State capture by oligarchs, secret business deals in Russia and corruption - USAID publishes document

The U.S. Agency for International Development has published a document with recommendations and guidelines to eradicate entrenched corruption and kleptocracy in various countries.

The document published by USAID anti-corruption working group says that after 2012 the window of opportunity against corruption and kleptocracy has closed for Georgia, which should be the subject of assessment by the US government and the basis for implementation of such political levers as freezing assets of corrupt government members and imposing sanctions against high ranking officials involved in corrupt schemes. (pp. 16-17)

The document speaks of state capture by oligarchs, secret business deals in Russia, Georgia's growing dependence on Russia's economy, and the impunity of corrupt officials as a result of kleptocracy and corruption in Georgia.

The guiding document on deklepticization states that between 2004 and 2012 Georgia carried out public sector, tax legislation, police and other institutional reforms that drastically reduced the level of corruption, bribery and kleptocracy in the country.

According to the document Georgia is named among 14 countries, which with the help of USAID implemented successful institutional reforms in 2004-2012, set an example for other countries in the region.

The Anti-Kleptocracy Guidance Document states that dekleptification is a multi-generational project and it would be a mistake to view the process as if the fight against kleptocracy ended after countries have used the window of opportunity. Such an approach could, on the contrary, respawn kleptocratic and corrupt processes in countries, as happened in Georgia after 2012. (p: 55)