Post predicts management changes. The Washington Post outlines Wolfowitz's campaign to win over critics. Inexplicably the Post, which has been strongly critical itself, seems to be falling under the Wolf-man's spell, although he has said very little that you would not expect from a clever politician seeking a job.

The Post spells out that "Bush's choice of Wolfowitz has drawn opposition from many quarters, mostly focusing on the fear that the move marked a plan to use the World Bank's anti-poverty aid to reward Washington's friends, punish its enemies and advance the Bush administration's ideological agenda".

Predictions abound "that demonstrations against the bank, which have subsided in the past couple of years, would erupt anew".

Within bank staff, the Post reports "widespread trepidation that Wolfowitz will replace many top managers". As one Bank staffer told us this "will make more room for the guys from the American Enterprise Institute" (a free-market think tank).

Nancy Birdsall, president of the Center for Global Development is among those finding something to welcome, however. She says "there will be a healthy new emphasis on the centrality of political institutions to the development process".

Former Bank Managing Director Jessica Einhorn says: "if there is one guy who understands how important strong institutions are, and would have first-hand appreciation for how difficult it is to get them in place, that's Paul Wolfowitz."

For those of you with Washington Post on-line subscriptions you can also check out the Tom Toles' cartoon on the Wolfowitz appointment.

Alex Wilks ~ March 21, 2005

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