New York Post claims that Wolfowitz has split up with partner Shaha Ali Riza. They also say that “a World Bank source” told them that Riza may be returning to the Bank after Wolfowitz officially steps down end June. Which gets wbp.org to thinking – who else of the Wolfowitz coterie is going to hang around and for how long?
As regular wbp.org readers will remember, the Wolfowitz affair brought to light serious questions about the performance of a number of Wolfowitz-appointees: Kevin Kellems (resigned), Robin Cleveland, Juan Jose Daboub, Ana Palacio, and Suzanne Rich Folsom, to name a few.
Al Kamen ponders some of the same questions in the Washington Post.
What are your thoughts on the cutting of the coat tails?
Composite post below of all the dozen or so comments received from readers (transferred like this following the site technology switch).
Al Kamen from WaPo has a good summary on the whole lot:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/22/AR2007052201462.html
“Unclear where chief of staff Robin Cleveland will land, though she’s likely to leave soon. Ditto the general counsel, former Spanish foreign minister Ana Palacio, whose Euro credentials have taken a major hit by this episode.”
The Beaver ~ May 24, 2007, 01:59 PM
Don’t forget Edie Wilson. She is another American appointee, brought in from the Hill.
Source ~ May 24, 2007, 03:36 PM
Yep,
She brought Carly to the Bank’s main headquarters to discuss her book and her views of leadership and development last yr.
She has been there since 1998 if I am not mistaken on her identity and according to a bio from WITA:
“Edith Wilson is Senior Advisor on Corporate Communications in the External Relations office of the World Bank, where she has worked since 1998. She assists the Director on special projects and policy documents, and lends technical assistance and training to Bank projects on strategic communications issues. As a project manager at the World Bank in 2002-2004, she led a team integrating public affairs and communications components in World Bank Loans and projects, providing technical assistance and designing strategic communications and opinion research programs for client countries. Prior to this, she worked as Senior Advisor to the Vice President, counseling and managing such issues as trade, private sector relations, labor, and globalization issues. Earlier, as Chief of Industrialized Country Relations, she was a member of the Bank’s Trade Policy Network, advising on trade strategy and serving as an observer at the 1999 Seattle WTO Ministerial. Prior to joining the World Bank, Ms. Wilson served as Senior Fellow and Director at the Progressive Policy Institute, and as Chief of Staff for Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL.) Before working in government, she was Senior Vice President of International Affairs at the public affairs firm Burson-Marstellar, working on NAFTA implementation and environmental issues. She has testified on trade issues and is the author of several published trade articles as well.”
The Beaver ~ May 24, 2007, 04:36 PM
The New York Post says:
After Wolfowitz joined the World Bank, Ali Riza was first transferred to a joint World Bank/U.S. Agency for International Development multinational investment project, and then to work on the bank’s South American interests.
What World Bank South American interests and for how long?
The New York Post says:
Madsen adds that last week, he spotted Ali Riza by herself, walking up 19th Street in Washington from World Bank offices after Wolfowitz appeared in a closed-door meeting before the bank’s executive board. … … … The World Bank said it had no contact information for Ali Riza.
So where the heck do we send her pay-cheques?
NotClarice ~ May 24, 2007, 06:22 PM
Oh somewhere @ Wesley Heights.
But she must have direct deposit
Yul ~ May 24, 2007, 06:32 PM
Come on!!
The New York Post?
What’s next?
The National Enquirer says Bush will nominate Elvis?
Please do not turn this site into cheap gossip mongering. There’s too much of that already!
Keep it Clean ~ May 24, 2007, 08:12 PM
I think its quite unfair to attack Edith Wilson. She is a great colleague in the bank and has nothing to do with Wolfowitz or anyone he brought in the bank. She has been in the bank long before him.
It was the world bank’s book store that invited Carly Fiorina to the bank when she published a book to their credit. Edith was invited to chair the event to her own credit.
and here is the link to that event if you want to watch it http://info.worldbank.org/etools/bspan/EventView.asp?EID=901
World Banker ~ May 25, 2007, 12:35 AM
I completely agree with World Banker’s comments–in my opinion Edith Wilson is totally above board. She has been at the Bank for nearly 10 years and has had nothing more to do with Wolfowitz than any of the rest of us who have worked in situations that have required contact and cooperation with the President’s office–quite a few of us. And she is indeed a good colleague.
anonymous wb staff ~ May 25, 2007, 02:29 AM
She may have been at the Bank a long time, but that makes no difference. Suzanne Folsom was at the bank two (2) years prior to Paul Wolfowitz’s arrival. The question is whether she is part of the “coterie” as Jeff Powell puts it. I don’t think there is any question of that due to her political experience and contacts prior to joining the Bank Staff on Capitol Hill.
Source ~ May 25, 2007, 04:52 PM
Source: I can tell you without one tiny bit of hesitation that Edie is NOT part of the “coterie”. I believe she even sports a very nice blue ribbon. You may have noticed she worked for a democrat on the Hill?! End of story. I think she’s away and not even able to defend herself from this ridiculousness. Keep looking though, you will find one or two in External Affairs that are in the coterie.
A wb staffer ~ May 25, 2007, 06:41 PM
exactly what is “source” thinking? edie wilson is, by all accounts, a fine professional and a fine colleague; dedicated to the bank and its mission. she is no more a part of the”coterie” than i am. pointing a finger at her is unfair and wrong-headed.
john ~ May 25, 2007, 07:26 PM
On the Edie Wilson issue, if “Source” had actually ever worked with her or spoken with her it would be obvious that she is a different breed from the Wolfowitz “coterie”. What is so damaging about the kind of people Wolfowitz brought to the Bank was the combination of ignorance of development, arrogance and refusal to acknowledge that they just don’t know the issues. Edie does her job well and doesn’t report and spy on people with different views. Just because someone has political experience doesn’t mean they abuse it.
kp ~ May 26, 2007, 02:32 AM
The coat tails that should be cut are the very old frayed ones of obsolete tradition.
The unwritten agreement for selection of the heads of the Bank and the Fund was arranged in 1944. It is a different world and the balance of power has changed and the selection process has to be updated. The current US administration cannot be relied upon to nominate the leader the World Bank needs, they disgraced themselves appointing Paul Wolfowitz and the list of heir apparents is disappointing.
World Bank President ought to play a role mobilizing public opinion and put pressure on the WB Board to adopt the agreements they reached in 2001 to change the selection process. The climate for change is here, world opinion and support in the U.S. congress and other capitals show that this may be the best time to do it.
these links show videos of Robert Zoellick:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6433672343427419563&q=Robert+Zoellick
and Robert Kimmitt:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5643821231724620887&q=robert+kimmitt
They are not bad, but there are better people than these two Roberts.
WorldBanker ~ May 26, 2007, 04:45 PM