(November 12, 2002) When OECD member countries signed a convention in 1997 outlawing bribery by multinational companies of officials abroad, it was regarded as a milestone in the global fight against corruption.

(November 1, 2002) Dear Editor: Acres International is misleading your readers by claiming that "it was awarded the contract only after an international competitive bidding process, supervised by Lesotho and South Africa and approved by the World Bank.

(October 30, 2002) Dear Editor: Acres International, sentenced this week in Lesotho for bribing an African official, is misleading your readers by claiming that it was cleared in a probe by the World Bank.

(October 30, 2002) Dear Editor: Acres International is misleading your readers by claiming that the World Bank dismissed the same charges against it ("Acres vows appeal," by Terry Weber, October 28, 2002).

(October 30, 2002) The South African government on Tuesday applauded a Lesotho court’s decision to fine a Canadian company more than US$2 million for bribing an official in charge of a multibillion water project.

(October 29, 2002) Acres’ sentence is the first from a series of unprecedented trials of some of the world’s leading dam designers and builders. Acres said it would appeal. If it loses it may be banned from bidding for future projects funded by the World Bank.

(October 29, 2002) The case marks the first time that bribe-givers, as well as takers, have found themselves in the dock in a high-profile international project.

(October 29, 2002) Judge Mahapela Lehohla rebuked Acres, convicted last month on two bribery counts, for showing "not the slightest hint of remorse" during its trial and for subsequent comments that "bordered on contempt of court.

(October 29, 2002) I think the judge is sending a clear message to other companies that bribery doesn’t pay," said Patricia Adams, executive director of Probe International, a Toronto-based organization that monitors Canada’s aid and trade. "With tough penalties like this, companies will get the message that it’s not worth it.

(October 28, 2002) The court wants to send a clear message that companies wanting contracts should not even think of taking a risk in trying to bribe officials, said Judge Mahapela Lehohla before imposing the fine. Engineering firm will appeal verdict, sentencing.

(September 18, 2002) If Western governments get tough with convicted bribers, multinational firms will get the message that corruption is costly, and that will spell the end of corruption on Third World development projects," said Probe International.

(July 6, 2002) Balfour Beatty among consortium named in bribery judgment as two year African corruption trial ends in jail for Lesotho chief executive.

(December 10, 2001) The Lesotho and South African governments are headed for a clash with the World Bank after the financial institution reneged on a promise to fund the kingdom’s legal costs in a crucial corruption case.