European nations pile pressure on Wolfowitz

[IChing]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - European countries on Saturday piled pressure on
World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz over a scandal involving a promotion for
his girlfriend, with Britain saying it had damaged the bank and Germany questioning
whether he still had the credibility to lead the institution.

But African ministers came out in support of him, with Liberia calling him a "visionary"
and Mauritius saying he had done a good job.


German development minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul said it was important Wolfowitz's
actions did not compromise the moral authority of the institution, which spends around $25
billion annually to fight poverty in poor countries.

"He himself has to decide whether he still has the credibility to represent the position
of the World Bank," she told Reuters.

Read more: http://africa.reuters.com/business/news/usnBAN529775.html

[kurth]

1. Now when you're praised by LIBERIA

that's something to write home about. Definitely suitable for framing.

[soothsayer]

2. LIE-beria maybe

[peacetalksforall]

3. Last week we had two major on air apologies - Imus and Wolfowitz.

Will the coming week bring us two resignations -

Wolfowitz at the beginning of the week
and
Gonzales at the end of the week?

By the way -
has Imus apologized to the NBC females and his staff, yet?
has Wolfowitz apologized to the world for Iraq, yet?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. And how much were Liberia and Mauitius

officials paid to back him up?

[Eugene]

5. Wolfowitz in spotlight as pressure on him builds (Wolfowitz not asked to resign)

Source: Reuters

Wolfowitz in spotlight as pressure on him builds
15 Apr 2007 19:09:51 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Lesley Wroughton

WASHINGTON, April 15 (Reuters) - Top European officials on Sunday
voiced concern the World Bank's reputation had been tarnished by bank
President Paul Wolfowitz, but stopped short of calling for his resignation
over his handling of a girlfriend's promotion.

Development ministers from around the globe were to discuss the issue
over lunch, as they took a break from a meeting of the joint International
Monetary Fund-World Bank Development Committee that focuses on
helping poor countries grow.

At the start of speeches to the committee, ministers from Britain and
Germany said the bank's reputation had been damaged and welcomed
the planned discussion, sources told Reuters.

Other sources monitoring the meeting said several other European
countries also briefly addressed the issue, although they did not call
outright for Wolfowitz to step down.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N15201783.htm

[PassingFair]

6. Why now? And who REALLY wants him out? Europe, or the Carlyle Group?

I'm not buying this "compromised moral authority" bullshit.

Why are they able to vomit him out now?

Anyone have theories as to who is applying the crowbar?

[PassingFair]

7. Wolfowitz says won't resign; bank says concerned

Looks like "OLD EUROPE" is spitting him out. Let's hope they've got the
"peristaltic" action to do it.

snip> In a news conference shortly after the Development Committee's tough words were released, Wolfowitz said he believed he could still effectively lead the poverty-fighting lender. "This is important work and I intend to continue it."

Top European officials were among those who expressed worry in closed-door sessions on Sunday that Wolfowitz had tarnished the bank's reputation by helping to secure a high-paying promotion for his girlfriend, bank employee Shaha Riza.

At the start of speeches to the Development Committee, ministers from Britain and Germany said the bank's reputation had been dented, sources told Reuters.

Other sources monitoring the meeting said several other European countries also briefly addressed the issue, although they did not call outright for Wolfowitz to step down.

The Netherlands, a large donor country, was among the chorus of nations wondering how the bank's credibility could be restored. "We are critical but are awaiting development," William Lelieveldt, Dutch Treasury spokesman, told Reuters.

NOTE: LOL, when you spell check "Wolfowitz", it suggests "Halfwit"

http://in.today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2007-04-16T023014Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-294323-1.xml