Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Implementation of the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. Chairman:)

Pursuant to the resolution of advice and consent to ratification of the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption adopted by the Senate on July 27, 2000, the President must submit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations an annual implementation report each year for a 5-year period. Attached is the first such report.

As this report illustrates, countries throughout our hemisphere have taken important steps through legislative and executive actions to implement the Convention. These actions are indications of the realization that corruption threatens political and economic stability and undermines democracy. This report also outlines the steps taken to establish an evaluation mechanism—known as the Committee of Experts—to oversee implementation of the Convention.

I look forward to working with the Congress to ensure that we continue to combat corruption in our hemisphere and across the globe.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH