In mid-1999, the World Bank initiateddiagnostic studies of three topics relevant to improvingpublic sector transparency in Argentina. The topics proposedfor study--procurement, the detection and investigation ofcorrupt acts, and the role of public information--were seento be critical to any Argentine Government program to combatcorruption. The three resulting papers (to be attached asAnnexes) are synthesized in the present overview whichprovides a number of specific recommendations forimprvements and a suggested course of action for the future.The research focused almost exclusively on the federalgovernment, but holds lessons for the other levels(provincial and municipal) as well. The report describes thesituation prior to the assumption of office by PresidentFernando de la Rua (December 10, 1999). President De la Ruahas begun an anti-corruption program, which is addressingmany of the problems identified here. This report does notand cannot assess these new efforts. The attachedconsultants' reports should be read with that understanding.