Malawian Corruption

In an interview published yesterday, American Ambassador Steven Browning said Malawi's greed and graft are so widespread that the country does not qualify for US money to fight AIDS. "Putting money where corruption is not controlled is a waste," Browning told the country's Nation and Daily Times newspapers. "We therefore cannot go into partnership on this account." To qualify for part of the $15 billion the Bush administration has pledged to fight AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean, a nation must demonstrate a commitment to good government and economic freedom. Browning said, "To qualify, a country has to score above the median on half of the indicators," and Malawi's efforts to combat corruption are "not good enough."

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