http://www.euractiv.com/fr/elargissement/corruption-norm-in-romania/article- 163475 Corruption 'a norm' in Romania Publié: mercredi 2 mai 2007
Sir, Concerning <http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/transparency-international-leader-co rruption-romania/article-137945> Transparency International's leader on corruption in Romania, Brussels' efforts seem to have had little effect upon the corrupt environment in Romania. The population take corruption for granted - a norm. After living five years in Afghanistan, I had the impression that I had lived through the epitome of corruption. But, that was before coming to Romania. >From personal experience I have learned, for example, when one requires hospital treatment it is necessary to have deep pockets. Doctors will not look at you if you do not offer a few bank notes in advance. And, if overnight stays are necessary, the nursing staff will do nothing without another few notes. The mother of a friend of mine died in a hospital where no treatment was offered for her excessively high blood pressure and severe nose-bleeds, other than to stuffing her nose with old cloth to avoid contaminating the bed! Justice is another area of serious corruption. I have personal experience of this as, when I went to see lawyers concerning a penal action that I wished to take out against a Romanian citizen for fraud, I was staggered when informed that a certain amount of money had to be set aside for bribing the authorities to do their job correctly. In this case, some $4,000. In brief, nothing can be done at any level in Romania without deep pockets and a generous distribution of cash. Corruption is rife at all levels of society and the higher it is within the society the more corrupt it becomes! Is this what Europe wants from allowing Romania into its club? M.Gilman Bucharest, Romania © EurActiv.com ---------------------------- Vali "Noble blood is an accident of fortune; noble actions are the chief mark of greatness." (Carlo Goldoni) "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." (Jimi Hendrix)
