who will be next World Bank President What will they do
 
 

     
 

Is Robin Cleveland or Marwan Muasher next? (UPDATE) The Financial Times implicates new World Bank Vice President of External Affairs, plus Wolfowitz advisor Robin Cleveland, in a plot to mislead the public. The apparently tried to blame the former general counsel and the ethics committee for approving Shaha Riza's external assignment to the State Department. When news of the FT story broke in the Bank just now, External Affairs VP Marwan Muasher left the World Bank communications staff cocktail reception in the atrium, and headed to the 12th Floor where the president and his top team reside.

The key events that caused this rush upstairs...

Ms Cleveland met Marwan Muasher, the newly arrived director for external relations, on April 4 to discuss how to respond to leaks about the terms and conditions awarded to Ms Riza.

They agreed on a statement that was to be briefed on an anonymous or “background” basis by senior bank officials. This included the apparently misleading claim that “after consultation with the then general counsel, the ethics committee of the board approved an external assignment agreement which was reached with the staff member”.

Mr Muasher confirmed the agreed text with Ms Cleveland in an e-mail, a copy of which has been seen by the FT, and its authenticity has been attested to by two bank officials. The statement was then briefed to the FT and other media organisations by senior bank officials.

The claim that the agreement was approved by the ethics committee after consultation with the general counsel was immediately disputed by Roberto Danino, then general counsel, and Ad Melkert, then chairing the ethics committee.

The interim report by the panel found no evidence that the terms and conditions “had been commented on, reviewed or approved by the ethics committee, its chairman or the board”.

The panel also said it was told by Mr Danino “he was not involved in any way in the implementation of the ethics committee advice”.


It looks as if the brand new Senior Vice President, External Affairs, and Wolfowitz crony in "his old job" may have to do the Walk of Shame, too. Remember that the board on in its April 19 statement, extended its investigation to include "the various public communications made by the Bank on the matter and issues around employment contracts made in the Office of the President."

In his defense Mr Muasher, former deputy prime minister of Jordan, may well tell people that he had been at the World Bank for just 2½ weeks when he met Robin Cleveland on 4 April. But caution would have been very advisable on such a sensitive matter at an early stage of his Bank career. It would be hard to rebuild confidence among Bank staff, the media and others on his public announcements if he stays.

Deep Insider ~ May 07, 2007


 
 
Presidents 1946 - Present Day
 
spacer    

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

Next & Previous

« UPDATE:Board committee finds Wolfowitz has broken rules. | HOME | Wild Speculation Thread »

Categories

Bolton

Chirac

Comment

Frist

Malloch Brown

Mr W's cronies

Mr W's past

Mr W's pledges

Rumsfeld

Santorum

Setrakian

The Process

Tony Blair

World Bank president

"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



ifiwatchnet     riverpath
 
spacer