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Struggle moves from Iraq to World Bank - Wolfowitz pledges to ‘do a lot of listening’
President George W. Bush announced he intended to send his deputy defense secretary to the world's leading development institution – the World Bank. Paul Wolfowitz, the chief mastermind of transforming Iraq into a democracy is ready to lead the World Bank.
“Before I have my own vision, I need to do a lot of listening” Mr. Wolfowitz told the media. His nomination to lead the World Bank is historic and may be the smartest move by George Bush.
The issue is fighting terrorism. You can do so much with surveillance, counter terrorism and similar tactics. But Bush Administration is aiming to influence the World Bank’s money flow to countries so that the recipients take enough precautions not to harbor, support or in any way allow terrorists operate in their countries.
According to media, some wary Europeans and development economists have argued he is not suited for the post. But Mr Wolfowitz said: “I look forward to meeting the European executive directors and the European finance ministers and development ministers. I know that in this job I would be working for them as members of the Bank. I think they''ll find me a good listener, and I know I have a lot that I need to hear and understand. I had very good conversations on the phone today with a number of leaders around the world, including the Spanish managing director of the [International Monetary Fund], Rodrigo de Rato, who was very positive. People who know me well from my development experience like the prime minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz, or Sri Mulyani, the economic development minister of Indonesia, are very positive. I hope as others get to know me in this field, they''ll form a similar opinion. This is not about changing the agenda of the World Bank. The agenda of the World Bank is about poverty reduction, about helping billions of people lift themselves up out of misery. It's a unifying mission that brings people together, and I look forward to that opportunity. Problems like poverty and HIV/Aids need to be addressed for their own sake as humanitarian issues, but it's also the case that soundly-based economic development supports the advance of liberty and freedom as well.”
This is not a done deal. Traditionally US selects the World Bank head. But the nomination must be approved by the directors, who represent member countries.
What Paul Wolfowitz will try to do is to influence flow of money to countries that supports democracy, fight against terrorism and support traditional human rights.
Can he transform World Bank like he has done in Iraq. Only time will say. The struggle moves from Iraq to World Bank. George Bush made another right decision. Paul Wolfowitz is an able person, an intellect of caliber and person of conviction.
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