All but two World Bank Country Directors Sign Letter Urging "Rapid Resolution" 37 of 39 World Bank Country Directors (CDs) have signed a letter urging a "rapid resolution" to the scandal (i.e.: Wolf out now). One of the two who did not sign is John Briscoe. Those of us involved in water and the World Bank will remember that Briscoe was the World Bank's man in charge of derailing the World Commission on Dams. When he failed to water down the commissions recommendations, Briscoe successfully argued that the Board should effectively take no action (pdf 5 pages).

Well, Briscoe has moved on from the water sector. One tipster writes:

37 out of 39 CDs just signed the hardhitting letter urging rapid resolution of TCS. One of the two who did not sign is John Briscoe, CD in Brazil. Briscoe’s appointment was one Wolfowitz’ first moves to overturn a selection decision at the CD level. Although Briscoe speaks Portuguese, he was found to be otherwise unqualified to be CD. He was one of the Bank's top water specialists, based in India, and had written a capable memo to Wolfowitz on the water sector when he, Wolfowitz, was appointed. This was enough to impress the new president, and Wolfowitz told the Latin America regional VP to select Briscoe even though he had not been a candidate, and was definitely not the region's selection. Briscoe lacked the necessary background qualification. The Brazilian Government was not amused.

The other non-signature was Ms. Naoko Ishii, the Bank's CD in Nepal [correction: Sri Lanka], who was subject to heavy pressure from the Japanese Government.

Sameer Dossani ~ May 15, 2007

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