WASHINGTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank's executive board is scheduled to meet late Thursday to discuss the fate of its president Paul Wolfowitz, as the man himself sought to shore up support among top managers by suggesting he may shake up his inner circle, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

    At the center of the controversy is a pay-and-promotion package that Wolfowitz prepared for his girlfriend Shaha Riza, a former staff member at the bank.

    When Wolfowitz took over in 2005, Riza was transferred on assignment by the bank to work with the U.S. State Department to avoid any conflict of interest.

    But while still on the World Bank payroll, she was promoted and given a tax-free salary package worth about 193,000 dollars, more than Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice receives before tax.

    It is unclear whether the 24-member board will take any final action at the closed-door session, the report said, adding that Graeme Wheeler, a New Zealander who is one of the bank's most senior managers, has urged Wolfowitz to consider stepping down.

    Wheeler is one of two managing directors at the World Bank, putting him just below Wolfowitz on the organizational ladder. Wheeler was appointed to the position by Wolfowitz.

    The report said that the risk for Wolfowitz is that the White House could decide that maintaining long-term U.S. credibility within the bank and more broadly in the international community is more important than defending his personal integrity.