EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE UNVEILS 2003 ANNUAL REPORT.

The Director-General of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), Franz Hermann Bruner, presented on December 2 the organisations annual activity report for the year ending June 30, 2003*. The report contains case studies that illustrate how OLAF conducts investigations, together with statistical analysis which demonstrates the growth in OLAF operations. OLAF estimates the total financial impact of the investigations completed during the reporting period at more than Euro 850 million.

"The emphasis of OLAFs investigation policy has moved increasingly towards confronting fraud and corruption in those areas of expenditure which are directly managed by the Commission. This will continue. OLAF has maintained the policy of zero tolerance towards internal cases, investigating all allegations of corruption within the European...