In an interview published in the Saturday issue of the Ukrainian weekly Mirror of the Week, Soros said he really believes the attempt to set up proper conditions for government officials is a step towards eradicating corruption. As was reported earlier, the development and reform fund was set up with Soros\'s participation in March to provide additional monthly allowances of $1,500 for the president and other top officials and $1,200 for the ministers and prosecutor general. The general extra salary budget for the Georgian government officials is expected to amount to $2 million. Soros argued that if a top official receives a salary of $1,500, this would make it possible to invite a skilled specialist to the post and demand that he perform his duties conscientiously. If a road police officer earns $150, measures can be taken so that he cannot extort money from teamsters, Soros said. Moreover, if road police officers wear badges indicating their names, those engaged in bribes would be easier to uncover and dismiss from their jobs to replace them with more honest ones, he said. As for prospects for establishing a similar fund in Ukraine, Soros noted that Georgia passed a corresponding legislation, which Ukraine could do as well. Describing the current situation in Georgia, the American philanthropist said he believes authoritarian rule cannot be established in that country. He admitted that when only one political force is represented in parliament, this poses some danger, but there are people in civil society who are committed to the ideals of democracy and who will control the authorities. (Interfax)