Tiffany Granath Brad Norton

World bank-corruption case

Continued...

In March 2008, a team of INT investigators travelled to Armenia to interview witnesses and gather information. The work continued in Washington, and on the 21st August the British Ambassador in Armenia was advised that the INT investigation had been completed.

The process was extensive, and investigations found that Mr. Richard Walkling, Authorized Representative for the International Operator in Armenia, ACEA – A. Utilities, managing the Municipal Development Project, was centrally involved in multiple cases of fraud, corruption and the embezzlement of Armenian public funds, in collusion with Mr. Roger Robinson, who was World Bank Armenia Country Manager at the time of the wrongdoings. As a result, dishonest officials made tens of millions of corrupt dollars, whereas Yerevan’s water users saw little benefit from $35 million World Bank project.
Information has not been released on what corrective action the Bank may take, if any. But Roger Robinson continues to work for the Bank in Kyrgyzstan, despite having colluded in this affair, and it is understood that Richard Walkling now works as consultant in a Yerevan water project....

http://khosq.com/ru/article/2008/08/30/world_bank_corruption_in_armenia_confirmed_investigation_report



It would be naïve to think the World Bank did not realize that its $30 million credit was secured only by low-value non-fixed assets, so it would seem that this has all taken place with the consent of the various parties. And in as much as the fixed assets did not find themselves pledged under a security agreement, it is not too hard to imagine that the Yerevan water utility could soon become the target of yet another ‘Privatization’, which is not at all beyond the capabilities of our authorities. And it would seem that that is where the basic threat of this manipulation is hidden.

http://better-not-wb-the-wb.blogspot.com/2007/08/gaps-courage-without-martyrdom-chapter_26.html

Chronology of this case:

http://better-not-wb-the-wb.blogspot.com/2007/07/initial-stage-of-study_8044.html