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http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8...1881227,00.html
Corruption Undermines Vietnam's Stimulus Program
By Martha Ann Overland / Hanoi Monday, Feb. 23, 2009
But few are surprised at the scope of the looting, says Tuong Lai, former director of the government-run Institute of Sociology in Hanoi. Vietnamese officials at all levels have a reputation for sticky fingers. Last Year, a survey on public-sector corruption by Transparency International ranked Vietnam 121st most corrupt out of 180 countries. "Stealing from the poor is nothing particularly new," says Lai. "But after a year of terrible difficulties, the Tet gift was supposed to be a gesture to help improve the trust of the Vietnamese people." Instead, Lai notes, it sabotaged it.
Corruption Undermines Vietnam's Stimulus Program
By Martha Ann Overland / Hanoi Monday, Feb. 23, 2009
But few are surprised at the scope of the looting, says Tuong Lai, former director of the government-run Institute of Sociology in Hanoi. Vietnamese officials at all levels have a reputation for sticky fingers. Last Year, a survey on public-sector corruption by Transparency International ranked Vietnam 121st most corrupt out of 180 countries. "Stealing from the poor is nothing particularly new," says Lai. "But after a year of terrible difficulties, the Tet gift was supposed to be a gesture to help improve the trust of the Vietnamese people." Instead, Lai notes, it sabotaged it.
