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The Staff Association expresses its impatience with the delay.
The impatience of the staff of the World Bank with the long drown out process of the board of directors and their wobbling came to the surface this afternoon.
more... A Washington source ~ May 17, 2007 Wrong date on the resignation letter!
The following is reproduced from the site Wolfowitz Resign. Apparently, Wolfie has drafted his resignation letter with an effective date of mid-June. I guess he needs that bonus of $400K. Chevy Chase und Berlin
more... The Beaver ~ May 17, 2007 ~ Comments (18) Exoneration for Wolfie's resignation.
That's the wish of Wolfowitz but the Bank Board is not giving in, reports WaPo, which continues with:"for another day, the leadership crisis at the World Bank went on with no clear end in sight and much speculation about how and under what circumstances Wolfowitz might eventually depart."
more... The Beaver ~ May 17, 2007 Wolfowitz, SAIS, CIA, SAIC
This item, a rescue from one of our comments threads, calls attention to a White House cover-up of Wolfowitz's ethical lapses (explaining why the WH does not want the Board to confirm the Ad Hoc Committee report) and calls attention to another aspect of the World Bank scandal involving Wolfowitz-Riza-Cleveland and Anwar Ibrahim. The Three Strikes:
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 17, 2007 What Happened to Wolfowitz the Strategist?
Is the question that Steve Clemons is asking today on The Washington Note, his blogspot.
more... The Beaver ~ May 17, 2007 Reuters: Challenges to U.S. Leadership?
Reuters has an opinion piece questioning the U.S. control over the appointment of WB presidents.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 17, 2007 Two possible African candidates.
The Globe and mail is the first paper to mention two possible African candidates for the presidency of a post- Wolfowitz World Bank.
more... A Washington source ~ May 17, 2007 Wolfowitz and Bush have same law firm.
Lawyers Representing Bush In 2000 Election Case Signed Off On Wolfowitz’s Compensation Package for Riza, according to Think Progress organisation , which referenced a report from Law.com that has the following quote on the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, hired by Wolfie to review Riza's "sweet deal" transfer contract:
more... The Beaver ~ May 17, 2007 Washington Post speaks of months to wait.
I've been scouring the net this morning to look for new elements on the deal to get Paul Wolfowitz out of the Bank. There are few to be had. A mention of the possible timetable in the Washington Post caught my eye, however. A senior White House aide told the Post that Wolfowitz might negotiate to stay at the Bank "for a few months" once the agreement is reached. Alex Wilks ~ May 17, 2007 ~ Comments (20) Wolfowitz to Board: I'll Only Quit When You Admit I've done Nothing Wrong. (Update).
I'd hate to be a World Bank board member just now. According to this piece in the New York Times, Wolfowitz wants to be officially cleared of all wrongdoing before he steps down.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 17, 2007 ~ Comments (18) Wolfowitz must have had a busy day
This interesting anecdote from a reporter from CNN says a lot about the state of mind of Wolfowitz and his high-priced attorney on this very "depressing" day
more... The Beaver ~ May 17, 2007 Still fighting? You pay your legal team to back you when everyone else has given up. True to form, Robert Bennett is still fighting: "Mr. Wolfowitz will not resign under this cloud and he will rather put this matter to a full vote." David Steven ~ May 16, 2007 Board adjourns for the night.
Those of us/you who thought we were going to see some resolution tonight look like we are going to be disappointed. I have just been told that the World Bank board has issued the following statement: "The Executive Directors of the World Bank Group continued their deliberations on issues raised by the report of the Ad Hoc Group and in their meetings with Mr Wolfowitz yesterday. They will continue their deliberations tomorrow morning (Thursday May 17)".
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 16, 2007 Exit this afternoon for Wolfie
According to ABC News, World Bank officials say the bank's board is completing an "exit strategy" that will allow World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz to resign this afternoon and "still save some face" over the issue of his efforts to seek a promotion and pay raise for his girlfriend at the bank.
more... The Beaver ~ May 16, 2007 Voices of World Bank women.
A friend inside the bank has just emailed me the following comments from two women staff members posted on a bank internal bulletin board earlier today.
more... A Washington source ~ May 16, 2007 ~ Comments (6) Board adjourns meeting
At the request of the US, the 24-member Board deliberating Wolfowitz discipline options has adjourned until 2:30 p.m. (1830 GMT) reports Reuters. It mentions also that the US has withheld its endorsement of the Report from the Ad Hoc Panel The Beaver ~ May 16, 2007 `C'est la Vie'.
South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel is quoted as saying: "there should be a parting of the ways'' between the bank and Wolfowitz.
more... A Washington source ~ May 16, 2007 Wolfowitz not welcome anywhere.
Few countries want to have Wolfowitz come knocking on their doors these days and less are willing to even offer him token support.
more... A Washington source ~ May 16, 2007 Wolfowitz's defence: what's the outlook?
Wolfowitz's statement yesterday really repays careful reading. Posted here (PDF) late yesterday, you can see many comments already from site visitors. But what amazes me most about it is the way that Wolfowitz says he did nothing wrong on Riza, skips over several other issues in the Ad Hoc Group's report, then proceeds to admit that his overall management at the Bank has been a disaster. Alex Wilks ~ May 16, 2007 Another investigation of Wolfowitz and Riza starts at the State Department.
The FT is reporting that the US State Department, where Riza went (or did not, depending on who you believe) for her external assignment, has launched a new probe on Wolfowitz and his role in Riza's career.
more... A Washington source ~ May 16, 2007 Statement of Paul Wolfowitz
Here is a copy of what Paul Wolfowitz said to the board of executive directors this afternoon in his opening statement.
more... A Washington source ~ May 16, 2007 ~ Comments (38) Wolfie pleads for his job but may resign
Just saw this: Adelaide now The Beaver ~ May 16, 2007 Wolfowitz Lifeline Shortens and John Briscoe Speaks.
Lots was going on at the Bank today. Internal Communications, whose courage is keeping the bulletin boards going strong, had a busy day deleting inappropriate posts, caught in the crossfire between those who thought he should go and those who thought it was inappropriate to think he should go. You had to be quick to see anything objectionable ("not compatible with the code of conduct") and it turned out that 2 of IC's 7 staff were engaged 24/7 in the purging. If that ratio is true elsewhere in the Bank, then The Current Situation is burning through $2 million a day.
more... Deep Insider ~ May 15, 2007 Media Round Up
It's been a busy day for news (and we haven't even heard the results of the 5pm discussion between Wolfowitz and the Board). Here are a few of the more interesting tidbits:
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 15, 2007 Canada on Board, Whither Japan?
An anonymous source has written the following open letter, urging Japan to renounce its support for Wolfowitz.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 15, 2007 Elementary my dear Watson.
The FT reports that Canada has sided with the Europeans in refusing the US request for more time in dealing with the crisis. This leaves only Japan that continues to blindly toe the US line - supporting US calls to separate discussion of ethics violations by Wolfowitz from the broader question of whether he should remain in his post.
more... Jeff Powell ~ May 15, 2007 More invective about Palacio.
Worldbankpresident.org received the following about Wolfowitz-appointee general legal counsel Ana Palacio from someone who claims to be a World Bank staffer - "sent anonymously for fear of reprisal". Jeff Powell ~ May 15, 2007 ~ Comments (15) Rizagate whistleblower speaks. US NGO Government Accountability Project (GAP), which broke the story about Wolfowitz' interventions on behalf of his partner, has posted a letter sent today from the Bank staffer who leaked the original Shaha Riza payroll records. The staffer says the whole ugly affair has exposed "the underlying inadequacy of the Bank's governance framework", calling for a drastic overhaul of whistleblower protections and the leadership selection process. Jeff Powell ~ May 15, 2007 It's unanimous. The great and the good (OK, I'm on there so it's not exactly an exclusive club) from NGOs, academia and development thinktanks have signed on to the call from the Brookings Institution that the "outdated convention should be abandoned and replaced with selection procedures that reflect two key principles: transparency of process, and competence of prospective leadership without regard to national origin." Just do it. Jeff Powell ~ May 15, 2007 UPDATE:White House: Turning of the tide?
A senior White House official has told ABC News that "all options are on the table" regarding Paul Wolfowitz's future and "it is an open question" whether he should should remain as President of the World Bank.
more... The Beaver ~ May 15, 2007 Background Reading
OK, so it looks like I can't do real work for more than five minutes today without getting a call from the media or an anonymous tipster trying to pass me some bit of gossip. So, here are some background materials that newcomers to the story may find interesting.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 15, 2007 ~ Comments (2) A strong indictment of Wolfowitz
These are the words that David Corn uses to qualify the report from the Ad Hoc Panel on his blog on the topic: How Wolfowitz and Riza Gamed the Bank
more... The Beaver ~ May 15, 2007 Wolfowitz mistakes "not a firing offense"
"The White House acknowledged on Tuesday that World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz erred in the handling of a pay raise and promotion for his companion but said that was not cause for him to be removed from his job. The Beaver ~ May 15, 2007 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).
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 15, 2007 Wolfowitz--Shock & Awe (UPDATED)
As the world turned this morning, printers in World Bank offices around the world got busy with the Ad Hoc Committee's riveting report. First in Beijing and Hanoi, then in Delhi and Islamabad. Then the hapless consultants in lovely Baghdad. Yemen, whose President told Wolfowitz last week "Iraq was a lovely country, until you invaded it." Africa, and the meetings in Europe and parts of the former Soviet Union where cronyism and gangsterism were part of the history, some not so distant.
more... Deep Insider ~ May 15, 2007 If they f*** with me, I'll f*** with them too [update with pic]
In the documents that came out last night, some startling revelations into how Wolfowitz's mind works. When Xavier Coll advised him that the ethics committee may not look kindly on him giving Riza a raise just as she was leaving, Wolfowitz reportedly said:
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 15, 2007 Wolfowitz broke Bank rules.
Bloomberg is reporting that the Panel has found that "Wolfowitz violated the terms of his contract and showed a "disregard for the interests of the institution'' when he ordered a pay raise and promotion for his companion," according to the report released today.
more... The Beaver ~ May 15, 2007 World Bank Board of directors releases its report (updated, news links).
The board has just released the report by the ad hoc committee investigating the Wolfowitz-Shaha affair.
more... A Washington source ~ May 15, 2007 ~ Comments (20) Will Wolfowitz do the Attali? Far from without precedent, in 1993, president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Jacques Attali, faced allegations of personal impropriety and scathing reviews of his performance. He did the honorable thing and resigned. Jeff Powell ~ May 14, 2007 George W. Bush attempts to delay Wolfowitz decision.
The White House has apparently launched "an extraordinary last minute effort to save Paul Wolfowitz". They tried to "prevent the distribution" of the Bank board committee report. Despite the U.S. government's previous protestations that the Bank's process must play itself out Bush apparently preferred to talk the issue through man to man with G7 finance ministers. But they refused to take his conference call. Dick Cheney has also gone on the record just now directly saying Wolfowitz should stay.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 14, 2007 ~ Comments (2) White House playing games:UPDATED
Like I have predicted in this update, the White House is at it again with its shenanigans. It is reported in the Wolfowitzmust resign.blog that the White House, through U.S. ED Eli Whitney Debevoise, "this morning launched an extraordinary last minute effort to save Paul Wolfowitz by attempting to prevent the distribution of the long-awaited report of the Ad Hoc Committee."
more... The Beaver ~ May 14, 2007 Former Bank board member blogs his views.
Fulsome apologies to Mr Per Kurowski. He is a former Executive Director to the World Bank (for the governments of several Latin American countries). He has been blogging on this issue, but till now I missed it. He has it in for both the Bank board Ethics Committee, and Wolfowitz.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 14, 2007 Mallaby makes it plain: anti-corruption yes, Wolfowitz no.
Sebastian Mallaby - former Economist writer and author of a book on previous World Bank president James Wolfensohn - has a clear position in today's Washington Post. In a detailed article he spells out the case for Wolfowitz's departure this week. The Wall Street Journal also has its own prescription for the World Bank's anti-corruption work.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 14, 2007 Washington Post on Wolfowitz's Marital Status
Wa Po's Al Kamen has been doing his best to find out whether Wolfowitz is married or divorced (follow link at bottom to go to page 2). Interestingly, Wolfowitz's (current or former) wife, Clare Wolfowitz, refuses to answer questions regarding her (and by implication his) marital status. Also, the Washington Post has this opinion piece by Sebastian Mallaby, who has made a reputation around defending the Bank from attacks by its critics, often using dubious data.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 14, 2007 UPDATE:Will the crisis be over before G8 FM meeting?
This is what Germany is asking for? According to the Financial Times, Germany "wants the matter settled before the Group of Eight finance ministers meeting on Friday in Potsdam, which Mr Wolfowitz is scheduled to attend."However quite a few scenarios come into play:
more... The Beaver ~ May 13, 2007 Modernization or Westernization?.
Many in the world see the World Bank as a tool of the West, in general and the US in particular, to Westernize the developing world under the slogan of modernization and development.
more... A Washington source ~ May 13, 2007 ~ Comments (8) Another Take on the Wolfowitz Mess (UDPATED)
from a group of current and retired World Bank staff. They find it hard to imagine what defense PW can put forward in his 11th hour rebuttal, that the Board is now scrutinizing after a meeting Friday that went late into the evening. Let's go over what he might say.
more... Deep Insider ~ May 13, 2007 Small windows into the World Bank - Updated.
Many see the world bank as a closed, almost secret organization working behind a formidable wall of complex bureaucratic rules and procedures . That impression is to a great extend quite true, but in recent years, the multilateral organization has taken some baby steps (or actually been pushed by NGOs) to open some windows to the outside world and move towards more transparency and disclosure.
more... A Washington source ~ May 12, 2007 Wolfowitz has nothing new to report
but Bob Bennett seems to think otherwise. Steve Weisman reports in the IHT that Paul Wolfowitz and his unkempt (and expensive) spokesman have "worked up a point-by-point counterattack to the ethics charges against him."
more... Deep Insider ~ May 12, 2007 More on team Wolfowitz behaviour.
I received this from a well-placed named individual. More depressing stories on the actions of Paul Wolfowitz and his team of close supporters in the Bank. Especially two stories about foreign travel while on Bank duty. Make up your own minds on whether they ring true.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 12, 2007 One for the weekend: Dr Seuss skit on World Bank affair.
A World Bank staff member who can't concentrate on world poverty while their institution is enmeshed leadership dramas has taken the time to pen a new version of a Dr Seuss poem. Titled 'How I Sank the Bank', it adds to the prayer and various songs featured on this site. If it does not help get your kids to sleep this weekend you may want to read it aloud at the start of your next meeting.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 12, 2007 Crucial info missing in Post defence of Wolfowitz.
David Corn has published a thoughtful piece questioning aspects of a Wolfowitz endorsement published this week in the Washington Post.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 12, 2007 More details on how a vote may look like.
Citing board sources, a new Reuters report says "World Bank board majority want Wolfowitz to resign".
more... A Washington source ~ May 11, 2007 Brookings Institution sign-on calls for leadership selection reform.
Influential DC-based policy thinktank, the Brookings Institution, has called for the Americans and the Europeans to give up their stranglehold on the selection process for the heads of the World Bank and the IMF. Read the letter and send your support!
more... Jeff Powell ~ May 11, 2007 More questions about Riza's secondment.
Strange things about Riza's time at SAIC, State and the Foundation for the Future.
more... Jeff Powell ~ May 11, 2007 ~ Comments (15) Wolfowitz Slovenia trip has corruption focus
The Wolfowitz Resign bloggers have a nice piece pointing out the irony of World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz traveling to Slovenia next week to present an award for an essay competition on corruption. They comment: "we assume this means he is leaving his fine sense of irony at home". Alex Wilks ~ May 11, 2007 Hilary Benn's fighting words. Will the UK live up to them?
In response to written questions from British Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone, UK secretary of state for international development Hilary Benn has said that "picking the heads of the World Bank and the IMF based on nationality should end".
more... Jeff Powell ~ May 11, 2007 Look for a Wolfowitz resignation in the next few days.
I have no particular information to confirm this, but my years of experience in Washington tell me an outline of a deal has been reached. Wolfowitz has lost , the Bush administration has now finally realized he can no longer be saved. A Washington source ~ May 11, 2007 ~ Comments (30) Samy Watson is getting tired of being a silent defender of Paul Wolfowitz
The Canadian Executive Director is being deluged with emails from irate Canadian staff at the Bank. Why: The US press continues to report that Canada is siding with the George Bush and Dick Cheney to keep Paul Wolfowitz, his girlfriend and his cronies at the top of the Bank. Not a peep from Ottawa, although Finance Minister Flaherty has backed off his pre-Spring Meetings statement that "Paul Wolfowitz told me what he did for his girlfriend, and that's OK with me." Dangerous words when hurled at you at a campaign meeting during a lovely Canadian fall election, along with "why did you support a man who gave his girlfriend a $60,000 raise?"
more... Deep Insider ~ May 11, 2007 Free flow of the Conservative Kool-Aid
It is sad to realize that the actions of Wolfowitz are still considered proper."I do not believe that Wolfowitz did anything wrong at the World Bank" said Dan Goure, a defense analyst, on NPR "All Things Considered"
more... The Beaver ~ May 11, 2007 Meltzer Commission Back In Style
The nice thing about the current scandal is that its putting a spotlight on the World Bank. Journalists who do not want to defend the indefensible or state the obvious are opting to give us some substance. Washington Post syndicated columnist and right leaning George Will brings up all the Meltzer Commission talking points in his latest column which argues for the elimination of the Bank.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 10, 2007 ~ Comments (20) The board establishes the record of a fair process.
The board of executive directors issued the following statement to explain why it is taking too long to resolve the crisis "expeditiously" !.
more... A Washington source ~ May 10, 2007 Generalissimo Franco Holds On
The deathwatch continues. The Board has given Paul Wolfowitz yet another two days to respond to what everyone already knows. He broke the rules, his associates helped him, and he tried to cover up his actions. Deep Insider ~ May 10, 2007 More Iraq parallels: will Wolfowitz ever learn?
Some further insights into attempts by team Wolfowitz to control public messages at the time of the Iraq war. And into the role of contractor SAIC, where Shaha Riza did her Iraq stint. One thing the Defense Department failed to consider properly when planning its "New Iraq strategic information campaign" was that bloggers, independent journalists and others would frustrate the attempts to monopolize information flows. This is all exposed in documents just obtained by the National Security Archive.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 10, 2007 He's doing a great job. For the US state department. The NY Times reports that US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has been busy pounding the phones over the past weeks in support of her pal Paul. "She has spoken with several European foreign ministers about her positive impressions of Paul and the job he's doing at the World Bank," said Sean McCormack, state department spokesman. Fortunate for Paul that there isn't much else going on in the world at the moment - say in the Middle East - to distract the secretary of state from the more important business of defending Bush cronies. Jeff Powell ~ May 10, 2007 Odds shorten on Paul Wolfowitz leaving.
A Village Voice piece has some nice praise for us and an update on the web trading on whether Wolfowitz will resign. Staff at the World Bank - who excel at presenting numbers - will enjoy the chart below showing how Wolfowitz's stock has fallen in recent days. The numbers will concern the White House and US Treasury, however, who have clearly missed their best negotiating opportunity - their man is not just on the slide, he's on his back.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 10, 2007 New doubts about Wolfowitz corruption strategy.
Jeff posted a wry piece yesterday on Congo supporting the World Bank's anti-corruption drive. The Financial Times has a story about the other Congo (Democratic Republic of), which casts doubts on Wolfowitz's anti-corruption strategy at the Bank.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 10, 2007 The Nail in the Coffin?
Ok, I think with the latest leak, this time from the Pentagon, Wolfowitz and Riza are down for the count. The FT is reporting that Wolfowitz told Pentagon investigators that he obtained the help of a World Bank staffer with whom he "had a close personal relationship" in "activity supporting the war".
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 10, 2007 ~ Comments (10) Wolfowitz has till Friday to respond
The Board has extended the response period from 72 hours to 5 days quotes the Voice of America News.
more... The Beaver ~ May 10, 2007 Democrats Weigh In Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is among those democrats who sent a strongly worded letter to President Bush demanding that he do something to resolve the crisis. Their preferred solution would be one that "preserves the important and historical role of the United States in selecting the president of the bank." Sameer Dossani ~ May 10, 2007 Germany and Paris.
German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul has come out and said it: Wolfowitz should resign. But let's not dare upset our friends on Pennsylvania Avenue.
more... Shannon Lawrence ~ May 09, 2007 Did Robin Cleveland pull a Dick Cheney?
[Note: pics added] So today at 12pm a number of activists again gathered outside the World Bank to thank Paul Wolfowitz for showing us all what the World Bank is really good for. At 1pm, we were joined by the folks at avaaz.org, who attempted to deliver their sack Paul Wolfowitz petition. One noteworthy rumour that was passed along there concerned Robin Cleveland.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 09, 2007 ~ Comments (11) Delay requested: some tips for Wolfowitz's lawyer.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson Jr. seems to have endorsed the request by Paul Wolfowitz, the World Bank president, for more time to defend himself against charges of misconduct, seeking a delay that could also give the Bush administration time to negotiate his voluntary resignation. This according to the International Herald Tribune. Alex Wilks ~ May 09, 2007 ~ Comments (6) Congo approves $15 million for governance capacity building in World Bank.
BRAZZAVILLE, May 9, 2007 – President Denis Sassou Nguesso today provided US$15 million in grant financing for a Transparency and Governance Capacity Building Project for the World Bank.
more... Jeff Powell ~ May 09, 2007 Leaks and counter-leaks: more on report findings.
Greg Hitt and Neil King Jr. have several interesting insights into the still secret board committee report on the Wolfowitz case. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, they summarise their understanding of the committee's findings and look ahead to the conclusions of this sorry saga.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 09, 2007 Wall Street Journal Goes off the Deep End on Malloch Brown. (Update).
In this startlingly alarmist Wall Street Journal opinion piece, the editors argue that Mark Malloch Brown, former UN number two, has been pulling the strings of the Wolfowitz saga in order to get himself appointed to the post!
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 09, 2007 On the Hill.
As time runs out for Wolfowitz, key World Bank overseers in the U.S. Congress are weighing in. Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, says he’d be much happier to sign a U.S. check to a Wolfowitz-free World Bank.
more... Shannon Lawrence ~ May 09, 2007 (Update 2). While Wolfowitz, Folsom and Cleveland hunkered down
an eerie calm fell over the Bank on Tuesday. The Board and the Governors were reading the ad hoc committee's report (300 pages, if you believe the New York Times, 600 with transcripts, according to Paul Wolfowitz's newly subdued spokesman, Bob Bennett). Staff went about their work, meetings took place, partnerships were discussed and rumours were traded. People laughed about the only resignation announced on Reuters just as it was being handed over to Kevin's boss.
more... Deep Insider ~ May 09, 2007 White house maintains support But just barely. The defense of Wolfowitz was rather lukewarm from Tony Snow today as this Reuters report makes clear. Looks like we're in the bargaining/bluffing stages. I'll match your cronyism and raise you one "gentleman's agreement" system. Sameer Dossani ~ May 08, 2007 We have a problem with the President, not the procedure
Problematic statement from Dutch Finance Minister Wouter Bos. Up to now the appointment procedure seems to have worked,'' Bos added. ``We have a problem with the president, not the procedure.''
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 08, 2007 Towards an alternative European approach.
As our Washington Source has noted, various articles today feature hints of a possible deal to end the Wolfowitz World Bank crisis. Below I summarise this morning's coverage of the current situation, the potential deals and bargaining chips. But above all I spell out a potential new European proposal which does not involve the US keeping hold of the Bank's top job.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 08, 2007 ~ Comments (22) Who does Canada represent?
As Deep Insider has reported , the Canadian representative on the World Bank board is one of the few in Wolfowitz's corner. The New York Times, in its latest articles by Steven Weisman, agrees with that assessment, saying it's Canada, the U.S., and Japan still willing to stand with him. But at the Board, Canada isn't just Canada ...
more... Soren Ambrose ~ May 08, 2007 The horse trading starts.
Europe has just put in the opening bid, if Wolfowitz resigns now, the US gets to name the next president of the World Bank.
more... A Washington source ~ May 08, 2007 Wild Speculation Thread
So the first day of this week has been interesting. Use the comments section below to guess at what comes next. My own play at Nostradamus below the fold: Sameer Dossani ~ May 08, 2007 ~ Comments (18) 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.
more... Deep Insider ~ May 07, 2007 UPDATE:Board committee finds Wolfowitz has broken rules.
According to the New York Times, the Ad hoc Panel has found Wolfowitz to be guilty of conflict of interest in arranging Riza's salary raise and promotion and to have broken rules in arranging her transfer to the State Department.
more... The Beaver ~ May 07, 2007 Is the Spinmaster doing his last deed? (UPDATE)
According to Bank Information Center Executive Director Manish Bapna "Kellems' resignation is perhaps a last ditch effort to stave off a vote of no confidence by the Bank board,"
more... The Beaver ~ May 07, 2007 Wolfowitz's right hand man jumps ship.
News just in: Kevin Kellems, Paul Wolfowitz's spin doctor and enforcer, has announced he is leaving the Bank. This is surely a sign that the Wolfowitz camp is very worried, and hopefully a sign that more resignations will follow this week.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 07, 2007 ~ Comments (6) Latest on decision timing and outcome (update).
At the weekend the Bank's board failed to finish its review of the charges against Paul Wolfowitz, meaning that "deliberations over Mr. Wolfowitz would be delayed at least until the end of the week". This according to Steven R. Weisman in a New York Times piece that just went on-line. The slight delay is said to be due to "difficulties in drafting the particulars against Mr. Wolfowitz" rather than any behind the scenes deal-making. Weisman, who's been very on top of this story, quotes bank officials saying "the panel would eventually find that he violated bank rules barring conflicts of interest".
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 07, 2007 Hundreds more staff sign letter: World Bank governance agenda under threat.
World Bank staff are continuing to make their views known. The staff letter we announced ten days ago now contains an additional 700 signatures of angry Bank staff. The staff concerned are working directly on good governance and anti-corruption. They argue that the present crisis is a critical test of the Bank’s own commitment to the principles of sound corporate governance. Yes, as the Bank already had very doubtful credbility in key circles, this may take ages to recover from.
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 07, 2007 ~ Comments (4) From the Great White North
Canadian staff at the Bank are furious that Samy Watson, ED for Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean, and the Canadian government, have not been more forthcoming in commending the process that will lead to Paul Wolfowitz's removal as World Bank President. It's becoming clearer that the the situation is murky, with problems on both the Harper government side and with the highest levels of the Liberal Party opposition. Harper's regime hangs on by a thread, as the issue becomes not "if" but "when" his minority government has to face the restive Canadian electorate.
more... Deep Insider ~ May 07, 2007 So what happens now?.
There are basically four possibilities now for this week, since Wolfowitz has refused to resign on his own. 1) The board would exonerate him. 2) Find Wolfowitz in breach of his contract and bank rules and asks him to resign. 3) they find him in breach but stop short of asking for his resignation. 4) find him in breach and call a formal vote of no-confidence.
more... A Washington source ~ May 06, 2007 ~ Comments (374) Early reporting on this scandal.
True, Wolfowitz's record at the world bank became a major news story only in the past few weeks. Some journalists however, have reported a great deal of these allegations as early as 2005. Here are the leaders of the media pack on this story:
more... A Washington source ~ May 06, 2007 J'accuse
The Washington Post's finance and business curmudgeon, Steven Pearlstein, lashes out at the hypocrisy of the World Bank's Board in his "l'Affaire Wolfowitz" squib Sunday morning. What he does not discuss is how this links back to Wolfowitz cronies, Suzanne Rich Folsom and Kevin Kellums.
more... Deep Insider ~ May 06, 2007 Everyone's Writing about Paul Wolfowitz
Just when you thought you could catch up on George Tenet, Alberto Gonzales, Condi Rice and Niger, and Karl Rove's missing emails, trees are still being cut down to cover Paul Wolfowitz's adventures in corruption and cover-up. Voting him off the island is a good place to start.
more... Deep Insider ~ May 06, 2007 FT Deutschland: Wolfowitz case must end U.S. right to choose Prez The German edition of the Financial Times is arguing [english here] that this sordid affair must be the end of U.S. appointments to the post of WB president. Great to see others, including the FT, making this case. Sameer Dossani ~ May 06, 2007 What is it about Nigeria?
People perusing their NYT Saturday morning over coffee will find five letters to the editor. They're thinking, hmmm, one pro-Paul Wolfowitz letter from Alabama, by Professor Okeowo of Alabama State University. What is it about Nigeria? Deep Insider ~ May 05, 2007 Critical facts: a guide to the Wolfowitz case.
World Bank staff members, writing on the Wolfowitzresign blog, have kindly produced a summary of the facts of the case. They note that "the sheer volume of information circulating in the Wolfowitz leadership scandal threatens to cloud some of the key issues". And that: "Mr. Wolfowitz's statement of April 30 2007 has added unsubstantiated assertions as facts".
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 05, 2007 "Washington insiderism".
A good article by David Corn, the Washington editor of The Nation magazine, detailing the incestuous web of relationships in the structure of the foundation of the future, where Shaha Riza now works.
more... A Washington source ~ May 05, 2007 Reform for next Prez?
Don’t hold your breath. With no government officials calling for systemic change, the WB board looks likely to sidestep any change to business as usual (i.e., the U.S. calls the shots). Soren Ambrose ~ May 04, 2007 Hell Hath No Fury
Suzanne Rich Folsom, Paul Wolfowitz's hand-picked director of Institutional Integrity (sic), is fighting mad. She is fighting hard to shut down the internal discussion threads, citing in particular comments about her, and about INT, some apparently from her own people. Why?
more... Deep Insider ~ May 04, 2007 Republican Senator
According to Bloomberg, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska is the first Republican Senator to voice his opinion on the resignation of Paul Wolfowitz.
more... The Beaver ~ May 04, 2007 Worth reading
Some good advice is being offered to the next president of the World Bank by a blogger who writes about corporate life, economics, business et al.
more... The Beaver ~ May 04, 2007 Muckraking (UPDATED)
seems to know no limits. In a Forbes article Gary Weiss says, "aw, shucks, what he did ain't so bad." Better informed people disagree.
more... Deep Insider ~ May 04, 2007 WB staff are NOT weenies
According to Anne Williamson, stepping down will be a personal disaster for Paul Wolfowitz. Bush's power is spiralling south and there are no more cushy jobs available.
more... The Beaver ~ May 04, 2007 Time Magazine Goes for Substance
In a break with the direction Newsweek is taking this story, the article in this week's Time' is at least going for some substance rather than merely gossip.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 04, 2007 AP: Wolfowitz Aided Corruption in Indonesia
This AP story brings up issues from the early days of this blog regarding Wolfowitz's support for the brutal and corrupt Suharto dictatorship.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 04, 2007 ~ Comments (0) Steal These Pics Thanks to the nice folks at DailyKos for making a bunch of graphics that will no doubt be useful for wbpres.org bloggers... Sameer Dossani ~ May 04, 2007 Wolfowitz turns on Shaha Riza.
Paul Wolfowitz has been using his lawyer Robert Bennett, and other "friends", to point fingers at everyone around him in a desperate and unseemly attempt to divert attention from his own role in the Shaha Affair.
more... A Washington source ~ May 04, 2007 ~ Comments (20) About face
Truth is prevailing. So far we have read about three instances whereby someone has fudged or misrepresented the real circumstances of what really transpired in 2005.
more... The Beaver ~ May 04, 2007 UPDATED: War of words
In a last ditch to save his neck or may be anticipating what the Ad Hoc committee would propose, Wolfowitz blames Bank rules for mix up. After directing the blame on staff who know the rules of the Bank, now he has a change of heart and is pointing the finger at confusion and miscommunication-and this three days after he has been crying that he has been unfairly judged.
more... The Beaver ~ May 03, 2007 A lie by any other name?
Leading Dutch newspaper Volkskrant reported on its 2 May front page that former Dutch executive director (and head of the ethics committee when the Riza pay raise was negotiated) Ad Melkert has said that Wolfowitz has lied.
more... Jeff Powell ~ May 03, 2007 Calls for the Canucks to do the right thing.
Colin Bradford, senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, calls for Canada to take a stand and push for merit-based leadership at the Bank. Jeff Powell ~ May 03, 2007 Wolfowitz, RIP David Ignatius has the best Obituary of Wolfowitz I've seen to date. When the dust settles and this chapter of history is written, I suspect it will look like what Ignatius describes. Hubris. The sin of Pharaoh, the Pharisees, and the Quraish. Where have all the prophets gone? Sameer Dossani ~ May 03, 2007 Beyond Wolfowitz: Governance and the World Bank
OK, so after reading this David Brooks op-ed in the NYT, I've come to the conclusion that even Wolfowitz's supporters see his departure as a "when" and not an "if" question. Well, what's to stop W. from putting Rummy in his place?
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 03, 2007 ~ Comments (2) Tell it as it is Margaret
Nice entertaining piece by Margaret Carlson in Bloomberg. She talks about how the political ruling class in DC believes that they are above anyone ( even the dead :-) ) and the rules of the land.
more... The Beaver ~ May 03, 2007 You broke the rules!
According to the NYT the Board may take the route that PW violated the rules against conflicts of interests to pressure him to resign.
more... The Beaver ~ May 03, 2007 Former governors of the bank join the calls for resignation.
In an open letter to the Financial Times, Five former ministers of finance and former governors of the world bank from Latin America say Wolfowitz should resign.
more... A Washington source ~ May 03, 2007 ~ Comments (1) (UPDATE) Well, they should know.
Jack and Suzy Welsh have weighed in on Gonzales and Wolfowitz. You'll recall that Jack's messy divorce from his long-serving wife, Jane, after she found that Suzy's HBR "interviews" were a good deal more in-depth than normal, brought to the fore another corporate governance issue: excessive executive compensation. In this case, Shaha is not an executive, but her compensation for her off-premises non-job certainly is excessive. Deep Insider ~ May 02, 2007 Shengman speaks
and it's not good for Paul Wolfowitz and Shaha Riza. You'll recall that a centerpiece in their statements about why they colluded to break the rules about managing their, er, conflict of interest, was "everyone was doing it." Specifically Shaha mentioned the wife of Shengman Zhang, former MD, whose case Wolfowitz had used to bargain his own special deal. Well, Shengman's statement was posted on the Bank's internal discussion space this morning. Again, the facts are different from what Ms. Riza would have us, and the Board, believe. Shengman Zhang's statement to the Committee
more... Deep Insider ~ May 02, 2007 Daily Show on Wolfowitz and the Bank
I'm laughing so hard I'm crying. I hate the Daily Show site, so here's a link to a blog that has both segments. The first starts on Condi Rice and then moves to Wolfowitz who, as Jon Stewart points out, is now arguing that he gave his girlfriend a raise, a promotion and guarantees of more to come to prevent a conflict of interest.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 02, 2007 ~ Comments (6) Wolfie press conference.
In Brussels for what was billed as a joint Wolfowitz, Gordon Brown and Louis Michel press conference. David Steven ~ May 02, 2007 A New Statement from the Board of executive directors.
The board has just issued the following statement to the staff of the bank
more... A Washington source ~ May 02, 2007 ~ Comments (6) Xavier Coll's turn.
In his statement yesterday, Paul Wolfowitz pointed a direct finger at 3 people as having been intimately involved in the Shaha pay raise and multiple promotions affair. Both Roberto Dañino , former general counsel for the bank, and Ad Melkert, former chairman of the World Bank's Ethics committee, have issued their own statements refuting Wolfowitz's assertions.
more... A Washington source ~ May 02, 2007 ~ Comments (3) On the Lighter Side of things
Couple of humorous blog postings that caught my eye.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 02, 2007 Anti-PW must be right
Could this be what some of us have been saying? PW does not work for WB but the for the WH.
more... The Beaver ~ May 01, 2007 Looking Beyond Wolfowitz
Reuters is carrying a piece that begins to look beyond the inevitable downfall of Wolf the second and towards the question of changing the selection process for WB presidents.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 01, 2007 ~ Comments (4) Leadership
Everyone's favorite phrase in the otherwise indigestible statement Paul Wolfowitz so kindly emailed to everyone at the Bank yesterday (three hours after his press flaks had showered it on a bored Washington press corps) was his pleading closing complaint. He denounced the process, which was intended Deep Insider ~ May 01, 2007 Tongue-in-cheek
Just saw this piece on Foreign Policy site about a memo written by PW to the Bank's staff wrt Insider Trading. The Beaver ~ May 01, 2007 ~ Comments (6476) Is the Wolfowitz fight-back working?
We still do not have a proper read-out from yesterday's board meeting with Paul Wolfowitz (check back here later for more). But one Bank staffmember, who prefers to conceal his identity, wrote to me saying that Wolfowitz emerged pleased and thinks he might get to hang on. The Bank staff member's reaction - he would have to leave: "if Wolfowitz stays, it will just prove to all of us that the Bank is a pure puppet of the US administration, and not the place where many of us want to spend their careers".
more... Alex Wilks ~ May 01, 2007 LA Times debunks LA Times
Sarah Whalen's critique of former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Wedgwood's LA Times op-ed defending Wolfowitz. We can learn a lot about someone by the kind of folks who rush to his or her defense...
more... Sameer Dossani ~ May 01, 2007 3 rebuttals of Wolfowitz's statement - Updated -
Ad Melkert, former chairman of the World Bank's Ethics committee has issued this statement refuting Wolfowitz claims that he and the board share responsibility for the Shaha affair. The Government Accountability Project (GAP) has also issued this statement on " Misrepresentations in Wolfowitz’ Statement". Finally here is another excellent rebuttal by former Vice President and General Counsel of the World Bank; Roberto Dañino.
more... A Washington source ~ May 01, 2007 ~ Comments (5) Incredulity replaces Irony (Update with GAP)
The issue now is that Paul Wolfowitz and his counsellors and their enablers have taken a mismanaged conflict of interest and botched "solution" that strains credulity, and blown it into an issue of global proportions. And even if you think he might be able to run the Bank, mobilize IDA and lead us to his dream of a world free of corruption--and few now do--this, alone, should be ample evidence of his unfitness to be President of the World Bank Group.
more... Deep Insider ~ April 30, 2007 Full texts of Wolfowitz submissions to the board.
Now on-line: the full documents that Wolfowitz and his team have submitted today to the Bank board's hearing. They contain a professional effort to re-marshal his arguments, but little new material. And no coverage whatsoever of the broader allegations which have emerged against him, Riza and his senior appointees.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 30, 2007 ~ Comments (14) I am the victim
Is this the excuse for incompetency? or blame the other side for smear campaign. Where is his notion of ACCOUNTABILITY ?
more... The Beaver ~ April 30, 2007 There's no deception like self-deception
Don't be troubled by Andrew Young's curious op-ed in the Washington Post this morning, for the reasons nicely summarized in Steve Clemons's Washington Note Deep Insider ~ April 30, 2007 Bad, bad Boys and Girls.
Steve Clemons has some good stories on the boy and girls of Mr PW. The Beaver ~ April 30, 2007 ~ Comments (3) Apologists
What part of the definition of nepotism don't the apologists of Wolfowitz understand? It is sickening to listen or read that it is only a mistake or a mis-step on Wolfowitz part because he didn't know the rules of the Bank. Come on, even a peasant knows what the word "bribery" means when he is paying for favours.
more... The Beaver ~ April 30, 2007 Is standing-down un-American?
PW should consult his friends, who are managing Public Corporations, about good governance in the aftermath of corporate flame-outs . He has already shown that he lacks the emotional intelligence required for his current position and yet, according to the Telegraph he told a friend last week: "I'm seeing this out. I'm going to ride it out." In the same article in the Telegraph, it is mentioned that: ”Insiders say that even the US treasury secretary, Henry Paulson, is convinced that Mr Wolfowitz should resign because his behaviour would not have been appropriate in a multinational business.”
more... The Beaver ~ April 30, 2007 What have they been smoking?
Clearly Paul Wolfowitz's spokesman Bob Bennett has been busy today, trying to divert attention from his client's actions and the ensuing cover-up. As if Shaha's extraordinary promotion/raise/secondment and ghost job weren't bad enough, the Big Bad Bennett is huffing and puffing about other World Bank salaries and perks. That, of course, is not the issue. Deep Insider ~ April 30, 2007 Wolfowitz threatens to sink the ship along with himself.
It seems that those who naively thought that Wolfowitz cared about the bank or its reputation are coming to a rude awakening. Wolfowitz and his lawyer and spokesman Robert Bennett, are - and not very subtly - threatening to sink the bank in the process of trying to save himself if need be. Bennett, according to the New York Times today, " .. indicated that he was prepared to keep the temperature raised if necessary, possibly by demanding release publicly of the salaries and perquisites of others at the bank."
more... A Washington source ~ April 30, 2007 ~ Comments (327) Oxfam tells Wolfowitz to go. Oxfam, the anti-poverty charity, on Sunday finally joined the campaign for Wolfowitz' ousting. In a statement to the Financial Times, Jeremy Hobbs, executive director of Oxfam International, said the Bank’s mission to fight poverty was being "deeply compromised" by the ethics dispute. "We believe that the World Bank's ability to act as a leading development institution has already been so damaged that Mr Wolfowitz's continued presidency of the World Bank is untenable," he said. Jeff Powell ~ April 29, 2007 Cronies Abandoning Judgment, too?
...Bank staff are shaking their heads now about about whether Wolfowitz appointee, Czarina of Institutional Integrity, Suzanne Folsom, too, has lost her mind. Deep Insider ~ April 29, 2007 A solution for the World Bank?
A senior Bank staffer has suggested a sensible way forward. Wolfowitz should resign, and managing director Graeme Wheeler should step in as acting president until such time as the Americans and the Europeans can agree on an open, transparent and merit-based selection process for Wolfowitz' successor.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 29, 2007 ~ Comments (6) Will he show?
Next Wednesday: a donor's meeting on education in Brussels, hosted by Gordon Brown, Louis Michel and... Paul Wolfowitz. Officials are proceeding on the assumption that Bank's president will show up, but are not looking forward to a press conference where Brown will be asked about Blair, Michel about his imminent return to Belgium politics, and Wolfie about funding for primary schools (not). David Steven ~ April 29, 2007 Job offer waiting for Wolfowitz?
Pendennis, commentator for UK paper The Observer, has been told by Bank sources that Wolfowitz "can look forward to a warm welcome from petroleum and energy company Halliburton, should he wish to work there." "They admire him greatly," says the Bank source. Jeff Powell ~ April 29, 2007 Salaries covered up. And uncovered.
The Independent on Sunday reports that in a letter written in response to a "brief conversation" and dated 13 July 2006, the bank's human resources head, Xavier Coll, told Mr Wolfowitz that it was "virtually impossible" to shut off access to individual salary details, although some staff had had their access "revoked".
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 29, 2007 Five million a year for Wolfowitz' security.
Today's Telegraph reports that Wolfowitz' personal security detail is costing the World Bank (read: developing countries - ed.) five million dollars a year.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 29, 2007 World Bank Committee Finds Ethics Breach by Wolfowitz...
The Ad Hoc committee investigating the Wolfowitz-Riza Affair has almost finished its work, the Washington Post reports this morning. According to three sources cited by the paper, the only remaining point of debate is whether the committee will explicitly recommend that Wolfowitz resigns.
more... A Washington source ~ April 28, 2007 ~ Comments (5) Orders to play down 'climate change' came from Wolfowitz' office.
US NGO, the Government Accountability Project (GAP) has acquired an internal World Bank document that summarizes a February 2006 meeting of World Bank officials regarding climate change and clean energy. The document indicates that orders to tone down references to "climate change" in an environmental strategy paper originated in the office of Bank president Paul Wolfowitz. Jeff Powell ~ April 28, 2007 Wolfowitz has damaged US leadership at World Bank.
In further signs that US anti-Wolfowitz sentiment is spreading, the Washington Post this morning features an opinion piece from a former US representative on the World Bank's board. He says: "It's embarrassing to watch. It's even more infuriating to think about the opportunity that Wolfowitz has squandered and the jeopardy in which he has placed America's key role in the bank".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 28, 2007 ~ Comments (472) Bennett in Wonderland.
Lewis Carroll must be turning in his grave. Paul Wolfowitz’s lawyer (surely spin-doctor, ed.) is trying to get his client out of trouble by comparing the board's investigation process to an Alice in Wonderland episode. Responding to the report that the board committee has already drafted a position recommending Wolfowitz’s removal, Richard Bennett told his favourite outlet Bloomberg: “If this is true, it is grossly unfair. It reminds me of Lewis Carroll's Red Queen who said the alleged thief of the tarts was certainly entitled to a trial, but she suggested they have the sentence first.''
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 27, 2007 ~ Comments (3) Ecuador and Wolfowitz
Is the scandal creating political space for governments? Is Ecuador’s expulsion of a World Bank staff person related to Wolfowitz dragging the Bank down?
more... Sameer Dossani ~ April 27, 2007 Unsettling times for Wolfowitz allies at the Bank.
Worldbankpresident.org readers will be very clear that the problems at the institution spread far beyond Paul Wolfowitz and Shaha Riza. The World Bank president has managed to get rid of half of the senior managers who were there two years ago and install a set of people with worrying political connections and uncertain competence. There are signs that several of them are understandably worrying that if their big boss goes they'll have to follow. Notably Susanne Folsom and Robin Cleveland.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 27, 2007 Is that just the tip of the iceberg? Suspicions have been communicated to us that Juan José Daboub's tinkering with the Madagascar country paper and the overall health strategy may not be the only instances of covert US pressure to influence the Bank's work in health. If you have any further information, please contact us urgently. Jeff Powell ~ April 27, 2007 NGOs worldwide demand World Bank overhaul.
Global sign-on letter regarding the current scandal at the Bank demands not only Wolfowitz's resignation but fundamental reforms in the governance of the institution itself.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 27, 2007 New rumours on Wolfowitz departure timing. (Update).
A tip reached me overnight that Wolfowitz's departure may be announced before European leaders arrive in Washington DC for Monday's EU-US summit meeting. The Washington Post also carries a comment from "a senior Bank official" saying that the board committee has already decided to recommend Wolfowitz leaves.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 27, 2007 New challenge from inside the bank ....
Members of the drafting and implementation team for the World Bank Group’s Governance and Anti-corruption strategy, which was adapted few weeks ago by the World Bank, have just issued the following open letter to Wolfowitz and the board of directors. The message was also posted in the internal bulletin board of the bank. A Washington source ~ April 26, 2007 Shaha Riza Never Seconded to State Department. (Update).
The folks at The Wolfowitz Must Resign blog, which is maintained by anonymous World Bank Staffers, have dug a little more in the paper trail on Shaha Riza. They point out that ... "In the 102 pages of documents disclosed by the World Bank's Board of Directors, document #17, is a letter from J. Scott Carpenter at the State Department to Xavier Coll, Head of Human Resources at the World Bank. Mr. Carpenter writes, "We take this opportunity to note that we do not view Ms. Riza as detailed or seconded to the U.S. Government". . The question is: why did she have a security clearance then?
more... A Washington source ~ April 26, 2007 ~ Comments (1) Robin ram raids village on day two.
Thanks to Barry White for the update on the driving skills of Robin Cleveland, member of the Wolfowitz praetorian guard. Friends in the Congo tell us she doesn't do much better in a helicopter...
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 26, 2007 Wolfowitz-Bennett set the stage to backtrack on promises to accept the board's decision...
Wolfowitz , the New York Times reports, apparently sent a letter to the board of executive directors yesterday accusing them of treating him "shabbily and unfairly,". This echoes Bennett's words before about his fear that Wolfowitz is not being given a chance to defend himself.
more... A Washington source ~ April 26, 2007 More on Palacio dodgy dealings.
Our diligent readers devoted to the truth have provided more evidence to the suggestion that Wolfowitz-appointee, general legal counsel Ana Palacio, has been following her boss' lead when it comes to hiring practices.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 26, 2007 ~ Comments (1) Bank high-ups turn deaf ears to Wolfowitz's overtures.
The New York Times reports that "the bank’s vice presidents have rebuffed his request for them to set up a committee to advise him on improving his management style. The vice presidents did not want to be co-opted into helping his campaign to stay in office, bank officials said". Alex Wilks ~ April 26, 2007 Bank staff turn amateur detective.
As I'd hoped, some Bank staff took time to play amateur detective at their desks and see if they could replicate the mail discussed in my post of yesterday. Below are their results. If dodgy documents have been produced before the board that will surely be a very serious blow to the defence. But, regardless of that the point raised by several people below is surely devastating. Since when do draft e-mails count as evidence? Is it OK to tell a court something that you meant to say, but failed to?
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 26, 2007 CIVICUS calls for Wolfowitz to resign, and demands that the leadership selection process be fixed.
Kumi Naidoo, secretary-general of CIVICUS - an international alliance of civil society organisations - has called for Wolfowitz to resign.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 26, 2007 The Ad Hoc Committee: who they are and what they are thinking.
Until now we have not clearly told you which government representatives make up the Ad Hoc Committee established by the World Bank board to look into the Wolfowitz allegations. The board members are the French, Dutch, Norwegians, Chinese, Russian, Mexican and Ethiopian. The New York Times has interesting insights on where they stand in their deliberations and on the Bank president's efforts to slow them down.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 26, 2007 Board take note: doubts about credibility of key document in Rizagate scandal.
Questions have been raised today about an important document that is supposed to show how Wolfowitz and his key advisers approached the Riza pay issue. Someone with a very good knowledge of the Bank's internal systems has written to us casting doubt on the authenticity of an e-mail that forms part of the evidence released by the Bank's board on 12 April (PDF, 120 pages).
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 25, 2007 Old Europe is not amused.
In an extraordinary move in diplomatic terms, which will turn up the heat on the White House, the European Parliament today expressed its opinion on the Wolfowitz scandal. As part of a resolution on transatlantic relations, the following text was adopted by roll call vote with 332 votes in favour and 251 against: Jeff Powell ~ April 25, 2007 Widening the net (updated).
Responding to our request yesterday about clarification of the mandate of the investigation into Bank leaks, we received the following:
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 25, 2007 That controversial health strategy in full.
The good people running the Wolfowitz Resign blog have passed us the proposed revisions to the Bank's Health, Nutrition and Population strategy. The 5th April draft of the document is available here (PDF, 319KB). Alex Wilks ~ April 25, 2007 Reading the Tea leaves. The Bank's Articles of Agreement; Article V , section 3 (b), states that " Except as otherwise specifically provided, all matters before the Bank shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast." With that in mind, here is the distribution of votes among the board of executive directors, which should give a reasonable bases to the question of how each country may vote on the fate of Paul Wolfowitz. A Washington source ~ April 25, 2007 Palacio appointments questioned.
Insiders are asking questions about the process of an appointment made by Wolfowitz-ally general legal counsel Ana Palacio.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 25, 2007 Head in the sand. Seems that the Bank's external affairs department hasn't noticed recent turmoil. A former senior Bank staffer has told us that absent from the Bank's daily newswire has been any mention of the miles of newsprint devoted to the debacles of Wolfowitz and his coterie: "Pravda would be ashamed." Add Wolfowitz-appointee new VP external affairs Marwan Muasher to the list. Jeff Powell ~ April 25, 2007 FT backs up wbp on Da-boub.
Today's FT confirms two lines of investigation pursued by wbp over the past days into the actions of Wolfowitz-appointee Juan José Daboub. Daboub has been caught red handed tinkering with World Bank policies on health and climate change.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 25, 2007 Widening the net?
Rumour from inside the Bank that the investigation into leaks to FOX news has been broadened.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 25, 2007 A picture speaks a thousand words.
Many people have sent in a link to a photo of Wolfowitz enjoying some quality time at the White House correspondents dinner at the weekend. It's good that he manages to look so relaxed even when so embattled. The original photo posted by Talking Points Memo is here. And some creative people in Washington have been kind enough to write in with a new version of the photo, complete with blue ribbon.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 25, 2007 Wolfowitz prayer.
In their desperation, Bank staff have turned to prayer.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 25, 2007 Could we know by COB?
Sources inside the Bank say that the ad hoc committee met last night at 5 pm, and will meet again today. They have told Wolfowitz to appear before them. According to Bloomberg, they have rejected a request by Wolfowitz's lawyer, Robert Bennett, to make a presentation.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 25, 2007 Double threat to World Bank funding.
As if the threat to the World Bank's IDA soft-loan window wasn't bad enough, now people are muttering that the bond markets might give the institution a kick where it hurts - in its credit rating.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 25, 2007 Riza's (other) contract.
The Government Accountability Project has more on the Shaha Riza defence contractor moonlighting episode (for the background see this and this). GAP lists 7 open questions about the affair and concludes that "a convergence of unusual facts about the contract issued to Shaha Riza by SAIC raises red flags about the propriety of the arrangement".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 25, 2007 Health staffer freed by board.
In an astonishing letter (see below), the Bank staffer responsible for the health strategy thanks the board for raising concerns regarding the deletion of sexual and reproductive health - she shares their concerns that the current document does not illustrate the Bank's 'commitment to the issue'. Could it be that she was forced by her boss, Wolfowitz-appointee Juan José Daboub, to do the dirty work against her best instincts?
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 24, 2007 Funny business with lawyers. (Update).
From an eagle-eyed legal advisor to wbp.org: Riza got a Republican lawyer, Wolfowitz a Democrat one. Update with questions and comments on who is paying for Paul Wolfowitz's lawyer.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 24, 2007 ~ Comments (0) Wolfowitz's lawyer seeks to buy time. (Update).
The Washington Post also carries interesting comments from the lawyer hired by Wolfowitz yesterday. The main message: slow down. The same point was made by the Bank president in a memo sent to staff this morning.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 24, 2007 Coach wanted. Warning: tough pupil.
Today's Washington Post contains what seems to me a quite desperate appeal from Paul Wolfowitz. The Post reports on a brief meeting between Wolfowitz and senior managers yesterday. After diplomatically appreciating what he called their "brainstorming" about ways to improve bank management, the Bank president said he is considering hiring a coach "to assist him in changing his leadership style".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 24, 2007 Bank staffer confirms Daboub tried to make climate change disappear.
In today's Herald Tribune, Robert Watson, highly respected chief scientist at the Bank, is reported to have said in an interview that Wolfowitz-appointee managing director Juan José Daboub "literally tried to eliminate the words 'climate change' everywhere in a policy paper" but that the words were put back. Jeff Powell ~ April 24, 2007 Professor Robert Wade calls for cool heads.
In a letter to the editor of the FT, Professor Robert Wade of the Development Studies Institute at the London School of Economics and long-time analyst of the Bank, calls for cooler heads to prevail.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 24, 2007 Norway joins the mutineers.
According to Reuters, Norway has joined a group of European countries including Germany, the Netherlands and Britain who have said they believe Wolfowitz has put himself in an untenable position.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 24, 2007 Review of institutional integrity: sudden progress, certain doubts. (Update).
In February this year concerns about the functioning of the Bank's Department of Institutional Integrity (INT) provoked the Bank's president and board to establish an external review. Little has been seen or heard of this since, but an announcement late yesterday gave further details of timing and process. But GAP has accused the report chair of having a conflict of interest that should prevent him taking on this role and Bank staff have also raised complaints.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 24, 2007 Do as I say, not as I do.
Script-writers on Yes Minister could not have made it up. A recent World Bank publication has an introduction from its president Paul Wolfowitz which reads: "We must also ensure that Bank staff continue to maintain high standards of conduct ... recent corporate scandals around the world have shown that the actions of even a very small number of individuals can tarnish the reputation of an entire organization."
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 24, 2007 More Africans back resignation.
Several more African civil society voices are calling for Wolfowitz to go. But some international groups are being slow to make their positions clear.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 24, 2007 Rumsfeld, Bolton, ... Gonzales, Wolfowitz.
It doesn't take a political genius to know what links these men. They are all important George W. Bush aides and appointees. Agence France Presse has a story which quotes political analyst Eric David hinting that the 'steadfast support of the commander in chief' for the latter two may not last. After all Bush's approval rating is only about 30 per cent.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 23, 2007 Don't cry for me, IBRD.
From one of our devoted readers - sung to the tune of Evita --- the Opera, "Don't cry for me, Argentina"
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 23, 2007 Health strategy rejected.
European executive directors and alternates have written a letter to staff in the human development network to explain their rejection of the draft health, nutrition and population strategy.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 23, 2007 The boys from Brazil.
Rumours are coming in thick and fast that staff in the Bank's Brazil office won't be welcoming back one Wolfowitz clone any time soon. It seems there is a seamy and steamy story here waiting to be told.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 23, 2007 Historic opportunity.
Associate deputy editor at South Africa's Mail & Guardian, Nic Dawes, believes the Wolfowitz crisis presents a historic opportunity to fix the democratic deficit at the IFIs: "the bankruptcy of the current arrangement is in clear view and, if multilateralism in development finance is to survive it must be seized by the Europeans, Asians, Africans and the Americans. Democracy at the World Bank may not suit the neocons, but if their blunders bring it on, we’ll drink a toast to Wolfowitz and dance a jig to his political obituary." Jeff Powell ~ April 23, 2007 A new entry - Mark Malloch Brown.
Inter City Press at the UN has put forward a strong case for former UNDP head Mark Malloch Brown to take over from Wolfowitz.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 23, 2007 Germany has made it clear - Wolfowitz must go. In a bold move in diplomatic terms, German development minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul told the Financial Times Deutschland that "Wolfowitz should do the bank a service and face the consequences," as the current situation is "not acceptable". Jeff Powell ~ April 23, 2007 And the others were on holiday? IPS has said that two internal sources at the Bank have confirmed that about 110 country directors, their deputies and programme coordinators sent a message last Friday saying they want Wolfowitz out. Along with the usual 'out of office' replies, that doesn't leave many. Jeff Powell ~ April 23, 2007 Headed for a fight.
In a sign that he does not intend to go quietly, Bloomberg reports that as of Friday Paul Wolfowitz has retained Robert Bennett, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 23, 2007 Add the Independent Evaluation Group to the list.
In a searing indictment reported in the FT, the Bank's own Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) has said that Wolfowitz's continued presence at the Bank is crippling its development effectiveness. Jeff Powell ~ April 23, 2007 FT urges Europe to use IDA stick.
In today's leader, editors at the FT have urged European governments, who make three fifths of the contributions towards the International Development Assocation, to use their financial muscle: "If the current leadership stays, European governments cannot - and should not - promise taxpayers' money for the next replenishment." The FT also calls for a change in the method to select the heads of the Bank and the IMF. Jeff Powell ~ April 23, 2007 Thought police back on the beat.
According to Bank staffers, the external affairs department may be deleting the more explosive postings on internal message boards.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 22, 2007 Easterly calls for regime change.
In a Washington Post comment, long-time Bank economist, and now professor of economics at New York University (bio), William Easterly says that the Bank is facing the greatest crisis in its history.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 22, 2007 'Alternative girlfriend' by the Barenaked Ladies. See what else is on Kevin Kellem's playlist on Paul Wolfowitz's iPod. Jeff Powell ~ April 22, 2007 Is Palacio Wolfowitz's personal lawyer?
A message posted by Bank staff on an internal bulletin board suggests that Bank general legal counsel (and Wolfowitz-appointee) Ana Palacio may have her allegiances confused.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 22, 2007 Papered over?
Sharp pencils within the Bank are posing more and more pointed questions about key documents in the Rizagate investigation.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 22, 2007 You scratch my back...
In a twist too hideous to think about, Washington sources have told us another reason why the Europeans may be reluctant to go after Wolfowitz for indiscretions over his paramour.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 22, 2007 Wolfowitz Scandal Takes Bank Hypocrisy to New Heights
Wolfowitz wants to stay put but it’s hard to believe he can weather this storm of his own making, says Sameer Dossani of the 50 Years Is Enough Network.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ April 22, 2007 CNBC show on Wolfie.
Me debating Stephen Moore from WSJ editorial board. Unfortunately, that made it two people who wanted the institution gone. Would have been nice to have someone who could defend the institution as well.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ April 22, 2007 On-line video carries Bank staff messages.
Bored at your desk? Feel like a lighter view on the Bank's troubles? Look no further than the video that some renegade Bank staff have uploaded to YouTube. The video nods its head to British sitcom 'The Office', and reveals Wolfowitz to be in some ways as awkward and naive as Ricky Gervais' boss character. Alex Wilks ~ April 20, 2007 Our dream is a bank free of Wolfowitz - Economist.
Damn, why didn't we think of that? The Economist has said Wolfowitz should "resign voluntarily", and if not, "the Bank's masters should push him out".
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 20, 2007 You Wanna Bet?
Bloomberg's update today carries odds on Wolfowitz's departure: "Online futures traders are betting there's a 20 percent chance Wolfowitz will resign by the end of this month, according to Intrade, an electronic exchange based in Dublin. The odds for him to depart by the end of June are 40 percent."
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 20, 2007 Crank up the (crackpot) rumour mill.
Washington Post columnist Al Kamen has raised some of the usual suspects (Zoellick, Dervis, Summers), as well as some unusual suspects.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 20, 2007 Mata Hari
One question troubling the inquiring minds at worldbankpresident.org is who leaked the Riza pay rise documents (not to mention those troublesome board minutes to Fox news back in January)? No smoking gun yet, but some interesting theories making the rounds inside the Bank...
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 20, 2007 Xavier Coll latest to join blue ribbon campaign.
As announced here yesterday, Bank staff have been distributing blue ribbons as a symbol for their "continuing struggle for improved governance in the World Bank Group" - latest to join the campaign according to a Bank insider is senior human resources officer Xavier Coll.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 20, 2007 The case for the defence. A "sexist" World Bank.
Former US World Bank Executive Director Robert Holland has written a scathing critique of the Bank in his defence of Paul Wolfowitz in today's Wall Street Journal.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 20, 2007 Medieval Catholic schism?
The FT has warned that the Bank could split into openly warring factions like the great schism of the medieval Catholic church - with one faction led by Paul 'Gregory' Wolfowitz and the other by Graeme 'Benedict' Wheeler.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 20, 2007 What the EDs said: the 19th April board meeting statement.
We are happy to bring you the text of the Bank board statement agreed yesterday evening. Also happy that the board seems to have broadened the scope of its enquiry. They're not just looking at the Riza affair, but at 'a number of issues' including 'employment contracts made in the Office of the President'. The board's ad hoc group is supposed to make 'early recommendations' for decision by the Executive Directors. How early though?
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 20, 2007 'Key players take their distance': Fox News.
Coming from Fox, which has supported Wolfowitz strongly in current months, this is definitely bad news for Paul Wolfowitz. Two key players in the scandal over his girlfriend’s compensation package have further distanced themselves from Wolfowitz's actions.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 20, 2007 Can it be true?
The London Times is reporting this morning that "Bush draws up list of candidates to replace Wolfowitz". If true, then Wolfowitz has indeed lost the fight to keep his job.
more... A Washington source ~ April 20, 2007 And you thought Bolton was a scary thought? The quest to scare us with thoughts of who Bush might come up with if he's allowed a second crack at nominating the WB president for 5 years had reached its high-water mark with the suggestion of John Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. That looks like mere child's play, however, now that Bloomberg columnist Matthew Lynn, after making clear his affection for Wolfowitz and mentioning usual suspects like Bono and Clinton (and that more recent, and slightly more plausible idea, Blair) comes up with ... former US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld! Soren Ambrose ~ April 19, 2007 Civil society steps up pressure.
More and more civil society groups are joining the call for Wolfowitz to go.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 19, 2007 US position shifting, but concessions demanded. The Bank's board is meeting in one hour's time to discuss the Wolfowitz saga. We hear that the US government is softening its support for their man in the Bank. But in exchange are asking the Europeans to agree to let the US appoint a successor. This is a trade that should not be needed: the system of unilateral appointment to run a multilateral organisation has proved a spectacular failure and should be got rid of with Wolfowitz. Alex Wilks ~ April 19, 2007 The China: Africa link. (Update).
Pundita makes another suggestion for why a few African ministers supported Wolfowitz at the weekend. China.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 19, 2007 Will Daboub go down with the sinking ship?
An LA Times piece turns up the heat on Wolfowitz-appointee, Managing Director Juan José Daboub, for his attempts to single-handedly take the Bank out of the family planning business.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 19, 2007 Wolf vs. Wolf: WB regions take sides.
The civil war within the World Bank, described by our Washington Source, is delineated by Krishna Guha and Eoin Callan in today's Financial Times. While the side-taking takes on a regional hue, it's basically departments dominated by Wolfowitz appointees versus departments dominated by Wolfensohn appointees, they say. They also say the managers for an entire region are threatening to resign en masse if Wolfowitz doesn't go.
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 19, 2007 Fire the Board, too.
Another former World Bank VP, Armeane M. Choksi, writes in a letter to the FT that if one is going to call for Wolfowitz's resignation, one should also be calling for the resignations of the institution's executive directors (the very people so many are urging to fire Wolfowitz). "As the recent document release indicates, the board was fully complicit in everything Mr Wolfowitz did and actually approved his actions and decisions not once, but twice." Fair point. Soren Ambrose ~ April 19, 2007 The Deepest Cut: Sarcasm
The ultimate "insider" columnist with the Washington Post, Al Kamen, pours his vitriol on Paul Wolfowitz. Kamen detects echoes of Bush's post-9/11 logic: "Wolfowitz's supporters say the controversy is really about corruption: Either you're for it or against it. Wolfowitz is against it. His enemies, therefore, are for it."
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 18, 2007 Bank board meeting Thursday to make decision?
Sorry: misleading headline. Don't get your hopes up on the decision. Sources only say that the World Bank board has cleared its agenda to 'debate' the Wolfowitz issue. Not necessarily to do anything conclusive.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 18, 2007 Bank Ethics Committee chair spells it out.
Leading Dutch financial paper Der Handelsblatt carries comments (Dutch) from Ad Melkert, chair of the Bank's Ethics Committee when the Riza pay rise was agreed. Melkert strongly denies that the Commission oversaw the Riza deal.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 18, 2007 Current Managing Director of the World Bank asks Wolfowitz to resign. (Update 1).
During a management meeting this morning that included the two managing directors of the world bank and all Vice Presidents, the highly respected Graeme Paul Wheeler, one of the two current managing directors asked Wolfowitz directly to resign from the bank to save the reputation of the institution and current round of funding for bank coffers.
more... A Washington source ~ April 18, 2007 A "Euro-bureaucracy-media putsch"?
Jim Lobe at Inter-Press Service cites and skewers several US commentators desperately rallying in Wolfowitz's defense. The "Euro...putsch" soundbite is the pick of the bunch, but the sense is everywhere the same as Soren reported here yesterday. Lobe's original thought is that those defending Wolfowitz's from the allegations of cronyism and dodgy dealing at a multilateral institution were "among the most aggressive in attacking former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan for alleged nepotism on behalf of his son".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 18, 2007 Wolf bites Wolf.
Senior columnist and ex-World Banker Martin Wolf bares his teeth in the Financial Times. The victims? Both Paul Wolfowitz and the ministers who left Washington without taking a clear decision.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 18, 2007 U.S.'s NPR reports on Riza's trip to Iraq.
U.S. liberals (using the political-U.S. sense of "liberals"), and some others too, wake up listening to "Morning Edition" on National Public Radio. With Kathy Schalch getting this piece on the air today, that means a lot of people are aware of the earlier Wolfowitz-Riza scandal, from his days at the Defense Department. (see this posting) The story also puts former WB president Jean-Louis Sarbib's literal voice out there, saying the arrangement was "not above-board."
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 18, 2007 Wolfowitz Pack Your Bags! - Action today in front of WB
Civil society organizations will protest in front of the World Bank today at 12pm to demand the immediate removal of World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, and that steps be taken to democratize the institution. Sameer Dossani ~ April 18, 2007 First Former World Bank Vice President to say on the record "I think he should go". From CCTV -- Jean-Louis Sarbib, FMR. World Bank Sr. vice president, said, "I think it's extremely sad that the World Bank is in the news as a scandal institution at a time when poverty is a very big issue for the rest of the world and where the credibility of the institution and the credibility of its head is absolutely essential. So, I think he should go." A Washington source ~ April 18, 2007 More on the Riza-in-Iraq episode. Reuters is now reporting on the subject, and includes a potentially promising reference: "Defense sources said the Pentagon was reviewing the matter." And the Government Accountability Project has released another raft of documents on the matter, including the original contract. Soren Ambrose ~ April 17, 2007 Wolfowitz finds another paper to support him.
Until now the Wall Street Journal was one of the few newspapers to editorialize in defense of Wolfowitz, a phenomenon attributed to its long-term, intimate ties with the man and the Bush Administration. Now the Chicago Tribune has joined in, touting a similar line of defense: people who love corruption and the idle habits of World Bank staff are out to tear down a man who dares to challenge the status quo by employing "a classic manufactured scandal."
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 17, 2007 WB Action Wednesday at Noon - Wolfowitz Pack Your Bags!
Missed the opportunity to participate in last Saturday's action in front of the World Bank, calling for the dismissal of Iraq war architect Paul Wolfowitz? Feel up to another fun event, connecting US interests to the policies of the World Bank? Then read on...
more... Sameer Dossani ~ April 17, 2007 Jettison Cleveland, Daboub, to save your skin.
Hard-hitting advice to Wolfowitz from respected foreign policy blogger Pundita. Get rid of key allies/appointees if you want to survive.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 17, 2007 The Wolfowitz saga: a guide to all the angles. (Update: comments).
Now that the media pack has turned on Wolfowitz, it’s open season. Much commentary – and the formal World Bank board process – are limited to the Shaha Riza pay deal. But we’ve now counted ten specific allegations on the World Bank president and some new conflict of interest claims that emerged today. Here is a guide summarizing the main angles with links to posts with more detail. Alex Wilks ~ April 17, 2007 Stiglitz weighs in.
In a 'Financing for Development' side event in New York on the G8 and global governance, former World Bank chief economist (now professor of economics at Columbia University) Joe Stiglitz has weighed in to the Wolfowitz issue.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 17, 2007 US presidential candidates, UN Secretary General weigh in.
Fellow bloggers have been speculating (here and here) whether and how the Wolfowitz drama might become a US political issue. Now a former and a potential presidential candidates have started commenting. Will others follow?
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 17, 2007 The *first* Wolfowitz/Riza scandal.
Well, who knows, maybe not the first. But at least prior to the one that's consuming so much attention now. The New York Times (and its sister paper International Herald Tribune) report on that niggling matter that Alex and one of our correspondents have been complaining hasn't received enough attention: how Riza, then a regular WB employee, ended up working on a non-WB contract in Iraq in April/May 2003 (shortly after the invasion) without the Bank's knowledge. Turns out the Pentagon -- where Wolfowitz was #2 at the time -- ordered its contractor to hire her.
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 17, 2007 Don't make it a US domestic issue
In an inciteful piece by Krishna Guha in today's FT, the read is that if the Wolfowitz issue is picked up by the Democrats then Bush will defend him to the death. Interesting is the assessment of where the Europeans are at.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 17, 2007 Inside the Bank: a very tough week ahead (Update 1).
Somone in the Bank has taken the trouble to give a run-down of how Wolfowitz, Vice Presidents and other 'hapless staff' are coping. The mood seems bleak, with concerns about many things, including about European government funding to the Bank. And now NGOs are now trying to see if Wolfowitz senior appointees have watered down the Bank's 'clean energy' policy, in the same way that they removed mentions of reproductive health in other Bank documents. Wolfowitz is ducking and diving, but pretending everything is fine.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 17, 2007 The Role of Wolfowitz's Friends?
The gravity of the situation is sinking deeper this morning among World Bank Staff, including those who supported Paul Wolfowitz. Bank corridors are now filled with discussions of how the longer this situation continues, the deeper it will drag the credibility and effectiveness of the Bank into a sinkhole. Many are asking , "can anyone talk some sense to him?".
more... A Bank Insider ~ April 16, 2007 Media verdict clear: but what will the court say?
The World Bank staffer who acted as whistleblower in January 2006 on the Riza payrises must feel sad but smug. He/she certainly pointed to an important issue that needed to be aired. And warned that if the Bank did not deal with this properly its president would face "trial by media". Very accurate, and this post summarises and links to some good recent pieces. In case you don't think me a totally impartial foreman of the media jury, I quote The Economist: "the verdict from most quarters is in; only the sentence is still uncertain".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 16, 2007 A side battle in the US administration? It is clearly emerging that a parallel battle is going on between the US Treasury and the State Department on one side and the White House and Bush's elite on the fate of Wolfowitz at the head of World Bank. It always difficult for US politics to deal with World Bank issues, but which views exist on this in US Congress? Why Nancy Pelosi is not saying anything on this? Apart of Edwards, what other Presidential candidates think of the scandal? Do they believe that keeping Wolfowitz at the head of the Bank will help US international credibility? Too many scandals are going on in Washington at the moment, but also the World Bank one deserves a clear say. Antonio Tricarico ~ April 16, 2007 Benn: It Simply Can't Continue. (Update 1).
Hilary Benn, UK International Development Secretary, raised the pressure on Paul Wolfowitz on Saturday when he said 'the whole business... should not have happened.' David Steven ~ April 16, 2007 Can Wolfowitz win the peace?
This question is very premature while the board is considering whether to dismiss Wolfowitz. But how long will that take and, if he wins the battle to stay on as president, what then? A posting on the IHT blog reminded me that Wolfowitz wars tend to drag on longer than he predicts. And that he's not very good at winning the peace. The Tribune's Managing Globalization blog accuses the World Bank president of using the same (failing) strategy at the Bank that the US administration did with Ba'athist forces in Iraq.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 16, 2007 Oh no.
Someone has gone ahead and said the unsayable. In a comment for UK daily The Independent, columnist Bruce Anderson has called for Wolfowitz to be replaced with none other than UN-wrecker John Bolton.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 16, 2007 Tony Blair for president?
Chief economics correspondent for the Guardian, Larry Elliott, has - perhaps only half-jokingly - put Tony Blair forward as a candidate to run the Bank.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 16, 2007 Here's an idea - why not evaluate his performance?
Besides the farcical process by which Wolfowitz was anointed World Bank president, what this whole affair highlights is the absence of any systems at the Bank to evaluate the performance of its president.
more... Jeff Powell ~ April 16, 2007 Unprecedented rancor.
U.S. newspapers are helping out with reading the diplomatic language employed in Sunday's Development Committee statement and press conference. Steven Weisman of the New York Times finds that "Bank and finance officials said they could not recall any time in the history of the bank when there was such an open and rancorous rift between its president and the people who are supposed to run the institution in cooperation with him."
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 16, 2007 African civil society not amused.
As the previous entry notes, stomachs are turning over the exploitation of African government officials by the Wolfowitz forces. The following statement was written last night by Njoki Njoroge Njehu, executive director of Daughters of Mumbi Global Resource Center in Nairobi, Kenya. It has been submitted to groups in Washington who will try to put out a press release later today. But any journalist reading this can get a scoop ...
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 16, 2007 World Bank staff continue to insist that their president resigns.
Dutch Development Minister (and former chair of the Parliamentarians Network on the World Bank) Bert Koenders told Reuters last night: "it has become clear ... that there is also a lack of trust at the moment in the leadership and in the management. A bank without a motivated staff cannot work on poverty eradication". Alex Wilks ~ April 16, 2007 Bring in the U.S. Congress?
Now that it's clear the Wolfowitz debacle will not be resolved on the weekend, we can ponder what will happen during the working week.
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 15, 2007 WB Staff Association Detects Bias in WB web coverage
The Financial Times reports that the World Bank staff association is pointing out that the presentation of excerpts from documents relating to the Wolfowitz/Riza scandal is misleading.
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 15, 2007 Wolfowitz's press conference performance: some clues on the dynamics?
I thought (via web streaming) that Wolfowitz looked quite unconfident in the press conference. He looked down frequently when responding to questions and seemed hesitant at times (before remembering he was just meant to parrot back the communique or duck the questions by talking about other issues*).
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 Wolfowitz expresses confidence he can continue Short wire agency reports are quoting Wolfowitz from the post-Development Committee press conference. The most explicit version I've seen is from Marketwatch, which quotes him as saying "I believe I can carry out" the mission of the World Bank. It looks like this will not be a 3-day skirmish, but a multi-day, or multi-week, battle. Fasten your seatbelts (hope that metaphor isn't too mixed). Soren Ambrose ~ April 15, 2007 Broader allegations on pay deals for Wolfowitz's friends at the Bank.
The Financial Times, which really has its claws out for Wolfowitz, comes up with further damaging points against Wolfowitz. They relate to very generous pay deals for Robin Cleveland and Kevin Kellems (for more on their appointments see my previous post).
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 More details on government positions.
The FT has just posted a piece giving worrying further details of the Development Committee talks today. It focusses in particular on where the Europeans stand.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 They fudged it!
Development Committee chair Carstens just announced that the Committee is going to leave the decision to the board, as we predicted 20 minutes ago. His carefully-worded statement did refer to Bank staff concerns and risks to its credibility and to carrying out its mandate. He ended: "we expect the World Bank to adhere to high standards of governance".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 Ministers can't leave the board to decide.
A number of people I've spoken to today think the Development Committee will announce today that they will leave the Wolfowitz decision to the World Bank board. Trevor Manuel, former Development Committee chair, is among many who have said there should be no rush to judgement.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 Extra press conference today: WB Staff Association.
The Staff Association has decided to hold its own news conference immediately after Wolfowitz's. They were not allowed to hold it in the Bank, so are doing so in a nearby shopping mall one block away. Full details below. Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 The crucial press briefing: see it live on the web.
If (like me in Brussels) you can't be at the Development Committee press briefing, why not watch it live on the web. Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 50% of Bank senior staff have left: how many more would stay?.
This is not a tabloid encouragement that, if Wolfowitz wins, the last Bank staffer to resign should turn off the lights.* It's just a late (for me) recognition that Wolfowitz has not only been very clumsy in hiring people, but also in letting them go. Half of the Bank's senior management have left already in the 23 months since Wolfowitz joined. Can you imagine how many more would leave if he somehow finds a way to stay on?
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 Development Committee meeting now: Europeans hardening their positions.
The Development Committee of the World Bank is meeting over lunch to discuss the fate of wolfowitz. We are told by inside sources that the topic of Woflowitz is the number one topic on the lunch agenda. Europeans are said to be taking an ever tougher line.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 Yesterday's demonstration
Yesterday's demonstration which was scheduled to talk about justice and the theft of Congo's wealth ended up merging those issues with calls for Wolfowitz's resignation.
more... Sameer Dossani ~ April 15, 2007 Civil Society points to double standards
Of course civil society groups critical of the World Bank have not been silent. The release below highlights the question of the double standard: if a high-ranking African government official had behaved the way Wolfowitz has done, what would the Bank have said?
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 15, 2007 Pick of the World Bank president editorials.
Many papers have had editiorials today or yesterday on the Wolfowitz issue. Here are a few. No time to wrap them up in detail, but have listed some key ones below (without repeating ones already linked elsewhere in this blog - i.e. the FT, WSJ, etc).
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 Wolfowitz issues memo 'to fill vacuum'. (Update 3)
The World Bank president's office released late yesterday, aiming to highlight the sections most favourable to Wolfowitz. Quick as a flash World Bank staff have responded with a rebuttal. Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 Combined take home pay: $654,410 (Update 2).
I have not seen it elsewhere so have calculated the combined earnings of Paul Wolfowitz and his partner Shaha Riza. The answer: $654,510 (€484,125; £330,092). Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 African government views: being pushed by Wolfowitz?
The New York Times has a very interesting piece analysing why some African governments may be publicly supporting the beleaguered World Bank president. It cites "several bank officials, asking not to be identified in order to avoid reprisals, charged that Mr. Wolfowitz was seeking backing from Africa as a kind of political base to counter the growing resentment among European leaders over his policies, particularly his anticorruption campaign".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 Hot blogging on the World Bank president.
Our blog has been the subject of a Reuters piece, and the Guardian's news blog has kindly also linked into us in their top story. Some World Bank staff have also set up their own blog. Fellow bloggers will be outraged at its stories of censorship and editing of postings to a weblog established by Bank staff on Thursday (though placing the blog on the Bank's intranet may not have been wise).
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 15, 2007 Help wanted! Read the timely and humorous job description for a new World Bank President that's been circulating today... The BIC blogger ~ April 15, 2007 An Overlooked Angle in Wolfowitz Scandal?
Isn't it odd that there are no questions being asked about a "secondment" arrangement in which international public funds are used to pay the exorbitant salary of a U.S. State Department staffer (and most recently director of a U.S. State Dept. front group) whose mission is to improve the U.S.'s image in the Muslim world?
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 14, 2007 Funding for the Bank: rumours fly.
The LA Times has a piece which claims that European governments are making tough threats. It mentions "a leaked report that European governments had decided to cut off contributions to the bank's loan funds if Wolfowitz did not resign".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 14, 2007 1st Republican breaks ranks on World Bank issue. (Update 1)
Now, Wolfowitz faces influential Republicans coming out against him. Alex Wilks ~ April 14, 2007 More conflicts of interest: Riza 'worked in Iraq without Bank permission'.
One of our energetic correspondents in Washington is tearing their hair out wondering why nobody is reporting on a very interesting angle opened by GAP International. It's a saga about Riza working for a defense and intelligence contractor in Iraq without World Bank permission (and while in its employ).
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 14, 2007 Biting comments from German and French ministers.
The tone is slightly different but the direction of the comments from the German and French ministers is the same: Wolfowitz is harming the Bank's credibility and should go. Other Europeans are also clarifying their positions.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 14, 2007 Wolfowitz's alienating style
Three quotes from a long round-up piece in the American Chronicle. It reports that Wolfowitz's style has alienated many. Extra material from Maureen Dowd in the New York Times.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 14, 2007 UPDATED. 3 out of 5 Wolfowitz top appointments linked to Bush administration's Iraq strategy.
Emad Mekay and Jim Lobe of Inter-Press Service, who've tracked the Bank for a while now, have dug deeper on Wolfowitz's appointments record. They write that of the top five outside international appointments made by World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz "three were senior political appointees of right-wing governments that provided strong backing for U.S. policy in Iraq". A commentator has just written to worldbankpresident.org adding to the list of similar appointments.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 14, 2007 Lack of trust all round: more Bank staff views.
François Bourguignon, the World Bank's chief economist, told the FT that the future "efficiency and efficacy of the bank may be damaged, may be hurt, by what is going on today. We have to hope for a quick resolution." Other Bank staff, who's comments on the Bank's bulletin board have been passed to me, are harsher. In the words of one: "At this point, it's not about the technalities. It's not about which rule was broken, according to which memo. It's about a profound distrust in you, your advisers, your policies... Our clients do not trust you, our partners do not trust you, staff does not trust you".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 14, 2007 ~ Link ~ T As examplar of US anti-multilateralism, Wolfowitz has few friends to call on
David Sanger of the New York Times does a good job of providing some of the essential context underlying the quiet battle going on behind closed doors this weekend over Wolfowitz’s future. It’s about Bush and his sabotage of multilateralism, a complaint European officials, and many others, had long before the perverse idea of moving Wolfowitz to the World Bank occurred to anyone.
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 14, 2007 Chickens coming home to roost in the Bank’s boardroom
Richard Adams writes in the Guardian that the hesitation by the World Bank’s board in pushing Wolfowitz over the edge might well be rooted in their guilty consciences. Several European board members, and some others, did, after all stage “a brief flutter of mutiny” when Bush nominated the man to be their president.
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 14, 2007 Paulson & Manuel keep their distance
The New York Times’s Steven Weisman notes how toxic Wolfowitz has become, with his known friends publicly keeping their distance. Both Henry Paulson, U.S. Treasury Secretary, who insists the U.S. supports Wolfowitz, and Trevor Manuel, South African Finance Minister, have declined to explicitly say they think he will keep his job, referring only to the board process that Wolfowitz himself has said will decide his fate.
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 14, 2007 You can take the man from the Defense Department, but you can't take the Defense Department from the man.
Fascinating extra elements are added by Steven C. Clemons in his Washington Note blog. Clemons extends the jobs and corruption allegations against Wolfowitz, and adds intriguing evidence that Wolfowitz has continued to ride his Iraq hobby-horse (surely war horse) while in his new role as Bank president. Clemons provides a very interesting story showing that "Wolfowitz -- as recently as one year ago -- was still manically obsessed with the connection between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 14, 2007 Leading thinktank joins in
Now the head of the leading US think tank on development issue has added its voice to the calls for Wolfowitz to step down. Nancy Birdsall (bio), who was a senior researcher in the World Bank and now heads the Center for Global Development wrote on her blog "In 2005 as Paul Wolfowitz began his presidency of the World Bank, I and others set out an agenda for him --- to rescue the World Bank from slow decline into irrelevane and obscurity ... One of those five tasks was reform of the governance of the World Bank itself -- to be more representative and thus more legitimate".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 14, 2007 Sympathy for the ...
As those of us outside Washington (I write from Nairobi ...) anxiously await news of whether the rumored 6 pm "resignation" press conference has happened, the beleagured president is finally getting some sympathetic treatment in the press. Gabriel Rozenberg of the Times Online writes that after reviewing the 100+ pages of documents released by the Bank today, "his woes stem far more from confusion and error on the bank President’s part than from any corrupt motive." His citations of different memos from the Bank's Ethics Committee do suggest some bureaucratic obfuscations. But do they add up to the basis for acquittal?
more... Soren Ambrose ~ April 14, 2007 ~ Link ~ T Economist gives thumbs down, but hints at leniency
"That Mr Wolfowitz should have been involved in setting the terms [of Riza's pay], especially when they seem so generous, is astonishing", The Economist writes. It's analysis of the current politics is interesting. Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 ~ Link ~ T Innovative protest planned outside the Bank tomorrow. (Update 2).
A friendly person inside the Bank has just let me know that there's to be another historical first for the world bank staff: a joint protest with activists outside their own institution!
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 Thunderous comments
Venerable British daily The Times, known as The Thunderer, opined today in an editorial that "to safeguard the credibility of the reforms for which he fought, Mr Wolfowitz must hold himself to those same standards." Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 More US voices call for Wolfowitz to go
The White House statement in favour of Wolfowitz is described by the FT as "more nuanced" than it suggests. And it cites US voices calling for the Bank president to go. Ken Rogoff, former IMF chief economist, told the FT: “President Wolfowitz’s credibility is so badly compromised that the board is ... going to have to force him to resign.” Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 A quick petition: please sign
The excellent new campaign site Avaaz has a Wolfowitz petition. Short and sweet: just 3 words long. No, not "I love you" (that's what's got W into trouble). But "Sack Paul Wolfowitz." Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 White House weighs in on Wolfowitz's side
The White House has recently backed their man in the World Bank. Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 Results-focussed aid? Not on W's watch
In the World Bank a lot of store is supposedly set by 'managing for results'. Sounds techie, but it's meant to mean that aid money is allocated where it will be most useful. As if the fuss about the World Bank paying Wolfowitz's partner Riza more than Condoleeza Rice was not bad enough, it now emerges she has hardly achieved anything in her job. Following a brief stint at the State Department she's been supposed to be setting up an organisation called Foundation for the Future. But the Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire blog reported just now that the organisation "remains very much a shell".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 Tide turning fast against Wolfowitz
A Eurodad network member in Washington has heard rapidly building rumours that Wolfowitz is poised to make a resignation announcement at 6PM Washington time. In the Spring Meetings press room anticipation is growing keenly. Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 Another Cheney angle A lot of the commentary has been about cronyism, one example of corruption (defined by the World Bank as abuse of public power for private gain). It's been well-known for ages that Wolfowitz was a Cheney protege. But I had not realised until this New York Times piece that Riza (the woman W with whom Wolfowitz is 'romantically linked') was working for Elizabeth Cheney, daugher of Vice President Dick Cheney, when she first transferred to the State Department. Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 Calls grow for Wolfowitz to go
Many more people are gradually joining calls for Wolfowitz to resign. Dr. Frithjof Schmidt MEP, Vice-Chair of the Development Committee has just given an interview to German radio along these lines. Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 Europeans come out against Wolfowitz
Well, European NGOs anyway. Eurodad has just released a press statement backing the calls for Wolfowitz's resignation. Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 The FT puts the boot in
Following their blistering editorial yesterday the Financial Times has a lead story on its front page with much further evidence and information. The comment piece by Krishna Guha is also well worth a read. Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 World Bank Staff Association memo in full
We are pleased to bring you the complete memo sent yesterday by the body representing the World Bank's 10,000 staff. Their killer point? They have lost faith in Wolfowitz as World Bank president and have been told by some Bank board members that the board's enquiry is not being properly conducted. They say: "it therefore seems impossible for the institution to move forward with any sense of purpose under the present leadership, especially in our endeavor to assist governments and their people in improving their own governance". Staff Association Memo (PDF). Alex Wilks ~ April 13, 2007 Inputs welcome
As before, when we sparked a swarm of e-mails from World Bank staff, journalists, activists, etc, your inputs are welcome. Just e-mail contact@worldbankpresident.org. Two of my Eurodad colleagues are in DC, and many of our network members also. So watch this space for their insights on a proposed civil society statement, what was said to Wolfowitz at a reception this evening in DC, and what goes on at a press conference organised tomorrow (13th April), with Danny Glover providing star power. The latter is at at the Hotel Lombardy, 2019 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 12, 2007 ~ Link ~ T Where you heard it first
Two years ago we closed this blog after an intensive web campaign to expose the World Bank president process, and the Wolfowitz nomination. Now we're back, at least for a while. Why? Because Wolfowitz is all over the news again, and is in deep trouble. But above all because this blog was among the first to publish on the potential conflict of interest with Wolfowitz and Shaha Ali Riza. See also this post with Bank Staff Association views at that time.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 12, 2007 ~ Link ~ T Topsy turvy logic.
"If it is right for non-Americans to influence the choice of whom Bush appoints to be World Bank president or as his country's ambassador to the UN, then it was right for Bush to send the US army into Iraq." This is the intriguing, but absurd, argument of Charles Onyango-Obbo writing in the East African. Alex Wilks ~ April 27, 2005 Wolfowitz oil danger.
A detailed article on Salon considers the likelihood that Wolfowitz will use his new position as World Bank head to get hold of more oil for the United States. The piece, by Daphne Eviatar, reminds readers that Wolfowitz "would be in a position to pressure the world's largest public financial institution to help pay for the exploration, drilling and transport of America's most coveted natural resource".
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 26, 2005 Neocons "packed off".
More on the silver-lining interpretation. Michael Gawenda, writing in The Age (Australia). It says "with Paul Wolfowitz packed off to the World Bank, with Douglas Feith, undersecretary of defence for policy, about to retire, with Richard Perle no longer chairman of the Pentagon's Defence Policy Board and with John Bolton, one way or another out of the State Department, it would seem that the neo-conservatives have had their 15 minutes of fame."
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 11, 2005 Yachters join in.
When George Monbiot (see previous post) commented that "everyone this side of Atilla the Hun and the Wall Street Journal agrees that Paul Wolfowitz's appointment as president of the World Bank is a catastrophe" I don't know if was including the latest apparent convert to the anti-Wolfowitz appointment: Yachting and Boating World.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 05, 2005 Monbiot backs Wolfowitz.
Progressive commentator George Monbiot today backs Paul Wolfowitz for the World Bank president job. He gives three reasons.
more... Alex Wilks ~ April 05, 2005 Military & Economic Imperialism and the Environment The Global Justice Ecology Project shows how Wolfowitz makes the links in this hard-hitting analysis. Soren Ambrose ~ April 04, 2005 UK Doctors vs. Wolfowitz Although its statement urging the rejection of Wolfowitz seems to have come out after the World Bank board accepted him, the British Medical Journal makes a fine case that the man is likely to make the World Bank more dangerous to human health. Soren Ambrose ~ April 03, 2005 Loved by none ... The U.K.'s Bretton Woods Project persuasively documents the breadth of contempt felt for Paul Wolfowitz -- ironic in the face of the lack of any official opposition. Soren Ambrose ~ April 02, 2005 Wolfowitz puts Bank & staff at risk Reuters reports that the World Bank is busily assessing what new security measures will be required to protect its facilities and staff now that the architect of the Iraq war is confirmed as its new President. We understand that Wolfowitz requested that the World Bank cover the costs of maintaining his present substantial 24-hour security detail by reimbursing the U.S. Treasury. The board has reportedly not made a decision yet. Soren Ambrose ~ April 02, 2005 Profiles in Crassness: Wolfowitz Mainstream press outlets have begun printing long profiles of the incoming President of the World Bank. A few interesting tidbits here and there, but nothing too shocking. The Financial Times profile tries to get a bead on the man's political and philosophical evolution, calling him the "modern intellectual high priest of the neo-conservative movement." The Guardian's piece goes over much the same ground, but is introduced with the useful reminder the scene in Michael Moore's "Farenheit 911" in which Wolfowitz spits on his comb before combing his hair. Soren Ambrose ~ April 01, 2005 Wolfowitz's good friends at Halliburton ... Halliburton is the U.S.-baseed multinational corporation that has gained notoriety for 1) being the company Vice President Dick Cheney ran for five years before joining the Bush team; and 2) being the leader in getting U.S. military contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan, often without the formality of competitive bidding. Charlie Cray of the Center for Corporate Policy questions how a man who oversaw the awarding of contracts for the reconstruction of Iraq can be considered appropriate for a job like President of the World Bank, given the many opportunities he will have to contine rewarding Halliburton (and others). Cray, with Jim Vallette, also has a slightly longer piece on halliburtonwatch.org outlining how the influence shakedowns work. Soren Ambrose ~ April 01, 2005 For clues to Wolfowitz's economic development philosophy ...
... look to Indonesia. One of the leading US-based Indonesia scholars, Prof. Jeffrey Winters, looks at the role Wolfowitz, as Ambassador to that country, played in privatizing and deregulating the Indonesian banking system. Those "reforms" were blamed by many for the financial crisis of the late 1990s. Soren Ambrose ~ April 01, 2005 Photos from Action at World Bank These photos from Thursday's "one-horse race" outside the World Bank, protesting the confirmation of Wolfowitz, give a sense of the crowd of journalists who came to watch. Soren Ambrose ~ March 31, 2005 U.S. Anti-War Movement Denounces Wolfowitz at World Bank United for Peace and Justice, the largest coalition in the United States opposing Bush's Iraq policy, issued a statement decrying the new, more blatant links between military and economic domination signalled by Wolfowitz's new job. Soren Ambrose ~ March 31, 2005 Wolfowitz is Crowned
The long international nightmare is over -- well, no, it's only just beginning. "The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors today unanimously confirmed the nomination of Paul D. Wolfowitz to be President of the World Bank." So says the press release posted on the World Bank's website. Soren Ambrose ~ March 31, 2005 EU Ministers duck meeting with Wolfowitz The EU summoned Paul Wolfowitz to Brussels to explain himself, but when he got there he found that only 7 of the 25 member countries sent representatives of ministerial rank, reports the Financial Times. One EU official called the showing "a fiasco" and "truly humiliating." Maybe they just wanted to see if he'd come when they called. Soren Ambrose ~ March 31, 2005 EU compliant; Wolfowitz resists firm promises
The International Herald-Tribune and Reuters, among others, are carrying the news that Wolfowitz's meeting with EU ministers went smoothly, and that his ratification tomorrow at the World Bank board meeting is assured. Soren Ambrose ~ March 31, 2005 Countdown to Coronation Today -- Wednesday -- Paul Wolfowitz is on his way to Brussels to meet with European development and finance ministers. (The meeting has been re-located from Luxembourg -- some Low Country rivalry apparently.) That "low-key" meeting, which will, it is promised, be followed by no press conference or announcement, takes place the day before the World Bank board is scheduled to vote on his nomination. Acceptance is virtually certain, as is much holding of noses. We also understand that activists will be ridiculing the process outside the Bank as the Directors take their seats. Check worldbankpresident.org for all the latest news. Soren Ambrose ~ March 30, 2005 Wolfowitz hires "'wild-eyed' conservative as key assistant
The Financial Times reports that Paul Wolfowitz has already hired Robin Cleveland to help with his transition from military boss to international bureaucrat. She is described as a well-known ideologue, deeply involved in the Iraq fiasco, and with little experience relevant to development (but hey, that didn't stop Wolfowitz).
more... Soren Ambrose ~ March 30, 2005 "Wolfowitz's strength is that he'll make the bank a tool of U.S. policy"
In his weekly column Sebastian Mallaby, the Washington Post editorial board member and columnist who just weeks ago labelled the Wolfowitz nomination "Christmas" for activists who could now join anti-war and anti-Bank causes (see previous posting), has come on board the Wolfowitz train. Some more of his reasoning: Soren Ambrose ~ March 28, 2005 Wolfowitz in Indonesia
Asked to offer evidence that Wolfowitz has an interest or aptitude for development, the Bush Administration's answer has been to point to his tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia in the late 1980s. The Washington Post has now researched that era, and comes up with a number of contradictory observations. He was either absent on the human rights issue, or working on it subtly and behind-the-scenes. He was either overly friendly with Suharto or preventing him from profiting from food relief contracts. And so on.
more... Soren Ambrose ~ March 28, 2005 UK academics against Wolfowitz The Financial Times today prints a letter opposing Wolfowitz's candidacy from a large number of UK academics, including large numbers from the Institute of Development Studies in Brighton, the Centre for Development Studies in Leeds, and the University of Oxford. Notables highlighted among the signatories include Sir Richard Jolly and Ha-Joon Chang. Soren Ambrose ~ March 28, 2005 World Bank confirms meeting to vote on Wolfowitz The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors issued a statement on Friday confirming reports that it will meet on March 31 to make a decision on whether Paul Wolfowitz should be World Bank president. The U.S. has never been formally challenged on its "right" to name someone to the post, but it remains a possibility. Soren Ambrose ~ March 27, 2005 From Inside the WB: Discontent over Riza
We hear from Bank insiders that Shaha Ali Riza, whom Paul Wolfowitz has been dating for a couple of years, is not popular with her colleagues. As acting manager for External Relations and Outreach in the Middle East/North Africa region of the World Bank, she is to some degree the institution's public face on that region.
more... Soren Ambrose ~ March 27, 2005 Blair Knew of Plan to Nominate Wolfowitz.
The Financial Times reports that UK Prime Minister Tony Blair was informed in February that President Bush wanted to nominate Paul Wolfowitz for the World Bank presidency. "The Poodle" earned his nickname again by agreeing to go along with the idea, and by keeping it a secret from other European officials, including his own finance minister (Chancellor of the Exchequer) Gordon Brown.
more... Soren Ambrose ~ March 26, 2005 Graveyard humor in the Bank.
An anonymous donor from the World Bank has compiled some of the wittier observations on the fate that awaits the staff under a Paul Wolfowitz presidency. See for yourself ...
more... Soren Ambrose ~ March 25, 2005 Get the full scoop on Wolfowitz. The Institute for Policy Studies' Jim Vallette has done some quick but substantial research into how the man ticks. Take a look at "Wolfowitz in His Own Words" and the Wolfowitz Chronicles, (or, if you're in a hurry, the condensed version) -- an examination of the presumptive World Bank President’s works on oil, national security, development, corruption, human rights, and debt. Soren Ambrose ~ March 25, 2005 U.S. organizations vs. Wolfowitz
U.S. civil society organizations have launched a sign-on letter urging President Bush to withdraw his nomination of Paul Wolfowitz. They're not expecting him to do it, mind you, but do want to make their voices heard.
more... Soren Ambrose ~ March 25, 2005 Petition closes with 1650 signatures.
Eurodad has put out a final version of the petition against Wolfowitz. Now with over 1650 signatories (Excel). Sorry it took a while to post all of your names and organisations (thanks for reminders).
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 25, 2005 Bank staff association media splash.
Days after we carried the story and full text of the Staff Association announcement the World Bank has told the press about its system for its staff to comment on the Wolfowitz appointment. I detect a defensive tone.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 25, 2005 Acceptance likely but regrettable.
Voice of America carries a story reviewing the controversy caused by Wolfowitz's selection. It quotes author Sebastian Mallaby, who has come round to supporting Wolfowitz in the last couple of weeks, saying: "what you are going to see is that the cause of anti-globalization will be reunited with the cause of Iraq war protests and it will all be focused on the World Bank and Paul Wolfowitz."
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 25, 2005 Wolfowitz heading to Luxembourg.
Reuters reports that Paul Wolfowitz will head to Luxembourg on Wednesday, March 30 to meet with "European economy and aid ministers." That is the day before the anticipated vote on his nomination by the World Bank's executive board.
more... Soren Ambrose ~ March 25, 2005 Bush's "shake-up-the-world view"
The Washington Times has a piece (scroll) arguing that the White House had tapped Paul Wolfowitz for the Bank president job some time ago. It cites Fred Barnes, writing in the Wall Street Journal, saying that "the president knew exactly whom he wanted from the start".
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 24, 2005 NGO tactics questioned.
Combative South African author and activist Patrick Bond (bio - PDF) takes on Wolfowitz and Wolfowitz's critics in an impassioned article for Counterpunch.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 24, 2005 Wolfowitz's to do list.
Someone called Saifedean Ammous has been in touch with an interesting message. They "managed to hack into Paul Wolfowitz’s laptop" and found his To-Do List for the Bank. It includes: "Third World governments that can’t pay back their debts to have their Finance Ministers sent to the Repayment Department headquarters in Abu Ghraib".
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 24, 2005 Post confirms European no. 2 bid.
The Washington Post has followed our story of yesterday with a piece indicating that Paul Wolfowitz has agreed that European governments can have a senior deputy position at the top of the World Bank. No names are mentioned. Alex Wilks ~ March 24, 2005 A reward for failure.
Long-standing White House columnist Helen Thomas considers Wolfowitz's promotion to World Bank president a means for Bush to "manipulat public opinion away from any negative thoughts that the Bush administration messed up by invading Iraq".
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 24, 2005 Appeal by European economists.
A list of leading European economists have signed a statement against the Wolfowitz nomination as World Bank president. It says "at the very least, Mr. Wolfowitz is a highly controversial choice. He has not been supportive of the multilateral institutions and has not demonstrated in the past his support of the development community" and calls for the process to be opened up.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 23, 2005 Free the World Bank.
It is not likely to appear on as many placards and T-shirts as "Free Nelson Mandela" did. But an FT piece today argues that the US needs to liberate the World Bank. An opinion piece by Jeffrey Sachs complains of "backroom politics" surrounding the World Bank, which claims to be a leading force in the democratisation of developing countries.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 23, 2005 Europeans remain cool.
Belgian Finance Minister Didier Reynders is pushing for the 25 European member states to come to a common position on the Wolfowitz nomination. The story issued yesterday by Xinhuanet contrasts the cautious European response to Wolfowitz to the enthusiasm shown by Japan and Australia.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 23, 2005 Letter condemns European tactics.
A letter to the Financial Times says the Europeans are playing the Wolfowitz nomination all wrong. It argues "If the Europeans are not pleased, they should come out with a clear and frank No to Paul Wolfowitz, instead of delicate expressions of 'uneasiness' and genteel surprise at 'not being consulted'.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 23, 2005 Japanese scolding.
An editorial in a leading Japanese newspaper has a clear message: "Don't use post as a tool to pursue U.S. global strategy". It scolds Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for giving his support to Bush's nomination immediately rather than in return for US backing for further reforms of the institution.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 23, 2005 Latest European views.
A wire story from Reuters in Belgium quotes various European ministers still not convinced about Wolfowitz for the World Bank president job. And Luxembourg Economics Minister Jeannot Krecke revealed that European governments have produced a paper listing "concern about the way Mr Wolfowitz intends to handle the policy of the World Bank".
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 23, 2005 Bad news for world peace.
Writing in Arab News Fawaz Turki comments that "Wolfowitz has a serious credibility problem, and sensitivities abroad are inflamed about the choice". Not good news at all, he continues, for world peace, multilateralism and international understanding
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 23, 2005 Disruptive conservatives.
"With the Wolfowitz and even the John Bolton nomination to the United Nations, the Bush administration retains its capacity to startle," writes Christopher Hitchens in Slate, "mainly because it has redefined the lazy term 'conservative' to mean someone who is impatient with the status quo."
more... David Steven ~ March 22, 2005 Wolfie accountability.
I continue to find it interesting that military officers remain held to higher standards of conduct while civilian leadership is not," writes Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Kolbas (ret.) to the Navy Times, citing the case of a submarine commander recently relieved of his command. David Steven ~ March 22, 2005 It's a cakewalk. With Italy now on board, "educated, competent and remarkable" Wolfowitz appears to be making rapid strides towards the Bank presidency... David Steven ~ March 22, 2005 "Moment of truth" for Europeans.
CONCORD, with Eurodad, has issued a press release on the World Bank president issue ahead of the European summit meeting taking place today. It says "this is a moment of truth for European governments and we demand that they do not roll over and accept this provocative US nomination".
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 22, 2005 Reuters misleads on Canada.
Reuters has put round a story that Wolfowitz has "won endorsements from Germany and Canada". The Canadian statement Reuters quoted at greater length, however, says nothing of the sort. It is a guarded comment that "Canada welcomes the nomination of Paul Wolfowitz for the post of president of the World Bank. Mr. Wolfowitz is a very serious and credible candidate. Until such time as nominations are put forward we are unable to comment further". Alex Wilks ~ March 22, 2005 Further Bank staff rumblings.
Former and present Bank staff continue to raise a fuss. Former Bank head of personnel Dr A. P. Williams questions: "should the governments of the world tamely acquiesce in the desire of the Bush administration to hand the presidency of the world's leading development institution as a consolation prize to someone who: would really have preferred to be secretary of defence"?
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 22, 2005 Democracy and corruption credentials slammed.
"Of all former U.S. ambassadors, he was considered closest to and most influential with Suharto and his family," said Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, head of the state-sponsored National Human Rights Commission in Indonesia has told Associated Press.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 22, 2005 Bank staffer begs to differ.
We have received a retort to the post earlier that "it could have been much worse". A colleague of theirs responds: "I have never been a person who subscribes to the logic of the lesser of two evils. I find it personally to be the moral argument of the weak and cowardly".
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 21, 2005 European summit confirmation.
There has been confirmation from Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker that European governments will discuss the Wolfowitz appointment tomorrow at their meeting in Brussels.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 21, 2005 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.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 21, 2005 Civil society anger.
A snapshot of the diverse national civil society statements against the Wolfowitz nomination. Alex Wilks ~ March 21, 2005 Africans horrified.
Africans have now started also to raise objections to the World Bank presidential nominee. The Reporter (Gabarone) says the appointment "raises critical issues about the independence of the institution and its ability to give development loans to countries that do not conform to the Americanisation of the world. It is clear that the White House intends to use the World Bank to spread its influence". Alex Wilks ~ March 20, 2005 Democratisation obstacles.
A former Wolfowitz aide has commented that as World Bank president Wolfowitz would be likely to focus extensively on anti-corruption and democratisation. Stephen Sestanovich, a former aide to Wolfowitz who now works at the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations told the Sunday Times “what has bothered people about the bank for many decades is the concern that it has just fed the preoccupations and prejudices and bank accounts of corrupt elites in backward countries”.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 20, 2005 Anti-war movement aggravated.
Large anti-war protests yesterday marked the second anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. Organisers of the London protests said "the mood of demonstrators was hardened by the Bush Administration’s nomination of Paul Wolfowitz" to the World Bank. Lindsey German, convenor of Stop The War Coalition, said "the nomination of Wolfowitz, the man who is recognised as chief architect of war with Iraq, will outrage most decent people". Alex Wilks ~ March 20, 2005 Reopening old wounds.
El Universal (Mexico) bemoans the reopening of trans-Atlantic wounds that the Wolfowitz nomination has caused. It outlines the feeling in Berlin, Paris and elsehere in Europe that the administration's choice for World Bank president is a betrayal of Bush's recent promise to consult the Europeans.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 20, 2005 Sachs to intervene?
Jeff Sachs has been invited by Bank chief economist, Francois Bourguignon, to a private breakfast with bank officials and executive directors on Tuesday. David Steven ~ March 20, 2005 Bank "a disaster".
Alan Meltzer, told the Süddeutsche Zeitung that "the Bank is a disaster, and Paul Wolfowitz is the right man to make a change there". Meltzer is not just any old US economics professor (at Carnegie Mellon University) but the author of a Congressional report into the future of the Bank which is widely believed to be the template for what the Bush administration wants from the Bank.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 20, 2005 Wolfo opponents "getting organised". The opponents of Wolfowitz for World Bank president are getting themselves organised and may be able to form an alliance, according to Austrian ORF in two articles. This despite Bush's best efforts to divide Europe once again on an important foreign policy issue. Europe must look to link up with developing countries on this, the piece argues. Alex Wilks ~ March 20, 2005 Stiglitz explains implications.
Joseph Stiglitz has called the Wolfowitz nomination "an act of provocation by America" and called on Europe to stand up and veto it. If not, he fears, "the US will try to push through almost anything it wants." Stiglitz knows what he is talking about, as former World Bank Chief Economist and chair of the US Council of Economic Advisers
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 20, 2005 To know me is to love me.
According to Reuters, Wolfie is selling a four-part message to the international community... David Steven ~ March 19, 2005 Good news for Europeans.
Daniel Drezner believes Wolfie's appointment is actually good news for the Europeans: David Steven ~ March 19, 2005 F****ed that one up.
If you got a decent connection, make sure you watch The Daily Show's Jon Stewart on Wolfie's nomination. David Steven ~ March 19, 2005 First meetings with country reps.
Wolfowitz yesterday met executive directors for Japan, China, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and France. Reuters was informed about these meetings by Wolfowitz, but the latter gives little away about the substance or outcomes of the meetings. The piece also confirms that the interviewing process is likely to last "about two weeks". Alex Wilks ~ March 19, 2005 Wolfowitz on Africa, grants and restructuring.
Le Figaro carries an interview with Paul Wolfowitz. The World Bank president nominee is guarded about most points. But some responses are interesting. On Africa he agrees that “my experience is limited”, except for the large role he played in the decision to intervene militarily in Somalia in 1992. He still believes that was the right decision. If approved as Bank president he tells Le Figaro he would go to Africa as soon as possible.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 19, 2005 Mallaby on the button.
Sebastian Mallaby is right on the button in switching the focus to a crucial question: David Steven ~ March 19, 2005 UK to lead move to veto?
Below, Alex suggests that the British and Italians (!) should take responsibility for proposing a veto of Paul Wolfowitz, in the hope that Germany and France might join in. David Steven ~ March 19, 2005 Who do you trust?
The case for war, as Paul Wolfowitz saw it back in January 2003. David Steven ~ March 19, 2005 Germany and France might join veto.
Babette Stern, in Le Monde reviews the reactions of different countries to the Wolfowitz nomination. Stern thinks that, despite their strong reservations, neither France nor Germany will take the initiative to push for a veto. But that they would, she feels, be prepared to join in if a coalition to oppose Wolfowitz begins to form.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 19, 2005 An excellent choice.
The UK's Telegraph praises George Bush for making an excellent choice. David Steven ~ March 19, 2005 Give me a chance.
"I wouldn't be taking on this huge responsibility if I didn't believe in the mission,'' Paul Wolfowitz tells Bloomberg. "The more people I meet with, the more I will understand.'' David Steven ~ March 19, 2005 Serious about Africa? Oppose Wolfowitz. Noreena Hertz, writing in today's Guardian, urges Tony Blair to reject Wolfowitz as World Bank president. She points out that "the Bush administration is unabashedly forthright in its pursuit of self-interest, and in its willingness to use aid as a tool to promote its geo-political goals". Hertz says that "if Blair is serious about making poverty history, he will have to do away with such diplomatic niceties" and take a stand against the US on this. Alex Wilks ~ March 19, 2005 Nice, but wrong.
"Critics are wrong to portray Wolfowitz as a malevolent genius," writes Michael Lind. David Steven ~ March 18, 2005 Head in the stars.
Paul Wolfowitz, the Office of Really Special Plans, 17 miles across the Caspian Sea, President-elect cyber-Cheney, mandatory gay marriages, and a real space case with his head in the stars... David Steven ~ March 18, 2005 Wolfowitz background exposed.
For those who think that the announcements by Bush and Wolfowitz on Wednesday may have glossed over some of the more interesting aspects of his track record, help is at hand. We can recommend articles in the Village Voice, the Asia Times, the East Timor Action Network, and Indonesia Alert.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 18, 2005 Wolfowitz Derangement Syndrome.
Roger Simon detects racism in European reaction to the Wolfowitz nomination. David Steven ~ March 18, 2005 On-line polls challenge Wolfowitz.
You can now make clear your opinions on the Wolfowitz nomination on our on-line poll (see right). Alex Wilks ~ March 18, 2005 Bank staff direct anger also at Europeans.
Two interesting e-mails have reached us showing that the bitterness of Bank staff also being partly directed towards the Europeans. The Bank staff fear being let down. One Bank staffer wrote: "If this appointment goes ahead much of our dismay should be directed at the Europeans for abandoning an institution to which they pay plenty of lip service but are unwilling to stand by."
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 18, 2005 Free-market fundamentalism.
An interesting article from prominent US economist Paul Krugman takes Wolfowitz to task for his role in Iraq reconstruction planning. Krugman argues that this is the closest relevant experience that Wolfowitz has to what he would have to do at the Bank. He comments: "the administration went into Iraq determined to demonstrate the virtues of radical free-market economics, with nobody warning about the likely problems. What happened there is likely to make countries distrust any economic advice Mr. Wolfowitz might give".
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 18, 2005 Bank staff "feel like at a funeral".
Another Bank staff member has been in touch. They comment: "the mood here in the bank in the last 2 days is one of shock and disgust. It feels like a funeral here. From a public relations point of view, this is a disaster. It took years for us to disassociate the bank from the bad old days of being on a leach for the US and the days of Bob McNamara, now we are in a worst position ever by being the tool of not even the US as a whole, but neo-conservatism." Alex Wilks ~ March 18, 2005 "European battle lines hardening".
A strong piece in the Washington Post outlines the anger of Europeans and predicts that "a fight will rage for several weeks" before the Bank board decides whether to appoint Wolfowitz. It outlines "fresh denunciations in European capitals, where critics fumed that Washington had failed to consult other member countries of the bank before springing its choice on them".
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 18, 2005 Woicke weighs in.
Peter Woicke, the German who recently finished his stint as head of World Bank Group private sector arm the IFC, has contributed to the debate about Wolfowitz. Writing in the Financial Times, Woicke comments that the issue is not how much Wolfowitz might politicise the Bank. Instead he says it is whether the World Bank will continue its shift from "an organisation that viewed its role in terms of patronising, top-down prescriptions for governments, to an innovative, dynamic one that works collaboratively with a variety of partners in developing nations".
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 18, 2005 Wolfowitz seeks reflected Bono glory.
Paul Wolfowitz called Bono yesterday. The conversation was supposedly to gather views on poverty and debt relief. But Wolfowitz's camp has broadcast to the media the fact that a conversation took place and is seeking to gain some legitimation from that fact.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 18, 2005 Fifty signatures an hour. The statement of concern about the Wolfowitz appointment launched earlier today is gathering fifty signatures an hour. The statement will be finalised and launched tomorrow at 16.00 Brussels. time. Circulate widely. Alex Wilks ~ March 17, 2005 Bad genius alert.
Indymedia is taking the news well... David Steven ~ March 17, 2005 Full text of Wolfowitz statement to Bank.
We have just obtained, and posted, Paul Wolfowitz’s statement of candidacy to the Bank board (word doc). The statement is long on rhetoric and very short on substance. Some elements are interesting, however, and are commented on below.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 17, 2005 All paths lead to oil.
Jim Vallette has no doubt what lies behind Wolfovitz's nomination - US control of global oil supplies. David Steven ~ March 17, 2005 Bank staff views.
One World Bank staffer has e-mailed us to say “I know 10s of staff members who are horrified at the prospects and its implications on their ability to work with clients credibly”. Alex Wilks ~ March 17, 2005 Strong critique from senior German.
A senior German parliamentarian has made a very strong statement against the Wolfowitz nomination. Michael Mueller, a deputy leader of the ruling Social Democrats slammed the US nomination and called on Europe to fight the move. "The recommendation ... is devastating. The cold warrior has already proven he is an arsonist".
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 17, 2005 European parliament statement.
The Chair of the Development Committee of the European Parliament, Louisa Morgantini, has written on behalf of her Committee calling on European governments "to open up the process to accept other candidates". Alex Wilks ~ March 17, 2005 Power of the Tsunami.
According to the Washington Post, it was the shocking impact of the Asian tsunami that turned Paul Wolfowitz's mind towards running the World Bank (but we hear that his girlfriend, Shaha Ali Riza, was also instrumental in urging him to seek the job). According to close associates, he started thinking seriously about leaving two months ago, spurred by a January tour of the devastation in Southeast Asia caused by the tsunami.
more... David Steven ~ March 17, 2005 A listening president?
Speaking to the FT, Paul Wolfowitz has begun to lay out his approach to his new job. David Steven ~ March 17, 2005 Happy Democrats.
Not all US Democrats are upset by the Wolfowitz nomination. David Steven ~ March 17, 2005 McNamara Mark II?
A number of comparisons are being made between Paul Wolfowitz and Robert McNamara. The latter also left the Defense Department to become Bank president as the Vietnam war spiralled in the late 1960s. Fred Kaplan in Slate commented that Wolfowitz: "may be a latter-day Robert McNamara—a war-weary Pentagon master seeking refuge to wring the blood from his hands".
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 17, 2005 Bumps in the road. Howard LaFranchi and David Francis also expect a "bumpy ratification process"... David Steven ~ March 17, 2005 Bruising fight ahead.
The Times of London notes that President Bush has provoked "howls of outrage from foes and a distinct lack of enthusiasm from friends" by nominating Paul Wolfowitz to head the World Bank. David Steven ~ March 16, 2005 Up for the job.
Slate's Robert Kaplan suggests that Paul Wolfowitz has been eagerly pursuing the World Bank presidency and wonders whether he may be the man for the job. David Steven ~ March 16, 2005 US "couldn't care less". A source "close to the Bank" says the appointment shows that the US government "couldn't care less what the rest of the world thinks." The official told Reuters' Lesley Wroughton that when Wolfowitz's name was informally circulated a couple of weeks ago to the Bank's board the unfavourable reaction was made perfectly clear to Treasury Secretary John Snow. Alex Wilks ~ March 16, 2005 Wolfowitz idealist?
"I remember once when the President, in the middle of a discussion about a particular country said, 'just how brutal are its leaders?' " Paul Wolfowitz told Vanity Fair's Sam Tannenhaus. David Steven ~ March 16, 2005 Wolfowitz's inside track.
Paul Wolfowitz is being roundly criticised for knowing little about development, but he does have an inside track on the World Bank. David Steven ~ March 16, 2005 Will Wolfowitz get the job?
At worldbankpresident.org, we suspect Paul Wolfowitz's nomination is just the beginning of the story... David Steven ~ March 16, 2005 Froths and fits.
Advice from the American Digest: FILE UNDER: "How to make your enemies froth at the mouth, set their hair on fire, and run from the room screaming 'I got the fear!' " David Steven ~ March 16, 2005 Screw up, run Bank.
David Corn joins the Economist in making the Paul McNamara link... David Steven ~ March 16, 2005 Economist cautious.
The Economist finds much to look forward to in a Wolfowitz presidency - Bush's nominee is prepared to be controversial, and able to articulate a bold vision. David Steven ~ March 16, 2005 Kerry's not impressed.
"It makes you wonder whether all the administration's words about mending fences with our allies are just lip service," said US presidential failure, John Kerry. David Steven ~ March 16, 2005 Sachs not happy.
Jeff Sachs - who might have fancied the job himself - is not happy at the Wolfowitz appointment... David Steven ~ March 16, 2005 Arab reaction. Mohamed Al-Sayed Said of the Al-Ahram Centre For Political And Strategic Studies, Egypt said he expected Wolfowitz to bring "an ultra-right wing philosophy based on imposing a fully free market with no adequate concern for the poor and basically monetarist (policy) that has no taste for anything other than a very small state. One good thing about it is that he left the Pentagon." Alex Wilks ~ March 16, 2005 Ideology and analysis don't mix. If Wolfowitz is selected despite his controversial politics he will have a hard time convincing people that his economic projections are neutral. The World Bank and IMF frequently produce over-optimistic economic assessments. But Wolfowitz was in another league when he said just before the Iraq war that: "we are dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction and relatively soon". The World Bank and UN analysis decided rather that Iraq requires about US$36 billion over four years. Alex Wilks ~ March 16, 2005 Wolfensohn backtracks. Two weeks ago outgoing Bank president James Wolfensohn was at pains to dispel rumours of a Wolfowitz appointment, implying strongly he would not be happy to hand over to the Deputy Defense Secretary. Now somebody seems to have leaned on Wolfensohn to change his tune. He commented: today: "[Wolfowitz] is a person of high intellect and broad experience in and out of government and he has many qualifications that would be critical to leading the bank". Faint, not full, praise I know. And Wolfensohn did continue: "I look forward for the decision of our board", as if he held out some hope that the latter might veto Wolfowitz. Alex Wilks ~ March 16, 2005 Have your say on the Wolfowitz choice.
We are horrified that the US is seriously nominating Wolfowitz to run the World Bank. Wolfowitz does not have an interest or knowledge about poverty and development problems. With him at the helm the Bank will be seen more and more as a tool of US foreign policy, not a multilateral institution. Alex Wilks ~ March 16, 2005 Bush Confirmation.
Bush has just confirmed in a press briefing at the White House that he has nominated Paul Wolfowitz for World Bank President. Bush's sales pitch was that Wolfowitz is a "compassionate decent man, commited to development, and a skilled diplomat". We strongly disagree and think that Wolfowitz would be a diplomatic disaster at the Bank. Alex Wilks ~ March 16, 2005 Bush Announcement President George Bush is already making an announcement at the White House which is likely to contain Wolfowitz nomination as the next World Bank President. To access live coverage of the conference: click here. Alex Wilks ~ March 16, 2005 Wolfowitz - further confirmation.
Our e-mail is now being swamped by people in Washington confirming that it is to be Wolfowitz running the Bank. The information is coming from Bank staffmembers, Bank board advisors and European government officials. This is far beyond a mere rumour as it appears that Wolfowitz's resume was formally circulated to the Bank. Alex Wilks ~ March 16, 2005 It's Wolfowitz (maybe). Reuters is running a story that Bush wants Wolfowitz for World Bank president - we hear confirmation from two sources! Developing... David Steven ~ March 16, 2005 Power of public disapproval.
Paul Wolfowitz and Carly Fiorina "have since then been dismissed as possibilities in part due to the poor public reception they received as potential presidents". This is according to a United Press International story carried by the Washington Times and others. This almost makes it sound as if there have been public hustings, televised debates and other ways for the public to understand the views and positions of candidates and give their responses. This is of course far from the truth.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 16, 2005 Fiorina still in with chance.
Two well-placed people I have just spoken to in Washington have confirmed that the administration is playing its cards very close to its chest on the Bank presidency. One said, however, that Wolfowitz rumours have died away. Another that "the latest rumour is McPherson is out of the running while Carly Fiorina is still in contention". They considered this the wrong way round.
more... Alex Wilks ~ March 10, 2005 CNN Wolfowitz confusion.
A piece on CNN.com quotes relevant experts praising Bono, but outlining the difficulties he would face in any transition to the Bank and putting his chances of getting the job at "zero". Alex Wilks ~ March 09, 2005 "Desperation" in Bank process.
A Washington Post columnist has savaged the US approach to choosing a new World Bank president. Sebastian Mallaby, author of a recent book on the Bank, fears that 2005 may be as bad as 1986. This was "a low point in American economic diplomacy" when development novice Barber Conable was shoe-horned into the institution against his will and to the detriment of the Bank. Alex Wilks ~ March 07, 2005 Wolfensohn clarifies.
The Bank yesterday released a statement to clarify Wolfensohn's remark that Wolfowitz is out of the Bank president selection race. The Bank issued a comment from Wolfensohn that: "I have no personal knowledge. I was simply referring to the Pentagon statement". Alex Wilks ~ March 04, 2005 Wolfowitz: bluff or believable?
I asked a range of well-placed people yesterday what they thought of the Wolfowitz rumour. Views were mixed with at least some considering the Defense Department response to be football manager pyschology ("David Beckham is very happy at Manchester United"). Alex Wilks ~ March 03, 2005 Wolfowitz in, out, shake it all about.
According to outgoing World Bank President, James Wolfensohn, Paul Wolfowitz is out of the running ("no longer part, I think, of the exercise, so I don't think there is any need to comment") - but Reuters finds a "Republican source" to disagree... David Steven ~ March 03, 2005 Better off at the Pentagon?
The Guardian Newsblog has a link-rich rundown of news linking Paul Wolfowitz to the World Bank presidency. David Steven ~ March 02, 2005 Wolfowitz touted.
The FT drops a bombshell this morning - Paul Wolfowitz is now a leading candidate for World Bank president. David Steven ~ March 01, 2005 |
"Keep track of the rumored candidates, power plays and buzz." Categories "Offering the rumors and gossip usually reserved for Washington's bars and back rooms." WBpresident.org in the news Wolfowitz-Riza-Cleveland: New Evil-doing? "Accomplished and intelligent… sifts through the speculation and brings you the latest news." Recent Rumours Zoellick bearhug photo. Links The World Bank Search this site Archive
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