NAM urges enforcement of Anti-Bribery Convention.

Press Release Summary:



In letter sent to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, and Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, both NAM and Transparency International, as well as other associations encouraged greater enforcement of OECD Anti-Bribery Convention at Ministerial meeting June 4-5. Letter called for action by Administration to improve climate for transparency and commitment to anti-corruption initiatives, including supporting accession to Convention by China, Russia, and India.



Original Press Release:



NAM Urges Enforcement Of Anti-Bribery Convention



Business Seeks Transparency, Enforcement of Obligations

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2008 - The National Association of Manufacturers joined Transparency International and other associations in a letter sent today to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey encouraging them to press for greater enforcement of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention at the upcoming Ministerial meeting June 4-5.

The letter emphasized that without this enforcement, "U.S. companies that operate with integrity" will be penalized and the "effective use of resources, investment and economic development, the rule of law and democracy" will be undermined. The letter called for action by the Administration to improve the climate for transparency and commitment to anti-corruption initiatives, including supporting accession to the Convention by China, Russia and India.

"It is well known that corruption is one of the leading impediments to successful economic and political development," said Patricia Mears, NAM's Director for International Commercial Affairs. "It is essential that members of the G7 show strong leadership by enforcing their commitments to anti-bribery principles. We fully support the U.S. government enforcement actions, but need to see other countries step up their efforts to ensure that their companies are also abiding by these commitments."

Of the 37 countries that have signed onto the Convention, the United States has taken the most vigorous enforcement actions to date. Of great concern, said Mears, are the two-thirds of the parties, especially G8 members Canada, Japan and the UK that, according to the Transparency International's 2007 Progress Report, have done "little or nothing to enforce their Convention obligations."

The National Association of Manufacturers is the nation's largest industrial trade association, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NAM has 11 additional offices across the country. Visit the NAM's award-winning web site at www.nam.org for more information about manufacturing and the economy.

CONTACT: HANK COX (202) 637-3090

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