ArmInfo. Four-Day War in April highlighted the corrosive effect corruption can have on national security of Armenia, said US Ambassador in Armenia Richard Mills in his speech in American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia in Yerevan on February 1.
The Ambassador recalled that 15 months ago he spoke about intersection between corruption and national security. "Many people were surprised, many were dismissive. Certainly the public discourse during and after the Four-Day War in April highlighted the corrosive effect corruption can have on national security and brought the issue into the public spotlight", said Richard Mills.
During the last 15 months it has become clear to the US Ambassador that the lack of a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict diverts precious resources - both Armenian and those provided from Armenia's international and Diaspora friends do not serve its purpose. "The lack of a resolution to Nagorno-Karabakh fuels corruption because it keeps Armenia's borders closed and, when borders are closed, it is easier for powerful business people and others to control economic markets and close off competition", said the diplomat.
The US Ambassador recalled that in his first speech he set 4 priorities in the work of US Embassy in Armenia, including fight against corruption jointly with Armenian partners. According to him, one area where significant progress has been registered is Armenia joining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, or EITI. Nevertheless, for better results it is necessary for the government of Armenia to show political will. EITI membership requires that the government, civil society, and the mining industry come together to foster greater transparency and the clean, responsible, and sustainable development of mining.
The Government, with USAID support, has worked hard on its candidacy package, forming a multi-stakeholder working group with representatives from extractive companies, civil society, and international partners, and formally submitting its membership application to the Board of the EITI in December 2016. Joining EITI is not an end in itself, but it is a significant commitment to increased transparency and to uphold international standards in the all-important mining sector. The government must strengthen and empower public institutions at all levels and send a clear message from on high that corruption will not be tolerated and that no one is above the law. Absent this message, no truly transformative change can occur, the Ambassador thinks.
The US Embassy is encouraged with Armenian new government's readiness to fight against corruption and has concrete proposals on this issue. First of all, the government should strengthen the independent role and responsibilities of the Ethics Commission on High Ranking Officials. The Ambassador applauded the government's recent step in this direction. Significant changes have been made to the Administrative Violations Code and Criminal Code, providing for fines, criminal sentences, and limitations on holding government positions for 3 years for individuals who submit false income declarations. But more needs to be done. "One fix would be for the Government to make clear that the launching of an investigation into possible corrupt activities by a government official does not require specific evidence of an actual bribe paid or a favor given, but could be triggered by a prosecutor's assessment that the assets declared by a government official are so great as to trigger reasonable grounds of suspicion", the Ambassador noted.
The Ambassador also suggests that the government consider establishing a fully independent anti- corruption body with full investigative and prosecutorial authority. "This seems a propitious time for the government to consider this suggestion, as we understand the Prime Minister is currently deciding how to restructure the existing Anti-Corruption Council and formalize the connections and lines of authority between the Anti-Corruption Council and other bodies with anti-corruption", he said.