on the top-10 list.

"Political corruption undermines the hopes for prosperity and stability of developing countries, and damages the global economy," said Transparency International chairman Peter Eigen, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"The abuse of political power for private gain deprives the most needy of vital public services, creating a level of despair that breeds conflict and violence. It also hits the pockets of taxpayers and shareholders worldwide. The problem must be tackled at the national and international level," AFP quoted him as saying.

AFP reported the following as the 10 most corrupt leaders around the globe, based on the estimated sums (given in U.S. dollars) they are alleged to have stolen.

1. Mohamed Suharto, Indonesia, 1967-1998, $15 billion to $35 billion.

2. Ferdinand Marcos, Philippines, 1972-1986, $5 billion to $10 billion.

3. Mobutu Sese Seko, Zaire, 1965-1997, $5 billion.

4. Sani Abacha, Nigeria, 1993-1998, $2 billion to $5 billion.

5. Slobodan Milosevic, Serbia/Yugoslavia, 1989-2000, $1 billion.

6. Jean-Claude Duvalier, Haiti, 1971-1986, $300 million to $800 million.

7. Alberto Fujimori, Peru, 1990-2000, $600 million.

8. Pavlo Lazarenko, Ukraine, 1996-1997, $114 million to 200 million.

9. Arnoldo Aleman, Nicaragua, 1997-2000, $100 million.

10. Joseph Estrada, Philippines, 1998-2001, $78 million to $80 million.

| Home Page |