Bhutan’s king issues graft warning

THIMPHU, Dec 18 (BSS/AFP): The king of Bhutan on Thursday urged his people to be on their guard against corruption as their once isolated Himalayan nation grows more prosperous.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck said corruption-a scourge of Bhutan's wealthier neighbours India and China-was the greatest potential threat to his country's development.

"The highest probable risk to development that I foresee is corruption," he said in a national day speech.

"Our national development efforts will be hindered by unchecked corruption."

Bhutan is the only country in the world to pursue "Gross National Happiness", a development model that measures the mental as well as material well-being of citizens.