MOST BH VOTERS BELIEVE ALL POLITICIANS ARE CORRUPT

SARAJEVO, Oct 26 (Hina) - Almost 70 percent of the citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina have a very low opinion of politicians in the country and believe almost all of them are corrupt, an opinion poll conducted by the Mission of the Organisation for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE) has showed. The results of the poll, presented in Sarajevo on Thursday by OSCE Mission spokesman Luke Zahner, show that 68 percent of 3,500 respondents believe all or almost all politicians are corrupt whereas 69 percent believe corruption in Bosnia is more present than in other countries. Only 19 percent of the interviewed said they considered corruption to be intrinsic to politics. More than 80 percent believe more can be done in fighting corruption. In the course of preparations for general elections, to be held in Bosnia on November 11, the OSCE Mission has paid special attention to informing the voters about problems caused by corruption. One of the most important slogans urging BH citizens to participate in the election is "Outvote Corruption". Members of a special working group of the Stability Pact for the prevention of corruption (SPAI), who visited Sarajevo early this week, said not even the basic measures of prevention were being taken in the country. There is obviously no political readiness to put an end to corruption in Bosnia-Herzegovina, SPAI head Didier Fau said. He added bills on fighting corruption and money laundering had been waiting for months without any reason for the governments of the two entities to consider them. We hope something will change after the November election, otherwise Bosnia-Herzegovina will be left aside because the region won't wait for it, Fau said. (hina) rml