Washington: People who have been linked with corruption will be barred from visiting or immigrating to the United States, according to a proclamation issued by President George W Bush.

The entry suspension announced yesterday (Jan 12, 2004) by Bush from Monterrey, Mexico is specifically targeted at corrupt public officials, former public servants, and those who have attempted to bribe them.

Until now, US Visa policy had been that corruption in itself was not ground for denial or revocation of Visa.

The proclamation referred to "Corruption in the performance of public functions where that corruption has serious adverse effects on international activity of US businesses, foreign assistance goals, the security of the US against trans-national crime and terrorism, or the stability of democratic institutions and nations."

The new policy is in keeping with previously stated US administration goals to emphasise good governance and the prevention of corruption as essential ingredients to economic development, Bush, who was in Monterrey to attend the Summit of the Americas, said.

Corruption had been cited by the Governments of the Group-of-Eight (G-8) industrial nations and the World Bank as a threat to public trust, democracy and stability.

At the Americas Summit, leaders of 34 American nations pledged to fight poverty and corruption, strengthen democracy, and unite against terrorism.