Russia Says Time For Anti-Bribery School…


Ratifiers of the UN anti corruption treaty
Ratifiers of the UN anti corruption treaty…

Russian officials involved in the country’s new anti-corruption units will undergo special training courses to learn how to prevent bribery Russian business daily Vedomosti said on Wednesday.

Some 500 officials will attend the 36-hour program at the Russian Academy of Public Administration (RAPA).

RAPA’s first deputy director Mikhail Mizulin said the main purpose of the course is to teach the officials how to prevent corruption rather than punishing existing bribers.

The officials will undergo psychological training and learn how to interact more with the police in the fight against corruption.

The work of the anti-corruption units, which will come into force this year, will involve checking income declarations and ensuring that officials follow the rules and report to senior management about bribery attempts.

Shortly after coming to office in 2008, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev declared corruption the number one threat to modern Russian society and vowed to significantly tighten anti-corruption laws.

Medvedev signed in April a bill on the creation of a national anti-corruption program for 2010-2011 aimed at eliminating corruption, including among top officials.

The Berlin-based non-governmental anti-corruption organization Transparency International has persistently rated Russia one of the most corrupt nations in the world. In the 2009 Corruption Perception Index, Russia was ranked 146th of 180, below countries like Togo, Pakistan and Libya. The United States was ranked 19th.

A total of 4,500 corruption cases were brought to court in the first half of 2009 in Russia, with 532 public officials and 700 law enforcers convicted.

Windows to Russia!

Russia Finds Out What Makes a Wildfire Wild…


This is interesting and not a very good thing. It looks like the fires are taking a huge toll on people (over 40 dead and 300 injured) and the internal structure of the country…

Today it was announced that a Russian / Navy base near Moscow has been destroyed. I have found a small video by Russia Today and it looks like the whole base has been burned to the ground with a loss of all craft involved…

The statistics being expressed are 200 aircraft, the headquarters, the offices, 13 warehouses with various aviation hardware, and 17 open air parking lots with cars in them. Value of at least 20 billion rubles or around 670 million dollars…

The details are not total facts, because the Defense Ministry is trying to quell the information and deny some of the facts. But the information is being verified a little at a time…

It seems that this fire easily overcame the base which had no means to fight the fire. That seems strange to me and all I can conclude is that this was more of a mothballed base for use if needed…

I could be wrong because they really are trying to not admit that this base was there. But the Prosecutor General’s Office has said it is true and is standing by the facts that they are putting out…

These fires are taking lots of people by surprise and it seems to catch people unaware…

The name wildfire is for a reason… (A wildfire differs from other fires by its extensive size, the speed at which it can spread out from its original source, its potential to change direction unexpectedly, and its ability to jump gaps such as roads, rivers and fire breaks.)

Windows to Russia!

Russia’s Medvedev on Missiles Defense Changes by America!


Medvedev said. “Russia has noted the announcement President Barack Obama made today about adjustments in the US position on missile defense,” Medvedev also said. “I discussed this subject with the US president during our meetings in both London and Moscow. We agreed and wrote in our joint statement that Russia and the US will do their best to asses risks related to missile proliferation in the world.” Medvedev also said. “We will work together to develop effective measures regarding the risks of missile proliferation, measures which will take into account the interests and concerns of all parties and provide equal security for all countries in Europe,” So said Medvedev.

Windows to Russia!

Bribery and Corruption in Russia…


Overview of the Corruption Perceptions Index (...
A Map of Lies…

I watch the corruption virtually daily in Russia and agree a 100 percent that something must be done. Until it is eradicated from Russia. So as everyone tries to corral corruption and bribery in Russia. They have found themselves going in twenty different directions, all with good cause and reasons. This article was sent by a very good reader and I will express myself at the end of said article…

Combating corruption: a hope for honesty from Business

Author: Julia Ryshkina, Finam.Info columnist.
Original article: http://www.finam.info/currency/news236BF00001/default.asp

Bribes and kickbacks in the interaction of businesses with the authorities have become so common in our country (Russia) that they are perceived almost as the norm. If we imagine for a moment that employers no longer succumb to provocations, and officials conduct their duties honestly, a huge field for corruption would simply disappear.

To build your own business is not easy, in whatever country you are in. In order to do this you need to understand economics and management, have the courage and appetite to take risks and possess good skills of self-organization. However, in Russia it is even more complicated due to the high level of corruption.

Bribes and kickbacks – an indispensable condition for doing business?

To create your own business in Russia is almost like going to work for the police. You can start with the purest of intentions, but as “circumstances force” an honest man turns into a corrupt one. Bribes and kickbacks in Russia have become so common that they are perceived as the norm and the main way to interact with the authorities. A bribe for a license, “gifts” to tax and other authorities, a victorious kickback for winning the tender. Most entrepreneurs have a firm conviction that without this it is impossible to do business in our country.

“As we know, there are enough different kinds of corruption, said Catherine Aspen, Chief Financial Officer Teleperformance Russia. Among those that make the work of Russian companies within the law really difficult are the following. First, it is bribery. In Russia today a company can be checked by more than 30 departments of various regulatory bodies. Countless audits end with simple pay-offs. Secondly, there are “kickbacks”. First of all, it concerns the use of one-day firms. Such companies are widely used for various operations, such as falsification of accounts, check cashing, money laundering, etc.”.

Corruption and Business: Facts

The level of corruption in our country is comparable to such countries as Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Pakistan, Cameroon and Sierra Leone. According to the international non-governmental organization Transparency International, Russia is 146th out of 180 countries included in the ranking.

According to the Director of Russian Center Transparency International Russia Elena Panfilova, the Russian market of corruption is estimated at 300 billion dollars a year. According to the Public Opinion Fund, 75% of Russians complain about the high level of corruption in Russia. Only 3% of considered it to be low. Only 7% of Russians thought corruption was reducing, 34% thought it was growing, while 40% believe that the situation does not change. Only 8% of respondents believe the level of corruption will fall in the next year, while 22% say that it will increase, and 40% do not expect any changes. The majority of respondents, 55%, said that corruption in Russia cannot be eradicated. But 27% of respondents still believe in the possibility to defeat this scourge.

A poll among Russian entrepreneurs showed that corruption is a major problem for business. In 2009, 62% of businesses were concerned about corruption at all levels of power.

According to the research center recruitment portal SuperJob.ru, 73% of managers on procurement and 69% of sales managers complained about the high level of corruption in public procurement. “Any tender can be won for money, even if it is dangerous to human life!”, “All government purchases are corrupt” – they say.

However, bribes and kickbacks are not just a problem, they are a crime in which the fault is not only with the officials but also with the entrepreneurs themselves. “The Criminal Code has an article on Commercial Bribery, which explains that those who give bribes and those who take them are criminally liable. Responsibility cannot be only on one side”– Oleg Ivanov, Vice President of the Association of regional banks, told Finam.Info

In the hope for honest business

Representatives of the Finance & Investments Market Players Club (KIFIR) are trying to reverse this trend. They have initiated an anti-corruption campaign “NO BRIBES & NO KICKBACKS”. KIFIR is a social business community, established in 2008 to bring together international business leaders with operations in Russia.

The club provides companies the opportunity to register on its website, confirming that they will not enter into transactions, contracts and any other agreements using the practice of bribery and kickbacks.

Chairman and founder of the Club, Eugene Kasevin, is aware that the challenge will not be easy. “Having conceived this initiative, I clearly knew that the specifics of the problem and the depth of its roots in the society will require some innovative approaches, as opposed to the traditional administrative measures, he said. Here we are already talking about mentality, habits and psychological barriers to fundamental changes in the society. Therefore, this initiative is based on qualities such as conscience, self-esteem, moral ethics, etc. At the same time shame, a sense of backwardness, the desire to be modern – these are the tools for change in pandemic habits and traditions. So, to live and function through kickbacks and bribes is no longer fashionable, it is embarrassing and, more importantly, is detrimental to other people and the country.”

In their fight against corruption the Club is aiming at the entrepreneurs’ concern for their reputation. “If, for example, a company will mark its support for and protest against bribery and kickbacks, and in the future it will be found that one of the employees practiced bribes or kickbacks (which is quite possible within large commercial and industrial enterprises), this issue and the company in question will be raised at a discussion of the Club, – said Eugene Kasevin to Finnam.Info. If an employee has indeed conducted covert activities, the Club will publish the news that ABC Company has detected a problem and promptly dealt with it in support of its internal anti-corruption policy, which, in this case, makes positive news for ABC Company. If the problem is deep-rooted and lead by the management, the Club will take that company off the list, notify its members and business community.”

However, Ms Aspen from Teleperformance Russia believes that such measures may not be enough: “I would like to see a mechanism, based not only on the moral obligations of participating businesses, but also a control mechanism that would regulate and minimize the possibility for the use of “sliding schemes”.

Indeed, Russians are so accustomed to corruption, that it is unlikely to cause a significant blow to the reputation of the company that practices it. However, Eugene Kasevin emphasizes that “NO BRIBES & NO KICKBACKS” is not a short-term project, but a long-term campaign, so “gradually, public acceptance of corruption as an act of disgrace will promote the growth of reputational damage from such activities”.

“In my view, this approach will ensure transparency and long-term success of this campaign – he said. Not everything that is done compulsorily is sincere and long term. Modern society has enough experience and knowledge to insure self-development and to improvement the quality of its life.”

It is not yet appropriate to talk about instant results of this campaign. However, this is a step to make business aware of its responsibility for corruption on the way to building a transparent economy. www.FINAM.info
~~~

NO BRIBES & NO KICKBACKS –

I have followed the anti corruption issues in Russia since I have landed on her shores and decided to stay awhile…

Why is this such a interest for me?

That is a good question and the answer lies in my past. I being from America always knew that America was wonderful compared to other countries in terms of freedoms, bribery, corruption and many other things… (Huh, OK, Right!)

So my past of doing business in all aspects from self employed to upper corporate level management gave me a basis to compare countries on a governmental and business level of corruption…

My past also allows me to compare local, state and federal levels of police corruption…

What does all this jabbering that I am expressing mean? It means that I came from a world of slide the envelope under the table, to keep the real pressure of government agencies at bay…

I came from a world that cops are bribed as frequently as any cop in Russia. I came from a world that saw fire inspectors paid to go away. I came from a world that saw building inspectors paid to look down the street. I came from a world that saw health inspectors make a damn nice living by political turmoil and…

So I was very disappointed to the point of – What the crud is wrong with people in Russia and the thinking that they are the arm pit of corrupt nations…

Here is why, organizations like this ****The level of corruption in our country is comparable to such countries as Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Pakistan, Cameroon and Sierra Leone. According to the international non-governmental organization Transparency International, Russia is 146th out of 180 countries included in the ranking.**** This is the reason that Russians do not know better. The real issue is that Russia has obtained par with America but heaven forbid if anyone would admit that. These type of reports are political castration to control other countries…

They believe this bull that is printed. Then they pass it on never thinking that who wrote it is more corrupt than who is using the data…

I could tear the article apart line by line but that does not prove anything. I have a different way at looking at things when it comes to corruption and bribery. The article is good and I feel much needed. The article has a place and purpose that needs to be centered and focused with outside sources told to jump off a cliff…

I want to see Russia crawl out from under the stigma of the “armpit of society” in corruption. Maybe it will take articles like this with the ideas buried within to accomplish that. But I want to see Russia realize that they have come a long way and even I have seen this in a few years.

One thing that Sveta and I made up our minds about was that we would not attempt to speed any process up. We stuck to our guns when we got car tags this last time and succeeded by never once dealing with bribery. It was an opportunity available to manipulate, but we refused. Sveta and I do all our business this way and once they have realized that we will wait the time involved or return 20 times. They proceed and finalize the transaction quickly…

I really think that the idea of “NO BRIBES & NO KICKBACKS” is great but this is where I have expressed issues. Russia must never kid themselves that outside business coming to Russia is corruption free and that is where the ball drops. That company that enters Russia’s business world is probably as or more corrupt than the Russian companies. It is just that they are use to hiding the fact during and after the business. Russia got use to flagrant open corruption that was allowed to flourish unhindered in virtually all levels…

I know because I sat in on many dealings with corporations. I have personally had to organize, fulfill and extradite many transactions that I call a bribe. If it walks and talks like a duck, it is a duck…

In conclusion: I think that at one time Russia could lay claim to the armpit of corruption but that fell in a different time and era. Things collapsed and carpetbagger’s moved in. Russia has changed a tremendous amount in the 4 years that I have been here and I can honestly say that in two years I have not paid a bribe either to a cop stopping me while driving or while doing transactions in governmental or private agencies. Russia needs to take pride in the fact that they have started to change and with that the people of Russia need to back up that start with their personal mental adjustments. It takes two to tangle and there are two sides to every action including a bribe.  I see a future that Bribery and corruption will be pacified in Russia.

Windows to Russia!

Belarus Will Recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia… (Promise)


Windows to Russia
See I told You So…

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has promised to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday. Medvedev also stated that, Lukashenko made this promise in the presence of several CIS leaders.

I find these tidbits of information interesting. They say a whole lot within a few words…

Meantime, Georgia screams constantly that Belarus is being arm twisted into recognition and I expect that the screams will really heighten now that Medvedev has made this statement. Georgia knows that every country that jumps on the bandwagon destroys the chance of reversal…

We will see but it looks like this statement was made in a situation that ensures delivery of said promise. Otherwise the repercussions and fallout from the CIS countries could be detrimental…

This also could trigger other CIS countries to follow suit and join the bandwagon…

We will see!

Windows to Russia!

President Medvedev Talks to Russia About the Fire…


President Medvedev: “Fires now rage across Russia. The Emergency Ministry, together with other agencies, is doing everything possible to localize the fire and, most importantly, save people. I’ve given instructions to the Defense Ministry and other security forces to get involved in this task. We must do everything we can to counter this natural disaster, which is not easy at all.

“The situation remains very difficult, the heat‘s still here, and the forecasts are bleak. Therefore, the threat of new fires persists. I’ve signed a decree today announcing the emergency situation in a number of regions of our country which are hardest hit by the fires. But much will depend on our actions. It’s difficult to stay in the city – it’s stuffy and very hot. People want to escape to the countryside. That’s where we should be very careful and cautious. We must remember that one dropped match could result in disaster. It’s not mere words: that’s how it is.

“Our main task today is to help the victims to get back to their normal lives as soon as possible, as more than 2,000 people have been left homeless. There are a lot of children, elderly and ill people among them. Many families have lost everything in the fire. That’s a big tragedy. The government understands its unconditional responsibility. I’ve given instructions to the government and to the regional authorities to allocate money to each and every one who has incurred losses.

“I have talked to the regional leaders who reported to me about what had been done and about the allocated money. This money is already being allocated. The subject of housing restoration is probably the most difficult one. But we must provide housing to everyone who has been left homeless. And this should be done before it gets cold. This decision has already been taken, funds have been allocated. We must act immediately, that’s why the existing bureaucratic timeframe will be shortened. I will assign certain contractors who will immediately get down to work – without any tenders. In this situation it’s justified. The government will live up to its obligations.

“People are already uniting to help those who have lost everything in a single moment. That’s common practice around the world,” the president concluded.

Windows to Russia!

Svet Sunday: Vinni Puh & Day Of Troubles!


Hello,

Today we finish watching the trilogy about Vinni Puh (Russian version of Winnie the pooh). If you did not see the first two parts you can go here for the First part and here for the Second part (second part even has English subtitles!).

Kyle likes the cartoons a lot, and can not believe that they made just 3 parts. Yes, the truth is that there is just 3 parts, authors were going to make cartoons for every part of the book by Alan Alexander Milne, but they did not find consensus about how it should looks likes and it does not look like at all. We personally think that it’s sad when people or countries can not find consensus!

This cartoon has two parts. And we published them both. So let’s watch:

Part 1


Part 2

Here I tried to translate this story for you. Really that is very close to the book 😉
The donkey has birthday and is unhappy because everyone has forgotten it. Puh is coming by and find out about Donkey’s birthday and they both find out that the Donkey (Ia-Ia) does not have the tail anymore. Puh is going to the piglet(Pyatachok) and they are searching for a present. Puh found a pot with honey and decided that is the best present for anybody. When he is walking to the Donkey(Ia-Ia) he can not handle it and ate all the honey. But that is not problem for him because our Puh is a such optimistic person – now he is sure that the pot without honey is even better, just the best present in the world because… because you can store anything there! Puh coming to the Owl (Sova) and ask her to write down “Happy Birthday! Puh” on the pot. The Owl shows puh her new string what she uses for doorbell. And this string looks like… Donkey’s tail. Puh starts his investigation and find out that Owl assumed that it was a doorbell when she first saw it. And she pulled and pulled it – nobody answered and finally she broke it off (ouch!)

Then piglet decided to present to donkey a big beautiful green balloon. But he was in such hurry: he ran and fell down then the balloon popped! Then piglet was so upset, but he still came to the Donkey to say Happy Birthday (S Dnyom Rozhdeniya). The Donkey was happy to hear that someone remember of his birthday, but when he was told about bad luck of this balloon he got upset again. Then Puh came and tell Happy Birthday and presented his Great Empty Pot! Everybody become happy because Puh is a such type of person. And they even decided that this balloon suits this pot very well and it can come in and come out and that is great! The Owl comes and brings “the string” and when they ties it to Donkey everybody could see that is his tail back!

This is the final Vinni Puh cartoon!
We hope that you have enjoyed the series?

Svet

comments always welcome.

Tidbits and Thinking’s From Windows to Russia…


Middle East
Middle East…

Tidbits and thinking’s of information that could be interesting to think about. This came over Russian news not long ago and it just makes me realize that things are not what they seem in this world and information like this gets me thinking about a world that is changing…

The index of the Teheran stock exchange has exceeded the benchmark of 16,000 points for the first time in its 43 years history, Fars news agency reported Monday.The agency stresses that the record figure was achieved despite the international sanctions against Iran imposed by the UN Security Council resolution and unilateral sanctions by the US and the EU.

I sense a lot more support for Iran than  is realized openly by the Western world, especially America. I am starting to see a world that does not depend on the West for a lively hood. I am starting to see a world that the West needs the East more than the East needs the West…

One part of the equation that I am watching is Russia and where she will lay her sword of alliance. I have pretty well figured it out but for now mums the word…

This is just some thinking’s for you to keep in the back of your mind…

Windows to Russia!

Kids in Russia Find That Fire-Hydrants are So Cool…


This is the first time I have seen this in Moscow and the kids are having a blast. The fire department has popped a hydrant and are letting the kids have a deserved cool down…

The temperatures this week are going to be knocking on the door of 40 C. and that is wrecking havoc on Russia…

Notice the hydrant in the middle of the road. It is under a man hole cover. This is normal and they have to insert the hydrant before it can be used. So not just anyone can open a fire hydrant…

I was walking the dog and found the street flooded, so I followed the water and ended up at this fairy tale of a spot for children..

This is something these kids will never forget!

http://moscow.windowstorussia.com/moscow-under-heated-glass.html

Windows to Russia!

Russia Battles Her Fires…


The situation in Russia with the fires, is getting worse, not better and we are starting to worry about our village home. Not that we can do much about it and if it burns it burns…

It seems that fire is on both sides of our village though many kilometers away. Luckily the village is protected by a river on one side major byways on the other side. But everyone knows that dry hot winds blows very hot fire…

If the fire decides to go after the village we will just pray that everyone gets out safe…

We can not just take a 450km jaunt and see if everything is OK because many roads are not accessible and it would be a very dangerous thing to do in the first place…

The video is in Russian but that will not distract from the purpose…

I woke this morning and could not see the rest of the buildings in the complex as it looked like a pea soup fog. My eyes were watering and I was sneezing and coughing from the smoke. You would have sworn that our building was on fire. Moscow is covered in a dangerous envelope of smoke. I know have developed a sore throat and blame that on the smoke in the air…

I want to touch on the fact that the Western press has decided that the fires are under control in Russia. Do not believe it…

  • Firefighters gain control over wildfires in Russia (cnn.com)

A ding dong in the Emergency department of Russia decided to make a statement about how 500 new fires have broke out but we got them all put out quickly! So that became a fact that the fires are under control in Russia…

We sit here and watch today, a total of 7,000+ devastating forest and peat bog fires covering about 500,000+ hectares of land are raging throughout much of the Russian territory. 34 people have died so far!  Does that sound like the fires are about out?

I will keep an update going on the fires as I see things that change…

Windows to Russia!