A listening president? Speaking to the FT, Paul Wolfowitz has begun to lay out his approach to his new job.

“Before I have my own vision, I need to do a lot of listening,” he says.

“I look forward to meeting the European executive directors and the European finance ministers and development ministers. I know that in this job I would be working for them as members of the Bank. I think they'll find me a good listener, and I know I have a lot that I need to hear and understand.

“I had very good conversations on the phone today with a number of leaders around the world, including the Spanish managing director of the [International Monetary Fund], Rodrigo de Rato, who was very positive.

“People who know me well from my development experience like the prime minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz, or Sri Mulyani, the economic development minister of Indonesia, are very positive. I hope as others get to know me in this field, they'll form a similar opinion.

“This is not about changing the agenda of the World Bank. The agenda of the World Bank is about poverty reduction, about helping billions of people lift themselves up out of misery. It's a unifying mission that brings people together, and I look forward to that opportunity.

“Problems like poverty and HIV/Aids need to be addressed for their own sake as humanitarian issues, but it's also the case that soundly-based economic development supports the advance of liberty and freedom as well.”

David Steven ~ March 17, 2005

"Keep track of the rumored candidates, power plays and buzz."
The Washington Post

Next & Previous

« Guardian eggs on Europeans. | HOME | Power of the Tsunami. »

Categories

"Offering the rumors and gossip usually reserved for Washington's bars and back rooms."
Reuters

WBpresident.org in the news

Wolfowitz-Riza-Cleveland: New Evil-doing?
Wolfowitz's right hand man jumps ship.
Caught in the World Bank storm.
We're in the papers! worldbankpresident.org media mentions.
Hot blogging on the World Bank president.
Media contacts.
Card wants Snow.
New candidate, French views.
An £8200 job ad.
Bank chief's parting shots.

"Accomplished and intelligent… sifts through the speculation and brings you the latest news."
The Guardian

Recent Rumours

Zoellick bearhug photo.
Like old times: Zoellick and Lamy
Another middle aged white American for the World Bank !
Globe and Mail: Euros Already Agreed not to Raise Questions
Official: Zoellick according to AP.
It's (un)Official: Zoellick
Zoellick will get the nod from Germany.
An opportunity at the World Bank
UPI: Wolfowitz Replacement This Week
UK involvement in the Foundation for the Future.

Links

The World Bank
Bretton Woods Project
Eurodad
IFIwatchnet

Search this site

Archive

May 2007
April 2007
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005