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Thursday March 31, 11:29
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Wolfowitz declares his democratic mission as World Bank’s president
(by Helen Snow)
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The nomination of US Paul Wolfowitz, former officer of the U.S. Defense and State departments, to head the World Bank provoked arguments concerning his role in the Iraq war and lack of diplomatic experience.
The agenda of the 10th president of the World Bank remains the same: “Dictatorships beware!’’ But this very strong intention for democracy in the whole world can get in the way of Wolfowitz’s project to establish the counsel of all of the World Bank’s 184 member countries.
Wolfowitz’s nomination two weeks ago evoked immediate criticism from some European government officials and experts. In their opinion, Wolfowitz, who promoted the policy of the U.S. Defense and State departments for 20 years, will be unable to offer another way of development. The main argument focused on his role in the Iraq war.
``We need an individual with international experience in the fight against poverty and global trust. Mr. Wolfowitz does not fit those criteria,’’ Jeffrey Sachs, a Columbia University professor in New York and a United Nations adviser, said.
Proponents of a different view state that Wolfowitz can be quite an appropriate nominate, though his success depends on the US President administration’s approach and on the development of events in Iraq.
``A lot will also depend, frankly, on what happens in Iraq as he takes on the position,’’ Michael Nacht, dean of the University of California at Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, said.
Nevertheless, there seem to be no official obstacles for Wolfowitz during the voting of the bank’s 24-member executive board from Washington. He also seems quite optimistic: ``I wouldn’t be taking on this huge responsibility if I didn’t believe in the mission,’’ he said. ``The more people I meet with, the more will understand.’’
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