Anti-corruptionINTERNATIONAL INTEGRITY STANDARD National and International Integrity Standard The ACD is offering a new method to fight political corruption. The ACD method is different from and complementary to anti corruption/good governance programs such as The World Bank's diagnostic surveys, the OECD's monitoring groups, Freedom House's "Nations in Transition" survey and others. The ACD focus on the implementation mechanisms of existing legislation regarding anti-terrorism legislation, public integrity, good governance, procurement, liberalization and privatization, and laws governing the financial sector, as referred to in the ACD Integrity Index. The findings serve to design programs to address the special needs of each country, and provide the appropriate training mechanisms to correct and control those problems. The ACD comprehensive evaluations of anti-terror laws, national and international corruption and adherence to the rule of law, can thus serve as a major policy tool regarding foreign business practices, foreign aid, and terror financing. The ACD offers case studies of 3 - 4 months each. The studies are conducted in countries that have been identified as having a real opportunity for change. At the same time the ACD plans to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of national and international corruption for the development of an annual Integrity Indicators, and evaluate the implementation of anti-terror financing legislation. This Index could provide a comparative measure on a country - by - country basis of corruption/ anti-corruption/anti-terrorism measures and the effectiveness of their implementation. Following the case studies and the development of models for reform, the ACD can provide training for government officials, corporate executives, international organization personnel, public interest groups, the media and the like, in ways of fighting corruption and effectively stopping terror financing. The ACD would continue to monitor and reinforce democratic values and national and international integrity standards, by updating and publishing its findings and an annual Integrity Index. ACD Response to Die Presse article: "Bulgarien: Sofia macht PR-Druck auf EU", July 9, 2008 On July 9, 2008, The Austrian Die Presse, published FRANK STIER’s: "Bulgarien: Sofia macht PR-Druck auf EU". The article was full with inaccuracies, innuendos and baseless allegations. Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld, Director of the American Center for Democracy wrote to the paper asking for correction, but her letter to the editor has yet to be published. For the sake of accuracy and transparency, see Dr. Ehrenfeld’s response (in English translation, and German, below): TO: Die Pressechefredaktion@diepresse.com leserbriefe@diepresse.com Dear Editor, Clearly, in his article Bulgarien: Sofia macht PR-Druck auf EU, July 9,2008, Mr. FRANK STIER has not done his homework, since it is full of inaccuracies and false information. Moreover, he never contacted me or others at the American Center for Democracy (ACD) to check the facts. In addition, he misinformed the readers by using innuendoes, instead of facts. Let me set the record straight: The American Center for Democracy (ACD) has not received any payment whatsoever from the Bulgarian government. Our work in Bulgaria was financed by the Center. We are an independent organization and we do not receive funds from any government. Our evaluation of the situation in Bulgaria is based on an in-depth study of Bulgaria’s history and its current efforts to fight corruption. This study lasted many months and included an intensive week-long fact-checking visit to Bulgaria. Our independent report reflects our studies and in-country evaluation. We were glad to report that the Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei STANISHEV and his government are committed to fight corruption and to make all the necessary long term reforms that will help Bulgaria to function as a free market democracy and a valuable member of the EU. We take our work seriously. It is unfortunate that Mr. STIER has not done the same.Sincerely, Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld Director American Center for Democracy. ---------------- TO: Die Presse chefredaktion@diepresse.com leserbriefe@diepresse.com Korrektur: "Bulgarien: Sofia macht PR-Druck auf EU" - http://diepresse.com/home/politik/eu/397069/index.do?from=suche.intern.portal Sehr geehrter Herausgeber Herr FRANK STIER hat nicht seine Hausaufgaben gemacht, da es voll von Ungenauigkeiten und falschen Informationen wimmelt. Außerdem trat er nie mit mir selber oder mit anderen vom "American Center for Democracy" in Verbindung, um die Tatsachen zu überprüfen. Zusätzlich unterrichtete er die Leser falsch, indem er Anspielungen, anstelle von den Tatsachen verwendete. Das "American Center for Democracy" (ACD) hat niemals von der Bulgarischen Regierung Zahlung empfangen. Unsere Arbeit in Bulgarien wurde durch unser Center finanziert. Wir sind eine unabhängige Organisation und wir empfangen nie Kapital - Zahlungen - von irgendeiner Regierung. Unsere Auswertung der Situation von Bulgarien war lediglich basiert auf eine eingehende Studie, der die Bulgarische Geschichte und seine gegenwärtigen Bemühungen die Korruption zu bekämpfen vorausgingen. Diese Studie hat viele Monate gedauert, und ein intensiver Ein-Wöchiger Besuch von Bulgarien war eingeschlossen in die Studie. Unser unabhängiger Report reflektiert unsere Studien und Inlandauswertung. Wir waren erfreut berichten zu können, dass der Bulgarische Premierminister Sergei STANISHEV und seine Regierung sich verpflichtet haben den Kampf der Korruption und alle notwendigen Lang Zeit Verbesserungen zu verwirklichen, welche Bulgarien helfen werden als eine Freie Demokratie zu funktionieren, und ein wertvolles beitragendes Mitglied der EU zu sein. Wir nehmen unsere Arbeit ernst. Dr. Rachel Ehrenfeld Director American Center for Democracy www.acdemocracy.org Article: Bulgarisches FBI räumt im Korruptionsfilz auf (Bulgarian FBI (SANS) Fight Corruption) Article: No Bulgarian sanctions: Government will fight corruption Article: Brussels often criticizes Bulgaria, sometimes without grounds Article: Bulgaria's PM Has Both the Will and the Potential to Carry out Reforms Bulgaria's PM Letter Bulgaria ACD Report |
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