http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/un-singles-out-west-on-stolen-funds/2008/01/29/1201369134590.html
UN singles out West on stolen funds Mark Forbes , Nusa Dua January 30, 2008 WESTERN developed nations have been urged to do more to assist the recovery of an estimated $25 billion to $50 billion stolen from developing countries each year and hidden abroad. The World Bank's managing director overseeing anti-corruption efforts, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday urged delegates from more than 100 countries to remove legal obstacles to the return of stolen funds. Ms Okonjo-Iweala was speaking at this week's Bali conference on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. She said that up to $50 billion stolen annually could have gone to food, health and infrastructure for those who needed it most. Her call was joined by Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, who said Indonesia was struggling to recover funds hidden overseas. He said: "Doing it alone is not an easy task." Mr Wirayuda declined to answer questions on whether his nation would continue to pursue up to $40 billion estimated to have been stolen by recently deceased dictator Soeharto. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was criticised for abandoning his scheduled appearance at the conference to participate in official mourning for Mr Soeharto. An Indonesian Corruption Watch spokesman said the cancellation demonstrated an ambivalent attitude to corruption. He said: "It's a shame that the President chose to attend the funeral of Soeharto, Indonesia's biggest corruptor, instead of a UN conference that aims to help Indonesia recover its stolen assets." Yesterday's meeting highlighted the beginning of a UN and World Bank-backed Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (STAR). At the September launch of the initiative, a list was distributed of the world's most corrupt leaders - naming Mr Soeharto as the world's worst. Mr Wirayuda emphasised STAR was "not case-specific; it is a technical assistance program to enhance capacity". It would remain Indonesia's highest priority to recover stolen public funds, he said. Ms Okonjo-Iweala said many countries retained "convoluted legal obstacles" to recovering stolen funds - pointing out it took the Philippines 18 years to recover assets from the Marcos regime. She pleaded: "Lead by example; assist developing countries to recover assets rather than standing in their way." Ms Okonjo-Iweala supported the reversal of the burden of proof to recover stolen assets - allowing the seizure of funds from abroad without a conviction against their owner, who would then need to prove they were earned legally. This week's meeting will discuss the implementation of the Convention Against Corruption, which came into force in 2005. The UN is calling for an acceleration of anti-corruption efforts, introducing a mechanism to review the convention's progress and for more nations to join its 140 signatories. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
