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A former Nigerian government minister, Professor Aliyu Babatunde
Fafunwa, has lashed out at the government of Switzerland for its holier-
than-thou attitude on the issue of corruption. In a statement he issued
in Lagos in June, Fafunwa described Switzerland as the most corrupt
nation in Europe.

The one-time minister of Education spoke against the background of the
reluctance of the Swiss authorities to return to Nigeria funds looted
by the late dictator General Sani Abacha and stashed in Swiss banks.
Fafunwa was angered by the insistence of the Swiss government that it
would release the funds only on the condition that the World Bank would
supervise the way it is spent by the Nigerian government.

The former minister wondered why the Europe-based Transparency
International (TI) did not think it proper to rank Switzerland first in
the list of the corrupt countries in the world.

"Of all the governments of the world, the Swiss government is noted for
being the most notorious and as the safest haven for thieves who stole
their governments' money, whether that thief is a Nigerian Head of
State or that of Philippines, Argentina, Congo Kinshasa or Haiti," he
stated. "It is rather ironical that the European-based Transparency
International (TI) does not think it proper to list Switzerland as the
first or second most corrupt nation in the world for harbouring,
encouraging and enticing all robbers of public treasuries around the
world to bring their loot for safe keeping in their dirty vaults."

Fafunwa said that for the Swiss government to tell Nigeria how to use
the Abacha loot when it is finally released is "to add insult to
injury." "Can you imagine a thief in his kindness saying to the robbed,
I will return your money to you if you follow my instruction on how you
should spend it?" he asked.

Fafunwa implored TI to demonstrate its transparency by ranking
Switzerland among the most corrupt nations in the world. "Let
Transparency International demonstrate its own transparency by
classifying as equally corrupt all countries in Europe, America, Asia,
etc; which serve as haven for stolen monies. Under this new
classification, Switzerland will undoubtedly be number one in that
category. God save us from double and triple standards," he added.


PETER W.VAKUNTA
DEPARTMENT OF FRENCH AND ITALIAN
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON
602 VAN HISE HALL
1220 LINDEN DRIVE
MADISON WI 53706-1525
U.S.A
Office  608 262 4067
Home    608 422 6089
Cell    608 381 0407

"The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of the wise man is
in his heart."
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

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