Bush picks Wolfowitz for new WB president
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-17 09:25

WASHINGTON - US President Bush on Wednesday chose Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, a lightning rod of controversy as an architect of the Iraq war, to become the new president of the World Bank.

The selection threatened to set off a bitter fight on the World Bank board, which must sign off on Washington's choice, at a time when Bush has said improving trans-Atlantic relations and America's image in the Arab world will be top priorities.

US President George W. Bush (R) announced he has selected Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, a magnet for controversy as one of the leading architects of the Iraq war, as his choice for World Bank president, March 16, 2005. Bush and Wolfowitz met in the Oval Office after the announcement. [Reuters]

Bush sought to head off any backlash over his nominee, calling French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and South African President Thabo Mbeki to make the case that Wolfowitz would make a "strong" leader of the international agency.

Wolfowitz, seen as a driving neoconservative voice behind Bush's controversial strategy of pre-emptive military action and spreading democracy in the Muslim world, pledged to serve the bank's multinational membership and to build consensus.

"I understand that in this job I'll be an international civil servant reporting to a multinational board, responsible for hearing all their views," he told reporters. The bank provides billions of dollars in loans in the developing world.

Wolfowitz could prove a hard sell for Bush, with some foreign leaders raising the possibility there could be other candidates. The selection follows closely on the nomination of another leading administration hawk, John Bolton, to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. That move raised doubts about Bush's new emphasis on diplomacy, critics said.

At a White House news conference, Bush described Wolfowitz as "a compassionate, decent man" with "good experience" in managing large organizations, citing his role at the Pentagon, and as "a skilled diplomat" who is committed to global development. He was previously U.S. ambassador to Indonesia and served at the Pentagon in the administration of Bush's father during the 1991 Gulf War.

European sources said Wolfowitz's name was circulated informally among board directors several weeks ago and was rejected. "Mr. Wolfowitz's nomination today tells us the U.S. couldn't care less what the rest of the world thinks," one source said.

French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier suggested other candidates could be considered. "It's a proposal. We shall examine it in context of the personality of the person you mention and perhaps in view of other candidates."

Mexican President Vincente Fox called the choice, "a good proposal," but added "there may be others. There are people of great value."

Treasury Secretary John Snow said the president's decision came after discussions with senior World Bank officials "to come to a consensus on the essential qualifications of a World Bank leader."

IRAQ WAR HAWK

The U.S. Treasury Department said it wanted a successor in place before World Bank president, James Wolfensohn, departs in June after 10 years in the post.

By tradition, the United States selects the World Bank president, who serves a five-year term, while Europeans nominate a head of the International Monetary Fund. Despite grumbling from European officials, board sources says critics will have little success in blocking Bush's choice.

Wolfowitz is a deeply controversial figure in Europe because of his role in designing and promoting the Iraq war.

He has also been a frequent target of criticism from congressional Democrats who say he misled them with rosy assessments of military operations and reconstruction needs in Iraq.

"It makes you wonder whether all the administration's words about mending fences with our allies are just lip service," said Sen. John Kerry, Bush's Democratic rival in last year's presidential campaign.

Wolfensohn, who earlier this month appeared to dismiss Wolfowitz's prospects for the World Bank job, described Bush's choice as "a person of high intellect, integrity and broad experience."

IMF chief Rodrigo Rato praised his "impressive record," and experience in Asia and the Middle East.

Wolfowitz is "very distinguished and experienced internationally," said British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. "If his appointment is confirmed we look forward to working with him."

Several international groups, including Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and ActionAid, called Wolfowitz a bad choice.

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